Pride and Prejudice - The Special Edition (A&E, 1996)

Product Description

The timeless themes of love and marriage in Jane Austen's superb romantic comedy Pride and Prejudice have captured readers for generations - the novel has sold more than 20 million copies and has never been out of print. Now, A&E and the BBC have brought this beloved classic to life in a compelling production directed by Upstairs, Downstairs' Simon Langton. This stunning production captures the celebrated beauty of the English countryside and its glorious, stately manors. It features lavish costumes and an exquisite soundtrack from noted composer Carl Davis.

Pride and Prejudice is the story of the lively and rebellious Elizabeth Bennet, one of five unmarried daughters living in the countryside of 19th Century England. IN a world where obtaining an advantageous marriage is a woman's sole occupation, Elizabeth's independent manner threatens her family's future. Will her romantic sparring with the mysterious and arrogant Darcy end in misfortune - or will love's true nature prevail?

System Requirements:
Starring: Jennifer Ehle, Colin Firth, David Bamber, Crispin Bonham-Carter, Anthony Calf, Anna Chancellor, Susannah Harker, Julia Sawalha, Alison Steadman, Benjamin Whitrow.
Directed By: Simon Langton.
Running Time: 310 Minutes, Color.
This Film is presented in "Widescreen" format.
Copyright 2001 A&E Television Networks.

Format: DVD MOVIE

Amazon.com essential video

Jane Austen's classic novel of 1813, Pride and Prejudice, still wins the hearts of countless schoolgirls with its romantic story of Elizabeth Bennet and her Mr. Darcy. Now, the 1996 BBC miniseries is winning over adults, with its faithful adaptation, gorgeous scenery, and superb acting. The essence of the story is the antagonism between Mr. Darcy, a wealthy single man who believes Elizabeth to be beneath him, and Elizabeth, who upon being insulted at a dance by the aloof Darcy refuses to associate with him in any manner. Austen evokes incredible tension with the wit and flirtation of the two characters, and director Simon Langton (who also directed Upstairs Downstairs) successfully translates the repartee and conflict in this six-hour miniseries. Dialogue, for the most part, is painstakingly replicated, except when fleshing out and smoothing for modern sensibilities was necessary. Darcy, for instance, is drawn out, giving his personality significantly more depth. The acting sweeps you away to Regency England: Jennifer Ehle (of Wilde) is convincing as the obstinate Elizabeth, who, despite her mother's attempts to marry her off, spurs the attentions of Darcy. And Colin Firth (of The English Patient) will have women everywhere longing for a Mr. Darcy of their own.

For those who enjoy excellent Austen adaptations such as Sense and Sensibility and Persuasion--this miniseries will round out the ultimate Austen library. For those new to these romantic period pieces, this version of Pride and Prejudice will have you hooked and longing for more. One caveat, however: plan to watch it in an entire day, because very few have the self-control to not watch all six hours in a single sitting. --Jenny Brown

On the DVD
There's a lot to love (and a lot lacking) on the 10th anniversary limited edition. It comes in a tall, embossed green case that's out of place on a DVD shelf but blends right into a library of volumes. The three discs fit snugly in a sleeve, accompanied by a 120-page deluxe companion book. The main attraction, a retrospective documentary, features interviews with key cast members with the sad exceptions of Jennifer Ehle (who played Elizabeth) and Colin Firth (Mr. Darcy), which is bound to disappoint fans. Nonetheless, there are some amusing anecdotes from Mr. and Mrs. Bennet (played by Benjamin Withrow and Alison Steadman), Mary Bennet (Lucy Briers), Mr. Collins (David Bamber), Mr. Bingley (Crispin Bonham-Carter) and Mr. Wickham (Adrian Lukis), who all look drastically different--and younger--without their period costumes and hairstyles. One producer recalls that casting Colin Firth in the role with which his name is now synonymous was not an easy feat: he auditioned having gained weight and dyed his hair blond for another role, looking like "an unmade bed." Even Firth's own brother doubted his ability to pull off the dashing Darcy: "Isn't he supposed to be sexy?"

The special features also include a walking tour of the shooting locations with Lukis and Briers and an A&E Biography episode on Jane Austen that focuses largely on the onslaught of mid-1990s film adaptations of her novels. If it's your first time purchasing Pride & Prejudice, this collector's edition is a nice one to own. But if you already own the movie, you're not missing out on anything here. --Ellen A. Kim

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Customer Reviews:

Pride and Prejudice-The Special Edition (A&E, 1996).......2007-08-31

WOW! This is a great movie! Colin Firth does a dynamite job of playing Mr. Darcy. I also like how "Kitty" avoids "Mr. Collins" in the later part of the movie. "Mrs. Bennent" does a beautiful job of being melodramatic. This is an excellent movie to watch!

Memorable..........2007-08-30

What can I say but 'simply adorable and memorable'? :) I've always wanted to buy this production on DVD format since I first saw it being broadcasted on a cable TV channel in Brazil called 'People and Arts'. It was love at first sight, that's for sure. That was also the precise occasion when I had the inestimable privilege to know such remarkable actors: Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth. And it all happened back in 1997/8, and now I've finally got this extremely well-made movie at home to watch and share with friends, relatives and students whenever I feel like.
Thank you BBC for having produced such a masterpiece, and thank you Amazon for proving me with the possibility of buying this product.

Pride and Prejudice.......2007-08-28

THE STORY WAS SO GOOD== THERE ARE NO WORDS TO DESCRIBE HOW GREAT IT IS....

good movie.......2007-08-25

I was pleased with the timely manner I recieved the movie and the price I recieved. I got this on the bonus buy. I enjoyed the movie and it is of good quality. No complaints. Thanks.

wonderful miniseries.......2007-08-24

As others have noted, this is superb. I have watched it many times and it never grows old. I find this far superior to the newer, cinematic version.

