Amazon.com

Andrei Konchalovsky's expansive television mini-series production of Homer's epic poem gets off to clumsy start as he tries to squeeze the Trojan War into a mere half hour, but once the arrogant but honorable Odysseus (strikingly played by Armand Assante) and his loyal crew begin their doomed voyage home, this film turns into a fantastical adventure. Integrating often-stunning special effects with inventive art design, Konchalovsky achieves a beautiful look on a limited budget as he follows the 10-year ordeal of Odysseus from his battles with the Cyclops and the magical Circe (Bernadette Peters) to his secret homecoming and his confrontation with the treacherous Eurymachus (Eric Roberts). Isabella Rossellini appears as his spiritual guide, the goddess Athena, with Greta Scacchi as Odysseus's faithful wife and Vanessa Williams as the seductive Calypso. The rest of the cast includes Geraldine Chaplin, Jeroen Krabbé, Christopher Lee, and Irene Papas. The production was shot on location in and around the Mediterranean, making for a lush, lovely visual experience. --Sean Axmaker ... Read more

Reviews (156)

Wow, what a EXTRAORDINARY movie!!
I have just finished watching the movie, The Odyssey. It was good in many different ways. It had a lot of actors in it and many of them played their part very well. My favorite character would have to be Penelope (Greta Scacchi). She had a hard time handling the fact that her husband, Odysseus (Armand Assante), was gone at war and may never return home. The fact that her husband left right after their son was born was upsetting as well. She made a promise to her husband that when their son grew into a man, she would have to choose a new husband. After the Trojan War ended, Odysseus yelled to the gods that he didn't need their help after all, when he actually did use their help. The god of the sea, Poseidon, heard him and put a curse on him that he couldn't go home to Ithaca. Odysseus went through many extraordinary adventures and many didn't creatures while trying to get home. One of these strange creatures was Cyclops, Poseidon's brother. Cyclops (Reid Asato) is a giant with one huge eye in the middle of his forehead that loves to eat humans. Odysseus and his men floated down to the island where Cyclops lived and Cyclops asked Odysseus what his name was and Odysseus said that it was nobody. While Odysseus and his men were there with the Cyclops they gave him the gift that they had brought, which was wine. After some cups, Cyclops started to lay down and fall asleep. Once they thought that he was asleep, they took a large stake and jammed it into the Cyclops' eye. The Cyclops immediately jumped up and started to run around yelling, Nobody hurt my eye. The men escaped quickly, but the Cyclops ate the fiddler. The men that were left, left the island and floated along some more for many more adventures. In conclusion, I thought that this movie was great! It used a lot of facts from the epics by Homer.

Movie Review for THE ODYSSEY By Phil
THE ODYSSEY is based in the book THE ODYSSEY by Homer. It tells the exciting tale of Odysseus, the king of Ithaca, who, on the day of his son's birth, was called to fight in the Trojan War. However, the movie is not about Odysseus fighting in the Trojan War. The real plot begins when Odysseus begins his journey home after the war. As the war ended, Odysseus happened to anger a very vengeful god named Poseidon, who is the god of the sea. Poseidon decided to make Odysseus' journey home as miserable as possible. Now Odysseus must make it home to Ithaca while avoiding Poseidon's wrath. During his long, hard journey, Odysseus and his crew encounter many strange creatures. Some creatures are friendly and try to help Odysseus and his men. Others are not friendly and try to destroy Odysseus and prevent him from reaching Ithaca. Here are some of the main characters: Odysseus:The mighty king of Ithaca and main character of the story.(Armand Assante) Penelope:Odysseus' beloved wife who waits patiently for his return.(Greta Scacchi) Athena:Odysseus' guardian god who guides him in times of need and gives him helpful advice.(Isabella Rosselini) Circe:Odysseus was unlucky to run into this woman. After someone drinks her magical honey wine, she turns them into swine.(Bernadette Peters) Calypso:Another unfourtunate accident of Odysseus' was running into Calypso. She kept him on her island for two whole years!(Vanessa Williams)

THE ODYSSEY has a very strong visual impact on the audience that watches it. It is full of action and suspense and the special effects are amazing, especially the scene where Poseidon was speaking to Odysseus through the waves. Also, the acting and costumes were realistic. The actors talked and wore clothes that were worn in that time. The soundtrack is also realistic to that time, The music on the soundtrack is mostly old Greek music.

Overall, I give THE ODYSSEY five stars.

Best Odysseus I've Seen
Armand Asante does an excellent job as Odysseus. As with all movies, there will be some significant differences from the original Homer. After having seen the recent release of Troy, I'd have to say The Odyssey is a better movie. If you prefer to watch a movie that remains faithful to the original classic with good casting/acting, this is for you. If you want cool special effects and big name stars in a story that is loosly based on a classic tale...then see Troy.

Still compelling after 3000 years.
Homer would have endorsed this rendering of his tale. Full of wonderful special effects, gorgeous Mediterranean vistas, and gods and goddesses who look their parts, this movie is still driven by personalities. The casting was brilliant: Armand Asante is all that one could wish in an Odysseus -- engaging, passionate, mature, heroic in every dimension. Isabella Rosellini and Greta Saachi are perfect in their roles as Athena and Penelope, respectively. Telemachus is a classical adolescent only child, and Antichea, Odysseus's mother, dominates each of her scenes. While this production is eye-candy from beginning to end, the visual appeal cannot distract from the timeless humanity of its characters. There is a reason that Homer's story still reaches us after 3000 years, and this telling does justice to its ancient material.

A great story
In my English class, on the last weeks of school, our teacher said she wanted us to watch a movie that will be educating for years to come and pulled out The Odyssey. At first the whole class seemed dull by the ideal of the movie but from the beginning, we were stuck.

The story has an amazing plot, and the actors are pretty good. Some of the special effects were kind of lame but that wasn't the movies fault, it was their budget. This is really good for a TV miniseries.

From the spooky lair of Syclla to the amazing Island of Ithaca, this movie really portrays the story well. It's very enjoyable, and I'm going to have to order the movie to keep! ... Read more

Description

Based on Thomas Hardy's classic novel, Far from the Madding Crowd is a turbulent tale of passion and destruction set in the 19th century.

Bathsheba Everdene (Paloma Baeza), a beautiful and proud woman with a fiercely independent spirit, ensnares--and almost destroys--three men. She rejects the proposal of the loyal and dependable Gavriel Oak (Nathaniel Parker), who takes a job on her farm because of an unfortunate twist of fate. He can only stand by and watch as Bathsheba mischievously flirts with her neighbor, Mr. Boldwood (Nigel Terry), unleashing a passionate obsession that burns deep within the reserved Gabriel. However, both men are eclipsed by the arrival of the dashing, womanizing soldier, Frank Troy (Jonathan Firth). Despite being in love with another woman, he sees a challenge in Bathsheba and sets out to win her.

Troy manages to tame the wild young woman, but their marriage is instantly doomed, and a dramatic chain of events are set in motion. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

A good movie with the hot hunk Nathaniel Parker.
It keeps you entertained and Nathaniel makes some great eye candy in that sexy beard and someone to daydream about. He is a hottie along with Ciaran Hinds, Alan Rickman, Greg Wise, and Richard E. Grant, they are some of my favorite Brit male actors along Geoffrey Rush in Brit films. Gary Oldman is now our American hottie.

Done to perfection...no remakes required!
Having read this book more than once (it is my favorite Thomas Hardy book, and one of my favorite books of all time), and having seen both filmed versions, I have to say that the 1967 version (with Alan Bates, Julie Christie and Peter Finch) cannot hold a candle to this Mobil Masterpiece Theatre presentation (with Nathaniel Parker, Paloma Baeza and Nigel Terry).

