Description

All eyes are focused on the Vatican, hoping to see the traditional puffs of white smoke that signal the selection of the next Pope. But this time, much more is at stake. The new pontiff may be the only person who can bring peace to a world hovering on the edge of nuclear nightmare. Year: 1968 Director: Michael Anderson Starring: Anthony Quinn, Oskar Werner, David Janssen, Vittorio De Sica, Leo McKern, Sir John Gielgud ... Read more

Reviews (16)

Great movie
Really interesting movie about the papacy, inner Vatican turmoil, philosophical aspects of Christianity, and maintaining your principles in a morally complex, often violent world. That might sound off-putting, but it's anchored by exceptionally strong, moving performances by the late Anthony Quinn, Leo Mckern, Oskar Werner, and others. Kind of old-school Hollywood, with bittersweet rewards--it's pleasing in the manner of 'Inn of the Sixth Happiness' or 'Ben Hur.' It looks and acts like a movie made in the late 60's, but that's a definite plus in my view. Leonard Maltin's review is unnecessarily harsh--he must have been having a bad day. Or sore at the pope or something. Don't let it deter you from enjoying a very colorful, well-acted, thoughtful and old-fashioned movie.

The Authenic Christian Revolution of a Russian Pope
This 1968 film, based on Morris West's novel, has Anthony Quinn as Kiril Lakota, released after twenty years in a Siberian work camp to become a Cardinal and then Pope at a time when the Soviet Union and a starving People's Republic of China are about to go to war. The idea that the first non-Italian pope in centuries would be from a Communist country certainly seems prophetic today. Lakota is released by the Soviet Premier (Laurence Olivier), who is taking a chance that a sympathetic Vatican might tip the balance towards peace. Lakota emerges from imprisonment as something of a saint, admired by the Elder Pope (John Gielgud) for having refused to deny the faith even when seven priests were brought before him and shot.

Although the obvious comparison is to John Paul II, Quinn's pontiff is actually more like John Paul I, who was considered a "pastoral" Pope, capable of relating to the people more on the level of a parish priest. When he is elected and has to change into his papal robes, he introduces himself to his new valet saying simply,"I am Kiril Lakota." The politically charged atmosphere is a bit melodramatic, but the strength of this film is in its portrait of the inner workings of the Vatican where both politics and personalities come into play. My favorite scene is when the college of Cardinals are deadlocked, repeated votes having been "insufficient for election," and one of the elder statesmen of the church stands up to declare his belief that God has sent them the man intended to be the next Pope. With growing horror, Lakota watches as the momentum builds for his stunning election (Now if somebody could just explain to me, when reporter David Janssen announces "They have elected a Russian Pope" is the word "Russia" an adjective or a noun in that sentence? This has been driving me crazy for other 30 years).

Of the two subplots the romantic estrangement of Dan Janssen, the reporter covering the Vatican and his doctor wife, Barbara Jefford, is trivial soap opera nonsense, although it does lead to a nice scene where the Pope sneaks out of the Vatican disguised as an ordinary priest. The doctor sends him to the pharmacy for medicine and is stunned when he returns and is able to do prayers in Hebrew over the dying man. The other, with Oskar Werner as Father David Telemond, is much more provocative and provides an interesting counter-point to the main story line. Telemond has written several books, none of them published, dealing with what he calls the "Cosmic Christ." A Pontifical Commission is investigating his writings as being heretical. Certainly there is a sense in which this film, in the wake of the Vatican II Council, was trying to confront the Catholic Church with certain issues. Ultimately "The Shoes of the Fisherman" is a much more subversive film than "The Last Temptation of Christ."

Quinn's dignified performance holds "The Shoes of the Fisherman" together, aided by Leo McKern and Vittorio De Sica as a pair of Cardinals seated high in the Church hierarchy. This is not a great film by any means, but it is certainly thoughtful even without the provocative final scene in which the new pope proposes to actually implement "the authentic Christian revolution: work for all, bread for all, dignity for all men." Certainly it treats it characters and its subject matter with great seriousness. Michael Anderson's direction is hampered by the film's 157 minute length, but it is still worth the viewing.

Quinn and Werner make this a winner
This epic film has a few bumpy moments, but overall, it's vastly entertaining, with its fascinating cast, interesting premise, excellent cinematography and art direction.
Anthony Quinn is fabulous as the Russian Pope. It's a powerful portrayal, and not the type of role one would normally associate with him. Oskar Werner, in a part based on Teilhard de Chardin, is absolutely superb.

Other notable performances come from Laurence Olivier (as the Soviet Premier), John Gielgud (former Pope), Leo McKern and Vittorio de Sica (Cardinals), and Arnoldo Foa (the Pope's valet).
The part of a journalist (David Janssen), is used as a narrator, to move the plot along, and explain certain Vatican procedures, like how a new Pope is elected. I only wish less time had been spent on his petty romantic problems...the film feels more like an "Airport" movie while these scenes are taking place.

This is a sprawling 60's Hollywood treatment of Morris West's best seller, and I think it succeeds. It's thought-provoking, good for several viewings, and Quinn and Werner are riveting.

A Movie Every Religious Person Should See
This movie was great and I am not a Catholic, I am a Protestant minister. Even though this was just a novel and pure fiction, I learned more about the inner workings of the Catholic Church than I had ever learned from my years of reading about all the "Bad Things" in the history of the Catholic Church. Protestant history, and no other religion's history is "pure white" either. I'm talking about such things and the Inquisition burnings at the stake, and other hedious torture methods that only a feind from hell could think of.

See this movie, meditate on it, and realize the horrendous impack all religions have on Planet Earth for both good and bad. It has been said that if you know only one religion, you really don't know much about any religion--- I agree!

See the struggle in the Church to know God, to understand God's will, to choose its leaders, to be loyal to its leaders, to reach conclusion about all moral, ethical, and social questions. All religions go thru this same process to one degree or another, even your local church. Compare your Minister and the problems in your Church to the the problems of the Pope and the Catholic Church. They are not really all that different. We all have a duty and a tremendous responsibility resting on our shoulders.. We must try to understand each other, love one another, forgive one another, pray for each other, and work together in every way possible......

.....If we will do this then we can help Planet Earth and its people take a "Quantum Leap" up and forward in spiritual consciousness and awareness - where The Word(or Love) becomes Flesh in us - which will usher in a New Day, a New Level of the Kingdom Of God On Earth, that is beyond words to describe. Planet Earth People, are you with me, will you join me in this glorious effort? We all have a Divine Mission and Destiny to fulfill while on Planet Earth. Ken Pamplin, 4504 N.W. 11th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73127

Favorite Movie
This film is inspirational. The scene where the new Pope is proclaimed, against his wishes, he only wants a humble servent life is excellant. To watch Anthony Quinn's expression change when he hears that the Cardinals are talking of him is a classic. lso, his roaming the streets of Rome in a black cassock shows is humanity, wanting to get to know his flock. I think is conseling David Jansen's wife is important. ... Read more

Reviews (16)

Great movie
Really interesting movie about the papacy, inner Vatican turmoil, philosophical aspects of Christianity, and maintaining your principles in a morally complex, often violent world. That might sound off-putting, but it's anchored by exceptionally strong, moving performances by the late Anthony Quinn, Leo Mckern, Oskar Werner, and others. Kind of old-school Hollywood, with bittersweet rewards--it's pleasing in the manner of 'Inn of the Sixth Happiness' or 'Ben Hur.' It looks and acts like a movie made in the late 60's, but that's a definite plus in my view. Leonard Maltin's review is unnecessarily harsh--he must have been having a bad day. Or sore at the pope or something. Don't let it deter you from enjoying a very colorful, well-acted, thoughtful and old-fashioned movie.

