Reviews (10)

"You're going to hold a dance?"
This Tom Baker adventure is an example of style over substance. The usual threat of alien invasion is dealt with in a more original way than usual, with a cosmic entity known as the Mandragora Helix planning to destroy human learning and endeavour at the time of the Renaissance, thus plunging the world into superstition and intellectual decay. Strangely enough, however, for a story set in Renaissance Italy, there is too much technobabble, especially in the climax, which is insufficiently explained. The story just ends and we're left asking how. (With no answer!) However, the story is a triumph of design. It has brilliant period costumes, lush surroundings and exquisite dance scenes during the masque. There is also a brooding sense of underlying terror. (The Doctor trapped in the temple while it is recreating itself is one such example.) There is also wonderful acting from all involved. The deficiencies of "The Masque of Mandragora" are overwhelmed by its sheer style.

Mandragora shall swallow the moon!
The opening story of Season 14 showed a return to a historical adventure. After a close encounter with the Mandragora Helix, the Doctor and Sarah head off to the Dukedom of San Martino in the late 15th century. Unfortunately, three things happen. One, Sarah is captured by the black-robed brethren, members of the Cult of Demnos, who intend to have her sacrificed. Two, the Doctor is captured by soldiers belonging to Count Federico. Three, some Mandragora energy which had slipped into the TARDIS goes around killing people, grossly distorting their faces.

Count Federico is quite the authoritarian, as his men make random attacks on peasants to get any idea of insurrection out of their heads. He is beset by one obstacle in his attempts to gain the dukedom after the death of his brother. That is his young nephew Giuliano, someone interested in scholarly learning, particularly astronomy, but also justice. "I want to rule over a land where there is no tyranny, no lies, no blind ignorance and superstition. ... We make our own lives... not the stars."

That last is against Hieronymous, the hooded court astrologer with a funny forked beard who also heads the cult. The Mandragora energy communicates with him and choses him as the one to become supreme ruler of the Earth. Hieronymous deems himself a humble astrologer and interpreter who says "the decrees of fate must be obeyed. We have no choice." I wonder if the name of this character was inspired by Hieronymous de Savanarola, who condemned church corruption under the Borgias and wore a monk's habit in public.

The Doctor and Sarah are befriended by Giuliano, who perceived the Doctor's scholarly abilities. He finds an ally in the Doctor, who helps him against Federico, who begins to openly move against his own nephew.

Great lines: when Hieronymous accuses the Doctor of profaning the sacred stone of the cult, the Doctor replies flippantly, "Oh, come off it, Hieronymous. You know who I am. You can drop all that bosh about profanity and sacred stones. Just be your natural horrid self."

One interesting question viewers might have is why do the Doctor's companions understand and speak with the local inhabitants in their travels. Here, the Doctor explains it as a Time Lord gift he shares with his companions.

Other things: Tim Pigott-Smith plays Marco, Giuliano's companion and at times, stronger friend. And Norman Jones (Hieronymous) appeared in another Who story The Silurians as the ill-fated Major Baker. This also sees the introduction of the secondary TARDIS console, with brown wood paneling, brass fittings, and no central column, and smaller so it could be more easily moved. And the Doctor should've said "another 150 years" instead of "another 50 years" when he says "we could've used Galileo's [telescope]."

Some sources place the setting as 1478, but as Giuliano mentions a man who believes the Earth is round and not flat, it's more likely 1492, as Columbus's theories were accepted upon his return back the following year.

The concept of superstition, astrology, and predestination, represented by the Helix, and that of knowledge, astronomy, and free will, represented by Giuliano and the Doctor seems a bit simplistic, but it works. After all, who would want to have their decision guided when Mars is in the House of the Ram or is in conjunction with Saturn? For man, the only thing worth having is a sense of purpose-"the ability granted to every living being to shape its own destiny" instead of being idle-minded, useless sheep. Indeed, Giuliano's pondering, "Perhaps the stars don't move, maybe it's we who move" sums it all. In that sense, it succeeds, with the use of Portmeiron in Northern Wales a good location doubling for early Renaissance Italy.

Boring boring boring!
Boring sums up this episode of Dr. Who. I tend not to be overly critical of most of the story lines, but I honestly must tell you that your money would be better spent on other tales. The doctor and Sarah find themselves in medievel Italy where a cult exists that is attempting to control the world. During the Doctors travels, he accidently picks up an energy source (glows red all the time) and brings it unknowingly to medievel Italy. It isnt long before this evil energy type entity establishes itself within this ancient cult and possesses its members to perform its bidding. This episode lacks anything intriguing in its storyline and I often found myself either falling asleep by the boredom of it all or eyeing my stack of other Dr. Who adventures with the idea of ejecting for another. Don't make this episode a priority if you collect Dr. Who tapes. And, if you must buy it, perhaps just buy one used. This episode could have been written so so much better. I got the distinct impression this was an episode that was thrown together by the writer in quite a big hurry!

Boot cupboard. Not very interesting...
The Doctor and Sarah are "blown off course" into Renaissance Italy by an alien intelligence that wants to suppress humankind's scientific and intellectual development. The alien intelligence finds a ready-made power base in the form of a secret religious cult and sets about trying to disrupt history. Meanwhile the Doctor and Sarah are caught in the middle of a family struggle: a bloodthirsty Count is trying to manipulate events so as to wrest power away from his nephew, the Duke.

Period pieces are always one of Doctor Who's strong suits and this trip to 1492 Italy is no exception. Great attention is paid to the costuming and set design, and there are even throwaway bits of dialogue that allude to historic figures like da Vinci and Galileo. There is a touching (dare I say flirtatious?) moment when the Duke Guiliano (Gareth Armstrong) confesses to Sarah his belief that the world is actually a sphere. For me the hard part is watching all these British actors with West End accents trying to pass themselves off as Renaissance Italians! The least believable moment comes when Sarah is hypnotized by the court astrologer and persuaded to assassinate the Doctor. I just can't swallow the idea that a cosmopolitan reporter from 1970's London can suddenly be made to believe her best friend is an "evil sorcerer."

A large chunk of this episode is shot on location in Portmeirion, a town which has apparently doubled for Italy in a number of other television shows and movies over the years. Enjoyable for Shakespearean-style court intrigue, swordfighting stuntwork, and the way it tackles the razor's edge issue of science over mysticism, THE MASQUE OF MANDRAGORA is nevertheless probably Season Thirteen's weakest episode. Heironymus (Norman Jones) is just plain not scary, even after he turns into a ball of lightning in a purple robe. Count Federico (Jon Laurinmore) is a far better villian, contemptuously sneering his way through scene after scene right on up until his grisly end. Tom Baker is in good form throughout, tossing out flippant one-liners and insults to palace guards and astrologers, but the overall pacing of the story is inconsistent and doesn't adequately explain just exactly how Good Triumphed Over Evil at the end.

My first Dr. Who and my favorite
One day I was surfing channel (in those ancient days when you did it by turning a knob standing next to the set.) when I spotted a fellow with curley hair and a long scarf in a little room that turned out to be an infinately big time machine that ended up in Italy in the era of Leonardo Da Vinci. I found it interesting but thought nothing of it till a few months later when I happened to catch the start of the very same episode again. This time I found out when it was on and my 25 year long love affair with Dr. Who began.

This episode started it all. We see the doctor in Italy battling a cult from the past and an intelligence from the future as they attempt to alter human history for their own ends. A great combination of humor, action and adventure. A pretty good description of the whole series.

Dr. Who fans you will enjoy the return to the backup control room which provides much more ambiance than the regular one.

