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This soapy but highly watchable television "sequel" to Gone with the Wind, the most popular Hollywood movie ever made, has nothing to do with memories of a vanished antebellum South. But it does end up in Ireland, where the determined Scarlett O'Hara Butler (played with frosty passion by Joanne Whalley-Kilmer) turns hard times into an opportunity by buying the ancestral home of her family. Before that happens, however, Scarlett fights to win back the estranged Rhett Butler (manfully portrayed by Timothy Dalton), often seen in the company of other women, struggles for control over the homestead Tara, and gets caught in yet another compromising position with poor Ashley Wilkes (Stephen Collins). The troubles never stop (Scarlett's Ireland adventures land her in a heap of trouble from which only Rhett can save her), but this TV miniseries wisely keeps the focus on these captivating characters, their entangled histories, and the collective destiny that refuses to part them. The show also looks good: the location scenes in Ireland are particularly handsome, and there is something unaccountably satisfying about seeing Scarlett and Rhett walking through peaceful green hills. Enjoy. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (94)

The ending is horrible! What happened????
First off. . . the so called sequel to GONE WITH THE WIND will never measure up to the first. Kinda like to many Jason & Freddy movies! As a big time fan of GWTW I jumped on the band wagon. . . bought the book. . . waited for the movie. Let's just say the book is actually great! Different but great. The movie . . . well I will try to be nice. Joanne Whalley-Kilmer as Scarlett? What a joke! They should have got Delta Burke for that role! Timothy Dalton was an ok Rhett Butler better than the Scarlett. If they had stayed with the way the book was written instead of changing the ending it would have been much better. Where does Hollywood come up with some of their stuff? The ending in the book is so much better than what they showed! It was a crock of you know what!

When it took place in Savannah,GA and Ireland that was really nice. Gave you a so-called new take on that time frame instead of the poor south at that time.

Jean Smart played Sally Brewster's role wonderful. Gave the charater the spunk she needed!

Starts well, then falls apart
I enjoyed the first part of this film, Timothy Dalton is, of course, devestatingly gorgeous as Rhett Butler, the woman playing Scarlett is a bit insispid but who cares, so long as I could drool over Dalton I was happy. The part where they get shipwrecked on an island together, aaaaah! If only! I found it quite interesting to meet Scarlett's posh relations on her mother's side, and I was glad that Suellen had finally got herself a husband, she wanted one os much, poor soul. The killing off of Mammy is of course a big mistake, but the author clearly doesn't know how to portray black characters convincingly, which is I suppose why the film suddenly shifts to Ireland, where Scarlett goes to discover her roots. From here on it's downhill all the way. Pure melodrama, and Sean Bean is so blatantly wicked he might as well wear a hat with 'villain' written on it. If only Margaret Mitchell had written a sequel herself! Naturally I want Scarlett to get Rhett back, who doesn't, but the way it happens in this film is just too silly for words. I persevered to the end because, of course, Timothy is still there, and still devastating, but honestly! It just gets sillier and sillier.

Horable!! Don't waist your time!!
In gone with the wind, Scarlett was a little bit of a brat, but she at least had some morals!!! I this movie, Scarlett (who you remember loved Ashley until Melanie died) has become hated around Atlanta because of the fact that she chased after Ashley so long. To save her dignity, Scarlett runs to Rhett's mothers house, where she stays for a time (much to Rhett's dismay). When a turn of events gets Scarlett kicked out of Mrs. Butler's home, she eventually ends up in Ireland with a baby that Rhett has no idea exists.

In Gone With the Wind, Scarlett married many men for their money, but she was not going around sleeping with men out of wedlock, which turned out to be a very bad idea!
Also, the boathouse scene was such a corny idea!!!

This is defiantly NOT a good sequel to gone with the wind.
The woman who played Scarlett couldn't even begin to compare with Vivien Leigh. Maybe someday they will remake this movie and actually take the time to choose good actors and write a decent story line!!!

Horable!!!! Don't waist your time!!!
In gone with the wind, Scarlett was a little bit of a brat, but she at least had some morals!!! I this movie, Scarlett (who you remember loved Ashley until Melanie died) has become hated around Atlanta because of the fact that she chased after Ashley so long. To save her dignity, Scarlett runs to Rhett's mothers house, where she stays for a time (much to Rhett's dismay). When a turn of events gets Scarlett kicked out of Mrs. Butler's home, she eventually ends up in Ireland with a baby that Rhett has no idea exists.

In Gone With the Wind, Scarlett married many men for their money, but she was not going around sleeping with men out of wedlock, which turned out to be a very bad idea!
Also, the boathouse scene was such a corny idea!!!

This is defiantly NOT a good sequel to gone with the wind.
Joanne Whalley (who played Scarlett) couldn't even begin to compare with Vivien Leigh. Maybe someday they will remake this movie and actually take the time to choose good actors and write a decent story line!!!

Gone With the Wind This Ain't
I love GWTW, personnally I think that it is one of the BEST movies of all time-- this is not up to par. I have read GWTW by Mitchell and I read Scarlett by Alexandra Ripley and I must say that the original is by far better.

Now the Scarlett Miniseries was suppose to be the sequel to the GWTW movie not the book otherwise it would confuse those who've seen the original but didn't read the book, like Scarlett's other children by her first two husbands, I digress. However, the screenwriter or even the director of this movie thought it important to put Suellen having a family, after all in the first movie you expect her to be an old maid!

Joanne Whalley as Scarlett O'Hara Hamilton Kennedy Butler is a like unbelieveable and I do agree with the other reviewers that said Terri Garber(Ashton of North and South) might have been a better choice, albeit type-casting. Timothy Dalton as Rhett Butler is a good choice, I actually liked him as Rhett and seemed a better notice that in the sequel Rhett has a Southern accent. Which from my understanding Clark Gable refused to play the part with the accent.

My overall opinion of this movie is blah at best, if you really must see it I recommend finding it at your local video rental store. ... Read more

Amazon.com essential video

When the totalitarian planet of Mongo decides on a whim to obliterate Earth, it's up to the lunk-headed quarterback Flash Gordon and his oddball companions to make the universe safe for democracy. Based on the classic (and infinitely more reputable) comic strip and its '30s screen serialization, this cotton-candy-colored trash classic deserves immortality for Queen's unforgettably pulsating soundtrack alone. The legendary Max von Sydow appears to be having a blast as the evil Ming the Merciless, while Ornella Muti, as his daughter, is the living embodiment of what attracts adolescent boys to comics in the first place. (She makes Barbarella look mundane.) One of the most shamelessly entertaining movies ever made, this is a knowingly absurd sensory freak-out that'll have the viewer blissfully checking the sky afterward for signs of Hawkmen. --Andrew Wright ... Read more

Reviews (99)

An overlooked classic from the 80's
Sometimes certain films end up being much better than they have any right to be. Flash Gordon is one of those films. It is, in fact, and I say this in mortal fear of being mocked and shunned by my peers, one of my all time favotite movies. I can watch this film endlessly, and every time I see it I walk around smiling for the rest of the day... it's just that kind of movie.

The cast, first and foremost, is excellent. They work wonders with the material they're given... admittedly this isn't Shakespeare, but it plays remarkably well, with very few cringe-worthy moments. Standout performances include Max Von Sydow as the astoundingly evil Ming, Peter Wyngarde as the almost equally evil Klytus, Brian Blessed as the leader of the Hawkmen, and Topol(?) as an eccentric Dr. Zarkov. Then, of course, there's the absolutely stunning Ornelia Muti as Ming's beautiful daughter Aura... she's wonderful to look at, and has an exotic accent to boot. When I saw this film in the theater as a wee lad, I had quite the childhood crush on Miss Muti... sigh. Anyway, all of the actors seem to be having a grand time with their roles, and it definitely shows.

