Reviews (1)

All I can say is that I like stuff like this
I watched this one twice in the same week. If you like kinda cheesy/goofy horror stuff this is one you should rent. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Johnny Cash plus a bonus!
As a Johnny Cash fan for longer than I care to remember I think this video was excellent. Johnny Cash played a difficult part convincingly and the story suited his style superbly. The accompanying CD is a must for every Johnny Cash fan. I've played it over and over.

Johnny Cash - the Pride of Jesse Hallam
EXCELLENT! This is a very warm movie, one that should be shown at public schools. No, it's not a concert or biography, rather it is a movie about a grown man (Cash) who never learned to read/write & stumbles thru life without admitting it. Watch this one with your family. Cash was made for this part, and plays it naturally.

Definitely a very good movie
I saw this many years ago when it originally came out. This may not be a Johnny Cash concert, but it is an extremely good movie which stars him. I'm sorry the previous 2 people did not enjoy it, but it sounds like they weren't looking for a movie, but instead a concert or biography of this man. This isn't misleading advertising at all... it is a video of the MOVIE entitled The Pride of Jesse Hallam. It's about a man who is illiterate and his family and how they cope after his wife dies. It goes through this man's experiences of learning to read among other things. It is an amazing movie. Judge it on what it is instead of what it is not.

This is not a video??
I wanted to buy a tape of johnny cash, this one said VHS and has a picture of a tape beside it. Now I read the above review and this customer says this isn't even a video, like it appears to be. That is not right to do people that way. I was ordering this for my friend, who is dieing of cancer. He wanted to watch anything with johnny cash, this was a gift I was trying to get him. Thank God I didn't order it and it not even be what it appears to be, a tape! Please, would someone fix this problem? When a person orders, it should be very clear what they are going to get in the mail. In my case, my friend doesn't have long to wait. S.D.

Read the information CAREFULLY!!!!!
This is NOT a tape about Johnny Cash!! It is a CD interview with him, along with a movie, the Pride of Jessie Hallam. I bought it thinking it was about Johnny. WRONG. I waited 6 weeks and paid 18 bucks for it, only to be disappointed! You have to read the info carefully to see that. Don't make the same mistake I did! ... Read more

Reviews (5)

A Genuinely Fun Movie
Gambit shows us two superbly developing stars, Shirley MacLaine and Michael Caine -- and in restrospect, you realize from watching this fine movie that they had what it takes, even back in the 1960s. Shirley was just superb as a street-wise nightclub dancer, and Michael was perfect as the crook with grand plans who never could seem to make things work just right. This is a funny film. Your kids will like it, if you can convince them to actually sit and watch it with you, and follow the plot. Gambit was a good precursor to Caine's best finagling movie, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels... you can see where he got practice appearing frustrated, the way his plans with Shirley kept going off track.
Enjoy.

First a classic heist film, then a clever romantic comedy.
Gambit is a marvelous film full of style as well as substance. Much as I'd like to discuss the plot, I dare not because much of the film's special surprises stem directly from telling the plot. So just trust me when I say grab it- if for no other reason the exotic locales, Shirley MacLaine's beauty, charm, and smarts (not to mention the stunning wardrobe by costumer Jean Louis), and the fun interplay between MacLaine, relative newcomer Michael Caine, and the urbane and charming Herbert Lom. A perfect film for the Sunday afternoon you're not going anywhere.

Another great heist movie!
Very enjoyable caper comedy with Shirley Maclaine and Michael Caine(plus Herbert Lom from the Pink Panther films). Has a neat gimmick to it(as the slogan goes-"don't tell the beginning"), but is really just and overlooked little gem of a comedy-check it out!!

Gambit Gambit Gambit
This is an excellent comedy adventure film full of action and suspense. It's one of those heist movies that used to be popular. Ronald Neame tightly directed this film for full dramatic-comic impact. It contains an admirable score by Maurice Jarre. Not bad.

Very Entertaining
An extremely amusing film.The first half is quite serious but the second half sweeps you off on a rollercoaster ride of humour,romance and sheer unpredictablity!My favourite line in the movie is when the millionaire asks what is said about amber Michael Caine doesn`t have a clue and tries to bluster his way out when Shirley Maclaine smiles sweetly and remarks coolly,"amber is the soul of the tiger trapped in stone" She is just lovely in it ... Read more

Amazon.com

If you're into sword-and-sorcery tales, look no further than this critically underrated big-screen fantasy based on the fiction of Conan the Barbarian creator Robert E. Howard. It was a troubled production and the outcome is far different from the more serious and intelligent epic that screenwriter Charles Pogue had originally conceived. Still, this is a giddy, energetic throwback to the Ray Harryhausen movie fantasies of the 1950s and '60s, and it's a perfect vehicle for Kevin Sorbo, the hunky star of TV's Hercules: The Legendary Journeys. Sorbo brings an appropriate combination of depth and physical agility to the role of Kull (son of Conan), but he and director John Nicolella know better than to take this stuff too seriously. The movie's humor is nicely integrated into the dialogue without resorting to lame punch lines, and Tia Carrere is enjoyably campy as the evil goddess who lures Kull from his favorite concubine (Karina Lombard) as she plots to overthrow the kingdom of Valusia. Playwright Harvey Fierstein also provides comic relief in a scene-stealing role, and with an abundance of black magic, stunning Slovakian locations, and grand battles of good versus evil, this heroic adventure is more entertaining than you might expect. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (34)

This aint Kull, but still
This movie has all the silly acting, corny dialogue and unconvincing special effects that we've come to know and love in these sword-and-sworcery movies. Unfortunately, even with some experienced hands on board, this movie fails to come together satisfactorily.

Despite the multitude of able, if not spectacular, actors in this film, there's really not much good acting. Particularly bad was Carrerre, who could've been good but for some reason couldn't hold herself together and had to go stealing Darth Vader's lines.

Sorbo, his acting saved by his Hercules experience, isn't very good but he's not horrible either. The swordplay, however, is mixed. Most of the time it i badly done, but sometimes that fight scenes are pretty neat. There's one big no-no, however -- no blood. I can't stand people being hacked up without blood.

In fact, that's the thing which could've benefitted this movie the most -- an R rating. I think the producers underestimate the adult population. You aim a movie at kids, who knows, but if you make an adult film, it will do well. There's enough sex and violence in this movie it would've been a simple thing to elevate the dialogue a little and aim it at the mature.

And then there's the fact that this isn't Howard's Kull...that Kull wasn't interested in women, he was all into philosophy and the mysteries of the universe and all that.

The music is somtimes interesting and inspired, but the hard rock battle music is sadly out of place and the main theme is repeated so often it gets boring.

This is a fun, watchable movie if you don't mind lousy, computer-game-esque special effects and corny dialogue.

The difference being.....
I didn't really have a problem with this movie. The whole thing was based on a character from Robert E. Howard novels (who technically is an ancestor to Conan of Cimmeria), had one of the same producers involved with the Conan movies, and the ORIGINAL soundtrack being hard and thunderous, enough to do Conan proud. I had no problem with this film, save for one thing....

Kevin Sorbo.