The Authenic Christian Revolution of a Russian Pope
This 1968 film, based on Morris West's novel, has Anthony Quinn as Kiril Lakota, released after twenty years in a Siberian work camp to become a Cardinal and then Pope at a time when the Soviet Union and a starving People's Republic of China are about to go to war. The idea that the first non-Italian pope in centuries would be from a Communist country certainly seems prophetic today. Lakota is released by the Soviet Premier (Laurence Olivier), who is taking a chance that a sympathetic Vatican might tip the balance towards peace. Lakota emerges from imprisonment as something of a saint, admired by the Elder Pope (John Gielgud) for having refused to deny the faith even when seven priests were brought before him and shot.

Although the obvious comparison is to John Paul II, Quinn's pontiff is actually more like John Paul I, who was considered a "pastoral" Pope, capable of relating to the people more on the level of a parish priest. When he is elected and has to change into his papal robes, he introduces himself to his new valet saying simply,"I am Kiril Lakota." The politically charged atmosphere is a bit melodramatic, but the strength of this film is in its portrait of the inner workings of the Vatican where both politics and personalities come into play. My favorite scene is when the college of Cardinals are deadlocked, repeated votes having been "insufficient for election," and one of the elder statesmen of the church stands up to declare his belief that God has sent them the man intended to be the next Pope. With growing horror, Lakota watches as the momentum builds for his stunning election (Now if somebody could just explain to me, when reporter David Janssen announces "They have elected a Russian Pope" is the word "Russia" an adjective or a noun in that sentence? This has been driving me crazy for other 30 years).

Of the two subplots the romantic estrangement of Dan Janssen, the reporter covering the Vatican and his doctor wife, Barbara Jefford, is trivial soap opera nonsense, although it does lead to a nice scene where the Pope sneaks out of the Vatican disguised as an ordinary priest. The doctor sends him to the pharmacy for medicine and is stunned when he returns and is able to do prayers in Hebrew over the dying man. The other, with Oskar Werner as Father David Telemond, is much more provocative and provides an interesting counter-point to the main story line. Telemond has written several books, none of them published, dealing with what he calls the "Cosmic Christ." A Pontifical Commission is investigating his writings as being heretical. Certainly there is a sense in which this film, in the wake of the Vatican II Council, was trying to confront the Catholic Church with certain issues. Ultimately "The Shoes of the Fisherman" is a much more subversive film than "The Last Temptation of Christ."

Quinn's dignified performance holds "The Shoes of the Fisherman" together, aided by Leo McKern and Vittorio De Sica as a pair of Cardinals seated high in the Church hierarchy. This is not a great film by any means, but it is certainly thoughtful even without the provocative final scene in which the new pope proposes to actually implement "the authentic Christian revolution: work for all, bread for all, dignity for all men." Certainly it treats it characters and its subject matter with great seriousness. Michael Anderson's direction is hampered by the film's 157 minute length, but it is still worth the viewing.

Quinn and Werner make this a winner
This epic film has a few bumpy moments, but overall, it's vastly entertaining, with its fascinating cast, interesting premise, excellent cinematography and art direction.
Anthony Quinn is fabulous as the Russian Pope. It's a powerful portrayal, and not the type of role one would normally associate with him. Oskar Werner, in a part based on Teilhard de Chardin, is absolutely superb.

Other notable performances come from Laurence Olivier (as the Soviet Premier), John Gielgud (former Pope), Leo McKern and Vittorio de Sica (Cardinals), and Arnoldo Foa (the Pope's valet).
The part of a journalist (David Janssen), is used as a narrator, to move the plot along, and explain certain Vatican procedures, like how a new Pope is elected. I only wish less time had been spent on his petty romantic problems...the film feels more like an "Airport" movie while these scenes are taking place.

This is a sprawling 60's Hollywood treatment of Morris West's best seller, and I think it succeeds. It's thought-provoking, good for several viewings, and Quinn and Werner are riveting.

A Movie Every Religious Person Should See
This movie was great and I am not a Catholic, I am a Protestant minister. Even though this was just a novel and pure fiction, I learned more about the inner workings of the Catholic Church than I had ever learned from my years of reading about all the "Bad Things" in the history of the Catholic Church. Protestant history, and no other religion's history is "pure white" either. I'm talking about such things and the Inquisition burnings at the stake, and other hedious torture methods that only a feind from hell could think of.

See this movie, meditate on it, and realize the horrendous impack all religions have on Planet Earth for both good and bad. It has been said that if you know only one religion, you really don't know much about any religion--- I agree!

See the struggle in the Church to know God, to understand God's will, to choose its leaders, to be loyal to its leaders, to reach conclusion about all moral, ethical, and social questions. All religions go thru this same process to one degree or another, even your local church. Compare your Minister and the problems in your Church to the the problems of the Pope and the Catholic Church. They are not really all that different. We all have a duty and a tremendous responsibility resting on our shoulders.. We must try to understand each other, love one another, forgive one another, pray for each other, and work together in every way possible......

.....If we will do this then we can help Planet Earth and its people take a "Quantum Leap" up and forward in spiritual consciousness and awareness - where The Word(or Love) becomes Flesh in us - which will usher in a New Day, a New Level of the Kingdom Of God On Earth, that is beyond words to describe. Planet Earth People, are you with me, will you join me in this glorious effort? We all have a Divine Mission and Destiny to fulfill while on Planet Earth. Ken Pamplin, 4504 N.W. 11th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73127

Favorite Movie
This film is inspirational. The scene where the new Pope is proclaimed, against his wishes, he only wants a humble servent life is excellant. To watch Anthony Quinn's expression change when he hears that the Cardinals are talking of him is a classic. lso, his roaming the streets of Rome in a black cassock shows is humanity, wanting to get to know his flock. I think is conseling David Jansen's wife is important. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Twelve-year-old Jay Berry Lee has one goal this summer: to buy his ownpony. He plans to work long hours in his grandfather's general store toearn the money for it. But business is slow in this Great Plains farm town circa 1910, and his dream seems unreachable until the day he discovers a group ofescaped circus monkeys. Despite his father's warnings and his mother'sanger over his irresponsibility, Jay Berry tries everything in his powerto capture the comical monkeys and claim the handsome reward offered bytheir owner. During his efforts, he learns important lessons abouttenacity, charity, prioritizing his values, and, yes, monkeys.

Based on the award-winningnovel by WilsonRawls, Summer of theMonkeys brings together a snug ensemble of capable actors. The mostrecognizable cast members include Wilford Brimley (Cocoon) and the mild-mannered Michael Ontkean (Twin Peaks). Corey Sevierhandles the role of Jay Berry Lee with the right blend of preteenadrenaline and emotion. Under the direction of Michael Anderson(Around the World in Eighty Days) the characters treat this moderately paced period piece with great care.Both the story and the dialogue are sensible without being sentimental, aquality that should appeal to all family members. Its clean, upbeatstyle may remind adult viewers of Disney's wilderness family classics ofthe 1970s. --Liane Thomas ... Read more

Reviews (20)

Movie with a sweet message
This movie is not really about monkeys but a story about a young boy growing up and out of selfishness. It's wonderful to watch this boy take a big step to becoming a man by the things he experiences one eventful summer. I was satisfied to have my children watch a film with such a great message.It was also nice to watch a film with clean language. You won't be sorry you watched it.
A Concerned Christian Mom

A family classic with a rich story and wonderful humor.
Academy award-winning director, Michael Anderson ("Around the World in 80 days) brings his considerable talent to this family classic, based on the Wilson Rawls novel of the same name. Beautifully photographed in a stunning period pieced drama, this new Disney release is something the whole family will love. With charming performances by Corey Sevier (Lassie), Katie Stuart (The Crow) and Wilford Brimley (Cocoon), the movie takes viewers through a summer of growing up for Jay Berry Lee, a fourteen year-old farm boy. Through his encounter and humorous attempts to catch a rascally group of escaped circus monkeys, Jay ends up learning far more important lessons about life than he ever dreamed. Winner of numerous film festival awards, and the Film Advisory Board Award of Excellence, "Summer of the Monkeys" will keep you coming back for more.

