Reviews (4)

It's great!
When elderly spinster Jane Marple (played by Margaret Rutherford) witnesses the death of Mr. Enderby, she realizes that this is no accident. Eavesdropping at the reading of the old man's will, she overhears Aunt Cora state categorically that he was murder, and later Aunt Cora is ruthlessly murdered. There's a murder on the loose, and Miss Marple is determined to find out who it is! [Black and White, released in 1963, with a running time of 1 hour, 22 minutes.]

I must admit that my wife and I chanced across this Miss Marple movie after having become great fans of Joan Hickson's interpretation of the role, and were not too happy with it. Later, however, having accepted that this is not Joan Hickson's Miss Marple, but accepting it for its self, we came to love this movie. Margaret Rutherford brings a real presence to the role, adding a touch of humor, and making the story (based on Agatha Christie's "After the Funeral") quite entertaining.

So, if you like a good mystery, or if you like old movies, then I highly recommend this movie to you. It's great!

Margaret Rutherford is outstanding
I was very excited to find this video! I have been looking for it for over a year.

Although Margaret Rutherford is not the Miss Marple that I envisioned when reading Agatha Christie's books (Joan Hickson is much closer), I find Margaret Rutherford a delightful eccentric. She is lively, independent and forceful! She is my favorite Miss Marple!

Stringer Davis(Mr. Stringer) and Margaret are a wonderful pair. They are a delight! In addition, Robert Morely and Margaret team up for some comedic fun.

I would really like to see the four Margaret Rutherford, Miss Marple films(Murder at the Gallop, Murder She Said, Murder Most Foul, Murder Ahoy) brought out on DVD as a box set. Anyone listening?

Lightweight and Charming
Novelist Agatha Christie occasionally remarked that while she was a great fan of the actress, Dame Margaret Rutherford was NOT the Jane Marple of her novels--for instead of giving us a fluttery and demure woman, Dame Margaret played the role with considerable aplomb and considerable eccentric British humor. Chrisite purists will probably be outraged by Dame Margaret's complete reinterpretation of the character, but there is no denying that she is a great deal of fun to watch.

This particular outing finds Dame Margaret investigating the mysterious death of an elderly man and the subsequent murder of one of his heirs--an investigation which leads her, most improbably, to an inn catering to the horsey set. Although very free in adaptation, the actual plot follows Christie's novel "Funerals Are Fatal" quite closely, and a charming supporting cast--including Flora Robinson--add to the fun. Lightweight and charming.

MARPLE IS PLEASING EVEN THOUGH PLUMP
WHEN I INITIALLY ENCOUNTERED THIS FILM ON TURNER CLASSIC MOVIES, I DIDN'T LIKE MARPLE BEING SO FORCEFUL AND FAT. I HUNG IN THERE, AND BOY WAS I IMPRESSED. I EVENTUALLY ENDED UP CATCHING ALL THE MARPLES STARRING MARGARET RUTHERFORD, ALL 4 OF THEM, ON TCM. MARGARET RUTHERFORD DOES AN EXCELLENT JOB BRINGING THE BRILLIANCE OF MARPLE ALIVE, ALTHOUGH IN A QUITE DIFFERENT WAY THAN JOAN HICKSON DOES IN THE A&E SPONSORED MARPLE SERIES. THIS MARPLE IS DELIGHTFUL, PUSHY, FUNNY AND NOW MY FAVORITE MISS MARPLE ON FILM. THE OTHER FILMS ARE: MURDER MOST FOUL, MURDER AHOY, AND MURDER SHE SAID. CATCH THEM IF YOU ENJOY BRITISH MYSTERY WITH LIGHT COMEDY. ... Read more

Amazon.com

This 1953 follow-up to the successful teaming of actor Robert Taylor and director Richard Thorpe on Ivanhoe isn't quite as good a film, but it is a sumptuous adventure-romance shot on location in England. MGM's first widescreen production finds Taylor playing Sir Lancelot to Mel Ferrer's King Arthur. Based in part on Thomas Malory's 14th-century version of the Camelot legend, Knights of the Round Table tells the familiar tale of Arthur's construction of a Utopian kingdom, where virtue, courage, and a sense of possibility rule the hearts of strong men. Lancelot is there every step of the way, but after Arthur marries a particularly bodacious Guinevere (Ava Gardner), Lancelot can't stifle his love for her, nor can she stifle her own for him. That chink in the wall of the Camelot dream is exploited by detractors Morgan le Fay (Anne Crawford) and Mordred (Stanley Baker), who set up the lovers for their downfall. The script by Talbot Jennings is proficient at capturing the outsized passions of Malory's epic, which may be one reason why Ivanhoe, with a bit more understatedness, is the better of the two adaptations. True-blue Arthurians, however, will want to see this for its visual sweep and loyalty to the source. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (13)