Yes, Mr. Pretty boy Hercules himself is placed into the role of Kull of Atlantis, ancestor to Conan the Barbarian, actually trying to play himself off as a barbarian. Would've been more believable to me had they gone with Lou Ferrigno, Arnold Schwarzenegger, or, dare I say, perhaps even Triple H. Apart from that one minute detail, the movie was terrific.

A decent enough movie despite what people say
Kull's a pretty decent film despite what people say. It may be dumb but it's dumb fun and it's worth the price. It's a really enjoyable for a cheesy fantasy/barbarian action flick. I would take Kull over Conan any day. I don't know why so many people love Conan anyway. Kull is dumb fun but the Conan movies are just dumb.

entertaining while not much else
I have seen Kevin Sorbo in Hercules and like Hercules he does good with the role that has been given to him. Though Kull is the son of Conan there is surprisingly no reference to that in the movie. So do you need to see the Conan movies before watching this? Absolutely not. In fact, I think Kull the Conqueror is better than the Conan movies. Though not superb, this movie does manage to entertain. Tia Carrere does good playing the evil and seductive ressurected queen who Kull has to defeat in order to save the kingdom he wants to rule. If you like movies based on fantasy/mythology, check this one out. Though the music and sense of humor are a bit far fetched considering the time of which Kull the Conqueror takes place, this still makes for a decent flick.

Something's Missing
"Kull the Conqueror" missed the mark by a mile. Robert E. Howard's Kull was a dark, brooding barbarian warrior from Atlantis who became a king. Kevin Sorbo is not exactly what I had in mind. But in a way, he's the movie's only saving grace. He is charming (which the original certainly was not) and funny. But it is the modern aspects of the movie that hurts it's atmosphere. The jokes are way too 20th centery and the heavy metel sound track is also too modern. The tone of the whole movie is too light to really do Howard's creation justice. Oh, and by the way, Kull is an ancient fore-father of Conan, not Conan's son. ... Read more

Reviews (21)

An excellent sequel to Chinatown.
This film was badly reviewed and did not do much better at the "Box Office." An excellent sequel to Chinatown. This story is as engaging and interesting as the original. The big surprise isn't who the bad guy turns out to be but who Jake Gittes has been dealing with all along. Keitel does an excellent job as supporting actor.

There are times throughout this movie when you don't know if the the two "Jakes" are going to kill each other or become fast friends. The slow build up of grudging respect is interesting though and the plot, performances, and scenery keep you engaged. This is a must see if you liked Chinatown.

Vastly Underrated
Any sequel to something as good as "Chinatown" is going to disappoint some people, but "The Two Jakes" is just the sequel that that movie needed. "The Two Jakes" has a different look, and a different feel to it; one that is akin to the time that it represents- like "Kiss Me Deadly" or "Sudden Fear" has a different look than "Casablanca" or "The Big Sleep".

Yes, it does have a convoluted plot, but one that makes perfect sense if you pay attention, and you cannot fault the performers- they are flawless to the extras. It is also the most flawless (yep, I know that I have been using that adjective a lot, but it fits, and you can look at my other reviews to see just how mean I can be!) look of postwar Los Angeles that I have ever seen- and as a resident, I know how hard that that can be to pull off. So, okay, it's not "Chinatown" so what? Not to denigate it, but that movie's impact was mainly because it re-introduced a generation to the whole film noir genre, brilliantly. This movie attempted to do the same thing for a time that also should be remembered- the 50's film noir, before "Psycho" and "Bonnie and Clyde", but the movies that paved the way for those classics.

Excellent color film noir
This is a nice sequel to Chinatown. It is written by Robert Towne, the writer of Chinatown. Where Chinatown is pre-war Los Angeles and surrounds water resources and development of the San Fernando Valley, this film is about post-war Los Angeles and oil.

The DVD is high quality. The image is sharp, color is good, and soundtrack well balanced.

If you have Chinatown you should also add the sequel to your collection.

Two Jakes: A Classic, but not a Masterpiece
Two Jakes is great movie, but simply NOT on the level of "Chinatown"... The story is well written, the talent is superb, but the direction lacks the dynamic, passionate style that Polanski put into his masterpiece "Chinatown". Jack, Harvey, Perry, and especially the normally talented Meg Tilly, walk through their parts without tension or emotional dynamics... which is not consistant with either the period, nor the style of early film noir.... this is a film in the style of the 90s, and so Nicholson is seduced by BOTH leading ladies... and it falls flat both times. The music, which is not distinctive, adds nothing to the needed dramatic tension of these characters, which it should have. Still, the movie has some strong points. The photography and set designs are first rate. The scene in the Max Factor building using the actual reception room and exterior is wonderful... the building is now the "Hollywood History Museum" and it was great to see it as it may have appeared in 1948. The new DVD transfer is a fine one, color corrected, and sound is clear and crisp. The performance by Ruben Blades is incredible and he is a frightening tough guy who shows his loyalty and bond to Harvey's character in the end very clearly... not an easy bit of drama to play out on screen. I recommend this one, but just do not expect the same masterpiece that Chinatown is.... and I strongly recommend a person see Chinatown first to understand much of this film.

Good Follow Up to CHINATOWN
THE TWO JAKES is a good follow-up to CHINATOWN. The Characters and sets really make this movie. The story is just average but the period details are very good. Too bad Jerry Goldsmith did not compose the score but Jack's great style of directing makes up for quite a lot. ... Read more

Amazon.com essential video

Based on the novel by Anonymous (a.k.a. political reporter Joe Klein) and released when the Monica Lewinsky scandal was in full swing, Primary Colors may have been a case of too much, too soon for many moviegoers, who preferred the real-life Clinton crisis over the movie's thinly disguised "Clintonesque" comedy. The general public felt that the film was exploiting the president's indiscretions, and as a result one of the most critically acclaimed movies of 1998 was a box-office disappointment. But when considered apart from the Clinton scandals and judged on its own considerable merits, this superb comedy-drama provides an illuminating, insightful, and frequently hilarious look at the harsh realities of presidential politics. John Travolta stars as Jack Stanton, a presidential hopeful whose campaign is challenged by dual dilemmas: how to squelch a scandal involving the candidate's alleged sex with an underage girl, and how to handle information that could potentially ruin Stanton's opponent (superbly played by Larry Hagman). Stanton's wife (Emma Thompson) stands by her man despite awareness of his infidelities, but his loyal campaign planners (played by Billy Bob Thornton, Maura Tierney, and promising newcomer Adrian Lester) experience a crisis of conscience. So does one of the Stantons' oldest friends (Kathy Bates, in an Oscar-nominated role), whose sense of betrayal and lost idealism proves too much to bear. Masterfully adapted by director Mike Nichols and his former-comedy-partner-turned-screenwriter, Elaine May, Primary Colors plays like a sophisticated comedy with loads of memorable scenes and dialogue, but it sneaks up on you with devastating dramatic impact. Anchored by Travolta's superb performance (which is reminiscent of Clinton without being a cheap impersonation), the movie presents a story of great moral complexity and leaves viewers to contemplate their own reactions to the volatile and ethically complicated game of modern politics. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (62)

Be Not Deceived- This is a GREAT Film
Forget Bush and Gore! The more interesting race for the presidency took place in "Primary Colors," an all-around outstanding movie which sank into obscurity, unfortunately, thanks to the Lewinsky scandal. Yes, it's loosely based on the Clintons, but if you put that aside and just focus on the movie in its own right, it's not as hard of a pill to swallow.

