Reviews (5)

THE BEST ANNA KARENINA THAT IS AVAILABLE - BUT
This beautiful classic love story with its beautiful classic stars has been slashed almost beyond recognition. What is even more upsetting is this version of this movie in its original presentation was at least 2 hrs 18 mins. long. I know this to be true because I saw it on TV and taped it at that time. (Since giving this review, I have learned that even the version I taped had been cut. I understand this movie originally ran about 2hrs & 40 mins.) I have been hunting for this movie as it was originally meant to be seen for years. I bet there are many, many people who would have been happy to pay additional cost to get "the whole thing". I rated it 5 stars because the costuming & locations are so beautiful and the chemistry between Christopher Reeve and Jacqueline Bisset is a sight to behold. But whoever made the decision to produce this short version should be ashamed. My big hope now is that it will be rerun and I will be fortunate enough to catch it and tape it again.

Okay Version of Tolstoy Tragedy
Jacqueline Bisset's version of Anna seems to concentrate on her mental health.She plays Anna as a mentally unstable,emotionally stunted woman who desperately clings to her Vronsky (Christopher Reeve) as though if she does not have him than she is lost forever. She perception of the role's mentality is very interesting,as the others who have played her (Garbo,Leigh and Marceau) all live up to this barren,vampish woman looking for a lover.

Also starring Judi Bowker,Joanna David and David Ogilvy

The best "ANNA KARENINA" of them all!
I loved this movie and keep watching it over and over. Leo Tolstoy would have been very proud of this movie. The ending is just as sad and tragic as in the book. The actors are superb and the movie sure captures the beauty of Russia in the 1800's. It is a beautiful story of the classic love triangle. But there are a few things that are wrong with it. It is too short for a great love epic ( the movie is only 94 minutes long) and the director should have not used too many scenes with trains. But this is a great movie with beautiful sets and the spirit of the aristocratic Russia in the 1800's (unlike the 1997 version with tons of porno shots and miscast actors.) Trust me, You have to get this movie. It will be enjoyed by generations to come.

The best Anna Karenina of them all!
It is abeautiful epic of the classic love triangle. Tolstoy would have been very proud of this wonderful production. The ending is just as sad and dramatic as in the book. The actors are wonderful.But the movie is very short for such a great story (it is only about 94 minutes long) and the director might have been more wise not to include so many scenes with trains. All inall it is a great movie and I enjoyed it. But I cried for an hour because of the ending. It is the most beautiful Anna Karennia.Trust me, you just have to get this movie.

A Beautiful Telling of the Classic Story
Of all the various versions of Anna Karenina, this is my favorite. Christopher Reeve is the definitive Vronsky. Beautifully filmed and full of passion, it's a beautiful film to watch over and over. The only fault, is the failure to include the vitally important character of Levin. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Totally Brilliant
What a shame that in these days of films filled with violence, sex, and crappy acting that films like Green for Danger are so totally unappreciated, especially by this generation. Personally I have never seen a film with such brooding atmosphere in one scene and then such a light whimsical touch in others. Alaistair Simm is a triumph throughout and at the zenith of his powers. Simms was a man who could turn the talent of a classical actor to comedy drama with a verve that surely no current actors could replicate.I have so many favourite scenes from this film but Simm's summing up and his reaction to the final realisation is just fabulous. A word must also be said for the tremendous support from a whole host of stalwart British character actors who only suffer moderately against Simms'performance. Also the production and direction sets the scene beautifully - without spending millions!!

I would recommend all film lovers to watch this on a cold dark night with a hot drink and a dash of fear.

Star vehicle for a tragically forgotten star
Alastair Sim is tragically remembered today for only one role: he was without any question the definitive Ebenezer Scrooge, and usually the only film that anyone today has seen featuring Sim is his 1951 turn in A CHRISTMAS CAROL. In fact, Sim starred in a wide range of comedic and dramatic roles in the 1940s and 1950s. He was a familiar enough presence that Alec Guinness paid homage to him by doing a straightforward imitation of Sim in the 1955 film THE LADYKILLERS, evening wearing false teeth to look more like Sim.

