Reviews (2)

It should be illegal to sell such a poor quality DVD
An excellant A+++ performance by Ms. Tyson which was ruined by the worst quality DVD I have every seen. 50% of the scenes were so black as to been unable to distinguish the characters ( it was like trying to watch radio) and the other 50% were washed out, full of glare, and unfocused. This was truly a diaster. My advice DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY ON THIS DVD... WAIT FOR A BETTER TRANSFER

Poor transfer-wonderful drama
This is an important drama with a great performance by Ms. Tyson. Unfortunately the film? videotape? from which the DVD was made was in very poor condition I must assume. The colors are bleached out and the picture is very fuzzy throughout. If the DVD was made from the only materials in existence I can understand. Otherwise let's make a new DVD! ... Read more

Amazon.com

At the height of urban paranoia and the birth of survivalist movement in the 1980s, director Michael Ritchie decided to team Robin Williams and Walter Matthau. Talk about an odd couple; yet it actually might have worked, with Matthau's hang-dog deadpan and Williams's manic energy, were it not for a limp script by Michael Leeson. Williams and Matthau play two victims of Reaganomics, unemployed acquaintances who witness a robbery and identify one of the participants to the police, an act that turns them into targets for the robber in question, who comes looking for them. Williams's response: become a one-man arsenal and join a training camp for militant survivalists. But the comedy is neither sharp enough nor sufficiently smart to pull it off; Matthau is the calm center while Williams's comedy rockets all around him, to surprisingly little effect. --Marshall Fine ... Read more

Reviews (10)

robin williams is hilarious in this film
this movie is a genuine treasure to watch. sit back and enjoy one of robin william's best roles. walter matthau and jerry reed round out the cast in a twisting comedy about life, getting fired, and giving society the finger. enjoy

One of my all time favorite Comedies
Robin Williams is masterful as a zany survival nut who is being taken advantage of by a scheming businessman preying on fear that society will break down...Walter Matthau is the perfect straight man/foil for Williams...

Even though this is an older movie it is a theme which is still timeless...Is society getting ready for the "Big Flush" and how do responsible people respond to it?...

Williams and Matthau provide one very funny solution.

FUNNY
This is one that is easily forgotten, but people should rediscover this piece of work. 2 men's lives unexpectedly cross when a diner is robbed. Donald(Williams) Quinelle decides that society is too sick to "survive" and joins a survivalist group in the mountains. Sonny(Matthau) Paluso wants no part of the survivalist mode of living, but in order to save his own life from the armed robber they can both put the finger on he soons joins Quinelle in the survivalist camp. Jerry Reed is the robber and does one heck of a job here. Opening credits use the late Governor Huey Long's "Every Man a King".

The Survivors
funny, funny, sooo funny, can't watch it enough,misplaced
our last copy, gonna get another one...don't forget Jerry
Reeds caustic southern humor also...

Maybe it's just me, but...
I guess when this movie was released back in the eighties, it was much funnier and more interesting. But to me, it's just long and boring.

There's a few jokes scattered here and there that can cause a chuckle, but the rest are mostly just painful. Walter Matthau and Robin Williams stop a robber in a diner, and afterward, Williams's character decides to go to a survivalist camp, where wackiness ensues. That's about it for the plot.

Williams does a good job acting-wise, and I don't blame him for this [cruddy] movie. I consider him a great actor on many levels, and this was just an unfortunate role for him to play. Matthau, too, does a good job, but just got stuck with a bad movie. Everybody else [stinks]. Especially the actresses, who all speak with a really dumb-sounding voice (You know that light-headed kind of "Ooh... am I awake now?" kind of voice?) and say stupid things.

But, hey, some people like "The Survivors," and others like "Clerks." Which one fits you? ... Read more

Reviews (20)

Just Okay
I really wanted to like this film a lot: what with Clint and Robert Duvall starring together.

