Amazon.com

Paul Newman, an American original, would seem to be the perfect choice to direct a film adaptation of the second novel by another American original--Ken Kesey. But Kesey's novel, written under the influence of both LSD and growing fame, was a mishmash, and Newman's film can't rescue it. It also seems strange to see the ultraliberal Newman starring as a strike-busting logger who honors a contract on principle, rather than observe union concerns, bringing all sorts of misery down on his family. Henry Fonda is interesting as Newman's father, but the film never finds its footing. One killer sequence, however: Richard Jaeckel, as Newman's brother, trapped under a log in a river, slowly drowning despite Newman's best efforts to save him. --Marshall Fine ... Read more

Reviews (16)

Sometimes a great movie...
What better way to see this movie than when I first saw it in '71. I was a junior in Forestry College, watching it in the frat house. There's not too many movies that Paul Newman or Henry Fonda made that were not good. If you choose moviews by who the major stars are, you won't be disappointed in this one.

I've done logging, but would not choose it as a career. These are the kind of people who can. It is a butt-kicking, rough and tumble, tough fisted, never give and inch movie, worthy of the talents of the entire cast. The drowning scene is a real tear-jerker, but chainsawing the union boss's desk in half is SO Neuman-esque. Tossing sticks of dynamite at the union bigwigs and blowing up their rowboat is not exactly out of character for Fonda, either. An absolutely unforgettable movie, with perfect casting.

Sometimes a Cinematic Notion
OK, in fairness; I came to this film on the strength of my long, enduring affection for the work of Ken Kesey. Sometimes a Great Notion, the novel, is as dense and intense a read as one can find out there by any (and I mean ANY -- Faulkner, Hemingway, the works) American author. I've read this superb novel many times, and savored every word with every reading.

...then I saw the film.

Again, in fairness; I had doubts that ANY film under 2 hours would begin to do justice to the novel. I was right. I had suspicions that perhaps Paul Newman and Henry Fonda weren't quite, well, BIG AND TOUGH ENOUGH to do due justice to the Henry and Hank Stamper father/son team. I was almost right -- physically, they weren't the looming figures that roared across Kesey's pages. But Newman and Fonda ain't bad either, not by a long shot. Their abilities almost obscure the fact that they don't fully seem like lifelong lumberjacks from the wild coast of Oregon in the middle 20th century. They seem like superb Hollywood actors who are acting like lumberjacks. But that's OK, too. Fonda and Newman break even in my book, in terms of how they portray the fictional characters. I can't fault actors for scenes that aren't there, and my biggest problem with the film was a lack of depth -- the novel has several parallel, ongoing story lines that all weave together with magic and drama. By nature, cinema is a more linear story-telling device in that regard. Kesey's magnificent command of language, and voice, and perspective, and verb tenses helps to define this sprawling masterpiece -- that's a tough sell on the big (or little) screen.

I wish the cutting room had eaten a little less footage. The romance between Lee and Viv is, essentially, missing in action. And with it, the dramatic narrative that powers much of the core of the novel.

On the positive side, Richard Jaekel was excellent as Joby -- to the extent that he was on-screen. I found myself looking for his Christian aphorisms and life's-only-gettin'-better outlook, and finding less than I'd hoped for. Sure, he seems jolly enough half the time -- but I found myself wondering if that was because I KNEW he was supposed to be happy and full of Biblical jibberish. Again, the novel vs. the cinema -- and again, cinema fails where 600+ pages of copy succeed. The drowning scene, in fairness, is unforgettable. Of course, it was that way in Kesey's novel, too.

I'm glad to know Ken worked with Paul, as the film evolved. That Ken found the final product more successful than One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest-The Movie is a mixed blessing. I agreed with Ken about Cuckoo's Nest and Jack Nicholson (although I love Jack's work, too). I wish Ken were alive today, and perhaps he could shed some light on what he felt worked best in this film.

The Union sub-plot was touched on, but not fully explored. Same with the 'suicide'/death of Willard the theater owner (we never even learn he has a laundromat or a wife or any of the rich details that make him unforgettable in the book). Same with the love triangle. Same with the Stamper family history. The film was good, unquestionably, but not nearly as profound nor as deep as the novel.

With that said; go out and read the novel, and THEN sit down and watch the film. My vote goes for a RESTORED DVD RELEASE with whatever worthy footage was sacrificed for the Faux God of Running Time! This is an admittedly complex and far-reaching tale, and one that's hard put to do justice to itself in 112 minutes, give or take.

As is often the case, a great movie doesn't do justice to a great novel. In this case, it was almost impossible to succeed along those lines (Hey, does anybody PREFER the cinematic Moby Dick to the Melville novel? Case closed!).

On balance, Paul Newman and Henry Fonda and Lee Remick and Richard Jaekel in a Ken Kesey story...!? Does it GET better than that? Only Ken Kesey could have authored a novel that surpassed this film, talent and all. And he did! Check them both out -- book and film.

You'll be glad you did.

Great Movie
Saw this movie 20 years ago. I can still remember it.

Raw, Real Powerful
I've read the reviews written by people who have no real experience in logging, and apparently in real life! No, it doesn't follow the book that closely, but what movie does? I have worked in and around logging and outdoor people most of my adult life. I have also worked with more liberal "soccer family" types, both for the government and within private forest industry. I've worked in southeast Alaska and in the humid southeastern U.S. This is a real movie representing real people and the real ideas of those people. Paul Newman has a gift for finding parts that fit him and represent the actions of real people. I've known many just like him, some born into the logging or construction industry, and some that found themselves there, even one philosophy graduate that found "real" life much more inviting than an artificial liberalism pushed upon him at the university. This is a movie about life, the good and the bad, and about the real people that live it.

Trapped Beneath
I only want to tell you of one scene in this film. It's too bad that one sequence's strength can't be carried throughout the rest of the picture. Richard Jaeckel, playing Newman's brother, get's trapped under a log under water and Newman has to keep breathing air into him. An unforgetable scene. If you don't mind seeing a film, just for the pleasure of one unbreakable moment, then see this one. A 5 star, and very powerful, Newman-style scene. I do respect those that like this movie, because Paul Newman is always great in whatever he does. ... Read more

Amazon.com essential video

The history of film comedy would have been much altered if Peter Ustinov had stayed in the role of Jacques Clouseau, the bumbling French police inspector in The Pink Panther. But Ustinov dropped out, the role went to Peter Sellers, and a classic character was born: suspicious, blundering, with a pompous little mustache and a sometimes impenetrable accent, Clouseau was always one step behind everybody else in the room. The Pink Panther introduced Clouseau hot on the trail of a famous jewel thief (David Niven), who may be planning to make off with an expensive gem known as the Pink Panther. Set in a European ski resort, this bubbly comedy is a wonderful dose of '60s style, from the famous Henry Mancini theme music to the presence of two of Europe's top sex symbols of the era, Claudia Cardinale and Capucine. The film also introduced the popular cartoon Pink Panther, slinking around to Mancini's music in an animated credits sequence. The film's success brought a follow-up, A Shot in the Dark, also released in 1964; after 11 years, Sellers and top comedy director Blake Edwards (10) returned with three more sequels. --Robert Horton ... Read more

Reviews (38)

My Favorite Panther
Which Pink Panther/ Inspector Clouseau film is your favorite? I can't really decide between THE PINK PANTHER and A SHOT IN THE DARK. My heart is really with THE PINK PANTHER because I saw that in the theatre first. THE PINK PANTHER was really an event for me. It was such an 'in' film at the time. To me David Niven is really the main character of this film and he brings a lot of himself to the role, which elevates the distinction of the film quite a bit. Niven is the personification of class. The great cast also includes Robert Wagner, Capucine, Claudia Cardinale, Brenda de Banzie and Fran Jeffries (with choreography by Hermes Pan). Besides the cast I also did like the score composed by Henry Mancini. The Pink Panther Theme will live forever. Mancini was a true professional. Plus it has beautiful great outdoor scenery, photography and elegant sets, which makes it very likable and memorable in a way strangely akin to Hitchcock's TO CATCH A THIEF. The costume ball (costumes by Yves Saint-Laurent) was a real showstopper and is one of the most memorable scenes of all time. This is a highly visual told film. For me this is the best Pink Panther film.