Exciting and Lush Arthur Tale
1953's KNIGHTS OF THE ROUND TABLE was MGM's first wide-screen motion picture (filmed in CinemaScope in England). What the film lacks in scripting is made up by spectacular and brilliant cinematography by Freddie Young, colorful art designs by Alfred Junge and Hans Peters and an exciting score composed by Miklos Rozsa (a prelude to his majestic EL CID score). Robert Taylor looks good as Sir Lancelot of the Lake. Mel Ferrer is King Arthur. Ava Gardner is Queen Guinevere. (Sir) Stanley Baker comes off best as Sir Modred who plots to undermine King Arthur. There are large-scale battles and much swordplay throughout the adventure. The sword fight between Sir Lancelot and King Arthur is well filmed and the most dramatic which sets the stage for the relationship between these two men. There is another sword fight later in the film between Sir Lancelot and Sir Modred's men. This is a well-staged and choreographed duel which takes place on the steps outside Lancelot's quarters in the castle. Despite all this swordplay the story is somewhat static and does not really evoke that much emotion from the viewer. However director Richard Thorpe is successful in conveying Guinevere's love, through a restrained but effective performance by Ava Gardner, for Sir Lancelot. Ultimately it is a solid film in the old Hollywood traditions of storytelling.

GENERALLY STILTED PRODUCTION - NICE LOOKING DVD
"Knights of the Round Table" was MGM's first feature in the newly christened widescreen format of Cinemascope and the studio's inexperience with a 2:35:1 aspect ratio, in retrospect, is rather obvious. The audience is treated to drawn out battle scenes (that are thrilling) and lavish spectacle. But the whole look and feel of the film is very theatrical, like Shakespeare on stage. Robert Taylor, usually so natural, is uncomfortably stiff as Lancelot, while Mel Ferrer fairs slightly better as King Arthur. Ava Gardner is wasted as Gueneviere. Sets and rear projection are glaringly obvious. Over all, for its historical context in the early days of widescreen film, more than entertainment value, "Knights" is a worthwhile movie.
Warner Home Video has given us a generally good looking print. No attempt has been made to remove age related artifacts from the negative. Overall, the quality of the transfer is very smooth though, at times, it can seem somewhat digitally harsh. Exterior footage tends to suffer from a considerable amount of film grain while interiors are well balanced. Black levels are perhaps a bit weak and fine details are lost in the darker scenes. Close ups look gorgeous. Long shots suffer from pixelization. Fades between scenes tend to suffer from a sudden grainy quality that is customary for all Cinemascope film stock of this period. The audio is stereo surround and amply provided for considering the limitations in the original recording.

EXTRAS: Mel Ferrer comments on the film's production. There's a featurette movietone trailer and the film's original theatrical trailer too.
OVER ALL: Not a bad movie but an incredibly dated one, "Knights of the Round Table" nevertheless offers up a good example of vintage Cinemascope film making from the 1950's.

Calvary Charges, Fierce Battles and Pageantry
KNIGHTS OF THE ROUND TABLE is a movie about the classic tale of King Arthur, Sir Lancelot and Guinevere. Lancelot's ill-fated love for Guinevere is played out against a background of cavalry charges, fierce battles and pageantry. The plot is amplified by the rivalry between Lancelot and Mordred as well as Sir Percival's quest for the Holy Grail. Merlin appears in the film as an advisor to Arthur and Lancelot's wife dies while giving birth to the future Sir Gallahad.

Robert Taylor as Lancelot and Mel Ferrer as Arthur are both superb. Ava Gardner makes a beautiful Guinevere but her acting seems to be a little flat. The strong supporting cast includes Stanley Blake, Felix Aylmer and Robert Urguhart.