Sim managed to play in a large number of comedic suspense and mystery films. He starred in a series of Inspector Hornleigh films in the early forties, he went on to play memorable roles in wartime mysteries such as COTTAGE TO LET (with a very young John Mills in a key role), GREEN FOR DANGER, AN INSPECTOR CALLS (in which he plays a ghostly police inspector), and THE GREEN MAN, in which Sim plays a congenial assassin. But Sim also excelled in pure farce, and was magnificent in such films as THE HAPPIEST DAYS OF YOUR LIFE, LAUGHTER IN PARADISE, and the St. Trinian movies, which he played largely in drag. Sim, with his large frame, lugubrious eyes, and marvelously dramatic voice, was a delight in every film he graced, but today is primarily known for Scrooge, as noted above.

There is actually a very good historical reason for the demise of Sim's reputation and of British cinema in general. In the fifties and sixties, French auteur criticism came more and more to dominate European and American film criticism. One of the central assumptions of auteur critics has been that British cinema, with the almost exclusive exception of pre-Hollywood Hitchcock and the workd of Michael Powell and Eric Pressburger, has been an aesthetic wasteland. As an ardent fan of forties and fifties British cinema, I know that this is an utterly false representation of what was actually happening in England. There were a number of excellent directors and a large number of superb actors and actresses who somehow or other were not siphoned off by Hollywood.

GREEN FOR DANGER is one of Sim's finest films. The plot is largely superfluous. A postman dies in an operation in WW II England, under shady circumstances, and the great Inspector Cockrill is called in to solve the mystery. The movie is entirely a showcase for Sim's eccentric histrionics. The movie sinks or swims entirely on how one responds to Sim: if you love him (as I do), you will love this movie. If you dislike Sim (I reaction that would utterly mystify me), you will dislike this film.

I strongly urge all lovers of film comedy to search this film out. I especially recommend this to lovers of British cinema. I will add that I believe this to be the best film that Alastair Sim ever made, though I would hasten to add that he made a dozen others very nearly as good. They are large hard to find these days, but searching them out will definitely repay the effort. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

If you can bear the soundtrack, it's a GEM!
Terrible music that will unfortunately stick in your head for days, but Goldie and Peter are so witty, touching and hilarious in this movie, it's worth it. I especially enjoyed the scene where Peter's character helps Goldie's character move out of her boyfriend's flat...classic. Some great moments. (It might even make you cry - and not just because of the music!) Kind of an odd movie and probably an acquired taste, but I love to pull this one out every few years and watch it again.

Great movie
There is something about all those late sixties and early seventies movies that makes them enjoyable, could be the music,
the looks , fashion. This is a great movie, very simple but
entertaining. Goldie Hawn is a very charming girl and Seller's
acting role is great, what can I say about him?.

THERE'S A GIRL IN MY SOUP
One of the most boring....dull....stupid Peter Sellers comedies. If you can find more then 2 or 3 laughs good luck. I love Peter Sellers in THE PINK PANTHER movies and he was brilliant in a great number of films.....but he falls far short in this one and Goldie Hawn is wasted totally.

For those who like Peter Sellers and Goldie Hawn movies.
I've waited more than 4 years for this movie to come out on DVD, which is surprising since practically everything Peter Sellers has ever done, has been out on DVD for some time now. This movie sort of fell through the cracks, like so many movies from the 1970's have, for some reason.

Peter Sellers plays the role of a womanizing "galloping gourmet" type television celebrity (Robert Danvers) in 1970's London. This was a time when the Kings Road in London was an exciting hippie hangout, and not the commercial high street that it has become today. Goldie Hawn (Marion) plays the role of a very young and sexy hippie, whom Peter Sellers pick's up while parking his Rolls Royce on the Kings Road.

Goldie has been rejected by her current drummer boyfriend at a party, because he wants to pass her along "like a tray of cakes" to his other mates. Feeling sad, rejected, and used she stands outside on the Kings Road pondering her dilemma. Just as Peter Sellers parks his car, he notices her. Being the consummate playboy, he decides that pursuing Goldie would be far more enjoyable than any stuffy house party. In his charming way he starts up a conversation with Goldie, in the hope of eventually seducing her. Goldie on the other hand is annoyed and sarcastically amused with Seller's slow round about way of picking her up. Obviously Goldie's boyfriend and his mates, don't bother with seduction in an age of "free love". In an act of revenge, Goldie decides to get back at her boyfriend and his mates by running off with Sellers.