Oh my, who was she?
agree with the last reviewer on the scene in the alpine lodge. The girl was indeed beautiful and the scene was perhaps the one I remember the most and the one I look forward to seeing over and over again(and the one I always replay at least once). However, the object of this review would have to be the movie itself.

This was perhaps the only movie that I enjoyed with Peter Sellers as Clouseau. His depiction as the bumbling inspector in Pink Panther was superb. It's unfortunate that he decided to change his style with subsequent Panther movies.

As usual, David Niven was equally magnificent as the "cat burgler" with Capucine and Robert Wagner equally enjoyable in their roles. For those who have not seen this movie, it centers around the eventual attempted theft of the Pink Panther - a jewel of immense value. It belongs to a Princess (portrayed by Claudia Cardinale) who obviously comes from some ficticious Muslim country whose enemies of her regime wishes the bauble be returned to the people. The acting is first-rate as is the cast of this fantastic comedy. It is one of those movies I enjoy over and over again and never tire of it's showing. Of course, I will always enjoy the scene in the alpine lodge, as well as the young lady who performed so magnificently and one who I have had a crush on for far too many years.

No! Not The Stradivarius!
This, the first of the exquisite Pink Panther series, is an amazing film. To know that originally Peter Ustinov was cast to play Jacques Clouseau as a straight, inept French detective is a sobering thought. After Ustinov dropped out, of course, Peter Sellers got the role and after consultation with Blake Edwards, decided to make him not only inept, but also bumbling and accident prone, a characterization that defines how we think of Clouseau today. This film is interesting in that since it is the first of the series it is interesting to see the origins of the character, and how different he is here than in later 'Panther' films. Here is clumsy and prone to pratfalls, but is less flamboyantly slapstick than in the later films.

The film also stars the wonderful David Niven, who plays the perfect suave English thief, and a very young Robert Wagner as his equally debonair nephew. Female stars are the beautiful Claudia Cardinale and Capucine, two of the top European actresses and models from the era.

The movie is a bit more sedate than the later films in the series, but still is one of the funniest movies of the sixties. 'A Shot In The Dark', also released in 1964, as the first sequel, began the transformation to the later formulas with additions such as the wonderful Herbert Lom. 'The Pink Panther' does introduce the animated 'Pink Panther' short for the first time, as well as the often imitated, never duplicated title theme. Other viewers will have their own favorite scenes, and the costume party is surely one of the highlights of the film, but for my money the best scenes in the film revolve around Clouseau trying to woo his wife by playing his Stradivarius violin, over many protestations. The look of pain on David Niven's face during his playing is worth the price of the film alone

If I were doing it today, I would buy this DVD as part of the multi DVD 'Pink Panther' set, where it also includes a few interesting bonuses such as a 'trivia track', which adds great tidbits about the film.

Peter Sellers was a comic genius, and the world still waits for another genius of his stature. I think we will be waiting a long, long time.

Not what i remember.
David Niven, (Sir Charles Lytton) and Peter Sellers (Inspector Jacques Clouseau) star in the Pink Panther, the first in a pretty successful but flawed series.

I was really looking forward to seeing this when I popped it in my dvd player, I have good memories of the bumbling Clousea but wasn't aware that his character didn't really take shape till the next film "A shot in the dark", subsequently I did not enjoy this one and found it rather boring and unfunny. I will give the sequel a chance however as, from what other reviewers have said on here, they are far funnier and contain the Clouseau that I remember.

As far as this one goes, it was boring. The scene with Niven and the princess in his room went on forever, I ended up hitting eject soon after and watched the excellent Wuthering Heights instead.

Thanks for reading, but give the next couple a chance as I will do.

Better as a self-contained movie
Than as the start of the Panther series. Too many questions arise:

1)Where is Chief Inspector Dreyfuss in all this?

2)How is Clouseau ever going to be a cop again if he was convicted of diamond theft?

3)Where is the former Mrs. Clouseau in Return of the Pink Panther?

4)Where is Cato in this film?

And many others. Too uneven. ... Read more

Amazon.com

It's hardly shameful that The Three Godfathers ranks as the slightest John Ford Western in a five-year arc that includes My DarlingClementine, Fort Apache, She Wore a Yellow Ribbon, Wagon Master, and Rio Grande. The source, a Peter B. Kyne story both hard-bitten and sentimental, had already been filmed at least five times--once by Ford himself as Marked Men (1919). The star of that silent version, Harry Carey, had recently died. This remake is dedicated to him ("Bright Star of the early western sky") and proudly introduces his son, Harry Carey Jr. (who had already appeared in Howard Hawks's Red River--as did his father--but we won't quibble).

Just before Christmas, three workaday outlaws (John Wayne, Pedro Armendáriz,Harry Carey Jr.) rob a bank in Welcome, Arizona, and flee into the desert.The canny town marshal (Ward Bond) moves swiftly to cut them off from the wells along their escape route, so they make for another, deep in the wasteland. There's no water waiting for them, but there is a woman (Mildred Natwick) on the verge of death--and also of giving birth. The three badmen accept her dying commission as godfathers to the newborn. Motley variants of the Three Wise Men, they strike out for the town of New Jerusalem with her Bible as roadmap. It becomes increasingly apparent that saving the child's life will cost them their own.

Ford's is the softest retelling of the tale; in place of Kyne's bitter/triumphant final twist, he adds a very broad comic postlude. Elsewhere, the nearly sacramental treatment of the mother's death is followed by an extended gosh-almighty sequence of the banditos reading up on childcare. But it's all played with great gusto and tenderness--especially by Wayne, who's rarely been more appealing. Visually the film is one knockout shot after another. This was Ford's first Western in Technicolor, as well as his first collaboration with cinematographer Winton Hoch. What they do with sand ripples and shadows and long plumes of train smoke is rapturously beautiful. It's also often too arty by half, but who can blame them? --Richard T. Jameson ... Read more

Reviews (12)

One of my favorite westerns!
It's amazing how a simple idea can be so powerful if it's handled well. This film shows 3 men wanted by the law who promise a dying woman they will care for her baby. They are menaced by an unforgiving desert, indians, and a total ignorance of how to care for a baby. All of which provides fertile ground for some good humor and great character development. Wayne is tough as usual but shows loyalty, honor, and a tenderness with the baby that is truly touching. One of my favorite John Wayne films.

heroism, with sweet & tender sentiment
There are many reasons not to miss this beautiful 1948 film: It's exquisitely directed by John Ford, The cinematography by Winton C. Hoch is remarkable, John Wayne is looking and performing at his absolute best, and my personal reason for owning this video, the wonderful Pedro Armendariz, who is magnificent in it.

It's a sentimental tale of 3 bandidos with hearts of gold, completeing a promise they made to a dying woman to take care of her baby, and it's so well written and lovingly made that it never gets corny. This is good old fashioned entertainment, and entertaining it is, as these heroic good/bad men are chased by the sheriff and his posse across the desert, with a Bible as their map. John Ford made many inspirational films, and this is one of my favorites.

read and you will find out
a good and a very good ending. some good acting by wayne. it is an underrated film.buy this one you will never forget it.

Heartwarming John Wayne / John Ford Classic!
All the positive comments you read here about this film are true. This is a sleeper film in the Warner Brothers' MGM catalog that is way, way overdue on DVD.

This classic western stars John Wayne, Pedro Armendariz, Harry Carey Jr and Ward Bond -- the usual John Ford suspects. Ford strikes a balance between action and sentimentality, directing this simple story in a straightforward fashion with a great sense of pace. It's really good fun. This is Ford's first color film and cinematography by Winton Hoch looks really rich and with enough sand to make you wish you had some lemonade.