KNIGHTS OF THE ROUND TABLE received Academy Award nominations for Best Color, Art Direction and Sound. The main competition for Oscars in 1953 came from STALAG 17, ROMAN HOLIDAY and FROM HERE TO ETERNITY.

Richard Thorpe also directed Robert Taylor in IVANHOE in 1952.

The Age of Chivalry
A very enjoyable movie about the legend of King Arthur, Lancelot and Guinevere. Robert Taylor is perfect as Lancelot... noble and chivalrous, although human at the same time. Colorful and full of heraldry, if you like stories of the age of chivalry, you'll enjoy this.

Knight of the Round Table
I've always like a Robert Taylor movie. It's one of those movies, you could add to your video collection, and watch it again periodically. ... Read more

Amazon.com

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

Reviews (23)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Reviews (10)

Not the same as the book, but. . . .
. . .it was a good watch anyway. Chris Sarandon was outstanding in the roles he played of look-alikes Charles Darnay and Sydney Carton. He captured Carton's sardonic humor well, and evoked his melancholic fatalism and innate dignity with much pathos. A quite elderly Kenneth More put on a great performance as the officious but kindly banker, whose character provided much humorous dialogue. The character of Miss Pross, the sharp-eyed chaperone, was absolutely wonderful.

I never expect a movie to follow a novel very closely -- books and films are two completely different art forms and cannot be translated one to the other with good effect. As the movie begins we see the words "Based on the novel by Charles Dickens." With those words we are given fair warning that what is to follow is an interpretation of Dickens' vision.

What this film did was capture what is so wonderful about Dickens' novels -- the alternation between the humor and the darkness at the center of much human experience. The scenes were knit together flawlessly, so that a rather complicated plot taking part in two different places came together without confusion or awkward transitions. The pacing was artfully done, and the last 40 minutes or so were very suspenseful.

It's too bad the movie received so many bad reviews because it didn't follow the book. I've read the book and found it, like many of Dickens' works, to be wonderful, but also probably inaccessible to many readers. This film takes a good story and opens it up to those who may never open the book.

A Tale of Two Cities
I was very dissappointed with with this film version and it just did not make the grade - the film is flawed, and the people are flat. I don"t get the feeling I got when watching the original version. Something is wrong...The story line is not right, the people in the roles are not right and therefore are not able to portray the right feelings/emotions. It was all flat and I did not beleive in the people I was watching. I'm sorry, but the best film adaptaton is the 1935 version and I think will always will be!

Loved It
This is my favorite version of A Tale of Two Cities. I do not agree with the review that said it was "flat". I have seen other versions and think Chris Sarandon did an outstanding job. Dickens would be proud

not bad at all
This video is fine for understanding the basic issues of the French Revolution- I disagree with the above reviews and feel it is a decent follow up to a unit on the Revolution or the book itself. Of course its not as good as the book- movies rarely are!

exhilarating
it was good at times it was bad at times it was funny at times it was sad at times it was happy at times it was passionate at times but all together it was pretty good. ... Read more

Description

An African boy gets involved in the political unrest in Kenya in 1950 while working as a kitchen boy in the home of the chief of police. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

An excellent movie
As someone who grew up in Kenya in the 50s and 60s, I can attest to the fact that this film captures the feel and the spirit of colonial Kenya better than any other film ever made. The characterizations are excellent, and the story is both entirely believable and captures the nature of colonialism without being judgemental. The little boy in the lead role does an excellent job - you can fully empathize with him - and the late Bob Peck is, as ever, superb in the role of the local head of the police. More explanation was needed of the attitude of his wife, it was difficult to really grasp the thinking of the Mau Mau guerillas, and the ending was perhaps a little predictable. Overall though, this was a terrific film, and instantly gets slotted into my Top Ten of all time.

Excellent yet troubling story.
. "The Kitchen Toto" is an excellent movie that portrays the beginning of the insurgence in 1950's Colonial British ruled Kenya. It is a heartbreaking story of a young boy who suffers unbearable hardships and tragedies, and must choose between his loyalties. It shows the brutality of the drive for Kenya's independence. The ending is tragic and makes you appreciate growing up in our country. As the previous reviewer indicates, it is authentic and very interesting. Get your Kleenex ready

Excellent portrayal of racial tensions in Colonial Kenya
"The Kitchen Toto" does a fine job of examining all aspects of a troubled time in Colonial Kenya. The director himself grew up in Kenya, and the film was shot on location. Very authentic, very interesting, and not a little troubling! ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Interesting look at the SS' rold in Nazi Germany.
It's an interesting persprctive, looking at the SS from the points of view of two brothers: one in the SS, and one who ran afoul of the SS. The actors playing Heydrich and Himmler did their roles excellently, and the depiction of SS reaction to certain events (Night of the Long Knives, Krystalnacht, and the July 20 Bomb plot) was also well done. The only thing obviusly inaccurate was the assasaination of Heydrich (he was assasinated in Prague, not in the countryside outside the city).

