Amazon.com

Jim Henson's fantasy epic The Dark Crystal doesn't take place a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, but like Star Wars it takesthe audience to a place that exists only in the imagination and, for an hour and a half, on the screen. Recalling the worlds of J.R.R. Tolkien, Henson tells the story of a race of grotesque birdlike lizards called the Skeksis, gnomish dragons who rule their fantastic planet with an iron claw. A prophecy tells of a Gelfling (a small elfin being) who will topple their empire, so in their reign of terror they have exterminated the race, or so they think. The orphan Jen, raised in solitude by a race of peace-loving wizards called the Mystics, embarks on a quest to find the missing shard of the Dark Crystal (which gives the Skeksis their power) and restore the balance of the universe. Henson and codirector Frank Oz have pushed puppetry into a new direction: traditional puppets, marionettes, giant bodysuits, and mechanical constructions are mixed seamlessly in a fantasy world of towering castles, simple huts, dank caves, a giant clockwork observatory, and a magnificent landscape that seem to have leaped off the pages of a storybook. Muppet fans will recognize many of the voice actors--a few characters sound awfully close to familiar comic creations--but otherwise it's a completely alien world made familiar by a mythic quest that resonates through stories over the ages.

The DVD features the 50-minute documentary The World of the Dark Crystal, with interviews and illuminating behind-the-scenes glimpses. The VHS edition includes a shortened 15-minute version of the documentary. --Sean Axmaker ... Read more

Reviews (196)

A underrated masterpiece of fantasy!
Jim Henson's 1982 Fantasy epic is set in another world and time, a elf-like being called " Jen" has a task that he must take. His task is to return an important Crystal shard back to a important universal source called " The Dark Crystal" before 3 suns line up, he joins up with a female Gelfling and must save the universe from the evil Skeckis before it's too late.

A magical movie that is one of the greatest fantasy epics of all time and also one of the best animated movies ever made, why is it animated you say? cause it's performed by Puppets that why. The DVD is impressive with excellent transfer and widescreen the way it was meant to be seen, the extras are phenomenal such as trailers, documentary, deleted scenes and more that adds to the value of the DVD. It's a must see movie if your into adventure, fantasy, sci-fi and animation, it's also a must see movie for your whole family and a guaranteed good time.

Movie Fairy Tale Told Right.
Jim Henson was one of the greatest artists and filmmakers of the 20th century. It took awhile for his genius to be appreciated in the United States, but over a decade since his death people are finally beginning to recognize the mastery of his creative mind. For example, THE DARK CRYSTAL. The film had a fairly decent run when it was originally released in theatres in 1982. However, the film wasn't acknowledged or heralded for the creative and complex masterpiece that it is until recently.

THE DARK CRYSTAL was a humongous undertaking. It is a film that takes place in a fantasy world, filled with frightening and mystical creatures; yet does not star one human being. The entire cast of the film consisted of nothing but puppets: some rather large and cumbersome, some that human performers were fitted in, some that were small, some that were animatronic; but all puppets nonetheless. Nothing like it had ever been attempted before and through the work on THE DARK CRYSTAL, Henson pushed puppetry and animatronics to a whole new level.

THE DARK CRYSTAL is about a young male Gelfling (think of an elf, but much smaller) named Jen and the journey he undertakes to save his world from an eternal dominion by a group of dragon-like creatures called Skesis. Jen's entire race was wiped out in a holocaust by the Skesis in an attempt to prevent a 1000 year old prophecy from being fulfilled. Jen is the last of his race, or so he believes. Jen leaves the race of Mystics who have raised the child since his parents' murder and sets forth on a journey to the great Palace to heal the Dark Crystal by inserting The Shard that had been broken from the crystal a millenium ago. Along the way he meets a variety of fantastical creatures from a one-eyed wise woman, the a race of miniture-round-headed people called Podlings, to a female Gelfling named Kira.

The plot of the movie is excellent and is told in the manner of such classic works as THE LORD OF THE RINGS, STAR WARS, and THE ODYSSEY. The world that Henson created is one of magic and fantasy, yet the story contains a great deal of Truth within it. It is a tale of adventure, love, sacrifice, and redemption; which speaks to the divinity in us all.

The movie is acceptible for an entire family to watch and contains several morals. However, children younger than five may find some of the creatures frightening. Nevertheless, THE DARK CRYSTAL is a fairy tale and like all true fairy tales, it does not gloss over the fact that evil is an ugly and nasty business. This movie is one of the best by one of the greatest.

Beautiful, but something missing...
Perhaps *beautiful* is the wrong word, for this movie is rarely aesthetically beautiful. Don't get me wrong on this point, beauty is not necessarily a good thing. What I mean to say is, atmospherically this is a triumph... but not beautiful. The 'characters' blend in perfectly(... beautifully?) to their world. The landscapes are... well... dark (which is fitting). It's aesthetically perfect, and in a movie like this, perfection demands there be little beauty.

The creatures are organic. 'Nuff said. They're wonderful. They're believable. They're just plain... wow.

So what's missing?

Terry Gilliam is quoted as saying a children's movie should be "Exciting enough for adults, and intelligent enough for kids" (Re: Time Bandits). The Dark Crystal is an imaginative masterpiece, but I couldn't help but feel the simplistic plot, 2-dimensional characters (I appreciate that making puppets' mental workings visible must be one of the hardest tasks in a movie with a fully puppet cast) patronizes the intelligence of all but the youngest children. They're a lot brighter than we treat them, and they're getting brighter by the day ;)

But, I suppose a great movie can do without great characters as long as the focus isn't on the characters, as long as it compensates atmospherically. And "The Dark Crystal" more than compensates.

So what's missing?

I'll relate this to another adventure movie: Dune. Dune was atmospherically beautiful, but it took itself too seriously. It was a massive undertaking, granted, but I can't remember laughing... or even smiling once. 137 minutes without smiling is a long time.

And it's the same with "The Dark Crystal". The only slightly comic break from the plot is the antics of a round-furry-dog-thing, but this isn't enough. "The Dark Crystal" Takes its battle-between-good-and-evil far too seriously, and unless one's awe at the world Jim Henson created can last one the full 90 minutes or so of the movie, one becomes impatient. Humour is an important tool with infinite potential - especially in a movie aimed at children, but it's a tool almost entirely overlooked in "The Dark Crystal". Even in a story as serious as Macbeth takes a moment to let its audience step back and chuckle towards the beginning. "The Dark Crystal" doesn't give us this opportunity.

In conclusion, "The Dark Crystal" is a... beautiful movie, but one that takes itself far too seriously. I became impatient with the simplistic plot, 2-dimensional characters (as 'beautiful' as they may be), and almost total lack of humour, but... clearly from the other reviews I've read, other's did not.

RE: the DVD
It's a lovely little package, but for the price you pay for it, it better be. I'm particularly fond of the little note-pad included. I would have liked to see more documentaries on the DVD, perhaps audio commentary, but alas - it shall not be.