I can't guarentee you'll fall in love with the series if you watch this one, but you'll find it fun. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Crystalline aliens lurk in their ship in the vicinity of the shield that keeps Gallifrey safe from its enemies, and the Doctor, in his Tom Baker incarnation, is engaged in highly suspicious negotiations with them. As he takes his seat as president of the Time Lords Council and displays ever-increasing signs of paranoia, expelling Leela (Louise Jameson) to the barren area outside the Time Lords' citadel, could it be that he has turned to the dark side? Or is this all a cunning plan?

This is one of the most inventive of the Doctor's adventures back home on Gallifrey, with nicely judged portrayals of the senior Time Lord bureaucracy, some suspenseful journeys through the Tardis's interior, and a surprise appearance by particularly unpleasant old enemies. The real high point, though, is Tom Baker's performance, more barnstorming than ever before, at times blazingly angry and at times even more terrifying when soft-spokenly whimsical; this is a story line that reminds us that the various incarnations of the Doctor are impressive as well as charming. --Roz Kaveney ... Read more

Reviews (16)

The Doctor betrays his own people and Leela/first K9 leave!
In this episode the Doctor returns home to Gallifrey with Leela and K9.Unknown to the Time Lords , the Doctor is in league with aliens called Vardans who take over Gallifrey.Leela flees Gallifrey and meets Time Lord dropouts. The Doctor defeats the Vardans, but an old enemy is waiting to take over, the Sontarans. Finally the Doctor defeats the Sontarans and his memoory of being Time Lord President erased. Leela stays behind with a member of the security guards on Gallifrey.Also the Original K9 stay with his mistress.In the end the Doctor starts to build a replaceement for K9.This episode is the end of season 15. The next story to follow this is the Key to Time episode "The Ribos Operation". This episode is approx 6 episode long!Also why not put this on two tapes!Where is the stories that comes before it "The Sumakers" and "Underworld"?also please starting putting Doctor Who on DVD for the American fans!Thank You!Only buy this video if you're a fan of Tom Baker,The Sontarans,Leela or K9!Otherwise rent it before you buy it possible!

Bum Rap Earned, But still worthy
This is perhaps the most maligned of the Tom Baker - Louise Jameson Dr. Who episodes and the justification is aptly deserved: Jameson's Leela, my personal favorite of all the Doctor's companions, makes a major whimp-out of an exit from the series in a scene that was arrived at, not written. Reportedly, Jameson decided during the production to have it be her farewell episode but the director apparently failed to consult the scriptwriters before the cast and crew shot the passage where she and the Doctor part ways, and it's abrupt ineffectiveness mars and distracts from what otherwise is a quite satisfactory -- if overlong -- adventure. The Doctor brings Leela to Gallifrey where he brusquely stakes his claim as Lord President of the Time Lords, then inexplicably has her banished from the Citadel to what appears to be a sand pit by a drainage ditch. Meanwhile, the Doctor and K9 embark on a plan to ensare the Vardans, shimmering Alien Menace creatures depicted as bits of wrinkled cellophane with a light reflecting off of them, who have designs upon the Time Lords that Baker's Who never seemed to have bothered asking about. So all of a sudden there is civil war in the Citadel as some side with the Invaders and another sect sides behind the unremittingly dull Commander Andred, the swine that will end up winning Leela's heart during romantic scenes that are never shown. Why? Because the plot is too busy having the Sontarrens pop up out of nowhere, claiming that the Vardens were just their pawns [you following this?] and that they are there to achieve victory over Time itself. Uh-huh. I wouldn't have had a problem with any of this if the all important question of just when did Leela and Andred hook up? was answered. In fact, she spends the majority of the adventure running around with the pretty but aloof Rodan [that's right, the same name as the giant rubbery Japanese space monster] and acting tough in front of the local outcast Time Lords who live in the sand pit by the drainage ditch, subsisting on walnuts. All of that is so unnecessary but somewhat redeemed by what I look upon as a clever segment set inside of the Tardis where the Sontarrens stomp around and look menacing while our heroes get lost in the endless corridors and storage rooms, which all look suspicously the same. Much scorn has been levied against this part of the episode because it was shot on found locations rather than decorated movie sets, but I actually find it intruguing, demonstrating how the Tardis really is infinite in the space it contains and not all of it necessarily has to look like the control room. But all criticism with this episode has to boil down to Leela's exit and our displeasure with how offhandedly it is treated. Someone we have grown to respect and care for steps aside and says goodbye to shack up with the most boring man on Gallifrey for NO apparent reason, and I just don't buy it. Still, the installment is another tour-de-force for Baker as the Doctor, has some great scenes involving K9 [whom I usually find annoying, I must admit] and a delightfully slimy character in the person of Castellan Kellner. Overlong and overwrought and bittersweet because of the Leela cop-out, but still worthy, and a must-have for Jameson fans. It's not her fault. Recommended.

My favorite Doctor Who story. Hopefully a DVD release soon!
One of the most overlooked and under-appreciated stories but for the serious Doctor Who fan or even if you just started watching, it's great piece. Tom Baker is at his best - a great display of his wit and slapstick style. The dialogue and incidental music are well crafted. An excellent supporting cast with great development of the supporting characters - Borusa, played by John Arnatt, is the best of all 4 actors to play Borusa. The Castellan is a subservient weasel, played wonderfully by Milton Johns. The episode provides a deeper look into Timelord capital society but also has the fun "chase" scene through the TARDIS (which has a much more interesting look than in the Davidson era and beyond). Additionally, this story really keeps you wondering, who are the "good guys" and who are the villains? Even the Doctor is thrown into the mix!
This story got me hooked on Doctor Who nearly 20 years ago!!!! Still my favorite and always will be!!!
PLEASE RELEASE ON DVD SOON!!!!!!!

Exciting return to Gallifrey for the Doctor
The closing story of FDoctor Who's fifteenth season begins with the unthinkable. The Doctor signs a contract with three unknown and unseen aliens in space. He has ordered Leela inside the TARDIS. When he comes in, she is bursting with questions. The Doctor tells her to ask K9 to tell her to shut up. When she starts to comply, she catches herself with an angry "How dare you?"

His behaviour becomes more erratic. He sees Borusa, his former teacher and now Chancellor, played with dry and acerbic aplomb by Leonard Arnatt, and arrogantly claims his birthright, demanding to become inaugurated president of the High Council of Time Lords. The presidential investiture ceremony echoes that of a bishop or pope being sworn in. And when he's told, "I give you the Matrix," the network containing the sum total of knowledge and memories of dead Time Lords, I found myself thinking, "Good thing it doesn't have Keanu Reeves in it."

With the aliens fully in control, he then instigates a full-scale purge of Time Lords who could be construed as troublemakers to his regime, even ordering Leela banished into the "barbaric garden" of Outer Gallifrey. He is aided in this by the Castellan Kelner, whose obsequious surface masks motives of self-preservation, as he is quick to switch allegiances. Kudos to Milton Johns for his portrayal.

Like The Deadly Assassin, there's another incompetent Guard commander, Andred. He's played by Christopher Tranchell, who previously appeared in the no-longer existent Who story The Faceless Ones. However, he isn't as brutal as his predecessor.

The interior of the Doctor's TARDIS, and I'm not just talking about the control room is one of the best reasons to watch this story, as one finally gets the idea of dimensional transcendentalism. The scene involving the storage room is reminiscent of Monty Python's deja vu sketch, giving it a surreal edge. However, for a real design triumph, the Doctor's funky-looking presidential office is a masterpiece.

