Description

One of Disney's biggest and most fondly remembered hits, the spectacular screen version of the literary classic SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON is full of breathtaking South Seas scenery, hundreds of exotic animals, and treacherous pirates. This heroic tale chronicles the courageous exploits of the Robinson family after they are shipwrecked on a deserted island. Using teamwork and ingenuity, they skillfully overcome the obstacles of nature and transform their new home into a "civilized" community. But the ultimate challenge lies ahead when a band of cutthroat pirates threaten to destroy the Robinson's Makeshift paradise. Capture the thrills, romance, and fun of this unforgettable Disney film! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY...
You can't get much more wholesome than this. This film definitely has the Disney stamp all over it. The Swiss Family Robinson are on their way to New Guinea. Chased by pirates on the high seas, their ship runs up against a reef, and they find themselves shipwrecked by a deserted tropical island. They manage to get themselves and all their belongings and animals ashore, intact and none the worse for wear.

The mother, played by the lovely Dorothy McGuire, is always clean, perfectly groomed and coiffed. The father, played by the wonderful English actor, John Mills, is positively cheerful the entire film. Talk about optimism. His three sons, played by the hunky James MacArthur, the adorable Tommy Kirk, and the cute-as-a-button Kevin Corcoran, work tirelessly to make their new home into an island paradise.

In record time, they build a multi-level house to die for, high up in the trees. Somehow, they manage to get a pipe organ off the wrecked ship, ashore, and up into their multi-level tree house, so that they can sing Christmas Carols at the appropriate time. Kevin Corcoran even has a baby elephant for a pet, and they parade around their sculpted lawn which is surrounded by what appears to be a manicured, English country garden.

After a while, two of the boys set out on a home made sail boat to check the terrain around the island. They discover yet another casualty of the pirates' onslaught, delightfully played by Janet Munro. The two older boys are sweet on her, which causes a little fun loving tension. All is well, until the pirates come a-calling on the island, and all you know what breaks loose. Never fear. Rescue is on the way.

Who in their right mind, however, would ever want to be rescued from this magical island, where nothing can possibly go wrong, and everyone loves each other? Pure Disney fantasy, this film is a lot of fun to watch and, better yet, can be enjoyed by the whole family. ... Read more

Reviews (38)

Cheerful, Delightful version of Pippi
The setting of Pippi Longstocking's home is supposed to be Sweden, in this movie it's relocated to America. That was perhaps unfaithful to the books- but this version of Pippi manages to be sweet and endearing in spite of this.

I've read a lot of negative reviews of this movie- I'm not exactly sure how many people don't like this movie, but I happen to think it sweet and charming for people of all ages.

The performances by the actors in this manage to recreate magic in a different setting. Tami Erin gives a positively charming performance as a little girl- she manages to give Pippi the trademark innocence, oddness, and yet she manages to give Pippi a sort of beginning of wisdom as well. Tami conveys the hurt and pain as Pippi is aquainted with the realities of kids who are unloved, her friend Annika's father's dislike of her, and the gradual evaporation of the magic of her childhood. She manages to make Pippi human and accesible while still making her an enduring, endearing figure. Some people refer to her as ''spoiled brat'', but I think her reaction toward these adults was more her shock that her cheer could not please them. The adventures between her and Tommy and Annika were sweetly shown, and it can end in Pippi's understanding of what she's done.

I have seen the other versions of Pippi and Inger Neillson portrays Pippi as a strange, detached, though not charmless character- but she is in no way human or accessible.

The songs are cute too- they manage to show Pippi's enduring innocence, and her good-hearted spirit.

I would recommend this movie to people of all ages ready to see a new version of the sweet, charming Pippi- Tami Erin was a charming young actress, I don't know why she didn't persue acting after this.

Bad Acting Bad Directing
No charm, no plot, just bad acting. Give me the original Swedish movie versions any day.