Average customer rating:

yep
A little Predictable, Great Performances
me please
Wings of Desire is better by far
The Original Is Better

City of Angels
Starring: Nicolas Cage , Meg Ryan , Andre Braugher , Dennis Franz , and Colm Feore
Director: Brad Silberling
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
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ASIN: 0790737345
Release Date: 1998-09-29

Amazon.com

Some critics complained that City of Angels could never compare to Wim Wenders's exquisite German film Wings of Desire, which served as the later film's primary inspiration. The better argument to make is that any such comparisons are beside the point, because Wings of Desire was a much more deeply poetic, artfully contemplative film, whereas City of Angels is an enchanting product of mainstream Hollywood. Meg Ryan stars as Dr. Maggie Rice, a heart surgeon who is grieving over a lost patient when an angel named Seth (Nicolas Cage) appears to comfort her. She can see him despite the "rule" that angels are invisible, and Seth's love for Maggie forces him to choose between angelic immortality and a normal human existence on earth with her. Featuring heavenly roles for TV veterans Andre Braugher and Dennis Franz, the film liberally borrows imagery from Wings of Desire, but it also creates its own charming identity. Cage and Ryan give fine performances as lovers convinced they are soul mates, and although the plot relies on a last-minute twist that doesn't quite work, this earnest love story struck a chord with audiences and proved to be one of the surprise hits of 1998. The Special Edition widescreen DVD includes audio commentary by Nicolas Cage, producer Charles Roven, and director Brad Silberling in addition to deleted scenes, a behind-the-scenes documentary, a featurette about the film's special effects, and the theatrical trailer. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews:

yep.......2007-09-18

This is a very beautiful movie. I first saw it when I was in my teens and it was one of the first movies that "touched" me. lol. Ive never been a fan of Meg Ryan, but in this movie, she doesnt bother me. The soundtrack is awesome and Nicholas Cages performance is fantastic. Highly recommended.

A little Predictable, Great Performances.......2007-09-03

For you Meg Ryan fans [10 years ago], this may well be the best performance of her career. She is utterly believable as a young heart surgeon who falls in love with a haunting Nicholas Cage [her angel]. I found Cage's performance strong [because he is a strong actor], but in this case, not strong enough to maintain my suspension of disbelief. The script is a little heavy-handed on the metaphors, like Ryan's "heart surgeon" role, and the fact that angels must literally "fall" out of their protective, celestial perches in order to experience what humans feel when they "fall in love." I dunno. Maybe thse are minor points, but they seemed a tad hokey to me. What happens as we follow the foibles of Nick's coming to terms with human frailty - as well as the conclusion - are also a little predictable. I did, however, love Dennis Franz's performance as a fallen angel who learned to accept - and adapt to - his new role as a human being. He brought some much-needed levity to a script that might have otherwise found itself drowning in self-indulgence. In the end, this is a film about true love, and about how much we're willing to give - or let go of - in order to feel it in the first place. In a world where everything is over-analyzed, and caution is at an all-time high, it was a welcomed relief to visit this over-the-top look at romantic love one last time...before we forget it ever existed. Maybe that's why I gave it 4 stars.

me please.......2007-06-27

Found the item to be of good quality what was said was what I got found them to be reliable and effficient. Thank You.

Wings of Desire is better by far.......2007-05-16

"Wings of Desire" (the movie that "City of Angels" is loosely inspired upon), is a masterpiece and "City of Angels" is...is... how could I explain it not being too rude? It is just a piece of junk in comparison. Somebody wrote that he didn't like "Wings of Desire" because he didn't feel the same as he felt watching "City of Angels". I agree in the "feeling" part, because I felt nausea watching "City of Angels" and that didn't happen to me watching "Wings of Desire"!! I own "Wings of Desire" and have seen it and enjoyed it many times. Regarding "City of Angels", well I rented it and barely could see it once!

The Original Is Better.......2007-05-13

Back in 1988, on a friend's recommendation, I saw "Wings of Desire" in the theater and loved it. Subsequently, I was interested when Hollywood made its own version of Wim Wender's film with Nicholas Cage and Meg Ryan, both actors whose work I've enjoyed. I saw "City of Angels," and for the most part I liked it -- that is, until the very end. What a DOWNER!! No matter that the movie gets all psedo-warmfuzzy-philosophical and time-to-get-out-your-handkerchiefs, it misses the point of the original film, which was a celebration of Human Life and Love. I own the DVD of "Wings of Desire." One viewing of "City of Angels" was enough for me.

Average customer rating:

A tremendously moving WWII, which is still moving today...
These were the Best Years of Our Lives
Thoughtful, touching film
Classic Black & White War Movie
Shame on the Film Makers

The Best Years of Our Lives
Starring: Myrna Loy , Fredric March , Dana Andrews , Teresa Wright , and Virginia Mayo
Director: William Wyler
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
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ASIN: 0792846133
Release Date: 2000-07-18

Amazon.com essential video

Winner of seven Academy Awards, including best picture, director, actor, and screenplay, William Wyler's brilliant drama about domestic life after World War II remains one of the all-time classics of American cinema. Inspired by a pictorial article about returning soldiers in Life magazine, the story focuses on three war veterans (Fredric March, Dana Andrews, and Harold Russell in unforgettable roles) and their rocky readjustment to civilian life in their Midwestern town of Boone City. Capturing the contradictory moods of America in the mid to late 1940s, this three-hour drama spans a complex range of honest emotions, from joyous celebration and happy reunion to deep-rooted ambivalence and reassessment of personal priorities. A movie milestone when released in 1946, The Best Years of Our Lives still packs a punch with powerful, timeless themes. --Jeff Shannon

Description

It's the hope that sustains the spirit of every GI: the dream of the day when he will finally return home. For three WWII veterans, the day has arrived. But for each man, the dream is about to becomea nightmare. Captain Fred Derry (Dana Andrews) is returning to a loveless marriage; Sergeant Al Stephenson (Fredric March) is a stranger to a family that's grown up without him; and young sailor Homer Parrish (Harold Russell) is tormented by the loss of his hands. Can these three men find the courage to rebuild their world? Or are the best years of their lives a thing of the past? Featuring a brilliant cast that includes Myrna Loy and Virginia Mayo, this postwar classic garnered* seven OscarsÂ(r), including Best Picture. Heart-wrenching, touching and "filled with emotional dynamite" (The Hollywood Reporter), it remains "one of the best films about war veterans ever made" (American Movie Classics). *1946: Director, Actor, Supporting Actor, Writing/Screenplay, Film Editing, Music/Scoring of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture

Customer Reviews:

A tremendously moving WWII, which is still moving today..........2007-08-31

This is one of the greatest WWII films ever made, and it's a really moving, deeply human story about war and its aftermath. Despite it being made in 1946, the film still holds it power today. I remember being absolutely stunned by it, enthralled by all of its 3 hours. It also shows that not every American was in love with the idea of fighting in WWII, and that many men were permanently disabled, both physically and mentally, by the war. It also has a rather frank (especially for this country) and honest depiction of adultery (one of the main characters is married to a gold diggin' b****, and another woman desperately wants the man to break up with her so she can enjoy him). It also has one of the greatest wedding scenes in movie history, taking up nearly 30 minutes at the end of the film. It is filmed exactly as it would happen in real life, and Hoagy Carmichael (yes, that Hoagy) is playing the piano during the ceremony. The scene is incredibly moving, and there isn't one ounce of forced sentimentality. It's incredibly honest and deeply moving. All of the performers are wonderful, and William Wyler shows why he was one of Hollywood's greatest directors. A masterpiece from the old Hollywood masters.