Wonderful movie
Like a previous reviewer stated, the title didn't catch me. The cover (I was 8 and judging by the cover was the way to tell) looked bored and showed off a boring deal. It didn't help that it looked rural. It just looked dull!

How wrong I was! I haven't watched this movie in probably five years, but I remember it's magic. It was just a great, simple movie. You could relate to Jay-he was the troublemaker, yet often felt ignored. Corey Sevier is one of those actors that you see everywhere but you can't quite put your finger on it--but he's great!

The highlights of this movie are simple scenes, really. Unlike most, there's no HUGE event that leads the movie. That said, it's a simple movie that even young kids can enjoy. Kids who's favorites movie list upon the Fast and the Furious, may not like it because it's not that kind of movie-but sensitive children are sure to love it!

How far off can you get.
I always try to be fair to movies where the book is involved. Movies like The Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter are perfect example of a faithful adaptaion of the book. Summer of the Monkeys sadly does not measure up. I am forced to ask the question: how far from the book can you get and still use the same title? Obviously really far. The two biggest glaring errors are the main character's age. From the book, very first page and very first line, "Up until I was 14 years old." In the movie he is 12. This is what really bugged me; the book specifically placed the setting in the Ozak Mountains on the banks of the Illonis River in Oklahoma. Hmm... I don't think that was a prairie yet the movie filmed it in what looked like Nebraska. I would recomend renting this movie. Buy the book, as it is one of my all time favorites. Even as an adult I come back to read it and enjoy it thouruly every time. In short the movie makers did not come even close to capturing the book and it is not worth buying.

Be Brave.
During the storm scene while Jay and Daisy's Ma was reading the scripture from the bible Daisy was clinging on too her Pa Jay was praying and there Pa was holding onto Daisy so tight .They made it through the horrid storm without breaking a single bone or without getting hurt even though the storm wrecked there house they were just glad God blessed them with a miracle .Like it said on the ad a story with laughter and faith. ... Read more

Reviews (18)

an overlooked movie for sci-fi buffs
Millennium is one of those movies that has a great story line and even follows through with budget and special effects (for it's time not bad) yet fails to draw the crowd because it's an intricate story of time travel that can be at times hard to follow and even slow. But if you still dig movies like Logan's Run or Communion, you'll probably enjoy Millennium.

It's a unique story of people far in the future who kidnap the bodies of people that are about to die. Their favorite source is planes that are about to crash. An official investigating discovers wrist-watches running backwards in the wreckage, and works with a physicist attempting to discover the truth about these visitors.

Millennium is a thinking man's scifi flick
This movie is actually better than what others might think. But it requires your complete attention, and for a generation of people who are used to in-your-face MTV type short-attention span stuff, then skip this flick. However, I have shown this DVD on several occasions to groups of friends, and everyone enjoyed trying to figure out what was going on, and were surprised as I was, when time - travel was implicated. Cheryl Ladd was quite good as a cynical flight attendant, and Kris Kristofferson was believable as a man burned out on his job. I only with Travanti had more to do. Still, I highly recommend this flick to people who like to think when they watch a scifi flick.

Interesting to a Point -- a Twilight Zone story w/o the feel
You've read the "official" review and to be honest, I don't wholly agree or disagree. First, I like both Kristopherson's and Ladd's performances. They fit the characters nicely. The replay of the same sequence from another angle answers all of the questions about what is going on, and is the only thing that turns a rather short, straightforward featurette into a full-length feature.

Conceivably, more time could have been spent investigating the wreckage (and similar wreckages) before revealing the time travelers from the future. Also, why don't they fix these ripples, instead of trying to escape them?

So there are some questions. If I could, I'd give this one 2-1/2 stars, not three, but I won't drop it all the way to two, mostly because no one else has done this exact story, unless it was Rod Serling in the original Twilight Zone series, but I don't think so... there are similar stories, to be sure, and time travel stories, but not in this combination.

Which puts this film into the "Twilight Zone" category for me. There are so many places where they could have made this one better, I have to wonder why no one has done a remake...

Still, it is part of my collection and if you are SF buff, then don't leave this off your list of films to consider without at least watching it.

MST3K would have had a field day with this!
This movie is *bad*. The "plot" makes no sense, and the ending even less. It is stupid, slow, insipid, and utterny nonsensical. I wish that MST3K had gotten ahold of this film; only they could have mocked it the way it so desperately deserves to be mocked. This movie is *that bad*.

And it's *boring*, too. Kristoferson and Ladd have absolutely ZERO chemistry. No, in fact, they have NEGATIVE chemistry. Kristoferson couldn't act is way out of this script, and Ladd ... well, jeez, what could one expect from an ex-Charlie's Angel?

It's also *ugly*. The costumes, set designs, and special effects would have been bad in 1989, and haven't aged well. Post-apocolyptic futures can look cool (ROAD WARRIOR) or even funky (12 MONKEYS), but here, it's just lame. And the first "effect" in the film--where two planes collide--is a sad effort of blue-screening that my high-school film club could have outdone.

Avoid at all costs. Waste no money. If your boyfriend or girlfriend owns it, break up with them; it will be less painful.

I have to go sanitize my home theatre now.

Not a famous film for good reason
How many movies do you know that replay the same scenes and can still hold the interest of the viewer? Not many, if any. However, the creators of Millennium decided that about one third of the movie should be the same scenes. Total failure. This is a case where the makers of the film underestimated the intelligence of the viewers, thinking that going through the movie twice was the only way viewers could keep track of the incredibly difficult concept of time travel.

Then again, if this was truly a good movie than we shouldn't be disappointed in seeing the scenes twice, since we could then enjoy good acting etc. Not so in Millennium. Kris Kristofferson looks grizzly with a heavy beard and has the skin tone of beef jerky. Cheryl Ladd plays opposite of Kristofferson as the time traveling tough women from the future who happens to know nothing about time traveling, she needs a personal robot to explain "the obvious" to her on many occasions. Maybe she forgot to read the script.

In this movie, the future is a place of rust, the present is a place of ignorance, and the viewer is left insulted. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Engrossing Drama of Israeli Agents in Europe
Sword of Gideon is the 1986 film which focuses on Avner (Steven Bauer) and his recruitment into the Massad for the purpose of hunting down and killing the Black September terrorists who killed the Israeli Olympic team of 1972. His overseer is well played by Rod Steiger and his team of agents includes Michael York, Robert Joy, and Laurent Malet. They track the terrorists through Europe defusing bombs, hunting down terrorists (including a femme fatale in Karen Racicot), and Avner has second thoughts about the whole mission.

The acting and script is believable if not completely true, gripping and intense. Another good similar film based on John Le Carre's novel is The Little Drummer Girl.

