Reviews (4)

the visionary of Lourdes
Based on Franz Werfel's 1942 best-seller, this is an exquisite telling of the life of Bernadette Soubirous, who in 1858 at the age of 14 saw a vision of the Virgin Mary in a grotto near the small village of Lourdes, where she lived with her family in abject poverty. Bernadette received much opposition from the atheistic town authorities, as well as initially from the clergy, but kept her faith in "The Lady", and it gave her a wisdom when questioned by the unbelievers that went beyond her natural understanding.

Jennifer Jones is superb as the simple Bernadette, and she tells the story with her eyes; there are many scenes where the camera focuses on her face, and one can tell what is happening by her expressive gaze. Director Henry King screen tested many actresses by placing a stick behind the camera, and telling them to look at it, and imagine the Virgin Mary...King said that Jennifer was the only one who "saw", while the others merely "looked".
The supporting cast is wonderful, with many standout performances; I especially like Charles Bickford as the Dean of Lourdes, Lee J. Cobb as Dr. Dozous, Anne Revere as Bernadette's mother Louise, and as a lifelong adversary, a prideful nun who is jealous of Bernadette's visions, the terrific Gladys Cooper.

The film was a huge box-office success, as well as receiving critical acclaim, and was the most nominated film at the 1943 Oscars, with 12 nominations and 4 wins. It won for Best Actress, Best B&W Cinematography (Arthur Miller), Best Score (Alfred Newman), and Best Interior Decoration. The nominations were for Director, Editing, Picture, Screenplay, Sound, Supporting Actor (Bickford), Supporting Actress (both Cooper and Revere).
At 2 hours and 36 minutes, this is a film that is totally engrossing, and the time spent with it is very rewarding.

Cannonized in 1933, Bernadette's legacy continues to flourish; over 200 million people have visited the shrine, and though I have never been there, one of my few treasures is a "souvenir" cross that contains water from the spring at Lourdes (which continues to produce over 25,000 gallons a week), and proving that those in the film portrayed as wanting to commercialize the water from the site have succeeded beyond their expectations.
"For those who believe in God, no explanation is necessary. For those who do not believe in God, no explanation is possible".

Beautifully Poignant True Story Of St. Bernadette Of Lourdes
Called "The Sleeping Saint of Nevers", simple peasant girl Bernadette Soubirous gained the world's attention when on an excursion to collect firewood near her home in 1858 she claimed to see a vision of the Holy Mother in a sheltered Grotto. The world wide controversy and the birth of Lourdes as a sacred sight for pilgrims seeking salvation made her story a wonderful basis for a possible film about this puzzling occurence. While Bernadette received alot of ridicule during her lifetime, being labelled a liar and a madwoman by many, this beautiful movie from Twentieth Century Fox presents her story in a touching, non sentimental and objective manner.It not only treated her experience with reverence but produced a fine balanced and beautifully acted classic that is still one of the best religious films ever produced by Hollywood. Jennifer Jones as Bernadette is remarkable and her total grasp of the character, full of wide eyed innocence but inner strength in her beliefs is an astoundingly mature piece of acting for a girl so young at the time of filming.

Based on the novel by Franz Werfel, Fox adapted it into a beautiful screenplay dealing with Bernadette's vision of "a beautiful lady", near her home and the everlasting consequences of that for both herself and the world. The film starts off by filling us in with some of the background of this quite ordinary french peasant girl, who struggled to learn her catecism at school and was a good but not extraordinary daughter to struggling parents Francois and Louise Soubirous (Roman Bohnen and Anne Revere). The families lives are changed forever after Bernadette arrives home one afternoon strangely different claiming that she saw a vision of the Holy Mother in a nearby grotto. Asked to return by the lady on successive days Bernadette begins to arouse the curiosity of the local villagers and before too many days are passed a huge crowd begins to follow her to the grotto to pray. News spreads throughout France and soon the little town is overrun by pilgrims seeking salvation from the Holy Mother. Of course not everyone is impressed or influenced by this vision as greed begins to raise its ugly head among the villagers who see a way of making money bottling and selling the water that has sprung from the grotto. Skepticism also increases in particular from local doctor Dr. Dozous (Lee J. Cobb) and senior members of the Catholic Church who question Bernadette's sanity and begin to investigate her. Bernadette however is simple in her beliefs and cannot be swayed by the questioning she receives in particular from the Dean of Lourdes (Charles Bickford), and especially the aggressive Imperial Prosecutor Vital Dutour (Vincent Price). So strong is Bernadette's simple set of beliefs that she eventually wins over these two opponents who at least acknowledge that something did happen at the grotto. Bernadette's uncomplicated power over people again occurs once she takes the veil and arouses the emnity of Sister Marie Vauzous (Gladys Cooper) a nun who opposes Bernadette but is transformed into her biggest support just before Bernadette's tragically early death.

It is the power of the writing and especially the lead performances which help make "The Song of Bernadette", such a magical viewing experience. The film ended up winning a richly deserved 4 Academy Awards including those for best musical score and cinematography. Jennifer Jones in her balanced and non showy interpretation of the French peasant girl rightly won the Best Actress Oscar for 1943 but the other characters are really just a memorable in their disbelief and then in their gradual realisation that a true miracle has occured. The unique thing about this film is that it is able to be appreciated by non religious viewers just as much as Catholics as it is more a story of simple faith in your beliefs and in honesty with one's self than about any one particular religious way of thinking. The film abounds with great performances especially Vincent Price and Gladys Cooper who both deliver excellent work as the cynical nun and prosecutor who are transformed by the simple evidence of Bernadette's belief in what she experienced. Directed in a straight forward and non glossy style by veteran Henry King, never once does he let the interpretation of Bernadette become bogged down in saintly platitudes or tugs at the heart. It is a huge credit to Jennifer Jones that always she appears to be this simple girl, who is fairly average and full of insecurities and certainly not a candidate for some extraordinary sainthood.

Films like "The Song of Bernadette", rarely come along these days. I always enjoy screening it over the Easter period and Jennifer Jones really is cemented into peoples minds as the true image of how St Bernadette would have looked as a young girl. I often wonder about the happening in the Grotto of Lourdes and my study of St. Bernadette's life really fills me with a belief that something amazing did occur there. Importantly I feel this film tells us to maintain our belief in what we truly believe in, whatever it is and that like Bernadette a person doesn't have to be someone important to be picked out for something special. Treat yourself to a viewing of this wonderful film soon and marvel at the terrific work of Jennifer Jones in her most famous role as St. Bernadette of Lourdes.

The most sublime and moving of Hollywood's religious films
There are very few "religious" films that actually achieve a sense of spirituality that makes them work for believers and non-believers alike. "The Song of Bernadette" is one of those rare films, and owes a lot of its power to the Oscar winning performance of Jennifer Jones as Bernadette Soubirous, the young French peasant girl who in 1858 saw a vision of the Virgin Mary in a grotto near the town of Lourdes. While gathering firewood with her sister and a friend, Bernadette was told by the "beautiful lady" to return to the grotto every day for fifteen days. The common folk of Lourdes come to belief in young Bernadette's visions, while the authorities try to put a stop to the nonsense, and the church keeps its distance for the moment.

As Bernadette, Jones is the calm center at the heart of the storm. The scenes in which Bernadette sees the Lady (an unbilled and pregnant Linda Darnell) are presented by director Henry King with a elegant simplicity. Bernadette has a strong and simple faith, which is how she is able to endure the battering by those around her. It is in her victory over these opponents that make this story work, and Bernadette's opponents are a superb cast of supporting players. Charles Bickford is Peyramale Dean of Lourdes, who has to deal with the idea that this lazy and less than intelligent peasant girl has seen the Virgin Mother, Vincent Price the cold hearted local prosecutor Dutour, Lee J. Cobb as the reasonable and scientific Dr. Dozous, Anne Revere as Bernadett's mother, and Gladys Cooper as Sister Vauzous, the nun whose jealousy of Bernadette has quite an emotional payoff in the film.

A best selling version of Bernadette's story was written by Franz Werfel in 1942 and 20th Century Fox bought the rights to make an ambitious screen version which manages to avoid the faults of sentimentality. They also searched for a newcomer for the title role and looked at Anne Baxter, Teresa Wright, Linda Darnell and Gene Tierney before settling on Jones, who had small parts in two previous films as Phylis Isley and was renamed to have a clean slate as an actress. Winning the Oscar pretty much speaks to the success of their efforts. The film also deservedly won Oscars for Arthur Miller's cinematography and Alfred Newman's score. Ironically, Newman replaced the famous composer Igor Stravinsky on the film, and the second movement of Stravinsky's Symphony in Three Movements evolved from his original unused score.

