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Ingmar Bergman's great 1972 film is about the elemental things: death and dying, sex, injury, repression, and the body as a fount of sustenance. No wonder Bergman chooses to focus on female characters, in this case three sisters--one of whom is dying of tuberculosis--and a maid who is the only one capable of caring for the ill woman. The film is noteworthy for many reasons, not least of all an interesting camera style that marries beautiful imagery with an anxious frame. That tension perfectly suits the overlapping psychodramas of the piece, but this is a movie that ultimately pushes beyond the particulars of these characters' virtues or neuroses to a greater mystery, one that somehow sustains our existence while slowly taking it away. A landmark film. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (40)

Lies and sisters
Loved It! IS THIS THE FILM THAT TURNED ME ON TO FORIEGN FILMS. But it should not be classified as a FOREIGN film. Our worst fears about death, our selfish thoughts of how others pain as our pain is explored. Like a mirror, this film shows us our own ugly reflection.

It is the story of three sisters, and a servant girl. One sister is dying, as the other three women wait on her. The performances are out-standing, my favorite is Bergman-regular Liv Ullman. There are reflections of the past, a need for answers and redemption. It will ruin our day, but we'll be better because of this cinematic triumph. It is very important to experience this picture, (The dvd has an opinional ENGLISH-dubbed soundtrack)it might make you feel better about your life and family.

Sven Nykvist's Oscar-winning Cinematography is haunting, beautiful, and makes characters out of every color. RED is very dominant and even sticks with you long after the film is over. This is a masterpiece, a bit of truth and pain rolled up in a film.

a shocking and haunting film
This review is for the Criterion Collection DVD edition of the film.

This film, with the original title, "Viskningar och rop", remains one of the most chilling art house dramas to come out of Sweden.

The story is about two women Karin and Maria who have moved in with their terminally ill sister, Agnes to help care for her.

While the disease Agnes is dying from is never mentioned by name, seems to be a form of cancer as many other terminal illnesses of the time were contagious and the sisters and the maid don't seem to be worry about being infected.

The film shows flashbacks of the sisters when they were all healthy and some others also. The film is definately not for children as there are many scenes that even some adults might not be able to watch. One of these scenes is sexual in nature and involves self-mutilation with a piece of broken glass.

There is also a disturbing death scene and several others related to terminal illnesses

The Criterion DVD has an interview with director Ingmar Bergman as a special feature and there is also an optional English language track.

One of the top films of Ingmar Berman!
This film is bitter . And merciless . It challenges and disturbs you deeply . FIlmed in the purest mood of resources economy , the film tells about Agnes , a dying middle aged woman with the presence of Karin (Ingrid Thulin) and Maria (Liv Ullman).
The complex and increasingly tense relationship among the members of the family ; with the red color as an additional personae ; will make a story loaded with the anguish you may find in the existencial portrayal ( to name a few The stranger of Camus , House of dolls of Ibsen or Crime and punishment Dostovieski).
The loneliness , the dark shadows of the death , the inner reactions of each member of the family , the pain and the lack of affect who are clearly shown in the ending shot demands from you a special attention . Think it over , because this movie represents one of the milestones in all the cinema story.

The Sounds That Haunt Us
"Cries and Whispers" was one of the first films from Ingmar Bergman I had seen. I was about 13 years old and was a strongly devoted fan. I had only seen the film that one time, but it stand with me. Only, I didn't think it was that powerful. Maybe my age had something to do with it. Could it be I was too young to appreciate it? I enjoyed the previous films I had seen at that point though such as "Wild Strawberries" and "The Seventh Seal".

Well, whatever the reason I saw this film again. Now I'm 21. And I think "Cries and Whispers" is one of Bergman's very best films. A memorable and powerful film. A sheer work of genius.

I read Roger Ebert's review for the movie. He said he had never seen a film to be so much about pain.

Maybe that is true. I hadn't thought of that the first time I saw this masterpiece, but now I understand.

Bergman paints such a bleak, depressing picture here, that you could call this film typical Bergman. Even though it my be a depressing film, you should still see this.

The story has three sisters, one is dying. She is played by Harriet Andersson, who gives what I feel is the film's best performance. The other sisters include Maria (Liv Ullman) who is almost childlike. She seems so innocent. Then there is Karin (Ingrid Thulin) who is cold-hearted. And even though she is not one of the sisters Anna (Kari Sylwan) who is a mother figure. She is the only one who truly cares for Agnes (Andersson).

Bergman than has these characters reflecting on moments from the past, and thus the "cries and whispers" those moments bring. Some are truly terrible memories these characters live with. A scene involving Karin and her husband comes to mind.

Are these people trying to learn from their mistakes? Do they regret their past choices? Is there hope for them? I can't give you the answers to these questions, it is for you to decide.

"Cries and Whispers" on second viewing is one of Bergman's best films. A work of art.

Bottom-line: One of Ingmar Bergman's best films. It was nominated for "Best Picture" in 1973 and Bergman was nominated for "Best Director" as well. A haunting film dealing with our life choices, who we really are and how these events shape us. It leaves a lasting impression on the viewer. I can't speak highly enough about this film.

Viskningar och Rop
Agnes is dying of cancer at the end of what one imagines to be late 19th Century, and is taken care of by her sisters Karin (Ingrid Thulin) and Maria (Liv Ullman), and the maid Anna (Kari Sylwan). This is one of the purest and most horrifying films I believe Bergman has ever made. A shade of the color red dominates throughout the film, and brings an immediate and naturally convincing mood. All actors contribute with a powerful and chilling intensity, especially actress Harriet Andersson--whose pain as Agnes is very believable, even enchanting--and are more than well supported by the amazing camera work of Sven Nykvist. To prove that this is the work of a brilliant, highly skilled director, and professional actors and crew, the movie was shot on location in only six weeks!
The Criterion disc features a 52-minute interview with Ingmar Bergman and Erland Josephson (who appears briefly in the movie), taped for Swedish television in 2000. Interviewed by Malou von Sivers, Bergman and Josephson discuss life, death, and love. Bergman, here at age 82, proves to be a down-to-earth and young-at-heart guy. The sound in the interview (surprisingly enough for a Criterion disc), distorts a bit, and can be quite distracting at times, but is not so bothersome that one wouldn't want to continue listening to what these masters of film and cinema have to say (even if the topics barely touch upon their work and careers).
Optional subtitles, as well as an English-dubbed soundtrack are available. The dubbing is surprisingly accurate to the picture, and is done by the actors featured in the movie. At times this accuracy may convince you that the movie was made in English. Still (despite this stunning surprise), I would suggest watching this in Swedish, as intended - at least the first time around.
I watched this movie with a pair of good head-phones, in a comfortable chair, and alone in the dark at three o'clock in the morning. I recommend others to watch it under similar conditions - it adds to the intensity, and one can appreciate the intended mood of the film better if there aren't distractions. I seriously doubt that this picture will disappoint any true fan of good cinema. ... Read more

Reviews (36)

Spectacular!
The novel Death On The Nile ranks as my favorite of all of the Christie novels I've read, and so I was hoping that this movie was faithful to the original material. I'm happy to say I wasn't disappointed.

The performances of the many actors are great. Simon MacCorkindale's portrayal of Simon Doyle is wonderful, and Angela Lansbury as Salome Otterbourne is very entertaining. Maggie Smith and Bette Davis as Miss Bowers and Miss Van Schuyler, respectively, have some wonderful scenes together and have great chemistry. David Niven as Colonel Johnny Race is great and makes for a good Watson to Poirot. Jack Warden as Dr. Bessner and Jon Finch as Jim Ferguson, while don't have a ton of screentime, still portray their characters perfectly, and of course Peter Ustinov as the great Belgian detective Hercule Poirot is great.