Unforgettable historical drama
Some of the best films are made for television, and this one is no exception.
This film has always been a heart stopper for me and never more than now. Following the events of 09/11/01 and the recently aired documentaries of the tragedy of the 1972 Olympic games, The Sword Of Gideon documents Israel's subsequent counteractions against the perpetrators of Munich. Based on the book "Vengeance" by George Jonas, this classic is brilliantly delivered and features a top notch cast (Stephen Bauer, Michael York, Rod Steiger, Colleen Dewhurst, et.al)
Bauer plays an Israeli soldier hired to head up a secret force of specialists to hunt down the remaining terrorists. However, the assignment soon goes awry and deteriorates into an "eye for an eye" personal quest.
This film is very hard to find but well worth the search. Don't miss it! ... Read more

Reviews (6)

a nifty WWII spy thriller
With a terrific international cast and excellent effects, this fast-paced thriller about spies infiltrating a German rocket installation is entertaining, and though much of the antics are improbable, especially in the final sequence, it does have a historical context to it. There was an Operation Crossbow, when Winston Churchill (well played by Patrick Wyman) was concerned about what misslies and rockets the Nazis were making.
The V-1 "Buzz Bomb" was a nightmare for those living in London in the summer of '44, and perhaps the most gripping part of the film is its depiction of London being hit with these dreaded missiles, with some amazing cinematography by Erwin Hillier.

George Peppard is a smooth spy, and does many scenes speaking German, though he looks 100% American, perhaps because of the hat he wears pushed back on his head, which would have been a givaway had he really been in enemy territory.
Richard Johnson is wonderful as Duncan Sandys, who believes action is imperative and that "in war, decisions almost always have to be made on incomplete knowledge; if you wait until you're certain, you're sure to be too late", and goes against Trevor Howard as Professor Linderman, who is not convinced that the situation is serious, or even exists.
(Duncan Sandys was Churchill's son-in-law, and not a very popular fellow with the RAF, because he thought the future of air warfare was in missiles and rockets, and not in manned flight).

Other top-notch actors are Sophia Loren looking beautiful, Tom Courtenay, John Mills, Jeremy Kemp, Anthony Quayle, Richard Todd, and Lilli Palmer marvelous as a resistance worker in Holland.
The film has a certain stylish slickness that it probably owes to the popularity of the James Bond films in the early '60s, and in the Bond tradition has many lovely ladies in all levels of the work force (even as a German engineer/test pilot) and lots and lots of action. A film that almost makes it to 5 stars but just misses the mark, it still makes fine viewing, with some history (though a little jumbled) thrown in for good measure.
Total running time is 115 minutes.

Superb Entertainment
Though no masterpiece nor one of the best ever war movies "Operation Crossbow" nevertheless ranks with other dramas of its kind (Von Ryans Express/Heroes Of Telemark)in its telling of a simple story of everyday heroes. Typical boys own in a way and not to be taken serious,it depicted what going to the movies in the sixties was all about. With the recent spate of war movies on DVD I think this one deserves a mention,so what about it then

Great actors, lukewarm performance
This is one of the more historically interesting WWII movies I've seen. It's one of the few that explore the implications of Germany's development of the V1 (buzz bomb) and V2 (missle) but it's one of Sophia Loren's more lacklustre performances. George Peppard comes across as a WWII Banacek. If you're interested in Germany's missle development, take a look. If you're looking for a darned good WWII movie, opt instead for The Longest Day, A Bridge Too Far, The Great Escape, or To Hell and Back.

Not the "Guns of Navarone," But Still Pretty Good
The eminently watchable "Operation Crossbow" will remind you of other World War II caper films-"The Guns of Navarone" being the most obvious (helped, in part, by the presence of Anthony Quayle, though a bad guy this time). And while that film does the trick better, "Operation Crossbow" is no slouch, featuring impressive production values and a solid cast of familiar faces that includes Jeremy Kemp, Richard Johnson, and Trevor Howard. George Peppard leads a spy team posing as engineers, whose job is to gather intelligence on the burgeoning Nazi rocket program. Along the way, they face several close calls, including running into the wife of one of the dead men that provides their cover (the luscious Sophia Loren in what amounts to barely more than a tragic cameo). Director Michael Anderson chooses a documentary approach to the first third of the film, showing both the Nazi scientists developing their rockets and the British Intelligence agents trying to uncover it. But once the team is dropped into enemy territory, the film shifts into a more traditional narrative mode, including Ron Goodwin's bombastic score and the inevitable countdown to avert disaster. What is most striking about "Operation Crossbow" is its lack of moral judgment-both the Allies and the Axis are shown to be capable of great compassion and great villainy, their methodology no different in their common goal of winning the war. And though we are expected to root for the Allies, the hard-edged manner in which the team executes its plan sometimes gives us pause, making "Operation Crossbow," perhaps, disconcerting for someone expecting a standard "good guys versus bad guys" film. Nonetheless, despite some slow moments-getting to the German lair seems to take a long time-its worth viewing, both as an action film and as a commentary on the nature of war.

Operation Crossbow
This engrossing war drama places stars George Peppard and John Mills as trained sabatuers in an underground factory where V-1 and V-2 "Buzz-bomb" rockets were being manufactured in Germany during world war II. This gripping drama is as suspensefull as it is realistic. Their mission is to destroy Hitler's ability to manfacture those terrible incendiary rockets which were terrorizing London during the latter stages of the war. Sophia Loren, thinking her husband already dead, discovers George Peppard impersonating him, and the action accelerates from there. This movie has it all, romance, great suspense and special effects as well as a thrilling climax. Several scenes are in German with English subtitles, and as a high school German teacher, I found this a pleasant addition to the film. This movie has aged well since its release in 1965. Give it a try. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

There is More to It Than the Clancy Brothers!!!!
"Shake Hands with the Devil" is a highly intelligent movie. It is a virtual miniature Irish history lesson. It is set around 1920-at the height of the Revolution against England that led to Irish independence. Most Irish movies this reviewer has seen suffer from a common ailment: They require some foreknowledge of that troubled island's past to be fully appreciated. SHD is no exception. To those who pick up on the historical allegories, there is much to relish. The principal character is James Cagney. Ostensibly he is a professor in a Dublin Medical School. Behind the scenes he is a commander of an IRA brigade. Militarily, he reports to Michael Redgrave. The two are polar opposites. Gagney is rough and ready. Redgrave is dignified and reserved. There is an uneasy alliance between them. Though the true-life roles are reversed, the images of Michael Collins and Eamon de Valera shine through. Viewers who know their history will quickly sense the impending deadly conflict between the male leads. A high point to SHD is the outstanding work of the female leads in particular and the supporting cast in general. The latter include the dreaded Black and Tans, the IRA men and the regular Brit soldiers. All look the part. The former includes Glynis Johns, Dana Wynter and Sybil Thorndike. Thorndike is an upper class matron caught concealing an IRA soldier. She refuses to inform her contacts to the Brits and is thrown into Mountjoy Gaol, which housed so many patriots. She promptly goes on a hunger strike -and dies in prison. How very Irish- and allegorical. One is reminded of the patriot Terrence MacSwiney. By day, he was Lord Mayor of Cork. He was actually the local IRA commander! He too was tossed into a London prison and died on a hunger strike. (His case is notable because the Irish petitioned the Brits to allow his funeral cortege to pass through the streets of London on the way to the docks. The Brits actually granted the request! The result was a huge propaganda boost for the Irish cause. Londoners apparently were impressed with the young, spit and polished supporters of the demised!) Johns' role too is historical. Cagney suspects the barmaid/hanger on as an informer. Informers on both sides have had their own "history" in the Irish Troubles. My amazon friends will have to watch SHD to learn Johns' true sympathies. She is central to a stirring and deadly dockside shootout between the IRA and the Brits. This scene is one of the best this reviewer has seen anywhere! All the lads give a good account of themselves- in the finest traditions of both sides! Wynter too performs well as the kidnapped daughter of a Brit big shot. She is to be swapped for the Thorndike character but the hunger striker's death "complicates" matters. Some of us may remember Wynter from "Sink the Bismark!" Finally there is the matter of the Black and Tans. The Tans were a para-military group who went about randomly terrorizing Catholics or anyone remotely suspect of supporting the Republican cause. They were WWI vets who certainly would have been otherwise unemployed if not deployed to Ireland. The Tans remain a nasty blot on British Army to this day. There is so much more to the story of Ireland's troubles than "the Clancy Brothers and Irish rebel drinking songs" as a previous reviewer states. If only the Troubles were that prosaic. The curious should enjoy SHD-more so if they are able to connect the dots of Ireland's past. Those who know their Irish history should truly appreciate this under-shown film. Fair warning: SHD is unstintingly unsentimental. There is nary a trace of John Ford romanticism here. If those who have read this far wonder why only 4 stars are awarded, the answer lies in the unsatisfactory ending. Perhaps the Director got lost in the Collins/ de Valera allegory. Or perhaps he didn't know how to end the movie. The resolution of dealing with the kidnapped Wynter leads to a bizarre final scene that should not harm an otherwise superior historical movie. A final observation: This is one b/w film that should have been colorized. The Irish countryside looks much better in living color!