What was suppose to be a one night stand, ends up becoming an affair that stretches over several days. Out of pride, chivalry or just an attempt to disprove Goldie's censorious characterization of "his type", Sellers somehow becomes entangled more in Goldies dilemma, and eventually takes her on a working wine tasting stay in France, which ends up as a holiday on the French Rivera. There are some very funny scenes of a Drunken mini-skirt wearing Goldie shocking conservative French women, which ends up costing Sellers a shelf full of "pas mal" wine, that Goldie knocks over in a wine seller. Later when checking into one of Seller's regular hotels on the French Rivera, Goldie plays a trick on Sellers by convincing the hotel management that she and Sellers have secretly married (so that they can stay in the bridal suite). The Bell Boy wishes them much Ha'penis... (aka: Happiness). While in a local disco, some off duty British journalists, snap a picture of Sellers and his new wife? The British media splash images of Sellers and his supposed wife all over the tabloids, much to the sadness of Seller's female fans, and the amusement of Sellers friends who mock or envy his bachelor ways. Eventually Sellers and Hawn make it back to London to face the music. Their fling has changed them both. The movie ends with a different twist on relationships... something which was quite new for 1970's audiences.

Even though there was a great difference in age, Sellers and Hawn had a chemistry in this film... sort of like George Burns and Gracie Allen had. I have to admit that I've always been a fan of both Peter Sellers and Goldie Hawn. Having them both in the same film was a real treat for me. This film had a lot of personal attractions for me. For one thing, this film brought back childhood memories of my parents taking me to Europe during the mid 60's and early 70's. This movie is a very rare view of Europe in the 70's, something that isn't seen much anymore, for some reason. Movies of Europe during the hippie days aren't popular anymore I guess. It was also an interesting time in Goldie Hawn's career, as she made a two movies in Europe around this time "There's a Girl in my Soup 1970" (England and France) and "$ Dollars 1971" (West Germany)... (she must have lived in Europe during this time).

At any-rate, if you enjoy movies of the 1970's... and if you like Peter Sellers and Goldie Hawn movies then, I'm pretty sure you'll like this old favorite of mine. The world lost a great talent when Peter Sellers died. But at least we have his movies to remember him by. ...DOES THAT ALSO INCLUDE TELEVISION? (Said in a Madras accent - from The Party 1968). LOL

Enjoy the movie!

PS: I've often thought this film would be great as a remake movie. Wouldn't it be interesting to have Goldie Hawn play the role of Peter Sellers... as an older woman trying to pick up some young guy, for a one night stand. Hollywood seems so starved for movie ideas, when all they have to do is look into their archives to remake an old movie, with a modern twist.

Cute
This is a very silly movie, and I enjoyed it thoroughly. I can't believe how young Goldie Hawn looks - she can't be older than 21 in it - and Peter Sellers is great as this total dork whom women for some reason find attractive. I just enjoyed watching him play this sort of fellow. And, it has him in that famous "I won't shush!" clip -- the one in Sony's pre-movie film collage their theaters played in the early 1990s before each film. ... Read more

Description

In the class-conscious world of Victorian England, the Ellison family ispainfully aware of their respectable place in the comfortable London neighborhood ofCater Street. But when a young woman is garroted nearby, it is the beginning of aremarkable sequence of events that will see their world shattered.At first, the Ellisonsdismiss the murder as the result of the victim's impropriety after all, a real lady simplycouldn't be the victim of such a tragedy. But when the killer strikes again, he takes thelife of the Ellison's maid, and a gruff, no-nonsense police inspector with no care foranything but solving the crime comes calling. Inspector Pitt makes it clear that no one isabove suspicion, and though some in the family object strenuously to a man of hisposition asking questions, their answers suggest that not all is being revealed. And whenPitt and one of the Ellison daughters start to fall for each other, a complicated case getseven stickier?Based on Anne Perry's critically acclaimed novel of the same name, thefirst in a series of Charlotte and Thomas Pitt mysteries. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