With all due respect to the actors, however, I really think it's the brilliant soundtrack that makes Flash Gordon stand out most in my mind. Queen, near the peak of their popularity, provided a wonderful, throbbing, highly eccentric collection of songs and instrumental bits that fit the film perfectly. I badgered my poor mother to buy me the 8-track, in fact, and then proceeded to play it at every opportunity... a very patient woman, my mother. She probably still hears "dumdumdumdumdumdumDUMDUM **FLASH!!** ah-AHH!..." in her sleep. Sorry, mom.

The special effects are actually still pretty impressive, as well... bear in mind, however, that I have a soft spot for 1980's effects. I really miss the days when the answer to "How'd they do that?" wasn't always "With computers." There's a certain mystery to these old effects, and I always respect the effort and creativity that went into making things happen with such limited technology. Sigh... Still, the film is very,very colorful, and there are a LOT of costumes, backgrounds, etc. Everything has a very shiny, surreal sort of look to it, in stark contrast to the realistic, worn-out look of the Star Wars films. It's pretty neat in its own way.

In the end, though, Flash Gordon is just plain entertaining. There's hardly ever a dull moment, and the film's almost 2 hour running time goes by in a flash (pun fully intended, with all apologies to the reader). You get a lot of action in those 2 hours... there are laser battles, lots of starships, hand to hand combat on a floating spike disk(?), catfights (in a harem, no less), flame-throwing rings, dominatrix henchladies, evil Space People, a surprising amount of implied sexuality, and the list goes on and on. Just put it in, turn off your brain, and for God's sake HAVE FUN!

On a side note, I have to say that the DVD release is a bit disappointing. The five star rating is strictly for the film itself, not for the disc. Although the video and audio quality is fine (easily the best version currently available), there is absolutely nothing in the way of extras. Zip. Zilch. Nada. Not even a trailer, for crying out loud. Here's hoping that someone, perhaps Anchor Bay (king of the cult classic), will have the good sense to release a Special Edition. I would love to see outtakes, trailers, making of bios, commentary, etc. This film certainly deserves better treatment than it's given here.

Still, this DVD is currently the best edition of Flash Gordon you're going to find (and it's WIDESCREEN!). Plus, it can be picked up pretty cheaply, if you can actually find it. I wholeheartedly recommend that you search it out, watch it over and over, and then join me in waiting patiently for a collector's edition to come along. Even with its shortcomings, Flash Gordon on DVD most definitely deserves a spot in your collection. Just file it under "Guilty Pleasures." :)

Goofy but Affectionate Escapism
"Flash Gordon" has more in common with 1968's "Barbarella" than the comic strip hero of the same name, but still manages to deliver many of the goods expected of campy adult fantasy. Sam Jones is a dopey version of Buster Crabbe's dashing serial hero--fittingly, an over-hormoned football star with a heart that works faster than his brain. Lovely Melody Anderson embodies Dale Arden as a spunky 1930's girl-next-door transplated into the plastic, "modern" 1980s, while sultry Ornella Muti, as Princess Aura, is every adolescent boy's imagining of sex. International stars Topol and Max Von Sydow chew up the scenery as astrophysicist Zarkhov and evil Emperor Ming, respectively, and Peter Wyngarde and ex-James Bond Timothy Dalton do dark turns in secondary roles. The story, laced with PG-rated violence and sexual innuendo, is a tongue-in-cheek rehash of the serials, as Ming ravages Earth until our intrepid heroes rocket to his kingdom to set things straight. This time, they find worlds created with the most elaborate visual effects of the day, some convincing, many not, but all strangely beautiful. If you liked the original, you'll see that most of the swipes are gentle and that as juvenile as the script is, the movie is really aimed at grown-ups. A spirited performance by British TV veteran Brian Blessed and a thumping soundtrack by rock supergroup Queen help make this one memorable.

Cool Movie, Lousy DVD
This review applies to the current Image DVD release. Most people who purchase Flash Gordon remember it from their childhood and wish to relive a part of it. No complaint there! Unfortunately, the DVD is now out of print and a copy can be expensive. About the only thing commendable about the disc is its widescreen aspect ratio. The soundtrack clearly warbles in places, the sound mix is not in 5.1 and generally lousy, and the video is grainy throughout. This is quite a shame, because the soundtrack and effects lend themselves to a great presentation. There are no extra features at all.

The DVD release rights were licensed by Universal to Image Entertainment. I have purchased 3 Image DVDs and they have all been massive disappointments. Fortunately, Universal re-released Sixteen Candles and I hope they will eventually do the same for Flash Gordon.

Flash Gordon and Max
Many reviewers have focused on how fun this movie is. Others have commented on Princess Aura who is...very fine indeed. However, I enjoy the performance of Max von Sydow. As Ming, he is perfect. Max has a sneer that meets if not beats that of Harry Potter's Professor Snape. Ming is amazing to the end...or did he end?

Classic filmaking
It's ia classic right up there with Star Wars. The acting isn't all that great but, it deserves credit for great scenery and costumes. It is definitely worth buying. ... Read more

Description

Starring Timothy Dalton as Mr. Rochester. As an orphan, Jane Eyre learns to survive on independence.As a woman, she finds herself employed by Edward Rochester, whom she grows to love. But on their wedding, Jane discovers that his past holds a dark secret, and flees heartbroken... ... Read more

Reviews (111)

The other reviewers are right on the money...
...this IS the best film version of 'Jane Eyre', and I've no doubt that Charlotte would agree.

One day in the eighth grade, my English teacher Mrs. Thompson informed us we would be watching 'Jane Eyre' in class that week. I'd heard of the novel but never read it, and I had no knowledge of the plot or characters. I wasn't sure if I'd like it or not but decided to keep an open mind. Within half an hour I was hooked, and deeply disappointed when the bell rang to signal the end of class. I wanted to stay and watch it all in one sitting. I went to the library that day and checked out the novel.

Our class watched 'Jane Eyre' all week, and I fell in love with it! Everything was just perfect: The scenery was gorgeous, the story suspenseful and satisfying, the characters intriguing. No one could have played Edward Rochester and Jane better than Timothy Dalton and Zelah Clarke, and no one has. Ms. Clarke is the right combination of gentleness and reserve, while Mr. Dalton is brooding and outwardly gruff yet full of tender feelings. The minor roles are played well, too.

There's not much I can say about this production that hasn't already been said by the five other reviewers... Let me finish my review by urging you to buy this truly excellent film: if you love Charlotte Bronte's novel or even haven't yet read it, be assured that this is the most faithful and well-acted film adaptation available. It's a real treat that will be savored every time you watch it.

Awesome Eyre and Enigmatic Rochester
I viewed this set of 2 VHS tapes with my daughter who is reading the book in a high-school English class. I thought that hearing the dialogue and seeing the period costumes and settings would help to bring the book to life for her. I was astonished by the richness and accuracy of this edition. Frequently, video adaptations of novels are weak substitutes and leave you disappointed, since the characters and scenes from your imagination are far richer than any shortened screen adaptation can ever be. Now, having seen this lavish BBC production starring Timothy Dalton as the irascible Rochester and Zelah Clarke as the irrepressible Jane, I can't imagine them any other way.

The video production was very accurate and true to the novel, leaving out non-critical scenes and some dialogue, but not changing events or people or altering the outcome in any way. At just under 4 hours, you may want to take several days to view the video, but you won't regret the time spent. The themes of feminine strength, love and forgiveness are still relevant today, hundreds of years after Charlotte Bronte wrote the book. The video can also serve as a useful supplement to understanding the novel (although I would never advise a student to forego reading the novel in favor of the video).