Wonderful and Fascinating Account of St. Bernadette!
The Song of Bernadette is a wonderful movie about Bernadette Soubirous the young French peasant girl who saw the visions of The Virgin Mary at Lourdes. A fascinating movie. BTW: Bernadette was later made a Saint by the Catholic church. I had this movie on tape and I'm one of these days hoping to buy the DVD now that it has finally been released to the wonderful DVD format! ... Read more

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It's astonishing that one man could have written so many memorable songs, but musical gems keep popping up in De-Lovely, about the life and loves of Cole Porter. Played by Kevin Kline (In & Out, A Fish Called Wanda), an elderly Porter is summoned by a mysterious director (Jonathan Pryce, Brazil) to view his own story, which unfolds as a series of theatrical tableaux. The movie is open (if a bit chaste) about Porter's homosexuality, but argues that the love of his life was still his devoted platonic relationship with Linda Lee (Ashley Judd, Ruby in Paradise, Kiss the Girls). Unfortunately, the narrative suffers from the fate of many biographies; by trying to cram in a person's entire life, it ends up a collection of snapshots without depth or context. The parade of celebrity singers (Alanis Morissette, Sheryl Crow) were apparently chosen for their jarringly modern vocal mannerisms. --Bret Fetzer ... Read more

Reviews (111)

DE-LIGHTFUL...
This film is an interesting bio-pic of noted songwriter Cole Porter. As with so many bio-pics, an individual's life is crammed into a set time constraint. Naturally, much of the individual's life is reduced to glimpses of highlights, important events, and significant others that give the viewer the flavor of that person's life, rather than a real blow-by-blow description. This film is no different.

In looking at Cole Porter's life, the film weaves in the wonderful music he wrote, and it is wonderful hearing it sung by contemporary artists. It is nice to know that a new generation will have an opportunity to hear Porter's music through this film. The film itself is a high-end production with wonderful period costumes, lavish sets, and musical numbers that ground the film in the era out of which it arose. Told in flashback, with terrific actor Jonathan Pryce in the role of the Angel Gabriel as Master of Ceremony, the viewers sees Cole Porter looking at his life retrospectively and watches his life unfold along with him.

Cole Porter is played by Kevin Kline, who does a yeoman's job as the talented songwriter that dazzled the music world in his time. While some have commented on the fact that Kevin Kline's singing voice is not up to par for the role, the viewer should keep in mind that he is playing the role of a songwriter and not that of a singer. It is the music that he wrote, and not the music that he sang, that made Cole Porter famous. So, Kevin Kline's voice is in tune with the role he is playing, and playing it magnificently, at that.

Ashley Judd is lovely as Linda, Cole Porter's wife and life-long companion. Hers is a sensitive portrayal of a worldly woman who fell in love with Cole Porter, the songwriter, only to realize later that Cole Porter, the man, was sexually attracted to other men. Still, these two managed to form a union that would endure and ultimately flourish, despite this elemental issue. Theirs was a bond fraught with understanding, deep love, and true friendship. It was one that would ultimately survive, despite Porter's sexual proclivities and Linda's occasional frustration with the status quo. Companions to the end,the film's treatment of their relationship is sensitive and delicate.

Cole Porter's music is interwoven throughout the entire film, along with some wonderful musical numbers, although I wonder at the omission of one of his most popular standards, "I've Got You Under My Skin". As his life unrolls in flashback fashion, almost as if it were a film within a film,the viewer is able to witness Cole Porter's popularity with cafe society, his rise to fame and fortune, his complex relationship with and his marriage to Linda, his homosexual escapades and affairs, and the riding accident that left him physically challenged to the end of his life.

This is an entertaining film, filled with some of the best music written in the twentieth century. While the film may not be to everyone's taste, it is certainly worth a rental, at the very least. Those who opt to view this film will be treated to a deftly directed, quality production, well-acted by a stellar cast, a glimpse into the life of a conflicted and talented individual, and wonderful music, beautifully interpreted and sung by contemporary musical artists.

GET THIS UNDER YOUR SKIN
While certainly not perfect,this film about COLE PORTER's life was generally satisfying.Some can say that his homosexuality is not treated as well as it should have been,but at least they dealt with it;others might complain about the modern singers singing his songs which is legitimate,but it keeps the memory of the composer alive.I enjoyed hearing all the different singers singing his songs ,especially ALANIS,LARA(was i surprized to see her play PATRICIA MORRISON,the original star of KISS ME KATE)and ELVIS COSTELLO.KEVIN KLINE whom i am not usually a big fan is very good,and so is ASHLEY JUDD.The idea of having the composer witnessing his life was of course stolen from AMADEUS.My favorite scene is the one where COLE arrives in HOLLYWOOD and meets L.B.M.and then do BE A CLOWN as a elaborate number.My only real deception was that they omitted I'VE GOT YOU UNDER MY SKIN,probably because no one can sing it like FRANK SINATRA in his prime.Watching this film won't waste your time.

de-lovely
This movie should not have been made. They should have let the beautiful illusion of "Night and Day" live on depicting Porter, as his life should never have been made public.Also, if Hollywood has forgotten how to make musicals, they should just give up.You don't put the latest pop stars performing what can only be described as classical standards, and each number should have gotten the performance recognition it deserved, as they did in "Night & Day."When the entertainer who did Begin the Beguine could not even sing the song in the right key, that was a disaster. Also, Kevin Kline may have been in broadway musicals in his time, but as a singer, he is sadly lacking now.There was too much emphasis on Porter's activities as a gay than there was on his highly aclaimed talent as one of the foremost, if not the foremost - musical talent, next to Sigmund Romberg, of his time.Anyone who appreciates good music and good performance of that music would shutter and hold their ears on the musical performances in this movie.Also, why is it that Hollywood has to destroy a man's image as a great talent, in the manner in which they did.Lousy movie. Not worth the money.

Anne Beard

A Wonderful Experience
This movie was fantastic!It was imaginative, wonderfully directed, musically innovative, cleverly acted, cinematically beautiful, and requires active viewer involvement to truly appreciate the story.If you are a "costume-watcher," you will surely appreciate the detail of Georgio Armani in this film - in a word - F-A-B-U-L-O-U-S!De Lovely not only reintroduces Cole Porter to a new generation but, introduces current musical artists into new musical styles.It is a reminder of a wonderful time in history of grand music, grand living and human exploration.The actors in this movie were brave, touching and wonderful.The film deals with the unconventional yet, touching life of Cole Porter and the love he shared with his wife Linda Porter - as well as with their extended family.The script writer found a creative and yet ironically appropriate way to travel through the highlights of Mr. Porter's life.Moreover, this film resonates with human relevance as it effectively uses Cole and Linda Porter's life to explore the often mysterious concepts of love and adult relationships.Enjoy!

Cole Porter spinning in his grave...
Cole Porter would have never given his approval for this poorly prepared, unfocused account of his life and works.Even 1946's "Night and Day" the Technicolor, autobiographical movie with Cary Grant as Porter, was a victim of Porter's vanity.Porter wanted Grant to portray him in his biopic because he considered the production's choice and the more elegantly suited actor to portray Porter, Fred Astair, as unattractive.

I want to apologize for insulting those movie viewers who enjoyed `Delovely' for its' pure entertainment value.`Delovely' glitters with vivid visions of costumes, hair and make-up and lavish movie sets.The film had the look and feel of a TV network movie of the week.This is largely due to the attempt to jam pack all of Porter's talent and very interesting life into 125 minutes of Hollywood storytelling and partly due to the film's desire to be a Broadway musical.

With `Delovely' portraying Porter as a sexually confused, gallivanting dandy during his peak song writing years, it's a wonder he had time to compose as many wonderful songs as he did.It also left me wondering, did he only prefer men or was that marriage-bed scene between Cole and Linda just overenthusiastic platonic love.

Kevin Kline and Ashley Judd skillfully delivered debonair performances as the nattily attired and charming couple.The staged performances of Porters classics were spotty.Some were spectacular, Vivian Green, some did well, Natalie Cole, John Barrowman, and some should have insisted a re-do be shot, begged for more rehearsals, asked for a vocal coach or maybe some examples on HOW Cole Porter songs should be sung, Sheryl Crowe, Elvis Costello, and the terrible, warble throated, church lady singing performance by Alanis Morrisette.