To start, seasoned vets Nichols and May provide sharp direction and writing, respectively. Even though this movie is about politics (which, as all of us now know, can get pretty gruesome), they make it interesting and intriguing by going behind the scenes, showing the feelings and emotions of the people involved in a presidential campaign, feelings and emotions that don't come through in press conferences and interviews.

The vision of Nichols and May is turned into fine art by a superb cast. Travolta is surprisingly charismatic, and Emma Thompson deserves much more praise than she has received as his patient but driven wife. Billy Bob Thornton gives a hilarious supporting performance, and Larry Hagman also does a great job as Travolta's opponent who's unwillingly thrust into the spotlight (Rob Reiner also has a humerous cameo as the host of ... call-in radio show in Florida).

But the two stars that outshine the rest are Adrian Lester and Kathy Bates. Lester is absolute dynamite as the campaign manager who yearns for "the real thing," a candidate who actually practices what he preaches. His performance is dramatic and heartfelt. As great as his performance is, Bates is the unsung hero of the movie, and without question, deserved to win Best Supporting Actress (she was robbed by Judi Dench and her 5-minutes-of-fame in "Shakespeare in Love"). She is outrageously funny at times and humble and vulnerable at others, but always comes through with an endearing sincerity.

So, if you want to see an all-around great movie or, more specifically, if you've become disillusioned by the political process and the (so-called) leaders it has produced, there has never been a better time to watch "Primary Colors."

BITTERSWEET ENTERTAINMENT
The machinations of a presidential campaign in "Primary Colors" is presented through the eyes of Henry Burton (British actor Adrian Lester). Henry is a privileged young African American feldgling politician whose grandfather was a civil rights legend. While trying to find out who the candidate is, Henry is virtually kidnapped by the presidential campaign of an obscure Southern governor, Jack Stanton (played flawlessly by John Travolta). Stanton's politically savy, smart lawyer wife Susan (amazingly played by Emma Thompson) is often the brains of the campaign. The parody on Bill and Hillary Clinton is obvious.

Of course, the idealistic Henry and aging Stanton loyalist, Libby Holden (Kathy Bates who possibly hands in the film's best supporting performance) keep hoping that Jack and Susan are as good as they seem. Inevitably, the Stantons compromise everything to win the campaign and power, leaving without much integrity as the campaign progresses.

The movie is very funny and works as a Clinton parody without being offensive. Indeed, the magical collaboration between director Mike Nichols and screenwriter Elaine May produces a very clever and entertaining political melodrama. After three viewings, I'm not tired of this movie. At the end, I gained even more respect for the talents of Travolta, Thompson, Bates, Billy Bob Thornton et al.

This is a must see film.

the story of Bill
basically the story of the evilness of Bill Clinton America's worst president/murderer/rapist/womanizer/drug user/drug dealer/basically you name something that's a crime and he did it

a very good representation of the Clinton's evilness

Is It Real or Just Fiction?
I watched this film recently while reading Bill Clinton's book, "My Life," and after watching another DVD, "The War Room," and I have to say it's hard to tell if this "story" is fiction or a factual summary of Clinton's original run for the Presidency.

Regardless of the story behind the story this movie stands on its own as an excellent political film. John Travolta is fantastic (amazingly close to the real Clinton!) as Stanton the Southern candidate running for office. He leaves behind all hints of his normal sexiness and turns himself into a slick, conniving out of shape politican beant on winning his campaign. He pulls off this role with amazing ability as an actor, tearing up when necessary and showing anger without any brutality, he held it all in his eyes.

Kathy Bates plays a crazy campaign manager who tries to keep Stanton out of the dog house one too many times. She is brilliant in this role as a tough lesiban who succumbs to the reality of politics. She rants, she raves and she delivers great ethical speeches as her character attempts to right all of Stanton's wrongs (which are amazingly similar to Clinton's!).

I believe this film will open up a new level of awareness as to what actually occurs during a presidential campaign. An interesting film with a slow growing message and quite appropriate for political followers. I just wish Stanton/Clinton would finally show his TRUE colors!

"Wow" is the only phrase that comes to mind
When I first stumbled across a very very late night airing of Primary Colors on television, I was hesitant to sit back and enjoy the show. Political films just don't float my boat, since I find the actual politics somewhat uninteresting. However, within about forty-five seconds, I was hooked on this compelling comedy-drama. The story is superb, even though it isn't anything we haven't heard or joked about before. The acting is beyond superb, with every character given a voice and a story, so that you feel that nothing that is said or done is out of place. Although the comedic moments are great, what is really surprising is how, by the end of the film, you are deeply affected by the outcome of each character's story. And although the film is about politics, it is completely non-partisan and leaves the viewer to draw his or her own conclusions.

I feel that I cannot say enough good about Primary Colors. It is a surprisingly wonderful film that I would recommend to everyone. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

I just wanted to come back and hear the calliope
WALKING DISTANCE is probably the best episode ever produced. Gig Young acts out Serling's prose so perfectly that he speaks for every man that ever wished he could go home again. It is a very moving episode. Bernard Herrmann's score intuitively picks up the emotion and heartfelt sincerity that Serling wrote into this story. This was Rod Serling's, Bernard Herrmann's and Gig Young's finest work for any medium. I think it is the finest piece of work ever put on film. KICK THE CAN is thematically similar and also very moving. It examines what it means to grow old and if one must give up the very things that makes us who we really are. It too is a very heartfelt episode, sincere and remains one of the best.

Timeless and Forever.
Long ago when Television was young there were indeed programs of quality and value. One of the great icons of the era was for sure Rod Serling. Mr. Serling has been gone now since 1975...but his vision and talent and taste for the ironic live on in " Twilight Zone" episodes.

In "Walking Distance" Martin Sloan( Gig Young) gets to look back on his life in a very special way. A shock to himself when he sees himself, as a boy, carving names into a post on a gazebo..( a gazebo that could have been possibly in Serling's home town of Binghamton New York.

The quagmire of time and space are now imposed on Martin Sloan..and this unique teleplay is one of the best 26 minutes you might see on Television. The montage scene on the merry go round...the field is at first tilted...then corrects itself with a return to Mr. Sloan's reality..Frak Overton, Byron Foulger and Ronnie Howard round out the singular cast.

If this were all not enough, Bernard Herrman lends a most meloncholy score to the whole proceedings. This is what happens when great artists combine talents to produce something timeless.

Some " Wisp of Memory" indeed!