The scenery is beautiful. The scene where Simon and Linnet Doyle are climbing the pyramid is simply breathtaking.

The extras on the DVD are pretty good. The 24-minute featurette "The Making of Death On The Nile" is interesting, and the interviews (both in French with subtitles) with Peter Ustinov and Jane Birkin (who plays Louise Bourget), while not extremely interesting, are still a nice addition.

There are a few flaws in the movie. The largest one is the fact that they cut out Tim and Mrs. Allerton. For those of you who have read the book, you'll know that cutting out Tim Allerton changes a few important things. Cornelia Robson is also cut out, as well as James Fanthorp and Signor Richetti (which again changes a few things). While I did like these characters a lot in the book, during the movie, these characters were hardly missed.

The movie runs approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes, and despite the PG rating, has some slightly graphic violence in it.

I would highly reccomend buying this DVD, however, I would suggest reading the book first.

Christie goes to Egypt
This big screen treatment of mystery author Agatha Christie's best-seller is dinstinguished by the first appearance of Peter Ustinov as the world famous sleuth, Hercule Periot. Though the film version of "Death on the Nile" doesn't rise to the quality of its immediate predecessor, "Murder on the Orient Express," it is still a worthy trip with a boatful of nouveau rich upper classers who all have a motive to kill a filthy rich heiresss (Lois Childs). When she actually come up with a bullet to her head while sleeping, suspicion falls on her husband's spurned ex-fiancee (Mia Farrow, in a slightly nerve-trying overacting job) and an all-star passenger list headed by Bette Davis, Maggie Smith, Angela Lansbury and Olivia Hussey. Enter Inspector Periot and David Niven as another sleuth aiding in the investigation. Though the "who did it" isn't a surpise, the "how they did it" is, and that solution makes the film an enjoyable watch. Additionally, there's some stunning scenary of Egypt and along the Nile, and Ustinov's personification of the fabled detective is worthy. He shows up again in subsequent film versions of some of Christie's other novels, and this is one of Ustinov's better efforts.

The MAID did it!! Or did she??
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I watched this 1978 movie of 140 minutes without first reading the 1937 Dame Agatha Christie novel (of the same name) that it was based on. I'm glad I did this! Why? Because it forced me to really watch the movie in order to try and deduce who the murderer was.

As a brief synopsis, the movie begins with "Jacquline ('Jackie') De Bellafort" (Mia Farrow) telling her very wealthy friend "Linnet Ridgeway" (Lois Chiles) about the man "Simon Doyle" (Simon MacCorkindale) she has fallen in love with. Linnet falls for Simon and they eventually marry. Their honeymoon is on a riverboat (technically called a 'paddle steamer') called the "S.S. Karnak" that takes then down the Nile River in Egypt. Aboard the boat, besides the three mentioned above, are "Hercule Poirot" (Sir Peter Ustinov) and his good friend "Colonel Johnny Race" (David Niven). There are other passengers on board who all dislike Linnet.

Linnet is murdered. Eventually two other passengers are also murdered. Poirot has to solve who the killer is. For both Poirot and the viewer, it's obvious that the killer is either male or female or, as Poirot might say, either a "beau" or a "belle." It's also obvious that the killer is no "Simple Simon."

Who are these passengers? Besides the five mentioned above, they are as follows:

(1) Louise Bourget, Linnet's Maid (Jane Birkin)
(2) Socialite Marie Van Schayler (Bette Davis)
(3) Miss Bowers (Maggie Smith), Aid to Marie
(4) Marxist James Ferguson (Jon Finch)
(5) Romance Novelist Salome Otterbourne (Angela Lansbury)
(6) Rosalie Otterbourne (Olivia Hussey), Salome's daughter
(7) Lawyer Andrew Pennington (George Kennedy), Linnet's uncle
(8) Dr. Ludwig Bessner (Jack Warden)
(9) Manager of the Karnak (I.S. Johar)

Of the fourteen actors mentioned above, Ustinov's performance stands out. This was his debut performance as Poirot and I feel he does a stellar job being both serious and comical at the same time. Other performances to look for are Mia Farrow as the ex-fiance and Angela Lansbury as the perpetually drunk novelist.

The cinematography of this movie is visually stunning. We especially get to see the Sphinx, the Pyramids, and the ancient ruins of Egypt. The costume design is elegant. The main background music adds to this movie as well.

Listen for gags that run throughout this movie. For example, Poirot is Belgian but is always confused as being French. One of my favorite pieces of dialogue is where a passenger gets angry at the great sleuth:

Van Schayler: You perfectly foul French upstart!
Poirot: Belgian upstart, please madam.

As Poirot attempts to solve the crime, we are shown what might have happened. Unfortunately, there is some unintended humor as Linnet continually gets shot (in the head) as Poirot goes through each possible scenario. I found this somewhat distracting.

Finally, the DVD (which has the movie in widescreen format) has five extras. I found that the only one that was interesting was about the making of this movie. It lasts about 25 minutes.

In conclusion, this is a fun movie, even if you have read the book. For those who haven't read the novel, I have left clues in the above review as to the possible identity of the killer. If you think you know who it is, then watch this movie to find out if you're right!

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A Mysterious Movie and a Superb Tale!
It begins with a rich woman who gets EVERYTHING SHE WANTS and when her best friend Jackie's new fiance meets her. The rich woman immediatly steals Jackie's hunk and in a matter of weeks they are married and set off for their honeymoon in Egypt. Poor Jackie. Her only love has been stolen for her BY HER BEST FRIEND! But Jackie is determined and follows the new couple to Egypt. After meeting a host of new characters, the couple plus Jackie boards a little Nile tour thing. But suddenly the rich woman is dead (shot). Who could it be?

All Star cast who-done-it in Egypt.
The second lavish all-star Agatha Christie adaptation. This is the first film with Peter Ustinov as the Belgian Detective, Hercule Poirot. If you love a who-done-it mystery, this one will keep you thinking and stimulate your brain to the very end. Please watch it to the very last second. What may be so one minute may be different the next second. This all-star cast is wonderful, especially Angela Lansbury. Olivia Hussey, Peter ustinov and Simon Corkindale had just finished the NBC tv-miniseries movie "Jesus Of Nazareth" (1977). Also in the cast is Bette Davis, David Niven, Mia Farrow, George Kennedy, Maggie Smith (California Suite [1978], Jack Warden, Lois Chiles (Moonraker [1979]), Jon Finch, Jane Birkin, Harry Andrews and I.S. Johar. Warning: This is not for children to watch. very Grusome and graphic violence. There are many Agatha Christie movies from film and television. Here are some worth watching. Those with an "*" include Peter Ustinov as "Detective Poirot". And Then There Were None (Ten Little Indians) (1974), Murder On The Orient Express (1974), The Mirror Crack'd (1980), *Evil Under The Sun (1982), *Thirteen At Dinner (1985-tv), *Dead Man's Folly (1986-tv), *Murder In Three Acts (1986-tv), *Appointment With Death (1988).
For a lighter comedy, may I suggest MURDER BY DEATH (1976). ... Read more

Reviews (1)