Maybe Warner's busily restoring this film to its original pristine 35mm real 1948 Technicolor glory and researching the vaults for behind-the-scences extras? Maybe they'll even toss in a pdf of the original story by Peter B. Kyne and the film script? It would be great if they included the original 1916 silent film with Harry Carry Sr.

"3 Godfathers" is a natural for the Christmas season as it's a film the whole family can watch. Did I say it's way overdue on DVD?

Love Duke, love this movie
I'm giving this four stars instead of five simply because five stars is reserved for true masterpieces - for films virtually without flaw. This film is flawed, but oh so wonderfully lovable. I won't bother to retell the plot, as others have already done a better job than I can, but I will just say what I love about it.

The performances: Pedro Armendariz & Harry Carey Jr. are wonderful. I think of the scene where Pedro steels his resolve and heads into the tattered covered wagon to help deliver Mildred Natwick's child; his face reveals a wonderful mixture of dread, awe, responsibility, resolve, strength, determination... And John Wayne is at his irascible, lovable best - at turns impatient and scolding, tender and understanding - truly avuncular. He is clearly the leader of the group, and being 6'4" of John Wayne, he commands (and gets!) most of our attention, but never in a way that diminishes the other two men or moves them too far into the background. The relationship between the three characters is wonderfully drawn and complementary; obviously they all had great chemistry together.

The story: The desert is a harsh and unforgiving place, but this film shows that even in the desert you can find redemption. Robert Hightower's soul is in a spiritual desert and it is for this reason that he must be the one to bring the baby to New Jerusalem. He has to find his own redemption and his own peace walking with God, which the other two men already seem to have. I know some may not share in the Christian faith that John Ford obviously had and thus may find the symbolism in this film heavy-handed, but I for one think it lent a great deal of emotional depth. Every soul is longing for something more, and for something greater than itself, and though I know little about Ford as a person, it seems to me that he knew this something more can only be found in Christ. There is so much more I could say about the symbolism in this film - the water, for example, that the men are constantly craving and aching for - think of the Samaritan woman at the well in the Bible and what Jesus tells her (John 4). This is a highly spiritual film!

It is also at times highly comic. The funniest part, and one I could watch over and over again, is when the men are puzzling over what to do with their godson. Just the sight of John Wayne holding the tiny infant in his huge hands is downright sweet and endearing. Then the Kid pulls out Doc Meecham's book of baby advice, advice that prompts JW to say he wouldn't trust a "sick polecat" to the good doctor's care. One of the things the doctor suggests is rubbing the baby down with olive oil or clean lard. Pedro finds some axle grease, and the next thing we see is Wayne's huge hand dipping into the yellow grease and "greazing" the tiny baby's body, a sight that strikes the characters as funny as it strikes us. But it's much better seen than described so I will leave off. Suffice it to say that this is a highly enjoyable film that moves easily between sad & funny moments, and one I will be turning to often. ... Read more

Description

In 1979, Gilda Radner threw a sommerlong party and Broadway's Winter Garden Theatre. Share the fun as Gilda's Saturday Night Live alter-egos take on new comedy material not even the Not Ready for Prime Time Players were quite ready for. Among the many highlights: Emily Litella substituting for a Bedford-Stuyvesant teacher who's been the unfortunate victim of a "stubbing". Lisa Hoopner whining through "The Way We Were". Roseanne Roseannadanna grossing out grads at the Columbia School of Journalism. And joining in for even more hip happiness are several of Gilda's SNL cohorts. Paul Schaffer (Late Night with David Letterman) plays straight man and plays up a musical storm. Father Guido Sarducci, rock critic and gossip columnist for the Vatican's L'Osservatore Romano, reveals the astonishing "Kennedy/Lincoln Coincidenza" and poses a new model for higher education: the five-minute university. ... Read more

Reviews (11)

hilarious as well as touching
This video is great for the SNL fans and will remind you of all of Gilda's wonderful characters from the show, along with special appearances from Paul Shaeffer and Don Novello (Father Guido). The other great thing about this taping is that it also captures all the excitement of the "live" show production itself. The cameras follow Gilda as she runs off for costume changes and often cuts to backstage during segway sketches. As for the material itself, Gilda is a pure student of "Truth in Comedy" (probably from her Second City roots). Much of the humor is in her portrayal of common characters and moments in ones' life. This show brings fond memories and clever comedy writing. Her ending piece of "touch me with our clothes on" and her story of cuddling up to Carl Reiner records always brings a tear to my eye, even though the lyrics are also very funny in itself. Although there is some "dirty words" to animals, the comedy is not really "blue"...the censored version often shown on TV is still just as funny. This show is a great rememberance of the beautiful and funny woman the late Gilda Radner was.

RADNER + NICHOLS = GENIUS
How I remember the summer of 1979... Senior in High School, passing the Winter Garden Theater in NY, wishing I was lucky enough to have tickets to see "Gilda Radner, Live From New York".

Saturday Night Live was a huge hit with a phenomenal blend of innovative talent. One of the best of course, Gilda Radner. Thanks to Mike Nichols, this production was brought to the screen for all to enjoy.

Here, Gilda showcases all of her most famous characters. Everyone from Emily "Nevermind" Litella to Rosanne "It's ALWAYS SOMETHING" Rosannadanna. The film is made up of several skits separated by the craziness of Don "Father Guido Sarducci" Novello. Though all the material is somewhat dated, It comes across well, but may be hard to understand by viewers under 30. Mike Nichols even takes us backstage in "real time" to show us how a Broadway show really works.

Great musical parodies including "Let's Talk Dirty To The Animals" and "Goodbye Saccharine" sung by Gilda as "Rhonda Weiss" complete with 60's like backups "The Rhondettes"(Rouge). Ironic that before Gilda sings, she exclaims (re: the FDA banning saccharine from the market) that, "Statistics prove, that most guys... prefer skinny girls with cancer... over healthy girls with bulging thighs..." Poor Gilda, how I only wish you were the latter...

Legacy Of Gilda
Gilda Radner was hands down the funniest woman in history. From her comedic roles on the big screen, to the timeless characters she portrayed on the small screen. In my mind, Gilda will live forever. From the funny, chubby girl from Detroit, to the skinny, outrageous comedic. Not to be overlooked, this video was made at the height of her popularity on Saturday Night Live. All her classic characters are portrayed, from Emily, to Lisa, to Roseanne! Although Gilda's life was cut short, her spirit and laughter will live forever! LA DOLCE GILDA!!!!

Gone But Not Forgotten
This video is a loving tribute to Gilda. Why is this video not on DVD. Gilda is gone, but not forgotten, at least not by me. It's time to move Gilda out of the video age and into the digital age, before even DVDs are obsolete.
The characters Gilda plays are so funny. Tragic she had to die. She was so full of humor and warmth.
Ohhh!, Well, never mind.

It just doesn't get any better than Gilda Radner.
We all lost a friend in 1989. I know that's how I feel. Gilda was one of those RARE people whose heart and kindness penetrated through to her audience during performances. You felt like you KNEW her.

Fans of Gilda and "Saturday Night Live" will thoroughly enjoy this video. "Gilda Live" includes almost all of the comedienne's most beloved characters. Lisa Loopner, Judy Miller, Roseanne Roseanna-danna, Emily Litella and Candy Slice and the Slicers are all featured. The segment where Roseanne Roseanna-danna is a featured speaker at a college graduation will have you howling with laughter. She's also brilliant here playing Emily Litella as a substitute teacher. You see, Emily has been called in because the regular instructor was involved in a "stubbing." The hilarity ensues after that. Finally, my favorite part of the show is when Lisa Loopner sings "The Way We Were." It's a trifle sad since we know what happens to Gilda and I was moved to tears, but that in itself shows how beautifully the segment is/was done. Powerful. The only main character of Gilda's that I can think of that you WILL NOT see is Baba Wawa.