This tape has Serling's classic episode "Walking Distance"
In Rod Serling's classic episode "Walking Distance," Martin Sloan (Gig Young) leaves his car at the gas station and walks into his hometown, where suddenly everything is just as it was when he was a child. In fact, he encounters his younger self (Michael Montgomery), and has to come to terms with the fact that he has not been happy with his life for a long, long time. The episode, directed by Robert Stevens, is one of Serling's best evocations of nostalgia, with a cast that includes Pat O'Malley and young Ronnie Howard. "Kick the Can" was George Clayton Johnson's final script for the series, and was the episode adapted by Steven Spielberg in "Twilight Zone: The Movie." Charles Whitley (Ernest Truex) and his friend Ben Conory (Russell Collins) are residents of Sunnydale Rest, a home for the aged. Charles becomes convinced that the secret to being young is acting young, and one night he begs the others to join him for a game of kick-the-can. Everyone agrees to join in the game, except Ben. Because this is the Twilight Zone, this is a tragic mistake and one that Ben will regret the rest of his life. This is an okay episode, but not a classic like the first one on this tape.

Short subjects as timeless as their medium...
This is another fine package in the series, two classics that have obvious but effective stories to tell. "Walking Distance" is about Martin Sloan, successful in business but not successful in that walk of life that all men try sooner or later: trying to go home again. "Kick the Can" is an enormously moving and engrossing piece with Charles Witley dilivering the goods as an old man who refuses to die in Sunnydale Rest. He is a man who knows that he will die in this world if he does not escape...into the Twilight Zone. This is one you should see.

The Human Side to the Twilight Zone
Rod put a lot of humanity into these two episodes of the Twilight Zone. The first story deals with a man's return home to his childhood trying to find his younger self that he left behind. The second story deals with people in their senior years who play a game of "Kick the Can" and discover that being young and old is very closely linked, and not seperate. Even if you don't like science fiction, watch these two Twilight Zone stories, they are human stories. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

this is it!
this is THE charactor actor team to judge all others by. no two actors combind such suaveness, such style and such fun in their villany as greenstreet and lorre did.
greenstreets' waspy menace, impeccible dress, sinister smile and imposing girth.
lorre's inimitatable voice, those hard boiled eys and a trail of pure slime following him.
candle lit restaraunts, dark booths, late night rendevous, and oh, lots and lots of cigarettes.
now why on earth the rest of their films havent been released on vhs or dvd is beyond comprenension (three strangers, etc - c'mon turner!)but savour this enjoyable romp in the long lost hollywood style at its best

A Turkish mystery
This 1940's film noir mystery features the successful collaboration of the heavy lidded Peter Lorre and the corpulent Sydney Greenstreet.

A macerated body washes up on the shores of the Bosphorus in Istanbul. The bloated body bears the identification of Dimitrios Makropoulos, a European criminal legend. The discovery of the corpse piques the interest of Lorre, a detective story novelist. He embarks on a journey through Europe to investigate the criminal exploits of Makropoulos played well by Randolph Scott. Along the way he encounters Greenstreet, who he forms an alliance with to eventually find out what really happened. Edward Cianelli is excellent playing an aristocratic Yugoslavian spymaster.

This was a fun film to watch with a nice combination of actors of this era.

Where Is The Kindness In The World?
The body of Dimitrios Makropoulos washes up on the shore of Istanbul, and his history of crimes is brought to the attention of mystery writer Peter Lorre. Dimitrios was a man without a conscience, always looking to make money at the expense of anyone. Lorre becomes fascinated by his story, and goes on a quest to find out more about the much despised man. The quest takes him across Europe, to such locales as Sofia, Geneva, and Paris. Along the way he gets involved with Sydney Greenstreet, a menacing man who clearly knows more than he is saying, with motives of his own. The story is partly told through a series of flashbacks, as victims of Dimitrios' schemes and backstabbing relate their experiences. This is another example of film noir, with the action taking place at night, in dark spaces. Everyone has questionable motives and characters, each looking out for themselves. Lorre is good in an offbeat role, and it's entertaining to watch him with the always fun Greenstreet - what an odd couple. Zachary Scott is appropriately menacing and nasty as Dimitrios, and Steven Geray is particularly good as one of Dimitrios' unfortunate victims. I did get occasionally confused during the flashbacks, but not enough to detract from the overall film. It quickly establishes a dark, sinister mood, and doesn't let up. This is a forgotten thriller that deserves to be seen.

SiDnEy GrEeENsTREET AND Peter LoRRE..any QUESTIONS?
(Rev. 7/15/02)
...

Plus Zachary (MILDRED PIERCE) Scott, at his evil, fly-by-night best here.

...

Get this film. If any kind of 40s spy/noir/adventure/Greenstret/Lorre film buff, you'll watch this at least a dozen times inside of six months, guaranteed, at the least. It's that good. It's a little devilish, that's all: that's why you haven't heard of it. Great foreign character actors, and Lorre plays an out-of-character character himself: a somewhat mellow, yet curious novelist (mystery novelist, of course.)

You won't be disappointed, fellow fan of the European-atmosphered, espionage-stylized, cloak 'n dagger'd 'n dark, traveling-late-by-night-on-the-train, scoundrels-everywhere-in- every-guise flick.

...go for it. And don't miss BACKGROUND TO DANGER, and ACROSS THE PACIFIC.

Classic Forties Thriller
This is a good film with an interesting plot device starring some great character actors. Peter Lorre is the lead, almost casually playing a vacationing mystery writer who is intrigued by the life of a recently deceased criminal. Sydney Greenstreet and Zachary Scott are superb in supporting roles. Scott, in particular, is perfectly malevolent as the unscrupulous Dimitrios. I'm no expert, but I believe this film was one of the early examples of film noir. The subject matter is dark, most of the main characters are tragically flawed, and the ending is off-beat. The story is told flash-back style by a number of Dimitrios' acquaintances, most of whom he has wronged terribly. He is not a nice man, but this picture is worth a look if you are a 30's and 40's film buff looking for something good you may not have seen before. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Good But Not Great, but Good
I was surprised by Leonard Maltin's negative review of this movie. This is not a great movie, and it does meander a bit, but it is a quiet, thoughtful look at a young man trying to find his niche, a father trying to rediscover his niche or create a new one, and the mixture of conflict, pride, disappointment, and love that flows between them. I have this one on tape and watch it once a year or so.

Great acting? No.

Good acting? Yes.

Great story? No.

Good story? Yes.

A lot of heart and reality? Definitely.

Overall: Very Worth Watching ... Read more

Reviews (6)

INTERESTING MURDER MYSTERY....
When blackmailing night club singer Mavis Marlowe is strangled with her own silk scarf, a man she was blackmailing and involved with is arrested. He says he's innocent, his loyal wife says he's innocent---but all evidence points to his guilt. The wife (June Vincent) sets out to prove his innocence even though the cop on the case (Broderick Crawford) is doubtful. She finds an unlikely ally in Marlowe's alcoholic piano player husband Dan Duryea. The clue to the murder is a missing ruby brooch. Duryea plays a nice guy here with a big problem---his drinking. He's talented, likable and really cares for Vincent. He's practically the whole show but Peter Lorre is also on hand as a mysterious night club owner and a potential suspect. Good noir photography, interesting twists, solid performances from the cast and a good DVD print make this an enjoyable little thriller. Worth watching for noir enthusiasts.