An interesting perspective on a familiar topic
This movie views the rise of the Nazi regime from the perspective of two brothers, who are very ordinary people. At first each brother views the Nazis as just another political party. One brother becomes a full-time SS officer working for Heydrich, the other (who actually became a Nazi before his brother did) sees the evil of the Nazis sooner, and suffers for his outspokeness. The strength of the movie is its portrayal of ordinary Germans during this time period, and how they become caught up in the ugliness of the Nazi regime.
The acting is so-so, but not bad if your expectations are not high. Jose Ferrer plays only a modest role in this movie--he is not the star. Overall an entertaining movie that is worth a try. The quality of the DVD video is slightly below average.

Did you see that movie - Maybe you can help me!
P>...The movie is great because of the intensity of the determination the SS organization had back in the 30's. The actors are great and the music is unique. What is sad about the end of that movie is the same pitfall as other movies. Too much emphasis on concentration camps. In good objectivity, anyone that talks about concentration camps should also learn about the causes of the creation of the SA and the SS. The Germany of 1880 until 1933. This is the period to learn and read about. Stay objective and be a good judge. Like in the movie:"Who needs a revolution, when the revolution already been achieved?"

CHSimon
This fictional dramatization of the life of a typical middle class German family and the effects of the third reich and Adolf Hitlers 12 year reign of terror, does an excellent job in humanizing what must have been a horrile dilhemma for German people in the 30s and 40s. David Warner is terrific as the heartless Reinhardt Heydrich whose influence on the oldest son in the family changed the boy from skeptic and cynic into fulfledged believer. Tony Randall is also excellent as a "Joel Grey" type emcee at the local Night Club who dares to criticise the NAZIS and pays the ultimate price for his performances. All in all the performances are believable if you can get past some of the heavy British accents which are mixed in with bland American accents like that of Carrol Baker who plays the mom. The sharp contrast in accents is kind of distracting.

A Historian with an Opinion...
I have viewed this title a few times. I think this is an excellent movie. Many movies from the World War II era commonly tell a small portion about the people's lives in NAZI Germany during the Third Reich. This movie collected all the bits and pieces and showed how different people from the start had their lives affected throughout this time. This is an excellent movie and I wish it received more publicity to exploit what it does best... inform people about life in the Third Reich. It also shows the innocence of the German people and how they were brainwashed and tricked by the NAZIS. Clearly documenting the civilians at this time. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Boring travesty of Le Carre's work.
I love Le Carre and was looking forward to this film. But what a mess! The plot is a mishmash -- after about an hour I no longer cared what might happen to the protagonists. Excellent actors like Ralph Richardson and Anthony Hopkins are wasted in secondary roles. Other reviewers say that this movie was edited to death and I believe it. Save your money. Maybe they'll release Spy Who Came In From The Cold on DVD some day.

Could have been . . . .
This movie was edited to death and dullness. Crucial scenes were obviously cut which threw the plot out of joint and into inaction. It could have been, and probably was before editing, a dandy cold war spy flic. It is worth three stars for historical value.

Cold War performance from Christopher Jones
This is an excellent cold war film competently acted, well scripted and neatly directed. It is a superb adaptation of John Le Carré's best-selling novel. Paranoia runs rampant here. Christopher Jones is brilliant as the civilian turned spy. Christopher Jones should have gone on to greater things. His pinnacle as an actor came in David Lean's epic "RYAN'S DAUGHTER." Anthony Hopkins and Ralph Richardson are also featured.

Good Acting
Looking Glass War gets you hooked the minute beutiful Christopher Jones comes on screen. Fortunately he's in almost every scene! He is not only more beautiful than his co star (Pia Degermark) but he is also excellant in the role. He is really American but his Polish accent is flawless. Movie has some exciting moments & intrigue. Worth watching if only for Jones' performance & a bit w/Anthony Hopkins.