Father Guido Sarducci does several comedic pieces in this film basically to give Gilda time to take a breath and get into costume for the next skit. I've never found Father Guido very funny and some of his material here drags on. I couldn't wait for Gilda to return to the stage. Guido's last diatribe in the movie about how sinners must pay God (literally with cash) for each of their sins is pretty funny. The rest of his stuff I could have done without.

You'll also see a very young Paul Shaffer. I never knew Paul had hair! *laugh*

If you're a Gilda Radner fan, this is a must for your collection. You'll laugh. You'll cry. Most importantly, you'll remember that Gilda Radner was a great performer and a better person. ... Read more

Reviews (52)

Superb Restoration from original TODD-AO Negative
Hallelujah! Finally, Fox has retired the CinemaScope print versions previously used in its two video incarnations and gone back to the TODD-AO 65 mm negative to bring us the definitive edition of SOUTH PACIFIC. The THX digitally restored film (available in both pan and scan and widescreen) is impeccably beautiful. The colors are all true and rich and deep. No more grain or bleed as we had in the Scope versions, especially in the controversial color filter sequences, which now render powerful and true as they were intended (and which netted cinematographer Leon Shamroy an Oscar nom). The widescreen version is the one to get, however - the sweep and beauty of the scenery and composition of the players meld into a perfect whole. I've seen this dozens of times but was mesmerized with this print as if seeing it for the first time. Most of the controversy over the film's casting and acting and direction stem from the small screen pan and scan - you NEED the widescreen lush backgrounds to understand the story, why the natives are attracted to it and why it holds the naive Americans in its seductive sway. RUN to get a print of this while they last - a great musical (remember it ran in its TODD-AO versions for over a year in the major city roadshow releases - audiences of the day LOVED it, despite the critics' lukewarm responses). This is a true WINNER! For the record this also contains the original Overture (Some Enchanted Evening, A Wonderful Guy, Nothin Like A Dame, Younger Than Springtime); the Entr'acte (Younger Than Springtime, Gonna Wash That Man, Bloody Mary, Bali H'ai); and Exit Music (Younger Than Springtime, A Wonderful Guy, Some Enchanted Evening, Bali Ha'i) all set against travelogue vista outtakes and title card backgrounds.

More than a love story. And the music is great!
With the world a little shaky now, it's a real pleasure to be able to put on a DVD and take a trip down memory lane to 1958 when South Pacific was released in movie theaters. The Rogers and Hammerstein score sets the tone for this musical adaptation of the Broadway show that was based on Tales of the South Pacific" by James Mitchener.

The story is set on an island in the South Pacific during WW2. The Japanese are entrenched in a nearby island and are bombing American forces that go near, but life is sweet for the G.I.s at the naval base. Mitzi Gaynor, cast as a nurse, is beginning a romance with an older distinguished French planter played by Rossano Brazzi. John Kerr is a young lieutenant who comes to the island to convince the planter to risk his life to spy for the Americans. And Juanita hall is the older native woman who pushes her daughter, the lovely France Nuyen, at John Kerr. The music is excellent and the words of the songs really do move the story along.

The theme however, is more than a love story. It deals with racism and the tragedy of war too. And these themes are what held it all together for me. It's a great human statement surrounded by wonderful familiar melodies that I'm still humming this morning. I loved it. And I didn't even care that, with the exception of Rossano Brazzi and Ray Walston, whose role as a sailor who always has a scheme and adds some really funny comic relief to this tale of love and war, the acting in general was mediocre. Everyone else gave rather stilted performances, and Mitzi Gaynor might be pretty, but she can't quite show a wide range of emotion. Also, the songs were all dubbed and obviously so. But that was the way Hollywood did things in those days. It's also interesting to note what the standard for beauty was in 1958. With the exception of the dancers, it was youth alone and not workouts in the gym that shaped the actors' bodies. Narrow waists were in style for the women, but hips were allowed to flare naturally.

I loved South Pacific in spite of its few faults. It was great entertainment even though it didn't make me forget the prospect of war. If you've never seen this film, don't miss it. And if you've seen it before, it's certainly worth a revisit. Highly recommended.

Another Let Down
The first time I watched this I was hitting the sauce pretty hard with the result that I thought it was one of the greatest movies ever made. In the next few days I tried to re-watch it and there were some things I wasn't going for. (The interesting thing is I was drinking just as much, if not more.) Actually, there were a lot of things I wasn't going for, but I'll only mention a few of them: (1) There's some saying that the French plantation owner keeps spouting to the nurse as if it were their "little phrase" - something like "Fools never argue, wise men never agree", that's not it, but it was something that sounds profound but is actually a piece of garbage. Even if it were profound, I don't need to hear it. (2) This movie starts out making some pretense to being a realistic war movie, but the combat scenes toward the end are asinine in the extreme. (3) The nurse and the marine are both supposed to be racists who need to be straightened out, with the implication that YOU are if you're white. I'm sorry but I watch musicals to be entertained, not to get a course of "sensitivity training." -- If I ever watch this again, I'm going to cut it down to watching 2 or 3 of Mitzi Gaynor's numbers.

It's simply the best...
What a classic, wow! Don't believe one negative word you hear about this film. Everyone knows that the songs are the best Rogers & Hammerstein produced for one show. The singing in the film and the renditions are fabulous. The first time I saw this film I was 10 years old and, yes, it was in 1958 in an old, classic of a movie theater where the ushers were wearing suits. I was totally entranced by this great film at that time and still am today. Mitzi Gaynor and Rossano Brazzi were excellent selections-- I don't think Mary Martin would have been any better. John Kerr looked exactly like a young Marine lieutenant circa 1942. Sure, ladies, it could have been someone who was known for having knockout looks, but they would not have been as effective. And France Nuyen captures the essence of a native girl like no one else and that was good casting opposite Kerr.

To me, the greatest achievement of this film is that Joshua Logan absolutely captured everything about the early 1940s in that cast of characters. Mitzi Gaynor has a 1940s face and style, and looked exactly like a Navy nurse. The same is true for the other characters but especially so for Kerr. If you look at war footage from the Pacific theater, you'll see hundreds of Marines with frames exactly like Kerr's. No one lifted weights back then so no one had the "body cuts" of a weight lifter. He looked just like a Marine Lt from WWII should have looked-- tall, very lean, serious but a kid at the same time. He was intense in the combat scene and very light during the scenes with Nuyen. And Juanita Hall couldn't have been better; she will always be everyone's vision of Bloody Mary.

Logan manages to take you back to that time over and over again even though it was filmed 15 years later. When I watch it today I know that the smells were different, the mindset was different, the clothes were different, the cultures were different, the people were different, and life was different; perhaps simpler. Logan capture all of that for us to see over and over again. Plus, he did it in a way that makes the racial point but does it without being vulgar.

South Pacific captures the World War II era in the same way that Gone with the Wind captures the Civil War era. We can never go back to those times, but Logan helps make time stand still. Best of all was his casting. This version of South Pacific is one of my all time favorite films and no classic film library should be without it. Buy it. Watch it. Love it!

Great, but maybe not good
After viewing the full screen version of "South Pacific" on a projector screen as well as my own home, I feel that the movie was filmed beautifully!!! The use of color tints carries the audience away. Mizti Gaynor has a fabulous singing voice, even if she is "as corny as Kansas in August." The characters overcome the racial prejudices, showing the world that mixed couples are acceptable. The only thing that I found lacking was the plot line. If it weren't for the musical interludes, the movie may have been a flop. ... Read more

Description

A troubleshooting special agent is assigned to the investigation of a worldwide terror ring headquartered in Hawaii. ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Great for the opposite reasons
My name is Jim McLain, spelled the same way as in the movie. This said I'm here to tell you that this is a five star rating because I LOVE terrible movies! Sometimes I wish John Wayne hadn't used the rare spelling I do in my name. The Duke was running, yes RUNNING from the House of Unamerican Activities. James Arnes Gets bested by two little oriental guys who combined don't match his weight and beat him down hand to hand! More sermons than an Amish Convention. Great drunk late night viewing!