BLACK ANGEL DISTURBING, COMPELLING, THRILLING
A sexy singer, an ex lover and a dutiful wife: classic film noir lover's triangle tinged with a race against time and singed in sparkling performances from a stellar cast. In "Black Angel" femme fatale chanteuse Mavis Marlowe (Constance Dowling) turns up dead. Kirk Bennett (John Phillips) who used to be her lover seems the natural choice for the police's prime suspect and their latest blackmail victim. No one believes Kirk's story - it is a little hard to swallow - that he found Mavis already a goner on the floor of her apartment. However, when Kirk is sentenced to death, his long-suffering, too-good-to-be-true wife, Catherine (June Vincent) begins to investigate the crime for answers of her own. She's aided by Martin Blair (Dan Duryea) Mavis' husband. The film is riddled with rich curiosities of character; Kirk's philandering innocence, Mavis' evil vixen turned victim, Catherine's never wavering devotion to her wayward hubby and Blair's nonchalant, noncommittal dedication to discovering who really killed his wife. At one point Blair even goes so far as to offer himself as Kirk's replacement, should salvation not come in time to spare him from the electric chair. It must be love! An outstanding cameo comes by way of Peter Lorre as Marco, the always spurious, never to be trusted seedy nightclub owner who happened to visit Mavis Marlowe on the night she bought the farm. It should be pointed out however, that the suspense of finding the killer gets somewhat diffused in the process and never quite reaches the par excellence caliber of say, "The Asphalt Jungle" or "Laura."
Another solid effort from Universal.The gray scale is very well balanced with deep solid blacks and whites that are almost pristine. There's a hint film grain and some age related artifacts. Also, some edge enhancement and pixelization occur as well but nothing that will distract. The audio is mono and very well represented. There are no extras on this disc. Nevertheless, it is a good disc to add to your library of classic cinema.

"Sometimes I find myself surrounded by puzzles."
In the film "Black Angel" when beautiful singer Mavis Marlowe is found murdered in her apartment, her ex-lover and latest blackmail victim, Kirk Bennett is arrested and tried for her murder. No one believes his story that he found Mavis dead, but when he is sentenced to death, his long-suffering wife, Katherine starts looking for answers of her own. Katherine seeks out Martin Blair (Dan Duryea) the husband of the victim, and together they try to solve the crime.

One interesting element in this film is the contrast between the two female leads--both are singers--both are attractive, and both are about the same age and size. Mavis Marlowe, though, is the quintessential Film Noir evil female, and this is evident by her dress, love affairs with men, and also in the abysmal way she treats people (especially the maid). Katherine Bennett, on the other hand, as the 'good woman' here, maintains an absolutely perfect home, and she sticks by her man no matter what he does. Kirk Bennett is a philanderer and quite possibly a murderer, but Katherine's heart never wanders--even though Martin Blair (Duryea) makes it perfectly clear that he'd happily step into Kirk's place now that hubbie is safely locked up in San Quentin.

Another equally fascinating element in "Black Angel" is Marco (Peter Lorre)--the nightclub owner who visited the naughty Mavis Marlowe on the night of her death. Those lizard-like eyelids hide many secrets, and Peter Lorre is always fun to watch in any role. "Black Angel" as a classic Film Noir does include essential elements--an unsolved mysterious death, an evil woman, a race against time, irrevocable choices etc., However, that said, the suspense of finding the killer is not emphasized, and the film--while enjoyable--does not reach its maximum suspense potential. Some of the drama seems to surround the question of Kathy's choices--and whether or not Martin will do the right thing, and this results in a 4 star rating for this film--displacedhuman.

Black Angel = Mavis Marlowe
This 1946 memorable noir boasts a fine cast that includes: Peter Lorre, Dan Duryea, June Vincent, and the stunningly beautiful Constance Dowling. Based on the novel by Cornell Woolrich and directed by Roy William Neill, Black Angel's storyline hinges on the elements that comprise many noir classics. Murder, blackmail, deceit, and a race against time to prove a desperate man's innocence are the essential plot elements that propell Neill's film through the uncertainties of urban darkness. Cheating husband Kirk Bennett (John Phillips) is wrongfully convicted of murder and is sentenced to die in the electric chair. This time it is a woman, Kirk's wife Cahterine ( June Vincent) who intensifies the murder investigation. As Kirk's execution date draws near, Catherine instills the help of an alcoholic songwriter, Marty Blair (Dan Duryea). Blair is the ex-husband of the murdered woman ( Constance Dowling). The unlikely pairing uncover a trail of clues that lead them to a swarthy night club owner named Marko ( Peter Lorre). Great performances by all actors highlight the picture. Lorre is excellent as the shaddy club owner who is being blackmailed. June Vincent as Catherine gives an admirable performance as she attempts to balance emotional distance and closeness with the rejuvenated Marty. But it is Constance Dowling as Mavis Marlowe who devours her screen time with vampish presence. Mavis exudes sexual danger as a pretensiously concieted singer who lives in a posh high-rise apartment surrounded by trinkets that reaffirm her beauty and status. Why Dowling never achieved the same screen stardom as actresses such as: Lauren Bacall, Barbara Stanwyck, or Rita Hayworth is mystifying. Maybe that is why films such as Black Angel are worth viewing over and over again.

Great Treasure re-released
Finally available is a not too often discussed, but superbly filmed drama about a person, whose guiltiness becomes clear only late in the movie. Dan Duryea, often framed by dull stories, acts without his usual (wanted) sliminess and is the tragic hero of a dark drama. A fine score as well as good costumes and a false fire performance by Peter Lorre complete this beautifully restored edition. Every noir fan has to get it. ... Read more

Reviews (11)

Nothing less than 4 stars
As a great fan of original Sherlock Holmes episodes I think pretty much all of Sherlock Holmes are 4 out of 5 stars. But I think this one might be 41/2 stars. With a origial plot that any criminal would like to do (if you hypnotism really worked on someone who didn't want to be hypnotized.) Ever since I was seven-years-old I liked this movie more than some color movies and loved the radio episodes starring Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce. You should a least see this movie some how.

From The Back of The MY Box. I changed some word around
"The original Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson are back once again doing battle against a contemporary day Jack the Ripper! The clues left next to the scene of the crime point a finger at a major member of Parliament, but Holmes believes there's something a bit odd going on possibly his arch nemesis, Professor Moriarty might somehow involved! The trail leads the world's record detective to a group of blackmailers using the shadowy art of hypnotism, and as previously deuced, led by the evil professor! Woman In Green is a great detective story, full of trilling mystery and wonderful story telling."