I love movies, Hollywood type, Independent films, B-movies, non-English language films, student films, poorly made films, well-made films.Because I love Cole Porter, I am not about to accept `Delovely' as a film worth recommending. To accept the compromised version of Cole Porters life story and equally compromised interpretations of his life's work is too much to ask of this movie junky.I want to ask a movie mogul or an independent movie company to challenge themselves to make a film that Cole Porter would consider writing a song about.
... Read more

Reviews (20)

Good movie.
When you first see Omri, a kid who's short, has messy hair and not the greatest teeth in the world, you don't think anything interesting can happen to him. But something does. His best friend, Patrick, gives him a toy Indian for his birthday. At his party, his brother gives him an old cupboard that he found in the crawlspace of their house. Omri's mother tells Omri that if he can find a key out of her collection, he can have it. He does. It was a key that his great-grandmother gave to his mother.
When Omri carelessly puts the toy Indian into the cupboard and locks it, the toy comes to life.
At first, the Indian (Little Bear) is scared, but eventually learns to trust Omri. Omri gives Little Bear whatever he desires, tools, food, and a hatchett from a knight! However, when he was getting a bow and arrow from an old Indian, the Indian is scared to death--literally! Omri realizes that these "Toys" have real lives and that they aren't something to fool around with. When Patrick discovers Omri's secret, he brings back a Cowboy named Boone. Little Bear and Boone eventually become friends. Omri takes Boone and Little Bear to school (Patrick wanted him to) and Omri displays that he has learned that the "toys" were people by saying "You can't! They're people! You can't use people!" When Patrick was going to show them to friends. Omri's brother takes Omri's cupbaord as a cruel joke and the key gets lost! What's worse, Boone is seriously wounded, and without medical attention, he will die! Omri realizes that Little Bear and Boone's safety and hapiness meant more to him than the novelty of having them. So Omri declares that when the key was found, they were sending Boone and Little Bear home.
The key is eventually found, and Omri is forced to let Little Bear and Boone go. Little Bear and Omri share one last moment, and then he sends them back.
This was a very good movie, at least fo me, and it's a good movie for kids to watch.

beautiful book, horrible movie
I remember rushing out to watch this movie when it first appeared in theaters, since I was an enormous fan of the Lyn Reed Banks books. Alass, this movie took what could have been a wonderful adaptation, and turned it into a dumbed-down pile of insipid script and mostly forced acting. When I first saw it, I loved everything about it and immediately fell in love with the boy playing Omri, but now, I realize that his acting is horrible, but it's not his fault. The script is below mediocre; it's pitifully babyish. Lyn Reed Banks's stories had a charm of old-fashioned nostalgia to them, not so with this film. It has been completely modernized, including a few curse words, a relocation to the US, and a total emphasis on stereotyping the characters and making as many comical gags at their expense as possible. I will admit that there are several very touching moments, and even a little educational value to this, since Litefoot plays his character perfectly, and Frank Oz did feel inclined to at least include a song and a few sundry bits of the Iroquois language here. But overall, I would recommend the books over this.

Misconceptions of First Nations Peoples
The white family portrayed in this movie is not a normal disfunctional family. The three brothers seldomly argue, the parents are in constant state of bliss with each other living in a beautiful big house in an urban city in the United States of America. This view is a complete opposite of what the First Nations Peoples family life is considered to be and sets up the notion that First Nations Peoples would be better of with the White man's lifetsyle.
The youngest child brings to life a traditional image of an Haudenusaunee toy, decked out in feathers, leather loin cloth and a shaved head, with a magical cupboard given to him by his brother for his birthday. The child's reaction to seeing the toy alive was, "are you a real Indian?" as if they were extinct like dinosaurs. Throughout the movie there is no encounter with a present day First Nations Peoples to balance the movie or to quash the idea of extinction. Once they aquaint each other and Little Bear explains that he is from 1761, he trustingly jumps into the child's hand as the music grows. So historically the White man was always nurturing to the indian, right? In another irony, the boy gives a plot of land. He took his mothers flower box for growing infant plants and even brought a tippi to life so as Little Bear could have a home.
The boy feels the need to educate himself on his new found pet and takes out books on the Iroquois, known officially as the Haudenusaunee (meaning "people of the long house") that are almost as old as Little Bear and are tainted with Eurocentric views on the Haudenusaunee. The name Iroquois came from their enemy, the Algonquin who called them the Iroqu, meaning "rattlesnakes." The French later added the suffix "-ois" to the previous name given by the Algonquin.
When the boy's friend catches on about the 'closet,' his friend puts in a cowboy and brings it to life. This ruff, alcoholic and his horse is fearless and starts yelling out "I'dien?" when he finds out about Little Bear. Once he sees him he starts screaming "Redskin" and the dialogue continues in the same vein, which would be considered unacceptable if the word was "nigger" and it was a clansman that came alive. This Cowboy and Indian brings up memories of the adults' childhoods that are watching the movie with their kids, not correcting their own misconceptions.

One of the best movies in the 90's
The Indian in the Cupboard stars Hal Scardino and Litefoot. It is about a boy who turns 9 years old and gets a magical cupboard as a birthday present. And the cupboard brings to life toys. As the movie opens, Omri (Hal Scardino) got a cupboard as a birthday present. But there is no key. So his mom (Linsay Crouse) promises Ormi if he finds a key that works the cupboard she will give it to him. And the key that works is a key that his mom got for her dying grandma (when her grandma had nothing to leave her). Ormi puts in a liitle indian he also got for his birthday for his best freind Patrick (Rishi Bhat).

My favorite movie
I was about 9 or 10 when this movie came out. I love everything about it. After I saw it I wanted a cupboard just like the one in the movie with a key and everything. I remember spending hours in the kicthen putting little figurines in the cupboards and seeing if they came alive or not. This is the best movie. I just wish it came in french. ... Read more

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Clint Eastwood fired the original director, Philip Kaufman(The Right Stuff), and took over the reins of this project himself. He may have had a point: this brutal, thoughtful western, a near-tragedy about a Civil War veteran whose past comes looking for him, is probably Eastwood's most mature frontier drama prior to the Oscar winningUnforgiven. Hoping to build a quiet life in a cooperative community of settlers, Eastwood's Wales blames himself when his enemies attack the homestead, and he has to revert to his warrior instincts to help fend off the threat. The jittery intensity of Sondra Locke (who would be Mrs. Eastwood, at least for a while), and the screen-filling charisma of the late Chief Dan George harmonize beautifully with Eastwood, who had finally figured out how to add depth and texture to his stock-in-trade Man of Steel persona. This one may be too short on action to satisfy fans of Eastwood'sDirty Harry films, or of the Italian westerns he made with Sergio Leone, but it's an honorable effort.--David Chute ... Read more

Reviews (68)

One of the best westerns ever made.....
I have seen this western many times on tape and my copy of the movie had started to lose its luster. When I heard it was coming on DVD, I knew I would see the film as Clint Eastwood intended it.

As far as a film is concerned, it is a very good tale of revenge and devotion to friends. Eastwood is great as the title character and the film has some very good supporting performances. The exteriors where the film was shot are beautiful and are just as good on DVD as in reality.

The DVD is a great, inexpensive version of a great Western. The 16:9 widescreen version of the film highlights the colors and tones that were filmed by Eastwood. The color is good as well as the Dolby 5.1 Surround Soundtrack. There is also a French soundtrack (which is very humorous when Eastwood utters the best line of the film, "You going to pull them pistols or whistle Dixie"). The disc also contains trailers to many other Westerns as well as the trailer for Outlaw Josey Wales.

You should not miss this great DVD. The price is right and the movie is one of Eastwood's best. This is one of the better looking westerns that I have in my DVD collection. If you love great westerns and movies about the American Civil War, you will love this DVD!

Deserves 10 stars!
What can you say about Clint Eastwood's westerns except, great! His movies (acting and directing)changed the whole look and feel of this genre. This is definitely my favorite western, heck it's probably my favorite movie...period. Josey Wales is based on the novel by Forrest Carter, "Gone to Texas". After reading the book Clint knew he had to make the movie and he did an excellent job of capturing the spirit of the novel. The DVD transfer is very good. It was like watching it for the first time when I saw the DVD after the VHS version. This is what westerns are supposed to be so... "are you gonna get this video or whistle Dixie"? BUY IT!