A good dramatization of an excellent book
Most of the time, when I hear the words, "Based on the book by..." I cringe and turn the channel. Not so with 'The Cater Street Hangman'. While not entirely true to the Anne Perry book, it contained most of the major details and was suspenseful enought to make the ending rather shocking. The casting was good (although I must admit that I always pictured Thomas Pitt as being a polite but rather unremarkable-looking man - which he wasn't in the movie!). Charlotte was wonderful. I would very much like to see other Anne Perry books dramatised in a similar fashion - perhaps the William Monk series? The only reason I gave it three stars rather than four was because the limited budget was painfully apparent on occasion - for example, Charlotte's final encounter with the murderer. That, at least, could have been filmed better. But all-in-all, certainly worth a look.

Enjoyable adaptation, wished it were more faithful to the no
I thoroughly enjoyed this television adaptation of the novel. I liked that the producers took the time to show how important class distinctions were to Victorians. The costumes were lovely, the overall story remained intact, and I liked the actors who portrayed the main characters very much--they were exactly how I imagined Thomas Pitt and Charlotte Ellison to look and behave! Charlotte was portrayed with the spirit she shows in the novel, and Thomas was equally well portrayed as compassionate and understanding. Their romance (once they both move beyond the instant dislike due to class differences) is utterly believable. What prevents me from rating this 5 stars is the fact that the producers did not see fit to remain more faithful to the novel. By changing the relationship between 2 characters, not giving as much time to destructive force of Grandmama Ellison upon the household, and changing the ending all detract from the movie. I found it hard to believe that the murderer would kill for the reason given (thinking the victims were after the vicar) because the vicar was such a cold, sententious, unlikable much less lovable person that I cannot imagine that anyone would want to be with him romantically. If you find that the end does not quite seem to fit with the rest of the movie, try reading the novel for a more tightly woven story and a far superior ending.

quite good, but don't like the changed ending
As a big fan of Thomas and Charlotte Pitt, I awaited the TV version of The Cater Street Hangman with interest. As a whole I was quite pleased. The characters looked exactly as I pictured them and the acting and casting were excellent. However, I must confess to a slight sense of disappointment with the ending. In the TV version, it turns out that the murderer is killing young girls because she thinks they are after her husband, while in the book it is clear she is trying to destroy them because she is attracted to them herself. It's far more surprising and thought provoking than the version the TV producers gave us. Why did they feel the need to change it?True, there are people who dislike any reference to homosexuality, but must we cater to them in all things? Charlotte (in the book) says "I never knew women could feel like that...about other women", but we know it happens and it's no longer shocking. Must we still subscribe to Victorian notions of modesty?
That being said, I hope there are plans to bring the rest of the series to the small screen.

Charlotte and Thomas Pitt in person -WONDERFUL
Anne Perry is the MASTER in taking a reader to Victorian England. Even more than reading Dickens, the reader (and in this case the viewer) really feels a part of that era. This writer is, in my humble opinion, a genius. This film is as nearly a perfect realization of the book as could be expected. It does condense a long novel into a 2 hour time frame, but does so wonderfully.

"Cater Street Hangman" is the book that introduces Thomas Pitt and Charlotte Ellison (soon to be Pitt). In this film, the two actors could not have been better chosen. They look and act as a reader has pictured these characters in each of the books. Ms. Perry has stated that she considered the casting to be exactly right.

It would not be fair to state the plot. That would take away from anyone who is finding it for the first time. The complex and winning characters are fully realized and leave the viewer wanting more of the books transfered to film.

The fog shrouded, gaslit streets, the elegant drawing rooms, the social conditions, every facet of late 19th century London is perfectly captured. This production does not have the feel of a film quickly made for TV. It is a beautifully made recreation of the Victorian era with a puzzeling series of murders.

Any Anne Perry fan will love it and anyone just discovering Ms. Perry will find themselves "hooked".