For Patriots Only
OK, I know the ultradicallibrocrats of our society disaprove of any attempt to recognize the evils and sins of communism. When commies are portrayed as evil, or if there is an attempt to defeat them, the libs will howl and bellow all kinds of leftist rhetoric. And they certainly make a big stink about this movie, which goes to show how good it really is. Why is it that the libs always are critical of anti-communist sentiments, but never seem to have any objection to anti-fascist movie? Hmmm.... I wonder.
If you're patriotic and want to see one of the few films that puts a white hat on the good guys, this is a show for you.
Forget the whining of the pink brigade and enjoy the show.

Relax and enjoy
In some ways this movie can be seen as political [persuasion] from the 50's, but so what. All I can say is relax and enjoy. Enjoy the Hawaiian scenery and ignore the attempts to turn you into a blue blooded right wing capitalist. It's still a pretty well made movie from my standpoint. It's slow pace is due to the sort of documentary feel of it. It's pacing is more like All the President's Men. Not to say it's as good as that movie, and it's definatly coming from the "right" side of the fence.
...
Forget the politics and get the popcorn.

Underrated
This excellent movie about two detectives (6'4 (76) Wayne and 6'7 Arness) who search for Communism in the Honolulu area. The plot is realistic in the sense that the movie is about something that was happening in 1952. Many people don't like this, even though I don't know why. It has everything: comedy, action, scenery, adventure, remorse, etc. It is a switch for Wayne (who would make Hondo in '53 and The Searchers in '56.), but it shows how great an actor John Wayne is. This is a must-see movie for any fan of Wayne, big or small.

A neat movie!
This is a good movie! I see that a lot of people don't like it. I'll admit it's slow, but it has a good lesson. I mean, it's totally patriotic and wonderful! You can really see how patriotic the Duke was. James Arness costars and is cool. I enjoy watching it every so often, and I think it's a good movie. That's my humble opinion! ... Read more

Description

Spot, the ever-curious, always adorable puppy greets everyday adventures with the joy and delight of a preschool child! And now your child will discover additional worlds of wonder along with Spot and his friends as they prepare for the first day of school, play safe at the playground, decorate a cake, and put on hats and mittens for a cold day! Between each of these beloved animated stories, a live-action cast of inquisitive preschoolers make learning new things as irresistible as Spot himself! ... Read more

Reviews (3)

cute video
my two year old and his cousing love this video as well as the rest of the spot series. the video teaches the kids to share as well as how to use their imagination. the content itself isn't overwhelming to children like many cartoons today. i would recommend this video to kids ages one to four or five.

Have Fun and Learn with Spot
This is a wonderful video for children. It follows the books by Eric Hill very closely. There are five stories about a little yellow dog with a big brown spot on his back. He lives in a nice house with his Mom and Dad and he has lots of friends including Helen the Hippo, Steve the Monkey, Tom the Alligator, and Claire the Turtle. These are gentle, loving stories that children can easily understand. Each story teaches a positive and valuable lesson and is very entertaining as well.

In the opening story, "Spot Goes to School," Spot is starting school for the very first time. He is a little nervous at the beginning, but once he gets to school, he sees his friends and has a good time with them. The teacher is very nice, and there are lots of interesting things to do. The students paint, and build with blocks, and play dress-up. As it turns out, school is a very fun place to be! At the end of the day, Spot's mother picks him up, and the first thing Spot says is, "Can I go again tomorrow?" I think this story would help any little child who is nervous about going to school.

In "Spot at the PlayGround," all of the friends get together for an afternoon of fun. They play on the Jungle Gym and the Teeter Totter and the Slide. They learn how much fun they can have sharing and playing together. They also learn to be careful and watch out for one another. Having fun CAN be safe!

In "Spot Makes A Cake," Spot is on his way out to play with his friends. He reminds his mother that she promised to make a cake for the school fair. She asks if he would like to help. Of course he would! But only after he finds his Chef's hat. This was my favorite scene in the video. Spot is a fat little puppy who stands on a stool and mixes the cake batter while he wears his hat. He is SO CUTE! He makes the cake with his Mom, and winds up having more fun than he expected. He learns that it can be fun to help around the house. And best of all, when he takes the cake to the school fair, he wins it right back again! Spot's Dad is especially happy about that-because he REALLY wanted to eat it before it went to the fair!

In "Spot In the Woods," Spot and his Dad go out for an afternoon walk. Spot asks everyone he meets along the way if there are any lions or tigers or elephants or bears. "Oh Yes, lots of them," the birds and foxes and squirrels reply. This worries Spot, and he decides he wants to go home. His Dad is puzzled, but he says okay. After Spot leaves the woods, out pop a lion, a tiger, an elephant, and a bear! Sometimes the things that children imagine or fear, really can come true! But when that happens, it's also true that a loving parent or grownup can protect you and take care of you!

The last story is "Spot's Winter Sports." It is a cold and snowy day, and Spot wants to play outside with his friends. But first he must dress warmly! He has a snowball fight with Helen the Hippo and takes a ride on his sled with Steve the Monkey. Helen and Spot work hard at building a snowman. They ask Steve to help them, but he is too busy doing something by himself. Spot wonders what is so important that Steve can't help. Actually, Steve is working on a surprise for Spot-a snowman that looks exactly like Spot! And best of all, he builds it on Spot's sled so that he can take it home and show his Mom and Dad! Aren't friends great!

As you can see, these are sweet and charming little stories. There is nothing rough or violent or scary in them. Around our house, we like to watch these stories in the evening when we're getting ready for bed. They are so calm and quiet, they make you feel like you are ready to relax and go to sleep. This video is a MUST HAVE for small (and even not so small) children!!

Have Fun And Learn With Spot.
This is a wonderful video for children. It follows the books by Eric Hill very closely. There are five stories about a little yellow dog with a big brown spot on his back. He lives in a nice house with his Mom and Dad and he has lots of friends including Helen the Hippo, Steve the Monkey, Tom the Alligator, and Claire the Turtle. These are gentle, loving stories that children can easily understand. Each story teaches a positive and valuable lesson and is very entertaining as well.

In the opening story, "Spot Goes to School," Spot is starting school for the very first time. He is a little nervous at the beginning, but once he gets to school, he sees his friends and has a good time with them. The teacher is very nice, and there are lots of interesting things to do. The students paint, and build with blocks, and play dress-up. As it turns out, school is a very fun place to be! At the end of the day, Spot's mother picks him up, and the first thing Spot says is, "Can I go again tomorrow?" I think this story would help any little child who is nervous about going to school.

In "Spot at the PlayGround," all of the friends get together for an afternoon of fun. They play on the Jungle Gym and the Teeter Totter and the Slide. They learn how much fun they can have sharing and playing together. They also learn to be careful and watch out for one another. Having fun CAN be safe!

In "Spot Makes A Cake," Spot is on his way out to play with his friends. He reminds his mother that she promised to make a cake for the school fair. She asks if he would like to help. Of course he would! But only after he finds his Chef's hat. This was my favorite scene in the video. Spot is a fat little puppy who stands on a stool and mixes the cake batter while he wears his hat. He is SO CUTE! He makes the cake with his Mom, and winds up having more fun than he expected. He learns that it can be fun to help around the house. And best of all, when he takes the cake to the school fair, he wins it right back again! Spot's Dad is especially happy about that-because he REALLY wanted to eat it before it went to the fair!