Glorious!
I admit to being scared out of my wits by the Skeksis and the Garthim when I was little (reptiles combined with vultures and spiders combined with crabs are still terrifying to me), but I've come to really cherish this Tolkien-esque/ Froudian film. The gentle, nurturing Mystics, and cute little dog/ dust ball Fizzgig are among my favorite characters. The Podlings are simply adorable... the Gelflings are finely- featured and beautiful(Jen is very ponderous, if somewhat passive... Kira shows just how women can be, and are, just as strong as men!)... the Landstriders (which gracefully manage to combine the aspects of cats, moths, giraffes, camels, bats, rabbits, and who knows what else, into such beautiful creatures) are swift, courageous animals, and are very dear to me (for some odd reason). Possibly because I love animals(and I just have a thing for the underdog/unsung hero.) And there's the gentle Nebrie and many other creatures.

It's incredible to me that they were able to do this whole film without human actors! I seriously thought when I first saw it that they were real, flesh-and-blood creatures! Jim, Frank, Brian, and the rest of the crew really put their time and effort into making this film! Their hard work really paid off; the facial expressions and movements are impeccable! And the scenery is unbelievably lush, beautiful, and realistic. All of it looks so natural and earthy. It is as if they actually had real-live creatures acting, in my eyes... and they fact that they took the time to make up all of the history beind this story! That's just amazing!... and I could not get enough of "The Making of The Dark Crystal". How they all managed to sculpt, design, and perform these characters is mind-blowing for me, since I'm far from an artist like this crew. No matter...

This film, while impressive, is not for all people; there is a sizable mortality rate in this film that (the little ones) are likely to find very disturbing, including several struggles (Screaming Podlings being snatched up to be converted into slaves, Nebries being served to the Skeksis for dinner, and two Landstriders squealing as they fall to their deaths in a cliffside battle with the Garthim... I can't bear to watch (or hear) animals being harmed, and especially animals as gentle and benevolent as they are. Was showing these things really necessary?)

Apart from little things here and there, it is truely quite an accomplishment, if not earth-shattering, to watch!

22 Year Old Masterpiece of puppetry, still
When you think of Jim Henson you would sooner think of brightly colored animals with funny voices like dogs, bears, frogs and gonzos or fraggles. The Dark Crystal is something completely different however. It is scary, scary as hell.

It is a story of two races, Scepsis and Mystics who became seperated when the crystal cracked. To regain the balance in the universe the crystal must be whole again. In a prophecy it is said that a Gelfling will do this, allmost all of them are killed, except for one Gelfling called Jen...

Even though this movie is made 1982 it does not look dated at all. The puppets and body suits are amazing and really form their own world, much like Lord of the Rings. I'm surprised not more movies or stories in this fantasy world have been made.

This movie should not be watched by children under at least 12. The Scepsis are scary, vulture like creatures aided by an army of big bugs. Even the Gelflings look a little scary.

It's a masterpiece of puppetry, so definitely watch it. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Brian at his best!
Brian Dennehy and Joanne Woodward seem exact opposites--but, oh, how they attract! The development of their relationship through seriousness and humor is wonderful. It makes you cry and laugh. Truly one of the best movies either of them ever made. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The sexy cult cable series Lexx began life in 1997 as aset of four Canadian-German TV coproductions, sci-fi farces about a trioof fugitives in a living spaceship on the run in an unknown galaxy. It'slike a twisted parody of the playful but far more serious space operaFarscape, though Lexx actually was produced first. Sad sackStanley Tweedle (Brian Downey), a bumbling engineer with bad judgment andworse luck, is the pilot of the most powerful weapon in the galaxy thanks toa fluke accident. And his motley crew includes platinum-blond bombshell ZevBellringer (Eva Habermann), whose DNA has been altered to contain that of abloodthirsty cluster lizard; former assassin Kai (Michael McManus), a humorless,dead warrior kept animated for 2,000 years with artificial blood; and a decapitated,lovesick robot head named 790.

The colorful "I Worship His Shadow," the satirical debut of the series, is anabsurd fantasy about a rebellion (led by guest star Barry Bostwick, who gamelykeeps a straight face while running around dressed in psychedelic Arabian Nightsduds) against His Shadow, an immortal emperor who renders his subjects into raw proteinfor his invincible insectlike spaceship, the Lexx. Directed at a fast and furious paceand crammed with cool CGI effects that make up in ambition and wild design what theylack in polish, it's the show's finest hour and a half, a crazy adventure with awacky sense of humor. It's obvious the show's producers lavished their care andattention on this pilot, for the balance of the miniseries never again reaches thislevel of invention and fun, though in moments it comes close. --Sean Axmaker ... Read more

Reviews (26)

electrifying and intelligent
if you like Shakespeare and opera, you'll love this. not only does it cater to the panting 13-35 american male category (sex and violence and fabulous special effects), but it is loaded with a dark extremely cynical look at the human race. it is a dim reflection of the brilliant director tim burton's take on humanity, only completely without any sympathy or redemptive attribution to being human whatsoever. its funny and its 'disturbing' (such an overused word in the ott decade, but very very appropriate for lexx), not because of the sex, violence or severely disfunctional 'heroes' but because how every human being on the series ends up being totally empty of any useful reason to exist. if very very clever people wanted to take Star Wars and turn every single wonderful feeling and archtype of hero in that movie into a total intellectually reversed universe of the meanings about being human, Lexx is it. and they even accomplished using the old classic Disney movie trick where whatever level you are at in being entertained, the movie is great to see, unless you are a member of one of the dogmatic and seriously single issue minded class of being human lately taking over all the talking head america.

the original four tv movies are the best, but the series is slowly losing excitement. the characters and what they represent artistically never change, except for the dead hero, who seems to be solidifying into a statue. the assassin is becoming so bloodless that at this point if he disappeared from the series no one would miss him for at least several episodes. after wonderfully clever slamming every aspect of humanity and all historic artistic endeavors to show humanity at its best, the show is turning sterile. even the artistic tension of having the characters possibly die from their adventures has been bled into losing all caring about it. it appears that where such a black view of everything in the universe leads is to complete meaningless or caring about anything, including being interested to tune in next week. i don't know if the creators have lost interest in taking the original sarcastic themes any further or if the ideas of so much utter meaningless to life has left them feeling creatively sterile.

in any case, the first 4 movies are wonderful, stimulating and fun, and leave you wondering, gosh, what next? i only wish that the story hadn't led to this dead end. it seems to me they could have kept the original hints in these movies of some type of satisfying climaxes for the characters, yet retain the sarcastic attitude. i think the creators fell so in love with the idea of trashing human idealism and hopes for the future they lost sight of the idea of how humans make life interesting when it gets dull and played out. if every human killed themselves when they ran out of ideas on what to do tomorrow, well, you know how this ends.

Must see, must have!
I first saw this movie, and the subsequent three "Tales" movies: Eating Pattern, Supernova and Giga Shadow - after watching Lexx religiously for several months on SciFi. It not only was great to see the real origins of the most adorably dysfunctional space crew to ever grace a scifi movie - you can see in this video the beginnings of an epic. The Lexx is, without a doubt, the most endearing space ship - just listen to his/its self-intro at the beginning of each movie. An added bonus is Marty Simon's excellent score to all 4 movies and all the shows. This video, the other 3 Lexx movies and the TV episode "Brigadoom" are must haves for any self-respecting sci-fi or fantasy fan!