Low budget , though accurate adaptation of the book
If you are looking the most accurate adaptation of "Jane Eyre," this is it. It's got everything from the book that the screenwriters could pack into four hours. However, like all of the BBC productions that I've seen, this looks like it was filmed with a video camera. I absolutely love the book, but part of me also loves film and this is so low budget that there's not really much action or even movement during certain scenes. People stand or sit in one spot for long periods of time spouting words -- beautifully exact words, mind you -- but it does get quite visually boring sometimes.

Speaking of visuals: Timothy Dalton is skinnier and taller than Rochester is supposed to be. Zelah Clarke is short, but way too filled out and her character is too perky; she is supposed to be outwardly suppressed, though inwardly intense. And these leads are supposed to be 20 years apart -- Dalton and Clark look to be about the same age. That being said, there is some great chemnistry between them; the passion between Jane and Rochester -- the focal point of the story -- is absolutely palbable in this adaptation.

No other "Jane Eyre" film will give you so much accurate dialogue, straight out of the book and no other adaptation has the Rochester-as-gypsy scene or an accurate portrayal of the River's family and Jane's relationships with them. It's definitely worth adding to your adaptation collection.

Excellent adaptation of well loved book
'Is it better to drive a fellow creature to despair than to trangress a mere human law - no man being injured by the breach?'

'Still indomitable was the reply - 'I care for myself'.

'I am sure, sir, I should never mistake informality for insolence: one I rather like, the other nothing free-born would submit to, even for a salary'. 'Humbug! Most things free-born would submit to anything for a salary; therefore, keep to yourself, and don't venture on generalities of which you are intensely ignorant'.

I have read an re-read Jane Eyre several times and every time the book manages to amaze me with lines like the above. It seems to me that Charlotte Bronte wrote about ideas and feelings easily transferred to the 21st century. Which would explain the popularity of the novel. And maybe that is the one characteristic that distinguishes great literature from everything else written: the timeless quality of the ideas and feelings.

What I like about this 1983 adaptation of Jane Eyre is, that almost all of my favourite lines are there, keeping the best and the most romantic ones and deleting the more biblical references, which to a modern audience would be incomprehensible and dull anyway. The acting is superb and although I have read many reviews stating that Dalton might be too handsome and Clarke too old.. who cares? (The only weak spot in the acting might be the (French?) girl who plays Adele).
Age and appearences do not matter so much anymore when something is acted so well that you are almost spellbound.

I liked the theatrical feeling to this adaptation, no music played to disburb the beautifully written dialogues. This series depends on the suberb acting of the players and a well-written script. (BTW Bridewell is a London prison, which explains Dalton in chains when playing 'plain charades' in company, this part for me the only incomprehensible thing before I found out about Bridewell).

The Dalton/Clarke version displays all the depth of the main characters and their wealth of feelings. The video is well worth your money.

Every other Jane Eyre I have seen (and own) could not satisfy me, because the plotline was changed, it was poorly acted, important characters were deleted, the story moving too fast or the dialogue was written poorly and very incomprehensible. And most of the time it would be a combination of all things mentioned. Let's face it: like Austen's Pride and Prejudice this book can not be comprised in a mere two hours.

I am only waiting for the (uncut?) DVD version to be released. WHEN? I found the DVD version on Amazon.co.jp, but who can read Japanese? I certainly can't. Why was this series released in Japan and not in Europe or the USA? Anybody know the answer?

My Favorite Version
This is the first Jane Eyre production I saw but since then I have seen other versions. But I still choose this one far above the rest. Though I do admit I have not seen the Ciarán Hinds/Samantha Morton version yet. I have heard mixed reviews on that version but I do highly recommend if you like this try seeing Ciarán Hinds/Amanda Root version of Persuasion, for it is excellent. I also highly recommend if you like this try out Pride and Prejudice with Colin Firth/Jennifer Ehle it is also excellent. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

AN ARTIST'S PASSION
To me, someone who doesn't normally watch miniseries based on Romance novels, the chief value of "Mistral's Daughter" lies in its music score, penned by Vladimir Cosma. While I don't think much of Mistral as an artist (he's 10 times better than most 20th-century artists--which is not saying much) or of his morals, the music that underlies his creative moments is truly exceptional. I know of no other theme that so fully captures the GLORY and PASSION of artistic creation--it is lush, it is thrilling, it is unforgettable. Rachmaninoff would have been proud of it.
(Unfortunately, the most extended passage of this theme has been cut from recent TV showings.)

Hopeless Romantic
Mistrals Daughter is excellent, expecially if you are a hopeless romantic like me. Stephanie Powers is very believeable as the 18ish country girl who arrives in Paris hoping to find love and success as an artist's model. A reality check occurs when the object of her affection, Mistral, played by Stacy Keach turns out to be more interested in himself and his own pursuits as an artist, than his realtionship with "Maggie Lunel"(Powers). Broken hearted, Maggie is pursued and falls for the enigmatic wealthy American from New York played by dashing (and young)Timothy Dalton. Tragedy folows "Maggie" all of her days and the story follows three generations of Lunel women. Their romances intertwine with Mistral and his illegitimate daughter. Worth watching on the couch witha hot cup of tea and an afghan. Enjoy! ... Read more

Reviews (37)

Funny, romantic, beautiful people!
I was never a fan of neither star of the Beautician and the Beast, but after watching it on TV I became and addict to Timothy Dalton. This is a very romantic comedy but one has to look deeply into the feelings of Pochenko and Joy, he is a grumpy teddy bear that loves his children but tries to appear tough and mean and we have to understand his loneliness and lack of romantic love in his life until he truly falls in love with a woman that changes his way of thinking and humanizes him and on the other hand, Joy fulfills her love not only with a man that very much needs her but with his children that eventually will become her family. After buying the video and watching it numerous times, I think this is a great movie but has been underrated and criticized for Fran's voice which she can help and is one of her main charactericstics. Ever since, I am forming a collection of videos of this great actor Timothy Dalton, ah! that voice and his looks! But mainly what an performer! . I recommend this movie but please read in between the lines all the mixed feelings including her parent's feelings and mean old jealous envious and devious prime minister, what's his name? Ira is delightful and so are the children! Also the music! I even bought the soundtrack, the waltz is beautiful!

Beastly
Think Cinderella for lonely yentas and you get this crooked picture. Drescher is Joy Miller, who, after rescuing some bunnies from the beauty school where she teaches, is enlisted by an emissary from Slovetzia, an eastern European country where the iron curtain hasn't been fully drawn yet. Her job? No, not pedicures. She's to teach the repressed children of Boris "The Beast" Pochenko, a grumpy, Stalinesque leader played by Timothy Dalton.

Joy gets cutesy-cuddley with the president's kids and still finds time to talk to the common people (Yo! It's Evita from Queens). Bypassing all boundaries of movie realism, Joy somehow endears herself to Boris. For his part, the cold as ice commander strokes his bushy mustache, gobbles one of Joy's delicious sandwiches, and ponders a former Communist country with the gum-chewing shrew as his first lady. Predictable, eh comrade?

Apart from the Drescher's missing-in-action talent, The Beautician and the Beast suffers from an utter lack of inventiveness: the proletariat is oppressed, the prime minister is the snarling villain, and the children are sweethearts who just want daddy's love.

The only thing that keeps the silly enterprise afloat is Dalton. He, at least, looks like he's having fun putting on the hokey Baltic accent. Even with the stinker dialogue he's handed, the former 007 appears to enjoy hamming it up.

The Beautician and the Beast isn't exactly endearing Valentine's Day entertainment. In fact, if I took my wife to this one she'd probably ask for a divorce and demand half of what I own. She'd deserve it all and then some.