These were the Best Years of Our Lives.......2007-06-09

What a great movie. The scenes between Fredick March, Myna Loy and Theresa Wright where Theresa told them that they alway had the perfect life and marriage and Myna looks at Fred and say "how many time have I told you that I hated you and meant it?" Then he looks at her and say "how many times did we have to fall in love all over again?" Its so gooood...Harold Russell great actors and deserves the TWO Oscars. Anyone that hasn't seen it really needs to check this one out..

Thoughtful, touching film.......2007-05-07

I love this movie. Though all the actors were excellent, Harold Russell is the reason to watch this movie. He deserved every ounce of his two - yes two - Oscars that he received for this role. He is amazing to watch. Though disabled, it was hard to consider him handicapped. I once used this film in my sunday school class. The lesson was on overcoming adversity and I showed the scene where Russell plays a piano duet with Hoagy Carmichael. The girls in my class were amazed. Then I shared with them some of the other things Russell had accomplished in his life - like being a founder of AMVETS. Russell's off screen story is a story in itself and should be made into a movie. Unfortunately, no actor could convincingly play him. That's the key to the impact he had on the screen - he wasn't an actor - he was a real, disabled person. Watch this movie - you'll be amazed too.

Classic Black & White War Movie.......2007-05-07

This was my father's all time favorite movie, which may be one reason I love it so much....then again, it's a damn good movie that still holds up! It is the story of three soldiers return to civilian life after World War II, with an outstanding cast and a great 40's style.

Shame on the Film Makers.......2007-04-08

I don't see how self-respecting African-Americans can watch this film without gritting their teeth. Black people are shuffled off to the sidelines with stereotypical, non-speaking parts: They lug baggage at the airport. They work behind the drugstore soda counter. They don't say anything, they don't go anywhere important, they don't even exist in the poor part of town where one of the featured white characters lives.

The movie is racist. It ignores what the Black experience was like for soldiers in WWII and for the folks at home who put up with the enduring racism.

And the flick got a zillion Oscars. Hollywood felt good about itself. Hooray. Figures.

Average customer rating:

Witness for the Prosecution
A highly skilled and professional movie, with four highly skilled and amusing performances
From the Old School!
Guilty, Your Honor - I Love This Movie
Charles Laughton Steals the Show

Witness For the Prosecution
Starring: Tyrone Power , Marlene Dietrich , Charles Laughton , Elsa Lanchester , and John Williams (II)
Director: Billy Wilder
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
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ASIN: B00005PJ6Z
Release Date: 2001-12-11

Amazon.com essential video

Billy Wilder cowrote and directed this brilliant 1957 mystery based on Agatha Christie's celebrated play about an aging London barrister (Charles Laughton) who's preparing to retire when he takes the defense in the most vexing murder case of his distinguished career. In his final completed film (he died of a heart attack less than a year later), Tyrone Power plays the prime suspect in the murder of a wealthy widow, and Marlene Dietrich plays the wife of the accused, whose testimony--and true identity--holds the key to solving the case. A classic of courtroom suspense, Witness for the Prosecution is one of those movies with enough double-crossing twists to keep the viewer guessing right up to the very end, when yet another surprise is deftly revealed. This being a Billy Wilder film, the dialogue is first-rate and the acting superb, with both Laughton and his offscreen wife Elsa Lanchester (playing the barrister's pesty nurse) winning Academy Awards for their performances. Although later films would concoct even more complicated courtroom scenarios, this remains one of the best films of its kind and a model for all those films that followed its lead. --Jeff Shannon

Description

Tyrone Power, Marlene Dietrich and Charles Laughton star in this brilliantly made courtroom drama (The Film Daily) that left audiences reeling from its surprise twists and shocking climax. Directed by Billy Wilder, scripted by Wilder and Harry Kurnitz and based on Agatha Christie's hit London play, this splendid, six-time Oscar-nominated* classic crackles with emotional electricity (The New York Times) and continues to keep movie lovers riveted until the final, mesmerizing frame. When a wealthy widow is found murdered, her married suitor, Leonard Vole (Power), is accused of the crime. Vole's only hope for acquittal is the testimony of his wife (Dietrich) but his airtightalibi shatters when she reveals some shocking secrets of her own! *1957: Best Picture, Actor (Laughton), Supporting Actress (Elsa Lanchester), Director, Sound, Film Editing

Customer Reviews:

Witness for the Prosecution.......2007-06-27

Adapted from Agatha Christie's celebrated stage play, Billy Wilder's quintessential 1957 courtroom drama steadily builds narrative tension with its crisp, cynical dialogue. Surprises of identity, double and triple crosses, and a succession of plot twists keep this "Witness" from becoming predictable. Laughton and real-life wife Elsa Lanchester, playing Robards's meddlesome nurse, both won Oscars for their roles, but it's Wilder's razor-sharp script and direction that make this mystery tick. Sadly, this was Power's last completed role.

A highly skilled and professional movie, with four highly skilled and amusing performances.......2007-06-13

"I'll snatch her thermometer," snarls the aging, portly, brilliant, irascible London barrister Sir Wilfred Robarts, just back in his office after spending time in a hospital recovering from a heart attack, "and plunge it between her shoulder blades!"

In Witness for the Prosecution, based on an Agatha Christie story and popular stage play, Sir Wilfred (Charles Laughton) is referring to his personal nurse and attendant, the chirpy and determined Miss Plimsoll (Elsa Lanchester). Sir Wilfred has strict instructions to give up everything he holds dearest, namely brandy, cigars and the excitement of criminal defense cases. Nurse Plimsoll is there to see that he does, as well as to give him his injections, make sure he swallows his pills and tuck him in for his afternoon naps. In an effort to sneak a cigar that first day back in his office, Sir Wilfred finds himself intrigued by the case of Leonard Vole (Tyrone Power). Vole is a charming, too charming, man whom we don't quite trust. He has been charged with murdering a rich, silly woman...who coincidentally changed her will in Vole's favor a week before her death. Vole stands to become a very wealthy man. There is means, motive and opportunity, and for Sir Wilfred, there is a challenge. Vole swears he's innocent, but his story is not altogether plausible. His only hope, and a shaky one it is, is the testimony of his German wife, Christine (Marlene Dietrich). She has supplied an alibi, which cannot be verified, but at least she cannot be forced to testify against her husband. Then, when the marriage is found to be invalid, who should decide to become a witness for he prosecution? Sir Wilfred is mortified but even more determined to save his client.