Classic British Cold War Fare
What does a classic cold war movie need? To my mind, a shot of the West End of London, some cynical, dead-pan British spies, a plot from a Le Carre novel and a few shots of Eastern Europe (probably filmed in Essex or some such place). Add a dashing youngster to offset the cynics and, of course, a nasty ending leaving little room for faith in human nature. You have a classic.

If you like Harry Palmer of the Ipcress File, Funeral in Berlin and the Billion Dollar Brain, chances are you'll love this. If you are a James Bond fan, maybe not. This is for the lover of the anti-hero spy rather than the dashing secret agent.

Two thumbs up as far as I'm concerned. ... Read more

Reviews (23)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Reviews (4)

Movie fine but Video transfer AWFUL!!!
THE WARRIORS was the great ERROL FLYNN's last swashbuckler, made while he was a down and out drunk living on his yacht. However, his performance is fine, and the picture is fun. But the print quality and the transfer are AWFUL!!-- making this video extremely painful to watch! The film is in widescreen but the video transfer is the worst pan-and-scan mess I have ever seen! The colors are washed out and the sound is dreadful! ERROL FLYNN, the greatest swashbuckler of all time, does not deserve to be represented by this piece of junk! Again, good movie, LOUSY VIDEO! BEWARE!

Wonderful telling of history
This movie is based on history of England's fight against France for Aquitaine during the 100 Years War. 'Errol Flynn' in the role of Edward, Prince of Wales (the Black Knight) is England's greatest hero of the period. 'Peter Finch' is Comte Robert de Ville the Frenchman who refuses to surrender. Joanne Dru is Lady Joan Holland (playing the love interest). I love this movie. It is "Flynns" last romantic swashbuckler. Unfortunately "Flynn's" drinking has taken it's toll on his health. Even so I find this to be a great movie, well told & "Flynn" is great in the role. I recommend this movie to all who are either fans of "Flynn" or in history. The actors bring this little bit of history to life in wonderful detail. The sets & costumes are beautiful. The musical score is magnificent. Yvonne Furneaux is perfectly charming as Marie. Don't allow others who look only for perfection to sway you. You will love this movie & will watch it again & again. When I saw this movie for the first time the screen stated that it is recommended by the National Education Association.

Flynn's 'Last' Swashbuckler
This was in fact the last cinema outing for Errol Flynn as a swashbuckler.(there did lay ahead a few television appearances during the period of 1956-7 where Flynn played various costume roles).

No one would deny that this is the least of Flynn's costume dramas. Although he is playing an actual historical character, Flynn, who was 45 at the time, does appear bloated and somewhat tied in several scenes. In particular his sword fight with a young Christopher Lee, is a sad reminder of his previous encounters with Basil Rathbone and Henry Daniel.

However, there is still much to enjoy in the film. The cast is good, featuring Peter Finch and Michael Horden. The picture is well mounted (at least for a British picture of the 1950's) with excellant exterior shots.

Although not hugely successful when it was first released, the film did gain some respectful reviews (particularly in the New York Times).

The film is not as enjoyable as the 'Master of Ballantrae' made in 1953, however it is by no means disgrace and is worthy of respect by any Flynn fan.

Beware
Do not be misled by the star and the title... this is a dreadful late-50s adventure "epic" featuring a paunchy and bloated Errol Flynn in his very last stab at playing a swashbuckling hero (he played only drunks after this). One more movie for "Hollywood Babylon," but don't make the mistake of paying money for it. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Britain's Hammer Studios had been making films for decades before they suddenly redefined themselves with this lurid remake of the Universal Studios horror classic. Prohibited by Universal from copying their blocky makeup (and their script, for that matter), Hammer returned to Mary Shelley's novel for inspiration, and then went in its own direction. Peter Cushing plays Dr. Frankenstein as the rational scientist turned cold-blooded criminal in his campaign to discover the secret of life, committing murder to further his ends, or to remove an inconvenient mistress. Christopher Lee is the pitiable creature, a terrified behemoth more innocent newborn than malevolent monster. His pale, pallid, grotesquely scarred face was so thickly applied that he emotes almost exclusively with his eyes and his awkward, stumbling gestures. The not-so-good Dr. Frankenstein is the true monster, a ruthless scientist whose rejection of superstition extends to all moral considerations. Shot in blood-red color by Hammer stalwart Terence Fisher, the stylish, often salacious film became Hammer's biggest success to date, made horror stars out of the classically trained Cushing and Lee, and transformed the B studio into the Hammer we know and love today: the house that dripped blood. The Horror of Dracula immediately followed, reuniting the winning team of Cushing and Lee, and Cushing returned in four of six Frankenstein sequels. --Sean Axmaker ... Read more