Along with the usual manic grins and jokes by the Doctor, there are two funny exchanges. When the Doctor's bodyguard protests that he'll be shot by the Castellan for leaving his side, the Doctor responds with. "That's all right. I'll have him [the Castellan] shot." Later, Andred tells him, "You have access to the greatest source of knowledge in the universe." Doctor: "Well, I do talk to myself sometimes, yes." Andred: "I mean the Matrix." Doctor: "Oh, that old thing."

The Invasion Of Time sees the farewell of two popular companions, and an unrewarding one on the part of Leela. She really proves her mettle here, being the tough warrior, believing in the Doctor despite his odd behaviour, and overall, has been one of the most intrepid and fearless companions of the Doctor, yet she suffers the fate of companions Susan, Vicki, and Jo Grant. WHY?? Her scenes with Rodan, a young Time Lord, not a gigantic double-crested barking pterodactyl from Toho Studios, are great. Rodan seems to be a prototype for Romana I, who would be the Doctor's companion in the following season. Hilary Ryan does a good job being the technically-skilled but sheltered counterpart to Leela's hardy experienced person.

This six-parter is one of the all-time classics, although it's probably best to first watch The Deadly Assassin, probably more classic than this story, in order to remember Gallifreyan institutions and Borusa. The Invasion Of Time adds more information on Gallifrey.

First 4 episodes interesting, last 2 are just ridiculous.
The Doctor returns to Gallifrey and declares himself President, seems to be hell-bent on assisting a sinister alien takeover. What follows is an intriguing look at the Time Lord society in decay. The fact that the Doctor can stroll in and become president on a technicality shows flaws have developed in their legal system, and there are now bands of outsiders who have abandoned life in the cities and now live as savages. Indeed, some of the best scenes are out in the wilds, a never-before-seen part of Gallifrey. Tom Baker is good as an almost sinister Doctor, and his Presidential Office is an unusual design. Though the first four episodes are sometimes a little on the slow side, if the story had finished at the end of Episode Four it would probably have been remembered as a fairly good adventure. What really lets the story down is the contrived arrival of the Sontarans. A far cry from Kevin Lindsay's intelligent warrior, these Sontarans are comedy stormtroopers. They spend two pointless episodes blundering about the corridors of Gallifrey's city, and an abandoned hospital (?) which seems to exist inside the Tardis. It's very tricky to take them seriously, especially as their leader has a cockney accent, and they have cardboard helmets with cut-out eye-holes that look like they were made for a school play. This story might be worth a look if you're interested in Time Lord society, but fans of Sontarans would be better off tracking down 'Time Warrior' or 'Sontaran Experiment'. ... Read more

Reviews (247)

Sword and Sorcery Epic
An ancient prophecy tells of a sacred child that will bring an end to the reign of the evil Queen Bavmorda(Jean Marsh). The sacred child is smuggled out of the castle and finds her way to Willow Ufgood(Warwick Davis). He leaves his village on a quest to return the baby but he becomes trapped in the middle of a battle beween good and evil. With the help of Madmartigan (Val Kilmer) Willow must protect the baby from the queen and her daughter Sorsha (Joanne Whalley) and fulfill the prophecy.

Willow has received a very nice transfer that is a step up from the old laser disk. It is presented in Anamorphic Widescreen (2.35:1). There is no edge enhancement and very little grain which is amazing for a picture from 1988. The sound however doesnt make use of the surrounds. Very few times are the rear speakers used. The film is in Dolby Digital 5.1 surround.

The audio commentary by Warwick Davis is very informative and every fan of the movie should listen to it. I just wish that George Lucas and Ron Howard participated as well. Two great featurettes are included along with several trailers and stills. Unlike most fantasy movies it is suited for all ages. Willow is a movie that I grew up with and today am still very fond of it. This film has it all, action, adventure, comedy and romance. Highly recommended.

This Movie, I Love It!
Val Kilmer and the delightful Warwick Davis take us on a fantasy adventure that noone should ever forget. When Willow (Davis) happens to come upon a mystically sacred child, he finds out he must defend the child to help save her and all that is good from an evil sorceress bent on taking over the world by using the power of the child. Along his way, Willow encounters some interesting counterparts, including Madmartigan (Kilmer) who had been imprisoned for wrongdoing. What happens on Willow's adventure is something every fantasy film fan should enjoy.

Much like Legend, Labryinth, and The Goonies, I grew up with Willow being one of my favorite films. Willow has the special ability to make me return to my childhood and thoroughly enjoy it, no matter how many times I've watched it. My excitement when I found out Willow would be transferred to DVD was great! And I'm a satisfied customer after purchasing it. The video and audio transfers are wonderful. The picture makes the film even more colorful than I've ever seen. The Making Of . . . featurette is quiet entertaining, and it was awesome to see both Ron Howard and George Lucas working behind the scenes with the cast. The commentary with Warwick Davis is a good little listen, and the theatrical trailers and tv spots are neat to watch.

I was very very ecstatic about this Willow's DVD release. And even more ecstatic that all of my favorite 80 films are getting good DVD releases. I hope there's more to come.

Willow- What i think...
When i was little, i really did enjoy this film, and watched it for hours. I am not sure about it now, since its been a while. But i remember it being amazingly fantastic, and i loved every minute of it. The storyline was well thought out, and it had a mixture of genres. Including, Fantasy, Comedy, adventure and more, all the aspects which will please a child audience.Its a love, hate relationship, either you LOVE it or hate it really. Its not every ones cup of tea, but its certainly mine. If your things such as Lord of the rings, Never ending story, etc, (anything with magical aspects) Then this is the thing for you! :)

Is this the best they can do?
I really wish Lucas had made a better movie than this. In fact he did, it was called Star Wars. Look at this movie and see the similarities to Star Wars. Willow is Luke Skywalker. Billy Barty is Obi Wan Kenobi. Val Kilmer is Han Solo. The two little faries are R2D2 and C3PO. And you can obviously see who the Darth Vader character is.
I would have forgiven this if at least the story were watchable. Even when I saw this movie as a kid I found it hard care what happened it any of these characters. I really wanted to like this movie because I am a big fantasy fan. Unfortunately when Hollywood makes a fantasy movie 9 times out of 10 they make it silly beyond belief or so sappy that you wonder why they didn't just make a modern romance movie instead.
If you want to see a real fantasy movie check out any of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, Princess Bride, Excalibur or Conan the Barbarian (NOT the Destroyer.)

Great for kids!
I remember seeing this movie as a child and absolutely loving it. The sets and monsters are magical and entertaining, and the plot is well-crafted and fast-paced for a kid. I did get the movie for Christmas, and it doesn't hold up as well to my now adult mind as The Dark Crystal or The Princess Bride, especially the acting, but still, it's fun to watch. If you liked this as a kid, or are still a kid, I'd recommend it. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Like a soda pop left open all night, Bueller seems to have lost its effervescence over time. Sure, Matthew Broderick is still appealing as the perennial truant, Ferris, who fakes his parents out and takes one memorable day off from school. Jeffrey Jones is nasty and scheming as the principal who's out to catch him. Jennifer Grey is winning as Ferris's sister (who ends up making out in the police station with a prophetic vision of Charlie Sheen). But there's a definite sense that this film was of a particular time frame: the '80s. It's still fun, though. There's Ferris singing "Twist and Shout" during a Chicago parade, and a lovely sequence in the Art Institute. But don't get it and expect your kids to love it the way you did. Like it or not, it's yours alone. --Keith Simanton ... Read more

Reviews (282)