The case, full of startling twists, legal shenanigans, first-rate performances and vivid characters, ends with a typically Agatha Christie surprise. Some argue that Christie perhaps was weak as a writer, but peerless as a storyteller, able to construct mystery plot puzzles that consistently stumped her readers until the last chapter. With Billy Wilder directing and Wilder and Harry Kurnitz, an old pro, providing the screenplay, Christie once again gives a surprise twist that leaves us open-mouthed, yet smiling at her cleverness. Thanks to Wilder and Kurnitz, we also have a conclusion that involves Sir Wilfred and Nurse Plimsoll that is immensely satisfying. If only there had been a sequel.

The four leads do marvelous jobs. In a way, the movie is about two relationships, not just one. There is the relationship between Vole and his wife. They met when Vole was a sergeant stationed in Germany right after WWII. He met Christine when she was earning money entertaining in a dive for soldiers. We see some of this in flashback. With Vole's opportunistic charm and Christine's cool manner, it's difficult to determine who, if either of them, is using whom, or to what degree love enters the picture. Christine's first entrance is memorable. Says Sir Wilfred to a group of fellows awaiting Mrs. Vole, "Be prepared for hysterics and even a fainting spell. Better have smelling salts handy and a nip of brandy." Then in walks Marlene Dietrich as Christine Vole, with perfect assurance. "I do not think that will be necessary," she says to Sir Wilfred. "I never faint because I am not sure that I will fall gracefully and I never use smelling salts because they puff up the eyes. I am Christine Vole."

In the second relationship, Sir Wilfred and Nurse Plimsoll provide the acerbic and mutually bullying comic relief for the movie. The two actors, however, married in real life, manage to develop a touching inter-dependence. It's not just a smile they give as at the end, but also a modest lump in the throat.

And personally, I was delighted to see Henry Daniell in a substantial secondary role. He plays Mayhew, the solicitor who brings Vole to Sir Wilfred. Daniell could look like he was sneering with disdain even if he was just admiring the view. He played some wonderfully upper-class cads and villains in a lot of so-so movies. He also was a first-rate actor, who, given the chance, could also play serious, concerned men, the kind you wouldn't mind having for a friend. He does a fine job here.

The movie, filmed in black and white, looks very good in the DVD transfer. There are no extras to speak of.

From the Old School!.......2007-04-25

"Witness for the Prosecution" is a first rate courtroom drama with razor sharp direction by Billy Wilder and a cast to die for. As the plot opens, "nice guy" Tyrone Power stands accused of murdering a wealthy widow. Unemployed and shiftless, he reminded this reviewer of Ray Milland in "Dial M for Murder". TP was the last known person to see the demised alive, has a shaky alibi-and is in the lady's will for big bucks! TP turns in desperation to big shot London lawyer Charles Laughton. In fact, Scotland Yard busts him in CL's office! Most have already commented on the lively courtroom drama but this reviewer admired the out of court sparring too as Laughton and his colleagues prepare for trial. Just out of the hospital, CL is perfect as the curmudgeonly and crafty barrister, even if he does tear up most of his scenes. His tart banter with his nurse (Elsa Lanchester) is softened by the knowledge that she was his real life wife. There are at least 3 huge plot twists to WFP, leading this observer to write a concise review in the interests of not divulging the ending. That leads us to female lead Marlene Dietrich: She is central to those twists- watch her closely! MD played 30 movies from 1930-1965; was she ever better than here? Hollywood took notice of WFP: It was nominated for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor (Laughton) and Best Supporting Actress (Lanchester), though winning none. Dietrich was ignored by the Academy but nominated for Best Actress by the Golden Globes. How many times were husband and wife nominated together? WFP is filmed is beautiful black and white-a lost art-and features true economy of sets, perhaps reflecting its' stage origins. This review tried to maintain an aura of mystery about the ending; there is a good deal more suspense than implied here. Like the header states, WFP is a winner from the old school -one that has long since been out of session.

Guilty, Your Honor - I Love This Movie.......2007-04-19

The film is based on Agatha Christie's story with the enormous twist not on the last page but on the last line. Billy Wilder's direction is perfect and all actors get it right. Charles Laughton is absolutely superb; he has the best lines and scenes and he brings the wit, intelligence, and the heart to the film. Marlene Dietrich is perfect playing not one but three roles, convincingly transforming from one character to another, from the present to the past. This is not just a good mystery but a classic of the courtroom genre and a very enjoyable film even after you know the ending. "Witness for the Prosecutionis" is one of my favorite Agatha Christie's screen adaptations.

Charles Laughton Steals the Show.......2007-04-04

Witness for the Prosecution is an outstanding film with a number of great performances. I've seen some criticism of Tyrone Power but I can't agree. Far from wooden, he alternates between suave man-about-town and frantic defendant depending on the scene. Marlene Dietrich is also very compelling as his wife although I'm not sure I see her appeal as a sex-symbol which she used to enjoy. By far the best role, however, belongs to Charles Laughton as the defense attorney (or barrister) and he nails it beyond belief. His character is a classic curmudgeon but he plays it with such charm and humor that he is one of my favorite characters of all time from any movie.

The story moves along briskly and there are plenty of mood shifts as some scenes are very light and funny while others are quite tense. It's a bit of a roller coaster but one that is pure pleasure to ride. All in all, I highly recommend this film for virtually any movie fan.

Average customer rating:

"You should have known the first time..."
Judgment At Nuremberg - Shakespearean
REAL REENACTMENT
Judgment at Nuremberg
Judgment at Nuremberg

Judgment at Nuremberg
Starring: Spencer Tracy , Burt Lancaster , Richard Widmark , Marlene Dietrich , and Maximilian Schell
Director: Stanley Kramer
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
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ASIN: B0002CR04A
Release Date: 2004-09-07

Amazon.com essential video

Director Stanley Kramer's socially conscious 1961 film tackles the subject of the war crime trials arising out of World War II in an earnest and straightforward fashion, exploring the consciousness of two nations as they struggle to come to terms with the aftermath of the Holocaust. Spencer Tracy plays the American judge selected to head the tribunal that will try the suspected war criminals. As he sets about his task, he must confront the raw emotion felt by the German people, and his own notions of good and evil, right and wrong. Regarded as a classic, this stark rendering of one of the most pivotal events in the 20th century features a stellar cast including Burt Lancaster, Montgomery Clift, Marlene Dietrich, a young William Shatner, and Maximillian Schell, who won an Oscar for his role as counsel for the defense for those charged with crimes against humanity. Judgment at Nuremberg is important viewing not only for the history of film, but for the history of modern times. --Robert Lane

Description

Nominated* for eleven Academy AwardsÂ(r), including Best Picture, Judgment at Nuremberg is "magnificent" (Los Angeles Times), "continuously exciting" (The New Yorker) andboasts brilliant performances by an all-star cast. American judge Dan Haywood (Spencer Tracy) presides over the trial of four German jurists accused of "legalizing" Nazi atrocities. But as graphic accounts of sterilization and murder unfold in the courtroom, mounting political pressure for leniency forces Haywood to make the most harrowing and difficult decision of his career. *1961: Actor (Maximilian Schell, won); Actor (Spencer Tracy); Supporting Actor (Montgomery Clift); Supporting Actress (Judy Garland); Director; Adapted Screenplay (won); Cinematography (B&W); Art Direction (B&W); Film Editing; Costume Design (B&W).