The 1967 version was a great disappointment to me -- Julie Christie was, as another reviewer pointed out, too old for the part of Bathsheba, did not fit Hardy's description of her at all, and has never impressed me as much of an actress -- a major casting faux pas, in my opinion. Peter Finch, in an admirable performance as Boldwood, did not elicit the strong feeling of empathy from me, as Nigel Terry did in his portrayal of the character. The greatest surprise to me, in regard to the earlier version, was that I also felt the same about Alan Bates' performance as Gabriel Oak -- he just did not convey the emotions and the quality of Oak's character, as described by Hardy in the book, and I found his portrayal to be PAINFULLY bland and boring. Part of the blame would have to be shared by the director of that version -- the actors appeared to be acting, and neither they, nor the director, seemed to have a firm grasp or understanding of the explicit emotions and personalities of the characters, which Hardy had gone to great effort and detail to describe in the book.

Having seen Nathaniel Parker's interpretation of Gabriel Oak, I cannot imagine anyone else playing the part -- it was the first time I had seen Mr. Parker in any performance, and he ripped my heart out with his portrayal of this noble, dignified, aggrieved and tormented soul. Paloma Baeza was perfectly cast as Bathsheba, and she, Nigel Terry (Boldwood), and Jonathan Firth (Sergeant Troy), seemed to have a thorough comprehension of, and sensitivity toward, the characters as they were intended by Thomas Hardy -- they appeared to have walked straight out of the pages of the book! In addition, the sensitive and intuitive direction by Nicholas Renton drew powerful performances from all, including a superior supporting cast. The accurate period costumes, and beautiful sets and cinematography, serve to round out a production of true quality.

I highly recommend to anyone interested in this story, that he or she consider reading the book first. Although this screenplay remains fairly true to the book, some of the detail which enhances understanding and feeling for the characters, the time period, and the plot, was edited due to time constraints, as is common with filmed productions of great pieces of literature.

Best version on film
I have watched this version several times and must commend it for being more faithful to Hardy and to the spirit of the novel. The use of mostly unknown actors adds to the authenticity of the film, as does the sometimes incomprehensible dialect (that's one reason why one viewing may not do it justice).

The 1967 version with big name actors had its merits, but none of the flavor of the English countryside and its cycle of seasons. Nathaniel Parker is the ultimate Gabriel Oak: wise, trustworthy and patient to a fault. Paloma Baeze is perfect as the willful Bathsheba, Nigel Terry is excellent as an aging suitor descending into madness. Lastly, the music is a wonderful blend of English folk songs and haunting melody.

A superb effort and another reason to watch BBC TV,as if you needed one more.

UNBELIEVABLY EXTRAORDINARY!
I loved this Masterpiece Theater's mini series so much that I bought the video; now I can watch it again and again! Bathsheba Everdene, played brilliantly by the stunning Paloma Baeza (who has the most beautiful speaking voice) unwittingly casts her spell upon three very different men. There is the kind and loyal Gabriel Oak who is convincingly played by Nathaniel Parker. He is Bathsheba's dearest friend, her rock, and the overseer of her estate. Gabriel deeply loves Bathsheba from afar but since he tragically lost his fortune, he can no longer pursue her.
Boldwood (Nigel Terry), the strange and psychotic wealthy neighbor, and the dastardly Officer Frank Troy (Jonathan Firth) also have relationships (albeit abnormal) with Bathsheba. This is a period piece with both lovely and stark scenes of the English countryside. Through much drama, Bathsheba finally comes to her senses at the end of this four-hour production and proposes to the long-suffering Oak. I just love a movie where everyone lives happily ever after!

Masterpiece Theatre at it's best!!
Hardy's Wessex is brought to life in this wonderful adaptation.

Bathsheba Everdine is the beautiful and strong willed mistress of a sheep farm. She raises eyebrows, breaks hearts and makes some bad decisions about love and farming, but has Gabriel Oak to rescue her. Great performances by Paloma Baeza as Bathsheba, Nathaniel Parker as Gabriel and Nigel Terry as Boldwood. There's lots of unconsumated chemistry betw. Baeza and Parker.

Far superior to the 60s Hollywood adaptation. ... Read more

Reviews (17)

Engrossing and captivating! Highly recommended.
"The Tenant of Wildfell Hall" is based on the Victorian novel by Anne Bronte. It tells the story of secretive, passionate and outspoken Helen Graham who lives quietly with her young son in Wildfell Hall. She befriends a young neighborhood farmer, Gilbert Markham, and he falls in love with her, despite her objections. It soon unfolds that Helen is "on the run" from her privileged life and her cruel, alcoholic husband - Arthur Huntingdon - and a series of flashbacks tell the story of her life with him. The story itself is engrossing and, like Jane Eyre, it's ultimately a story of a strong woman overcoming the odds and coming out triumphant in the end.

The BBC has done a great job with this production. Tara Fitzgerald ("The Woman in White," "Brassed Off") is perfectly cast as the downtrodden but feisty Helen. Handsome actors Toby Stephens ("The Great Gatsby") and Rupert Graves ("Room with a View," "Mrs. Dalloway") are excellent as the devoted Gilbert and the detestable Huntingdon. Tara Fitzgerald and Toby Stephens have a chemistry that most would find irresistible. The performances from the principal actors are excellent and Rupert Graves does such a good job that I found myself hating and pitying him at the same time. I highly recommend to anyone who enjoys Bronte's work or first-rate British drama.

My favourite video!
This video (which runs for 160 mins) follows rather closely to the classic novel by Anne Bronte (except for the ending - nevertheless, it will still please you).

The production is lavish, the costumes beautiful and very correct to the period of time. The cast very capably brought to life the characters of the suffering Helen Graham, the scoundrel Arthur Huntington and the love-struck Gilbert Markham.

Tara Fitzgerald appeared a little miscast, owing to her often unnecessarly harsh displays of emotions and an unsuitable gruffy voice. But because she played the role of Helen Graham (who's an exceedingly likable heroine), I grew to ignore all that and found myself rooting for Helen to find all the happiness she deserves.

I simply love Toby Stephens whom I think, is just perfect as Gilbert, the handsome, young gentleman farmer who sees the goodness in Helen and seeks to protect her from the hypocrisy and prejudice shown by his unkind relatives and neighbours.

The cinematography is lush and breathtaking. It's obvious that this is a well-planned production with no expense spared.

I have only 1 minor complaint - that the romantic scenes involving Helen and Gilbert weren't made more passionate (the way it should be). Instead, we see more displays of love and affection between Helen and Lord Huntington (during their courtship days and early marriage). And to what purpose do they serve? - Since we know just what a brute Huntington turns out to be later!

If you love this video, please pick up the book (ie. if you haven't already) - the book fleshes out the thoughts, emotions and agonies of the love-lorn Gilbert much more effectively than could be captured on film.

Nevertheless, I love this video. It's great to have in one's collection for repeated viewings.

"He only wants for guidance."
In this excellent BBC adaptation of Anne Bronte's novel, an attractive young woman and her young son move into long-neglected Wildfell Hall. The woman (Tara Fitzgerald), Mrs. Helen Graham, claims to be a widow who is forced to make her living as an artist. Some of the local families try to befriend her, but they find Mrs. Graham to be abrasive and unfriendly. Local farmer, Gilbert Markham (Toby Stephens) is attracted to Mrs. Graham, and this does not escape the jealous eye of local lass, Eliza Millwood. Soon spiteful rumours abound about Mrs. Graham and her relationship to her landlord, Mr. Lawrence. Mrs. Graham tells Giles the truth about the past--including her desperate need for secrecy regarding her true identity. It seems that Mrs. Graham is really Mrs. Huntingdon--the wife of a dissolute rake who leads a life of debauchery in his constant pursuit of pleasure.