In "Spot In the Woods," Spot and his Dad go out for an afternoon walk. Spot asks everyone he meets along the way if there are any lions or tigers or elephants or bears. "Oh Yes, lots of them," the birds and foxes and squirrels reply. This worries Spot, and he decides he wants to go home. His Dad is puzzled, but he says okay. After Spot leaves the woods, out pop a lion, a tiger, an elephant, and a bear! Sometimes the things that children imagine or fear, really can come true! But when that happens, it's also true that a loving parent or grownup can protect you and take care of you!

The last story is "Spot's Winter Sports." It is a cold and snowy day, and Spot wants to play outside with his friends. But first he must dress warmly! He has a snowball fight with Helen the Hippo and takes a ride on his sled with Steve the Monkey. Helen and Spot work hard at building a snowman. They ask Steve to help them, but he is too busy doing something by himself. Spot wonders what is so important that Steve can't help. Actually, Steve is working on a surprise for Spot-a snowman that looks exactly like Spot! And best of all, he builds it on Spot's sled so that he can take it home and show his Mom and Dad! Aren't friends great!

As you can see, these are sweet and charming little stories. There is nothing rough or violent or scary in them. Around our house, we like to watch these stories in the evening when we're getting ready for bed. They are so calm and quiet, they make you feel like you are ready to relax and go to sleep. This video is a MUST HAVE for small (and even not so small) children!! ... Read more

Reviews (8)

The Great Caruso..tape..
It took the longest to get here for whatever
reason..I don't know.. I wrote to the seller and he wrote
back..which made me happy.. I love the tape.. Fondly,

Mario Lanza at his Best
Mario Lanza displays his supurb talent in this music filled video and if you aren't already a fan "The Great Caruso" will make you one. The musical selections in this video are unsurpassed. A video you will watch over and over.
Beverly J Scott author of Righteous Revenge

Lanza, still the best!
I have been in love with this movie since first seeing it in the theater when I was a child. I am watching it again today, and it is still very good. I am moved by his singing like no one else's. The movie has so many musical numbers, it is wonderful. I just wonder why there was never a sound track from the movie, at least I have never been able to find it. The Ava Maria number still brings tears to my eyes!

A wonderful movie!
I really enjoyed this film, and would give it more stars if I could. Mario Lanza has such a beautiful and heavenly voice.

He is also a great actor as well. A great movie about the life of the Great Caruso. Well worth watching.

The perfect introduction to opera
This movie can truly be called life-changing. It certainly changed my life; I was totally ignorant of opera before a chance re-run of this movie introduced me to a whole new musical world. As it turned out, I was in illustrious company. There is not a single contemporary tenor of note who was not inspired by this movie.

Let's be honest from the outset: the movie bears little resemblance to the real Caruso's life, and, yes, it is corny in the grand tradition of Hollywood musicals. But who cares? Lanza's singing is perfection itself, and his vibrant personality overflows in practically every scene. The rest of the cast is good, with top-notch operatic singers Blanche Thebom, Giuseppe Valdengo, et al providing Lanza with some worthy (and rare) vocal support.

Highlights include a superb Vesti la Giubba, a moving Ave Maria and a rapturous Because. In all the movie contains 27 vocal items, with not a dull moment to be found amongst them.

See this movie and revel in a unique vocal talent. In the words of one admirer, Mario Lanza could "outsing the entire Mormon Tabernacle Choir", and the movie is a stark reminder of how bland today's singing idols really are. Viva il grande Lanza! ... Read more

Amazon.com essential video

Why is The Charge of the Light Brigade so rarely even mentioned among Errol Flynn's swashbucklers? It's a terrific movie, something like the peak of spectacular Hollywood action filmmaking and the bravura style of Michael Curtiz. The setting--till the Crimean War climax--is the Indian frontier (impersonated, as so often, by rocky Lone Pine, California), where the 27th Bengal Lancers run afoul of an Oxford-educated slime named Surat Khan (C. Henry Gordon). Flynn and Olivia de Havilland bring real tenderness to two-thirds of a romantic triangle (the other corner is the hero's brother, Patric Knowles). There's the fearsome siege of Chukoti, an unspeakable atrocity, and finally the foolhardy, inspired Charge at Balaklava. The camerawork and editing of that grand sequence never cease to astonish. History (and political correctness) is better served by the 1968 Tony Richardson movie, but for unabashed epic sweep and matchless thrills, this is the one you want. --Richard T. Jameson ... Read more

Reviews (22)

"It's a Lie! Lie!! Lie!!!"
That's what Errol Flynn barks at his brother Patric Knowles when that gentleman tells Flynn that his fiancee Olivia de Havilland is now in love with Knowles. As if that were Flynn's only problem,though, in this Crimean War setting. Of course, accuracy-wise there's a bit off: the Crimea really isn't all that close to India, so all sorts of different exotic locations and costumes are mixed up together, but if you don't mind that, well, you'll enjoy "The Charge of the Light Brigade" just fine.

"CoftheLB" boasts an excellent cast supporting Flynn: in addition to the aforementioned Olivia and Patric, there's David Niven, Donald Crisp, and Nigel Bruce, just to name a few stalwarts. Plenty of action, with masscres and horse charges galore, not to mention a rousing score by Max Steiner, and of course, Tennyson's poem gets interspersed with the final dynamic charge.

Noble Six Hundred, indeed--watch it and cheer!

"Into the valley of Death/Rode the six hundred."
From the standpoint of history, artistic license abounds in this classic adventure movie. In fairness, the filmmaker posts a disclaimer of the historical veracity of the film right at the beginning. Errol Flynn is at his flamboyant best as dashing English officer, Geofrrey Vickers. He vies with his brother (Patrick Knowles) for the love of Olivia DeHavilland. Romantic sublplots aside, Flynn and an army of supporting actors hold the thin red line of 19th century British imperialism. C. Henry Gordon is evilly conniving as Surat Khan, leader of the fictional Suristan faction. When England cuts off his money, Surat Khan wages war against the British interlopers. After Surat Khan massacres non-combatants at the garrison of Chokoti (sp.?), India is too hot to hold him. In typical Hollywood fashion, the action shifts to the Crimea at Sebastopol where the British face the Russians at Balaklava Heights. As an inside joke, the Russian commander bears an uncanny resemblance to Joseph Stalin. Who should be collaborating with the Russians but Surat Khan? Vickers, still burning with anger over the massacre of innocents, discovers this and he forges orders for the Light Brigade to attack. Under the direction of Michael Curtiz, the slam-bang action sequences of this movie provide memorable thrills. The fighting at Chokoti is both exciting and unsettling as women and children fall before rebel bullets. The staging of the charge is impressive, if controversial. Many of the horses were destroyed because of injuries from the deliberate tripping. As the lancers charge into the face of roaring canon, to the right of them, to the left of them, in front of them, quotes from Tennyson's poem appear on screen. The shot of the fallen lancer still holding aloft the billowing Union Jack in his lifeless hand is great imagery. "When can their glory fade?" Filmed in glorious B&W, this classic action/adventure film is a good example of the quality product of the Warner Brothers film sutdio at its Depression Era height. Enjoy the old fashioned fun. ;-)

A Classic forgotton by DVD
Here we have one of the ten best Hollywood adventure, historical (with the normal Hollywood bending of the facts) romances of all time. A movie that all later adventure movies, like the Indiana Jones series, owe a dept to and yet you can not find it or 'Gunga Din' or 'The Sea Hawk'etc. on DVD. Every junky movie that lasted only a week in theaters in the past ten years you can find on DVD but hardly any of the CLASSICS from the 30's or 40's. When will Hollywood wake up?

"Cannon to the right of them, cannon to the left of them"
I first saw this (black-white movie) as grad student ca 1968 in New Haven (Lincoln Street Theater, does anyone remember?). Knowing Tennyson's heroic poem, one waits with mounting anticipation until the order is misunderstood and the gallant charge begins. Wild and inspiring! Later, I saw the 1968 remake, was equally good.