The Power of Courage; the power of love
An emotionally gripping, touching, and sadly inspirational story based upon the life and creative contribution of Gaby Brimmer. Born of wealthy Jewish refuge parents residing in Mexico after the Second World War, she was afflicted with Cerebral Palsy and unable to move all but her left foot. Despite this, and with the love and wisdom of her parents and life-long Nanny she was the first so handicapped person to challange the entry exams and to proceed through high school and the University at Mexico City, distinguishing herself in the process. She went on to be published, in articles and in her autobiography. Rachel Levin's performance as the severely handicapped Gaby has to be seen to be believed. As a Doctor of Medicine and a writer, I found it astounding. Gaby Brimmer died of a stroke on January 3rd of this year. The world is richer for her inspiration and poorer for the loss. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

"Self-deception is the stimulating principle of life."
Originally produced in 1983, this 93-minute adaptation of Henrik Ibsen's play stars Jeremy Irons, Liv Ullmann, and Lucinda Jones. The mostly British cast uses Anglicized versions of the original Norwegian names, though the themes, mood, and conflict remain true to the original. Harold Ackland (Irons) and his wife Gina (Ullmann) live modestly, operating a photography studio where Harold dreams of inventing a machine which will change his fortunes. His father lives in the attic and raises rabbits there, dreaming of his former life as a hunter and soldier and trying to forget his imprisonment for cutting timber on public lands, a business venture he shared with a partner, Mr. Wardle, who avoided trial.

When thirteen-year-old Henrietta Ackland is given a wounded wild duck, which has been retrieved from the bottom of a pond, she and her grandfather nurse it back to health, treating the bird as the rarity it is, since wounded wild ducks would rather drown than be captured alive. The fourteen year marriage of Harold and Gina is brought to the breaking point when Harold questions whether he is really Henrietta's father and accuses Gina of dishonesty, and their deteriorating relationship ultimately affects every other person in the play.

Director Henri Safran takes full advantage of the talents of his brilliant cast, showcasing them in revealing close-ups and emphasizing the changing moods through contrasts in lighting. Harold (Irons), self-indulgent and spoiled, reveals a cruelty held barely in check. Gina (Ullmann) suffers with dignity, and Henrietta (Jones) is as tearful as one would expect of a child and as determined to make things right as a willful teenager. The themes of reality vs. dreams and of truth vs. self-deception raise religious and ethical questions which are so obvious (and even dogmatic) that in the hands of lesser actors these pronouncements could overwhelm the play with moralizing.

The sharp contrast between light and dark scenes, along with the use of the staircases, continues the symbolism and thematic development, should anyone have missed it. The symbol of the wild duck and its fate are clearly presented, and the ending unifies the action and the themes, though the climax is more melodramatic than modern audiences may expect. By no means subtle in its message or its development, the story is still effective and moving in the hands of these actors. Mary Whipple ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Mama Flora's Family
I have viewed many movies, Mama Flora's Family is truly one of the best I've seen in a long time. The movie displayed emotions that seem to have been forgotten in most families. Flora had a mission and set out to put her family where they needed to be no matter the cost. The Writer had to have been deeply inspired to write sure a epic movie. Thank You for presenting such a classic for good CLEAN Family Viewing.

A Great Movie
This Movie Has Queen Latifah and Cecily Tyson! Two Really Great Actress! This movie is about how Younger people don't know anything about there Family History! It made me cry! Right after I watched this I asked my Grandfather about His past and Experiences!

Excellent!!
The best drama of black American history ever!! It is about a black woman named Flora and about her troubled relationship with her family from 1895-1970. Flora and her family face life in the Jim Crow South, WWII, Civil Rights, Vietnam, and Black Panther eras. I personally was interested with Flora's mixed relationship with the white family who employs her. Mama Flora's Family promotes the important values of family and personal responsibility, which anyone can learn from. A must see!!

REMARKABLE!
I experienced this movie for the first time just today and I found it to be remarkable. A depiction of a true and tried black family at its finest and darkest hours. A MASTERPIECE!

Best Movie Of All time
First time I saw this film it made my cry, and still when I tune in to Hallmark and this movie is on, I cry even more, it has a facinating story and great actors as well, I think many people can see themselves in this situation. So thats why im highly recommending this movie to you guyes. I Just bought the movie, and im very anxious to getting it:D ... Read more

Reviews (1)

This is Roy Rodgers first starring role
This is the first Movie that Leonard Sly starred in as Roy Rogers and rode Trigger. It is a must have for a RR fan and collector. It Premeried in my Hometown Dallas, Texas, 1939. They say Gene Autry did not show up for this, or possibly another, movie at Republic Pictures so Roy was promoted from a member of the Sons of The Pioneers and a bit actor to Star, to give Gene some competition. It didn't bother Gene much, he still made more pictures and recorded more songs that Roy. Obviously I am a fan of them both. Some say Gene was going into the army at this time and flying supply planes. Roy appeare in many of Gene's films previous to this movie. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The script for this movie was written by outrageous poet-author-alcoholic Charles Bukowski. But director Barbet Schroeder makes it into an oddly amusing story of a pugnacious drunk writer (Mickey Rourke) based on Bukowski himself. Rourke spends almost all of his time at the bar, struggling with sobriety (he's against it) and, occasionally, having fistfights with the bartender (Frank Stallone). He meets another souse, a formerly attractive woman (Faye Dunaway), and gets involved with her, which means they drink copious amounts of liquor and try to have sex. Not much happens beyond that, yet this film is strangely entertaining, for all of its bottom-of-the-barrel humanity. Maybe that's the secret: "Oh, the humanity...." --Marshall Fine ... Read more

Reviews (49)

A fascinating Dramatic Comedy.
When a real druken alcool (Mickey Rourke) has a real hidden talent for writing. While a drunken woman likes him (Faye Dunaway) lives with him in his apartment. A rich attractive woman (Alice Krige) bought the rights of his short stories. She tries to give him an new look for him and a change but he has to choose, what right for him or stay being one person rotten sodden sleazy misadventure after another.

Directed by Barbet Schroeder (Single White Female) made a hip, flip and often gruesomely funny Semiautobiographical film written by Charles Bukowski. Superb Performances by Rourke, Dunaway and Krige. As well as a Dynamite Jazz and R&B Score. Mickey Rourke was Nominated for Best Actor in the Independent Spirit Awards also for Best Cinematography. This Film is Not for all tastes. Rourke is a Standout in this. DVD has an sharp anamorphic Widescreen (1.78:1) transfer and an good Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono Sound. DVD has Interviews with the writer:Bukowski, Behind the Scenes featurette and Trailer. This is a cult classic. Exective Produced by Francis Ford Coppola (Apocalyspe Now). Grade:A+.

To All My Friends!!! - Hail to the Great Charles Bukowski
This movie is profoundly entertaining. Pick up and read some of the great Bukowski novels (Ham On Rye, Post Office, Factotum, and more), short stories (Tales of Ordinary Madness, South of No North), and books of poetry (Love Is A Dog From Hell, Play The Piano Drunk Like A Percussion Instrument Until The Fingers Begin To Bleed A Bit) and you will get a glimpse into the darkest depths of the supremely talented and tormented Charles Bukowski. This film is filled with so many quotable lines and is the only film of its kind. Mickey Rourke plays a wonderful Henry Chinaski and Faye Dunaway is brilliant. Pay attention to when Henry spots Wanda from across the bar. In that scene, when they pan across the bar, the old man tilting back a bottle of Budweiser is none other than the actual Charles Bukowski himself. For fans of Bukowski, this is a must see. For those of you who don't know him, read his stuff before and after you see this film and you will potentially find yourself turned on to one of the greatest poets and writers of the 20th century.