One of the reasons I enjoy "The Tenant of Wildfell Hall" so much is it clearly depicts Victorian notions of womanhood. Bronte, however, through the characters and the story shows the absurdity and unfairness of the woman's role. Helen Huntingdon embodies the Victorian ideal of "the Angel in the House" and certainly Huntingdon expects angelic behaviour from her--no matter what abuse rains down on her head. Huntingdon thinks himself above criticism, and yet he holds Helen to the highest standard. He's a petty bully with a penchant for gratuitous cruelty. While he criticizes Helen's housekeeping abilities, her performance as a wife and as a mother, he also calls her "half mortal, half angelic." Helen embodies this perfect Victorian ideal, but we see the absurdity of her sacrifices as Huntingdon tramples on Helen's "delicate goodness" again and again. Bronte's book was a scandal when it was published in 1848, and while this adaptation no longer has the ability to make the average viewer swoon, nonetheless, there is great power to this story.

Fans of the novel should be happy with this adaptation. It is perfectly cast--even in the fairly minor roles. The photography is stunning, the costumes marvelous, and a haunting score accompanies the drama. There are several very clever camera shots. In one scene, the camera sweeps slowly and lovingly along the curve of Helen's shoulders, and in some scenes, the camera appears to take a bird's eye view of ballroom dancers. Tara Fitzgerald is always wonderful in these period piece roles. As Mrs. Graham/Huntingdon, she has a veneer of coldness, and Markham at first finds her "too hard, too sharp, too bitter." Helen Huntingdon's character is explored very well in the flashbacks of her awful married life to Arthur Huntingdon. Toby Stephens as Markham is in complete contrast to Huntingdon (Rupert Graves). Markham plays a solid, genuine lover--conscious of his social inferiority to the Huntingdons. Rupert Graves is an old hand with these sorts of roles, and he really does a spectacular job as Huntingdon--a man who's used to using his boyish charm to get what he wants, and yet the most unpleasant side of him shows after Helen is at his mercy while he runs with his pack of equally dissolute friends. Huntingdon delivers some of the very best lines in the film. Bronte fans, and BBC costume drama fans should be equally delighted with this production. The video is 160 minutes long, and it's worth every penny--displacedhuman

I'm Wanting to See This Wonderful Movie Transferred to DVD!
I haven't read the Anne Bronte classic novel yet but I saw this movie version of The Tenant of Wildfell Hall on cable one day and this is the movie that made me love watching British period costume movies. It is a wonderful movie with some terrific acing from the whole cast. Tara FitzGerald and Toby Stephens are wonderful but I think Rupert Graves gives a standout performance and I very greatly recommend this movie and I'm hoping it will be transferred to DVD! I'm also thinking about reading the classic novel!

The spirit of the original left out
I read Anne Bronte's book, loved it, then checked out the reviews for the VHS version here at Amazon. I couldn't find it to rent anywhere, but the reviews convinced me that I could safely buy a copy without viewing it first. Now that I've seen it, I am scratching my head wondering why it got the great reviews it did (and KICKING myself for buying it). Compared to the book, this BBC rendition I just watched last night made me think of cutting the arms and half the body off of your favorite sweater so that you could pack it better; it may fit in your small suitcase now, but it's not at all what it was. I gave the movie two stars instead of one star because the filming locations were good, and the costuming and the acting were not distracting - but the spirit of Anne Bronte's original story isn't there at all. The only thing that keeps it going for two cassettes is whatever the screenplay writer picked out of the book to make it recognizable. I think the worst misconstrued line in the movie comes from Gilbert, and it illustrates my point about the spirit of Anne Bronte's work being cast aside: Gilbert goes to Helen when she is with her husband, who is still alive - NOT in the book - and tells her (by way of trying to woo her), "It's not a sin to be happy." This line has become a classic in our generation, but this spirit was nowhere to be found in the book, and makes a completely different Helen and Gilbert than Anne Bronte would have given her permission for, which says a lot, since Helen and Gilbert are the principle characters. This video adaptation ruins the message of Anne Bronte's wonderful work. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The premise for Disney's A Knight in Camelot is an intriguing one. What if we could go back in time, with the wisdom and knowledge of our present day, and improve history? In this made-for-television comedy inspired by Mark Twain's fable A Connecticut Yankee at King Arthur's Court Whoopi Goldberg plays Dr. Vivien Morgan, a computer research scientist studying gravitational pull. Through a programming malfunction, she gets zapped into the land of Camelot, 589 A.D., while still toting her laptop and boombox. Unimpressed with the whole sword-in-the-stone gig, she brings her 20th-century impudence into King Arthur's court, where she begins to wreak Whoopi-style havoc. After she feigns magic, King Arthur (Michael York) elevates her to knighthood, where, as "Sir Boss," she uses her influence to make changes in the kingdom, from introducing hygiene and plumbing in the castle to insisting on fair labor practices for the peasants. Entanglements with Sir Lancelot, Queen Guinevere, and Merlin provide moments of high drama and colorful jousts, but the film remains largely uneven as it tries to be believable and find its tone--should it be philosophical ("Can a society live without progress? Without justice?" Goldberg's character asks at one point) or outrageously silly? It accomplishes the latter too well, and, methinks, will tire all but truly committed Whoopi fans. What remains is a cute, predictable, forgettable family film, but not Disney's best, nor Whoopi's. --Lynn Gibson ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Values courage, honor, respect
Captivating and enchanting story for children and families to share. Beautifully produced. It accurately portrays medieval England's culture and social structure. Shows great role models that exhibit courage, honor, equality and respect (with a touch of humor thrown in). Our kid reviewers were riveted. They commented: "I would love to travel back in time." "I noticed that the Nobles were unkind to the Serfs, but that's how it really was." "I want to read the Mark Twain book that the story is based on." "The castle was awesome." We found that 8 to 12-year-olds liked this best.

Whoopi is fantastic!
This movie is mor funny than some comedies that come to theaters! I almost died laughing! Vivian Morgan is a scientist and just as she is about to prove the existance of a graviton particle, she is blasted back in timeto the 6th century! Confused as a troll for her dreadlocks, skin color, and tennis shoes, she is sentinced to be burned at the stake. But when a total eclips happens, she claims to be a wizard more powerful than Merlin. They release her and she is knighted. She does good things such as helping King Arthur see that the slaves should be free, but when she tries to make things like a steam engine far to early, how messed up will the 6th century turn? and how will she ever get back to the 20th century?

Excellent
This film is really good. I think its a great film but rather for childs. Its funny to hear the 'Sir boss' nickname Whoopy asks for. The story is about a scientist (Whoopy) who accidentelly travels through time and lands in the time of king Arthur. After having the kings trust, she will try to civilisaze the region by stopping slavery, inventing steam machines... She will then go for a adventure to see how England is. And will be captured by slavers... She will be delivired and it turns out Merlin is a real magicien and that he has the power to bring her home.

I am sure I saw it on TV and tape recorded it , but is miss
As above it is missing.