A great actress in a Great movie.
This film was awesome! I loved "The Nanny" and still watch it today on Lifetime. Fran Drescher is one of the great actors of our time. Her unique voice and offbeat style puts her over the top. This movie would have lost all of it personality and perkiness if not for Fran Drescher. Two Thumbs up!

Great Movie!
I think this is one of the best family/childrens movies. It has alot of different issues that are important, and it also has an adorable theme. Its beauty and the beast mixed with Cinderella.

I Loved this Movie!
I, Being a Hard-core 'The Nanny' fan, i desided to rent The Beautician and the Beast because i heard it had a simaliar plot to the Nanny(She was hired as a teacher/nanny and falls in love with her boss) and i loved it!! I loved the line where her mom fed her pet chicken and she said, "Ma! You fed the Chicken Chicken?!?! Its like Silence of the Chickens!!!"

I rate this movie 5 outta 5!!! ... Read more

Reviews (97)

"The Living Daylights": Nobody does it better!
With the release of "The Living Daylights", Bond fans finally saw another "Golden Bond Film" in the classic tradition of "Goldfinger". This film was, hands down, the best of the Dalton era films - the only other Bond movie with Dalton being the mildly disappointing "License to Kill". Timothy Dalton replaced Roger Moore as agent 007 when the gray haired Moore decided to call it quits after the release of "A View to a Kill" in the mid-eighties. Naturally, with a new Bond came a new style. I believe that Dalton's style was the most compensating to Ian Flemming's Bond; he wasn't a super man all of the time. He has moments when doubt or fears enter his mind. In other words, Dalton is a much more realistic Bond than Connery or Moore ever were. Unfortunately for Dalton, however, it seems many people like the unrealistic Bond better than the realistic.

"The Living Daylights" has a classic story and action. It's one for all Bond fans to definitely see, while being good enough to warrant the attention of first time viewers. No film (except perhaps "Goldfinger") has done it better than "The Living Daylights".

Timothy Dalton as Ian Fleming's James Bond 007
As a child of the 70's and 80's,The Roger Moore-era movies defined the tone of the entire James Bond 007 series.When Moore left the series after A View To A Kill,Timothy Dalton took over and put Bond in a direction that was familier to readers of Ian Fleming's novels, yet confusing to moivegoers.
The Living Daylights (1987)brought an end to the tongue and cheek tone of Moore's movies.Instead,Dalton becomes the 007 of the original novels,Tough,ruthless ,yet still refined. Dalton read the original novels and redefined the roll.
Unfortunately,movie goers were a bit uneasy with a James Bond who didn't crack cheesy one liners,jump into bed with an average of three women per movie and was harder edged than any other Bond on the screen.
The movie itself is a fine, yet slow-paced, involving a latter-day cold war defection of a Soviet soldier, only to be turn into a plot involving the elimination of British spies.Great scenes include an escape from the iron curtain in an updated Aston Marten, and an airplane cargo fight in mid air.
Dalton only portrayed Bond one more time (License to Kill) before the series was in limbo for six years (until Goldeneye with Pierce Brosnan in 1995).Since then, Dalton's portrayal of Bond has been praised in it's approach to bring Bond back to where it all began.

Dangerous Bond
The taglines for this, the 15th Bond entry, promised- "The most dangerous Bond ever," and right there beyond the flippant fun that Roger Moore had brought, THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS came and made good on that vow. In a cool, totally decked-out Aston Martin, our favorite spy propels himself into this, the last of the series' Cold War intrigues (furthermore being the final title penned by its creator, Ian Fleming). And herein, the flavour of Fleming is found everywhere-

Having been a child of 007's Roger Moore era, I had- on some seven different occasions during the course of his 14-year reign as Bond- looked forward with great anticipation to the very heights of fun and adventure. Moore, with his infectious charm and cheeky wit, was absolutely and completely entertaining as Bond. So I was naturally a little edgy when, in 1987, he retired, to pass the torch to another actor.

I was in college, studying English literature when I heard Timothy Dalton would be the next James Bond. To me, this seemed an exceedingly interesting choice- for here was a classically trained Welsh actor, who at that time had been fairly unknown. Yet I already knew him, of course: not only had he made his impression in some of the Shakespeare plays I'd been studying, but this ardent, sensitive actor had actually won my heart with his perfect portrayals of two beloved Bronte heroes- (Charlotte's "Rochester" and Emily's "Heathcliff.") Needless to say, I just couldn't wait for this one~~

THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS is a spy thriller in every classical sense. From the get-go, it's exciting: the gun-barrel sequence, where John Barry's arrangement pulses more quickly to keep in tempo with the motion of a more youthful 007- the exhilarating pre-credits: where, after a parachute jump onto the Rock of Gibraltar, a double-0 agent gets murdered and Bond jumps onto the roof of a speeding jeep as it hurtles down the cliff, and requites the assassin in like. He then lands emergently onto a yacht- where, by sheer coincidence, the bikini-clad babe onboard has been lamenting her failure to find any "real men" anywhere. Bond grabs her phone to call headquarters, introducing himself with a brisk offhand, "Bond, James Bond". She offers him champagne and, as a consequence, he's an hour late reporting back........

After opening credits - Maurice Binder's flowing artwork gracing John Barry's title song- (a colorful pop number performed by Ah-Ha that won't ever let you forget it's the 80's), Bond reports to Bratislava for a seemingly unrelated assignment. Saunders, of section V, Vienna (Thomas Wheatley) has arranged the defection of a top KGB agent, Georgi Koskov (Jeroen Krabbé). Bond is called in to kill the sniper assigned to assassinate Koskov if he should try to bolt. -This scene makes up the whole of Fleming's short story, wherein our hero turns over in his mind the conflicting implications of his work. Well, it's apparent that this James Bond is definitely a man who, though despising certain aspects of his profession, is quite capable of killing an enemy sniper in cold blood. The sniper, however, turns out being the lovely woman cellist that Bond had only moments before been admiring. And Bond, who follows instincts before orders, observes, "that girl didn't know one end of a rifle from the other," and instead of killing her, shoots the weapon from her hand.

Nevertheless, the coup is a grand success. Hours later, in a safe house on the English countryside- (wherein Bond shows himself to be a connoisseur of good food: "The foie gras is excellent," and champagne: "The brand on the list was questionable, so I took the liberty of choosing something different.") -Koskov reveals a sinister plot by General Pushkin (John Rhys-Davies), the head of the KGB, to kill foreign spies- ("Smiert Spionen," Fleming's SMERSH term meaning death to spies). Bond is immediately a little skeptical of Koskov's story, and his suspicions are further enhanced when, shortly thereafter, Koskov gets snatched out of Britain by forces unknown -pulled off by henchman Necros (Andreas Wisniewski), disguised as the most menacing milkman one could ever imagine. For answers, Bond returns to Czechoslovakia to investigate that female "sniper," and discovers she's Kara Milovy (Maryam d'Abo), Koskov's girlfriend. He then poses as Koskov's friend in the hope that she'll be able to locate him.

The inertia of this complex plot carries Bond further, through a number of beautiful locales in the world- London, Vienna, Tangier, Afghanistan, and New York. His mission involves drugs, deceit, diamonds, eccentric American arms dealer Brad Whitaker (Joe Don Baker), and the Afghan resistance, Mujahadin. There's action aplenty - highlights being a car chase in the Aston Martin fully armed, a ski chase downslope in a cello case, and a seat-gripping airplane ride I'd never in a million years want to ride!