Twist and Shout
What would a typical day be if you always got away with everything? Check in on Ferris and you'll have some idea. John Hughes, master of 80s teens dramas like Breakfast Club and Sixteen Candles created an eighties film icon when he brought this film to the screen. The film is filled with old fashioned film and theatrical techniques, that to the youth of the day, was interpreted as new and cutting edge... Ferris (Matthew Broderick in the role he was born to play) spends a lot of time talking directly to the audience as his character would be the only one in the film with the guts to let anyone else see... He is surrounded by his beautiful girlfriend Sloane (Mia Sara) and browbeaten buddy, Cameron. Although Sloane's role is pretty thankless, Cameron is the most troublesome character; it is the film's weak link even with a sufficient performance by Alan Ruck. Cameron is at times the anti-Ferris, someone who lives in constant fear of his father and authority in general. Ferris is so popular that he gets two antagonists to his adventure, his sister Jeannie (Jennifer Grey) and a school administrator played by the wonderful Jeffrey Jones. He is always willing to have every joke at his expense. One of the unwritten stars of this film is the beautiful city of Chicago, providing many of the great outdoor scenes. In fact, Ferris commands the attention of thousands of Chicago parade watchers and turns them to celebrate his whim to the strains of "DANKE SCHOEN" and TWIST AND SHOUT. This is one of the most rewarding, mindless scenes in recent history. The DVD nicely accentuates the English pop soundtrack and the video transfer is great. One drawback is one of the most boring audio commentaries in recent memory from the director John Hughes.

Be sure to stay through the closing credits... Bueller? Bueller? Bueller?

Absolutely hilarious!
In "Ferris Bueller's Day Off", Matthew Broderick plays Ferris Bueller, a high school teenager who enjoys slacking off and cutting school is his favorite hobby. One brilliant day in his hometown of Chicago, Ferris decides to cut school again (even though he has already missed school nine times), and tries to show his sick best friend, Cameron Frye (Alan Ruck) and girlfriend, Sloane Peterson (Mia Sara) how to have a good time and just how to be laid-back with life. Ferris can easily fool his parents (Cindy Pickett and Lyman Ward) into believing that he is really sick so he can stay home from school. But when his sister, Jeanie Bueller (Jennifer Grey) and school dean, Ed Rooney (Jeffrey Jones) find out that Ferris has cut school, they both try to make his life as miserable as possible in their own ways. And it's up to Ferris to enjoy his day off and get home before his parents come home from work.

The cast is brilliant...this is probably Matthew Brodderick's best role to-date. Director John Hughes did an amazing job, as usual. The script is well-written and extremely funny. "Ferris Bueller" is a classic high school film that everyone should own. However, the DVD lacks terribly; the only bonus feature is a commentary made by John Hughes. And the DVD is available in wide screen format.

I highly recommend "Ferris Beuller's Day Off".

Score:
100/100
A+

Great director's commentary
This remains one of the most entertaining director's commentaries available.

Nice
Good movie. Wish I was like him.

Awesome movie
This movie is one of my all time favorites. Who hasn't seen this movie? It rocks! Funny and clever from start to finish. The commentary is great too. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

I Wake Up Squinting
No one wakes up screaming in this feature, though it's a wonder, given the way the characters show up in each other's darkened apartments! A good deal of the action, as well as the dialogue, appears to be utterly fantastic--so it seems appropriate that Grable's presence is often accompanied by strains of "Over the Rainbow". Such incredibility does lend to the unpredictability of the plot-line, though, so the movie can be enjoyable if one doesn't think about it too deeply. It's also fun to watch Grable in a film noir--and amusing to see how a swimsuit scene is worked into the story!

A Different Grable
Betty Grable resisted doing dramatic roles but she is pretty good in this film. Not really very suspensful, but the plot moves along and its a great treat to see a non-singing Betty.
Carole Landis is a nifty actress and very lovely.
They could have lost the swimming pool scene which is just there
to show off Betty's legs and Vic's beefcake. Grable herself
claimed to have "loathed" the scene - she was right.

UNUSUAL GRABLE FARE.
A surprisingly nifty, engrossing little thriller from 1942. Mature is a promoter accused of the murder of an actress he represents; he hides out with Grable, the actress' sister, but is finally tracked down by detective Laird Cregar. A cleverly ironic twist insures watching this little gem won't be in vain! A very unusual film for musical star Grable and quite successful in it's day; the ultimately tragic Carole Landis is memorably beautiful and the film's theme is, amazingly, OVER THE RAINBOW (!). Remade in 1953 as VICKI. Carole Landis was a beautiful young blonde of Polish/Norwegian stock who first made her mark in Hollywood in 1940 playing Loana in the cultish Hal Roach production ONE MILLION YEARS B.C.

Betty Grable takes on the law to help clear boyfriend.
When ambitious waitress Carole Landis reaches for Hollywood fame, she is found murdered in the apartment she shares with sister Betty Grable. Suspicion falls on Victor Mature's, Carole's promoter, but Betty believes in him and helps, through devious ploys, to unmask the real killer. Plenty of twists to keep you guessing in this exellent film noir, based on the book by Steve Fisher. Grable had one number to sing in this but, in order to sustain the dramatic content of the film, it was cut and Grable's occupation changed from songplugger to stenographer.

When previewed, this film (then entitled Hot Spot) was given the thumbs down by the audience - they thought they were in for a Grable musical treat. Zanuck and director Bruce Humberstone, re-edited the film and added new key scenes, working day and night to have it ready for its premiere. Reverted to its original title, it soon became a success and is a highly rated movie in its genre.

Laird Cregar steals the acting honours as the sinister detective investigating Landis's murder. And that excellent supporting actor, Elisha Cook Jr., is one of the "red herrings" under audience suspicion.

Cameraman Edward Cronjager does much to add to the atmosphere of this classic mystery with some fine low-key lighting and imaginative photography. ... Read more

Amazon.com

John Huston was only one of five directors on this expensive, all-star 1967 spoof of Ian Fleming's 007 lore. David Niven is the aging Sir James Bond, called out of retirement to take on the organized threat of SMERSH and pass on the secret-agent mantle to his idiot son (Woody Allen). An amazing cast (Orson Welles, Peter Sellers, Deborah Kerr, etc.) is wonderful to look at, but the film is not as funny as it should be, and the romping starts to look mannered after awhile. The musical score by Burt Bacharach, however, is a keeper. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (84)

The funniest James Bond spoof ever
The "Austin Powers" series sure could take a few hints from "Casino Royale". Whereas the former is predictable and obvious, "Casino Royale" is a good example of that famous dry British wit.

What else could you call it when wealthy Ursula Andress tells Peter Sellers that she gets her newspapers BEFORE they're printed, and he replies, "Well, I suppose you can do anything if you've got money..." Or when Joanna Pettet comments on her estranged mother's oversized bed and is told, "The German army was very large in those days."

I've withheld one star because the movie does tend to have an episodic feel, due to the five different directors who worked on it, and because it drags a bit in places. Still, the witty jokes more than make up for those small flaws. Considering how many hands this movie was in, it's amazing that it works so well. Woody Allen gives his funniest performance as neurotic Jimmy Bond. Peter Sellers is terrific, as usual. And watch out for an appearance by a young Jacqueline Bisset as Miss Goodthighs.

The movie's crowning touch is the music by Burt Bacharach, which manages to be catchy and loopy at the same time.

Finally, one of the best reasons for owning rather than renting this movie is that some of the gags go by so fast (Q's laboratory, the art auction), that you might not catch them all until your second or third viewing. And, like a lot of good humor, some of the jokes just get funnier with repeat viewings.

Somewhat entertaining, mostly dull
Casino Royale isn't a terrible movie; it has its moments, and, truly, has a superb cast. That much can be said for it. There are some scenes with Ursula Andress, especially, that are very funny, and the beginning isn't without its humor. However, in general it is a mess of movie; loosely constructed, making little to no sense, and, what is worst of all, not even all that funny. I had to fight off sleep to keep consciousness during the movie, something I almost never have to do. I actually got to the point where I couldn't wait for it to end. Not the worst film ever made, but save your money. Rent it if you must.