But it's just not a very good film. It has the flavor of classic Clint and the western drama but lacks the substance. The story line is too improbable for even the most ardent fan. The dialogue and action are slow and drawn out. Like molasses.
And the climax is just plain limp.

Fortunately, there are so many great Clint westerns to choose from - Hang'em High, Good, Bad, and the Ugly trio, The Outlaw Josey Wales (one of Clint's favorites) that the viewer can still enjoy wonderful westerns of the highest quality - but this isn't one of them.

Three stars.

Sober & Conservative Eastwood Western, still worth the Money
Another sober and conservative Eastwood Western, directed by John Sturges this time... Although not as captivating or as intriguing as the following High Plains Drifter, it nevertheless has all the classic ingredients, absolutely great sceneries, a relatively modest story, and a rather fine cast (including Robert Duvall). The existential themes are a bit in the wake and following of Hang 'Em High, i.e. the question of Justice, Right and Wrong, etc. (themes that were to be omnipresent in all of Eastwood's subsequent Westerns). Of course it isn't a truly Fantastic Western, at least by the standard of his following ones (High Plain Drifters, The Outlaw Josey Wales, Pale Rider), but it's nevertheless still worth a cool watch, if only for the extremely beautiful outdoors...

Not one of my favorites, but a good performance by Duvall
Joe Kidd is not one of my favorite Eastern westerners (and Eastwood is my favorite, hands down, when it comes to films, and the Western is my favorite genre), but it does feature a good performance by Robert Duvall as the heavy. Clint's character is a little too reigned in in this one for my taste, until at the end he runs a steam engine through the town in order to extract some vengeance from Duvall's baddie.

A good supporting cast (as is typical in an Eastwood flick), also featuring John Saxon and Don Stroud.

Robert Duvall sings!
He cant act, so he figures hed try singing his lines- listen for when he breaks out with "I wanna see a man by the name of Joe Kidd" sung in a sing-song South Sea style.

A Little Stale
Clint Eastwood rarely stars in a bad movie, but that's not to say this is bad, it just falls a bit flat. A good cast, including a deliciously villainous Robert Duvall unfortunately fail to lift this picture above mediocrity. Add to this, it's relatively short running time (just under 90 minutes), fans of the genre, and Clint (who have been spoiled by great movies before) will feel a little let down. It's probably fair to say that a lesser known cast, and director wouldn't even have got this movie off the cutting room floor. All this said, any Clint collector will probably want it in his/her collection, and the usual amount of dry humor, and Eastwoodesque rationality does make this watchable, if not that memorable. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A new high in lows
This is possibly one of the worst movies ever made, and hence deserves cult-status. A stunningly self-conscious performance by Neil French is just one of the reasons to watch it. There is, however, a quite charming dog in one or two scenes. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

It should be illegal to sell such a poor quality DVD
An excellant A+++ performance by Ms. Tyson which was ruined by the worst quality DVD I have every seen. 50% of the scenes were so black as to been unable to distinguish the characters ( it was like trying to watch radio) and the other 50% were washed out, full of glare, and unfocused. This was truly a diaster. My advice DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY ON THIS DVD... WAIT FOR A BETTER TRANSFER

Poor transfer-wonderful drama
This is an important drama with a great performance by Ms. Tyson. Unfortunately the film? videotape? from which the DVD was made was in very poor condition I must assume. The colors are bleached out and the picture is very fuzzy throughout. If the DVD was made from the only materials in existence I can understand. Otherwise let's make a new DVD! ... Read more