If it is the same I saw it on TV back in April or May of 1999. Found it funny and refreshing and seeing Whoopi at her comedy best. I would like to see it again but the price is to high at the moment. ... Read more

Reviews (156)

Wow, what a EXTRAORDINARY movie!!
I have just finished watching the movie, The Odyssey. It was good in many different ways. It had a lot of actors in it and many of them played their part very well. My favorite character would have to be Penelope (Greta Scacchi). She had a hard time handling the fact that her husband, Odysseus (Armand Assante), was gone at war and may never return home. The fact that her husband left right after their son was born was upsetting as well. She made a promise to her husband that when their son grew into a man, she would have to choose a new husband. After the Trojan War ended, Odysseus yelled to the gods that he didn't need their help after all, when he actually did use their help. The god of the sea, Poseidon, heard him and put a curse on him that he couldn't go home to Ithaca. Odysseus went through many extraordinary adventures and many didn't creatures while trying to get home. One of these strange creatures was Cyclops, Poseidon's brother. Cyclops (Reid Asato) is a giant with one huge eye in the middle of his forehead that loves to eat humans. Odysseus and his men floated down to the island where Cyclops lived and Cyclops asked Odysseus what his name was and Odysseus said that it was nobody. While Odysseus and his men were there with the Cyclops they gave him the gift that they had brought, which was wine. After some cups, Cyclops started to lay down and fall asleep. Once they thought that he was asleep, they took a large stake and jammed it into the Cyclops' eye. The Cyclops immediately jumped up and started to run around yelling, Nobody hurt my eye. The men escaped quickly, but the Cyclops ate the fiddler. The men that were left, left the island and floated along some more for many more adventures. In conclusion, I thought that this movie was great! It used a lot of facts from the epics by Homer.

Movie Review for THE ODYSSEY By Phil
THE ODYSSEY is based in the book THE ODYSSEY by Homer. It tells the exciting tale of Odysseus, the king of Ithaca, who, on the day of his son's birth, was called to fight in the Trojan War. However, the movie is not about Odysseus fighting in the Trojan War. The real plot begins when Odysseus begins his journey home after the war. As the war ended, Odysseus happened to anger a very vengeful god named Poseidon, who is the god of the sea. Poseidon decided to make Odysseus' journey home as miserable as possible. Now Odysseus must make it home to Ithaca while avoiding Poseidon's wrath. During his long, hard journey, Odysseus and his crew encounter many strange creatures. Some creatures are friendly and try to help Odysseus and his men. Others are not friendly and try to destroy Odysseus and prevent him from reaching Ithaca. Here are some of the main characters: Odysseus:The mighty king of Ithaca and main character of the story.(Armand Assante) Penelope:Odysseus' beloved wife who waits patiently for his return.(Greta Scacchi) Athena:Odysseus' guardian god who guides him in times of need and gives him helpful advice.(Isabella Rosselini) Circe:Odysseus was unlucky to run into this woman. After someone drinks her magical honey wine, she turns them into swine.(Bernadette Peters) Calypso:Another unfourtunate accident of Odysseus' was running into Calypso. She kept him on her island for two whole years!(Vanessa Williams)

THE ODYSSEY has a very strong visual impact on the audience that watches it. It is full of action and suspense and the special effects are amazing, especially the scene where Poseidon was speaking to Odysseus through the waves. Also, the acting and costumes were realistic. The actors talked and wore clothes that were worn in that time. The soundtrack is also realistic to that time, The music on the soundtrack is mostly old Greek music.

Overall, I give THE ODYSSEY five stars.

Best Odysseus I've Seen
Armand Asante does an excellent job as Odysseus. As with all movies, there will be some significant differences from the original Homer. After having seen the recent release of Troy, I'd have to say The Odyssey is a better movie. If you prefer to watch a movie that remains faithful to the original classic with good casting/acting, this is for you. If you want cool special effects and big name stars in a story that is loosly based on a classic tale...then see Troy.

Still compelling after 3000 years.
Homer would have endorsed this rendering of his tale. Full of wonderful special effects, gorgeous Mediterranean vistas, and gods and goddesses who look their parts, this movie is still driven by personalities. The casting was brilliant: Armand Asante is all that one could wish in an Odysseus -- engaging, passionate, mature, heroic in every dimension. Isabella Rosellini and Greta Saachi are perfect in their roles as Athena and Penelope, respectively. Telemachus is a classical adolescent only child, and Antichea, Odysseus's mother, dominates each of her scenes. While this production is eye-candy from beginning to end, the visual appeal cannot distract from the timeless humanity of its characters. There is a reason that Homer's story still reaches us after 3000 years, and this telling does justice to its ancient material.

A great story
In my English class, on the last weeks of school, our teacher said she wanted us to watch a movie that will be educating for years to come and pulled out The Odyssey. At first the whole class seemed dull by the ideal of the movie but from the beginning, we were stuck.

The story has an amazing plot, and the actors are pretty good. Some of the special effects were kind of lame but that wasn't the movies fault, it was their budget. This is really good for a TV miniseries.

From the spooky lair of Syclla to the amazing Island of Ithaca, this movie really portrays the story well. It's very enjoyable, and I'm going to have to order the movie to keep! ... Read more

Reviews (11)

A brilliant film
This film, and the tv version of Pride and Prejudice, are by far the greatest 19th century dramas I've ever seen. The cast here is masterful - Paloma as Bathsheba, and especially Nathaniel Parker, whose spoken and unspoken expressiveness communicates such a depth of both patient and steady loyalty, compassion, love and turbulent, repressed feeling and desire; he is absolutely haunting! This is a film to watch again and again. My only criticisms are that Boldwood is simply too old and unattractive for us to fully believe in his appeal to young women, and that Nathaniel Parker is simply too handsome to be the homely, rejected but kindhearted Gabriel Oak of this very excellent novel. (And by the way, do read some wonderful quotes from the highly recommended Hardy novel and view photos from the movie at my Far from the Madding Crowd site - under the name BathshebaOak Hardy at Readers Vine!)

A fine, authentic version of Madding Crowd
This latest dramatization of Far From the Madding Crowd (my favorite Thomas Hardy novel) is true to the novel's characters and to its romantic countryside mood. Nathaniel Parker as Gabriel is an example of perfect casting - expressive, gentle and stalwart; and the others are wonderful too. Paloma Baeza seems at first a bit too thoughtful to resemble impetuous Bathsheba but she really acts and looks like a 19th century woman. Jonathan Firth's dashing Troy is the picture of reckless disregard. This version, in my opinion, is MUCH better than the 1960s Julie Christie version, which resembles more a 1960s translation of Hardy than Hardy himself. (And Christie looked nothing like Hardy's dark-haired independent heroine; she was wrong, wrong.) This PBS version is very right, very authentic. A classy, romantic production; I'm glad they filmed it again.

For my homework
Hi I m Semih from Turkey.I visited your bokks site and lýke it.Because ý found my homework here.But I need summary of fAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD book's.If you can sen me that I wýll be happy and you wýll save me.And ýf you say me ý can help you ok€ thanks my frýens.I m waiting your mails.BYE!!

Nice Masterpiece Theater Production
I should start out by saying that I love the book, and I have seen the 60s version of this story and rather liked it. That said, this is a nice little production. The scenery is beautiful, the costumes are great, the music is lovely and appropriate, the acting is solid.

The plot involves the lovely Bathsheba who is the object of affection (obsession?) for three very different men. Paloma Baeza is Bathsheba, she is a good actress but I found her extremely youthful face a bit distressing at times. She just looked too young to be such a tease. Still, she plays her role well.

The three men in her life are the stalwart shepherd Gabriel, the obsessive older farmer Boldwood and the dashing, heartbreaking Sgt. Troy. Nathaniel Parker (very good in Vanity Fair as Becky's clueless husband) plays Gabriel with perhaps more passion than he displayed in the book but he looks the part and anyone who has not read the book would never know the difference. He fits right in and looks quite handsome in the bargain.

Jonathan Firth (Fred in Middlemarch. Brother to Colin Firth of Pride and Prejudice) plays the thankless role of Troy with great relish. (Troy is not a cool villain, he is the sort you boo and hiss at whenever he is on screen, it takes a good actor to carry him off without seeming too Snideley Whiplash about it) He is the only man of the three who excites Bathsheba and he is the only one who is not truly in love with her.

The supporting cast is good, especially Natasha Little (Becky in Vanity Fair) as Troy's cast-off mistress Fanny.