The Stars Foretold
To merely gape in wonder at the reviews that are to follow and even to those to follow after is not what the review represents and indeed what came before was long before arrived at so all that might of been said has truly been already expressed.I would be truly surprised if opinions had before and after perhaps even over time where at one point the Charge of the Light Brigade was a new release had not already met some of the demands that I feel compelled to put to paper even today,so many years hence.This is a very good film,truly it enters into the heart with dramatic license that I could not ignore.The English if you will are portrayed as a stuff shirt that ignores terrible problems,things can get very frustrating in particular for Flynn when he questions Englands diplomacy when the Surat Khan is about to lose a stipend of considerable worth.The are many overtures of impending crisis that though perhaps questioned by Flynn they are overridden by superiors.What a truly terrible,terrible event occured when the fort was left poorly manned with only a handful of brave souls to guard her gates.The blood thirsty Surat Khan had no shame even upon the women and the children and even those whose only defense was the inspired word of the Holy Bible.It is one of the defining moments and the catalyst to glory.Forever in the annals of the Light Brigade this will burn till they exact an eye for an eye and gain victory over this monster,the Surat Khan.The film moves into some territory where Flynns brother portrayed as something of a globetrotter in the Service of the Queen stirs up controversy with improper advances toward Olivia DeHaviland,who it turns out is to be betrothed to Captain Vickers(flynn)I do not care for this side light,indeed her Father in the film perhaps had the very right idea about this affair wanting to have this fellow horsewipped.It was uncharacteristic of the events that were about to unfold to have such a weak willed love affair not be forever based.Flynns contribution is in the Name of Her Majesty the Queen and to the glory of the Light Brigade.He is a very capable officer and worthy of the Lead.Perhaps that Affair might learn something from what is most important to us in this world,because Captain Vickers exemplifies that.To borrow from one of the other great films of Errol Flynn,"His men would follow him to hell",and thats what materializes when the Surat Khan is found to be incamped with the Russian forces at the Balakava Heights.The position is thought to be virtually impenetrable.The other area that underpins the heartfelt care I pay to this film came from one of Englands great romantic poets in Sir Alfred Lord Tennyson.Into the Valley of Death rode the 600! Truly great storytelling and a victory over a monster.Long Live Her Majesty the Queen of England and Glory forever be with the Light Brigade.This is one of the very best films with Flynn being worthy as he was so often in his film making career. ... Read more

Amazon.com essential video

Spencer Tracy won an Oscar for his portrayal of Father Flanagan, who opens Boys Town and dedicates himself to helping juvenile delinquents go straight. Mickey Rooney plays one of the tougher kids, figuring out early on that Flanagan is nobody's fool. Warmhearted and inspiring, the film's inevitable sentimentality is nicely cut by Tracy's performance and a smart script by Eleanore Griffin and Dore Schary (who also won Oscars). A good film for all ages, directed by Norman Taurog (Adventures of Tom Sawyer). --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (13)

PRIME TRACY PERFORMANCE.
Father Flanagan takes in abandoned boys between the ages of 12 to 18, regardless of race or creed, and fights to raise money, to feed and teach and mother his friendless charges. Mickey Rooney - bless him - runs the gamut of emotions from the tough, poker-playing gangster kid, through the tear-choked, made over youngster, to the final noble youth who becomes mayor of Boys Town. The film manages - in spite of its embarrassing sentimentality of its closing scenes - to be a consistently interesting and frequently touching movie. A burning desire to help his fellowmen and a belief that there is no such thing as a "bad boy" inspired and assisted the Reverend Edward J. Flanagan to found "Boy's Town". Spencer Tracy's sincere portrayal of the role of the priest Father Flanagan was truly an outstanding performance in his career, it even ranks above his Father Tim in SAN FRANCISCO; Tracy simply IS Father Flanagan! As a footnote, in real life, Tracy donated the Oscar he won for his portrayal as Father Flanagan TO Father Flanagan himself; Tracy had it inscribed thusly: "To Father Edward J. Flanagan, whose great human qualities, kindly simplicity and inspiring courage were strong enough to shine through my humble efforts. S/Spencer Tracy".

great movie
This is a movie that is still good even after all these years. Spencer Tracy and Mickey Rooney give two of the greatest performances of their career. It should have one best picture for 1938, It was far better than "You cant take it with you". "Boys Town" is one of the best fims of all time.

Good Movie
I don't like Spencer Tracey all that much, but he is wonderful in
this movie. Mickey Rooney is excellent too. Very heart warming, good movie to watch around Christmastime.

An inspiration
I had watched this movie on TV a few years ago and was moved especially as it was based on the true story of Fr. Flanagan.
Movies like these uphold human values and dignity and give hope in a world were these values are getting blurred and ambiguous as is reflected in today's 'sensational' hollywood movies most of which promote superflous and artificial lifestyles and senseless action which please the senses but leave a vacuum in the soul. Of course, movies like Men of Honor and Jerry McGuire are an exception. Also it is commendable that there also exist producers like Mel Gibson who has the courage to produce "The Passion" in Aramaic (the language spoken by Christ) though it does not make much commercial sense.
All of this makes me think, is Hollywood reflecting contemporary life or is life reflecting Hollywood.
Wonder why no movie is made on the life of Fr.Maximilian Kolbe who resisted the Nazis in Poland and ultimately sacrificed his life in the Gas Chamber in exchange for another inmate in the Nazi Auchwitz camp in WWII. It could make a real good drama movie.
Hope the DVD that comes out on Boystown will have a special feature on the life and times of Fr. Flanagan.

My Favorite show
Boys town and sequael(Men in Boys Town) are the by far my most favorite films. I watch them on an old VHS copied from TV in Holland in the PAL format. I had to buy a special muti-system TV and VCR just to watch them. I hope when the DVD comes out they will come together as a 2 disk packet. ... Read more

Amazon.com essential video

The flaws are easily forgiven in this beautiful version ofLouisa May Alcott's novel. A stirring look at life in New England duringthe Civil War, Little Women is a triumph for all involved. We follow one family asthey split into the world, ending up with the most independent, theoutspoken Jo (Winona Ryder). This time around, the dramatics andconclusions fall into place a little too well, instead of finding life'slittle accidents along the way. Everyone now looks a bit too cute and oh,so nice. As the matron, Marmee, Susan Sarandon kicks the film into amodern tone, creating a movie alive with a great feminine sprit. KirstenDunst (Interview with the Vampire) has another showy role. The youngensemble cast cannot be faulted, with Ryder beginning the movie in a roleakin to light comedy and crescendoing to a triumphant end worthy of anOscar. --Doug Thomas ... Read more

Reviews (113)

What You Would Call a "Beautiful" and Brilliant Movie
In my opinion, this is the best version of "Little Women". Although it sways just a bit from the book, it captures the essence of the book perfectly and weaves a story that works splendidly. The acting is phenominal and the casting was done incredibly well. Claire Daines, Christian Bale, and Susan Sarandon provide a stability to the movie that grounds it (and they do it so well), and Winona Ryder brings the passion and character of the beloved "Jo" that makes it such a fantastic film.

I also find this movie a thing of beauty. Everything about it, from the cinematography, to the color schemes, to the sets, to the seasons and the natural shots, to the Oscar nominated score, to the costumes, to the acting and the storyline, are beautiful. They work together in an artistic collaboration to create an atmosphere of reality and eye candy that can only be achieved through a period film. Certain period films have elements that will stand out and ruin the feeling of belief, but this movie suceeds in it's efforts to keep you suspended there, and the whole movie flows wonderfully together.

This is a brilliant movie.

This film captures the spirit of the book
While this film version of LITTLE WOMEN does not follow the book exactly, it captures its spirit with expert performances and cinematography. The soundtrack beautifully enhances this classic story of a family of women, struggling largely by themselves, in unforgiving New England.