Reviews (30)

Hammer's Beginnings
The classic Hammer Studio's first major foray into the horror genre remains one of its best. Long unavailable, 'The Curse of Frankenstein' features two great performances from Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee. Cushing creates a sinister but understandable Doctor and Lee gives new dimension to (what had become) a tired role in the Universal canon. Lee today still has a tremendous mind and memory, and has been doing some of his best work (in the recent 'Lord of the Rings'). 'Curse' was followed soon after by 'Horror of Dracula' (now released simultaneously on DVD). For an introduction to Hammer's stylistics and genre makeover, you can't start much better than these two films. (Though do check out Anchor Bay's recent years' releases)

Classic Hammer
I will watch any movie with Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee. It is even better when that movie happens to be a horror classic. The Curse of Frankenstein happens to fall into that category. This is the movie that launched Hammer films association with the classic Universal monsters. Though at this time, they were not allowed to copy the monster look from the Universal film. They re-scripted the Frankenstein story so that more closely resembles the Mary Shelley novel. Cushing plays Dr. Victor Frankenstein with Lee cast as the monster. The movie has the trademark Hammer gothic look and was directed by Terrence Fisher.

The picture quality of the DVD is superb. The picture is presented in widescreen format. The colors are bright with no signs of scratches or dirt as far as I could tell. You would never know this movie is over 45 years old. The sound is presented in its original mono track. Voices come through loud and clear. There are very few extras. There is a film trailer and a still gallery with film facts called "The Making of a Monster". It would be nice to have Lee record a commentary at some point. Hammer went on to produce 6 more Frankenstein films, with Peter Cushing in the title role of 5 of them. The Curse of Frankenstein should be the cornerstone of any good classic horror or Hammer DVD library.

Introducing the Hammer Gothic horror formula
"The Curse of Frankenstein" launched the Hammer Frankenstein series, which was helped by the fact these films ignored both Mary Shelley's original novel and all of the Universal movies about the mad doctor and his monster (the latter because Universal was always threatening to sue). The hallmark of Hammer's Frankenstein films is that Dr. Frankenstein, usually played by Peter Cushing in his role of a lifetime, is more interesting than the monster, which is always aware of what has been done to it. This is not the innocent child-monster of James Whale's classic films.

In 19th-Century Switzerland Baron Victor Frankenstein is awaiting execution and tells his life story to a priest in flashback. As a boy Victor drowned a puppy and brought it back to life, dreaming even them of creating life from stitched-together pieces of bodies. Paul Krempe (Robert Urquhart), Victor's tutor, is revolted by the prospect but ends up helping the mad doctor. Romantic complications abound as Victor ignores his fiancee Elizabeth (Hazel Court), who falls for Paul, while Victor's jealous maid Justine (Valerie Gaunt) gets really jealous. Needing a brain for his creation, Victor causes the death of kindly Professor Bernstein, but the brain is damaged when Paul finds Victor robbing the grave. Victor finally succeeds in bringing his creation (Chrisopher Lee) to life, and using it to settle all of his little problems, beginning with the increasingly troublesome Justine.

"The Curse of Frankenstein" suffers from the one-dimensionality of the two main characters. Both Victor and his creation are basically just psychopaths in this initial effort. Terence Fisher's direction is the best part of the Hammer ensemble at this point, followed by Bernard Robinson's set design for the laboratory, with Phil Leakey's last minute make-up for the creature the low point (although you have to admit it is closer to Shelley's original description of the creature than Karloff's famous look). Although it is technically a sequel, "The Revenge of Frankenstein," the next Hammer film, is much better and there is not reason not to start the series there.

Frankenstein in glorious technicolour for the first time!
The Curse of Frankenstein was the first of the many gothic horrors for which the Hammer Studios became renowned, and it remains one of the best.