In conclusion, I liked the 60s version a hair better but only a hair and I highly reccomend anyone interested in this story to try both versions as both are good in their own unique way. This version is more accurate with costumes and such but the 6os one is more suitable for family viewing.

Scenes I liked better in this version:

Gabriel looks for a job
Gabriel and Bathsheba's first argument
Troy's sword exercises
Fanny visits Troy at the barracks window

faithful and compelling
i love BOTH versions of this film, but prefer this newer one. it is by far more faithful to the book, including many scenes of hardy's the other version simply cut out to allow for time constraints. both casts are excellent, but, again, i found the newer version's cast just a TAD closer to the book's intent. this bathsheba and gabriel are both totally lovable and pitiable in just the right places. This fanny is absolutely HEARTBREAKING! boldwood and troy are perfect as well. my only complaint is the omission of the gargoyles in the scene where the grave is flooded. if you must choose, get the newer one. if you can afford both - get them both! ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Great, family fun movie.
Thomas Ian Nicholas is awesome in A KID IN KING ARTHUR'S COURT. He's very talented, and so is the rest of this cast. This movie is basically about a kid who lives in a town called Roceda, in California (I think). Anyway, during a Little League baseball game, Calvin (which is the kid's name) goes up to bat - and shaking all over in fear, of course - and almost instantly strikes out. While heading back to the bench, an earthquake starts to rumble, and everybody races out of the bench...except for Calvin. Instead, Calvin is magically transported back in the time of King Arthur! Once he gets there, Calvin meets Merlin, who sent him there by accident (thinking that Calvin was a knight because his baseball team was called the Knights). But when Calvin explains that he's not a real knight, Merlin tells him that Calvin "will do" and Calvin now must save the Kingdom of Camelot from the evil Lord Belasco who wants to try and take over the kingdom by trying to marry Princess Sarah (Kate Winslet), King Arthur's oldest daughter! Also, while helping King Arthur, Calvin of course, falls in love with King Arthur's youngest daughter, Princess Katie. (And before Calvin got transported back to the Middle Ages, he of course manages to retrieve his backpack full of modern-day items such as a CD Walkman and rollerblades, which he uses to impress the people of the Middle Ages.) This is a great film for all ages and kids find it quite entertaining (in fact, so did I - and I'm 17 years old!). It's really exciteding and fun to see Kate Winslet and Thomas Ian Nicholas playing roles in their earlier years of filming...and this movie is really funny, too.

P.S.: If you love Thomas Ian Nicholas, then check out these other great Thomas Ian Nicholas Flicks: ROOKIE OF THE YEAR, A KID IN ALADDIN'S PALACE, and AMERICAN PIE. And, if you love Kate Winslet, then check out these other Kate Winslet Flicks: SENSE AND SENSIBLITY, QUILLS (her new movie...still playing in theaters), and of course, TITANIC.

Calvin's journey is amazing!
Okay so Calvin isn't the smartest, bravest, coolest kid in his hometown, Receda. But after he loses a baseball game for his team the Knights he is magically transported back in time to the days of King Arthur. A place where is 20th century knowlege and courage is all that can protect him. WHen he finds out that Merlin himself was the one that brought him hear he is shocked (and so is Merlin) that Calvin is supposed to be a Hero that will save King Arthur's Kingdom. Will Calivn suceed? Or is he better of in the 20th century. If you like Midevil tales and kid flicks you should see this movie. Hey, Cal isn't that bad looking either =)

Fabulous!
No matter how many times I watch this movie, or the older I get, I am still in love with it! Being a fan of the time of King Arthur, and time travel without the use of science fiction novel tactics, this movie was a thrill for me to watch!

The lead character, Calvin, is a less than popular guy back in his home town of Receda, California. When he is suddenly thrown through time with the help of Merlin, he finds himself in a completely different world. Although the plot doesn't exactly follow any of the stories of King Arthur (i.e. King Aurthur and Guinevere never had any kids, obviously. She ran away w/ Lancelot) but it has the romantic appeal of the time period, and Calvin's friendships with the king and his youngest daughter, Princess Catherine are wonderful! As it goes on, his character flaws are sraightened out and he becomes a stronger person, faced with many tasks most persons never endure. The final scene's tie it all together until he finally goes home, and realizes he can be the person he aspires to.

The film is absolutely wonderful with the adventure, romance, and humor tying togther to make a memorable occassion. I strongly suggest A Kid in King Arthur's Court to anyone who wants a great time, a laugh and a smile!

Cool!
It was great. Imagine yourself being brought back through time to save King Arthur's kingdom!

KATE IS GREAT:)
I must admit I only got this because I'm a great fan of Kate Winslet's work, so after all that I will say that this is a good movie! The whole family can sit down and watch it together and enjoy it at the same time. It's a light hearted story that keeps you interested the whole way through. ... Read more

Description

Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way. This famous line commences a refreshingly modern interpretation of Leo Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina-—an epic tale of love, duty, marriage and infidelity. This richly detailed film charts the tragic romantic triangle formed when the dashing Count Vronsky defies social conventions and falls into forbidden love with Anna, the ignored wife of an aristocrat. Soon, Anna’s children—a son by Alexei and illegitimate daughter by Vronsky—become pawns in Alexei’s game to see that Anna pays a terrible price for her indiscretion.With its gripping narrative and unbridled romance, Anna Karenina reveals the uncontrollable passion, emotional betrayal and courage of a woman who violates moral strictures and risks everything to follow her heart.Helen McCrory stars as Anna, along with Kevin McKidd (Trainspotting) as Count Vronsky, the handsome object of her desires; and Tony Award-winner Stephen Dillane (The Real Thing) as Alexei Karenin, Anna’s callously principled husband. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Not one of Masterpiece Theatre's better films
After reading the book I wanted to see a dramatization of Tolstoy's classic novel. Even after knowing that an adaptation of Anna Karenina couldn't measure up, by television standards this still was a disappointment! This is hardly one of Masterpiece Theatre's better efforts. The acting is competent enough (nothing to rave about), and the actors in their costumes and the scenery look good together, but there isn't much chemistry between the actors McCrory (Anna Karenina) and McKidd (Alexei Vronsky) -- an integral part to the plot. The drama is rushed and subsequently superficial. Hardly any context is given to Russian history or society, which would have put the drama in some semblance of framework of what was going on in Russia at that time -- definitely put across by Tolstoy in his book (in 800 plus pages). This is a four-hour miniseries; it could have done much better with at least six hours.

However, this adaptation may be more close to being faithful than other dramatized versions. Here, the Levin-Kitty storyline is parallelled to Anna-Alexei's.

Annoying Anna
I found myself more sympathetic to the lovers than I had even when reading the book. However, by the end Anna is not the "pitiable" figure which Tolstoy had wished to create, but seems obsessive and half mad with paranoia to the point where the viewer wishes the resolution would come even more quickly. Helen McCurry does an admirable job, but I found it difficult to find the depth of feeling in her Anna that is so apparent in the text. The irritation her portrayal creates is exacerbated by the attention given to Vronsky's character, which unlike the 1997 version with Sean Bean, is shown as being attentive, loving, and completely devoted to Anna. Kevin McKidd's performance more than makes up for the deficiency in Helen McCurry's.

The story of Levin and Kitty is handled well, but it is set up mostly as a direct parallel of Vronsky and Anna, and very little is said about Levin's internal struggle. Still, the film is about as faithful to the book as possible, and furthermore is constructed in such a way that it may be independent of it without an excessive number of plot holes.