This may be Winona Ryder's best role - she captures the ambitious spunk of Jo with a winning performance. As Jo's sisters, Trini Alvarado (Meg), Claire Danes (Beth) and Kirsten Dunst (the young Amy) give strong, if sometimes uneven, performances. Susan Sarandon as Marmee has the right measure of no-nonsense Puritanism; her feminist lines often are too heavy-handed for this film that otherwise has a light touch, but the way she sweeps into a room overshadows any flaws in the writing.

All in all, this is an excellent adaptation. Children may be bored by the art film pace, but teens and adults will delight in these characters brought to life by nuanced performances.

Highly recommended.

The best movie adaption of the novel!
Of all the versions of Little Women that I have seen, Gillian Armstrong's is the best! She definitely chose her actors/actresses well - the cast includes: Winona Ryder (Jo), Claire Danes (Beth), Trini Alvrado (Meg), Kristen Dunst (Amy), Christian Bale (Laurie), Susan Sarandon (Marmee), and Gabriel Bryne (Professor Bhaer). What an astounding performance they gave - this movie made me laugh, cry, and feel for the characters each and every time I watched it! . . . And though some of my favorite scenes from the book were missing, it still portrays the characters extremely well. I love this movie and highly recommend this to all Little Women fans, the people who didn't bother to read Little Women, and everyone else!

blah
if one was to compare katharine hepburn to winona ryder, the results would be obvious. the book isn't supposed to be a feminist account, it's supposed to be a civil war tale of a family. since it's so modern, and the acting and even the colors are modern, we never feel the full experience, or that we are in the 1800's. In the 1933 version we feel a part of the family. This is less than inspiring. how clare danes became Beth, i'll never know, what Kirsten dunst is doing here is a mystery. Although SUsan Sarandon is fine, she is the best thing in here, but nowhere near spring bryington. Christian bale is too dreamy, and his and winia'a chemisrty isn't right. it doesn't follow the book, and the cast is miscast. I don't recommend, instead watch the beautifully done 1933 CLASSIC, or even the 1949 one with June Allyson and Margaret O'brien. Skip this.

The best version, and NOT just for kids
This version of Alcott's classic story is luminescent, brilliantly acted, perfectly staged, and far more emotional than the book.

Katharine Hepburn's Jo, six decades earlier, was hard to top, but Winona Ryder does it -- with sensitivity, more believable passion, and a far more expressive face. Ryder's Jo is entirely believable in her plunging into writing with reckless abandon, more so than Hepburn, for whom it took second place to love. Yet, paradoxically, the romance is far more believable for the newer Jo when it does come along.

Everyone else in the story reflects her struggles and triumphs, and it's a stellar ensemble cast. Especially adept are Trini Alvarado, a conflicted and beautiful Meg; Claire Danes, trembling and heartbreaking as Beth; Christian Bale, giving a raucous edge to next-door Laurie; and most of all, Gabriel Byrne, a younger-by-15-years Prof. Bhaer, finally made both believable and romantic.

All actors portray the same character throughout except for Kirsten Dunst and Samantha Mathis, who assay Amy at ages 12 and 17. Others have criticized this casting, but it worked well for me, especially in the older Amy taking her propriety and "finishing" far more seriously than it deserved.

The story does depart slightly from the book, but not from Alcott, and the film is better for it -- certainly less precious and affected. A few plot elements from "Little Men" and later books flesh out this story, and Alcott's own attitudes about empowering women are brought into Susan Sarandon's quietly powerful Marmee. The Alcott family's intellectual interests inform Jo's stay in New York, adding some depth and grounding to her character and romantic feelings.

This new DVD's features are a delight, especially in Gillian Armstrong's intense narration on the commentary track. She had a vision and depth of attention to this film's details that ought to be celebrated, yet rarely is for women directors. Outtakes are also narrated, a rarity. The making-of featurette and other elements are well-shaped, though Danes's behind-the-scenes program from HBO is not present, which is a bit disappointing.

The transfers are crisp and clear, both video and audio. Thomas Newman's brilliant music can be heard on a separate audio track, and anyone who likes this film should watch it once with just his evocative (and often-imitated) score filling the ears. ... Read more

Reviews (279)

Honor and Horror
The story of the 54th Massachusetts Infantry is told in a solid and entertaining movie. The casting is brilliant, including the surprisingly good choice of Matthew Broderick, an actor I'm normally indifferent to, who is utterly believable as the scion of a wealthy Boston family who accepts a commission as Colonel in command of the first black regiment in the Civil War. Rounding out the cast are Morgan Freeman and Denzel Washington, the two finest actors of ANY color working in Hollywood these days, and Cary Elwes in easily his best performance since The Princess Bride. If there is anything negative to say about this film, it is in the archetypical nature of several of the characters (I do not know how "fictionalized" the indivdual soldiers are) and a bit of, yes, "glorification" of what ultimately was one of the most horrific and wasteful events in history. But ultimately that is what makes honor and glory: sacrifice for the future. The tragedy should not be forgotten in the glory. So when you see this movie, let your heart swell for the glory and honor, and let your eye weep at the waste of human life.

A Movie for Warmongers and Pacifists alike
The Academy Award winner from 1989 stands out as a monumental film with stunning acting, crisp cinematography and one of the most realistic depictions of the horrors of war ever filmed.

Matthew Broderick is compelling as Robert Gould Shaw, the young and inexperienced commander of the 54th Regiment of Massachusetts, an all-black unit initially deprived of the right to fight but eventually allowed to prove its mettle in a pivotal battle of the Civil War. Morgan Freeman exudes paternal strength and wisdom as the eldest member of the platoon. Andre Braugher, Cary Elwes, Jihmi Kennedy, and a brilliant Denzel Washington (winner of "Best Supporting Actor" Oscar) make this film a genuine classic.

Making small but significant contributions to the film are Jane Alexander as Shaw's mother and veteran Raymond St. Jacques (his last role) as Frederick Douglas.

A further nod of praise goes to James Horner's masterful score. His music, along with the harmonies of the Boys Choir Of Harlem provides as glorious a background as is the inspirational story itself.

A Great American Movie!
This is one of the most historically acurate films about the Civil War. Not only that, it's one of the best acted and best shot movie in many years. Denzel Washington's performance is worth the Oscar he recieved. Matthew Broderick and Morgan Freeman are also exceptional. It's an unforgetable film about an event that changed the course of history.

HOTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT
THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST MOVIES I HAVE EVER SEEN!
Matthew Broderick is AMAZING buy it and you won't be disapointed.

American tragedy
For so long, the image of the Civil War has existed in the collective American mind as a series of sepia-tone Matthew Brady photographs: ghoulish and nightmarish landscapes littered with bodies and body parts. However, with the notable exceptions of his portraits of the field generals, there is a sort of anonymity to the corpses in Brady's works. In one of GONE WITH THE WIND's most powerful scenes, scores upon scores of wounded soldiers lie in the streets, until they appear to be one large, unidentifiable mass of pain--which was the filmmaker's point. Edward Zwick's GLORY was one of the first films to put a human face and individuality to those who fought and died in America's most brutal years. Based upon the true story of Boston's young colonel, Robert Shaw, and his efforts to allow his all African-American outfit (the "54th") to fight on the side of the Union, GLORY is one of those rare films that successfully combines history with movie-making.

Wonderful performances abound in this powerful film: Washington, Broderick, Freeman and Elwes all give their best efforts. But the real star of the show is the camera. The battle sequences, as other reviewers have mentioned, are horrific, as is the scene in the triage tent. (THIS MOVIE IS NOT FOR PEOPLE WITH WEAK STOMACHS.) But the scenes in between, the relatively quiet ones, have as great an impact. I especially have in mind the training sequences. In another director's hands, the scenes in which the troops begin understanding each other, and as the officers begin understanding their troops could have wound up a syrupy mess. Instead, their horrible predicament unites them in an unsentimental, yet sensitive manner. Zwick's camera-work throughout is exemplary, making GLORY one of the best films about America's most tragic episodes. ... Read more