Star Trek's Evil Twin
At first glance, I didn't think I would like this series. In fact, I saw the second one first (the one with Tim Curry) and turned it off in the middle. But then, I came back to it, and the bug had bit me, and I had to see what the rest of the series was like.
The first one is very dark, depressing, and satiracly funny. Reminiscent of Stanislaw Lem, it has holocaust themes, gore, weird political structures, etc. I cannot eat anything (not even popcorn) while watching these shows--the emphasis on death, mutilation, dehumanizing ("meat"), and defecation are overwhelming at first, but then the humor crept through. The music grew on me as well. And me, being a graphic designer, liked all the computer animation as well. But really, the acting is superb (MUCH better than Star Wars: the Clone Wars--though that's not saying much), the plot interesting, and the twists of fate ironic. This was the pilot, and one of the best in this series, quite necessary, as it sets everything up to follow.

LEXX!
This movie rocks. Pretty funny and quirky. Give it a try.

This Has to be the best I have seen!
I recently just got into Lexx, and so I decided to see where it all began. Boy was I pleased with the special effects and the storyline, as for the Lexx fans that has never seen this movie Its a must,

I cant wait to purchase the second edition to this amazing story, Finally It all falls into place! ... Read more

Reviews (52)

Unlikely High Comedy
Given the pretext of a modern 'gay' comedy and the phrases, "gay stereotypes", "queer smaltz" and "hidden agenda" all come to mind. Add to that the sensitive subject of a high school teacher in Indiana being 'outed' on national television and you would seem to have the recipe for an instant disaster.

Director Frank Oz and screenwriter Paul Rudnick turn potential controversy and a touchy subject into a riotous, slapstick comedy with some of the wittiest and funniest dialogue in years. Kevin Kline as the 'possibly' gay teacher and Joan Cusack as the insufferable and patient fiancee are in top form (Cusack was nominated for an Oscar). The supporting cast are all veterans and even Tom Selleck does a turn for the better with his acting.

There is nothing but hilarity, joy and even tenderness between the characters with unexpected twists and character turnabouts that will soften even the most jaded. This is worth seeing if only for Joan Cusack where with a mouth full of bar nuts runs screaming into the street yelling, "Is this the twilight zone?!" Yes, the ending is happy - even more so.

A CLASSIC
Kevin Kline stars as the soon-to-be married small town teacher who is outed by one of his pupils during a television appearance. these are merley the seeds to an energetic comedy where Kevin Kline manicially runs around in the film trying to prove that he's not gay. There is a superb cast here which includes a fine supporting role from Tom Selleck who plays an openly gay reporter, as well as Joan cusack, matt Dillon and Whoopi Goldberg. They all sparkle against Paul Rudnick's razor sharp scripts that bubbles with fast, furious wit. Kevin Kline puts in a sensitive, carefully conceived performance rather than settling for a stereotypical role. Consistently funny throughout - a classic. Highly recommended.

Hilarious! Kevin Kline at His Best!
I caught "In & Out" on HBO a few weeks ago, and I thought that it was a hilarious comedy. Finding out that it was written by Paul Rudnick, the writer of "Marci X" and "The Stepford Wives", and directed by Frank Oz. the director of "The Stepford Wives." They work so well together. The only reason why I could only give this movie four stars is because of the last scene. It was too long, and I have seen that kind of scene before. They could have changed that part a little. The best scenes of the movie come from the middle, while Kevin Kline character is becoming confused about his life.

Kline plays Howard Brackett, a high school teacher that loves his job. "It's my life," he replies sometime during the movie. He is just days away from marrying another teacher Emily Montgomery, and he just found out that a former student of his named Cameron Drake was nominated for an Oscar for his preformance in "To Serve and Protect" in which he playsa gay solider. On the night where he wins, during his acceptance speech, he says that he was influenced by Howard because he's gay. That leaves Howard, Emily, and his parents Berniece and Frank, at a halt. None of them knew that Howard was gay, and Howard continues to deny it. The press gets involved when Peter Malloy, a gay newsreporter, decides to find out the truth about Howard. As his wedding day comes closer, and Howard continues to be a manly man, and prove to himself and everybody else that he's not gay, while also getting confused about his life.

I like how the filmmakers handle being gay. There are some sterotypes throughout the movie, such as the gay characters moving their hands in a certain way while they talk, or just some of the dialog. Kevin Kline handles the physical comedy well, and the entire movie works because of him. Joan Cusack is hilarious as usual, but she can overact at times. Matt Dillon had a nice small part as Cameron Drake, and it is good that he is playing an actor who is not conceited, and always thinking about himself. "In & Out" is a very funny movie that I recommend to all.

ENJOY!

Rated PG-13 for sexual content and some strong language.

An Actual Review
I bought this movie because so many people reviewed it and said it was funny. And I like Kevin Kline and Tom Selleck. Well, save your money, I laughed once. This movie was totally predicatable and disappointingly unfunny.

Could it be that all the people raving about this movie are raving about it because they are either gay themselves or gay-friendly, and would give ANY movie 5 stars for showing the gay lifestyle in a positive light?

If you do not want to watch a politically correct propaganda piece from ACT-UP, then skip this movie.

Dumb slapstick humor that is darn enjoyable!
I've seen this film about 5 billion times just because its light and fluffy and funny in that dumb sort of way that it can be watched over and over again because all it does is make you feel warm and fuzzy inside.And isn't that what you need sometimes? ... Read more

Amazon.com

Cal remains one of the finest films ever made about Ireland's contemporary troubles. It's a melancholy drama about a gentle 19-year-old Catholic in Northern Ireland (the title character, subtly played by John Lynch) who's haunted by his involvement with the IRA. He's attracted to a local widow (Helen Mirren) whose husband was murdered by an IRA assassin; Cal was a reluctant accessory to the killing. The attraction grows mutual between these lonely souls, but Cal's secret--and their inability to extract themselves from Ireland's violence--makes it impossible for love to blossom. Sensitively directed by Pat O'Connor, and enhanced by Mark Knopfler's fine, understated score, Cal tells a familiar story with quiet power and compassionate balance. Mirren, who won the Best Actress award at the Cannes film festival, matches Lynch with tender love in an atmosphere of hate. As Ireland continues to heal its political wounds, Cal is a quiet reminder that progress has been slow and rife with personal tragedy. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (4)

disapointing
since i've never heard of it, and being an american of irish-catholic decent naturally i was excited! with an amazon "5 star" rating, i was ready for something like "in the name of the father" or "michael collins" or like caliber. unfortunetly this film (athough somewhat interesting) was nowhere near that quality. this film once again proves my theory,"If you've never heard of it there's a reason for it!!!

Deliberate, concise, bleak filmmaking
A sad but engaging story about a sensitive young Irish lad, who reluctantly works for the local IRA, and helps kill a policeman, only to later find himself befriended by the man's unsuspecting family. The saddest thing about this movie is how little has changed since it was made. Nice chance to see Helen Mirren early in her career.