What words can describe Pippi Longstocking?
Arrogant is a good one. Another is rascal. Other ones that fit rather well are show-stopper, shameless, unrepentent, metahuman, Goddess, and powerful almost to the point of being menacing but not quite. You need only fear her if your life depends on NOT having fun.
Oh, yeah. And she's probably older and smarter than she pretends to be, and she's definitely MUCH wiser.
All these things have made her one of my favorite fictional characters ever.
So why is it that in this movie, she is none of those amazing things?
As a child, I was a fairly poor individual, not at all like Pippi, but I did have a library card, and so I spent much time reading. Naturally, when this movie came out, I couldn't go to see it, however, I did read the book, and I was immediately swept up into a childhood crush on its main character that lasted for years and years.
At the age of 18 or so, I finally got the chance to see this movie, and I was apalled! This film makes a mockery of everything Pippi is.
For about 70% of the film, Pippi behaves completely out-of-character, and much of the rest of it is consumed by lousy characters who have no substance. Pippi does get to rough up a few people, but unlike in the books, she only does it to three bad guys that act like the Curly, Larry and Moe.
Additionally, this movie is plagued by the curse of having way too many unnecesary songs. It could have been so much better.
If you want to speak kindly of this movie, however, you won't be entirely without ammunition. It does contain a few scenes of pleasing metahuman powers, and several of Pippi being a brat which ALMOST threaten to drag the movie out of the gutter it made for itself.
If you still don't understand what I'm griping about, read all three Pippi books, then carefully review the scenes in the children's home. You should be able to tell quite easily that none of them should have happened, especially the one where Pippi flinches at the striking of a ruler, as opposed to her book incarnation, whose skin was about the consistency of a brick wall.
Long and short, as a movie, it's only marginally bad, but you definitely don't want to watch it because frankly, you're better off reading the books by about a billion times.

The Old Swedish Pippi Movies are Better!
I grew up watching the old Swedish Pippi movies on TV, they seemed to show them a lot on TV in the 70's and I remember watching this 80s remake with my nephews, I think we first saw it in a movie theater and then I remember them taping it off Showtime and watching it several times. It's good but not as good as the old Pippi movies and I noticed that some of the changes they made in this remake were changes in the personalities of Tommy, Annika and their parents. In the Swedish movies Tommy was the more willing partner to Pippi's schemes while Annika was the fussy whiney one and the father seemed to like Pippi while the fussy mother thought Pippi was a bad influence on her children and in this remake Annika was the more willing partner to Pippi's schemes, Tommy was the fussy whiney one, the mother seemed to like Pippi and the father was the fussy, uptight one who thought Pippi was a bad influence on his children. This movie has it's moments but just isn't as good as the Swedish movies.

What were they thinking?
I first saw this movie during its initial theatrical release in 1988. Even then, as a 5th-grader, I could tell from the opening scene that this movie would be a horrible disappointment. I was actually ashamed for that 15-year-old girl who tried to pass herself off as Pippi. In the books, Pippi was a quick-witted, harmless trouble-maker (who was, by the way, supposed to be 9 years old), but in this movie version she is a brainless ding-dong who instigates a countless number of harmful schemes. While trying to elude the truant/social worker, she selfishly convinces her two "best friends" to leave their parents and run away with her on a mindless "adventure." When Tommy and Annika begin to have second thoughts about leaving home, Pippi consoles them with a bar of chocolate to be shared by the three of them. The simpletons are actually cheered up by the offering, as if any kid would rather have one-third of a chocolate bar over a warm home-cooked meal. And just when I thought this movie couldn't get any worse, the characters actually begin to sing songs that sound like they were written by a 5-year-old contest winner. You'd think that the adults involved in the making of this movie would try as hard as possible to please young fans by staying true to the books, but while watching this heartless sacrilege unfold in the theater that day, I had the awful feeling that Astrid Lindgren (author of the Pippi books) had rolled over in his grave. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The Disney touch is all over this grand, colorful version of the Johann Wyss adventure of a European family set off for the new world of New Guinea. The film opens on a ship jostled and torn by a raging storm while a family struggles to make it through alive. Tossed into a reef near a deserted tropical island, father John Mills takes charge and the family soon turns their island prison into a veritable paradise. Their multilevel tree house, built in record time, is complete with running water and a working pipe organ scavenged from the ship, while their grand yard is abloom in English roses. As a tale of hardship and pioneer pluck, the tale is pure fantasy, but as entertainment it's energetic and appealing. The island is impossibly populated by ostriches, zebras, lions, and elephants, a private zoo that delights the youngest boy and offers plenty of comic relief. The two older brothers discover even wilder life when they rescue the prisoner of oriental pirates (led by hard-bitten Sessue Hayakawa). There's little real danger anywhere in the film--even the climactic battle with the pirates is a cartoonish affair, with coconut bombs and nonlethal booby traps, until the final desperate, deadly moments. Hardly a faithful adaptation of the novel, but a lush, beautifully photographed film and an entertaining adventure safe for all ages. Dorothy McGuire costars as the proper, worry-prone mother. (Ages 5 and older) --Sean Axmaker ... Read more

Reviews (39)

Vault Disney DVD packed with extras for a low price
What a fantastic DVD this is. The Vault Disney series is wonderful, and I hope they give more films the same treatment soon. Not only is the film beautifully restored (in its original 2:35:1 theatrical aspect ratio, and with 5.1 THX surround sound), but the DVD itself is packed with delightful extras.