Eastwood has the union army surrounded

Director: Clint Eastwood
Format: ColorRated:
Studio: Warner Studios
Video Release Date: September 2, 2003

Cast:

Clint Eastwood ... Josey Wales
Chief Dan George ... Lone Watie
Sondra Locke ... Laura Lee
Bill McKinney ... Terrill
John Vernon ... Fletcher
Paula Trueman ... Grandma Sarah
Sam Bottoms ... Jamie
Geraldine Keams ... Little Moonlight
Woodrow Parfrey ... Carpetbagger
Joyce Jameson ... Rose
Sheb Wooley ... Travis Cobb
Royal Dano ... Ten Spot
Matt Clark ... Kelly
John Verros ... Chato
Will Sampson ... Ten Bears
William O'Connell ... Sim Carstairs
John Quade ... Comanchero Leader
Frank Schofield ... Senator Lane
Buck Kartalian ... Shopkeeper
Len Lesser ... Abe
Doug McGrath ... Lige
John Russell ... Bloody Bill Anderson
Charles Tyner ... Zukie Limmer
Bruce M. Fischer ... Yoke
John Mitchum ... Al
John Davis Chandler ... First Bounty Hunter
Tom Roy Lowe ... Second Bounty Hunter
Clay Tanner ... First Texas Ranger
Robert F. Hoy ... Second Texas Ranger
Madeline T. Holmes ... Grannie Hawkins
Erik Holland ... Union Army Sergeant
Cissy Wellman ... Josey's Wife
Faye Hamblin ... Grandpa Samuel
Danny Green ... Lemuel
Kyle Eastwood ... Josey's Son
Richard Farnsworth ... Comanchero

Josie Wales' family was murdered and his home burned by union redlegs, so he joins Bill Fletcher's border raiders on the confederate side of the war and does his share of getting even. When Fletcher turns in his men for money (except Wales) and they are all killed, Wales becomes an outlaw on the run from union authorities. They hunt him clear into Mexico, where things come to a head. Josie Wales single handedly surrounds the entire union army and the Indian nations.

This is a good story, well acted by all concerned, and very well directed by Eastwood, as are all of his films.

Joseph (Joe) Pierre

author of Handguns and Freedom...their care and maintenance
and other books

Josey Wales - Fastest gunslinger in the West!
Clint Eastwood's movie, The Outlaw Josey Wales, is a classic in the Western genre. This movie is one of the best Western movies that I have ever seen.

The story of the movie goes like this. Josey Wales(Clint Eastwood) is a peaceful farmer in Missouri with a family in the middle of the Civil War. One day some Union Soldiers burn down his house (with his son in it) and kidnap his wife. Angry and Furious, Josey Wales joins some confederate guerillas and fights hard. When Confederacy surrenders, Josey Wales refuses and heads west. He travels to Texas and along the way picks up odd group: couple of Native Americans, an Old Grandmother, a beautiful woman and two servants. At the same time they are chased by Union soldiers.

I will not reveal the story further. However, what makes this movie a classic is the depth and dimension to the characters and superb action.

The character of Josey Wales is really complex. He turns from a peaceful farmer to a tobacco chewing, hell raising, gunslinger. However his humane side is seen through his hard attitude at times. He saves a native american girl from couple of scoundrels. He also saves travelers from another group of bandits. At the same time, he is a tobacco spitting hard man. Josey Wales spits on everything, from a scorpio to a union officer. The other characters are not as intensely developed, which is understandable since Josey Wales is the primary focus of the movie.

The action in the movie is just amazing. I will summarize three great scenes which will make you, the reader, want to just watch the movie. In first scene Josey Wales is carrying food and confronted by four soldiers... In another one Josey Wales(and his six-shooter) all by himself is up against 10-15 bandits...In the last one, Josey Wales and his Six-shooter, go toe-to-toe against tens of horse-riding soldiers...

I will leave the action for you to watch.

Also this movie is directed by Eastwood himself. He is as good as a director as he is as an actor.

FYI: This movie is based on the book "Gone to Texas".

Classic Clint!
If you could only watch two of Clint Eastwood's westerns, "The Outlaw Josey Wales" and "Unforgiven" would by my choices!

Chief Dan George and Clint have a chemistry that adds humor and depth to the main story line of revenge, retribution, and a journey for justice. Sandra Locke, with her doe-eyed innocence, adds a little gentle feminity to the picture.

The movie is exciting, suspenseful and rewarding. No one is better as a wronged-man-evening-the-score than Clint Eastwood and this is one of his most memorable roles. ... Read more

Amazon.com

For director Robert Redford the trick was directing himself. The Oscar-winning director (Ordinary People, Quiz Show) says that he is one kind of actor (in the moment) and a different kind of director (more controlling). Whatever the problems, Redford has worked it out beautifully in this leisurely paced adaptation of Nicholas Evans's bestseller. When the prized horse of New York magazine editor's (Kristen Scott Thomas) daughter suffers a horrible accident, she tracks down Tom Booker (Redford), a Montana horse healer who is known for working magic. Soon East Coast brashness meets Old West simplicity as the reluctant Annie takes her even more reluctant daughter (Scarlett Johansson) to Marlboro country. Booker's influence goes beyond the horse through healing the heart of daughter and mother. The 2-hour and 44-minute film is a beautiful travelogue of scene and sky (with a giant assist from Oliver Stone's usual cinematographer, Robert Richardson). Never complicated, the movie's rewards may be hidden in its length and Redford's tendency to introduce us to a way of life instead of focusing on a story. The major deviation from the end of Evans's novel is a welcomed change. --Doug Thomas ... Read more

Reviews (167)

unwind in the Montana mountains
This is a unique movie from the millions of others out there. The plot starts with Grace(Scarlett Johansson) and her best friend meeting to go horse back riding and with Grace's mom Annie (Kristin Scott Thomas) working hard in her magazine office. When the girls are riding a tramatic and tragic accident happens causing the death of Grace's best friend and severe injuries to both Grace and her horse Pilgrim. Grace's right leg is severely hurt so they must amputate it. With her daughter becoming more distant from the family and Pilgrim becoming more afraid of humans, Annie is desperate to find relief or an answer somewhere. She reads an article about a horse whisperer named Tom Booker (Robert Redford) who heals horses. Anxious to give it a try, Annie, Grace, and Pilgrim travel from their home in New York to a cattle ranch in Montana and begin Pilgrim's healing process while Grace's father stays behind. What no one expected was the love situation that would come about when Tom and Annie met. Combined with a teriffic plot and the beautiful Montana scenery, this is definitely a movie not to be missed.

A beautiful, spiritual story of hope and despair...
"The Horse Whisperer" is unlike any other movie that I've seen. The story opens as a young girl, Grace, experiences a terrible accident while riding her horse, Pilgrim, on an icy road. Driven mad by shock and pain, Pilgrim is almost to the point of death. Grace is also in critical condition, for she has badly injured her right leg in the accident, and it must be amputated. Grace's mother Annie (Kristin Scott Thomas) reads about a man named Tom Booker (Robert Redford) who is known as a "horse whisperer," able to communicate and see into the troubled souls of these animals. A few days later, Annie, along with her hesitant daughter and Pilgrim in tow, sets out for Montana. There, at Mr. Booker's ranch, do you witness the amazing changes that occur as Tom begins to heal Pilgrim's spirit (along with Grace's). Soon after, Annie and Tom fall in love. The rest of the story unfolds in a symphonic display of love, hope, and miraculous recoveries. The film's ending is not your typical movie closing, but it is very good nonetheless. The beautiful Montana landscape adds to this special aura, and the characters are brilliant (both human and equine). I highly recommend this excellent movie to absolutely anyone. You'll fall in love with "The Horse Whisperer."

The Horse Whisperer
Okay, okay lets all agree on one thing here: the book is always better. that said, lets move on. "The horse whisperer" was a beautiful movie. It opens up with a young girl, Grace MacLaen. She lives in New York with her parents and her horse Pilgrim. One early morning her and a friend go out for a snow-filled trail ride. But where there is snow, there is ice and Grace's friend, Judith, slips (actually her horse, Gulliver, does)and they come crashing down into a fatal and life changing accident. After grace recovers enough to walk again, her mother realizes that something has changed within the young girl and forces her and pilgrim to take time out and seek help in montana. The "horse whisperer" tom booker (redford) sees that the threesome needs him in the worst way possible. Going against his belife in helping the horses, not the people, he sets out to help them. And so begins his long and demanding "healing" process. Pilgrim reaches a breakthrough and an old frienships is born again with the girl he once loved and trusted. But Grace's mother isnt ready to leave montana quite yet for she has fallen in love with the magical cowboy. All in all it was an excellent movie. but as i have said before the book is always better. watch the movie first and then "feel" (not see) what really happens when you read the book!