Quiet Desperation
The film "Cal" is one of the best I have seen. I have repeatedly watched this film. Set in the chaos of the Catholic/Protestant conflict in Northern Ireland, this film captures the quiet desperation of those caught up in the strife. John Lynch does a magnificent portrayal of a young man coming of age and wrestling with his conscience because of the dark deeds of his past. Helen Mirren puts in yet another golden performance in her role as a widowed housewife, who's life is both broken and touched by the film's protaganist. At times depressing, the film's stark reality is all too human. Mark Knoffler's soundtrack masterfully underscores the melancholic atmosphere of the film.

The silences in this film say more than the best script.
As Cal, John Lynch offers a portrait of quiet desperation and stoicism. The madness of the "Troubles" is muted but remains powerfully evident so that not even love can withstand them. A dark and affecting film that leaves you wondering whether there will ever be an answer. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Poignant study of character
Many of Ozu's films are variations on a theme, namely, parents pressuring a daughter to marry and the impact the marriage ritual has on the family. Late Spring is the first and probably finest example of this theme. In the old Japan, marriage was not an option, it was a given. But after World War Two, Japanese women became more independent in their thinking. They didn't always get their way, but they began to challenge the old ways. We can see this in Late Spring. Noriko is sweet but at the same time stubborn. She doesn't want to get married. During a trip to Kyoto, she gently pleads with her widowed father to let her stay with him. It's a touching scene that will tug at your heart.

But Late Spring is more than a movie about social change. It's a poignant study of character. The beauty of Ozu's movies is that you get to know everyone so well, as if they were members of your own family. We can understand why Noriko is content to live with her father. But we can also sympathize with her Dad who worries she will become an old maid. The ending of this movie has a beautiful sadness to it. It is one of the most moving films I've had the privilege of watching.

Late Sprin:)
Ozu Yasujiro is one of the early movie directors in Japan. Maybe because of the nature of pop culture, I didn't know about him at all until I took a movie class. Ozu's works are famous for being "very Japanese." I think this is because he dipicted ordinal people's ordinal life. This is the kind of movie you want to see again.

Asaoka Yumeji played a role of Aya and I was surpised how beautiful she was! The heroin Hara Setsuko, Noriko in the movie, was a very popular movie star back then, but she retired now. I couldnt stand her big nose and mask like smile at first though. She speaks very elegant and strange "Soune", I think. My family made fun of the way I speak for a while because I was speaking just like her! ;);) I hope you enjoy this movie!!

My Favorite Movie
This is my favorite movie by my favorite director, meaning that its the movie that touches me more than any movie I have seen.

I feel like I know the main characters, Noriko and her father, so well, their relationships, and the culture in which they exist and move. I cannot imagine a deeper potrayal of these characters as that given by Setsuko Hara as Noriko and Chishu Ryu as her father, and the supporting cast is superb. I favor movies in which character and releationship development is more important than plot, and this movie is all about character. The understatment continually present in this film, the gentleness and love of this father and daughter relationship brought out by powerful and remarkable perfomances, and the cultural context within which the characters must act result in Yasujiro Ozu's most perfect film.

The direction by Yasujiro Ozu is revolutionary and without equal, ostensibly spurning all cinematic devices, yet creating what is his and his alone, the simple, the most simple, unobstructed view that allows us to see the characters move in the physical context of each scene; to feel what they feel; and the still shots of the town, views that people who live in this town would see everyday, coupled with the background music grounds the viewer in the time and space of this personal, spiritual, and family drama. Each scene is like a masterpiece unto itself.

Yasujiro Ozu has several masterpieces, and for me, this is his most flawless and touching film.

Father and Daughter
This is one of a handful of films I consider one of the most moving ever made. Director Yasujiro Ozu has created a symphony of the emotions regarding the relationship between a father (played by Chishu Ryu) and his daughter (the great Setsuko Hara).

There is a Zen-like quality to this and Ozu's other great films -- including TOKYO STORY (1953). At salient points in the action, the camera leaves the characters and focuses upon the middle distance, with sad orchestral music welling up. I am told that this technique is an example of "mono no aware," or sympathetic sadness. Ozu does not hammer at the viewer: He knows when to pull back and let the feelings take root and start to spiral up your spine. It is an instinctive talent that few filmmakers have.

Ozu almost NEVER moves his camera, which he sets up on a short tripod about 3 feet high -- just about the height of your head if you were sitting on a tatami mat and interacting with the characters.

I saw a recent documentary about Ozu in which almost everyone who ever worked with this quiet genius broke into tears. The last shot was simply of his funeral monument, with the same sad music welling up.

Ozu was one of a kind. We shall not look upon his like again.

How many masterpieces can an artist have?
In my review of 'I Was Born But...' I brought attention to one of Ozu's subject matter motifs - estranged relationships between children and parents. Usually when the children are not kids - as in 'Late Spring' then Ozu develops this motif with the topic of marriage. In this case, the widowed father in realising his selfishness to 'keep' his daughter urges her to marry before its too late. This sudden parental wish is not without resistance from his daughter.

The fact that this film is 'post-war Ozu' provides an important contextual backdrop - that is, Japan's fascination for things American. Moreover, it is the idea of marrying for love than for traditional duty. With much parallel action at work, the narrative is consumed with trying to match Noriko with suitors. At the same time, marriage becomes conceptually compared with other characters in terms of divorce and tradition.

Again, spatial violation and mimimalistic camera shots are prevalent. Furthermore, Ozu's sense of graphic composition is superb here as each shot - be it an object or room - looks strikingly articulated. I don't want to spoil the final scene - however I will say that it is one of the finest moments in the history of cinema.

See this film and you will love the father, as you will the daughter, and even the interfering Aunt. Its not just Ozu's excellent sense of humanism but his ability to share the emotional resonance of his characters with the viewer. Wait for that final scene and be spellbound! Ironically, if it hadn't been for Ozu's estranged relationship with his father - he might never had so much tenderness to convey in his films. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Fantastic movie, one of Ms. Stapleton finest roles
I just saw this movie last night for the first time and I absolutely loved it. I bought the DVD because it seemed like a very good movie with a terrific cast and I couldn't agree more. Maureen Stapleton is excellent in this film and she plays Bea Asher, the recently widowed wife with great warmth and sincerity. She even sings in this movie and she does it very well I think. She is also a wonderful dancer who makes ballroom dancing very interesting to watch and learn. Charles Durning is also great in this fantastic movie and they both have great chemistry together. QUEEN OF THE STARDUST BALLROOM, is a magical film and the acting of both Stapleton and Durning is superb. I couldn't help feeling a little sad in the end (I won't tell you so I won't spoil the movie for you). However this is a wonderful movie and it shows that you're never too old to fall in love and follow your heart. They certainly don't make movies like this anymore.

wonderful love story
I loved this movie. I was able to relate to Bea and what she was going through and dancing is so much fun. She is a very strong woman even though her children think she isn't able to run her own life. Children have a lot to learn when it comes to their widow mother. And it is a wonderful movie. Jean Stapleton is wonderful in it. After her husband has been gone for over a year
she desided to stop being a plain looking woman & colors her gray hair and starts to wear makeup which she never did before.
And Charles During was wonderful as her dance partner & friend. Very enjoyable movie.