False Portrayal of IRA as Heros
This fast paced movie provides a good yarn but is bad history. James Cagney seems out of place here trying to re-role his old gangster parts in the IRA. He gives a convincing portrait of the many fanatics who have run the IRA over the years, but he seems out of place. Richard Harris is young here and is your happy go lucky two-fisted Irish type. The British are all portrayed as Nazi's pretty much. This seems the beginning of Hollywood's negative pattern of depicting all British officers as ego-maniac Nazi's. This trend has continued up to the present with Mel Gibson and some of his biased anti-British films. The Black and Tans who are highlighted in this movie get especially bad treatment. Legend has made this para-military force composed of many ex-servicemen from the Great War as Churchill's equivilent to Hitler's Black shirts! The reality was somewhat different. The Black and Tans were brought in to deal with a difficult situation in Ireland where the IRA was busy shooting up whoever they felt like. Granted they responded in kind in what became a nasty war of murder, and counter murder. Buy this movie if you like the Clancy Brothers and Irish rebel drinking songs and don't care too much about the real history because you just want to see the Brits get shot up! Otherwise, a good book on the History of Ireland during those troubled years might serve one better. Its entertainment, but not history.

A fast paced action drama as topical as this weeks news
This is a fast paced drama,with a sensational supporting cast.Set in the Ireland of 1920,Cagney gives an understated performance as a University professor by day and an IRA activist by night.Don Murray plays the Irish American idealist caught in the middle,and in love with an IRA hostage. This picture captures brilliantly all the passions and emotion of the Irish Question,and the scene at Dublin docks is one of the best action sequences ever on film.Cagney even reprises,for a moment, his gangster persona of the 30`s, as he senses betrayal in Glynis Johns.(Look out for a very young Richard Harris.) Cagney,of course will not accept the partition of Ireland and declares "The fight goes on".This film has been reviwed as politically incorrect in most Movie Books,but in actual fact when viewed with the events in Northern Ireland over the last 30 years ,maybe it`s not so far off the mark after all.Michael Anderson does a solid job,but I wonder how John Ford would have approached it? ... Read more

Description

The story of Catherine the Great, starting with her teenaged marriage into Russian royalty. ... Read more

Reviews (14)

Every woman must see this movie!!!
This movie is an all time classic! My best friend and I had first viewed this movie back in 1991 when it aired on TNT. We were glued to the television set for 2 nights in silent awe for this masterpiece! You can't begin to know my excitement when I learned that the movie had now been made available on video. To my great dismay, this version is not the original cut. Although I still consider it one of my all time favorite movies, this version has edited some of my favorite scenes. One involves the hunky Captain Gregory sneaking into Catharine's room when he suspects she is gravely ill. Another scene involves Catharine and her Lady in Waiting- Princess Dashkava. The dialogue involes them discussing Catharine'e recent "meeting" with our favorite Captain. One of my favorite lines is then said," He's the face of a God and the body of an athlete!". The cast is truely noteworthy- Julia Ormond as Catharine-wonderful!Vanessa Redgrave is her usual magnificent self! Christopher Plummer portrays a witty but shrewd English Embassador whose performance is memorable. How could anyone forget lines such as," The Grand Duke Peter could not rule a straight line." Such lines have me still laughing out loud to myself. Brilliant supporting roles from others-and I am ashamed that I don't remember their names-but their characters- The Grand Duke Peter;the Chanchellor- Michael Veronsovf; Catharine's mother Joanna; the King of Prussia and so on.... One of the best assembly of actors in one performance!! Hopefully when this movie is made available on DVD it will return to its original spendor.Until then I will be content with this version as it is truly a treasure!!!!

An awsome tale of Russia and Catherine the Great
I originally saw this movie the very first time that it ran on TV. I was entranced by it's beauty and history from the first veiwing. Naturally, there is artistic license taken in the film, but that's not the point. The story of how Young Princess Sophie wins the throne of Russia is full of intrigue and backstabbing. It's a wonderful film that I think everyone who can should watch.

Good but edited version
This is one of my favorite TNT movies, but I was disappointed to find, as was stated by another reviewer, that some of my favorite scenes were cut. I have yet to find an unedited version of the movie. However, the performances are wonderful, the actors are captivating, and the story flows beautifully, keeps you interested and never bored. If you are a Mark Frankel fan, you should watch this movie. We lost a great actor when he passed away. All in all, this is a really good one until an uncut version can be found.

There's No Drama Like the Truth
Frederick the Great sums it up beautifully at the end of this magnificent movie when he comments that this "frail, young slip of a girl has won herself an empire, and there is nothing anyone can do about it. Against all the odds, that is what she has done." I have always been fascinated by the bold outlines of the Catherine saga -- how she was shipped across a continent as a teenager to audition for marriage into a family renowned for its violence, how she was wed as a pawn of international politics to a strange youth who would emerge a mad sadist with autocratic power, how she survived and, although a woman and not of Russian stock, wrested a throne from the blood descendants of Peter the Great to become the dominant monarch of her age.

But how? And why? Until time travel is conquered, we'll probably never know all the answers. Meanwhile, though, this movie stands as the best "it could have happened this way" presentation of what might have lain behind the momentous historical facts. Even when there is a descent into bald speculation, such as with the non-Romanov paternity of Catherine's son, the speculation is based on a credible interpretation of known events and tracks what many court gossips suspected at the time and some historians have surmised since.

The icing on the cake of an intelligent script in the hands of talented actors is that these guessed-at events are filmed in the actual settings against which the real events played out. Sure, the palace was rebuilt after WWII more in its 19th-century garb than its 18th, and there are a few shots from Peterhof that are presented as being on the grounds of the Catherine Palace. But who cares? The sense of the grandeur of the age and the overwhelming luxury that still cannot squelch shabbiness of spirit remains intact. You'll find few, if any, historical dramas better done than this one.

Young Catherine
I had ordered this movie used, it was in excellent condition & fast dilivery. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Gary Cooper's final film is a below average whodunit
In his last film Gary Cooper plays George Radcliffe, an American business executive who becomes a witness in the trial of Donald Heath (Ray McAnally). Heath is convicted of murder and robbery, and is sentenced to life imprisonment. Short afterwards George and his partner have a whole lot of money and start a new business. But then six years later his wife Martha (Deborah Kerr) shows George a letter that had been lost for five years, in which a lawyer accuses George of the murder. Martha wants to believe her husband, but the evidence seems overwhelming.