The late 80's had safe-sex everywhere afoot - even in Bond. Kara's certainly endearing as the Bond girl, but she doesn't hold the screen next to Bond so well as many of her predecessors. The villains are undeniably wonderful: a swarthy combination of the fearsome and the ludicrous. And Dalton's tough, gritty Bond is as close to Ian Fleming's creation that any actor has come- yet whether or not that's a good thing is a matter of infinite debate. The cinematic Bond had already been well established by then. Like Connery, though, Dalton has a certain cat-like grace, albeit minus the twinkle in his eye. And though he brings an intensity to the character that even Connery could not own, he never really does let loose - never hams it up or has the famous fun that every other Bond has had! But notwithstanding all that, I'm forever disposed to find him perfect.

first good bond in a long time and daltons great
the last decent bond movie before this was for your eyes only.
then came dalton.
despite what the brosnan fans like to believe dalton was asked twice to be bond, several years before brosnan was even considered.
and when dalton finally took his turn at bond, he delivered.
this one is a bit better than the follow up, which, though featuring a very fine performance from dalton, was a bit too much like a miami vice episode.
dalton gives us his bond which is different than either connery or moore and its a valid and etertaining one.
the first three major bonds all had their own take and all three are enjoyable.
actually, it is brosnan who really delivers nothing new.
dalton's bond is an assassin, albeit one with morales
and for the first and last time bond is NOT a [prostitute]. he has one girlfriend in this and his lack of bed jumping is refreshing.
the quiet intensity dalton gives the character is unequaled by the actors who played the role before and since.
actually he is the best 'actor' to play the character, though connery is the best bond of course.
though living daylights is a bit too long and sags at times and joe don baker is badly miscast, its a succesful entry in the franchise.
grab a beer and some popcorn.

a decent entry with a great bond
the brosnan fans have it wrong. dead wrong.
and the facts are there in print!
dalton was asked twice. long BEFORE brosnan.
dalton turned it down twice before accepting ONLY AFTER brosnan couldnt commit.
for a very long time (way back when moore was even still fresh into it) the original producers both felt dalton would be the quintessential bond.
and, while this movie and it's sequal are decent (not great) they do contain an original performance from dalton.
far more original than brosnan, who is a mix of connery, moore AND dalton.
as a matter of fact, if one has ever even read the original books, dalton is much closer to fleming's bond than connery even was.
and dalton is undoubtedly the best ACTOR that has played bond.
check out the inner intensity in many of his scenes here (popping the balloon after his fellow agent has been killed) and for once, bond isnt (...) his way through the movie. he has one girlfriend and the film does benefit from not going overboard on the bordello activities.
that said, the movie is tooooo long and joe don baker is god awful in an campy, over the top performance.
still, we do have dalton and, sorry pierce, you dont hold a candle to this actor. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Timothy Dalton's second and last shot at playing James Bond isn't nearly as much fun as his debut, two years earlier, in the 1987 The Living Daylights. This time Bond gets mad after a close friend (David Hedison) from the intelligence sector is assassinated on his wedding day, and 007 goes undercover to link the murder to an international drug cartel. Robert Davi makes an interesting adversary, but as with most of the Bond films in the '70s, '80s, and '90s--and especially since the end of the cold war--one has to wonder why we should still care about these lesser villains and their unimaginative crimes. Still, Dalton did manage in his short time with the character to make 007 his own, which neither Roger Moore did nor Pierce Brosnan did. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (172)

One of the Series Best!
I have seen where a few critics have down-graded this movie and that is a shame as "License to Kill" has a lot going for it. The concept of Bond as a rogue was a refreshing change, and one of the best concepts in any of the Bond films. Essentially, the plot goes as follows: A renown drug dealer Sanchez (Robert Davi) is arrested in Miami with help of the DEA and Felix Leiter (Bond's CIA contact and good friend). Following the arrest, Felix gets married. Sanchez escapes and commits a brutal act of revenge before returning to Isthmus City. James Bond (Timothy Dalton), determined to take Sanchez down, enlistes Pam Bouvier (Carey Lowell) to help him. One problem for Bond is that Sanchez is well guarded and has numerous contacts. Bond will have to have to be careful in infiltrating Sanchez. The other problem is that he is now a rogue agent, having his license to kill revoked by the British government.

The only real weak points of this movie would be the occasional weak acting from Talisa Soto (Sanchez's girlfriend), and a little bit more swearing than some of the other bond films, but many other elements more than make up for these two minor shortcomings.

Timothy Dalton is superb as James Bond. Dalton is a great, capable actor, and he is perfect for the movie and its concept. Dalton did a superb job and this is a key factor to the success of the film. As a side note, Dalton needed to make a change in the approach from Roger Moore, just as Moore needed to make a change from Connery. This change between actors is important, otherwise comparisons are made, and usually it is the incumbent who loses (in the minds of the general audience). Dalton did the right thing by changing the Bond to a darker persona. The contrast is important because of Roger Moore's 12-year tenure as Bond, which spread over seven films. Carey Lowell makes a very capable Bond woman as it nice to see a tough woman pairing up with Bond. The central villain, Sanchez, is very strong and well acted -- and also a nice change away from villains who want to destroy the world. Benicio Del Toro and Anthony Zerbe are well cast and well-acted as Sanchez's henchmen. Also, it was nice to see Q, played by the late Desmond Llewelyn, get more to do than his usual brief cameo or two. He certainly deserved it and rose to the challenge admirably. It was also nice to see David Hedison return to play Felix Leiter (he previously played Leiter in "Live and Let Die").

Other elements that make this a very enjoyable, memorable Bond film to watch are the location work, great special effects, and great stunts. The stunts with the semi-trucks toward the end are great fun! Michael Kamen's score adds a lot to the movie as well.

VHS or DVD? The VHS version simply contains the movie. The DVD version is a special edition that includes two different audio commentaries which let you watch the movie and hear commentary by some of the cast and production members. They comment about the actors, work on the set, the scenes, and how certain scenes were shot/created. Two music videos are included: "License to Kill" by Gladys Knight is the opening theme, and "If You Asked Me To" by Patti LaBelle marks the closing theme. A promotional feature on the stunt footage at the climax and a documentary on the film itself are also included. Finally, two theatrical trailers and a photo galary with over 100 stills are included.

If you are a fan of the Bond series, I highly recommend this movie, and the same goes toward Timothy Dalton and spy/action movie fans. This movie is also included in the first volume of a Bond Collector's set. If you like extra features, I would recommend the DVD. Overall, I happen to think that "License to Kill" is one of the best Bond movies. Major re-evaluation required.

[Darn] shame Dalton STILL isn't playing Bond....
I loved The Living Daylights, and feel that, with this movie, Dalton was, without a doubt, the best replacement for Connery as 007 so far! He had Connery's look, the purposefulness, mixed with a softheartedness when it came to action and the ladies respectively. He was a DEFINITE improvement over the bland, too-pretty Rogie Moore. (I wonder how many Brits made light of that first name!) "License" takes an unresolved issue from "Daylights": the fact that Bond didn't destroy that opium shipment that the Afghanis were going to ship to the West, and finally does something, as he destroys a major cocaine kingpin's operation in a vendetta to avenge the maiming and death of his friends Felix and Della Leiter. Bond goes undercover, posing pretty much as what he is, a FORMER British agent, after he quits MI6 over his attitude toward the Leiter incident. The villain, Franz Sanchez, in fact, is RESPONSIBLE for the death of Leiter's wife and the mangling of Leiter himself, since Leiter was responsible for Sanchez' capture.

Along the way, Bond runs into an old associate of Felix', played by Carrie Lowell, and together, they work their way into Sanchez' organization, which is fronted by a bogus religious organization and the Bond luck works its magic from there.

This is probably the third best of the Bond movies, along with "Goldfinger" and "Daylights" and the series lost a good Bond in Dalton, who was actor enough to give the character the dimension it needed after FIFTEEN YEARS of Roger Moore's Matt-Helm-ization of the franchise. In some ways, he was actually better than Connery.