Description

The story of the late J. Edgar Hoover, who was head of the FBI from 1924-1972.The film follows Hoover from his racket busting days through his reign under eight U.S. presidents. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Fact and Fiction Mixed--But Closer to Truth Than Most
This movie is informative with fiction added.The suspense of the movie is portrayed by the facts presented. It's the closest thing to what is likely the truth about J.Edgar Hoover's life you'll find---especially given the onslaught of one-sided written and movie attacks on one (Hoover) who gave a great deal more than most to the country he loved. While many did their best to destroy Hoover's reputation in the aftermath of his death,here,Broderick Crawford portrays Hoover as a great American but human--with his own skeletons in the closet (no pun intended) and who made his share of mistakes. The movie also touches on the lives of other great Americans--John and Robert Kennedy and Martin Luther King. One sees that they,just as Hoover,were human,made mistakes and had their skeletons just as we all do. (See the movie's version of the Kennedys and Marilyn Monroe). Although much of what we would like to know went to their graves with Hoover,King,the Kennedys and others,this movie is,in many respects,the closest to the truth about Hoover and,to a lesser extent,the Kennedys and King that's been attempted. It will probably anger all who see it,whatever their political slant,to some extent at least,and that fact alone points to the best reason to get this movie and watch it with an open mind.

The Life Of America's First Top Cop
Casting Broderick Crawford as Hoover was a stroke of genius on the part of the casting director of this film. He's perfect for the part. He brings out the gruffness and arrogance of the character, while simultaneously showing the insecure, low self-esteem inner man that Hoover is portrayed as being.

We see him first as a young idealist, working in the Justice Department, wanting to protect the legal rights of immigrants and fighting the internal corruption of the FBI in the 1920's. Then he becomes the "Top Cop" of the nation and a publicity seeker with the help of Walter Winchell. And finally as an old man jeolously guarding his power and firmly entrenched in the political system. But more importantly, we see the dual nature of his morality: on the one hand, his fastidious approach to sexuality and his ego crushing sensitivity to his own unattractiveness; and on the other hand, his sessions-------bottle in hand--------listening to the sexual encounters on FBI surveillance tapes.

The film is not without humor, however. Look for a scene about disposing of a fly in Hoover's office.

In some ways, a waxworks of a film with actors looking and sounding like famous political leaders, but more importantly a record------part fact, part fiction------of a very complex man, who's personality and inner demons helped to form the concept of justice in the American public's mind from the 1930's until his death. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Fact and Fiction Mixed--But Closer to Truth Than Most
This movie is informative with fiction added.The suspense of the movie is portrayed by the facts presented. It's the closest thing to what is likely the truth about J.Edgar Hoover's life you'll find---especially given the onslaught of one-sided written and movie attacks on one (Hoover) who gave a great deal more than most to the country he loved. While many did their best to destroy Hoover's reputation in the aftermath of his death,here,Broderick Crawford portrays Hoover as a great American but human--with his own skeletons in the closet (no pun intended) and who made his share of mistakes. The movie also touches on the lives of other great Americans--John and Robert Kennedy and Martin Luther King. One sees that they,just as Hoover,were human,made mistakes and had their skeletons just as we all do. (See the movie's version of the Kennedys and Marilyn Monroe). Although much of what we would like to know went to their graves with Hoover,King,the Kennedys and others,this movie is,in many respects,the closest to the truth about Hoover and,to a lesser extent,the Kennedys and King that's been attempted. It will probably anger all who see it,whatever their political slant,to some extent at least,and that fact alone points to the best reason to get this movie and watch it with an open mind.

The Life Of America's First Top Cop
Casting Broderick Crawford as Hoover was a stroke of genius on the part of the casting director of this film. He's perfect for the part. He brings out the gruffness and arrogance of the character, while simultaneously showing the insecure, low self-esteem inner man that Hoover is portrayed as being.

We see him first as a young idealist, working in the Justice Department, wanting to protect the legal rights of immigrants and fighting the internal corruption of the FBI in the 1920's. Then he becomes the "Top Cop" of the nation and a publicity seeker with the help of Walter Winchell. And finally as an old man jeolously guarding his power and firmly entrenched in the political system. But more importantly, we see the dual nature of his morality: on the one hand, his fastidious approach to sexuality and his ego crushing sensitivity to his own unattractiveness; and on the other hand, his sessions-------bottle in hand--------listening to the sexual encounters on FBI surveillance tapes.