When your castle is blown up, it's back to the spy game....
Great movie! Sir James Bond played by David Niven is forced back into espionage after his hedonistic lifestyle is so rudely interrupted by a British army 81mm mortar team who proceeds to blow up his perfectly splendid castle. Bond prefers a life of luxury to the dangers of espionage but alas, it's back to the good old Walther PPK 7.65mm and the cloak and dagger for 007. As Dr. Michael Lim the Travelling Gourmet, I too appreciate the finer things in life. I think all fans of Bond do too. The music is remarkable. This is THE movie where that immortal and hauntingly seductive song, by Burt Bacharach, "The Look of Love" reaches deep into your libido and psyche, especially when you hear it for the very first time. My old friend, the late Derek Nimmo (of BBC's Just a Minute) fame is in this movie too as a would be Bond under the tutelage of Sir James himself. If you see the current Austin Powers movies you'll see where the scipt writers got many of their ideas from. Beautiful and seductively voluptuous women abound as in all 007 movies. In those days, men were men and women were not pale, anaemic anorexic skin and bone creatures but lovely, curvaceous and meaty damsels. Bring back the real women I say to Hollywood film makers! This spook spoof will put a smile on your lips and cheer you up no end. Certain scenes like when Sir James demonstrates how things should be done are really hilarious. Above all, the classic British ideal of stiff upper lip, always remain calm and unruffled no matter what, and carry on regardless...comes through all the antics, bombs, blondes and bullets. David Niven comes a very close second to Patrick Macnee (The Avengers) when it comes to playing cool, calm and collected English gentlemen. And so, what's next? As Austin Powers would say, "Yeah, Baby, Yeah!!!" By Dr. Michael Lim The Travelling Gourmet ENJOY!

Bond Spoof and Origins
Charles Feldman's Casino Royale is a colorful psychedelic mess 36 years after its creation. This film was the first James Bond spoof and a precurser of the Austin Powers movies. Unfortunately the film has not aged well.

The jokes seem as dated as the costumes. There is virtually no plot to speak of and the sequences by four directors seem cobbled together by fifth director Val Guest.

The film is fun to watch with its great musical score and vibrant colors but there isn't a lot holding this thing together.

Perhaps the most interesting feature of the disc is the 1954 TV movie from Climax Mystery Theatre which featured Barry Nelson as the American spy Jimmy Bond. It was fun to see the true origin of the Bond franchise.

Bottom line rent it for its place in history but don't go in expecting greatness.

Swingin' 60s on Film!
Funny! Despite it's bad reputation, if you are a NON-square, ya gotta check this out. Lots of in-jokes, droll humor and laugh-out-loud stuff. Sure, it's a bit "all-over-the-place" but that's half the fun. The go-go dancing Indians, the cavalry charge into the casino, the Dr. Caligari sets, the pop-art sets and psychedelic FX, the Frankenstein monster... it's all like a mix of The Magic Christian, Monty Python, Blazing Saddles, Austin Powers, The Monkees "Head" and James Bond thrown into a Swingin' Sixties blender. And all those great stars strutting their stuff!! Don't worry about the plot... this is eye candy. If you want a generous 60s fix, just sit back and let this flow over you. All that and the Burt Bacharach score. I'm glad I bought this. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

In Spanish too
I feel happy that tv series that I watched many years ago . Now I can get them in DVD, but these serios were no popular just in USA in other countries of Latin America was popular too. It should be make in Spanish too or with subtitles in several languages. Thanks

When's the DVD coming out????
I see all of these other old school TV shows coming out on DVD. Mission: Impossible was a great show and deserves its spot for a DVD release for each season.

Impossible to Match
I saw many of the Mission Impossible series as a teenager. I also read the original paperback book when it came out which was made as Vol. #7. Steven Hill playing Daniell Briggs (the first season)and Peter Graves ( all subsequent seasons) as Jim Phelps both play excellent as the genius mastermind Team leader of the Impossible Mission Force (IMF) a top American government group virtually unknown to the rest of the top secret agencies. During his college days Dan or Jim majored in psychology at a top west coast university and was a chess champion. The rest of the IMF is composed of the beautiful model and Fem Fatale, Cinnamon Carter played by Barbara Bain is excellent. The academy award winner, Martin Landau who eventually married Barbara plays Rollin Hand, the magician and master of disguise. Black actor, Greg Morris does a superb job as Barney Collier, electronics genius with a prestigious background. The strong man or weight lifting world record holder, William (Willie) Armitage played by Peter Lupus is the brawn on the Team. he certainly looked the part also. Together the IMF carries out missions against impossible odds to rescue people, con enemy states, and change the courses of governments for the betterment of the free world especially without causing wars. This first volume is excellent in introducing this Team of specialists with exciting and intruiging plots and ways the IMF thwarts and bamboozles the opponent in the pilot and also in the second story called the Photographer which Anthony Zerbe stars. All of the Mission Impossible series are excellent and demonstrates how things can be accomplished through nonviolent methods also. The CIA actually did accomplish some similiar things which are now becoming declassified. This show was one of my favorite TV shows in the sixties and early seventies. You will enjoy them as well!!

Introducing you to the Cold War and the IMF Team
"Mission Impossible" originally ran from 1966 and 1973, telling tales of the Impossible Mission Force, a group of highly specialized government agents who were usually involved in disrupting the activities of small foreign powers trying to mess with the United States and the Free World. The group leader, Daniel Briggs (Steven Hill) in the first season and Jim Phelps (Peter Graves) for the rest of the show's run, put together the team and developed the complex plan to pull off the impossible mission; Cinnamon Carter (Barbara Bain) was the the beautiful female member of the team, Rollin Hand (Martin Landau) the master of disguise, Barney Collier (Greg Morris) was the electronics expert, and William Armitage (Peter Lupus) the muscle.

This first tape in the "Mission Impossible" series has the pilot and a choice episode from the show's second season. In the pilot episode (9/17/66), Wally Cox plays a safecracker who has to sneak into the vault of a hotel to steal a couple of nuclear warheads from a military dictator. This was the only episode of the show written by series creator Bruce Geller. This is not a classic episode per se, but it clearly sets the template for the entire series. "The Photographer" (12/17/67), written by two of the show's most productive writers, William Read Woodfield and Allan Balter, deals with biological warfare. Enemy agents intend to spread pneumonic plague and a top photographer (Anthony Zerbe) is the key contact. The IMF fakes a nuclear attack on New York to get the key to the code. Yes, there is a large degree of irony in watching this particular episode today, but remember what things were like in the Sixties. "The Photographer" is a classic MI episode and along with the pilot makes this an excellent tape to have for fans of the series.

Final Note: For my money the title sequence for this show is definitely one of the ten best ever, not just because of Lalo Schifrin's memorable theme music but because of the way shots from the episode were mixed in with the burning fuse and shots of the cast. You always saw enough to get interested in what was to happen, but they never let the cat out of the bag enough to ruin the episode.