Love it or hate it
You will either love or hate this film and either way it will be for a good reason. If you like dark and subtle comedy, enjoy a movie that takes some time to develop the characters, like irony, like acting that is good but doesn't call attention to itself, and if you have seen drunks before and are not shocked by them, then you will probably love this film. If you don't get the comedy, if you are disgusted by drunks, if you like fast moving pictures, if you looking for redeaming social value and if feel a film must have an obvious and direct point, then you will not like this film.

Personally, I started out disliking it for all the reasons that others have said it is not worth seeing. Then about 1/4 of the way through, I got what the writer, actors and director were doing. I saw the irony, the undercurrents of social and personal satire, and the downright humor in it. I started laughing and enjoying myself, and I didn't stop laughing for the rest of the film.

The degree of subtilty is greater than we are accustomed to in a Hollywood film, so alot of people not only don't get it but don't know there is anything to get because they are not expecting anything this subtle. The Director, Barbet Schroeder, cut his teeth working with director Eric Rohmer, who is as slow and subtle as they come. The now common phrase, "Watching paint dry," was unfairly coined by an unappreciative viewer to discribe his films. Schroeder is no where near as slow as Rohmer, but he seems to have learned how to build up elements of plot and character that open new dimensions in the film and suprise the attentive viewer in very pleasing ways.

This is certainly true of Barfly. Aside from being funny it is also deep. If are looking for an action flic or light comedy, this is not for you. If you are looking for something to glance at while you are cooking dinner then this is the wrong movie. If you have the time and inclination to pay attention or you will be disappointed with it. It is not for everyone. Some people view film as only good for recreation and that is fine. But if you want to take the time to understand the subtly and humor of the film, you will probably enjoy it - a lot.

please kill me
this was one of the worst movies i have ever seen. it was a total waste of my time. please someone kill me for i have seen pure evil and i am now tainted from this stupid movie

One of My Favorite Movies
I first caught Barfly on Late Night Television about 12 years ago and instantly fell in love with it. I had been looking for a cheap used Uncut VHS copy of this for awhile and just couldn't come across one. So I just purchased The DVD version. I am glad I did. Nothing like watching an older Film without the VHS wear lines and squiggles. Back to Barfly, it stars Mickey Rourke in a powerhouse role as Henry Chinaski a mostly drunk modern day poet disenfranchised by life. Faye Dunaway does an awesome job as Crazy Wanda Wilcox, Henry's love interest and self styled drunk herself . Barfly contains an excellent cast, even Frank Stallone shows up in a great role as Eddie the Bartender. Barfly contains many lines that once you hear them they will be burned into your conciousness forever. ("To All My Friends"). Barfly Blows away Leaving Las Vegas and puts Nicholas Cage to shame. I can't believe no Oscar Nominations were handed out for this Film. Barbet Scroeder directed a true masterpiece. Writen by Charles Bukowski and Loosely based on his life, and I say loosely. The DVD version has some extras which include a piece on the making of Barfly. You can't go wrong with owning this picture perfect un-cut version of Barfly. ... Read more

Reviews (29)

ham and cheese deluxe
Sword-and-sandal epic junkies will love this film, that is often hilarious with its over-the top-performances from an all-star cast, often ridiculous stilted dialogue, and tacky ultra-faux sets; at times so bad it's delightful, and always very entertaining, the script as well as the cast improve as the film progresses, and it does become extremely interesting in the last hour.

The cast:
Edmund Purdom is Sinuhe "The Egyptian", and is a physician who throws his life away over a wicked seductress, played to the max by Bella Darvi;
Jean Simmons is beautiful in the thankless role of Merit, the woman who has undying love for Purdom despite his weakness and the fact he totally ignores her feelings.
Victor Mature is terrific as the son of the cheese maker, who rises to command the army.
Peter Ustinov is wonderful as Purdom's servant, and in a tiny part of a grave robber, John Carradine steals the short scene he is in.

The plot takes place during the reign on Akhnaton (around 1352 B.C.), played by Michael Wilding, and portrayed as a real wuss, with a tough cookie sister played by Gene Tierney, who looks stunning in her princess garb. Their mother, fond of "the strong brew", and amusingly played by Judith Evelyn, says of her children: "The gods were perverse; they gave me a son as soft as a woman, and a daughter as hard as a man".
Purdom and Mature save the Pharaoh from being a lion's lunch one day, and so starts the story, and the ups and downs of The Egyptian's life.
The direction by Michael Curtiz is for the most part fairly well paced, and a lush score by both Bernard Herrmann and Alfred Newman, and vivid Technicolor cinematography by Leon Shamroy (which received an Oscar nomination) add to the enjoyment of this film. Total running time is 139 minutes.

Heavy and Dull
Ughh. It was a rainy day when I watched this film, and as dreary as the day was outside, this film managed to beat it. Edmund Purdom stars as the Egyptian in the title, a physician who starts out with the right ideals, but gets sidetracked often. The film follows his journey from nobody to the Pharaoh's personal doctor to nobody again. Along the way he encounters ambitious soldier Victor Mature, barmaid with the bangs Jean Simmons, one-eyed conman Peter Ustinov, wimpy Pharaoh Micheal Wilding, hard as nails sister of the Pharaoh Gene Tierney, and vamping Bella Darvi, the femme fatale. Those characters may sound interesting, but they're not in the least. Maybe it's the terrible writing, but the performances are flat and dry, although Darvi was so awful she had me laughing, which at least got a reaction from me. The Egyptian neither inspired or moved me. I suspect it could have been better, although the writing, acting, and directing would have needed a complete overhaul. I would recommend watching some of the other historical epics of the Fifties before choosing this one.

Epic Retelling Of A Turbulent Era Of Egypt's History
I've always loved Twentieth Century Fox's massive epic "The Egyptian", despite its reworking of many of the historical facts of this period. Taking place during the reign of Egypt's controversial "Heretic" Pharaoh Akhenaton, the film has a colourful and dramatic setting for its story and makes great use of the fascinating characters and events that made up the Egyptian "Amarna" period. Apart from historical fact being "reshaped" I've always thought "The Egyptian",is another example of the solid expertise Hollywood had in the 1950's and early 1960's for producing large scale historical epics. While certainly not as well known or respected as such efforts as "Ben Hur", it has alot to offer from some great performances, elaborate sets, stunning costumes and enough intrigue and drama to satisfy all lovers of Hollywood epics. Being all wrapped up in gorgeous Fox technicolour also helps immensely in giving this story of a humble physician who rises to become the personal aide to the Pharaoh only to be undone by his reckless love for a seductive courtesan, a vivid look and feel that increases its impact.