Cast list

WOMAN IN GREEN Staring BASIL RATHBONE? NIGEL BRUCE With HILLARY BROOKE? PAUL CAVANAGH HENDRY DANIELL? EVE AMBER SALLY SHEPHERD ? MATTEW BOULTON Based on the Characters Created by SIR ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE Produced and Directed by ROY WILLIAM NEIL

Nearing the End
Rathbone and Bruce made 14 Holmes and Watson films; it's a real shame that four of the weakest are in the public domain and keep turning up while the rest are out of print. This one, from late in the series, at least has the virtue of a script by Bertram Millhauser, who wrote the best of them and was most responsible for the distinctive tone of the series: sly humor mixed with slightly horrific mystery. Two of his most memorable creations, the Spider Woman and the Creeper, went on to lives of their own in other Universal horror movies. As for The Woman in Green, it's a blend of Jack the Ripper and Conan Doyle's "The Empty House," with a nice film noir ambience and some clever twists. Unfortunately, the ending is lame and one senses the fact that, after seven years, 10 films, and hundreds of radio broadcasts, Rathbone has begun to weary of playing Holmes. Film trivia note: someone colorized this a few years ago, and didn't even bother to put Hillary Brooke in a green dress. Go figure.

Henry Daniell as Professor Moriarty
The title of this Sherlock Holmes adventure, "Woman in Green," refers to the character played by Hillary Brooke (who previously had a minor supporting role in "Voice of Terror"), but the star villain is actually Holmes' arch-nemesis, the diabolical Professor Moriarty. The last time he clashed with the great detective in "Secret Weapon," the greatest criminal mastermind in all of fiction plunged to his death in an elevator shaft. And yet his resurrection here, never explained, doesn't really feel like a cheat, certainly not with the great Henry Daniell in the role. Few actors could convey evil as effectively, and he makes you believe Moriarty could survive anything. In his autobiography, Basil Rathbone praised Daniell's Moriarty as the best, high praise indeed when one considers his competition includes both George Zucco and Lionel Atwill.

Daniell's presence is the one element that elevates this otherwise standard Holmes thriller to a position near the top of the heap. Still, the standard was pretty high with this series thanks to the superb direction of Roy William Neill and the always electrifying performance of Basil Rathbone. Less appealing this time around is Nigel Bruce's Dr. Watson who bumbles more than ever and, in an amusing yet somehow cruel scene, is publicly humiliated when he's hypnotized for laughs after protesting that anyone with even an "ounce of character" could never be put under a spell. By this time in the series, one wishes the good doctor was shown a bit more respect.

Predictable fun
Dead women are missing fingers all over London. The police are baffled as there is no pattern to the madness. Sherlock Holms on the other hand knows that it is the alleged to be dead Moriarty and the fingers point to a more sinister crime.

Holmes Squares Off Against the Best Moriarty
Yes, after having seen Lionel Atwill and George Zucco step up to the plate as the nefarious master criminal Moriarty, I can safely say that Henry Daniell brings the most to the role. ....

As slight as the story line may be (hypnotized men of means/rank are made to believe they committed murder and then are blackmailed), I must recommend you study the acting very carefully. Rathbone (Holmes), Bruce (Watson) and Daniell (Moriarty) are really doing an awful lot in the way of characterization. I love how Rathbone just hides a smile when he looks at the dunderheadings of Bruce.... These men are real pros, imbuing the scene with real tension. Daniell is particularly good, when his mouth drawn up grimly as he spars verbally with Rathbone. ...

I enjoyed "The Woman in Green" much more than I had expected to, thanks to the first-rate acting. Nice to know that some childhood favorites still hold up when you see them years later! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Milton Berle and Paul Lynde visit "I Dream of Jeannie"
The guest stars are the big attraction on this pair of episodes from "I Dream of Jeannie" collected under the title "Risky Business." Episode #64, "The Second Greatest Con Artist in the World," has Mr. Television himself, Milton Berle, plays a hustler named Charlie who works for the richest man in the world, Mr. Vanderhaven (Fred Clark). When Charlie sees a picture of Jeannie (Barbara Eden) wearing a King Tut scarab worth a half million dollars, he pretends to be Vanderhaven and tricks Jeannie into trading him the broach for a beach in Hawaii where diamonds just wash upon the shore. Of course, tricking Jeannie is not a smart move. However, the wedding episode of the series made a big deal about how Jeannie cannot be photographed, but apparently she can be in Hawaii.

Episode #68 "Everybody's a Movie Star" has Paul Lynde as the Hollywood movie director Allen Kerr. He has come to Cocoa beach to film a day in the life of an average astronaut, but he thinks Tony (Larry Hagman) could be a big movie star. Tony just wants to be an astronaut, but, of course, Roger (Bill Daily) sees this as being his break. So when Kerr talks to Dr. Bellows (Hayden Roarke) about making Tony a star, Roger thinks the director is talking about him. It is rather surprising this episode is one of the few selected to be on a video tape because it really focuses on Roger and overall both of the guest stars have more to do than the two stars of the show. These are still above average "I Dream of Jeannie" episodes, albeit not classic ones, and of more value to fans of Berle and Lynde.

Jeannie does it again!
That Jeannie is always getting into scrapes,and these two choice episodes prove it!

'The Greatest Con Artists In The World' has Jeannie being taken in by a swindling Milton Berle who cons her into selling her precious scarab pin.

'Everybody's A Movie Star' has Jeannie going Hollywood as Paul Lynde decides that Anthony and Jeannie have 'star power'. ... Read more

Reviews (21)

Well, I guess it's better than 10-200
After the phenomenal success of Smokey and the Bandit, a sequel was inevitable. The whole crew returned and the budget was increased. Everything looked great. Unfortunately, the script capitalizes on the wrong elements of its predecessor. This film is mired in a ridiculous ploy where the Bandit can't succeed because he is caught up in his own fame. Whatever.

The first film, a masterpiece in comparison, showed the Bandit as surprisingly famous in trucker circles and it found a lot of humor in showing that. But now, everyone in the world knows the bandit... They sell posters... He tried to sell a record... Even Terry Bradshaw and Mean Joe Greene of the Pittsburgh Steelers know him. It changes the films tone to be more like the CANNONBALL RUN films that would come out the following year.

Shockingly, the late Jackie Gleason, who was brilliant in the first film, takes a beating in this film, recycling Buford T Justice's dialogue from the first film ad nauseum. And his useless double appearance as Buford's twin but oh-so-different brothers is nothing short of embarrassing.

The stunt work in the film is certainly bigger than in the first film, but it has a much more evident comedic flair. Cars fly through the air for no apparent reason. And dented and destroyed cars are miraculously resurrected between scenes. All of this is again more like CANNONBALL RUN then the first film.

The one saving grace to the film is the funny characterization put in by Dom DeLuise. He is an abducted Italian doctor baby-sitting a pregnant elephant. (Oh yeah, that's the 'plot')

To be fair, I enjoyed this film when I was younger. It just didn't offer me anything as an adult. So it may still catch your fancy. It even avoids using Jerry Reed music to back up the film.

This film did not deserve another sequel... but it got one anyway...

It's slightly better than 10-200
After the phenomenal success of Smokey and the Bandit, a sequel was inevitable. The whole crew returned and the budget was increased. Everything looked great. Unfortunately, the script capitalizes on the wrong elements of its predecessor. This film is mired in a ridiculous ploy where the Bandit can't succeed because he is caught up in his own fame. Whatever.
The first film, a masterpiece in comparison, showed the Bandit as surprisingly famous in trucker circles and it found a lot of humor in showing that. But now, everyone in the world knows the bandit... They sell posters... He tried to sell a record... Even Terry Bradshaw and Mean Joe Greene of the Pittsburgh Steelers know him. It changes the films tone to be more like the CANNONBALL RUN films that would come out the following year.