Mission: Impossible, Vol. 1
I Thought that these two episodes were two of the best. One the first episode had Steven Hill starring who I think in some cases is better at the part than Peter Graves is. Two the second episode had a clever set up. But I won't explain it to you I want you to see it for youself. ... Read more

Reviews (187)

"I haven't been home in years"
In my opinion this is John Candy's best movie. They should dedicate it to him. Steve Martin does a great job playing the cynic. It will have you crying from hysterical laughter or from tugging at your heartstrings. It starts out with "Neal" played by Steve Martin getting out of a marketing meeting late in New York during rush hour he runs to catch a cab for the airport so he can spend Thanksgiving with his family. With two days to get there you figure he should be plenty early. You aren't counting obstacles like "Del" played by John Candy. While Neal is giving money to a lawyer to buy him out of taking a cab in front of him, Del loads his trunk in it and takes off. The meetings and journey these two have after that is one for the record books. Del does everything he can to get Neal home to his family. They must take a Plane, Pickup Truck, Train, Bus, Rental Car, Semi, and the El to make it to Neal's Chicago Home with a detour to Kansas City. Neal may miss his daughters Thanksgiving Play but he will get a life lesson from Del that is priceless. This is a great one to own on DVD.

Any transportation will do!
Steve Martin and the late John Candy team up for this hilarious comedy PLANES,TRAINS and AUTOMOBILES. There's a cameo by Kevin Bacon who grabs a cab in the heavy New York City traffic. Bacon starred in SHE'S HAVING A BABY filmed around the same time as this film. Neal Page(Martin) is a marketing executive who plans to return home to Chicago for Thanksgiving. Neal grabs a cab,throwing out Del Griffith(Candy) who was about to enter the cab. Salesman Griffith and Page meet in an airport about to fly to Chicago. Massive storms forced the Chicago flight to be canceled so the two end up in Wichita,Kansas. Page and Griffith check in at the Braidwood Inn. They both take out their credit cards to pay,thus their respective cards accidentally end up in the other's wallet! Page and Griffith share a room since it was the only available room left. They sleep together,thus Page becomes annoyed by Griffith's loud snoring. Page became so angry that he impulsively got up and prepared to get dressed and leave. The pair end up in a heated argument over Griffith's behavior and imcompetence. Page's anger subsides so he undresses again and goes back to bed. Come daylight,Griffith is dreaming that he's embracing his late wife. He gently kisses Page's ear and Page is holding Griffith's hand. So Neal and Del make their plans on how to get home safely and quickly. One point in the film shows an angry Neal upset with an agent at a rent-a-car company("YOU CAN GET ME A F---ING DATSUN,A F---ING TOYOTA,A F---ING BUICK,A F---ING MUSTANG! FOUR F---ING WHEELS AND A SEAT!") What happens next? Del shows up in a car he's renting. Incompetent Del finishes smoking a cigarette that when he was about to toss the still-burning butt out the window,it accidentally ended up in the back seat of the car. The car becomes ablaze and even worse,Neal's wallet was in the glove compartment with his credit card back in it. All the glove compartment contents burned in the fire. Now Neal is really furious with Del. Neither had $42.50 to check in for the night at a nearby motel so Neal comes up with $17 cash and a wrist watch. The on-duty manager accepts Neal's alternate payment. When Del comes up with $2 cash and a nicer-looking watch,the manager refuses and "says goodnight". Del is freezing to death outside in his charred rent-a-car until Neal invites him to share his room. Come Thanksgiving Day,despite all the aggravation and struggling,Neal arrives home in Chicago safe and sound. Del is with him. Del confessed that he is homeless and lost his wife. That was why Del said in one scene,"I haven't been home in years." His business of selling shower curtain rings is what is keeping him financially stable and clean. The end theme is "Everytime You Go Away" written by Daryl Hall of the rock/pop duo Hall and Oates and was a minor hit for them and later a bigger hit for Paul Young. This film was directed by John Hughes who also directed SHE'S HAVING A BABY and would later direct CURLY SUE. Listen for an audio excerpt from SHE'S HAVING A BABY. It's an argument between Bacon and Elizabeth McGovern. I dedicate this film to the memory of John Candy who died in 1994 at age 43 of a heart attack.

TOPS!!
Call me silly, but I am 44 and have been watching movies most of my life. This is my #1 favorite movie of all time. It cant compare with the great movies throughout history, but they are not my #1 favorite....this one is. How is that for a review?

That's it?
Just the film? No give-me's? No side dishes? Movie a la carte? No interviews, outtakes... nothing?

Fortunately the movie itself is a decent comedy. PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES is a fine film in a long tradition of road films, where the final destination is seemingly impossible to reach (like CLOCKWISE, AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS, e.g.) Steve Martin and John Candy make a surprisingly good team, and John Hughes lets them cut loose, fortunately. Unfortunately, the ending lurches into the treacly, sentimentality that Hughes just can't seem to avoid. Scratch that last comment, the ending I suppose is okay for this comedy. Give this film a view.

Great John Candy & Steve Martin Movie, but no extras
Let me start by saying that this is one of my favorite comedies of all time. I've loved this movie for years and I can watch it over and over again. I personally don't see how anyone could not like this movie, but you can't please everybody.
During the movie, Steve Martin is trying to get home to Chicago for Thanksgiving, but his plane lands in Kansas where he's stuck with Del Griffith (John Candy). They do everything they can to get home, but something always goes wrong. And you will laugh through almost the entire movie.
You've probably noticed that I gave this DVD 4 stars, and not 5. My reason for this: There are no special features. It seems like Paramound is just lazy when they put out DVD's. Almost every DVD I have that has no special features are by Paramount. There had to be interviews with Steve Martin and John Candy when the movie was made, or do some new interviews with Steve Martin and John Hughes. I would like to correct one reviewer about them cutting scenes from the DVD. I assume you are talking about the funny scene on the plane when they are being served their food. This is a scene that was not included in the movie at all, it's just added sometimes to the TV version. But I still think that scene should have been included on the DVD. Not as a deleted scene that you could view by itself, but actually included in the movie. ... Read more

Amazon.com essential video

This well-intentioned but strangely cold tale concerns an emotionally repressed Southern belle (Julia Roberts) who separates from her husband (Dennis Quaid) after discovering he is an unabashed philanderer.Pressed by her dominating father (Robert Duvall) into reconciling with her spouse, Roberts's character chafes against so much male control over her destiny.Defended by a fiercely independent sister (a catchy performance by Kyra Sedgwick), the heroine develops the nerve to plot her own course in life while her mother (Gena Rowlands) finds the gumption to throw her own mate out of the house. The script by Callie Khouri (Thelma & Louise) is intelligent but hardly clear, and direction by Lasse Hallström (Once Around) can't keep Khouri's unfocused scenes and uncertain purpose from dissolving like sand castles in the rain. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (25)

I ADORE this movie
There isn't anything in this that was earth shattering or incredible performances. It was just a good Sunday Afternoon flick, I own this one and forgot how much I enjoyed it until my Daughter and I pulled it off the shelf.

Julia Roberts does a believable job as a woman who has found out that her husband has screwed around on her. What I liked most about this movie was allll of the secondary characters... Kyra was the PERFECT Older sister looking out for her younger one, Gena was Great as the Southern Belle Mama, the Aunt (don't know this woman's name)was HILARIOUS as the "little" crazy Aunt that would/could go there. You really have to pay attention to this movie there are so many innuendos and funny moments that I truly can recommend this one. The actress that played the daughter was wonderful and last but not least Dennis Quaid did quite a convincing job as a contrite husband (once he was caught).

If you want something along this plot line I would also suggest "Hope Floats" which also stars Gena Rowlands and has pretty much the same subject matter but not the same movie. Enjoy.

Respectfully Reviewed

One of the 10-12 I watch repeatedly. . .
As a 30-something chick, I have a few romantic comedies and dramas that I have watched so many times I can repeat them line for line. I put them on, if for nothing else, for the background noise. This movie is one of them. The title of the movie says it all; Julia Roberts (Grace) gives the entire town something to talk about when she finds out about her husband's cheating ways. The movie is funny and poignant at the same time, making the viewer re-visit some decisions they made in their lives that got them where they are today. Kyra Sedgwick is absolutely fabulous (much better than in "Singles") and Gena Rowlands is wonderful, as well. Pair that with a great subplot about horse competitions and coming to grip with aging, you've got a great movie that was completely underrated by most critics.