Fisher's seminal film contains all the sophistication, irony and terror that made the Hammer Frankenstein series so successful and memorable. Peter Cushing plays the villianous Baron magnificently, and Christopher Lee presents us with an original and sympathetic portrayal of the creature. Production design is stunning, especially some of the lush matte paintings, and veteran James Bernard supplies one of his best scores.

Essential DVD for Horror Fans.
Shot in colour and released in 1957, "The Curse of Frankenstein" is, of course, the film that made Hammer Films a household name for horror/thriller movie fans all over the world. To fully appreciate the importance and impact of "Curse", you have to look at it in the context of the time when it was made. By the mid-fifties, horror films had long passed their peak in Hollywood--certainly in terms of quality. Black and white "quickies", with almost no budget, were being churned out for teenagers to watch at the drive-in ( at least, those who were watching the screen ! ) Shlock-masters like Roger Corman and Bert Gordon were turning out "masterpieces" like "The Wasp Woman" and "The Amazing Colossal Man".

Suddenly, we have a small studio in England, making a horror film with excellent production values, gorgeously creepy sets, fine costumes, professional actors and a talented director, Terence Fisher. At the same time, along with a classy look, you add liberal amounts of gore ( certainly by 1950s standards ), and a couple of voluptuous "damsels in distress" who can scream lustily when they encounter the monster. It was a winning formula that Hammer would raise to an art form.

Peter Cushing plays Baron Von Frankenstein, and his terrific performance dominates the film. His character goes through quite a transformation from curious scientist to an obsessive fiend, determined to "create life" at, literally, any cost. His mentor/friend Paul Krempe ( Robert Urquhart )is an enthusiastic assistant at first, but soon becomes alienated by the Baron's frantic and ultimately murderous behaviour. Sometimes body parts are easily available--sometimes you have to be "creative" in obtaining them !

Of course, this flesh and blood "jigsaw puzzle" comes to life in the form of a hideous, pathetic creature played by Christopher Lee, who soon breaks loose, displaying no appreciation whatsoever for being "born" ! As I mentioned earlier, two beautiful women "round out" the cast. Gorgeous Hazel Court is Elizabeth, the Baron's betrothed, and Valerie Gaunt is Justine the maid. Justine is, as they say in England, the Baron's "bit on the side"--when she threatens to spill all the Baron's secrets unless he marries her, you just know that her future is "cloudy".

"Curse" may not be Hammer's best film, but it put the studio on the map and started an enduring partnership of two very fine actors--Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee.

The DVD exhibits good colour, with occasional haziness and mono sound. The extras are sparse--a few notes on other Hammer films, and a trailer. I would have loved some comments from Mr. Lee--sadly Peter Cushing passed away some time ago.

Still, if you like classic horror films, "Curse" has to be in your collection--its importance cannot be over-estimated. Recommended. ... Read more

Reviews (23)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Reviews (2)

a quiet classic
Kipperbang is indeed a quiet classic. They don't make movies of this quality anymore, sad to say. It's on my all-time best list. Track it down and rent it. If you were the school boy who didn't get to kiss the girl, this is for you.

THIS FILM IS GREAT
THIS IS A MUST RENT OR BUY IF YOU CAN. ... Read more

Reviews (11)

The BEST of all the episodes
The writers outdid themselves on this one. Excellent story. Saved the best for the only double length episode. Shows what a higher intelligence is capable of which we sometimes lack. If your a true outer limits fan BUY this one. Well worth the extra dollars. Don't wait before it goes OOP. Sincerely, Joe Sudek