The film is not without humor, however. Look for a scene about disposing of a fly in Hoover's office.

In some ways, a waxworks of a film with actors looking and sounding like famous political leaders, but more importantly a record------part fact, part fiction------of a very complex man, who's personality and inner demons helped to form the concept of justice in the American public's mind from the 1930's until his death. ... Read more

Reviews (20)

Just Okay
I really wanted to like this film a lot: what with Clint and Robert Duvall starring together.

But it's just not a very good film. It has the flavor of classic Clint and the western drama but lacks the substance. The story line is too improbable for even the most ardent fan. The dialogue and action are slow and drawn out. Like molasses.
And the climax is just plain limp.

Fortunately, there are so many great Clint westerns to choose from - Hang'em High, Good, Bad, and the Ugly trio, The Outlaw Josey Wales (one of Clint's favorites) that the viewer can still enjoy wonderful westerns of the highest quality - but this isn't one of them.

Three stars.

Sober & Conservative Eastwood Western, still worth the Money
Another sober and conservative Eastwood Western, directed by John Sturges this time... Although not as captivating or as intriguing as the following High Plains Drifter, it nevertheless has all the classic ingredients, absolutely great sceneries, a relatively modest story, and a rather fine cast (including Robert Duvall). The existential themes are a bit in the wake and following of Hang 'Em High, i.e. the question of Justice, Right and Wrong, etc. (themes that were to be omnipresent in all of Eastwood's subsequent Westerns). Of course it isn't a truly Fantastic Western, at least by the standard of his following ones (High Plain Drifters, The Outlaw Josey Wales, Pale Rider), but it's nevertheless still worth a cool watch, if only for the extremely beautiful outdoors...

Not one of my favorites, but a good performance by Duvall
Joe Kidd is not one of my favorite Eastern westerners (and Eastwood is my favorite, hands down, when it comes to films, and the Western is my favorite genre), but it does feature a good performance by Robert Duvall as the heavy. Clint's character is a little too reigned in in this one for my taste, until at the end he runs a steam engine through the town in order to extract some vengeance from Duvall's baddie.

A good supporting cast (as is typical in an Eastwood flick), also featuring John Saxon and Don Stroud.

Robert Duvall sings!
He cant act, so he figures hed try singing his lines- listen for when he breaks out with "I wanna see a man by the name of Joe Kidd" sung in a sing-song South Sea style.

A Little Stale
Clint Eastwood rarely stars in a bad movie, but that's not to say this is bad, it just falls a bit flat. A good cast, including a deliciously villainous Robert Duvall unfortunately fail to lift this picture above mediocrity. Add to this, it's relatively short running time (just under 90 minutes), fans of the genre, and Clint (who have been spoiled by great movies before) will feel a little let down. It's probably fair to say that a lesser known cast, and director wouldn't even have got this movie off the cutting room floor. All this said, any Clint collector will probably want it in his/her collection, and the usual amount of dry humor, and Eastwoodesque rationality does make this watchable, if not that memorable. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

It should be illegal to sell such a poor quality DVD
An excellant A+++ performance by Ms. Tyson which was ruined by the worst quality DVD I have every seen. 50% of the scenes were so black as to been unable to distinguish the characters ( it was like trying to watch radio) and the other 50% were washed out, full of glare, and unfocused. This was truly a diaster. My advice DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY ON THIS DVD... WAIT FOR A BETTER TRANSFER

Poor transfer-wonderful drama
This is an important drama with a great performance by Ms. Tyson. Unfortunately the film? videotape? from which the DVD was made was in very poor condition I must assume. The colors are bleached out and the picture is very fuzzy throughout. If the DVD was made from the only materials in existence I can understand. Otherwise let's make a new DVD! ... Read more