Something to Talk About
Although Quaid AND Roberts deliver good performances... this movie just plods along and is never clear. We never have a CLEAR reason for her to return to her husband.

Her relationship with her father is unclear---why is she so angry? And if he makes her so crazy, then why work with him then? Some cute moments, sure... the food poisoning, the doctor and the father fighting... but otherwise... yawn Could have been a contender... but it's not

An enjoyable and entertaining film
Curl up and enjoy this movie. It is funny, sad, interesting and most of all enjoyable. I disagree with the person who said that the husband and wife spontaneously dance and then live happily ever after. Did we watch the same movie? The wife (Julia Roberts) then goes back to school and her husband begins courting her. Dating, not back to move in and live happily ever after.

Something to talk about -
I Love the movie, it's good clean fun, probably not so much for the men as for us females. I have watched this time and time again plus do-not have to worry if my daughter wanders in and out as anything she should not be hearing would go over her head anyway. Kind of reminds me of a totaly modern, "Harper valley PTA" I have an old taped version that i borrowed from a friend years ago, so now i have just brought another copy so she can hers back. A must ***** ... Read more

Reviews (11)

A VERY POWERFUL STORY AND FILM
I used to watch this movie all the time when I was little and love it. It has remained one of my favorite movies through out my life and always well be. It is a very powerful true story, the acting is excellent and it has a lot of emotion. It is a film that I recommend highly. A very beautiful story that will cause to fall in love with Elsa, the lioness. Definitely a film to see.

Beautifully crafted, heart-warming classic.
"Born Free" is a true story about the adoption of a wild lion cub by a game warden in Kenya and his wife who are eventually confronted with two choises, either carrying out the tedious task of introducing the cub back to the wild in three months, or sacrificing her freedom by giving her to a zoo. The two people go through everything that is inevitable when you have a large cat for a pet. The film has its share of emotional moments like when the Adamsons get the cubs to lap up milk for the first time, and the time when the adolescent Elsa is isolated for a few days and is found wounded and unstable. But they are well balanced out with the amusing situations like Elsa riding on the hood of the truck and her bringing a two year-old elephant calf to the camp etc.

The film is so polished and of high quality that unless one is aware that it was made in '66, he/she will undoubtedly be lead to think that it was made in at least 1980. I was really surprised. I will add however, that I watched the film on TV yesterday for the first time and that is what my review is based on. Anyway I doubt the VHS is any different. So clever is the film in getting its points and objectives across that even people who aren't into wildlife movies will enjoy this, as I observed while I was watching. You have to admit, you don't often see a lioness swimming in the ocean and playing "foot" ball, do you? Also, the film runs for around 1 hour & 40 minutes. Long enough for you? I strongly recommend this film to anyone.

Great film adaptation of a good novel
Joy Adamson wrote the book about how she and her game warden/husband lived in Africa and raised three lion cubs, especially the runt of the litter, Elsa. While the book was well-written, it was moving mainly because of the powerful sentiment portrayed and how well Ms. Adamson depicted life in Africa at the time. The film, with its highly moving and memorable musical score, captures all the best of the novel, without inventing/extrapolating the story out of recognition. The film-makers recognized what made the book good, and made that their own emphasis, creating a moving film that's a real tear-jerker without being sappy.

Truly heartwarming entertainment for all the family
I bought a couple VHS copies of "Born Free" for myself and for my nephews last Christmas, thinking "that would be a nice, clean movie for kids to have", and I was not disappointed. You are instantly struck by the innocence of this movie. As another reviewer on this page wrote, I too cried more watching it as an adult and my husband and I remarked that we were really moved by it. Joy Adamson (played by Virginia McKenna) making her tearful speech about Elsa's right to be free struck us to the heart, that scene alone is enough to make this movie a classic.

Since seeing it again I have bought more as gifts for kids and for people who have grandkids. It is the favorite of our 17 month old, we always watch with him and skip the two very brief shooting scenes and the scene where Elsa kills the warthog, mind you these scenes are not graphic at all and they are very brief but he still put two and two together and cried. He was also upset by the cubs knocking over stuff and spilling the milk at first, but he quickly came to understand that that was okay. He loves this movie so much and begs all the time to see it. After seeing it the first time, we found him with his stuffed toys gathered around him "feeding" them from his bottle, like Joy and the lion cubs.

Due to the movie being made in the 60's, there is the one pitfall of the movie, the fact that the white characters have black African servants. The main black character is loved by all viewers of the movie, but still, the black employees are clearly in servitude and this jumps out at you; this element obviously has to be explained to kids but the movie is true to its time in history and of value to children despite this, and perhaps also because of this historical lesson.

Kids of all ages that we've seen watching this, (who have been raised on today's kids' movies that are so full of aggression, violence, sarcasm, etc,) were not at all bored by this innocent movie but instead were instantly captivated by it. All ages of viewers are so uplifted when Elsa gets to be free and be with her own kind. This movie is so uplifting, it's about freedom, the dignity of living creatures, compassion, responsibility, love, and hope. Beautiful scenery and animal footage, plus plenty of lighter moments and laughs. Adults get a little chuckle out of the very polite script, straight from the 1960's, though it is like a breath of fresh air, and of course there's the wonderful theme song which you will find yourself singing in the car and shower. Get out the popcorn and snuggle the whole family on the couch to watch this one.

A Really heartwarming tail (no pun intended!)
This is one of my favorite movies. I first saw it as a child, and recently ordered the DVD version of the movie from Amazon.com. The movie brought back alot of memories, and I believe it has lost little impact from the time it was originally released in the mid-1960s. The story is a great one, the scsnerey in the movie is beautiful, and the acting is very good. The performance of the lioness in the film is spectacular.

What I find particularly pleasing, in comparison with the movies of today, is the absence of human-on-human violence, sex, car chases, explosions, special effects, etc. This movie stands alone on its own merit - the power of the storyline and the heartwarming, though sad, story of the lioness named Elsa. People of all ages and backgrounds who have a great appreciation for nature and life will definitely enjoy this movie. ... Read more

Description

Academy Award(R)-winning stars Kevin Spacey (AMERICAN BEAUTY, Best Actor, 1998) and Judi Dench (SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE, Best Supporting Actress, 1998) join talents with Julianne Moore (HANNIBAL) and Cate Blanchett (THE LORD OF THE RINGS) in this deeply moving motion picture from the director of CHOCOLAT and THE CIDER HOUSE RULES. After tragedy strikes, Quoyle (Spacey) moves with his daughter from upstate New York to his ancestral home in a small Newfoundland fishing village. With a job at the local newspaper and developing romance with a woman (Moore) who lives with her own demons, Quoyle is transformed by this place of magic, beauty, and hardship. In a compelling story based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, Quoyle's past melds with his present in an inspirational journey of self-discovery and second chances. ... Read more

Reviews (88)

The haunting mysteries made me squirm uncomfortably
Staring Kevin Spacy as Quoyle, a loser in life who works as an ink setter at a Poughkeepsie newspaper, this film is adapted from the novel by E. Annie Proulx who specializes in using macabre details in her moody and sad books.

Quoyle's wife, played by Cate Blanchett, is a tramp who treats him like dirt and, when she is killed in a car crash and leaves him with their 6-year old daughter, he is an emotional wreck. That's when his aunt, played by Judi Dench enters the scene and convinces him to move back to the place of his roots, a remote village in Newfoundland where he lands a job as a reporter on the town newspaper, and falls for a local woman, Julianne Moore.