BIG improvement over Roger Moore
Moore simply could not make Bond seem real. Perhaps it was the appearance (blond hair) or his - how to say this politiely - advancing years in which some of the babes appear as daughters rather than gal pals. Dalton was great. It was different in that Bond was not on a government-sanctioned mission but a personal vendetta. It was exciting and yes, violent, but it did reinstill some much-needed reality back into the series. With Moore, everything - from plot to dame to prize - was a joke. Here one realizes that the spy game is more than a game - it is dangerous and dirty. Great villians but the romance side was rather weak despite the lurid (for Bond) scenes.

Super performance by Wayne Newton!!

Not Your Average Bond Again
I loved this story. Unlike the other Bond films, it is more like an action drama then an action adventure. Dalton's performance is again wonderful and real. The apperence of Q on the battle field is priceless.

Effective immediately - your LICENCE TO KILL is revoked!
The 16th James Bond movie. Producer Albert R. Broccoli and screenwriters Richard Maibaum and Michael G. Wilson had nearly 30 years of success behind them with 15 smashing James Bond adventures. For the next film a major challenge was faced in inventing a new story with a darker, hard-edge, and sense of danger in the character of 007! For this an epic tale of revenge, passion, and greed set a blueprint of the South American drug trade. The idea of James Bond being thrusted out of his Secret Agent Spy network, licence to kill revoked, and setting foot on a journey of revenge against the drug lord villain and his henchman. This, plus many explicit scenes, would qualify this the first James Bond film to receive a PG-13 rating. A spectacular supporting cast includes Carey Lowell and Talisa Soto as the essential beautiful Bond girls, and LIVE AND LET DIE's David Hedison returning as Felix Leiter, and many surprise appearances by popular stars today in the making. Also featured is a thrilling Michael Kamen score, and exotic locations in Key West, Mexico, Acapulco and Vera Cruz. This would be the final James Bond screenplay from Richard Maibaum, who passed away in 1991. A true Summer blockbuster, LICENCE TO KILL proves you just can't keep a good 007 series down, but why would you want to?

THE ASSIGNMENT: For the first time since ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE, there is no official assignment for Bond to undertake. After the arrest of drug kingpin Franz Sanchez in the Bahamas, Bond's good friend Felix Leiter is happily wed to his bride Della Churchill. Tragedy strikes when Sanchez escapes from prison with help from a traitorous FBI Agent and his fellow henchman. Della is murdered, and Felix horribly mutilated from being tortured in a shark-infested tank. M is aware of Bond being personally involved with Felix and Della, and takes Bond off the case. When Bond refuses, M has no alternative but to ask 007 to submit his licence to kill and weapons. Bond defiantly continues his investigation and determination to bring Sanchez down. Now a private citizen with a personal vendetta, his acting outside the secret service results in British, American, and Hong Kong services on his trail. The consequences can be dangerously unexpected!

THE VILLAINS: Robert Davi as Franz Sanchez, Anthony Zerbe as Milton Krest, Everett McGill as Killifer, Wayne Newton as Professor Joe Butcher, Anthony Starke as Truman-Lodge, Benicio del Toro as Dario, Don Stroud as Heller, Alejandro Bracho as Perez, and Guy de Saint Cyr as Braun.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! BUY IT! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

The Devil You Say --
Based on a true story, The Doctor and the Devils present several fine performances by outstanding actors including Timothy Dalton, Patrick Stewart, Jonathan Pryce, Stephen Rea, and Julian Sands. Nineteenth century medicine for one forward thinking physician, Dr. Roc (Dalton), was the fight to teach medicine as science that relied on empirical fact and first hand observation, not folk lore nor religious philosophy. His primary source was fresh cadavers, the fresher the better. Alas, the Victorian mind-set was in the dark ages and regulated the number of cadaver's faculty used for teaching. Into the situation stumble two fiends (Price and Rea) who recognize a quick way to earn money for cheap gin and the local harlot (Twiggy, miscast but not a bad performance) was grave robbing. Rather than steal dead bodies from graves, however, why not avoid the grave altogether? Killing any unfortunate who happened across their path, Pryce and Rea are soon Dr. Roc's best suppliers of fresh bodies. Science versus morality, need and ambition, truth before conscience are issues explored by the stellar ensemble cast. A superb film for any library. ... Read more

Reviews (111)

The other reviewers are right on the money...
...this IS the best film version of 'Jane Eyre', and I've no doubt that Charlotte would agree.

One day in the eighth grade, my English teacher Mrs. Thompson informed us we would be watching 'Jane Eyre' in class that week. I'd heard of the novel but never read it, and I had no knowledge of the plot or characters. I wasn't sure if I'd like it or not but decided to keep an open mind. Within half an hour I was hooked, and deeply disappointed when the bell rang to signal the end of class. I wanted to stay and watch it all in one sitting. I went to the library that day and checked out the novel.

Our class watched 'Jane Eyre' all week, and I fell in love with it! Everything was just perfect: The scenery was gorgeous, the story suspenseful and satisfying, the characters intriguing. No one could have played Edward Rochester and Jane better than Timothy Dalton and Zelah Clarke, and no one has. Ms. Clarke is the right combination of gentleness and reserve, while Mr. Dalton is brooding and outwardly gruff yet full of tender feelings. The minor roles are played well, too.

There's not much I can say about this production that hasn't already been said by the five other reviewers... Let me finish my review by urging you to buy this truly excellent film: if you love Charlotte Bronte's novel or even haven't yet read it, be assured that this is the most faithful and well-acted film adaptation available. It's a real treat that will be savored every time you watch it.

Awesome Eyre and Enigmatic Rochester
I viewed this set of 2 VHS tapes with my daughter who is reading the book in a high-school English class. I thought that hearing the dialogue and seeing the period costumes and settings would help to bring the book to life for her. I was astonished by the richness and accuracy of this edition. Frequently, video adaptations of novels are weak substitutes and leave you disappointed, since the characters and scenes from your imagination are far richer than any shortened screen adaptation can ever be. Now, having seen this lavish BBC production starring Timothy Dalton as the irascible Rochester and Zelah Clarke as the irrepressible Jane, I can't imagine them any other way.

The video production was very accurate and true to the novel, leaving out non-critical scenes and some dialogue, but not changing events or people or altering the outcome in any way. At just under 4 hours, you may want to take several days to view the video, but you won't regret the time spent. The themes of feminine strength, love and forgiveness are still relevant today, hundreds of years after Charlotte Bronte wrote the book. The video can also serve as a useful supplement to understanding the novel (although I would never advise a student to forego reading the novel in favor of the video).

Low budget , though accurate adaptation of the book
If you are looking the most accurate adaptation of "Jane Eyre," this is it. It's got everything from the book that the screenwriters could pack into four hours. However, like all of the BBC productions that I've seen, this looks like it was filmed with a video camera. I absolutely love the book, but part of me also loves film and this is so low budget that there's not really much action or even movement during certain scenes. People stand or sit in one spot for long periods of time spouting words -- beautifully exact words, mind you -- but it does get quite visually boring sometimes.

Speaking of visuals: Timothy Dalton is skinnier and taller than Rochester is supposed to be. Zelah Clarke is short, but way too filled out and her character is too perky; she is supposed to be outwardly suppressed, though inwardly intense. And these leads are supposed to be 20 years apart -- Dalton and Clark look to be about the same age. That being said, there is some great chemnistry between them; the passion between Jane and Rochester -- the focal point of the story -- is absolutely palbable in this adaptation.

No other "Jane Eyre" film will give you so much accurate dialogue, straight out of the book and no other adaptation has the Rochester-as-gypsy scene or an accurate portrayal of the River's family and Jane's relationships with them. It's definitely worth adding to your adaptation collection.