Read the book....
First off, I'm an avid reader. I read this book shortly before I heard about the movie coming out and I loved it. I couldn't put it down & cried through the last chapter. Now, to clarify...I'm not one of those weepy women who cries over hallmark comercials & other such drivel. It takes a lot to make me shed a tear. That said, I got so into the book that I couldn't help feel the pain the characters were going through.

When the movie came out, I went to the theatre to watch it...excited about seeing it all come to life before me. I know better than this b/c rarely are movies as good as the books, but still I hoped for the best. It was beautiful. I'll give it that...but it was slow. I felt every mile of the drive from NY to Montana. Besides being bored through most of the movie, I got more & more angry as I realized just how little respect was paid to the book with the screenplay. The characters weren't the ones that I had fallen in love with...or in the same respect hated. They were just kinda emotionless, middle of the road representations of the characters that Nicholas Evans created. Then...somewhere along the line, I'm guessing the screenplay writer decided that the book that they had bought the rights to wasn't good enough so they took the liberty to omit the last 4th of the book & reinvent their own Hollywoodized ending. As a reader and a Nicholas Evans fan, I couldn't help but feel that they butchered his work.

BUT, if you like long, slow, movies and have never read & don't intend to read the book...go right ahead and see this movie. You just might like it. Scarlett Johanssen is good and the scenery is beautiful.

Great Movie!
This is a great movie. It depicts real people in real life situations. Acting of Redford is marvelous!

Cinematography is breathtaking :)

Thumbs Up!! ... Read more

Reviews (10)

You can see why Jack Lemmon won the Oscar
Few people remember that this was the movie that Jack Lemmon won his Oscar in but it was well deserved. Dated in that obviously reeks of the late 60's and early 70's but a story line that would hold up today. Any business owner with a high rent, high life style and lots of people depending on you to produce understand the pressure that Harry Stoner was going through.

Great Actor in an interesting part. Movie gets low ratings by some critics as they think it is impossible for a business owner to be a sympatethic figure. Lemmon makes the part work and is an incredibly performance in a movie that is a true insight into how the world can get ugly at times.

Don McNay...

I Cant get started.........
A Wonderful Lemmon performance can only save the tiger!

This is a meloncholy look at a business that is no longer just a business. It crosses all lines and invents some new sinister ones.

Jack Gilford and Lemmon are owners of a dress forum in a garment district type setting. As with all cynical narratives the line between outrage and remembrances of what used to be are violated to great effect.

Harry Stoner needs to "torch" his business to get out of hock. Gilford preaches and the arsonist asks Harry to " Keep watching the film" at their meeting place in a dark theater showing skin flicks.(with or without togas) A one of a kind film experience !

How 20 Years Can Change A Man
Watching "Save the tiger" is an immensely rewarding experience for intelligent people. Simple minds won't even understand it.

The first scene is apt to shock the MTV-generation. For 15 minutes the camera follows Harry Stoner(Jack Lemmon) during his morning ritual. He awakes screaming from a nightmare, hears the latest news about Vietnam on tv, takes a shower, breakfasts, dresses.
He, a war-veteran of Anzio (1944; The scars on his back are not skin-cancer as one might suspect, but a souvenir from WWII), is obsessed by the years of his young manhood where America was a shining example for the world.
But Roosevelt's America is gone, and so is Glenn Miller and base-ball without trickery.
His wife thinks he's insane.
He spends $200 a day (Today's viewers: double the sum): Beverly Hills home, his daughter's swiss school, hispanic maid, swimming-pool-service, tree-surgeon.

As he drives along Sunset-Strip in his shiny Lincoln Continental he stops for Myra,20, a young hitch-hiker. He is surprised how quickly she offers him sex, but declines nonetheless.

In his garment-factory his cutter, Meyer, an old holocaust-survivor and Rico, his ambitious,young, gay protege are on each other's throats. There's an upcomíng fashion-show this evening and Harry has to talk business with his associate, Phil (Jack Gilford).

His firm is on the brink of collapse. He cannot risk bankruptcy (including balance-review), and won't give himself in the hands of the maffia. Arson in one of his factories in order to get the insurance seems the lesser evil.

A client, Fred Mirrell, is calling. He buys for $80.000 a year, but wants a call-girl as extra bonus. The following scene is brilliant in its insidiousness: Harry knows what Freddie wants, but politeness (and calculation) require him to play ignorant. He forces himself to listen to Freddie's lamentation: Sick wife, good wife, but after 15 years...

Finally, Margo, the lady in question arrives. In her handbag: baby-oil, camphor, lolly-pops...
Soon, bad news reach Harry: Freddie has suffered a coronary. Harry is outraged: Why hasn't he closed the deal first?!

This evening, while he presents his collection at the fashion-show, he sees the faces of his dead wartime-comrades. He realizes that he and Margo sell the same product: Imagination.

First meeting with the arsonist. While a commentator in a porn-cinema describes the events on screen in the tone of a newscaster, Harry and Charlie fix the details. Charlie is a real pro. 15 industrial plants set on fire . Just two fire-fighters in hospital.

Harry decides to give life a chance. He suggests telephone-sex to his wife; She is ice-cold in her rejection.

This night he spends with Myra, the hippie-girl. Ecstatic from dope he plays a name-a-famous-person-game with her. She doesn't know Glenn Miller or that there ever was a war with Italy. Their play reveals two worlds apart, that only a brief moment of tenderness can reunite.

Next morning, Harry signs a petition to "save the siberian tiger from extinction". He, himself will return to the zoo...

It won't be love at first sight between you and this film. It was a low-budget production. Yet- this is a stylish film if you take a closer look.

This film is not outdated the least. It's the story of an honest man whose America has changed beyond his wildest dreams. Think of what the Kennedy generation must have felt when the yuppies took over. Or, if you're 20, look at the 10-year olds. Ten years from now, THEY're going to be the new opinion-leaders and dictate their values on you.

"Save the tiger" is also the best film about the generation-gap that I have ever seen. Play the name-a-famous-person-game with your parents/children. See?

Lemmon played for scale, totally convinced by his role. He is of such a human truth in this difficult role, that he transcends his filmic character.

"Save the tiger" ís a masterpiece. To be seen again and again.

"Don't sell me America!"
Businessman Harry Stoner seems to have it all, or does he. A wife, who wishes he would turn down the Jazz music. A daughter, but she is away at a Swiss school. A home in the hills, that requires everything from a housekeeper to a tree surgeon. A successful business, that he now is forced to decide to burn down for the insurance money or go to the mob for a loan. Jack Lemmon portrays someone we do not see too often - a shell shocked World WarII veteran, post-traumatic stress disorder being more associated in the movies with Vietnam. Harry's youth as a nightclub Jazz drummer and sandlot baseball player is long gone, and so it seems is his America. Jack and Bobby, Martin and Medgar are all in their grave. Will our hero be next or will he go on living because its a habit he finds hard to break. Lemmon in the film tries to get through a day and half in Los Angeles while unwittingly doing battle with car parking attendents, out of town buyers, cab drivers, and dress cutters. A real American gem of a movie with a memorable performance by the late Thayer David in a small role as an industrial arsonist.

Lemmon In One Of His Most Profound Roles
Even though Save The Tiger May not of been a commercial sucsess
it still shows how great filmaking was once made. Basically
the story is about a day & a half in the Life of Harry Stoner
owner of a garment manufactuing company who's going through a
midlife crisis is in debt considers arson to his warehouse as a way of his troubles and manages to commit adultry. Jack Lemmon's
amazing performce which earned him a well deserved oscar plays
with sheer brillance and belivablity that he is pratcally in every scene of this film. One great scene was when Harry litterly
breaks emotinally thinking back to his army days seeing his friends wounded & killed when giving a speech at a fashion show.
No Matter how dated or strange this film may be today it's still
a great film it's defintely not a film for visual & special
effcts nuts but a film with certain amount of intelligence
and should be held as a clasic film. ... Read more

Description

Tom and Jerry return to the silver screen in a magical, music-filled extravaganza! The celebrated cat-and-mouse team meet Robyn Starling, a runaway who desperately needs their help to find her missing father. Despite heroic efforts, Tom and Jerry are captured by Robyn's nasty Aunt Figg and her lawyer Lickboot, then tossed into pet prison by the villainous Dr. Applecheeks. Tom and Jerry brilliantly mastermind a great escape and free their new friends, Puggsy and Frankie Da Flea. Together with Robyn, they set off on a wild cat-and-mouse escapade, full of thrills and adventure like you've never seen. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Tom and Jerry--The Movie
They're Back Again! A Great Movie For You And The Family. As Tom And Jerry Were Trying To Look For Something To Eat, They Run Into An Girl Who Ran Away From Her Home. Then She Has The Cat And The Mouse Visit The House, But They Had Made Trouble With A Dog In The Kitchen, Which Has Her Aunt Send Her Friends To A Doctor Who Kidnaps, Buy's, And Sell's Them. But Tom Knows Jerry Can Get Out Of The Hole Because He's Small. But In The Doctor's Jail He Meets A Dog And A Flea Who Wants Them To Be Friends. But Tom And Jerry Tells The Truth To The Dog That The Girl's Father Is Alive. Jerry Lets Every Dog Including The Cat And His Two Friends And Other Cats. And To People Who Like Him, You'll Meet You Know Who,
Droopy ''Hello, All You Happy People'' Dog. You'll Love Some Of The Songs That Are In The Movie! With The Voices Of Richard Kind, Dana Hill, Charlotte Rae, And Don Messick,'' So What The Heck''
Apg Film, Film Roman Productions, Live Entertainment, Turner Pictures. 1992, Rated G.