This is not a simple story, however, as there are haunting mysteries everywhere, mysteries that made me squirm uncomfortably as they were uncovered. This is not a pleasant film to watch and the story, although fascinating, moved a little too slow for my taste.

Clearly, the best part of the film is the outstanding performance of Kevin Spacey. I always knew he was a good actor, but this is a difficult role as we watch him transform from an emotionally damaged doormat husband into a man. Along the way there are tears and fear and terror. And the way he plays it, it all becomes real. In my opinion, he should have been nominated for an Academy Award.

The setting comes alive and there was great cinematography of the harsh Newfoundland coast. The film is disturbing, as it is supposed to be, but some of the details are never explained to my satisfaction, and, at the end, there were still questions hanging. For that reason I hold off giving it a high recommendation. It is generally good filmmaking though and movie buffs will like it.

"Q" is for Quoyle, and Quirky
The Shipping News chronicles the healing of Quoyle, a passively pathetic nobody who, with his young daughter, leaves New York for the Newfoundland of his ancestors after his wildly irresponsible wife Petal (a shockingly different Cate Blanchett) dies in a car crash with one of her paramours.

Kevin Spacey turns in an excellent performance as the fleshy-faced, bumbling, meek and hollow Quoyle. (In fact, it may be more accurate to say the film tells of Quoyle's creation--the man-child who survived his abusive upbringing seems almost nonexistent as opposed to broken.) Julianne Moore is tenderly, simply beautiful as Quoyle's love interest, perhaps giving her finest performance. Judi Dench , as Quoyle's aunt who rescues him from New York, is just good enough, though lacking somehow. The cinematography, featuring the rock, water and snow of the North Atlantic, is generally well done.

Much of the accented dialogue is difficult to understand at first, as is the plot unless one pays careful attention to the various dream sequences and impressionistic flashbacks which fill in the Quoyle family history. I will say that, several chapters into the novel, the film seems better, more direct, not thrown off balance by the author's "clever", continuous elimination of complete sentences and bombardment of similes and metaphors--which worked for the first couple of chapters but is now proving tedious. (And the film actually has one detail "right": if Petal came to detest Quoyle so much and only conceived their first child by accident, it's hard to see where a second would have come from. In the film, having but one daughter strengthens the character; in the book, the extra dulls the impact of both.) I cannot say for certain that I will finish the book.

In all, 3-1/2 stars is about right for this film. Recommended if you're looking for something quirky and "fresh."

The Shipping News
The Shipping News DVD ~ Kevin Spacey is a very good movie. Spacey is amazing as usual and should have been nominated for best actor award. An awesome movie indeed. 5/5.

"I got used to being invisible"
One thing is clear to me after watching this movie; I have to read the book for which Annie Proulx won a Pulitzer. This is an amazing story, with complex characters and which shows the idiosyncrasy of a population that is unknown for most of us. The movie shows how a broken man can heal with the help of loved ones and friends, even in an extremely tough place to live in.

Quoyle (Kevin Spacey) had a disastrous childhood, with a demanding father that specialized in pushing him over the edge without giving him any love. As an adult, he works in the print of the Poughkeepsie News as an ink setter and has no one in this world. One day he stops at a gas station and Petal (Cate Blanchett), who was fighting with her boyfriend, gets into Quoyle's car and says: "Let's go". Quoyle has such a need for a little love that he falls right away for Petal, she gets pregnant and they have a baby. But life is not easy for Quoyle; Petal sleeps around without any shame and does not take care of her daughter.

To make matters worse, in a period of a few days Quoyle receives a phone call from his father telling him that he was killing himself and his wife, Petal runs away with their daughter and dies in a car crash, and Quoyle's aunt shows up at his house and steals the ashes of his father. After getting back his daughter and being at a total loss as to how to go on, Quoyle ends up moving to Newfoundland with his aunt and daughter. Here he meets new people, a different culture and new challenges that will change his life.

The photography in this movie is absolutely outstanding, with scenes that leave the viewer breathless. The other aspect to praise, besides the great story, is the cast, in particular Kevin Spacey and Cate Blanchett. Even though the latter has a brief appearance, her role is so convincing, that she deserves credit for the overall outcome of the film. Julianne Moore plays Wavey, the owner of a day care center in Newfoundland that has lost her husband right before giving birth to their child. She does a good job in this role, but I have seen her do better in other scenarios. I am really looking forward to reading the novel and be able to determine how good the movie is in comparison to the book.

You guessed it -- not as good as the book
As a Kevin Spacey and Julianne Moore fan, I intended to see this movie when it first came out, but it fell through the cracks. Then I read the book by E. Annie Proulx and loved it so much that I couldn't wait to see it unfold on screen.

Sadly, I was disappointed. The movie felt like a series of scenes from the book without the emotional fabric to connect them in a meaningful way. Major characters were left out (how about Quoyle's younger daughter, for one?) for no good reason, and the beginning was blown through in such a hurry that you could hardly get a picture of what Quoyle's life was like.
In many places, plot points were underexplained to the point that I wouldn't have understood them if I hadn't already read the book and had the background knowledge to apply to them.

I wanted to like this movie -- I TRIED to like it -- but in the end, I didn't. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

The Wonder Years is the best T.V. show ever created!
Wow! This tape would make an excellent gift for all Wonder Years fans! In the first episode, sweet 12-year-old Kevin Arnold is trying to find a present for his girlfriend Winnie and at the same time, the whole Arnold household is hoping Jack, the father will buy them a color t.v. for Christmas. In the end, Kevin learns that Christmas is more than presents and is about the memories and special moments in life. In the second episode, Kevin is older (sixteen-years-old) and is trying to find the perfect present for Winnie again. After the family, suffers a financial blow because Jack's partner decides to not invest in the furniture company, the holiday spirit is again being tested. I enjoyed the tapes so much and I watch them over and over. Definately a good tape.

Poor Tape Quality
The story was excellent, but the tape quality was awful. It looked like somebody taped it at home off their VCR. I was beginning to think it was bootlegged.

The Most Touching and Heartwarming Show I have ever seen
When I first saw an episode of the Wonder Years, I didn't connect with it much. I thought it was a show for kids, one that didn't have much bearing on me. As I watched it more, especially on Nick at Nite when there was nothing else on, I began to realize that this show was unique. Not only did it appeal to younger audiences with its light-hearted humor, but that it even appealed to middle to late teenagers like me, with its displays of Kevin's relationships, his feelings, and his growth as a person. This show deals with practically every difficulty that adolescents must face, from strange parents to changing friends. It is rare that a show has actually been able to reach out and touch my heart, but it seems that this show is able to do it whenever I watch it. My only wish was that they had the entire series available, so that I could watch it from start to finish.

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the wonderful wonder years
I have enjoyed watching The Wonder Years from a toddler to a teen and tears still roll down my cheeks when i see the reality of the pain in the world that this program shows. Through Kevin's eyes I have seen the Vietnam War. I have felt love, rejection, acceptance, care, compassion and loss. The Wonder Years is the truth of the world then and now. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Favorite Childhood Movie
My mother taped this movie for me from TV when I was a child, and I watched the tape so many times, it literally wore out and I couldn't watch it any more! I'm so glad I finally found it and I can't wait to own it again! Hop hop hop!

My daughter's favorite video as a pre-schooler!!!!
This cassette could always reduce my daughter to hysterical laughter when she was little, especially when the farmer would get wind of the bunnies and start sneezing! When he sneezes so hard his button shoots off his pants (which fall down