Based on the novel by Mika Waltari, "The Egyptian", strangely contains no great battles or overwhelming crowd scenes involving thousands of extras and the emphasis is most definately on the characters involved and their often very human emotions. The story told in flashback begins with an abandoned infant found in a reed basket on the Nile who is taken into the home of a talented physician Senmut. Named Sinuhe he grows into an idealistic young man (Edmund Purdom), and undertakes studies to become a physician just like his father. He becomes best friends with the energic and extroverted Horemheb (Victor Mature),who is training for the army at the same school run by the priests. Very different in character they become fast friends and one day on an excursion hunting lions in the desert they save the life of a strange lone man who they find worshipping the carved image of the sun. Unbeknown to them he is actually the new young Pharaoh Akhenaton (Michael Wilding), who is introducing a far less war like type of rule into Egypt based on the worship of one god the Aten. Dragged before the whole court on the charge of having touched the august person of the Pharaoh, the high priest Mekere (Henry Daniell), demands they be both put to death. Akhenaton however overrules him and makes Sinuhe personal physician to the royal family and Horeheb a commander in his army. Enjoying the good life Horemheb one night takes Sinuhe to the home of an infamous Babylonian courtesan Nefer (Bella Darvi), with whom Sinuhe becomes instantly besotted. Nefer however only plays with men and before too long Sinuhe has sacrificed everything for her only to be then cruelly rejected when she is tired of playing with him. Having neglected his duties to Pharoah and having turned from the real love offered by simple tavern girl Merit (Jean Simmons), Sinuhe is a marked man and flees Egypt spending many years in foreign countries practising his medical genius. When he returns home however Egypt has slipped into serious trouble as Akhenaton has lost the respect of the military and his new religion is dividing the country. Sinuhe even finds Horemheb is plotting against the Pharaoh with his ambitious Princess Baketamon (Gene Tierney). In the rebellion that follows Meret is killed when Akhenaton's temple is sacked and Sinuhe loses forever his young son Thoth (Tommy Rettig). Dragged into the plot when it is revealed he is actually the Pharoah's half brother Sinuhe finally realises how he has comprimised all of his principles and leaves to start a lonely existence on his own in the desert, bereft of family or love.

Produced by Darryl F. Zanuck and directed by veteran Michael Curtiz "The Egyptian", boasts great talent on both sides of the camera. Edmund Purdom, (taking over from Marlon Brando who dropped out of the role!), is excellent in the central role of the naive Sinuhe and makes a nice contrast to the rowdy bullying Victor Mature ideally cast as the soldier Horemheb. One of the most interesting performances in the film is delivered by Gene Tierney in a non tradtional "strong" woman role of the almost mannish Baketamon, hers is a great performance and was one of the last important roles undertaken by this great actress. The two pieces of casting always laughed at from this film, Michael Wilding as the gentle Pharaoh Akhenaton, and Bella Darvi as the courtesan Nefer, I actually find very interesting and Wilding in particular captures alot of the dreamy quality associated with the rule of the real Akhenaton. The film's other great assets are its atmospheric musical score created by Alfred Newman which incorporates use of the Egyptian Sistrum and the beautiful use of colour photography which enhances the lavish scenes in Aten's open air temple and in the magnificent palace of Akhenaton.

"The Egyptian", is a Hollywood production of the old school and despite its historical inaccuracy must be viewed first and foremost as sheer entertainment. Michael Curtiz once again reveals his diverse directing talents in this story so different to alot of his other work on "Casablanca" etc. The cast are also what make this film memorable and even the smaller parts taken by performers such as Peter Ustinov, Judith Evelyn and John Carradine are memorable. I highly recommend to all lovers of old style historical epics this great production set in the time of Pharaoh Akhenaton's Egypt.

A rare masterpiece
Many people have criticised this film for it's lack of "historical accuracy" - it's Hollywood, for goodness sake. It's not going to be spot on accurate, and it isn't intended to be. The film wasn't made for that - it was created for etertainment, and entertaining this film most certaintly is. Also, people say that the acting is under-par in this film - that EDmund Purdom is "flat and lifeless" in the lead role. However, remember two things - that he had only just taken the role (which had been dropped abruptly by another actor) when they began filming, and that the character of Sinue is supposed to be (particularly towards the end) quite cold and cynical. I myself think that he was brilliant in the lead role of Sinue. Also the actor who played Akhenaten has been criticised, but the man, in true "historical accuracy" wasn't the most outgoing - was he? I think that the long monologues are the best bit of the film. The only problem I had with this story was the parts with Nefer - too long, with too much of Sinue being a complete idiot. Very annoying!
But, as for the revelation at the end - of Sinue being the rightful pharaoh - *GASP*!!! Classic. This film is an absolute must-see, I couldn't stop thinking about it for days after seeing it for the first time, and it has reawakened my interest in Egyptology. An absolute masterpiece, sadly underrated.

Hollywood epic making at its peak!
From the opening credits with that pseudo-Egyptian music, and if it isn't Egyptian it should be, to the opening scenes of of the pyramids, and then into the school of life with Mika, the Egyptian, and his friend, Horemheb, played by Edmund Purdom and Victor Mature respectively. Pursom is somber and serious, and I think better than Brando would have been here. Brando was too good for these things, and he couldn't get aropund the campiness to make it vital. Purdom can. Alas, Mature cannot; terrible football-atheletic American acting, and listen as he mispronounces Purdom's Egptian name at every turn. The name is Sinue, but Mature has to say Sinyeway.

Gene Tierney is lovely and great, and Jean Simmons adds class and great stauture to anything she does. Ustinov is the wonderful comic relief, and Wilding id very goosd as the monotheistic Aknaton. I like his final speech very much, and his scene with Pursom when he discusses his beliefs.

Curtiz directs, but remember Hawkes directed Land of The Pharaohs..everyone was doing it in the 50' and, William Faulkner wrote some of the screenplay for Land of...

This is great fun, and has a fabulous score by Bernard Herrman and Alfred Newman.

Do not miss this wild experince, and especially Bela Darvi as Nefer..hilarious, like Garbo in Mata Hari, or Maria Montez in Gypsy Wildcat. Hilarious and exotic. marilin Monroe wanted this part..but only with Brando..ofd course.

See and when you go to Egypt, you'll be disappointed that it's not like this Zanuk masterpiece. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Simply put, it is a story of triumph over adversity
I won't give away the plot. You really need to see it in order to understand what I mean. If you are a Tim Roth fan, he doesn't disappoint. His acting is believable, just like the story he helps to tell, which is as old as time.

"Tough times don't last, tough people do."

Tim Roth,, James Russo, Deborah Unger = PERFECTION
Personally I don't think this movie could be improved upon. It is so eerily REALISTIC. The acting is superlative by all -- Tim Roth ,James Russo,Deborah Unger fit to a T. Even the girl who plays Tim Roth's former g/friend is perfect. This is a movie to get lost in. Very intense portrayal of a young man going home after serving 8 years in prison .. for a crime he did not commit. Just talking about it makes me want to watch it again. My hat is off to the actors. What an accomplishment!

Excellent. I loved it. Direct and to the point.
A movie need not have high-tech imagery, nor an explosion every 30 minutes to be a good movie. This movie proved this theory.

This movie showed that in life, some people can adapt and overcome the most horrific of life events, and others can't.

unbelievable
An unbelievable performance by TIM ROTH.He is truly one of the twomost intensely outstanding actors of our time..the other is GARY OLDMAN(MESSIAH SUPREME)!

VERY WELL DONE AND REALISTIC
Tim Roth is an amazing actor It's hard to believe he is not the "Joey" from this film. This is a very sad film that shows the reality of life after prison and the brutal violence and fear that some people live in every day. Not for the faint hearted. All the actors do an excellent job but Tim Roth is simply outstanding ... as in all the films he has been in. I hope we see a lot more of him. ... Read more

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A weak, lazy comedy about an easygoing teacher (Mark Harmon, whose movie career never had the kind of trajectory that his TV work did) who is forced to teach--you guessed it--summer school. What's worse, he gets exactly the kind of kids you'd expect: the losers and slackers who are forced to make up the work they didn't complete during the year. He tries to duck work and let them fend for themselves. But in this mushy Carl Reiner film, the teacher offers some life lessons to his band of delinquents and--surprise, surprise--the kids impart a lesson or two to their teacher, as well. Harmon coasts through the film on his good looks, which are considerable. --Marshall Fine ... Read more

Reviews (40)

I can watch it over and over again
This is one of my favorite movies. I have watched it infinite times. This movie is funny and entertaining. I never get bored watching it. It's a story of a gym teacher who gets to teach summer school, and in order to get a tenure for next year he has to make the students pass their english tests, but they are students lacking motivation and skills. On the way to the test the story has a lot of sub plots, and very funny and memorable moments, with great characters like Chainsaw and Dave who love horror movies, Denise a dislexic girl, Larry an underage stripper, Pam (Courtney Thorne Smith) a surfer, and of course Freddy Shoop (Mark Harmon) and Robin Bishop (Kirsty Alley).