Al teaches Bea to dance at the Stardust Ballroom
A lovely story about rediscovering love. Bea Asher (Maureen Stapleton) is suddenly widowed and finds her comfortablelife shattered. She thinks that the only thing that lies ahead of her is a future of living alone. Then she Al Green (Charles Durning), a mailman, who introduces her to the Stardust Ballroom. It is a marvelous understatement to say that Al teaches Bea how to dance. "Queen of the Stardust Ballroom" offers an exceptional script by John Kass while Stapleton and Durning have never been finer in this 1975 film directed by Sam O'Steen. Even if the songs are too old for your taste and you could never seen yourself ballroom dancing, you will certainly respond to the emotions at play in this sentimental tear-jerker.

Queen of the stardust ballroom
Underated sleeper. For the middleaged and family. Charming and heartwarming.

Nice film to see in family
I bought this film thinking it would be a concert of the rock band queen, of course it wasn't. When I saw it I got very into the story. It is a very intriguing film to enjoy with all the family, buy it you wont regret it. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Best Volume of All
I believe this is the best volume of this series out of them all. It includes my favorite episode of all time, "Trouble With Mary Jane." In which a yound girl becomes possessed by a demon and her grandmother hires a pair of occultists to perform an exorcism on the little girl. Although they do succeed in the exorcism, the result is something very unexpected. Other episodes on this volume include, "The Devil's Advocate", "Ring Around the Redhead", "The Satanic Piano" (another one of my favorites), and "A Choice of Dreams". If you like twisted, strange, and unusual stories, I highly recommend this product to you.

Join the Darkside!
In the second volume, I lovingly discovered that my second all-time favorite episode was included: The Devil's Advocate. My all-time favorite episode, Seasons of Belief, is on the first volume. Anyway, The Devil's Advocate stars Jerry Stiller as a smart-alec radio talk show host who neglects to see how his life is worse than those he constantly puts down over the airways. He realizes it eventually, but not before it's too late. The remaining four episodes are good, but don't exactly compare to The Devil's Advocate. These episodes include Ring Around The Redhead (starring Home Alone's John Heard), The Trouble with Mary Jane (starring Phyllis Diller), The Satanic Piano (starring Michael Warren from Hill Street Blues), and A Choice of Dreams (starring The Godfather's Abe Vigoda). Buy it for Stiller if nothing else! ... Read more

Description

Starring Academy Award(R)-winner Robert Duvall (Best Actor -- TENDER MERCIES, 1983) and screen favorite Ann-Margret, here's the true story of a courageous group of newsboys who become unlikely heroes when they team up to fight an unscrupulous newspaper tycoon. Determined to make their dreams come true, they find the courage to challenge the powerful! Critically acclaimed from coast to coast -- if you're looking for must-see, feel-good entertainment, NEWSIES delivers! ... Read more

Reviews (494)

Simply in the wrong place at the wrong time
The world was not ready for a return to the days of the movie-musical when "Newsies" was released in 1992. A box-office flop, it has quickly risen to cult classic status with fans everywhere. Newsies is based on the true story of the New York newsboys' strike of 1899. Granted, Disney is guilty of "improving the truth a little", but doesn't any musical, where people break out in spontaneous song and dance, require one to put reality aside for a while? This film tells the tale of the newsies, led by tough, street-smart Jack Kelly (Christian Bale) and intelligent, reasonable David Jacobs (David Moscow), who form a union when Joseph Pulitzer (Robert Duvall) ups the price of newspapers from fifty to sixty cents a hundred. The street children - with names like Racetrack (Max Casella), a compulsive gambler who steals many scenes with his wisecracks - are aided by a newspaper reporter named Brian Denton (Bill Pullman). Together the unlikely company endures many troubles, including run-ins with the police and their leader's betrayal, throughout the strike. The actors are believable as poor orphans and runaways during the turn of the century, and one look at any of them shows that they've poured their heart and soul into this movie. The lack of depth in some characters - especially Sarah (Ele Keats) and Medda Larkson (Ann-Margret), roles that serve no discernable purpose other than sex appeal - is my only qualm with the film. Looking past that and the many continuity errors (some of which are actually quite amusing), this is a highly enjoyable movie for the entire family to share. Not a masterpiece, but plenty of entertainment!

Extra! Extra! See All About It!
An uplifting story portraying the greatest accomplishment children have made in our entire lifetime. Well directed by Kenny Ortega with amazing choreography (Kenny Ortega/Peggy Holmes) with amazing music by Alan Menken and creative lyrics by Jack Feldman. This motion picture has a wonderful cst including stars such as Robert Duvall (Joeseph Pulitzer), Ann-Margret (Medda Larkson), and Christian Bale (Jack Kelly). Other actors in this film include David Moscow, Aaron Lohr, Max Casella, Gabriel Damon, Luke Edwards and many more.
Set in 1899, this courageous group of newsboys from New York City, organize with other newsies from all to take on the most powerful man in New York City, newspaper giant Joeseph Pulitzer, to make their dreams come true. Through all the difficulties, the boys stay srong and become unlikely heroes by challenging the powerful.
After seeing it in my history class, i soon became a big fan and have researched everything from the actors to the acrual story. this motion picture gives accurate information and is fun for the whole family.

Newsies Rocks my Sox!
Wow. This movie has got to be one of the best ever. I was visiting a friend in St. Louis who had gone to a musical camp, and they watched it there, and she made her mom go out and get it for us. We watched it 5 times! It really is that good. It's got great singing and dancing, an awesome story line, catchy songs, and plus it's based on real events. And Christian Bale is sooooo cute! If you haven't seen it yet, go rent it NOW!

NEWSIES IS THE BEST!!!!! I love this movie!
Well, if you didn't already read my title NEWSIES IS THE BEST! And I love it. It's a great story about friendship and sticking up for what you believe in. Plus, it's Christian Bale and David Moscow...how can you go wrong with those two! I love the singing and dancing too. If you love the music as much as I did I suggest you buy the soundtrack because it's awesome! I'm telling you girls, if you have a bad day, pop this movie in and watch it. I mean it's a bunch of cute boys singing and dancing...it works everytime. I recomend this movie to anyone who likes musicals, boys, and great Disney magic. Watch it...trust me. It's probably one of my favorites movies of all time! If your cool you won't regret it.

Newsies
I love the Newsies....if your into musical's this is a must see! ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Funny and cool
I saw this movie in the early '90's when independent and foreign films were still independent in the real sense. At this point, I had only seen Daniel Day-Lewis in Room With A View, so this movie was a significant departure from that. It is a fish-out-of-water comedic film. A Britsh art-dealer living in New York (and dating the boss's daughter) is sent to the South to collect a valuable painting from the estate of an eccentric Southern gentleman. Along the way, he encounters the woman of his dreams and the man's wacky family. High jinks ensue.