Customer Reviews:

"You should have known the first time...".......2007-09-06

"Judgment at Nuremberg" is a brilliantly understated meditation on the most ordinary man's capacity for unimaginable evil under the collective spell of notions like "nation" and "country".

As Chief Judge Dan Haywood, Spencer Tracy delivers one of the best performances in film history: he isn't some sentimental, saccharine moral pedant, but a man from Texas who has been given the particularly unpleasant task of sentencing the leftovers of the Nazi Regime--the judges and doctor--to whatever sentence he deems fit. Tracy's character is not, at the outset of the film, fully convinced of Germany's collective guilt and the beautiful Marlene Dietrich plays the foil to his sense of morality.

The gorgeous widow of a particularly influential and vicious SS officer who was court martialed and sentenced to death by firing squad by the man acting as prosecutor in the case of the three judges' Haywood is trying, she has developed a marked antipathy for Americans and their "absurd" insistance that the average German could have had any complicity or knowledge of what the Third Reich was doing with "socially undesirables" and Jews. Dietrich gives a chillingly convincing performance as a woman locked in self-denial and bitterness, and the scene in the nightclub has subtle, creeping echoes of the hatred that led to the decadence and madness of Hitler's "Final Solution".

Along with Tracy, Burt Lancaster makes this movie with his tortured performance as Dr. Ernst Janning, a former Nazi judge who, despite being a hero in his homeland before Hitler's rise to power, succumbed knowingly to the temptations and dubious benefits of the Nazi Terror. Unlike his co-defendants (one unrepentant fanatic and a coward who feigns insanity),
Janning is determined to keep his brilliant Defense Lawyer played by Maximillian Schell at bay and to acknowledge his inescapable role in the madness which swept Germany. He is a wasted, lost yet responsible man who makes one last bid for salvation through unflinching honesty.

The relationship between Haywood and Janning is symbolic in many ways--both are born to judge in the judicial sense and have done so for many years. The difference is that one maintained his sense of ethics even in the hardest of times and the other succumbed to the temptations of his horrific time period over the most basic judicial ethics and standard human compassion.

Despite the pressure of American military personnel to give these men (particularly Janning) lenient sentences because of the mistaken idea that the ongoing conflict with the Soviet Union might lead to the need for German military support (an obvious illusion in retrospect), Haywood does not waver and gives all three life imprisonment.

Unfortunately this film is not entirely historically accurate; many former Nazi Judges and doctors were acquitted during this period. The American public was apparently satisfied with the Nuremburg trials at which the figureheads of the Nazi Party were tried and hanged and wanted nothing more to do with it. After WWII, many in this country committed the understandable crime of wanting to forget, not wanting to know: history has revealed this to be the worst thing of all. All that
notwithstanding, this is an unforgettable, important, beautiful film.

Judgment At Nuremberg - Shakespearean.......2007-08-25

This is one of the most excellent movies I have ever seen. Almost Shakesperean, it has no special effects or scenes enhanced by technology. There are no central characters, but rather a few major characters and some minor characters who dramatized some of what happend in the trials for crimes against humanity. The movie is like an excellent play making the most of limited scenery and focusing on dialogue like Shakepeare. The antagonists and protagonists are clearly defined, along with the victims, heroes, and villains as any Shakespeare play. Only the outcome is left in doubt until the last moment. (This is something Shakespeare did well with some of his dark comedies like Merchant Of Venice and Measure For Measure.)

Of the main characters: Chief Judge Dan Haywood (Spencer Tracy) is impartial and open minded, but behind the bench, he begins to voice his aggreement with the earnest prosecutor Col. Tad Lawson (Richard Widmark). Of the other two judges with Dan Haywood, one is opposed to convicting the defendents. Another, whose weak part is the only flaw in the movie, seems indifferent, ready to go either way until he sides with Haywood with no explanation given. Doctor Ernst Janning (Burt Lancaster) refuses to recognize the legitimacy of the trial until the lead defense lawyer Hans Rolfe (Maximillian Schell) in examining (interogating?) the witnesses for the prosecution seems to retry the cases of Rudolf Petersen (Montgomery Clift) and Irene Hofman Wallner (Judy Garland). Schell's Rolfe comes across as especially evil - like a neo Nazi trying to justify the Third Reich in all its bloody terror. Hans Rolfe soon has Irene Hoffman Wallner in tears and is yelled at by Ernst Janning, briefly stopping the trial.

The character of Ernst Janning grows through out the trial from refusing to recognize his crime to accepting his guilt of participation in the horrors. After seeing Irene Hoffman brought to tears, He gives a statement where he reproaches his lawyer and then chides his fellow defendants for the outrages he and they were well aware of and participated in. He explains why and how he and most Germans came to embrace Hitler for a better Germany, thinking they would soon be rid of him, only to learn they were condemned. Ernst Janning realizes the horrors of his crimes and is contrite. He believes the only way for Germany and Germans to heal is to accept complicity in the Nazi atrocities. For this he is called a traitor.

Needless to say, the acting of all the characters is excellent and all deserved academy awards. The parts of Montgomery Cliff and Judy Garland were especially heart rendering. I only wish their two characters had been given more time on screen. However if "Brevity is the soul of wit," as Shakespeare said in Hamlet, then the brief moments of the two actors were appropriate.

REAL REENACTMENT.......2007-07-09

I RECENTLY HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO VISIT NUREMBURG AND THE EXACT COURTROOM WHERE THE TRIAL HAD BEEN HELD. OBVIOUSLY THERE ARE SEVERAL VERSIONS OF WHAT HAPPENED DURING THE TRIAL, BUT THE MOVIE WAS A GOOD REENACTMENT OF THE PROCEEDINGS. IT'S AN EERIE FEELING HAVING SEEN THE MOVIE, AND THE REAL PLACE FOR SUCH A TREMENDOUS EVENT.