Harmless Fun
1987's Summer School is an underrated comedy from the 80's. The plot revolves around reluctant summer school teacher, Freddy Shoop (Mark Harmon), who is forced into the job after the original teacher hits the lottery. Shoop is a gym teacher and he must deal with a classroom full of typical high school misfits. Throughout the summer, Shoop's unconventional teaching methods get him trouble with the school's vice principal, but wins over the kids. The film is carried by the immensely likable cast. Mr. Harmon reactions to the student's quirks and miscues are perfectly timed and the students provide genuine laughs. Dean Cameron & Gary Riley are hilarious as shock meisters Chainsaw and Dave, Richard Steven Horowitz plays the perfect geek as Alan Eakain and a young Courtney Thorne-Smith is alluring as Pam House who develops a big time thing for Shoop. Kirstie Alley shows up as a love interest for Shoop. Summer School is a great, lightweight movie that is small on plot, but big on laughs and fun.

The Single Funniest Movie Ever
'Summer School' is truly the funniest movie in the history of film. You've gotta get past the 1987 styles and fashion, but once u do that...this movie is the great. Dave, Chainsaw, the pregnant surfer...ahh, you gotta see it to know what I mean. A cinematic classic. Its about time it came out on DVD. Go buy it now.

Don't wet your pants.....watch this...!
Brilliant and sooooooo underrated. I'm a huge fan, and I'm so glad it's finally on DVD!

Lots of fun!!!
Fun 80's movie. Good acting. Good directing. Favorite line from the movie: When the high school gym teacher (Mark Harmon) is told he has to teach summer school he says, "...but I'm not a real teacher!" The principal replies, "That's okay, they're not real students." ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Worth an lazy afternoon watch
Has anything really changed in Haiti? I wonder. Shocker was I thought Taylor was imitating a FRENCH accent and turns out she is GERMAN!Didn't sound German at all

OK movie if you lived thru that era which I did. Nothing special but for a lazy Sunday Afternoon....OK

Conscientious and dull
A disappointment for Greene fans, or at least this one. I found this movie conscientious, slow and obvious, and the acting duo of Burton and Taylor didn't help. Burton's usual tired self loathing seemed phoned in. Taylor's lack of depth gave him nothing to play off of, assuming he was ready to try. She was so carefully made up and coiffed that one was always aware that it was a star turn for Taylor. And the movie is long. What would have been interesting, and might have made an effective movie although it would never have happened, would have been to cast Guinness in Burton's role and Burton in Guinness' role. Yes, Haiti was awful then. And, yes, Haiti is awful now. But no matter how serious the message, a movie's first responsibility is to be well made and effective. The Comedians tries way too hard to be "meaningful."

Amazing cast, fascinating adaptation of Graham Greene novel
Echoing the same all-consuming desire that epitomized their mercurial off-screen reltaionship, Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor deliver superlative performances in this powerful drama of politics and passion. Adapting his own best-selling novel for the screen, distunguished author Graham Green delivers a devastating indictment of Haitian dictator "Papa Doc" Duvalier and his regime of terror. Starring: Elizabeth Taylor Alec Guinness Richard Burton Peter Ustinov From the novel by Graham Greene Co Starring: Paul Ford Lillian Gish Screenplay by Graham Green Produced and Directed by Peter Glenville ... Read more

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Back before Christopher Walken became a caricature of himself, when he was still considered a rising actor based on his Oscar&reg; for The Deer Hunter, he made this graphic, exciting action film, about a group of professional mercenaries. Walken leads a band of soldiers of fortune, who are hired to overthrow a dictator in West Africa (think Idi Amin). But when their mission is compromised by political and monetary forces, Walken returns to the United States, disillusioned, battered, and not sure the high life of lawyers, guns, and money is really for him. Still, vengeance is sweet, as his partner, Tom Berenger, keeps whispering into his ear. A better film than it's generally given credit for, The Dogs of War features the kind of cool, detached performance Walken used to be capable of, before he began believing both the hype and ridicule about his over-the-top style. --Marshall Fine ... Read more

Reviews (23)

Good film, not great
Walken revises his role in the Deer Hunter here, playing a mercenary involved in one of those politically torn countries down yonder. Its a good movie, from the early 1980's, but if you have the Deer Hunter already, you wont need this. I am a big Walker fan- i think he is brilliant, but otherwise there isnt much to this film. Still, its one of only a hundred films that I hand picked for my life-time collection.

'Vive Le Mort, Vive La Guerre, Vive Le Sacre Mercenaire!!'
While Dogs of War is not as exciting and crowd-pleasing as the gold-standard in mercenary movies, The Wild Geese, it is certainly the most thoughtful. It starts off slow, spending over two-thirds of the film setting up the characters and the situation. While the pace occasionally lags, the events are realistic (in terms of a 1970s mercenary operation) and there are occasionally interesting quotes like the one serving as this review's title. Christopher Walken's character is fleshed out and given depth which makes his actions in the climax the logical payoff to his development in the movie. The real problem with this film is the big action finale. It simply isn't exciting enough and is far too brief. There are one or two nice flourishes, but the bottomline is that you expect more payoff with all that build-up. Dogs of War is still a good film but it may leave you a bit unsatisfied. Try the aforementioned 'The Wild Geese' as well as 'Men of War' (1994) if you want more exciting mercenary action.

my favorite book in film
this could have been the superhit with a better script and higher budget. its still a good movie, but not even remotely close to the quality of the book.
if u liked this movie read forsyth's books the r extremely well written and researched.

Dogs of War
This is a great movie! Lots of action, well crafted production.
I read the book first and prefer its ending to that of the film.
However, it is still a fine tale and well worth seeing several times.

Cry Havoc...
From start to finish, this is the kind of movie that most young actors would kill to star in; smart, with a good script and enough character actors to anchor the film firmly into your subconscious.

I should admit I'm a huge Chris Walken fan from way back, so of course I'm biased, but if you watch the film carefully, you'll see that it warrants repeated viewings.

If I have any complaints at all, it would be the video quality, which is why the DVD is a much better bet. Still budget priced, and due to its age, the movie doesn't have much in the way of extra features, but that doesn't detract from it one bit. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Great Thriller
Filmed in Scandinavia, Max Von Sydow, Per Oscarsson, and Liv Ullman are first rate in this psychological thriller.

During this time The Emigrants, Scenes from a Marriage, The New Land and other Nordic pictures took center stage above the Night Visitor. Although the aforementioned 3 occupy the absolute elite of all-time Nordic cinema, The Night Visitor is well worth watching and an interesting departure from stereotypical Scandinavian pictures.

The ending of this movie is great. Watch until the end.

Near perfect thriller
This is an excellent European thriller, with a cast culled from both Scandinavia (Norway, Sweden, Denmark) and England.