I really liked it. The casting was genius: Laurie Metcalf, Glenne Headley, Joan Cusack, Maury Chaykin, Will Patton, and many others. While funny and strange with a touch of Southern gothic, the film also questions the real value of American success. A good companion film would be Shy People with Barbara Hershey.

Brit meets NYC meets Georgia
My father's from GA, my husband's from England & we've both lived in/near NYC. So this film hit us where we've lived. Having seen "In the name of the Father" & "Gangs of NY" we couldn't imagine Day-Lewis in a comedic role but he was brilliant. His physical shtick was prime: absurd canoe rowing at the Atlanta hotel & especially his nude escape from bad guys who were also after the priceless Renoir. Jogging down the NYC streets in a cardboard box, he was rippingly funny. The ever-wonderful Harry Dean Stanton was perfect as the "Big Daddy" of a completely dilapidated Southern Mansion. All the minor characters did great jobs of work, especially the trailer wife (not sure of actress's name). We could've done w/ more of Joan Cusak & her bright comedic heart but truly this film is FOUR & 1/2 Stars! ...

ONE OF THE WORST USES OF A GOOD CAST.
I honestly thought that this was going to be a very entertaining movie when I came across it. Joan Cusack and Martha Plimpton are two of the best comedic actresses of our time. Laurie Metcalf excels at dry humor. Mix in the talented acting of Daniel Day-Lewis, Harry Dean Stanton, Glenne Headly & Deirdre O'Connell and it is all but a guaranteed success, right? Sadly, the answer is "No".

One of the key problems is that this movie completely centers around Daniel Day-Lewis. He actually does a fine job playing Henderson, an appraiser who works for a New York art dealer. The trouble is that this film isn't quite sure how to use the rest of the cast. Literally all of the other roles are relatively minor. I didn't time it, but I would be stunned if anyone else in the cast was actually onscreen for more than 20 minutes of the entire movie. When you have a cast of this caliber, that can be considered nothing short of criminal.

The basic plot revolves around Henderson having to travel to Georgia. The purpose of his trip is to inspect a painting which is believed to be worth around $10 million. While there, he has to deal with the members of an eccentric family. Of course, things don't go smoothly. Henderson encounters the usual silly problems that you find in many '80s comedies. The film is quite uninspired.

For those of you who lust after Daniel Day-Lewis, I would highly recommend seeking this movie out. He was only about 30 when he starred in this picture and he has an extended nude scene after he is forced to strip by some second rate hoods. "Stars And Bars" is a watchable film but I can only imagine how it would've turned out with a better script and tighter directing. Unfortunately...I'll never know.

Too Funny!
The critics chose to trash this movie but it kept us in stiches the whole time. Day-Lewis plays the perfect British flop and the rednecks cast in the movie are hilarious!

Danny in the raw
If you've got a yen to see Daniel Day-Lewis naked, this is worth your while. He has two nude scenes, one of them, er, lengthy and revealing (and some might say, risky--he's crawling out of a second floor window, naked in the rain). Otherwise, this is a surprising misfire, and a waste of a good cast. ... Read more

Reviews (14)

QWERKYNESS SQUARED!!!
If you like brilliant writing coming from the qwerkyest characters ever put on screen, than this is the show for you! I stumbled upon this show years back while channel surfing and have sought it out ever since. Awhile back, A&E ran it every day, and there was a marathon that I taped, but of course it was VHS. Having had DVD for two years now, I just can't watch VHS or broadcast TV anymore. Apart from the obvious video quality and sound issues, the incredible ease of navigation and repetition abilities of DVD's make VHS tapes more obsolete to DVD's than dinosaurs are to humans; it is that drastic a quality difference! PLEASE, PLEASE, PRETTY PLEASE release this brilliant drama/sitcom...IT DEFIES DESCRIPTION really, but you can't watch it for five minutes and not be a fan forever. The Northern Exposure fan base is huge. So speaking for Joel, Maggie, Maurice, Chris, Ed, Holling, Shelly, Marilyn, Ruth Ann, Adam, and Jesse The Bear; please release Northern Exposure so I can die a HAPPY MAN!!!

The Best TV Series Ever!
Northern Exposure has to be the most wonderfully directed, acted, and produced television series' I have ever seen. Especially the pilot episode. The scenary and the music in every episode make you feel as if you are a part of it all. Every episode has a very emotional ending, and leaves you with this warm, satisfying feeling inside. After watching Northern Exposure, I wanted to move to Alaska for the longest time. From Chris in the Morning to Dr. Fleischman, every character is dynamic, and you can never once tell that they are acting. It is just a very wonderfully natural show. I tried to get some of my friends to watch it, but they don't get the worth and moral value from it that I do. I hope that TV stations keep playing the re-runs on A & E or other networks. Rob Morrow, aka Dr. Joel Fleischman, is one of the best, and now one of my personal favorite, actors. The way each episode goes into detail about the smallest things, just shows you how thought-out, well-written, and well-planned the makers are. Its a shame there aren't more series like Northern Exposure today. The makers also did an A+ job in casting the characters. I don't really have a favorite, since they are all just great, but I especially like Chris, Ed, and Fleischman. Chris has this intellectual way about him. He's sort of a rehabilitated philosopher so to speak. He and his radio show are one of the key moral points of the series. He usually sums up the moral value of each episode. I just can't say enough about this show!

Northern Exposure NOT on DVD?
I have seen some of the dumbest movies and TV series come out on DVD, and they were just made recently. Where's Northern Exposure? This series has been over with for a long time, what is it you are waiting on? I have never been glued to a TV set before in my life until NE came to TV.
I, as well as others are extremely disappointed in this, so PLEASE begin recording this on DVD so the entire world population can once again watch the best series that was ever created.
I thank you very much.

season one available on DVD in UK
If season two comes out on DVD in the UK I'm going to buy one of those "illegal" DVD players that let you watch DVD encoded for others regions-countries. The players start at $89.00 and are as high as $600.00. There is a huge amount of good DVD stuff out there that will never be released here so that $100.00 bucks would be well spent. The $89.00 one is small and easy to slip into a crowded area. So instead of getting all my money the studio will only get a royalty. too bad for them.

what's the hold up with the DVD's ?
i can get "Britney Spears" concerts on DVD, but not the all-time best TV series EVER?? ... Read more

Reviews (18)

A cultural misunderstanding tour de force
I have yet to see another movie of this type that explores the very scary side of cultural misunderstanding. Caught in a Japanese POW camp, deep in an East Asian jungle - both the Japanese and their Allied prisoners are out of their element. What are they to do? They play out the never ending drama of empowered over disempowered and do so under the framework of their respective traditions. In the war, to surrender meant shame for one, to the other it meant a lease on life - hope. The dynamics played out by Major Jack Celliers (David Bowie) and Captain Yonoi (Ryuichi Sakamoto) is by far the most electric in the story. Each one saving face to his own people albeit trying to effect peace. It seems like their respective situations are forcing them to do that which they are not comfortable doing. In the end John Lawrence (Tom Conti) and Gengo Hara (Takeshi) effect what is an understanding of the futility and madness of war. A microcosm of the irrationality that is armed conflict and how quickly the tables turn. As if pleading to grant him the same mercy Hara simply references Fr. Christmas says Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence. As thought provoking as it was beautiful, Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence should be a staple in East Asian Discourse and there should be one in every home.