Shockingly, the late Jackie Gleason, who was brilliant in the first film, takes a beating in this film, recycling Buford T Justice's dialogue from the first film ad nauseum. And his useless double appearance as Buford's twin but oh-so-different brothers is nothing short of embarrassing.

The stunt work in the film is certainly bigger than in the first film, but it has a much more evident comedic flair. Cars fly through the air for no apparent reason. And dented and destroyed cars are miraculously resurrected between scenes. All of this is again more like CANNONBALL RUN then the first film.

The one saving grace to the film is the funny characterization put in by Dom DeLuise. He is an abducted Italian doctor baby-sitting a pregnant elephant. (Oh yeah, that's the 'plot')

To be fair, as a youngster I really liked this film. So it may still catch your fancy. It even avoids using Jerry Reed music to back up the film.

This film did not deserve another sequel... but it got one anyway...

This Movie Is Really Funny
I Love It When Buford T Justice Is So Mad "Your Not Getting Away From Me Bandit Ill Chase You In Hot Pursuit To The End Of The Earth You Som*****" Lol I Always Liked Jackie Gleason But I Do Miss Him A lot Hes Funny And He was the one that made these films popular

This is the funniest of the funniest
I've seen this movie before on AMC. It's so funny when the trucker says, "Hey Road Runner Ya Hungry?" The mountie says, "Why yes." The trucker saying, " Just move over towards me and we'll have us a mountie sandwich." This film had followed up to the third one with the Da Dum Da Dum shark from Jaws 3 which was also released in 1983.

a silly sequel
This movie has the cast of the original,but its just too stupid and slow-paced to be entertaining.This movie cant match the charm of the original. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Based on a memoir by former undercover cop Joe Pistone (whose daring and unprecedented infiltration of the New York Mob scene earned him a place in the federal witness protection program), Donnie Brasco is like a de-romanticized, de-mythologized version of The Godfather. It offers an uncommonly detailed, privileged glimpse inside the world of organized crime from the perspective of the little guys at the bottom of Mafia hierarchy rather than from the kingpins at the top. Donnie Brasco is not only one of the great modern-day gangster movies to put in the company of The Godfather films and GoodFellas, but it is also one of the great undercover police movies--arguably surpassing Serpico and Prince of the City in richness of character, detail, and moral complexity. Donnie (Johnny Depp, a splendid actor) is practically adopted by Lefty Ruggiero (Al Pacino), a gregarious, low-level "made" man who grows to love his young protégé like a son. (Pacino really sinks into this guy's skin and polyester slacks, and creates his freshest, most fully realized character since his 1970s heyday.) As Donnie acclimates himself to Lefty's world, he distances himself from his wife (a terrific Anne Heche) and family for their own protection. Almost imperceptibly his sense of identity slips away from him. Questioning his own confused loyalties, unable to trust anybody else because he himself is an imposter, Donnie loses his way in a murky and treacherous no-man's land. The film is directed by Mike Newell, who also headed up Four Weddings and a Funeral and the gritty, true crime melodrama Dance with a Stranger. --Jim Emerson ... Read more

Reviews (85)

Based on a true story....
Working undercover as a jewel dealer Joe Pistone (Johnny Depp) earns the trust of Lefty Ruggiero (Al Pacino). Lefty vouches for Joe and brings him into his mob family. What was supposed to be a three-month assignment for Joe turns into several years. Joe begins to drift away from his own family and deep into the mob. He and Lefty form a strong bond and a father son relationship. When the investigation is coming to an end Joe realizes that his only way out of the mob is to betray his friend.

The film is presented in 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen. It is a very nice transfer the only flaw I noticed was a hint of grain occasionally. A Dolby Digital 5.0 audio track is provided. The surround speakers are hardly used. When they are its mostly only for music. With a movie like this that is mostly dialogue its understandable. This special edition DVD has several extras. The highlights are a director's commentary, two featurettes, deleted scenes and trailers. The featurette titled "Donnie Brasco: Out of the Shadows" was excellent. It gives a lot of background on the film and contains several interviews with the cast and crew. The deleted scenes are nice to see but I can understand why they were cut from the film.

For those of you thinking this is just another mob movie, you are wrong. Instead of showing the top of the crime family tree like many other films this one shows the bottom. It shows soldiers that are scraping at the bottom of the barrel and are just trying to make ends meet. This is a film that stands on its own on many levels. It was perfectly cast with Johnny Depp, Al Pacino, Michael Madsen and Anne Heche. If you like mob movies or just fine acting this is one film you need to see.

A Mobster Masterpiece Worth Watching Over and Over Again
Based on a true story that is so amazing and shocking, "Donnie Brasco" is a fantastic film that hooks you from start to finish. With stars like Al Pacino, Johnny Depp, Michael Madsen, and many more, this is a movie that should be seen by all.

FBI Joseph D. Pistone is an undercover agent who's goal is to get into the violent and unpredictable mob world. He goes the by name of Donnie Brasco. Soon he is discovered by Lefty Ruggiero, who sees potential in the kid, not aware of who Brasco really is. He brings him into the family and the world of the Mafia. It doesn't take long for Joseph to get so deep into the action that he starts to become one of them. This unforgettable picture shows us that sometimes you can become what you chase if you're in too long, and that in order to catch a monster you may become one yourself in the process.

I became addicted to this film in no time. It's one of my favorites that I have seen over and over again, and it hasn't gotten old yet. The acting and directing is all fantastic. Al Pacino really shines, as always, and Johnny Depp gives an Academy Award performance as the FBI agent. He actually spent time with the real Joseph Pistone to get his character down, as he did when he was working on "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas." Michael Madsen is also terrific and can once again send chills down our spines just as he did in "Reservoir Dogs."

This new special edition of the DVD is much, MUCH better than the original. First off, the sound and picture quality has really improved. Especially the picture; it looks a lot better than the first version that came out. There are also a lot of extras, including features such as director's commentary, and exclusive featurette, the original featurette, deleted scenes, trailers, and more. The featurettes are very interesting and makes the DVD that much more special. A very high quality special edition, if you ask me.

All in all, "Donnie Brasco" is an outstanding picture on all fronts. Filled with drama and suspense, this is a film that will take you deep into the world of the Mafia. The only question is how far would you go? And would you risk becoming one of them when it's all said and done? Excellent all the way!

More of the Same
There are so many great mafia/mobster movies out there. This aint one of them. Slow and preachy. Pacino plays a schmuck and Depp's character must have rocks in his head for going undercover. Kind of dull.

Finally we know what 'fuggedaboudit' means
Donnie Brasco is based on a true story but it is still gripping. Donnie Brasco is the alias of Joe Pistone, an undercover agent. He joins the mob as a help of Lefty played by Al Pacino. Pacino again plays a great mobster. This time as just a spoke, and sometimes not very smart.