Excellent adaptation of well loved book
'Is it better to drive a fellow creature to despair than to trangress a mere human law - no man being injured by the breach?'

'Still indomitable was the reply - 'I care for myself'.

'I am sure, sir, I should never mistake informality for insolence: one I rather like, the other nothing free-born would submit to, even for a salary'. 'Humbug! Most things free-born would submit to anything for a salary; therefore, keep to yourself, and don't venture on generalities of which you are intensely ignorant'.

I have read an re-read Jane Eyre several times and every time the book manages to amaze me with lines like the above. It seems to me that Charlotte Bronte wrote about ideas and feelings easily transferred to the 21st century. Which would explain the popularity of the novel. And maybe that is the one characteristic that distinguishes great literature from everything else written: the timeless quality of the ideas and feelings.

What I like about this 1983 adaptation of Jane Eyre is, that almost all of my favourite lines are there, keeping the best and the most romantic ones and deleting the more biblical references, which to a modern audience would be incomprehensible and dull anyway. The acting is superb and although I have read many reviews stating that Dalton might be too handsome and Clarke too old.. who cares? (The only weak spot in the acting might be the (French?) girl who plays Adele).
Age and appearences do not matter so much anymore when something is acted so well that you are almost spellbound.

I liked the theatrical feeling to this adaptation, no music played to disburb the beautifully written dialogues. This series depends on the suberb acting of the players and a well-written script. (BTW Bridewell is a London prison, which explains Dalton in chains when playing 'plain charades' in company, this part for me the only incomprehensible thing before I found out about Bridewell).

The Dalton/Clarke version displays all the depth of the main characters and their wealth of feelings. The video is well worth your money.

Every other Jane Eyre I have seen (and own) could not satisfy me, because the plotline was changed, it was poorly acted, important characters were deleted, the story moving too fast or the dialogue was written poorly and very incomprehensible. And most of the time it would be a combination of all things mentioned. Let's face it: like Austen's Pride and Prejudice this book can not be comprised in a mere two hours.

I am only waiting for the (uncut?) DVD version to be released. WHEN? I found the DVD version on Amazon.co.jp, but who can read Japanese? I certainly can't. Why was this series released in Japan and not in Europe or the USA? Anybody know the answer?

My Favorite Version
This is the first Jane Eyre production I saw but since then I have seen other versions. But I still choose this one far above the rest. Though I do admit I have not seen the Ciarán Hinds/Samantha Morton version yet. I have heard mixed reviews on that version but I do highly recommend if you like this try seeing Ciarán Hinds/Amanda Root version of Persuasion, for it is excellent. I also highly recommend if you like this try out Pride and Prejudice with Colin Firth/Jennifer Ehle it is also excellent. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A Major Disappointment
While there are moments when this movie shines, it's really a terrible waste of time and celluloid. The actress cast as Chanel is quite lovely, and she sometimes actually resembles the great fashion designer, and she's given good support from Timothy Dalton and Rutger Hauer. Karen Black gives another one of her silliest performances as Hauer's mistress who convinces Chanel to open a hat shop in Paris.

Still, there are many facts that are ignored and it's not as lavish and lovely as it should be. If anyone deserves the A & E Biography to set the record straight it is Coco Chanel. This is a good way to waste an afternoon on mindless biographies. Pair it with another turkey like Julie Andrews as Gertrude Lawrence in STAR or Diana Ross as Billie Holiday in LADY SINGS THE BLUES and you'll have lots of useless fictional information about great women of this century.

A casting triumph.
An enjoyable movie with excellent casting. Timothy Dalton's portrayal of Boy Capel was brilliant and Marie as "Coco" was perfect. Their love affair reminded me of "Out of Africa". Dalton's fans should love this one because of the numerous scenes in which he is featured. (In a few scenes, I thought for a moment I was watching Peter O'Toole.) ... Read more

Amazon.com

Based on a retro-styled comic book hit of the '80s, this Disney film was meant to launch a whole line of Rocketeer films--but the series began and ended with this one. That's too bad, because this underratedJoe Johnston film has a certain loopy charm. The story centers on a pre-WorldWar II stunt pilot (Bill Campbell) who accidentally comes into possession of a rocket-propelled backpack much coveted by the Nazis. With the aid of his mechanic pal (Alan Arkin), he gets it up and running, then uses it to foil a plot by a gang of vicious Nazi spies (is there any other kind?) led by Timothy Dalton. Jennifer Connelly is on hand as the love interest, but the real fun here is when the Rocketeer takes off. There's also a nifty battle atop an airborne blimp. --Marshall Fine ... Read more

Reviews (69)

Fun Fantasy Tied With History
The Rocketeer had a very special memory for me. It was the opening movie to first be shown at the newly refurbished El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood; CA. Disney bought the old theatre and spent about 10 million dollars refurbishing it. It is a beautiful theatre and contains the original fixtures and décor - newly repainted - and the most sophisticated digital and THX movie theatre systems around.

Now, that aside, the film was a fantasy filled adventure set in the not so distant past (30's - 40's) about a secret device invented by Mr. Howard Hughes himself which was stolen by some gangster with the intentions of steeling it Hitler himself. The special effects are great and the Rocket is very cool. Even the costumes were very unique.

The device is a jet pack that when worn with a special helmet made by the character played by Alan Arkin, will allow the person to fly through the air (and water) at great speeds. With the villainous Timothy Dalton playing a Nazi spy and world famous actor chasing him. Paul Servino plays a great Mafioso.

The film stars relatively new comers at the time Bill Campbell and Jennifer Connolly as the boyfriend-girlfriend who end up having the mafia, Nazi's and the FBI chasing them! It got a lot of heart and a lot of humor and it is a great family film. I really enjoyed this. No real extras on this DVD but maybe later. I think you'll enjoy this too.

A Wonderful Ride!
The Rocketeer is one of the most enjoyable action-adventure movies ever made. Everything about this film is wonderful. Director Joe Johnson perfectly captures the look and feel of Hollywood (or what Hollywood should look and feel like) during the 1930s. Great casting with Bill Campbell right on target at Cliff Secord, Jennifer Connelly as his best girl, Jenny Blake, Alan Arkin as Cliff's mentor and mechanic/inventor friend, and Timothy Dalton as the evil Nazi spy-movie star Neville Sinclair. Like Raiders of the Lost Ark, it is a homage to the film serials of the period, but with a lot more spit and polish. The special effects are great, the set decoration, costumes, makeup, all evoke the time and place perfectly. A wonderful script adapted from the graphic novel of the same name sets this movie apart from others in this genre. The dialogue is funny, fast and at sometimes furious. Campbell plays the All-American boy with a real gee whiz, almost Jimmy Stewart kind of charm. The plot about a secret plan by the Nazis to build rocket packs for an army of "Rocketeers" to take over the world is added and abetted by Dalton as the Errol Flynn-like movie star. When a prototype rocket pack accidentally ends up in the hands of Campbell and Arkin, the action, and their troubles, really start. This film is filled with dozens of wonderful characterizations. Some of the best are Paul Sorvino as gangster Eddie Valentine, Terry O'Quinn as Howard Hughes, and Tiny Ron as Lothar. The musical score by James Horner is outstanding. It's heroic, quiet and inspiring. Why this film didn't turn out to be the big blockbuster it should have been is beyond me. I love Raiders of the Lost Ark, but this film matches it in almost every category. One of my favorite modern films, I never tire of watching it. Perfect entertainment and perfect for all ages. The Rocketeer is a real winner.