Miguel Llora

THE RISE AND FALL OF MAJOR JACK AND CAPTAIN YONOI
Directed by Nagisa Oshima in 1983, MERRY CHRISTMAS, MR. LAWRENCE is the first movie of the japanese director after the international recognition of IN THE REALM OF THE SENSES (1976) and IN THE REALM OF PASSION (1978). It's not a war movie but rather a psychological study, set in a prisoner camp during WWII, of the cultural differences between europeans and japanese.

As usual in movies and in life, the most interesting characters are not the most intolerant ones played by David Bowie, Ryuichi Sakamoto or Jack Thompson but those more human impersonated by Takeshi Kitano, the future brilliant director of SONATINE, and by the pragmatic Tom Conti who has the difficult task to be the spokesman of his fellow prisoners.

Although I've appreciated a lot this movie, I consider the David Bowie flashback that explains his final redemptive behaviour as ridiculous. Furthermore, this segment breaks the rythm of a nearly perfect film, if it wasn't for this scene. Too bad.

Please note that I've seen MERRY CHRISTMAS, MR. LAWRENCE on a zone 2 DVD found at amazon.fr in France. French subtitles (of the english and japanese dialogs), a trailer and filmographies. Sound and images OK.

A movie zone severe hang-ups.

A sadly neglected film
Far from the usual Hollywood crapola is this unusual and stylish gem of a movie.

As pow's at a camp in occupied Indonesia, Col. John Lawrence (Tom Conti) and Major Jack "Strafer" Celliers (David Bowie) engage their Japanese captors in a test of wills and mores. Conti's Col. Lawrence is an affable but somewhat naive English officer simply trying to make the best of the brutal circumstances inflicted on him and his men. On the other hand, Bowie's Major Celliers is a charismatic but enigmatic figure who engages the Japanese in psychological mind games - to preserve his self respect, but also to protect others and exorcise from his conscience the memory of a betrayal.

The Japanese cannot understand soldiers who would surrender, rather than fight to the death, and treat their prisoners with the brutality and contempt they think the internees deserve. Sergeant of the Guard, Hara Gengo-san (Takeshi) is the embodiment of this mindset, and casually clubs and stomps his way through the prisoners - as well as his own men.

Ryuichi Sakamoto stars as Capt. Yonoi, the new commandant of the camp. Yonoi is a relatively decent man who at first tries to contain the violence of the guards, but finds himself caught between his own humanist tendencies and the old, warrior ethic. Yonoi is alternately fascinated and repulsed by Celliers, (and it is this tension that drives the movie) but tries to understand and accomodate him. Yet, in the end, he too is entrained by the samurai militancy of the soldiers around him.

The movie contains many memorable scenes. In one, an inexplicable and courageous act of kindness to Lawrence and Celliers by the brutal Sgt. Hara gives the film its name. In another, as powerful and moving as the above mentioned, captor and captive meet once again; only this time with their conditions reversed.

Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence is a great movie - very well acted, directed, scored and cinematographed. I first saw it about 20 years ago. A friend had told me, "It's just different, you'll see..." He was right.

Just a word of caution
I own this movie and I enjoy watching it. But I think that potential buyers should know that there are NO SUBTITLES. The prisoners speak English, and the guards speak Japanesse. The body language is eloquent and the acting well done. But you have to guess/surmise at what is being said by the japanesse soldiers. I suppose it adds to the air of the film. But I would truely love to find a version with english subtitles.

Bowie's Best Film & Sakamoto's Shining Hour
This is probably the most stylish and progressive war film you'll ever see.

A strange sense of Zen permeates the air in WW2 as we see the Japanese in Batavia, trying to control their POW camp. And on the other side, a band of Allied soldiers try to maintain their sense of dignity and survive the dreadful conditions of the war.

When two men arrive - the whole world changes. Bowie brings with him an air of an Intrepid Adventurer meets Peter Pan...while Sakamoto is a revisionist Samurai.

Throw in Nagisa Oshima's direction and the book on which this is based on becomes a contemporary retelling of a war fable.

The movie could perhaps not have been better cast. Adding to the naturalism of the film are the heartfelt and understated performances of Tom Conti, Bowie, Sakamoto and Beat Takashi who are in superb form, along with the supporting cast.

Particularly, Bowie and Sakamoto bring in a strange, eclectic energy into the piece. Inspired casting for sure which adds to the haiku like quality of the film.

Other reasons to watch this:

Ryuichi Sakamoto's soundtrack is excellent and a must-have. The signature tune burns in movie history.

Fans of Japanese films will see Beat Takashi here, aka Takashi Kitano...of Violent Cop fame.

They don't make movies like this one anymore. This should be on DVD. ... Read more

Reviews (11)

One of my favorites
This episode is a sterling example of how the Outer Limits TV series took sci-fi television to heights that have yet to be surpassed four decades later. Typical of this series, "The Man Who Was Never Born" manages to be frightening while at the same time literate, thoughtful and futuristic -- and yet humane in how the story portrays its characters.

Martin Landau is terrific as "Andro," the mutant human from the future who can influence present day people with hypnotic suggestion. Landau is such a class act; truly one of the best actors of these past forty years. His voice transmits his earnest and gentle character's conflict and confusion in dealing with his own emotions (e.g., love, duty to humanity) and the awesome choices that his situation presents.

I'd like to acknowledge the well-written comments from previous reviewers that spurred my interest in this episode. I must echo their praise and highly recommend this episode.

TV at its most distinguished.
This episode manages to be highly original with some highly unoriginal material--mainly, the "Beauty and the Beast" theme and the ancient sci-fi cliche of saving the future by traveling to the past. "The Outer Limits" had a genius for making the old seem new, and "The Man Who Was Never Born" may be the most distinguished example thereof. The new series, by contrast, achieves exactly the opposite by making newer themes seem old and stale through cliched presentations. Same name, very different series.

Martin Landau is superb as Andro, the sensitive and peace-loving human mutant from the future who hates the task he must carry out. Everyone is top-notch, in fact. The themes within themes make each viewing a new experience.

The masterful direction is by Leonard Horn, who went on to contribute in a major way to the original "Mission: Impossible" series, his finest achievement being that series' "Operation: Rogosh," now available on video.

Who said that sci-fi couldn't be romantic?
"The Architects of Fear" and "The Man Who Was Never Born" are the only episodes of the 60's anthology that underneath the otherworldly trappings was a love story.

Martin Landau ("Andro") stars as an Earthman from the future that travels back in time to prevent the birth of a man destined to destroy humanity as we know it. Along the way he falls for "Nicole" (Shirley Knight), the woman that would become the mother of Earth's destroyer. Both actors show why they have been a theatrical and television presence, respectively, for over four decades.

Accompanied by a lush Dominic Frontiere score and superb lighting, the episode is a feast for the ear and the eye.

Haunting
Easily one of OL's top five episodes. The effects are rancid, but the story is so well written, acted, and produced, you won't care. It's a study in the suspension of disbelief that will completely draw you in, and leave you with your jaw dropped - it has probably the most haunting ending of any entry in the entire series.