Banal
This hurts. This REALLY hurts. The film is so bad it's funny. It bastardizes classic Tom & Jerry humor, and has more in common with Tiny Toons than the original films. Worst of all, this hideous movie made them TALK. Avoid this thing at all costs.

It's Tom And Jerry Like You've Never Seen Them Before.
This is great movie. I saw it when I was about 7 years old. I'm 14 now and I still love it. Even giving Tom and Jerry voices didn't hurt the film. I highly recomend.

Not the real Tom & Jerry
Not only has Turner ruined movies by colorizing them, they have ruined Tom and Jerry by giving them voices! In this newly made cartoon, all we learn is that they have nothing interesting to say. Stick with the classic Tom & Jerry's and forget about this.

Claudia Clark
My address is: Claudia Clark P.O. Box 1306 Riverton, Wy 82501 U.S.A ... Read more

Reviews (251)

Robert Duvall is at his best in Open Range.
Kevin Costner needed to tighten up the script and his direction of Open Range, a good Western that could have been much better if it were a half-hour shorter. The best comparison I can think of for this film is Shane, one of the greatest Westerns ever made. Open Range has the same breathtakiing scenery, classic confrontation between good and evil, fine acting by all the players, realistic action sequences, and excellent supporting music. These merits are enough for me to recommend the film.

Robert Duvall as Boss Spearman, a free-range cattleman who is moving his herd over territory claimed by a local land baron who wants to rid the land of these itinerant cowboys, was wonderful, as usual. Michael Jeter, who died soon after the film was made, is at his best as the owner of the local livery stable. Both these actors may well be nominated for an academy award for their performances. Kevin Costner returns to form as Boss Spearman's hired hand Charley Waite. Like Alan Ladd in Shane, Costner was a gun for hire before signing on with Spearman. When it comes time for the showdown, Costner, like Ladd, is at his very best. Annette Bening is given a supporting role as the sister of a local doctor. She isn't given much to work with, but makes the best of it nonetheless.

Unfortunately, Open Range wanders from one scene to the next and is particularly slow going as Costner and Bening develop their relationship. Costner needed help in the editing room, not only to make sense of the growing love interest between his character and Bening's, but also to add a sense of urgency to the plot development. When two of Boss Spearman's hired hands are attacked and killed or wounded, we know that Boss and Charley are going to take the law into their own hands and bring old fashioned western justice to the guilty land baron and his men. We wait too long for the final showdown. When it comes, it is as good as it gets, and some might say, well worth waiting for.

If it is not Academy Award material, Open Range is still good enough to recommend with the noted reservations.

Not since Dances w/wolves has Costner film looked this good!
This Movie review is predominantly about this 2-Disc DVD Collection Edition with a few editorial (personal observations) comments.

Kevin Costner's passion is truly in the American Western. He has proved it with one of the greatest Western films "Dances With Wolves" (Top 100 AFI (American Film Institute) American film of last 100 years (circa 1998).

Now with "OPEN RANGE" Kevin Costner has again returned to his great film making with another soon to be Western Classic. I loved this movie!!!! A great story, fantastic breath taking panoramic cinematography (Alberta, Canada), an outstanding supporting cast with Robert Duvall as "Boss", Annette Bening as "Sue", Michael Jetter as "Percy" and Costner as "Charlie", with plenty of drama, action and true romance. (My wife loved it too!!)

Summary of this DVD set; Disc-1 - Open Range Feature film in 2.35:1 Ratio Widescreen Anamorphic (automatically adjusts to any television size) Format. And Enhanced for 16:9 Home Theatre HDTV's. (what a magnificent Picture & dynamic DTS 5.1 Digital Surround Sound). Audio Commentary w/Kevin Costner (very informative). Disc-2 - Special Features; "America's Open Range" a 60 min historical journey back in time to the open range of the 1800's narrated by Kevin Costner (very enlightening/informative), "Beyond the Range" Directors Journal about the making of Open Range, 10 Deleted Scenes w/optional Kevin Costner commentary, StoryBoarding: Open Range and Music Video Montage.

This is a must see Classic Western especially the 20 minute climatic gun fight (better than the gun fight at the OK Corral). Rent it, Buy it, I guarrantee you'll be watching this movie again and again. The Direction, Cinematography the Storyline the Cast are the best!!! To bad the general public missed this movie the first time around. Here's your chance to watch/own this Classic Western DVD set !!! Don't miss it. Enjoy.

Horrible!!
Words cannot describe how bad this movie is. Harlequin romance novels have better dialogue, plot, and character development. The only way to watch this movie is on "MUTE". The scenery is beautiful. The costumes look great.

Open Up To A Modern Western
Kevin Costner has brought the simplicity of an old western movie into a new age and done a fantastic job, both as an actor and as director.

The storyline for this film is a bit bland and basic but the intensity of acting and the scenery make up for the lack of substance in the story. "Open Range" takes you into a real western setting where one could see for miles and miles only what God made and be humbled by it. The gunfight is fantastic and so much more than any found in the good old western movies.

Robert Duvall is perfect as Boss, an old grubby cowboy with heart. Opposite Duvall you would think Costner would pale in comparision but he fits in almost as perfectly as a man with a mystery past. Annette Bening is subtle in her role, as a doctor's sister, but no less important to the film as Costner and Duvall. But the most impressive character in this film is by far the western scenery and the reality of nature's wrath out in the open range of 1882.

Classically constructed western
Two veteran free-range cattlemen (Kevin Costner and the incomparable Robert Duvall) must enter hostile territory to get medical attention for the wounded boy who works for them (Diego Luna). The town is under the thumb of an unscrupulous cattle baron who despises free-rangers and has no compunctions about killing them (Michael Gambon). This is a classic Western in which the two protagonists are compelled by their moral code to face danger instead of retreating from it. Costner and Duvall have magnificent chemistry in this film--Duvall as the moral conscience of the pair, and Costner as the former killer who is haunted by his past and longs to be able to see himself as a good man. Although director Costner has had a somewhat checkered career, he demonstrates here that he is a man with true talent. The final gunfight is a real highlight and not to be missed. ... Read more

Description

A metropolitan transportation engineer is forced to uproot his family from their New Jersey suburb to boise, idaho -- a move that wreaks havoc on their lives ... Read more

Reviews (16)

I love this movie! Good Movie! But I'm upset!
Richard Pryor did a great job in this movie! It was so funny and he sing like on Wizrd of oz "there was no place like home" He did a great job and I watch it over and over! I'm upset cuz they didn't make on DVD! I want them to make it on DVD's!
I gave them 3 star cuz they didn't make on DVD's! Please make it cuz I am Richard Pryor Fans! This is a good movie for making on DVD's.

This movie is timeless
Having experienced a variation of nearly every pitfall which Richard Pryor encounters during this hilarious film, I had tears in my eyes watching it happen to someone else. A character not to be overlooked is Dana Carvey who brings even more laughs to this side-splitting cult classic. Though this movie never made it in the "main stream", it remains one of my favorites and I suggest it to all of my friends. It's difficult these days to find a film most have not seen. They are surprised and delighted to find that this one shoud not have been overlooked.

A GOOD SIMPLE FUN COMEDY
The Toy is a great movie from an all time legend Richard Pryor.
O.K. its not in the top ten of all time comedys and the first 15 minutes is a bit slow,but if you are like me and my family who go on the feel good factor instead of "ACTORBILITY" and all that crap then you will love this film.
A classic comedy with good values, what more can i say!