The main problem with this 1961 film is that director Michael Anderson needs to be more like Hitchcock; you can think of "The Naked Edge" as being something of a watered down "Suspicion." This is a suspense movie in which there is little suspense. Cooper seems distanced from both his character and the story, leaving it to Kerr to carry the story. Then at the end, the film actually asks you not to reveal the murderer to anyone. They do not need to worry. Besides the curiosity value of being Cooper's final film, released after his death, "The Naked Edge" is not going to be on anybody's list of first-rate whodunits.

Bizarre
The film focuses too much on a miscast, cadaverous Gary Cooper. Deborah Kerr's character is interesting, but she looks bored throughout most of the film. Eric Portman is delightfully evil and sinister. You will never view bathtubs or razors the same way after the finale! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Not all bad.
The Jules Verne classic book is copied again on tape. The stars are Richard Crenna, Ben Cross, and the eccentric Julie Cox. It is not the worst version, and I am sure the Crayola Kids version is a lot worse than this. Arronax joins an expedition to find the thing that has been attacking many ships. The daughter beseeches the guy to have her go, and she disguises herself as a boy to get on. Okay, you have to act like a normal cool teenager to do that, not talk about sex as the main subject. The rest is mostly like the book, except there is some kind of other beast instead of a squid. The subplot ain't alienish, but "she" sure doesn't act normal in the submarine. So, try to enjoy the sea theme and ignore the subplot.

Voyage to the Bottom of the Ratings
1997 saw two, count 'em, two TV versions of the classic Jules Verne adventure "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea." The least literate, this version tosses out much of Verne's loftier discussions of Victorian science and philosophy and replaces them with watered-down romance of the drugstore bookrack variety. Ben Cross is a stone-cold Nemo (how sadly far we've come from James Mason's tortured nobleman in the 1954 Disney version), skulking about his steel-plated creation, the Nautilus, with a seemingly nameless and faceless crew. Into his nomadic existence comes a group of castaways, led by the sympathetic, if tired-looking Richard Crenna as marine biologist Pierre Arronax. There's also a joyless love-story between Nemo and Arronax's outspoken daughter (not featured in the book) that struggles to add emotional fireworks, but simply results in a lurching distraction from the main plot about Nemo's quest for an end to war and human strife. Hammy acting by the supporting cast will make you feel like this is a movie aimed at kids, even with the story's darker overtones. About the only aspects of the film that rise above mediocrity are the production values and special effects. Though this Nautilus is nowhere near as imaginative as the Disney version, it is more faithful to the submarine described in the book, and overall, the look of the film is suitably impressive. Still, fans of Jules Verne will likely appreciate the 1954 film version more, even if poor Kirk Douglas is forced to sing. (The other TV version, by the way, with the usually likeable Michael Caine isn't much better; dark and murky, it bogs down under the weight of its pychobabble script.) ... Read more

Amazon.com

If you can stifle the urge to laugh at its pastel unisex costumes and futuristic shopping-mall décor, this extravagant science fiction film from 1976 is still visually fascinating and provocatively entertaining. Set in the year 2274, when ecological disaster has driven civilization to the protection of domed cities, the story revolves around a society that holds a ceremonial death ritual for all citizens who reach the age of 30. In a diseaseless city where free sex is encouraged and old age is virtually unknown, Logan (Michael York) is a "sandman," one who enforces this radical method of population control (but he's about to turn 30 and he doesn't want to die). Escaping from the domed city via a network of underground passages, Logan is joined by another "runner" named Jessica (Jenny Agutter), while his former sandman partner (Richard Jordan) is determined to terminate Logan's rebellion. Using a variety of splendid matte paintings and miniatures, Logan's Run earned a special Oscar for visual effects (images of a long-abandoned Washington, D.C., are particularly impressive), and in addition to fine performances by Jordan and Peter Ustinov, the film features '70s poster babe Farrah Fawcett in a cheesy supporting role. Jerry Goldsmith's semi-electronic score is still one of the prolific composer's best, and Logan's Run remains an interesting example of '70s sci-fi that preceded Star Wars by less than a year. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (108)

A visually stunning sci-fi spectacle
I have fond memories of seeing "Logan's Run" in the theaters many years ago, and am delighted to see this film getting a fine presentation on DVD. Directed by Michael Anderson, the film takes place in a post-apocalyptic future where humans live a hedonistic life in the shelter of a domed city. There's just one catch to this pleasure-oriented utopia: nobody is permitted to live past the age of 30. The title character, played by Michael York, is a Sandman: an elite policeman assigned to kill those who flee the birthday death sentence. But a surprising assignment takes Logan on a voyage that will change him profoundly.

"Logan's Run" is an adventure tale, a love story, a crime drama, a social satire, and a sumptuous visual spectacle all in one. The whole package is superbly enhanced by Jerry Goldsmith's inventive and varied score. This is one of the most visually stylish science fiction films ever made; it's full of scenes that are truly unforgettable.

The film is really grounded by the performances by the superb cast. Michael York and Jenny Agutter make an absolutely enchanting screen couple; the evolution of their characters' relationship is one of the key pleasures of the film. Richard Jordan brings complexity and intensity to his role as a fellow Sandman. And Peter Ustinov is delightfully warm, funny, and loveable in a critical supporting role.

The DVD includes a vintage "making of" featurette, as well as a full-length audio commentary by actor York, director Anderson, and costume designer Bill Thomas. The three discuss casting, stunts, special effects, Peter Ustinov's ad-libbing, and other aspects of making the film. They reveal some fascinating and delightful bits of trivia along the way. This is one of those great commentary tracks that makes you appreciate the film even more.

Solid sf adventure less than the sum of its parts
Logan's Run started off with a pretty amazing concept--(courtesy of science fiction writers William F. Nolan and George Clayton Johnson)what if our youth obsessed society put everyone over the age of 30 (21 in the novel)to death as a means of population control? This film version of a classic cautionary tale is intermittantly successful. David Zelag Goodman's screenplay condenses and changes around several key characters. Goodman's script essentially refocuses the novel into The Fugitive in the future. In the original novel Francis (played brilliantly by the late Richard Jordan)and the Old Man character (played as befuddled by Peter Ustinov) were one and the same. You'll need to read the novel to see why this was an important altered plot point.

Additionally, Sanctuary did exist in the novel while here it's clear that it's something of an urban myth. While these plot points might not seem essential, altering them radically reshaped the film. Still, it's clear that the film's director, producer and screenwriter (respectively, Michael Anderson the late Saul David and Goodman)wanted to streamline what could have been a confusing plot if not layed out correctly.

The basic plot--In the future our society is enclosed in domes. As a means to control the population, everyone has a life clock crystal on their hand. When you reach 30 you have the option to become "renewed" in a ceremony attended by the citizens. Logan (Michael York) and Francis (Richard Jordan) are Sandmen who hunt, capture/or kill runners (people who choose to not go through renewal and try to escape).

After one incident, Logan is debriefed by the computer that runs the city. The runner wore a symbol representing life. During this debriefing he is send undercover to become a "runner" and find out 1)Who is behind the network that tries to get people out of the city and 2) If sanctuary exists. Logan's life clock is prematurely aged to 30. He contacts a girl who he had met before on the circuit (a system where people can "dial up" others for casual sex)who he had seen wearing the same symbol. Despite her better judgement, she elects to help him escape.

Francis, alarmed that his friend is running, elects to chase him and either bring him back for renewal or kill him.