But DB gets so involved that he does not know on which side he is, that is what loyalty does to him. Even his marriage is almost falling apart.

Depp and Pacino are of course brilliant as ever and this is another great maffia movie like Goodfellas are the Godfather.

Great Movie
Al Pacino learns what its like to be Fredo Corleone in this movie..being stepped on, stepped over, getting no respect, and finally getting killed by people he trusted...he plays a loser trying keep his head above water with great conviction. Johnny Depp holds his own on the screen and gives another great performance as well.. ... Read more

Reviews (92)

Caine scores again
Michael Caine gives yet another outstanding performance in "The Quiet American," Philip Noyce's 2002 adaptation of the Graham Greene Cold War novel (the first movie version was released in 1958). Set in 1952 Saigon, the film features Caine as Thomas Fowler, a world-weary British journalist who's been sent to Vietnam to cover the attempt by colonial French forces to hold back the communist insurgence from the North. But Fowler has a problem. Despite the fact that he is a reporter, he freely admits that this country exerts a sort of magical hold on him and that, in order to maintain that image, he must will himself to look beyond the ugliness and strife that are tearing the country apart. In fact, reporting is the last thing on Fowler's mind. He is even madly in love with a beautiful young Vietnamese girl who lives with him. When his publishers back in England threaten to call him back, Fowler realizes that he must become more actively engaged in the events around him if he hopes to be allowed to stay.

One day he meets Alden Pyle (Brendan Fraser), an American eye specialist who falls in love with Fowler's girl. Even though they are drawn together by much that they have in common, Fowler and Pyle soon become rivals for the woman, though by the end, their conflict has broadened to include the issues of war vs. peace, truth vs. deception, and personal feelings vs. political expediency.

"The Quiet American" is typical Greene in that it provides an intense personal drama played against the backdrop of geopolitical turmoil in an exotic setting. Both Caine and Fraser bring a quiet intensity to their scenes together. Caine, in particular, is brilliant at conveying the many moods of a man who wants to be left alone to live a simple life with the woman he loves but who knows that circumstances are conspiring to make such a life impossible. He is heartbreaking as he sees that ideal existence suddenly slipping away, with little he can do to stop it from happening. He also begins to see just how difficult it is to remain emotionally detached from the horrors happening around him once the atrocities begin to encroach on his world directly. Fowler also has to decide whether his final action is truly rooted in a humanitarian impulse or the product of wanting to eliminate a pesky rival from the field of competition.

In addition to telling a fairly solid story, "The Quiet American" also provides a glimpse into the history of its region, particularly showing how the Americans ended up usurping the role of the French in that far off, alien country in the late '50's and early '60's. This is reflected in a wonderful coda that chronicles the steps leading up to this slow handoff of power and responsibility.

But for all the film's various virtues, it is Caine's performance that is the real reason to catch "The Quiet American."

The seduction of American innocence
Of all the films I've seen over the years concerning America's involvement in Vietnam, THE QUIET AMERICAN is perhaps the most seductive.

It's 1952, and Thomas Fowler (Michael Caine) is the aging correspondent for the London Times in Saigon. France is in the process of being tossed out of Indochina, but the former doesn't realize it yet - Dien Bien Phu is still in the future - and its military fights on ineffectually against the communists. In the meantime, Fowler submits the occasional story to the head office while finding comfort in the arms of opium and his Vietnamese mistress Phuong (Do Hai Yen), a former taxi dancer at a local club. Then, one day, THE QUIET AMERICAN Alden Pyle (Brendan Fraser) shows up. Pyle claims to be with a medical aid mission in country to combat trachoma, a bacterial disease causing blindness. But what is Pyle, really? He seems awfully chummy with the conniving powers over at the U.S. legation. In any case, Alden very soon falls in love with Phuong, attention that neither the jealous Fowler can prevent nor Phuong finds particularly unwelcome.

Not since LITTLE VOICE (1998) has Michael Caine acted so powerfully, and this is perhaps his greatest role ever. An Academy Award nomination is deservedly due. Fraser is perfect as the clean-cut, idealistic and naïve Yank who may be something other than he claims. Yen is positively exquisite as the delicate Phuong. As Fowler puts it, his death would begin if he lost her.

THE QUIET AMERICAN, based on the Graham Greene novel, can be seen as an allegorical story of America's fledgling interest in succoring Vietnam from the Red Menace. After all, the French seem unequal to the task. Pyle perhaps comes to symbolically represent the American innocence that is seduced by Vietnam in the form of Phuong, and the former wishes "to save" the latter from the escalating national chaos. Only the tired and world-weary Fowler knows that this is impossible. He would "save" Phuong himself if he could, but he can't.

THE QUIET AMERICAN is an anti-war, anti-intervention film best viewed these many years after America withdrew from its Southeast Asian debacle and passions have cooled. This is one of the best films of 2002.

Beatiful film
I've always loved both Michael Caine and Brendan Frasier, but I was surprised when I saw them in a film together.

'The Quiet American' contemplates the effects of unbridled passion, jealousy, and war. The violence is not overwhelming, and not over-the-top gorey, but is honest, nonetheless. Besides the Vietnamese war that is omnipresent, the film focuses on the mental anguish that it causes, as well as the relationships that are the product of it.

Overall, a wonderfully acted film. I highly recommend!

Fine performances, good story, well acted; questions.
This adaption or adaptation of Graham Greene's novel, features fine performances, by Michael Caine, Brendan Fraser, and the lovely actress who played Caine's mistress Do Thi Hai Yen. Set in Vietnam, when the French were involved, the movie surrounds the relationship of these three people. It concerns the involvement of an American (Fraser) and a journalist (Caine), and their love for the same woman (Yen). It also poses questions about the involvement of the Americans (especially as the headlines are shown at the end of the movie-about U.S. troops and others). All is not quite as it seems with Fraser's character turning out to be a CIA operative and dealings with the regime, who it turns out is as bad as the communists it's trying to replace; with help from the Americans. The brutality that is set against the backdrop of the "love story" is truly horrific and leaves one (at the end of the movie) questioning the United States' involvement, like that of the French before, in Southeast Asia. [Not unlike our involvement now in the Middle East.] A well acted movie with stellar performances, as usual by Mr. Caine, who is among the premiere actors Britain has ever produced, to my mind, and who always brings a certain class and passion to his roles. Mr. Fraser is also good. Worth seeing.

A bright diamond of a film.....
The plot has been described well by a number of reviewers. This is a steadily paced film. In it we see the lives of its characters growing more complex and nuanced, precisely as Vietnam itself is undergoing the same. Michael Caine is in love with a beguiling, beautiful and disciplined Vietnamese woman, but tethered to a wife in England. In one remarkable scene, a man joins Caine at a table at an outdoor bar and laments to Caine the loss of his son, about which he's heard from home, but Caine cannot spare the time to listen, and appears puzzled by the story, perhaps doubting the credibility of his guest. A bomb explosion in the city is vividly captured. Everyone and everything is growing more difficult in this country, and to all expatriates the home country beckons in one way or another. A brilliant introduction to the country on the eve of a chaotic epoch. ... Read more