I will rate this movie higher when its finally put on DVD
Why hasnt this great comedy been put onto DVD yet? Did the people converting movies from the reels pack up and leave, and this was one of the films that they said "where taking it with us"?

Come on, this a 4 to 5 star comedy , when is coming out on DVD? Treat great comedys with respect. And this is certinly one of Richard Pryors best.... TO DVD, NOW

A Funny Movie!
This movie was pretty silly but it was funny and enjoyable and Richard Pryor was very good as the father of a family who have to move to another state and the scenes with him and the teenage daughter who doesn't want to move are very funny and I recommend this movie and hope it will someday be put on DVD! ... Read more

Reviews (107)

Stunning
This may be the best Shakespeare film ever made. In 1942, Laurence Olivier delivered a jingoistic, stylized wartime production of "Henry V" that nonetheless stood as the standard interpretation. Nearly fifty years later, Kenneth Branagh's film appeared not only as a powerful and amazingly accessible recasting of the text, but a serious examination of the nature and the costs of the war that was Henry the Fifth's only real achievement.

Although studded with a fine array of subsidiary characters, "Henry V" is essentially a one-man play, and Branagh's performance informs and naturally influences all of the rest. His character has most of the lines, and he delivers them with a refreshing naturalism and candor that re-infuses the humor into the funny bits and cuts a lot of the potential for stilted jingoism out of the patriotic and warlike ones. If the real Henry's delivery of the St. Crispin speech was anything like Branagh's, it's no wonder the English won.

Slogging through the mud and rain of Harfleur and Agincourt with Branagh is a masterful supporting cast, including the incomparable Judi Dench as Mistress Quickly, Brian Blessed as a marvelously solid Exeter, and Ian Holm, wonderful as the irreverent and sarcastic Fluellen. On the French side, Paul Scofield's King is weary and indecisive rather than weak and mad; Michael Maloney's Dauphin is entertainingly arrogant, and Emma Thompson delivers a small but charming performance in playwright-broken English and much better French than Shakespeare likely spoke. Tying it all together is Christopher Ravenscroft, who invests the herald Mountjoy with a sympathy that extends to both sides, and a phenomenal showing by Derek Jacobi as the earnest, mocking and informative Chorus.

"Henry V" was released and went to video before the heyday of production for DVD, and as such, a "deluxe edition" has not been produced- this disc contains no making-of documentaries, no in-depth interviews with the cast, no online screenplay. But at least in this case, that's all for the best. The film is stunning enough on its own to need no such accompaniment, and its magic is thereby undiminished.

Oh, for a muse of fire...
For a first effort at feature-film direction, now-veteran director/writer/actor Kenneth Branagh provided an astonishing introduction to his many talents in filmmaking with his 1989 production, 'Henry V'. There is a gritty realism brought to the screen in this production that combines in dynamic and interesting ways with the Shakespearean dialogue and situations. The battle scenes are some of the best in cinema for depicting the kind of royal and knightly battles. A special commendation goes to cinematographer Kenneth MacMillan, art directors Martin Childs, Norman Dorme, John King, and costume designer Phyllis Dalton for combining elements of stage and screen together to complement the story perfectly without overpowering it. Indeed, the picture won the Oscar for Best Costumes; Branagh was nominated for Best Leading Actor and Best Director. The film and crew were nominated for and won many other awards as well.

One of the problems of Shakespeare on the silver screen is that the situations, settings, and acting often ends up somewhat contrived. That rarely happens here, because of this remarkable team.

The principle writing credit of course goes to William Shakespeare, but as is always the case, the play is recast to make the film medium more natural for the story. Kenneth Branagh is the one credited here, and has shown himself several times after this film as a master of adapting Shakespeare faithfully to the screen.

The play itself is one of Shakespeare's history plays -- remember the broad three categories of Shakespeare: history, drama (some say tragedy), and comedy. Like most of the history plays, there is creative license taken with the actual history, as it is invariably adapted to make the present regime look good, credible and more legitimate. This explains why Richard III in Shakespeare is far more villainous than in actual life; in Henry V, the country had a great and (for the period) uncontroversial hero - the last king of England to be acknowledged the dominant power in Britain and in France, succeeding in unwinnable situations, and, as befits a good historical hero, dies young before he has the chance to destroy his image. The play has always been popular in times of national crisis - see Olivier's production of Henry V during World War II depicting the king as a national saviour against continental foes.

The action of the play and film turns on the legitimacy of Henry's rule in France (an issue still for Elizabethan audiences, as Elizabeth was crowned with supposed rights to France). The French are depicted as haughty and disdainful of the young king (interesting how some things don't change), and the battle lines are drawn. The film here sets the stage for a far more ambiguous justification for war than is often depicted in the play, leaving the viewer wondering if, for all the glory of the battles, was there a real point, or was it legalistic/diplomatic trickery?

There is also the interesting scene with the conspirators against the king, unmasked as the forces are about to depart for France. Cambridge, Scrope and Grey are exposed, but the dialogue and acting hints as a more intimate relationship with Henry V - possibly this references obliquely the rumours of homosexuality, or at least bisexuality, in the historical Henry.

The players are excellent here, from Branagh himself as Henry V, and Brian Blessed his strong right arm Exeter. Paul Scofield (Thomas More in 'A Man for All Seasons') plays the ancient French king, Charles VI, and his son the Dauphin is played by Michael Maloney. This is, on the whole, a rather 'young' film, as Branagh himself was not yet 30 at the time of production, and most of his aides and friends in the play are similarly young, save for a few senior advisors. Emma Thompson, a staple in Branagh's films, plays the only significant female role, the princess Katherine, to whom Henry will be wed. Her part is almost entirely in French. Her maid, Alice, is played by Geraldine McEwan (perhaps best known from 'Mapp & Lucia').

The famous speeches here are preserved; Branagh does a fantastic job with his spirit-raising monologue for the troops prior to the battle of Agincourt, on Crispin Crispian day. The speech on horseback in the early seige of Harfleur, 'once more into the breech!' is also remarkable. The lines delivered by all the actors are done with care and precision - Exeter's report to Henry at the opening ('tennis balls', said with great sneer) and to the French party ('scorn', said with so much scorn the word need not be spoken) are but a few examples of this.

The film expands upon the play's use of Falstaff's companions as a comic relief, by incorporating what would be flash-back scenes from events in the Henry IV play cycle, premonitions of events currently in the play. Robbie Coltrane turns in a good performance as Falstaff; look for Judi Dench in a minor role as the Mistress, and a very young Christian Bale as the boy.

The music for the film is triumphant, foreboding and dark. This is a wonderful score produced by Patrick Doyle, known for work on other Branagh films such as 'Dead Again' and 'Much Ado about Nothing', as well as other films such as 'Indochine' and literature-based films like 'Gosford Park' and 'Great Expectations'.

Derek Jacobi, veteran Shakespearean, portrays 'Chorus', the narrator of the action, one who casts the right spirit from beginning to end, and appears throughout. There are few Shakespearean asides done by the actors here (a few under-the-breath comments that might qualify), but Jacobi's role is always directly to camera, directly to us as the spectators. The ending portrayed by Chorus is both victorious and tragic, much as the cycle of history must be.

This is a glorious film.

Great Film, Less than Great Transfer
Kenneth Branagh's splendid Henry V is the best Shakespeare film of the last forty years. Unfortunately, the picture quality of this DVD is only so-so. MGM really needs to do a better job than this.

"Cry Harry! England! And Saint George!!!"
Kenneth Branagh is truly inspired. As both the director and lead actor he is simply superb. Of all the Oscars this was nominated for, including Best Actor and Best Director for Branagh, all it walked away with was Best Costume Design. The costumes are great, by the way. But what makes this film work is the authentic emotional element that all the actors bring to their roles. Tears fall, hearts soar, and blood flows! This is easily my favorite film from director/actor Kenneth Branagh. There is a huge cast of name actors, such as Ian Holm, Judi Dench, and Emma Thompson, and all acquit themselves with honorable performances worthy of singular recognition. There are complex tracking shots and finely tuned film editing, all adding to the immense grandeur that envelopes this film. It is easy for me to recommend this outstanding Shakespearean adventure. If you love Shakespear, this film is an absolute necessity for your collection. Thank you.