The film is quite good despite some gaping plot holes. Michael York gives a impassioned performance as Logan 5. Jenny Agutter is enchanting as Jessica. Richard Jordan shines as Logan's former partner Francis who feels betrayed and hunts Logan down. Roscoe Lee Brown is exceptional in his cameo as the demented cyborg Box. Michael Anderson, Jnr. gives a nice cameo performance as the surgeon hired to alter Logan's appearence. Made for $6 million, Logan's Run looked quite good when it was released in 1976. The symbolism of having Francis and Logan fight in the House of Representatives with an American flag was quite evident given the year of release (1976).
In many respects the themes in the film are more timely than ever. The obsession with youth, looking good and plastic surgery have come to define our culture in the 21st Century. The only thing missing from the film are botox injections.

Jerry Goldsmith's brilliant score is a highlight of the film. Like his score for Planet of the Apes, Goldsmith chose to go with a mix of sythesizers and orchestra to portray the city of the future. He eschews cliches in his music and the various themes and cues are at turns suspenseful and witty. The optical effects are pretty good given the time. The matte paintings by Albert Whitlock are outstanding and fairly convincing. The miniatures are a mixed bag. They didn't look completely convincing in 1976 nor do they today. Part of the problem has to do with the fact that waters don't fare well when placed in miniatures. You can't miniaturize the bubbles and water drops. Also, the use of the miniatures in combination with live action is quite grainy due to the film stock and amount of composites. Still, if you can suspend your disbelief, you'll enjoy the film despite its limitations.

Logan's Run attempted to tell an adult cautionary tale in a world of light weight escapist movies. It's a commendable film and the film makers frequently bite off more than they can chew. I'd rather have a film that's too ambitious than not at all.

Still, I appreciate the ambitions if not the execution. It's nice to finally have this fine if flawed movie on DVD. The transfer is quite good although the print has a number of flaws. There's also quite a bit of dirt evident on the print. These probably could have been cleared up with a direct digital transfer. Additionally, the 5.1 soundtrack occasionally sounds "tinny" and when played in the stereo format can be quite difficult to hear.

The extras are limited but nice. The commentary by director Michael Anderson and Michael York is quite good and informative. A pity the terrific actor Richard Jordan isn't around any longer to give us his perspective. I would have liked to see a fresh retrospective documentary on the making of the film. It's not likely to happen, though as no one is going to champion this film at the expensive of other newer projects (particulary since producer Saul David is gone). The featurette included is the original one made to promote the film. It's actually pretty decent given the age and purpose of it. The trailer is included as well. The disc is a dual sided single layer DVD with the widescreen and pan & scan versions on the same disc.

classic!
logan's run is a real gem. love the cast and the look of the film and it's a good dvd to have when you want to see something that's out of this world!

fantastic futuristic fun
Logan's Run was one of my faves as a kid. It was different from othe Sci Fi at the time. It created a weird world that was great to watch. I also watched the TV show version and loved it too (sure it was just a TV show and not quite as grand as the the more expensive flick but it was still weird enough to keep me watching). You've just got to love a show that creates it's own strange world and takes you away from reality. Logan has it's own style that provides just the right escape from the played out worlds of other Sci Fi flicks and shows. Give this a chance if you want something that's different and you've never seen it.

A bit excentric, but absolutely worth watching.
This is an awsome movie, even by today's standards. Granted the special effects can sometimes look corny or cheesy, but for the time when this movie was produced, the effects were top notch.

The story line goes like this. It is the year 2275. Disasters have forced what remains of civilization into a self contained, domed city. No one goes outside the city becuase they all beleive it to be a barren wasteland, incapable of supporting life. This is because it WAS that way when the city was founded, but that was over a hundred years ago. Since the city was founded, there was realised a great need to maintain the population to acceptable levels. So, it is determined that at age 30 you will "terminate". If you do not want to end your life at 30, you can participate on the "Carosel" on your "Last Day" (30 years to the day of your birth). The recorded message basically says that if you have a strong enough desire to renew, you will. Renewing gives you an unstated amount of extra time. If you are ready to end, you don't have to participate on Carosel. However, there exist a few people who don't want to follow the rules. They "run" from their fate. To prevent people from running (as well as for general law enforcement) there are a group of cop like folks. Each is refered to as a SandMan. It is their responsibility to enforce law in the domed city, and to track down anyone who decides to run, and terminate them.

Now meet Logan 5. He's a sand man, and he loves his job. But one day when he is doing his job and terminates a runner, he finds an Ankh on the runner. He doesn't think much of it. So he picks it up with the rest of the runner's belongings, and heads back to HQ to be "debriefed". But the central computer DOES recognise the Ankh. It is determined to be a symbol associated with a legenday place called Sanctuary, where runners can go and hide and live out their life normally (as you and I would consider normal). The computer determines that Sanctuary must be either right on the inside of the dome, or outside the city. Logan 5 is assigned to find sanctuary, and destroy it.

And so begins his Grand adventure, during the process of which he leaves the city, Falls in love with his "partner in crime, Jessica" (which is strictly forbidden in the city), Finds a man who has more cats than I could count, and returns to the city to try and stop the madness.

A very good movie on all counts. It should have been more popular. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Often overlooked and I don't know why!
"The Quiller memorandum" is an unfortunately often overlooked Cold War-era spy thriller that is an excellent example of the genre. Set in a divided Berlin, it pits our hero, Quiller of MI-6 (played with world-weary, casual aplomb by the wonderful George Segal) against an evil underground cell of resurgent neo-Nazis, led by Max von Sydow. The beautiful German actress Senta Berger literally glows on the screen and features in an interesting plot twist made all the more disturbing by her on-screen job as a school teacher. The incredible Alec Guiness, in a small but critical role as Pol, epitomizes the faintly creepy, ever-inscrutable British spymaster that one never knows is friend or foe. Elegantly directed on location by Michael Anderson, it stands with "The Spy Who Came in from the Cold" as one of the two best 'non-James Bondish" spy films of the late 60's. STRONGLY recommended!!

Thinking Man's Spy Movie
Although it's set in the 60's, it holds up today. Think of it as a period piece and remember it was during the cold war. You have to think Michael Caine turned this down because it's so close to his spy movies. There's no thrilling chases or Bond-type tricks, just plodding pursuit of his quest. However the enemy just lets him go twice and that will spoil it for the real thinkers. Just enjoy it and try to forget George in his "Just Shoot Me" TV role.

A JAMES BOND IT ISN'T
Milles away from JAMES BOND and other mindless spy spoof ,this entry is a delightful surprize, quite arresting from PINTER who scripted movies like ACCIDENT and THE GO-BETWEEN.Watching GEORGES SEGAL gets lost is always worth seeing(he always gets lost in most movies)Nice cameo by the late ALEC GUINNESS;we didn't have teachers as beautiful as SENTA BERGER in my time.If you must make a spy movie this the way it can be handled ,although some would prefer more action.