Max von Sydow as Salem, the inmate in an asylum for the criminally insane, does a fine job as the lead, (supposedly) unjustly accused and sentenced for a crime he--maybe--didn't commit. Liv Ullmann (who's Norwegian, not Swedish as some people may think) is just as good as his sister, married to a doctor played by Per Oscarsson. The two of them, with the help of a greedy lawyer and a conniving sister, managed to have Salem convicted of the murder of an innocent farmhand. And Trevor Howard plays the investigating inspector who is equally strong--and certain there's more to the case than meets the eye.

Now someone is killing off the people who had Salem committed. Who could it be? Salem himself is locked away in the asylum, surely one of the dingiest and most desolate institutions ever shown on film. But the doctor shows some loopy behavioral tics, so there's a real chance it could be him.

The answer to the mystery is fascinating. This is not a horror film, as an earlier, extremely well-known and highly regarded reviewer for this venue has said (see below), but a thriller whose details are developed quite well. However, there are two logic gaps that are somewhat puzzling:

1) Why doesn't the bird make any noise before the climactic scene?
2) What happens to the rope once it's used? Does it magically reappear under the boat again?

Don't worry, I'm not giving anything away. You have to see this film to appreciate these questions. And it's definitely worth seeing.

A slow moving tale of Gothic horror and murderous revenge
Any horror film starring Max von Sydow, Trevor Howard, Liv Ullmann and Andrew Keir has got to be worth a look and "The Night Visitor" is certainly deserving of a gander. The story is the brooding tale of Salem (von Sydow), a convict who wants revenge on his family, who had the gall to put him in an insane asylum after a brutal ax murder. Each night Salem sneaks out of the asylum to take vengeance on his accusers. Howard is the Inspector trying to catch-up with the murders. Based on Samuel Roeca's story, the script by Guy Elmes is fairly ingenious. This 1971 film was directed by Laszlo Benedek ("The Wild One," yes, the biker flick with Brando), and is certainly a bit slow moving at times, but it does have a couple of chilling moments. However, given the cast and the director, "The Night Visitor" is going to be something of a disappointment simply because you expect better from this bunch.

Details down to the last thread
This is a thinking mans movie. Keeps you on the tips of your brain stem. If you liked the TV series "Mission Impossible", because of the technical details, you'll love this movie. Reason is, the man that created those details for TV, also created the escape scenes in this movie. Everything is thought out and shown in major detail, except one. What is that one mistake? You won't hear a peep out of me! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A Colorful and Fun Throwback
This is the kind of film you use to see a lot in the 40's. It's a great movie for a weekend afternoon with a big sub and a bigger coke. Director John Seales made this old-fashioned action adventure. Mark Harmon is pitch perfect and Deborah Unger is about as gorgeous as the island of Vanuatu where this was filmed. It is beautifully photographed and nicely acted and if you can suspend belief for an hour and a half extremely enjoyable. Even the song Seales chose to frame the film around recalls the 40's and the terrific Kate Ceberano gets to sing it near the end.

Frank Flynn (Mark Harmon) is tending bar at "The Blue Nile" in New York on it's last night before closing. He gets to play sax by request on it's last night and does a pretty nice "'Till there was You". It's one of those old jazz clubs everyone has affection for and hates to see die and when Flynn receives a three month old letter from his brother Charlie saying to come to Vanuatu because he's finally struck it big, he heads off to the island as he has nothing else to do anyway.

The island is exotic and stunning but the news is bad as Charlie is dead and no one knows why. The Chief of Police on the island appears to want Frank to go home and stop asking around about Charlie. But when Frank meets the wife of the island's worst bad guy he smells something rotten. Jerome Krabbe is convincing as the off kilter Viv, who isn't about to let his gorgeous wife Anna (Unger) leave him.

Of course she and Frank hit it off and when their plane crashes on Pentecost Island she tells him some, but not all, of what his brother Charlie was up to. It all revolves around the legend of Betty Blue, a plane supposedly filled with Japanese gold during WWII that was lost. This might explain why these little gold bars keep popping up. But Frank is fixing to learn a lot more about his brother Charlie he didn't know.

When the natives of the island bring them deeper into the jungle he discovers Charle was a member of the tribe and had a native wife and two small boys, Charlie and Frank Jr. There are some pretty amusing moments as Frank has to go through some 'rituals' to become a member of the tribe himself, which comes in handy when he finds the sunken plane and Viv finds his wife and forces her back. It all leads to a showdown between everyone involved and the real truth about Charlie's death comes out.

This is well done and atmospheric fun with a nice camera and good performances from Harmon and Unger in likable roles. It's easy to look at and fun to watch. It's a guilty pleasure to pop in and relax with. You can always clean up the yard later! You'll love the ending as things wrap up in New York at the new "Blue Nile", Frank Flynn's Blue Nile, that is. Kate Ceberano does a great job singing "'Till there was You" over the terrific ending.

I'm not sure why this film isn't more well known but you'll have a good time watching it. Have fun....

a mystery worth dying for
John Seale was camera operator on seminal Australian films like Picnic at Hanging Rock and Gallipoli, and DOP on Careful He Might Hear You, The Mosquito Coast, Rain Man and Gorillas in the Mist. This pedigree perhaps makes the disappointment of his directorial debut all the worse. He would manage to restore his reputation as DOP on Lorenzo's Oil, The Firm, The English Patient and The Talented Mr Ripley. A mire of thriller, romantic triangle and jungle adventure genre conventions, Seale's film is only memorable for the glimpses of the Ava Gardner sloe-eyed beauty of Deborah Unger (later realised in Whispers in the Dark, and Crash), and his anthropological observation of the Bunlap tribe of Pentecost Island, Vanuatu where the film was shot. The plot concerns Mark Harmon as a New York barman come saxophonist who visits Vanuatu to see his brother, now believed murdered because of his association with Jeroen Krabbe and his wife Unger. The screenplay by Michael Thomas never decides what it wants to be, which subsequently means we don't care about the fate of Harmon's unseen brother, though going on how the locals have deified him, we can be sure he'd be unbearably pious. Thomas delivers a stale plot about Krabbe being a colonial white supremacist, and Seale doesn't help by reducing the natives to giggling exotics, or copycat Americans with their own bar and a bouncer wearing a t-shirt labeled "local boy". The only interesting point is the legend of the Betty Blonde, an American WW2 bomber which disappeared over the Islands and believed to be carrying captured Japanese gold (though how the Japanese gold was captured is not explained), and the discovery of a sunken underwater treasure with the likeness of Unger painted on it. Seale uses music appallingly, provides an ominous game of poker with Unger playing the title song on piano in the background, and people conveniently wear all white for night chases in blue light. However things pick up a little when Harmon and Unger are lost in the jungle and find a native camp, though soon Krabbe and his henchmen are in pursuit. Seale has one good edit, a cut from Krabbe kissing Unger in public to a private slap, and he effectively creates tension for the climactic confrontation, however exhaution and miscasting undermine our sympathies. Harmon is the kind of bland TV pretty boy like Don Johnson and Corbin Bernsen, who has some skill but no screen empathy, so that no matter how terrible Krabbe's actions and how poorly Seale protects him from acting humiliation, his comparative magnetism sways our allegiance to him. Seale even employs the wonderful Kate Ceberano to perform the title song at the conclusion then cuts away from her after one verse! ... Read more

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Saddened by the untimely death of their father and husband, a familymoves to a new town and confronts the usual--bullies, demanding newjob--and the unusual: an autistic neighbor boy who believes he can fly. BonnieBedelia is the stressed-out mom, and Bedelia-look-alike Lucy Deakins plays theperceptive daughter who braves ridicule to reach out to the boy under thetutelage of wise teacher Colleen Dewhurst. This earnest film's melancholy istempered by its fantastical ending and the fun of seeing a pre-Wonder YearsFred Savage as the soldier-obsessed little brother, not to mention one of thefuture denizens of Beverly Hills 90210 (Jason Priestley). Parents may waxnostalgic over early '80s fashions and may take delight in appearances by Mr.&nbsp;Munster (Fred Gwynne) as an alcoholicwith self-knowledge, Facts of Life gal Mindy Cohn as a chatty neighbor, andLouise Fletcher playing a kindly psychologist. Slow pacingand heavy dollops of tragedy make this mostappropriate for ages 8 and up. --Kimberly Heinrichs ... Read more

Reviews (27)

A juvenile that will deeply touch adults
First, this is one of the greatest arrays of juvenile acting talent I've seen. Jay Underwood leads the group in a poignant portrayal, ably supported by Lucy Deakins...there is chemistry between the two.