Superb rendition, great cast
I read the book many years ago, so I was very much looking forward to the PBS version. I was not at all disappointed. The cast was outstanding, especially, in my opinion that of Vronsky. Kevin McKidd played him with such touching depth and sensitivity, it left me breathless. Helen McCrory is also excellent as Anna, as was the character of Karenin. I am glad this version chose to give Karenin much more complexity and create him as a more sympathetic character than some of the other versions. This movie did an outstanding job of weaving the plot all together and coming to the final tragic conclusion. It left me spell-bound the whole way through. I can't imagine anyone coming away from viewing it and not be affected somehow for a long time. It is so relevant to today- just one of the greatest stories of all time. Simply wonderful.

True to the original--just fabulous
This is a stunning, not-stuffy-at-all adaptation of Tolstoy's seminal work. The casting is excellent and the script is true to the story line. Anna is particularly well-cast. She's passionate, loved by men and women alike, smart and compelling to watch. The two men in Anna's life are well cast, as well. Anna's husband's character is portrayed with all of the depth that he has in the book, which is an impressive feat. The man who plays Vronsky was a perfect choice even if he is blond and in the book he is dark.

The Kitty/Konstantin parallel plot is very well done, and both characters are also very well cast. In the book, Kitty has more depth than is portrayed, but she is beautiful and charming here nonetheless.

They don't rush the plot. It is presented thoughtfully which does Tolstoy's masterpiece the due it deserves. Watch this over several nights if you want. You'll think about it all day, every day until you're done watching the whole thing. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The BBC adaptation of Anne Bronte's moral tale The Tenant of Wildfell Hall will be a delight to those who revel in classics brought to the screen. Tara Fitzgerald stars as Helen Graham, a secretive woman who seeks independence for herself and her son from her cruel husband, Arthur Huntingdon. Huntingdon, a rake taken with women and drink, is played to perfection by Rupert Graves, believable as both the young lover who seduces Helen and as the depraved and brutish man he becomes. Toby Stephens is Gilbert Markham, the suspicious yet adoring yeoman farmer smitten with the supposed widow. The scenery and costumes of this period piece are lush, although the use of flashback as a narrative device is at times jarring. This tale is darker than the Jane Austen adaptations that BBC audiences are used to, yet the two-part film has an ending satisfying enough for even the most cynical of romantics. --Jenny Brown ... Read more

Reviews (17)

Engrossing and captivating! Highly recommended.
"The Tenant of Wildfell Hall" is based on the Victorian novel by Anne Bronte. It tells the story of secretive, passionate and outspoken Helen Graham who lives quietly with her young son in Wildfell Hall. She befriends a young neighborhood farmer, Gilbert Markham, and he falls in love with her, despite her objections. It soon unfolds that Helen is "on the run" from her privileged life and her cruel, alcoholic husband - Arthur Huntingdon - and a series of flashbacks tell the story of her life with him. The story itself is engrossing and, like Jane Eyre, it's ultimately a story of a strong woman overcoming the odds and coming out triumphant in the end.

The BBC has done a great job with this production. Tara Fitzgerald ("The Woman in White," "Brassed Off") is perfectly cast as the downtrodden but feisty Helen. Handsome actors Toby Stephens ("The Great Gatsby") and Rupert Graves ("Room with a View," "Mrs. Dalloway") are excellent as the devoted Gilbert and the detestable Huntingdon. Tara Fitzgerald and Toby Stephens have a chemistry that most would find irresistible. The performances from the principal actors are excellent and Rupert Graves does such a good job that I found myself hating and pitying him at the same time. I highly recommend to anyone who enjoys Bronte's work or first-rate British drama.

My favourite video!
This video (which runs for 160 mins) follows rather closely to the classic novel by Anne Bronte (except for the ending - nevertheless, it will still please you).

The production is lavish, the costumes beautiful and very correct to the period of time. The cast very capably brought to life the characters of the suffering Helen Graham, the scoundrel Arthur Huntington and the love-struck Gilbert Markham.

Tara Fitzgerald appeared a little miscast, owing to her often unnecessarly harsh displays of emotions and an unsuitable gruffy voice. But because she played the role of Helen Graham (who's an exceedingly likable heroine), I grew to ignore all that and found myself rooting for Helen to find all the happiness she deserves.

I simply love Toby Stephens whom I think, is just perfect as Gilbert, the handsome, young gentleman farmer who sees the goodness in Helen and seeks to protect her from the hypocrisy and prejudice shown by his unkind relatives and neighbours.

The cinematography is lush and breathtaking. It's obvious that this is a well-planned production with no expense spared.

I have only 1 minor complaint - that the romantic scenes involving Helen and Gilbert weren't made more passionate (the way it should be). Instead, we see more displays of love and affection between Helen and Lord Huntington (during their courtship days and early marriage). And to what purpose do they serve? - Since we know just what a brute Huntington turns out to be later!

If you love this video, please pick up the book (ie. if you haven't already) - the book fleshes out the thoughts, emotions and agonies of the love-lorn Gilbert much more effectively than could be captured on film.

Nevertheless, I love this video. It's great to have in one's collection for repeated viewings.

"He only wants for guidance."
In this excellent BBC adaptation of Anne Bronte's novel, an attractive young woman and her young son move into long-neglected Wildfell Hall. The woman (Tara Fitzgerald), Mrs. Helen Graham, claims to be a widow who is forced to make her living as an artist. Some of the local families try to befriend her, but they find Mrs. Graham to be abrasive and unfriendly. Local farmer, Gilbert Markham (Toby Stephens) is attracted to Mrs. Graham, and this does not escape the jealous eye of local lass, Eliza Millwood. Soon spiteful rumours abound about Mrs. Graham and her relationship to her landlord, Mr. Lawrence. Mrs. Graham tells Giles the truth about the past--including her desperate need for secrecy regarding her true identity. It seems that Mrs. Graham is really Mrs. Huntingdon--the wife of a dissolute rake who leads a life of debauchery in his constant pursuit of pleasure.

One of the reasons I enjoy "The Tenant of Wildfell Hall" so much is it clearly depicts Victorian notions of womanhood. Bronte, however, through the characters and the story shows the absurdity and unfairness of the woman's role. Helen Huntingdon embodies the Victorian ideal of "the Angel in the House" and certainly Huntingdon expects angelic behaviour from her--no matter what abuse rains down on her head. Huntingdon thinks himself above criticism, and yet he holds Helen to the highest standard. He's a petty bully with a penchant for gratuitous cruelty. While he criticizes Helen's housekeeping abilities, her performance as a wife and as a mother, he also calls her "half mortal, half angelic." Helen embodies this perfect Victorian ideal, but we see the absurdity of her sacrifices as Huntingdon tramples on Helen's "delicate goodness" again and again. Bronte's book was a scandal when it was published in 1848, and while this adaptation no longer has the ability to make the average viewer swoon, nonetheless, there is great power to this story.

Fans of the novel should be happy with this adaptation. It is perfectly cast--even in the fairly minor roles. The photography is stunning, the costumes marvelous, and a haunting score accompanies the drama. There are several very clever camera shots. In one scene, the camera sweeps slowly and lovingly along the curve of Helen's shoulders, and in some scenes, the camera appears to take a bird's eye view of ballroom dancers. Tara Fitzgerald is always wonderful in these period piece roles. As Mrs. Graham/Huntingdon, she has a veneer of coldness, and Markham at first finds her "too hard, too sharp, too bitter." Helen Huntingdon's character is explored very well in the flashbacks of her awful married life to Arthur Huntingdon. Toby Stephens as Markham is in complete contrast to Huntingdon (Rupert Graves). Markham plays a solid, genuine lover--conscious of his social inferiority to the Huntingdons. Rupert Graves is an old hand with these sorts of roles, and he really does a spectacular job as Huntingdon--a man who's used to using his boyish charm to get what he wants, and yet the most unpleasant side of him shows after Helen is at his mercy while he runs with his pack of equally dissolute friends. Huntingdon delivers some of the very best lines in the film. Bronte fans, and BBC costume drama fans should be equally delighted with this production. The video is 160 minutes long, and it's worth every penny--displacedhuman

I'm Wanting to See This Wonderful Movie Transferred to DVD!
I haven't read the Anne Bronte classic novel yet but I saw this movie version of The Tenant of Wildfell Hall on cable one day and this is the movie that made me love watching British period costume movies. It is a wonderful movie with some terrific acing from the whole cast. Tara FitzGerald and Toby Stephens are wonderful but I think Rupert Graves gives a standout performance and I very greatly recommend this movie and I'm hoping it will be transferred to DVD! I'm also thinking about reading the classic novel!