Judgment at Nuremberg.......2007-06-27

Long but brilliant, "Judgment" was a box-office sensation, due to director Kramer's sensitive, socially conscious approach, which examines the degree to which people should be held responsible for following orders. The movie includes a host of sterling performances: Schell stands out as the impassioned defense attorney (the part netted him an Oscar), as do Montgomery Clift and Judy Garland, whose tragic characters poignantly mirror the consuming sadness in their real lives. "Judgment" is an absorbing, true-to-life reckoning with the infamous Nazi legacy and the nature of modern justice.

Judgment at Nuremberg.......2007-05-30

best of actors, powerful messages from an horrific time where geopolitics were driven the world (as of today)............nevertheless, principles of fairness must be imposed above all, to respect life and to sanctioned wrong doings.

Average customer rating:

The way it was meant to see
Bruce Li makes the film his own
Bruce Lee at his best
Amazing how good it looks
Boards do not hit back!

Enter the Dragon [Blu-ray]
Starring: Peter Archer , Anna Capri , Betty Chung , Marlene Clark , and Darnell Garcia
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: Blu-ray

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ASIN: B000O176Q6
Release Date: 2007-04-17

Product Description

Recruited by an intelligence agency outstanding martial arts student Bruce Lee participates in a brutal karate tournament hosted by the evil Han. Along with champions Roper and Williams he uncovers Han's white slavery and drug trafficking ring located Format: BLU-RAY DISC Genre: SPORTS/GAMES/MIXED MARTIAL ARTS Rating: R UPC: 085391132653 Manufacturer No: 113265

Customer Reviews:

The way it was meant to see.......2007-08-21

I'm so glad this flick came out on Blu ray disc. The picture is better than ever and it's mixed in 5.1 surround. A masterpiece in it's own right, Bruce Lee delivers his most personal film. Loaded with bonus features(over 3.5 hours worth). This film deserves repeated viewings and the bonus material is actually worth watching. Well worth the price of admission!

Bruce Li makes the film his own.......2007-08-21

Although the movie is dated due to technology and the standard story, Bruce Li always makes the film fun to watch. The extras on the dvd make the blu-ray version worth the money. If you are a fan of Bruce Li you must get this dvd, and the picture quality is great for big screens.

Bruce Lee at his best.......2007-08-08

I have to say that this is the best looking version of Enter the Dragon available. Picture quality is great looking and is probably good as its going to get. Just don't expect this movie to look as crystal clear as the newer movies. Enter the Dragon is a 34 year old movie so don't demand High definition perfection. Sound quality is very nice with a noticeable improvement over the standard DVD. I am a big Bruce Lee fan and Enter the Dragon along with the many special features included in this Blu-ray DVD are a true treasure. There are interviews with Bruce, film footage from "Game of Death", and many other interesting features. Even though Enter the Dragon is a 34 year old movie its still better than the current action films of today. Had Bruce Lee lived I believe he would still be making great movies today. If you own a Blu-ray player or your a fan of Bruce Lee buy this movie today. May you rest in peace Bruce knowing that your family, friends, many devoted students, and fans miss you everyday.

Amazing how good it looks.......2007-08-03

I recently watched Enter The Dragon on the Voom HD Kung-Fu network, and it looked relatively good, but not great.

The Blu-Ray version obviously got a lot more attention, care, and cleanup. It is by far the best looking and sounding version I've ever seen of the movie. It sounds like the bass was tweaked quite a bit, because whenever Bruce would hit one of his signature punches, my subwoofer put out one heck of a thump. It sounded great, if not a little over the top.

Some of the signature grain of the original is still there, but the images are much more crisp and sharp than any other version.

Definitely worth it for the Bruce Lee fans out there.

Boards do not hit back!.......2007-06-27

This was a true treat! I'm a huge Bruce Lee fan and this is the best I've ever seen him! Blu-Ray HD truly did this timeless classic justice!

The Matrix Reloaded (Widescreen Edition)

Average customer rating:

The matrix trilogy
better on subsequent viewings, works better if you see the last movie
Forget the Machines
The Matrix No Longer Has You
"me, me, me ...... me too"

The Matrix Reloaded (Widescreen Edition)
Starring: Ray Anthony (III) , Christine Anu , Andy Arness , Alima Ashton-Sheibu , and Helmut Bakaitis
Director: Andy Wachowski , and Larry Wachowski
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0000AXE8I
Release Date: 2003-10-14

Amazon.com

Considering the lofty expectations that preceded it, The Matrix Reloaded triumphs where most sequels fail. It would be impossible to match the fresh audacity that made The Matrix a global phenomenon in 1999, but in continuing the exploits of rebellious Neo (Keanu Reeves), Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne), and Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss) as they struggle to save the human sanctuary of Zion from invading machines, the codirecting Wachowski brothers have their priorities well in order. They offer the obligatory bigger and better highlights (including the impressive "Burly Brawl" and freeway chase sequences) while remaining focused on cleverly plotting the middle of a brain-teasing trilogy that ends with The Matrix Revolutions. The metaphysical underpinnings can be dismissed or scrutinized, and choosing the latter course (this is, after all, an epic about choice and free will) leads to astonishing repercussions that made Reloaded an explosive hit with critics and hardcore fans alike. As the centerpiece of a multimedia franchise, this dynamic sequel ends with a cliffhanger that virtually guarantees a mind-blowing conclusion. --Jeff Shannon

Description

In the second chapter of the Matrix trilogy, Neo (Keanu Reeves), Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss) and Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne) continue to lead the revolt against the Machine Army. In their quest to save the human race from extinction, they gain greater insight into the construct of The Matrix and Neo's pivotal role in the fate of mankind.

DVD Features:
DVD ROM Features:Web links to the official Matrix website
Documentaries:PRELOAD: Go behind the scenes with the cast and crew THE FREEWAY CHASE: Anatomy of the mind-blowing scene ENTER THE MATRIX: Making of the ground-breaking video game WHAT IS THE ANIMATRIX? THE MATRIX UNFOLDS: A look at the Matrix phenomenon GET ME AN EXIT: Matrix-inspired design advertising
Other:THE MTV MOVIE AWARDS RELOADED

Customer Reviews:

The matrix trilogy.......2007-08-02

We finally got the Matrix Reloaded to complete the trilogy..the best thing about having all three movies..is being able to watch all three in sequence over and over again, every time I watched them I understand more about the story being told.
Great stuff!!!

better on subsequent viewings, works better if you see the last movie.......2007-08-01

Expectations for many were very higher after they saw the first Matrix film. I was one of these sheep that was lead to the slaughter. Matrix 2 cannot be Matrix 1. What was new in fresh in the first film must inevitable become overblown in the second film. The film couldn't meet people's expectation, and many criticize the Matrix sequels. I almost didn't even bother seeing the last film, but after Revolutions redeemed the series and I realized that I didn't give the sequels a proper chance.