Quiller's cut above cookie cutter spy flicks
The Quiller Memorandum is a breath of fresh air that rises above many in the claustrophobic, cookie cutter spy genre of the late 60's. Make no mistake: all the spy flick elements are present in Quiller. There is the villian bent on world domination, the east vs. west theatrics, and the demure dame caught in the middle. Luckily though, the director doesn't play to the lowest denomenator. Instead of relying on guns and gadgets, George Segal's Quiller bags the bad guys and beds the girl (a very sensual girl in Senta Berger) with his brains only. If you don't like a deliberately-paced, believable spy story, don't watch Quiller. On the other hand, if you don't, you're missing a rare gem of the spy flick genre.

great flic. Though not mentioned ih reviw Senta Berger is sp
Von Sydow and Segal are great.Best spy flick ever. All work by performers Berge ... Read more

Reviews (14)

Every woman must see this movie!!!
This movie is an all time classic! My best friend and I had first viewed this movie back in 1991 when it aired on TNT. We were glued to the television set for 2 nights in silent awe for this masterpiece! You can't begin to know my excitement when I learned that the movie had now been made available on video. To my great dismay, this version is not the original cut. Although I still consider it one of my all time favorite movies, this version has edited some of my favorite scenes. One involves the hunky Captain Gregory sneaking into Catharine's room when he suspects she is gravely ill. Another scene involves Catharine and her Lady in Waiting- Princess Dashkava. The dialogue involes them discussing Catharine'e recent "meeting" with our favorite Captain. One of my favorite lines is then said," He's the face of a God and the body of an athlete!". The cast is truely noteworthy- Julia Ormond as Catharine-wonderful!Vanessa Redgrave is her usual magnificent self! Christopher Plummer portrays a witty but shrewd English Embassador whose performance is memorable. How could anyone forget lines such as," The Grand Duke Peter could not rule a straight line." Such lines have me still laughing out loud to myself. Brilliant supporting roles from others-and I am ashamed that I don't remember their names-but their characters- The Grand Duke Peter;the Chanchellor- Michael Veronsovf; Catharine's mother Joanna; the King of Prussia and so on.... One of the best assembly of actors in one performance!! Hopefully when this movie is made available on DVD it will return to its original spendor.Until then I will be content with this version as it is truly a treasure!!!!

An awsome tale of Russia and Catherine the Great
I originally saw this movie the very first time that it ran on TV. I was entranced by it's beauty and history from the first veiwing. Naturally, there is artistic license taken in the film, but that's not the point. The story of how Young Princess Sophie wins the throne of Russia is full of intrigue and backstabbing. It's a wonderful film that I think everyone who can should watch.

Good but edited version
This is one of my favorite TNT movies, but I was disappointed to find, as was stated by another reviewer, that some of my favorite scenes were cut. I have yet to find an unedited version of the movie. However, the performances are wonderful, the actors are captivating, and the story flows beautifully, keeps you interested and never bored. If you are a Mark Frankel fan, you should watch this movie. We lost a great actor when he passed away. All in all, this is a really good one until an uncut version can be found.

There's No Drama Like the Truth
Frederick the Great sums it up beautifully at the end of this magnificent movie when he comments that this "frail, young slip of a girl has won herself an empire, and there is nothing anyone can do about it. Against all the odds, that is what she has done." I have always been fascinated by the bold outlines of the Catherine saga -- how she was shipped across a continent as a teenager to audition for marriage into a family renowned for its violence, how she was wed as a pawn of international politics to a strange youth who would emerge a mad sadist with autocratic power, how she survived and, although a woman and not of Russian stock, wrested a throne from the blood descendants of Peter the Great to become the dominant monarch of her age.

But how? And why? Until time travel is conquered, we'll probably never know all the answers. Meanwhile, though, this movie stands as the best "it could have happened this way" presentation of what might have lain behind the momentous historical facts. Even when there is a descent into bald speculation, such as with the non-Romanov paternity of Catherine's son, the speculation is based on a credible interpretation of known events and tracks what many court gossips suspected at the time and some historians have surmised since.

The icing on the cake of an intelligent script in the hands of talented actors is that these guessed-at events are filmed in the actual settings against which the real events played out. Sure, the palace was rebuilt after WWII more in its 19th-century garb than its 18th, and there are a few shots from Peterhof that are presented as being on the grounds of the Catherine Palace. But who cares? The sense of the grandeur of the age and the overwhelming luxury that still cannot squelch shabbiness of spirit remains intact. You'll find few, if any, historical dramas better done than this one.

Young Catherine
I had ordered this movie used, it was in excellent condition & fast dilivery. ... Read more

Reviews (108)

A visually stunning sci-fi spectacle
I have fond memories of seeing "Logan's Run" in the theaters many years ago, and am delighted to see this film getting a fine presentation on DVD. Directed by Michael Anderson, the film takes place in a post-apocalyptic future where humans live a hedonistic life in the shelter of a domed city. There's just one catch to this pleasure-oriented utopia: nobody is permitted to live past the age of 30. The title character, played by Michael York, is a Sandman: an elite policeman assigned to kill those who flee the birthday death sentence. But a surprising assignment takes Logan on a voyage that will change him profoundly.

"Logan's Run" is an adventure tale, a love story, a crime drama, a social satire, and a sumptuous visual spectacle all in one. The whole package is superbly enhanced by Jerry Goldsmith's inventive and varied score. This is one of the most visually stylish science fiction films ever made; it's full of scenes that are truly unforgettable.

The film is really grounded by the performances by the superb cast. Michael York and Jenny Agutter make an absolutely enchanting screen couple; the evolution of their characters' relationship is one of the key pleasures of the film. Richard Jordan brings complexity and intensity to his role as a fellow Sandman. And Peter Ustinov is delightfully warm, funny, and loveable in a critical supporting role.

The DVD includes a vintage "making of" featurette, as well as a full-length audio commentary by actor York, director Anderson, and costume designer Bill Thomas. The three discuss casting, stunts, special effects, Peter Ustinov's ad-libbing, and other aspects of making the film. They reveal some fascinating and delightful bits of trivia along the way. This is one of those great commentary tracks that makes you appreciate the film even more.

Solid sf adventure less than the sum of its parts
Logan's Run started off with a pretty amazing concept--(courtesy of science fiction writers William F. Nolan and George Clayton Johnson)what if our youth obsessed society put everyone over the age of 30 (21 in the novel)to death as a means of population control? This film version of a classic cautionary tale is intermittantly successful. David Zelag Goodman's screenplay condenses and changes around several key characters. Goodman's script essentially refocuses the novel into The Fugitive in the future. In the original novel Francis (played brilliantly by the late Richard Jordan)and the Old Man character (played as befuddled by Peter Ustinov) were one and the same. You'll need to read the novel to see why this was an important altered plot point.

Additionally, Sanctuary did exist in the novel while here it's clear that it's something of an urban myth. While these plot points might not seem essential, altering them radically reshaped the film. Still, it's clear that the film's director, producer and screenwriter (respectively, Michael Anderson the late Saul David and Goodman)wanted to streamline what could have been a confusing plot if not layed out correctly.

The basic plot--In the future our society is enclosed in domes. As a means to control the population, everyone has a life clock crystal on their hand. When you reach 30 you have the option to become "renewed" in a ceremony attended by the citizens. Logan (Michael York) and Francis (Richard Jordan) are Sandmen who hunt, capture/or kill runners (people who choose to not go through renewal and try to escape).

After one incident, Logan is debriefed by the computer that runs the city. The runner wore a symbol representing life. During this debriefing he is send undercover to become a "runner" and find out 1)Who is behind the network that tries to get people out of the city and 2) If sanctuary exists. Logan's life clock is prematurely aged to 30. He contacts a girl who he had met before on the circuit (a system where people can "dial up" others for casual sex)who he had seen wearing the same symbol. Despite her better judgement, she elects to help him escape.

Francis, alarmed that his friend is running, elects to chase him and either bring him back for renewal or kill him.

The film is quite good despite some gaping plot holes. Michael York gives a impassioned performance as Logan 5. Jenny Agutter is enchanting as Jessica. Richard Jordan shines as Logan's former partner Francis who feels betrayed and hunts Logan down. Roscoe Lee Brown is exceptional in his cameo as the demented cyborg Box. Michael Anderson, Jnr. gives a nice cam