This blessed plot, this earth, this realm, this England....
From various reference sources, in brief, here's the historical background both to Shakespeare's play and to this film. Henry V, the eldest son of Henry IV and Mary Bohun, was born in 1387. An accomplished and experienced soldier, at age fourteen he fought the Welsh forces of Owen Glendower; at age sixteen he commanded his father's forces at the battle of Shrewsbury; and shortly after his accession he put down a major Lollard uprising and an assassination plot by nobles still loyal to Richard II . He proposed to marry Catherine in 1415, demanding the old Plantagenet lands of Normandy and Anjou as his dowry. Charles VI refused and Henry declared war, opening yet another chapter in the Hundred Years' War. His invasion of France served two purposes: to regain lands lost in previous battles and to focus attention away from any of his cousins' royal ambitions. Henry possessed a brilliant, strategic military mind and defeated the French at the Battle of Agincourt in October of 1415. By 1419 he had captured Normandy, Picardy, and much of the Capetian stronghold of the Ile-de-France.

By the time the Treaty of Troyes was signed in 1420, Charles VI not only accepted Henry as his son-in-law but passed over his own son to name Henry heir to the French crown. Had Henry lived a mere two months longer, he would have been king of both England and France. However, he had prematurely aged because of having lived the hard life of a soldier, became seriously ill, and died after returning from yet another French campaign. Catherine had given birth to his only son while he was away but Henry died without ever seeing the child.

The historian Rafael Holinshed, in Chronicles of England, summed up Henry V's reign as follows: "This Henry was a king, of life without spot, a prince whom all men loved, and of none disdained, e captain against whom fortune never frowned, nor mischance once spurned, whose people him so severe a justicer both loved and obeyed (and so humane withal) that he left no offence unpunished, nor friendship unrewarded; a terror to rebels, and suppressor of sedition, his virtues notable, his qualities most praiseworthy."

It would be a disservice to compare and contrast this film with the version which Laurence Olivier directed 45 years earlier. Each has its own unique strengths and both are worthy of high regard. When Shakespeare's play and this film begin, newly crowned Henry V (Branagh) attempts to resolve animosities between England and France. When those efforts fail, he and a small army invade France and defeat the French troops at Agincourt. Branagh brings to the role exceptional energy and dramatic impact, most evident in two scenes: when he delivers his St. Crispin's Day speech just before heading into battle and then afterward as he rides amidst the carnage, carrying a dead boy across one shoulder. The resources and technologies for special effects available to Branagh were far more abundant than those available to Olivier. Branagh makes the most of them, recreating the gore and grime of Agincourt with a series of indelible images. (I suspect that Mel Gibson carefully studied the tracking sequence when preparing to film Braveheart.) The acting throughout is first-rate, notably Paul Scofield (King Charles VI), Judi Dench (Mistress Quickly), and Ian Holm (Captain Fluellyn). Sir John Falstaff does not appear in this film version (as he does in Olivier's) and scant attention is paid to the "corrupting influences" in Prince Hal's "decadent" youth. Branagh focuses primarily on the human dimensions prior to and following the magnificent military victory at Agincourt. It is also a pleasure to observe Branagh's interaction with Emma Thompson in her role as Katherine. The "word games" courtship scene is delightful.

This is a visually stunning and emotionally stimulating tribute to Henry V and his warriors, of course, but also to the country which produced such men:

This royal throne of kings, this sceptred isle,
This earth of majesty, this seat of Mars,
This other Eden, demi-paradise,
This fortress built by Nature for herself
Against infection and the hand of war,
This happy breed of men, this little world,
This precious stone set in the silver sea,
Which serves it in the office of a wall
Or as a moat defensive to a house,
Against the envy of less happier lands,-
This blessed plot, this earth, this realm, this England.

(Richard II, Act II, scene 1) ... Read more

Amazon.com essential video

One of the first Hollywood films to deal openly with white racism toward Japanese Americans during World War II, this drama directed by 1950s action maestro John Sturges (The Great Escape) stars Spencer Tracy as a one-armed stranger named MacReedy, who arrives in the tiny town of Black Rock on a hot day in 1945. Seeking a hotel room and the whereabouts of an ethnic Japanese farmer named Komoko, MacReedy runs smack into a wall of hostility that escalates into serious threats. In time it becomes apparent that Komoko has been murdered by a local, racist chieftain, Reno Smith (Robert Ryan), who also plans on dispensing with MacReedy. Tracy's hero is forced to fight his way past Smith's goons (among them Ernest Borgnine and Lee Marvin) and sundry allies (Anne Francis) to keep alive, setting the stage for memorable suspense crisply orchestrated by Sturges. Casting is the film's principal strength, however: Tracy, the indispensable icon of integrity, and Ryan, the indispensable noir image of spiritual blight, are as creatively unlikely a pairing as Sturges's shotgun marriage of Yul Brynner and Steve McQueen in The Magnificent Seven. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (22)

Magnificent movie, Tracy is brilliant
Spencer Tracy delivers yet another outstanding performance in this under-rated sleeper. He is mesmerizing as the one-armed MacReady, ably supported by the devious Robert Ryan and Ernest Borgnine, in a role rivaling his vicious "Fatso" characterization in From Here to Eternity.

However, the original cinemascope format does not translate well in this version and a wide-screen format is necessary to do justice to the film. In many scenes, one or more of the actors are cut out entirely from the frame which is irritating and distracting. In several moments, we hear Tracy's voice but he is nowhere to be seen on screen because of the limitations of a TV screen format.

It's good to see this film finally getting the recognition it deserves for an excellent script (years ahead of its time) and a stellar performance by the inimitable Spencer Tracy.

An underrated film driven by stupendous acting
Although well directed by John Sturges, this film set immediately after the end of WW II is driven by great performances by a great, great cast. Spencer Tracy's role as the one-armed John J. Macreedy, who has come to Black Rock to deliver a war medal to the father of a Japanese-American hero who died fighting in WW II, is sufficient by itself to have made this a great film. But luckily, it features several other stellar performances, including several of the best tough guys in American film history, Robert Ryan, Lee Marvin, and Ernst Borgnine. The cast is rounded out by the extraordinarily beautiful Anne Francis (a beautiful and not untalented actress who despite a long career never managed a break out role that might have propelled her to stardom), the reliable Dean Jagger, and the great Walter Brennan.

Although John Sturges is known as a great action director--and this film does have some great action sequences near the end--this film is driven by interpersonal conflict and confrontational dialog. Nearly every line spoken by one character to another seems to contain a mystery or a threat. As a result, there is an edge to this film from beginning to end. The script is brilliant, with a good mystery but even better dialog.

It is impossible to overpraise Spencer Tracy's performance in this one. He is always completely natural in his acting, but no less so in this film playing a one-armed man. He hardly comes across as someone with a handicap, but a tough-as-nails force of nature. As tough as Ryan, Marvin, and the others are in the movie, Tracy can match them grimace-by-grimace.
I'm not sure why this film isn't better known than it is. Given the quality of the performances and the stature of the principle actors, you would think it would be a mainstay on TV and rental shelves. Anyone unfamiliar with this film should do him or herself a favor and get it as soon as they can.

Sublime work
The intolerance has not political color , identity card and it has not related with a specific nation.
Bad day... is a dark and bitter story in a small town about a murderer . The victim is a japanese citizen , killed by a leader who hated all men who came from the Eastern World .
Far beyond the horrors lived in WW2 , the hate still remains in the heart the soul and the memories of this little community who decides "to clean" the town from this japanese disease.
Spencer Tracy will be sent to investigate the sudden dissapearance of this japanese citizen.
Knock out performance of Spencer Tracy and unforgettable punch from Robert Ryan. Lee Marvin plays a little role.

Good Day at Black Rock
All the negative comments made below by "almond cakes" are accurate. However, the film is extrememly enjoyable in spite of the "flaws" he mentions. I can't imagine these events actually taking place, but wouldn't that logic also apply to Star Wars? And The Wizard of Oz. And The Terminator? And thousands of other movies where credibility is stretched a little? John Sturges and the cast he directs are sensational in this movie. Though some of the events depicted may seem far-fetched, I don't mind going along for the ride. It's well worth your time, if for no other reason to see Spencer Tracy upstage a whole bunch of very talented actors competing with him for attention. Tracy shines brighter than the rest without even seeming to try.

Stands the test of time...
Spencer Tracy's performance is bombproof in this tale of bigotry and hatred. It is a universal story that will stand the test of time by illustrating how xenophobic behavior is allowed to fester in small towns, (and in small nations). It is admirable that it was made in 1955, only a decade after WWII had ended.

If you're a movie fan, it is hard not to be in awe of the tension