There's a documentary about making "Swiss Family Robinson" that is nearly 50 minutes long and contains interviews with Sir John Mills, James MacArthur, Tommy Kirk, and Kevin Corcoran. There's a commentary track with the latter three contributing comments about the film. There's an additional interview with MacArthur about his film work, the original theatrical trailer and television spots, radio spots, the entire story album that came out with the film, a Donald Duck cartoon, and more! If you like "Swiss Family Robinson," get this DVD -- even if you already have the VHS tape. It's worth it just to finally have a widescreen version of this family-friendly classic (the better to view the wonderful island vistas), even if you don't figure all of the wonderful extras into the bargain.

this LOADED dvd deserves more than 5 stars
I strongly reccommend! This has to be one of the most fun family films Walt Disney ever made. And the 2 disc DVD treatment that Disney gave this film is perfect. It is Widescreen first of all, maybe it is the first widescreen release outside of theatres ever done for the film. And what a diffenrence in makes in the beautiful island vistas of the film. The DVD transfer itself is well done, with lush colors, great image and depth, great sound, it just sparkles.

The movie was filmed on location on the tropical island of Tobago. While the production went way over budget, Walt did not get mad at the time since the film was worth it. Featuring loads of animals, comedy, action, suspense, pirates, and tropical scenery this was a hard adventure film to beat. And similar to the role the Nautilus filled in "20,000 Leagues Below the Sea", the treehouse becoems a star in it's own right. The invenetive home designed by the castaways from the ship salvage is incredible to behold. An audio commentary as an alternate track features comments from casr and crew.

The extras on this DVD are what really make it a treasure, and they are not all listed here at Amazon or even on the packaging. You have to hunt it down and get creative with your remote. So let me help by telling you what to look for if you buy this... For starters they have the original cartoon that was released with the movie, "Sea Salts" allowing you to see this with the kids the way that it is meant to be seen. There is a 2 minute "1960 Disney Studio Album", a montage of projects, attractions, shows, and films being made and released that year. Next we have 23 minutes from an old Walt Disney television episode titled "Escape to Paradise", that includes the parts of that episode that show the making of the film. Up next is original 1960 movie theatre trailers for the film, and 1960 televison spots. Then there are "Storyboard to Scene Comparisons"; a seperate "Storyboard Gallery"; and a 2 minute "Production Gallery" of photo stills from behind the scenes at location. Another gallery of production stills; "Biographies" on 8 principle actors; and "Concept Art" on the film design work.

A featurette titled "Adventure in the Making" was made just for this set, and at 49:00 minutes long it is very complete, with recent interviews of the original cast and crew. There is great behind the scenes footage in this piece, and the folks regale us with funny stories. Peter Elleshaw (matte artist), Ken Annakin (director), Danny Lee (special effects), and actors John Mills, Tommy Kirk, Kevin Corcoran are all here. ANOTHER short 4 minute featurette that was also made just for this set is "Swiss Family Treehouse" narrated by Hayley Mills, it is the pre-opening footage and the actual Opening Ceremony of the Swiss Family Robinson's Treehouse (now gone) at the Disneyland Park. Walt is really enjoying himself in this must see footage.

Included on the set is a very nice 12 minute interview with James MacArthur, who appeared in this film and 3 others for Disney along with a TV movie. This features great video as well. There is a "Pirates" music video of clips from Disney films, tv shows, cartoons, and the theme park to the tune of "Yo HO Yo HO A Pirates Life For Me". Another unusual feature has 20 minutes of excerpts from the 1940 non-disney version of the film.

The set has Audio Archives set to photos from the film, including 2 Interactive SOund Studios, 2 songs from the film, original 1960 radio spots, and the soundtrack of the original merchandise Storybook Album released on LP in 1960.