Fred Savage adds just the right comic element, to soften the darker aspect of the movie.

And then, there's the fantasy element. At first, I was disturbed by the sheer fantasy that isn't revealed until the climax of the film. It just seemed as to realistic a film to have such an ending. And yet, I found it somehow refreshing, and yet it's the fantasy which in spite of the title, just didn't come off for me, and that's the only reason for my not feeling that it deserves five stars.

All in all, though, this is a movie to watch and to enjoy. There's just enough real life sense of tragedy in the young people's background here to keep it from being overly sweet.

This FIlm Was Extremely Enchanting
The Boy Who Could Fly was the most interesting movie to me when I saw it in its original release. I thought it was creative and inventive and it went on the premise that what you believe in - can be real.

It's completely fiction and almost science fiction but it works. Jay Underwood plays a boy orphaned because of plane accident. He becomes a recluse and a mute. Then his new neighbor a young girl who is also his age befriends him.

Convinced she can help him she makes an effort to communicate with him. He is a social misfit, however, he has one gift and talent that he keeps hidden well - he can fly.

A great premise and some good special wire effects (perfected because of the Superman films) the film is very simple but it has a sweet and warm chocolaty center. Bruce Broughton did a wonderful score for the film.

Special note: If you go to see a movie at the Hollywood's El Capitan - it is the score from this film that you hear as they open the curtains to view each movie. It is a wonderful score and cue that goes well with the film.

Not on DVD yet, but if it ever does - I hope it has extras. Nick Castle (The Last Starfighter) did well on this one!

Sweet and Uplifting!
After moving into a new house, the Michaelson family discover that an autistic boy named Eric lives next door. Milly Michaelson(Lucy Deakins) befriends Eric(Jay Underwood) and learns that ever since Eric's parents died in a plane crash, he pretends to fly. Eric lives with his Uncle Hugo Gibb(Fred Gwynne from The Munsters) who is not fit to take care of Eric because he is often drunk. As a result, Eric is occasionally institutionalized since it is feared that his pretending to fly will harm him. Thanks to Mrs. Sherman(Colleen Dewhurst) - Milly and Eric's school teacher, Eric is brought back home. Mrs. Sherman one day asks Milly to help Eric. Milly keeps a daily journal on her efforts which seem fruitless. Near the end, Eric tries to escape from the people who come to institutionalize him, and Milly follows trying to help Eric escape. They end up on the roof of their school, Taft High. Unfortunately, they are followed onto the roof and have nowhere else to run. They walk towards the edge of the roof, threatening to jump!

The magical ending of this great movie will surely leave you with goosebumps and exhilarate you.

Milly: We're all a little like Eric. Maybe we can't soar off into the clouds. But somewhere, deep inside, we can all fly.

Also in the movie are Fred Savage from "The Wonder Years," who plays Milly's small brother, and Mindy Cohn from "The Facts of Life," who plays Milly's neighborhood friend.

Highly recommended. A great family movie.

MONA, AND HER CATTY FRIENDS
The Boy Who Could Fly, was a very good movie, but my favorite character was Mona, and when she threw the volleyball at the main girl from the movie. Her presense in the film had everything to do with the movie.

Remember when this was the standard for kid's films?
"The Boy Who Could Fly" is such a rarity in the genre. This is not so much a kid's movie, as it is a full-blooded drama that happens to have kids as characters. It tells the story of a family, suffering the loss of their father/husband. The decline in income requires them to move into a "fixer upper" home in a quiet residential neighborhood. The eldest child, Millie (beautifully played by Lucy Deakins) becomes fascinated with the teenage autistic boy next door, Eric (Jay Underwood) who sits in his window all day and pretends to fly. Through circumstances at school, Millie takes him on as a "project." As her kindly teacher(Colleen Dewhurst) points out, "Doctors haven't been able to get a word out of him. Maybe a friend could." She tries to draw him out of his condition through every day activities, and over time, the form a very close connection, and even fall in love. Meanwhile, Millie must deal with the burdens of home, trying to reconcile the suicide of her father, and her very stressed out and grief-stricken mother(the wonderful Bonnie Bedelia), who is trying to get back into the work force.
While there is certainly more to the story than this, it would be a shame to spoil details for those who have not seen this film. It is uncommonly intelligent, charming, and very moving. It speaks in the language of children, without ever becoming condescending or silly, even when the film's more fantastic elements are revealed. The story and its characters feel real. Their grief feels real. Their longing to believe in happy endings feels real.
The performances are outstanding. Lucy Deakins and Jay Underwood are entirely convincing. It's so rare to see a teenage girl portrayed with this kind of uncynical intelligence. Underwood's Eric barely has any lines in the film, but instead, like a young Harrison Ford, communicates so much in his face that we hardly notice. This is a teen romance for the ages.
The adult players are also fine. Bonnie Bedelia, one of the most convincing actors or our era, plays Charlene as tough yet fragile, nurturing but flawed. The late Colleen Dewhurst is lovely and compassionate as Mrs. Sherman.
Surprisingly the film has been written and directed by Nick Castle, known for such disappointments as "Mr. Wrong" and "The Last Starfighter." He is better known as being the 1st actor to play Michael Myers in the original "Halloween." This is his best film by far. He should try to make more films along these lines. We sure need them.
I hope people will show this film to their kids some day. It is a reminder that films about kids used to be intelligent and authentic, not lobotomized, as I feel they have become over the past 15 years. This film still gives me hope, and gives me the excuse to dream. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Boring
Quite Possibly the worst movie ever filmed! After suffering through this film on late night television one evening, this film has became the benchmark for all bad films in my family. "It can't possibly be as bad as Zandy's Bride" is a common statement. I purchased this video as a gag gift.

The way it was
This movie is a powerful view of the plight of women in our early days.Liv Ullmann could not have been better as the mail order bride and Hackman gives a terrific performance as her "buyer".The scenes from the big sur country are breathtaking in their stark beauty.Don't miss this film.It tells a long forgotten story of how difficult it was for those that came before us.

Powerful performances by Ullmann & Hackman
One of my favorite movies and among the few I've bought. Not since March or Die has Hackman's character been easier to hate. Beautiful scenery along California's coast and Big Sur country. As a mail order bride, Liv Ullmann gives a powerful performance and in the end Zandy comes around to her way of thinking.

Zandy's Bride
Good story. Enjoyed the scenery and especially the bluegrass-style music.

Zandy's Bride Revies