Top Notch Movie... So-So DVD
I ordered "The Rocketeer" over a year ago and finally had chance to watch it this past weekend. I haven't seen it in several years, and I must say, it's even better than I remembered it! Billy Campbell is terrific and Jennifer Connely glows. Alan Arkin is a reliable sidekick... and Timothy Dalton positively shines as the villain of the piece! The movie has a Saturday matinee feel to it, but with top-notch production values. It also has a great sense of humor. It's one of the best movies that no one saw. Too bad. I was disappointed with the picture quality of my dvd. Is this common for this particular release, or did I get a lemon? Also would have like to have seen some additional extra features. I know I saw a featurette on creating the rocket-pack scenes somewhere many years ago. Regardless... This is one movie I'm really glad to have. I'll be watching and re-watching it for years to come.

An AWESOME MOVIE!
This is one of the most coolest, fun filled movies I have ever seen because of everything that it has to make it a great movie. Simply GREAT!!!!!!

Nice!
THIS MOVIE IS SO COOL AND IS A MUST SEE FOR ALL COMIC BOOK FANS! TRULY TRULY GREAT! ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Absurd but delightful cmic fantasy
Brook Shields plays newspaper reporter Brenda Starr, the glamorous heroine of a strip cartoon drawn by a slightly wet but amiable artist, who somehow manages to draw himself into the strip and finds himself sharing her adventures as they try to find a missing professor who has developed a secret formula to replace petrol and who is also being pursued by various baddies (well, something like that anyway). The artist naturally has a crush on the glamorous Brenda, but romantic compications occur when gorgeous Brazilian aristocrat Basil St. John (Timothy Dalton in tight black trousers and an eyepatch,oh crikey, I'm drooling again)turns up, he's also after the formula, I think. Look, I've watched this film three times now and I still don't really understand the plot, but who cares. It's a lot of fun anyway, and with Brook Shields in tight skirts and Timothy Dalton in tight trousers it has something to please everyone. True, there is a rather long bit in the middle of the film where Dalton isn't around, but you can't have everything, and the rest of the time, he's there, and absolutely divine. Don't worry about the baffling plot and crazy characters, just enjoy it.

Very Styleish.
I love all the pretty outfits that Brooke Shields wore in the Brenda StarrVideo. I think that Brooke is one terrific actress as well as supermodel.

Funny movie
Yes, I admit, I bought this movie because Timothy Dalton stars in it. And it does not disappoint. It is a movie with lots of humour and not to be taken too seriously. Just sit back and enyoy the humour. It has no pretensions of deep human emotions or of world philosophy and that is what makes it so enjoyable.

So Many Pizza Hut Plugs in This One It'll Make You Dizzy
We know of Timothy Dalton because we shamefully watched all of the James Bond movies, happening to see the one or two Dalton starred in. (Now, a man unleashes a wet, sickly cough, bracing himself on kitchen counter for support). "Brenda Starr" is one of the worst movies ever. What can account for this? Try one too many liberal arts graduates shuffling around under dim lighting in an empty warehouse, while yet another chain smoker coughs horribly into a tissue. It all comes up bloody in the end. At last! Brooke Shields is no longer making films!

It has lovely Brooke in it !! Of *course* we'll watch her !
Hi ... I am One Of Those Guys who, in His Adolescence, was so down on _me_ that it was not until into my Adulthood that I actually began **really** taking notice of those comely yeomen strutting their lovely posteriors in their micro-minis all up and down the Enterprise ... so, what's my point ?? Simply this: Brooke Shields is a sight for sore eyes no matter HOW old a man is when he finally learns it's okay to LIKE himself AND gawk at very beautiful girls. That is, apart from BRENDA STARR being, as I understand my elders, a pretty faithful adherence to the Heroine of so many young ladies in the fifties; lush with romance, comedy, bright colors and adventure; and a diverting and entertaining indulgence absent of foul speech which never takes itself *too* seriously -- there is, in every frame, our Brooke, our Heroine, Gorgeous Eye Candy for the Age of Cable and Color TV, most splendidly attired, for several delicious minutes at least, in a most eye-pleasing, fetching Barnum and Bailey style "costume" [ heh heh ]. Or, in the immortal words of my pal, Homer: "Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm, Brooke _Shields_." ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Naked in New York
Oh dear, it's one of those films where the stars wish they hadn't made! Eric Stoltz does give an excellent performance and the plot i suppose is pretty good, but it's one of those classic 'it never gets started films' and when it tries to it falls into all your typical cliches!
Tim Dalton...why? I mean I think the guy is a superb actor but, what are you doing man? What was the point in his role? Why did he decide to do it and...Oh I think I have given up asking this now!! Come Back James Bond all is forgiven!

... the playwright
This is a descendant of the 1980's teen pic crossed with 1990's grunge directed by Daniel Algrant, with Eric Stoltz having left his girlfriend Mary-Louise Parker and while driving, reminisces, narrating to the camera. There are flashbacks to his childhood, his relationship, and the production of an autobiographical off-Broadway play "Master of my Emotions" (with such a title you know it's bound to flop, unless it is meant as an indication of the self-indulgence of some off-Broadway productions). Only the latter subplot brings this film some degree of interest since as characters Stoltz and Parker are dull, limp, dull. This performance makes you long for Peter Bogdanovich's Mask cos at least in that film Stoltz' makeup gave him something, and Parker appears to be doing Diane Keaton's Annie Hall schtick, using big eyes and odd hand movements. As Stoltz' mother, Jill Clayburgh is keen but given nothing to do except wear a lot of jewellry for eccentricity - get it? In the off-Broadway scenes we get a series of cameos. It's great to see Tony Curtis as the show's producer and his boxer intonation, cheeky smile and silver hair is a delight. Kathleen Turner as the play's lead actor brings some energy, and she carries a drag queen air. Algrant uses her movie-star glamour and pug-ugly face for comic effect. As Stoltz' friend, Ralph Macchio is a true surprise after those terrible Karate Kid titles. His violent reaction to news of his being fired suggests what Macchio might have brought to the Stoltz role, and his scenes with Stoltz carry real sexual tension. Timothy Dalton has a few scenes as a wolf and his snake eyes and dark features hint at a masculinity that his efforts as James Bond lack. Agrant tries for amiability by populating the soundtrack with groovy music and his sensibility includes fantasy and dream, a talking orangutang, stone faces come to life with the help of Whoopi Goldberg, a mariachi band, blackouts, squirrels and a nut factory, an amusing lazy-Susan editing technique, and parties attended by New York literati, including the ubiquitous Quentin Crisp.

great indie film
This is a great film to watch if you're into 'reality' films. The script has a very real feel to it, in the sense that its goal isn't to solve problems or to give everyone a warm fuzzy feeling. Its goal is to show you 'yeah, no one has it all together (although some have it together better than others).

The actors do a great job with the matierial, and the script is well written. I warn in advance that this is a film without a traditional 'plot', so if you don't like films where there's more talking than anything else, you may not like this film.

If you're patient with films, and aren't looking to be entertained, give Naked in New York a try.

Funny, honest, appealing
This movie depicted exactly the feeling you get at that weird moment ( whgich comes all too often) in your life when things aren't working just right and you can't figure out why. It depicts breaking up with that first love of your life with honesty, and an appealing self-depricating wit. I'd reccomend it highly to anyone who wants to see something a bit off beat and intelligent.

Mildly funny. Majorly confusing.
More than halfway through this movie I was still trying to figure out what the director was trying to say through his confused and strangely motivated characters. There are some funny moments, but these are buried among too many scenes that don't quite fit and odd exchanges between characters I couldn't bring myself to care about. ... Read more

Reviews (76)

A well done movie.
Many people criticize the lack of historical accuracy in this production, and understandably so. However, if you do not take a historical viewpoint and view t