The Cater Street Hangman is a must for mystery lovers!
Sarah Hellings did a brillant job with the direction of this film. The Victorian setting makes it ideal for a murder mystery. From the opening shot, where you see the body of the first victim, to the death of the Ellison maid, Lily,(played beautifully by singer Hannah Spearitt of S Club 7 fame), to the investigation by Charlette and the police officer, to the revealing of the murder's identity, this movie will have you on the edge of your seat. Anne Perry did a wonderful job creating the suspenseful plot, which has you guessing who the murderer is throughout both the book, and the movie. A perfect novel AND movie, for all who love mysteries. This movie definatly got ME hooked on to these types of mysteries, and I hope to enjoy it for years to come! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Bonnie Dull Movie
Despite the subject matter I found this movie to be quite dull. This is unfortunate as the story of the '45 Rebellion is anything but that! I think the casting of David Niven as the Prince was a bad choice. While he tries to put energy into the role, Niven is just too English! Also, from what we know of the Prince he was not such an inspiring figure. Like most of the Stewarts he tended to be moody, headstrong and could come across as detached and arrogant. He was also quite foriegn in his outlook and knew little about Scotland other than what members of the exiled Stewart Court in France and Italy divulged to him.

The film itself is impressive visually. But the story progresses slowly and is more atmosphereic. Jack Hawkins plays well as Lord Murrary, the leading Jacobite general. The clashes between him and the Prince over strategy are well portrayed in the movie. The battle of Prestonppans is well done. I wish they could have done the same for rest of the battles. Culloden is not even shown! The movie then drags considerable as we trace the progress of the Young Pretenders flight from Scotland. This part of the movie seems too long drawn out. Throughout the Prince is given almost saintly treatment. His relationship with Flora Macdonald is also too good to be true. For an English movie its surprising how the Bonnie prince is so favorably portrayed. The film willingly enters into all the Scottish fantasy and lore about him. Again, a pretty film, but too slow and stately.

Niven and the Bonnie Prince
This English version of Charles Stuart's attempt to seize the British crown from the House of Hannover, is disjointed and relatively unexciting. The crucial Battle of Culloden Moor is talked about, but not depicted. David Niven, as the Young Pretender, is very sincere, and does a good job, but he is betrayed by the script and the editing. The highlight of the film are the Scottish Highlands themselves. The color photography is breath taking. A word of caution on the VHS tape. The edition available is issued by Republic Pictures of Canada. It is in the EP mode, and the audio is TERRIBLE. One literally has to turn the volume to Max to hear anything. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

One of the odder films
This film is the only English language film made by a Norwegian(?) director and easily qualifies as being one of the strangest most patchy films I have ever seen.

The story is simple enough. John Hurt playes Forbrush, a spoilt rich post graduate student who is supposed to be studying biology at the University of London. He is very good in his chosen field, but is largely wasting his time drinking and chasing women. He decides that he wants to impress Hayley Mills, and semi- accidentally gets signed up for a 6 month tour studying penguins on his own in Antarctica. Once there, his loneliness drives him half mad, and he becomes paternally attached to the penguins he is supposed to be studying. In the course of the six months he grows up and becomes an adult as opposed to the fop that he was

The first half hour of the film is almost excrutiating. John Hurt wades through an appalling script (by none other than Anthony Shaffer) and does his best to be drunk and fey and enamoured by Hayley Mills. This part of the the film resembles an Ealing Comedy forged by a drunk Estonian. Once the story arrives in Antarctica, things pick up. Hurt's acting improves markedly, and the penguins start trying to steal the show. There is a heavy duty snowstorm, heaps of literally astonishing scenery, and Hurt starts chewing the scenery as he goes mad.

The main thing wrong with this film is the script. The dialogue is frequently stilted and shows a poor understanding of motivation and character. (Particularly in the earlier scenes). To make matters worse, the direction is thoroughly uninspired. The odd thing though, is that the spirit of the film shines through these mechanics. This was a film made in hardship, and made with love. You CARE for Hurt as he grows up, you can see why he becomes attached to the penguins, why he hates the Skuas, and how his time alone and his hardship makes him grow into a far improved version of his earlier self.

While it is far from being the best made film that you will ever see, I think that this film's spirit will live with you for a long time. Anyone who has ever needed adventure in their life, will understand and probably love the journey that this film delivers.

The DVD master is appalling. There are almost random changes in aspect ratio, from 1.85.1 (occasionally) through to the standard 4.3 fullscreen. There are frequent major distrubances in the image, partly caused by bad storage of the original film, and partly by what looks like a semi-broken telecine machine.