The spirit of the original left out
I read Anne Bronte's book, loved it, then checked out the reviews for the VHS version here at Amazon. I couldn't find it to rent anywhere, but the reviews convinced me that I could safely buy a copy without viewing it first. Now that I've seen it, I am scratching my head wondering why it got the great reviews it did (and KICKING myself for buying it). Compared to the book, this BBC rendition I just watched last night made me think of cutting the arms and half the body off of your favorite sweater so that you could pack it better; it may fit in your small suitcase now, but it's not at all what it was. I gave the movie two stars instead of one star because the filming locations were good, and the costuming and the acting were not distracting - but the spirit of Anne Bronte's original story isn't there at all. The only thing that keeps it going for two cassettes is whatever the screenplay writer picked out of the book to make it recognizable. I think the worst misconstrued line in the movie comes from Gilbert, and it illustrates my point about the spirit of Anne Bronte's work being cast aside: Gilbert goes to Helen when she is with her husband, who is still alive - NOT in the book - and tells her (by way of trying to woo her), "It's not a sin to be happy." This line has become a classic in our generation, but this spirit was nowhere to be found in the book, and makes a completely different Helen and Gilbert than Anne Bronte would have given her permission for, which says a lot, since Helen and Gilbert are the principle characters. This video adaptation ruins the message of Anne Bronte's wonderful work. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Too Superficial Adaptaion of Turgenev's Classic Novella
This film credits as its source two Russian stories -- Ivan Turgenev's "First Love" and Anton Chekhov's "The Peasant Women" -- but the basic plot is based on the first one, a classic novella about a young boy Vladimir, who suffers growing pains during the short summer vacation in Russian countryside. The second story by Chekhov is used as a sub-plot about a man and woman and their illicit love.

Nick Stahl is Vladimir Petrovich, taking summer vacation with his parents in sunny Russian countryhouse, and to their neighborhood comes a girl Zinaida "Princess" Zasyekin and her mother. Vladimir instantly falls in love with this capricious girl, much elder than him, and starts to haunt the house where her mother, apparently down-at-heel, lives. The girl's innocent, comical flirt with other suitors, including Count and Doctor. continues until the day when Zinaida, Vladimir finds out, really falls in love with someone he doesn't know. But who is he? And what should he do?

The book's story about tormented love, which poisons the young heart, is barely visible in the film, but the result is simply deplorable, because of its too superficial treatment of the subject. The identity of the lover looks too abruptly revealed, that is one problem, but more annoying is that we are not convinced of the relations between these people. The book tells us about the tacit understanding and compassion between Vladimir and his father, but as the film fails to deliver that part, some of the viewers would not understand the painful experience of Vladimir at the end of the story.

As to actors, Nick Stahl cannot hold the center of our attention, lacking the emotional power those young boys of 16 yeads old should have, and Kirsten Dunst, despite her best efforts, is miscast as a Russian beauty who changes the life of males surrounding her. And when Julie Walters ("Billy Elliot" "Educating Rita" and Harry Potter series as Ron's mother) looks very irritating as old Princess, being too vulgar and noisy for the part, you can tell there is something wrong with the picture.

I think that the mishmash cast should be blamed -- some American, some British, all cast as Russian -- but more unaccountable decision is inclusion of Chekhov story. Well, the point may be that the sub-plot should introduce a broader scope of viewpoint into this rather simple story of Turgenev. One about aristocratic people, one working class people, both about doomed love. The idea is all right, but as other reviewers rightly say, the second story looks too ineffective and too short (it consists of only about 20 minutes), lacking the sense of closure. The original Chekhov story offers more to tell, but what is more important is that it looks too banal, stripped of the original's atomospheric descriptions.

I tried to like this, and there are some merits, I can say. The photography is beautiful, and costumes and production designs are done decently. But the film shows no finesse for conveying the subtle touch of the book about the lost dreams and youth, and the film's changed ending is too awful. Zinaida would not say that.

movie fan in denver
Lets be a little more objective than some of the other so called "reviews". If you don't like PBS Masterpiece Theater type stories you won't like this one. The cinematography is excellent (especially with widescreen), the soundtrack is good, the costumes are pretty, Nick Stahl is boyish and handsome, and Kirsten Dunst is ravishing as always. If your're looking for a major block buster movie this it is not. Granted the plot is a bit week and confusing but much more entertaining than the average kill, rape, pillage type of action films so prevelent these days. So mindless viewers in search of action stay away. Anyone interested good film technique and a more thoughtful and slower paced story should be reasonably satisfied.

confusing movie
This movie was confusing
...

It's also hardly believable that grown men would sit around for hours playing kiddie games and squabbling like nursery school children over who got to "kiss her hand." Especially considering how concieted, rude and bossy she was.

The "peasant plot" ended abruptly in the middle of the movie, and was poorly done all along. Denis seemed unconvincing as a man in love, he seemed like a sneak, always spying on this woman. I swear I thought he was going to murder her when he was lurking around in the shadows. When he proclaims his love for her nobody cares, because we hardly know either one of them nor saw them interact previously. We never knew what happened to the woman, her poor husband, and Denis. Does the heartbroken husband leave? Does Denis kill him? Does the woman run away and leave them to duke it out? Who knows.

Sometimes the dialouge seems too modern and out of place for a period piece.

The ending is also horribly disturbing, ...

...................
This movie is worthless because it lacks a clear plot. The ending makes no sense at all. Close to the end of the movie the boy discovers that his father was the lover of Zinaida. But what of it? Why was he? It is not explained. It is unclear what the point of the movie is supposed to be. It looks like there is not any point.

Read the books, otherwise, this movie will be confusing
The previous reviewers expressed confusion over the plot. If you've never read the books on which the film was based, you'd definitely be confused. I've read both and, still, there were parts that were confusing--like the part the previous reviewer mentioned concerning what Zinaida was doing with the steaming pot when he saw her and his father through the window. Very odd! This was NOT in either of the books!

Despite the confusion, the movie was okay enough. Certainly not the best movie ever made, and they DID abandon the "peasant" plot midway through, which, was indeed bizzare as well. I saw the movie on TV for free. Probably wouldn't buy it. ... Read more

Reviews (18)

Long awaited and worth it
Having first read this novel in the 70s and re-read it many times since, I half expected to be disappointed by the TV version until I saw David Suchet as Melmotte. He is magnificent and Shirley Henderson (Bridget Jones' friend in the movie) is also wonderfully cast. Trollope painted a panaorama of Victorian society, warts and all, and the novel upset a lot of people when it was first published as people did not like reading the truth. I found the series very true to the characters in the novel, though a good deal was necessarily left out, as the book is very long. Anyone expecting only Austenesque charm from a period drama will probably be disappointed, but those who like more meat should love this. Some reviewer mentioned similarities with Enron, but in fact the Melmotte story could have been an uncannily spooky premonition of the Maxwell scandal in Britain in the 80s.
The performances of David Suchet and Shirley Henderson alone make this a wonderful 'watch'.