The Matrix was an incredible film. The style and flow of the first movie was amazing. The story seems fresh in the way it was told, even though it is a science-fiction staple. Reality and human nature were explored in pop philosophy that even found its way to academia. Bullet time seemed so original and amazing a concept that just about everyone that saw the movie agreed that it was revolutionary.

In the Matrix Reloaded, the story had to expand from its beginnings. Now, the viewer is taken to Zion and the real world. Not that the Matrix itself wasn't important but now our attention is also on this post apocalyptic society. I don't think anyone I know was impressed with the design of Zion or the people. The movie fails on a basic level because I think most viewers don't connect at all to Zion. We know and have strong connections to Morpheous, Neo and Trinity, but these new ideas and characters don't make as big an impact. Just about ever scene in Zion is ill-conceived. The council scenes, Morpheous's speech, the rave, etc. are not really all that interesting. The bigger cast means there is even more chance to have some mediocre actors in the movie and bad dialogue. Zion fails not only because of design but also these dismal scenes, most of which are not key to the plot but rather, suck up screen time. In a perfect world, these movies could be re-written and shot and this movie would be much, much better.

Then, you have the person formerly known as Agent Smith, now just Smith and also Bane. This expansion of his role worked well. Smith is a great villain and his ability to replicate himself like a virus adds some menace to his character. Unfortunately, this ability allows for the battle sequences with Neo vs. hundreds of Smiths. A shorter fight sequence probably would have worked better and been more impressive but it looks like a video game and just puts a drag in the story.

The introduction of non-agent programs in the matrix as sentient beings was a good addition, even better utilized in the last film. The expansion of the matrix works much better than the inclusion of the real world. The other agents, particularly the ghostly twins are pretty cool. The battle sequences that rely more on bullet time, than video game graphics are still pretty good. The use of melee weapons is pretty good.

The most redeeming and worthwhile part of the film is of course the highway chase. Great effects and huge suspense. It is beautiful if chaos/ action sequences can be called such.

The scene with the Architect is slightly confusing. After a second viewing it makes more sense though. It does tie everything, Matrix, Zion and the rest of the world in perspective. I did like the scene in general, but like all the films the dialogue could use some touching up.

Most action movies don't win acting awards or script awards, and you don't expect anything amazing from these sort of films. But there is a level of what is acceptable and what is really bad, and actually all the Matrix films walk a fine line between the two.

The philosophical aspects of the series are not as profound or evident in this particular movie. This movie out of all three seems the most pretentious and hits a kind of hollow note. That's why this movie alone is not that amazing. As part of the whole story it comes out looking much better. The story set up in Matrix Reloaded is followed up very well in Revolutions, and IMO the series has a strong finish.

Forget the Machines.......2007-07-24

If all of humanity has united in the future against the machines, why are most of the humans African Americans with either close-cropped hair or dreadlocks who either self-consciously elocute hyper-standard North American English or saturate each sentence with U.S. ghetto cursing? Who wrote the script and did the casting for this film, Louis Farrakhan? Where are the Chinese or the Indians? Where are the Africans for that matter? Forget the machines: Does the future really look this bad for human ethnic integration? Is the present this ignorant?

The Matrix No Longer Has You.......2007-07-11

There are a couple spoilers in this review, but none give away the ending.
If we were to cut all the filler out of The Matrix: Reloaded, we'd be left with a ten-minute movie. On the other hand, if we were to cut all the filler out of The Matrix, we'd be left with a 136 minute movie. Scenes in The Matrix: Reloaded are either unnecessary but cool fight scenes, necessary but boring dialog scenes, an unnecessary, endless AND boring chase scene; an unnecessary and nearly unwatchable sex scene, or (just occasionally) necessary and cool dialog scenes.
First, the good. The special effects are excellent, as you'd expect. The fight scenes are mostly good: the rooftop battle between Morpheus and an agent (the sole highlight of the chase scene) and Neo's duel with the French guy (or the Merovingian - I'll just call him the French guy from now on)'s minions of doom are great, and the multiplying Agent Smith/Neo fighting with a ten-foot pole scene is decent, though overlong, indulgent, and stupid (that many Agents would have killed anybody else, but Neo is "The One", so of course he survives). The ghost-people that the French guy enlists also are interesting, but only in that they can do that phasing thing - otherwise, they're stock characters. The Oracle's still charming as ever, and the conversation between Neo and the Architect is good by this movie's standards.
Now for the bad. Other than the Architect, none of the new characters are at all interesting: the kid who idolizes Neo is annoying; the French guy is pompous, self-centered, and impossible to hear (He's soft-spoken and talks in a heavy accent); his wife is just a cold-hearted killer; Seraph (the Oracle's bodyguard) is totally useless; and the Keymaker just runs, hides, and randomly drops down dead. I guess Niobe is all right, but she doesn't have half the personality that other female characters Trinity , The Oracle and Switch had.
I say "had" there for two reasons; Switch obviously died, and Trinity is no longer an intriguing character either. In the first movie, she was, but all she seems concerned about now is screwing Neo. Speaking of Neo, his transformation into a Christ-like figure has robbed him of any personality - he does way too much of that "Superman s#@!" (including a self-indulgent flight scene "borrowed" from the Superman movies - taking a few cues from your dad, eh Keanu?), and simply doesn't seem like a person anymore. Morpheus has also suffered, mutating into a faceless revolutionary. He does a lot of wild-eyed, inconsequential shouting. Not much else. The dialog, too, is painfully bad.
So there you have it. A triumph of style over substance. A lot of slow-mo kicks (they could at least speed time up, just for variety's sake), explosions, techno music and Neo's Messianic posturing. Not much of a plot, though, and not much of a movie. Stick to the first - it's bound to become a classic. The Matrix: Reloaded is not.

"me, me, me ...... me too".......2007-06-23

The Matrix Reloaded has one thing that simply stands out throughout the movie - complete eye candy. Its true, while the first Matrix brought about new origins in movie animation and cgi, Matrix Reloaded takes it x100. The action is amazing, it will blow you away almost to the point that you've had enough. Major action and visual effects fans will dig this. True harcorde fans of the Matrix story might be dissapointed.