That said, I am glad I own this one. It makes me feel happy to watch it and it makes me think. While it is a curiosity its' whole adds up to far more than the sum of its parts.

...And it is definitely one of the oddest films ever made.

Save Your Money
This is not a great movie. It is best appreciated by Hayley Mills'true blue fans (also if you love penguins, lol). She is very beautiful and gives an acceptable performance. However, she is very mismatched with the leading man who gives a very lack luster performance, and his sole goal seems to be to get Hayley's character to sleep with him. It's a boring film, with a lousy story outline. So, you may want to save your money.

This documentary is interesting!
If you buy this DVD, it should be for your curiosity or interest in penguins. This is really not much of a movie if you're expecting a storyline, and it is a little slow getting started, but the information given on the migrations and life cycle of the penguins is truly remarkable and worth the (price). (DVD was transferred from film, so picture quality may not be what you'd expect from a DVD!)

A lovely movie!
This is a very quiet movie, but beautifully and lovingly made. I never in my life thought I'd become engrossed by a movie about penguins -- well, surprise, surprise. By the end of the movie I was wishing it would never end.

Heartwarming love-story
I loved the film but should point out that I'm the only reviewer I have ever come across that seems so to do. I watched this a long time ago and have been searching for a copy of the film ever since. The Antarctic scenes are beautiful and John Hurt plays his character with sympathetic flair. If you're an animal lover and relish the thought of a film filmed mainly on location in arctic conditions, then you'll love this. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

THE BEST ANNA KARENINA THAT IS AVAILABLE - BUT
This beautiful classic love story with its beautiful classic stars has been slashed almost beyond recognition. What is even more upsetting is this version of this movie in its original presentation was at least 2 hrs 18 mins. long. I know this to be true because I saw it on TV and taped it at that time. (Since giving this review, I have learned that even the version I taped had been cut. I understand this movie originally ran about 2hrs & 40 mins.) I have been hunting for this movie as it was originally meant to be seen for years. I bet there are many, many people who would have been happy to pay additional cost to get "the whole thing". I rated it 5 stars because the costuming & locations are so beautiful and the chemistry between Christopher Reeve and Jacqueline Bisset is a sight to behold. But whoever made the decision to produce this short version should be ashamed. My big hope now is that it will be rerun and I will be fortunate enough to catch it and tape it again.

Okay Version of Tolstoy Tragedy
Jacqueline Bisset's version of Anna seems to concentrate on her mental health.She plays Anna as a mentally unstable,emotionally stunted woman who desperately clings to her Vronsky (Christopher Reeve) as though if she does not have him than she is lost forever. She perception of the role's mentality is very interesting,as the others who have played her (Garbo,Leigh and Marceau) all live up to this barren,vampish woman looking for a lover.

Also starring Judi Bowker,Joanna David and David Ogilvy

The best "ANNA KARENINA" of them all!
I loved this movie and keep watching it over and over. Leo Tolstoy would have been very proud of this movie. The ending is just as sad and tragic as in the book. The actors are superb and the movie sure captures the beauty of Russia in the 1800's. It is a beautiful story of the classic love triangle. But there are a few things that are wrong with it. It is too short for a great love epic ( the movie is only 94 minutes long) and the director should have not used too many scenes with trains. But this is a great movie with beautiful sets and the spirit of the aristocratic Russia in the 1800's (unlike the 1997 version with tons of porno shots and miscast actors.) Trust me, You have to get this movie. It will be enjoyed by generations to come.

The best Anna Karenina of them all!
It is abeautiful epic of the classic love triangle. Tolstoy would have been very proud of this wonderful production. The ending is just as sad and dramatic as in the book. The actors are wonderful.But the movie is very short for such a great story (it is only about 94 minutes long) and the director might have been more wise not to include so many scenes with trains. All inall it is a great movie and I enjoyed it. But I cried for an hour because of the ending. It is the most beautiful Anna Karennia.Trust me, you just have to get this movie.

A Beautiful Telling of the Classic Story
Of all the various versions of Anna Karenina, this is my favorite. Christopher Reeve is the definitive Vronsky. Beautifully filmed and full of passion, it's a beautiful film to watch over and over. The only fault, is the failure to include the vitally important character of Levin. ... Read more