The way we live now (really, as in now)
"Art imitates life" (I sure hope someone said that, or else it might not make sense), and good art might be able to prophetically leap from the 1870s in the 00s of the 21st century. Scarily, Anthony Trollope created a scathingly funny satire of his decade which fits life pretty well for 100+ years later. And on a more visual level, BBC Masterpiece Theater has done it again.

"The Way We Live Now" is a ridiculously funny film. It's supposed to be a bit creepy, and it is. All the money grubbing and materialism and characters who really couldn't care less about anybody but themselves. They're a nasty bunch who are tastefully repulsive, then there are the noble ones who gain our respect. But despite our feelings Trollope painted them equally delicious and intriguing, and BBC carried them to the screen with grace and ease, and as usual made the actors look perfectly comfortable in the skin of the Gilded era. Great acting is the crux of this film, except for Miranda Otto's really bad Southern Belle accent, David Suchet, Matthew MacFadyen, Shirely Henderson, Cillian Murphy, and everyone else are wonderful and really play it. Then of course great dialogue and a wicked whirl through politics and money and intrigue which in reality merely serve as a device to satirize those who think they are better than the rest of humanity because of how they live.

I didn't think I would enjoy a film about 19th century money problems which were eerily reminiscent of the current Enron scandal, but leave it to the BBC and Masterpiece to make you come back for more.

Have read the novel
Overall this film does a good job with the novel. I do wish it had given the full ending (the novel tells what happens to Madame and Marie Melmotte, and the film doesn't). I do think the film is over-dramatised, with too much shouting and too much sex. The often loud modern background music is distracting at times, particularly when it gets into woo-woo-woo wordless female vocals.

The characters are all played very well with the exception of Marie Melmotte. The actress uses a coy, childlike female voice reminiscent of some 1920s female comic singers. Also, I think the film misinterprets Marie's character. In the book she was lonely; ignored by her stepmother, used by her father to further his ambitions regardless of her wishes--even beaten by him--and despised by society, who only valued her father's money. Marie was also naive, ready to believe Felix's avows of love because no one else made any (her other suitors are too gentlemanly to lie as extravagantly as Felix). And, none of the Melmottes were entirely conversant with the habits of upper-class British society.

However, in the film Marie is also portrayed as so (...) that she siezes every opportunity to kiss and fondle Felix, even publicly dragging him behind doors at parties and stroking his thighs in front of numerous dinner guests. This is simply not Anthony Trollope. Also, I'd expect Marie might get confused about which fork to use, but not to tear at her food like a savage.

However, I'm going to keep this film in my collection--and remember it next time I'm tempted to buy high-tech stock.

This is the Best..It actually changed my life (i am serious!
First of all, I am rarely a fan of shows with British accents, etc. But this mini-series is unbelivable. It has actually changed my life. I watched this series by accident but am very proud i did. THe way the characters are portrayed I was able to see very clearly how different type of people deal with the same situation. Now after watching it I am also looking at world with many lenses.

Highly recommended.

Brilliant production!
Everything about this BBC production was perfect. In particular, David Suchet shows that he can be much more than Poirot ;-). My wife and I recommend it highly. ... Read more

Description

Based on Tolstoy's classic novel of a tragic and adulterous love affair.Includes a full color, 16-page teacher's guide featuring viewing strategies, discussion and activities by episode, after-viewing activities, background essays, and more. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A brilliant production of a much-adapted novel
This is the best film adaptation yet of Leo Tolstoy's classic novel, Anna Karenina. I enjoyed it so much I was convinced it was time to read the book.

The strongest aspect of the film is the casting. Helen McCrory's Anna is a rose in full bloom. She is a passionate, red-blooded woman whose steps toward liberation inadvertantly lead onto the tracks. I believed every moment of her performance, and loved the lusciousness she brought to the role. She is no china doll, easily broken, but a woman whose power lies in her resoluteness. "She was magnificent," Constantine says of her to the unconsalable Vronsky at the end of the film. Her tragedy is all the greater because we can see her magnificence. Nothing smaller than a steam engine would be able to destroy the magnificent Anna.

Kevin McKidd as Vronsky is compelling and the most memorable aspect of the film. He is not a weak, vain, or insensitive Vronsky. Unlike other Vronsky's who only seem like plot devices to Anna's tragedy, his Vronsky is almost more tragic than Anna herself. I believe his love for her, his desire to marry her, and his growing frustration that she will not believe or accept his love. He even looks Russian, fair and slightly goggle-eyed, breathtakingly at home in regimental uniforms. Any woman who has ever loved a man in uniform will recognize him immediately, and wish they knew someone with even half his loyalty, heart, and dignity.

I was originally drawn to the production by the actor who is cast as Konstantin, the gruff and merry Douglas Henshall. His Konstantin is not morose and affected, but a sensualist, awkward in polite company, and pure in heart. His adoration for Kitty (played by the lovely Paoloma Baeza, who has appeared in other Masterpiece Theatre productions) is moving and sweet. He adds a much-needed sense of humor to the film.

The moral and inflexible Karenin is played by Stephen Dillane in a brilliant piece of casting. He is portrayed as a decent man, not a monster. Most films of Anna Karenina portray Karenin as a wife beater. Stephen Dillane makes Karenin a sympathetic character. He is not a passionate man, Anna did not marry for love, yet he loves her in his own loyal way, and there is a sense of his waiting in the wings for her eventual return.

This Masterpiece Theatre presentation of Anna Karenina is a brilliant production of a much-adapted novel. A little lengthy in pieces, (and a little bit Anglo in presentation ... this is definitely Anna Karenina a la Victoria) but luscious in its attention to detail and in its portrayal of the complexity of the situations and the characters. One of the better recent Masterpiece Theatre productions, along with Oliver Twist, The Buccanneers, and The Way We Live Now.

Not perfect but worth watching
If I were stranded on a desert island and could only request one novel to while away my days , it would be "Anna Karenina" .It is a novel that almost makes one crave for amnesia : so that one can relish it afresh each time ! It is sublime, it is divine and it is divinely human . The fictional landscape is strewn with stories of love gone sour but nothing even touches the hem of this masterpiece ...Madame Bovary is tawdry and tame in comparison .Shakespeare would have been proud of it! Thus , when one sits down to watch a cinematic adaptation of "Anna Karenina" the expectations are bound to be very high . This masterpiece theater production is credible but I'm afraid leaves a lot to be desired. Had I seen only this film version without having read the novel , I would have come away with a very mediocre opinion of the novel and would probably not even have felt compelled to read it . To do justice to "Anna" you have to have atleast a miniseries (4 hours just don't cut it ! ) .I have seen adaptations of Madame Bovary and they come out well in 2 hours but not "Anna Karenina"_____"Anna" is much more than a love story , it is a tableau of an entire civilization in its grime and glory that only a supreme master like Tolstoy could portray with such breathtaking vivid detail .Specifically , the character of Vronsky and Levin in this movie are rather two dimensional with none of the subtlety or nuance that Tolstoy imbued them with .Moreover the actress who plays Anna is downright ugly (she resembles some dowdy washerwoman !) with none of the ineffable ambivalence of Anna Karenina .Tolstoy paints her husband (Karenin) as a cold, dessicated, self-righteous bureaucrat but again it's missing from this movie .Tolstoy almost makes you "feel" the vastness of the Russian steppes in the novel ,makes you almost smell the hay at harvest time , makes you almost "touch" the muzhiks on Levin's farm but all that is missing from this version. Normally I would have given this film 3 stars but the only reason I give it 4 stars is because of the sheer magnitude of the challege any director faces when adapting a masterpiece like "Anna Karenina " .Only someone like a David Lean (Doctor Zhivago) could have done justice to Anna . ... Read more