Martin Landau was the ideal choice to play Andro, who travels eighty-five years back in time to prevent a sterilizing and disfiguring biological warfare plague from devastating humanity. Overshooting his mark, he inconveniently falls in love with the woman he must kill (Shirley Knight) in order to achieve his objective. How he resolves the dilemma constitutes the most lyrically poetic of all OL stories, and one not to be missed.

In a nutshell, this one is pure magic. They don't make them like this, anymore.

My 2nd favorite Outer Limits episode
One thing I liked a lot about Outer Limit was the viewer could never be sure where the story was taking him. Unlike series TV where you might lose a Star Trek private but NEVER a regular, with Outer Limits there were NO REGULARS, so they could tell the tale anyway they wished. They do so here in a great form, as the story keeps twisting in ways one may not expect. This is a very thoughtful episode with many touching moments. And who does not want to root for the beast to win the gal? ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Terrific first season episodes!
Volume 17 has episodes "The Quadripartite Affair" and "The Giuoco Piano Affair", both which appeared on Man from UNCLE's first season and are one of the first episodes. The Man from UNCLE series is one of my favorite TV series ever to watch! The main characters are Napoleon Solo (Robert Vaughn, "Bullit" and "The Magnificent Seven") and my favorite the enigmatic and quiet Russian, Illya Kuryakin played to perfection by actor David McCallum (another great movie with him is "The Great Escape").

EPISODE 3 "THE QUADRIPARTITE AFFAIR": In Yugoslavia, Marion Raven's (Jill Ireland) father is killed because of his discovery of a plot to overthrow governments with the use of a fear gas. Gervaise Ravel (Anne Francis) and Harold Buffington (John Van Dreelen) are behind the plot and have Marion to be watched. Also working for them is Colonel Adam Pattner, (Richard Anderson, from "The Six Million Dollar Man" and "The Bionic Woman" series). Solo and Illya are assigned to find out where the fear gas is being made and to destroy it along with the help of Marion and native Yugoslavian Millan Horth (Roger C. Carmel).

Great episode and this is the first Man from UNCLE tape that I bought. Illya Kuryakin fans will most definitely love this episode since he gets to do a lot, plus he gets a love interest. The thing is that Marion, Jill Ireland, is in real life David McCallum's wife (though unfortunately she doesn't seem to act or do very well in this episode). Besides this episode, she will later on play in also "The Tiger Are Coming Affair" and "The Five Daughters Affair". And since this affair was supposed to be a two-parter with "The Giuoco Piano Affair" but was made into two separate episodes, she will return in her role as Marion Raven along with the same villains Ravel and Bufferton. We also get to see May Featherly as the beautiful UNCLE agent Heather McNabb, who occasionally appeared on UNCLE's first season episodes, one example "The Neptune Affair".

EPISODE 7, "THE GIUOCO PIANO AFFAIR": Gervaise Ravel (Anne Francis) and Harold Buffington (John Van Dreelen) are back again and on the run. UNCLE wants to get them once and for all. Napoleon concocts a plan to use Marion Raven (Jill Ireland) as bait for them. At first Marion is dead set against it but with a little persuasion from Illya (she really does like him!), agrees to help. According to plan, Marion is kidnapped by Ravel and Buffington to be used as a bait to get the UNCLE agents. Of course Napoleon and Illya are ready to catch the crooks and save Marion.

In my opinion, I like this episode better then The Quadripartite Affair. The title of this episode comes from the chess move called the Giuoco Piano where the players force the Queen to make her move (but of coures the White Knight, Illya, comes to the rescue!!!).Jill Ireland does a much better job in this episode, acts her parts just right and says her lines to perfection. She plays a little stronger role, especially in the beginning where she argues with Illya. Throughout the whole episode you can tell she's trying very hard to get Illya's attention! The humor is great and some of the best scenes are both the beginning and end party scenes at Marion's apartment. Some of the guests you can tell are Richard Donner (UNCLE director as a drunk), Norman Felton (UNCLE creator as a chess player), Sam Rolfe (UNCLE pilot scriptwriter as a Texan) and associate producer Joseph Calvelli (UNCLE writer as a writer). When asked how it felt to direct himself, Richard Donner said with a tongue-in-cheek answer, "I was the most versatile actor I've ever worked with" (trivia from "The man from UNCLE book" by John Heitland).

I very much highly recommend this Man from UNCLE Volume 17. For other good first season episodes, I also recommend Volume 1 which includes "The Project Strigas Affair" and "The Never Never Affair". Volume 3 has also two very good second season episode's included, "The Deadly Toys Affair" and "The Minus X Affair". But I should say that all of UNCLE's episodes are good!

Illya and Napoleon try to stop Harold and Gervaise
Volume 17 of the "Man from U.N.C.L.E." videotape series contains a pair of first-rate episodes from the first season, both directed by Richard Donner. Actually, it is a two-part story, but the two parts did not come in consecutive episode, which is certainly a nice touch. "The Quadripartite Affair" (#3, October 6, 1964), is the first episode where Illya Kuryakin (David McCallum) takes the lead. Four conspirators are trying to seize power in an Eastern European country. Gervaise Ravel (Anne Francis) and Harold Buffington (John Van Dreelen) are the couple running the plan, while McCallum's then wife, Jill Ireland, plays Marion Raven, the innocent young woman caught up in the whole thing. Illya has to over come a fear-inducing gas and while he does derail the plot, the evil couple escapes. The fight continues in "The Giuoco Piano Affair" (#7, November 10, 1964), and is actually the better of the two episodes. Certainly it is the funnier of the pair, especially since Marion gets to have an adventure with Napoleon Solo (Robert Vaughn), while still being sweet on Illya, as his partner tries to finish off the villainous love birds. Meanwhile, Harold and Gervaise are having their own problems since he thinks she does not love him as much as he loves her, even though he finances all her evil plans. You have to love master criminals with marital problems. This is also my favorite title in the series; it refers to the gambit in chess where you force an opponent to move out their Queen. Of course, it describes the plot perfectly, but it is also just a very neat idea. In these episodes everything just clicks.

The Quadripartite Affair and The Giuco Piano Affair
These two episodes were at first going to be made into a two parter but was changed to two different episodes. The two episodes has lots of Illya and his former wife, Jill Ireland. Their both great, and so is Napoleon. I love the party scenes at Marion Raven's (played by Jill Ireland) house in the Giuco Piano Affair!

These episodes for any Illya fan!
The Quadripartite Affair and the Giuoco Piano Affair is a must see! For those who love Illya will enjoy them. Jill Ireland is very funny in the Giuodo Piano affair. I love the party scenes! You'll laugh at the funny parts!

not the best but better than average
These two episodes were filmed and telecast as separate episodes but fit easily into one two-hour show as they were filmed to be released as a two-hour theatrical film. While they don't represent the best efforts of the first season, which was clearly the show's best, they are nevertheless superior to anything in the second and third seasons and much of the fourth. The best scene is Solo's attempt to track Ann Francis on a yacht during a party. ... Read more