a favorite late-season OL chair-riveter
This, the only 2-part episode of classic Limits, demonstrates once again how good this series was at presenting spell-binding scifi entertainment, even with the second season's lack of a special effects budget. Additionally, it beautifully showcases the warmth and humanity of the Stevens/Stefano vision that gave life to the series, even after its creators left. But there is nothing sappy here; it is only after a harrowing and tense story build-up that the audience is delivered to its final affirmation of virtue and human worth, which resides as much in the alien as in the human, despite a wide empty space between them, and the alarm and fear that rush in to fill that vacuum in the meantime. The theme of this episode is that sometimes, understanding can come only after a passage through fear and suspicion. From the start, the intrigue mounts, wonderfully elaborated by an excellent musical score with the oboe carrying a deliciously tense melody against an ominous ostinato. Robert Duvall deserves top honors for his portrayal of an FBI-like agent in charge of defending the country from what he astutely perceives could be an alien menace, against the somewhat more unwitting sensibilities of his otherwise competent colleagues and J. Edgar Hoover-like boss. There is some enjoyably hardboiled dialog and some very taut scenes in which things seem to come to a head, only to be neutralized by the determination and apparent invulnerability of the alien intelligence, whose uncertain motives and objectives are the axis on which the plot turns. A lesser storyline might have highlighted the paranoia and idiocy of Duvall's character, automatically thinking that the aliens' intentions must represent a threat to humanity; but instead we are directed sympathetically toward the potential, if flawed, heroism of his stand. Duvall's zero-dialog portrayal of Boo in "To Kill A Mockingbird" must have been a good warm-up for the last scene here, in which he is virtually struck wordless by the final story revelation. Likewise, the four human hosts of the alien force (with strongly contrasting personalities) are poignantly portrayed, deeply conflicted about the alien presence within them, which even they are powerless to confront. Perhaps the most dramatically gripping exposition of this theme is a lonely scene in a church, with one of them praying about it in a state of profound spiritual angst. This is not the kind of thing we see routinely, even in the best science fiction. It once again puts Classic OL in a category almost by itself for high class and excellence. There are flaws in terms of production; such as the Vietnam setting's inauthenticity, but this was made before folks new what the SE Asian countryside looked like from news footage airing later in the 1960's in American living rooms. Likewise, the ship built by the alien concern is not to study closely. But these flaws are as though insignificant against the top-form story, direction, acting, and overall audience engagement. If you like solid, non-juvenile science fiction drama, if you resent and despise the shallowness and vapidity of the "Independence Day" standard for such fare that passes in today's product-market, you might really enjoy this memorable OL episode.

Inheritors, the best episode
The most groundbreaking episode of a groundbreaking series The Inheritors is a treatment of multiple fascinating subjects. They vary from the question of what is human to what a sufficiently advanced technology could accomplish, were they to set their minds to it. More importantly, it looks at their possible ethics and how that might impact on how that civilization does things.

Admittedly, the method by which the four protagonists are gathered up and advanced is rather unlikely, but once you get past that its a really interesting story with few holes in either its storytelling or science. Indeed, despite having been written for TV in 1964 the physics still holds good - remarkably so in that current thinking suggests that everything shown is possible.

Well worth the investment.

The Awe and Mystery
How often the "awe and mystery" of the outer limits was overstated! But not here: Not only does the episode have that rarest of all science fiction qualities before 1970 -- characters with heart, inner conflict and depth -- but it puts into our heads such fundamental questions as "what is the mind"? "What is intent"? "Can unilateral action ever be ethical?" This may be the only episode of TOL that ever made me cry...

Undercover Invasion and Interstellar Kidnappers
Arguably OL's best single story.

Four soldiers from Vietnam suffer what should be mortal head wounds in the same theater of war, recover with astronomical I.Q.'s and curious new interests, and have something no human being can have: a second brain wave pattern. More interesting still, all four soldiers' second brain wave pattern is identical. The soldiers disappear, manage to meet each other through no mechanism our suspicious government can fathom, and act in concert toward the aim of building an interstellar spacecraft - and their leader is collecting a number of crippled children for a one-way trip to...somewhere.

This is a truly brilliant episode, the only one in the second season where producer Ben Brady's prosaic police procedural formula actually worked to excellent effect. Robert Duvall is the senior agent investigating the case, who alternately comes off as monomaniacal or correct in his diagnosis of the situation as a bit of extraterrestrial invasion and kidnapping. The four infected soldiers are wonderful, Steve Ihnat as the leader striking exactly the right note as a gentle and righteous man, yet one compelled against his will to perform acts even he isn't sure the outcome of. And the kids are adorable (keep your eyes peeled for the young Morgan Brittany), making the potential menace of the situation all the more palpable.

The only problem with this story is its sometimes artificially inflated melodrama. This is more than counteracted, however, by the intelligent and sensitive script, the mature performances of the entire cast, and an incredibly satisfying and emotionally moving finale.

Unquestionably one of OL's superior episodes, not to be missed. ... Read more