The story almost takes a backseat to the action. The plot is dragged out throughout huge action scenes that seem to never end - example- Neo vs dozens of Smiths lasting forever, and the highway chase that lasts as long as I-95 runs. While these scenes are truly spectacular, they take away from the story somewhat. Gone is the great in depth exploration into the Matrix. Very little is newly introduced to us about the Matrix, and the story now focuses on Neo and the rest of humanity saving itself from destruction, both from the machines in the real world, and Smith in the Matrix world. We do get to meet the architect of the Matrix, though not as astounding as one would think.

Overall this is not as good as the first one, but you'll still want to see it to see how the trilogy continues. If you love never-ending action and cgi, you will want to watch this over and over and over. The movie is worth buying on that regard. As for a compeleing story, you might be ok stopping after the first Matrix and being satisfied. If you do see Reloaded, you'll have to see Revolutions too, since both technically are one big film split into 2 parts.

Touch of Evil (Restored to Orson Welles' Vision)

Average customer rating:

stop talking mexican...
Unique as Film Noir
Touch of Evil
Orson Wells
Touch of a master.

Touch of Evil (Restored to Orson Welles' Vision)
Starring: Joe Basulto , Joseph Calleia , Ray Collins , Marlene Dietrich , and Zsa Zsa Gabor
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: 6305999872
Release Date: 2000-10-31

Amazon.com essential video

Considered by many to be the greatest B movie ever made, the original-release version of Orson Welles's film noir masterpiece Touch of Evil was, ironically, never intended as a B movie at all--it merely suffered that fate after it was taken away from writer-director Welles, then reedited and released in 1958 as the second half of a double feature. Time and critical acclaim would eventually elevate the film to classic status (and Welles's original vision was meticulously followed for the film's 1998 restoration), but for four decades this original version stood as a testament to Welles's directorial genius. From its astonishing, miraculously choreographed opening shot (lasting over three minutes) to Marlene Dietrich's classic final line of dialogue, this sordid tale of murder and police corruption is like a valentine for the cinematic medium, with Welles as its love-struck suitor. As the corpulent cop who may be involved in a border-town murder, Welles faces opposition from a narcotics officer (Charlton Heston) whose wife (Janet Leigh) is abducted and held as the pawn in a struggle between Heston's quest for truth and Welles's control of carefully hidden secrets. The twisting plot is wildly entertaining (even though it's harder to follow in this original version), but even greater pleasure is found in the pulpy dialogue and the sheer exuberance of the dazzling directorial style. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews:

stop talking mexican..........2007-08-11

"It is not supposed to be easy. Only in a police state being a policeman is easy". If there ever was a story about crime and corruption, this one takes the cake. A very unique & avant-garde film with surreal characters in a super-real world. Outrageous Akim Tamiroff as 'Uncle Joe' at his best and unforgettable.

Unique as Film Noir.......2007-08-09

Orson Welles, as Hank Quinlin, offers his own view of film noir. Of course, at the beginning of the film, it states that those editing it wished to stay as close to what Orson intended, in it's making. TO me, Orson takes a page from righ out of his character, Will Varner, in The Long Hot Summer. His acting skill as a crude, clever, bawdy, worn out Detective, who wants to run all of those in whom he runs into, in his course of administrative sleuthing is unmatched. To me this is the style character Orson was made for. And I must say that the film had a good cast - with other leading stars of the day - like Charleton Heston and Janet Leigh. Charleton Heston's Character running into Orson's - as Ole Hank, reminds me of what Forest Gump said in getting a box of chocolates, "you never know what you're going to get." I highly recommend this film, but I must admit I am a great fan of Orson Welles, and anything he acts in. Great stuff!

Touch of Evil.......2007-06-27

The director's original version is restored for this DVD, to powerful effect. Welles creates a desolate night-time world in the dirty town of Los Robles, a forgotten speck on the map where everyone seems to carry a nasty secret. Lurid, almost surreal atmosphere is complemented by uniformly first-rate performances, with Heston and Leigh never better, Welles himself a bloated symbol of moral decay, and Akim Tamiroff memorably slimy as a local crime boss. Don't miss Marlene Dietrich playing a gypsy- as you might guess, she gets the final word. A cult movie with a capital "C".

Orson Wells.......2007-03-19

well worth seeing. A Wells classic, that just has not aged

Touch of a master........2007-02-28

Touch of Evil (Orson Welles, 1958)

The American Experience documentary The Battle Over Citizen Kane concludes with the observation that after the scandal that erupted over Kane, Orson Welles "never worked on another major Hollywood production." Which is pretty amazing, when you consider how many of Welles' post-Kane movies are acknowledged as classics nowadays. After Kane, Welles plunged himself deep into the world of noir (one wonders what Jung would have to say about that) and continued cranking out fantastic movies. Seventeen years later, Welles made his second-best movie-- Touch of Evil, the very epitome of the things that make noir great.

Mike Vargas (Charlton Heston) is a Mexican (yeah, yeah, but suspend your disbelief) narcotics officer who's just gotten married to Susan (Janet Leigh), a Philadelphia socialite. On the eve of their honeymoon, someone plants a bomb in the car of a rich American on the Mexican side of the border, and the bomb explodes on the American side. This brings Vargas into contact with Hank Quinlan (Welles), a corrupt, racist American detective who tries to railroad Manelo Sanchez (Victor Millan, last seen in Scarface), the victim's daughter's boyfriend, by planting evidence at the crime scene. Vargas, meanwhile, is also being pursued by Joe Grandi (Justine's Akim Tamiroff), a crime boss whose brother Vargas arrested. All the threads eventually come together in the most entertaining of ways; the movie's climactic scene has been copied (and parodied) so many times that by now it's a cliché. But remember that it wasn't in 1958; this is as good as it gets.

Orson Welles' directorial prowess was as legendary as his excesses. Rent a Welles movie at random, and you're pretty much guaranteed a good time. Some of his movies, though, deliver more universally than others; Citizen Kane seems to be the favorite of most folks. Mine has always been The Stranger. But Touch of Evil stands with both. This is great stuff, an absolute must for film fans. **** ½ <

Miracle on 34th Street (Special Edition)

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Miracle on 34th Street 1947 (Special Edition)
Great Christmas Movie to enjoy each year.
What is Christmas without Great Stories
Another classic
Miracle on 34th Street

Miracle on 34th Street (Special Edition)
Starring: Maureen O'Hara , John Payne , Edmund Gwenn , Gene Lockhart , and Natalie Wood
Director: George Seaton
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000HT3PPG
Release Date: 2006-11-21