I really enjoyed this DVD, I wish all the really good classic Disney films got at least some of this kingly treatment. They are the best studio about protecting their old source material, archives, etc, and are in the best position to place intruiging extras with the movie. Thank YOU Disney for this compilation that really honors this gem of a film the way it should be!!!!

Good Movie.
This is a really good movie. Especially for little kids.... but hey, we're all little kids at heart, except for scrooge, but it's still a good movie. Both versions, new and old.

ALL AGES
This is a classic for all ages. We have watched the video over and over as a family and now need it in DVD. From my 3 yr. old niece, to my now teenage son, and my husband and I, and even my parents, it continues to draw us in. I believe its lure is that everyone can find a character to identify with, and long to prove their mettle on the island. I love introducing new generations to this tale.

Don't waste your time or money
Don't bother wasting your time or money on this movie. I don't care about the quality of the cinematography, the quality of the story is what is lacking. From the elmination of Jack, one of the Robinson children, to the blatant disregard for absolutely any speck of information from the book, this film will make you cringe in horror. Rather, go get the original book, and curl up with your family and read. It's a better use of your time than watching this garbage. It doesn't deserve the one star I was forced to give it. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Light, but entertaining
Various comic characters from different countries gather for a road rally through Europe in the 20's, setting the stage for plenty of good-natured, family friendly hijinks. The international cast (including Tony Curtis and the wonderful Terry-Thomas) is very good. Although lightweight, the story moves along at a good pace. If you enjoy the kind of madcap comedies with large ensemble casts that were made so often in the 60's (think "It's A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World"), you'll probably get a kick out of this.

jaunty jalopies rock
this film is a classic. it's great in so many ways. it's a prime example of old school filmmaking. they literally don't make films like this anymore. a cast of classic comic actors, assembled for a romp onscreen. the situations are clean, anyone in the family can watch the film. terry-thomas is dynamite, playing his typical nasty english cad role. tony curtis is good, playing chester scofield as a wacky nutty type of american adventurer. the subplot of germany vs. u.k. is funny as are the italian racers who want the fame and fortune, but also the girls. and the girls! early feminists. a great film all around. a must buy!

one of the best sequels
The sequel to "Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines" Storyline relation very good to first movie,nicespecial effectsfor it's time, long but worth it. good for rent but maybe not for purchase...you decide. ... Read more

Description

Nazi Panzer forces stage a last-ditch Belgian front offensive that could turn the tide of WWII! Henry Fonda, Robert Shaw and Robert Ryan in the spectacular recreation of a crucial campaign. Year: 1965 ... Read more

Reviews (59)

Great action and unavoidable continuity shortfalls
This movie is a great action story built around the Battle of the Bulge. O.K. so the M26 tanks aren't Tigers and the M24s aren't Shermans. If you are looking to pick apart movies check out the M48/Panther/Tigers in "Patton". The parallels drawn of historical characters isn't bad. The Martin Hessler/Joachim Peiper contrast is good, Robert Shaw(Hessler) does an excellent characterization of the historical accounts written about Peiper (the actual leader of the SS Panzer Truppen). For those who didn't like the movie because it did not re-create the actual battle in detail, read the dislaimer promenently displayed in the credits. It says in essence thath the movie was never intended to re-create the actual battle but to re-enact the spirit of the heroism and actions of the soldiers in the battle and some of the historical events (the 101st Abn Div at Bastogne) that took place. For the real history buffs looking for flaws, the fuel dump that was so eloquently defended by Fonda and Mac Arthur never existed as portrayed in the film. The fuel dump was actually spread out and hidden over several square miles of forest. All in all a great action movie for war enthusiasts

Updated Old Fashioned War Movie on an Epic Scale
Director Ken Annakin's single lens Cinerama epic is a condensation of time, characters and events of the real last ditch W.W.II German offensive. Though not historically accurate it looks back to the glory days of Warner Brothers' BATTLE CRY for inspiration. It did manage to find scope and it does not fail to entertain. Robert Shaw is excellent as the determined Nazi tank division commander Colonel Hessler. But the real standout performance is given by the long forgotten veteran actor George Montgomery as the seasoned American Sergeant who takes the green Lieutenant (James McArthur) under his wing. It also stars Henry Fonda, Robert Ryan, Telly Savalas, Dana Andrews, Charles Bronson, Ty Hardin, Pier Angeli, Barbara Werle, Hans Christian Blech and Werner Peters. Cinematographer Jack Hildyard and aerial photographer Jack Willoughby were in charge of the sweeping and panoramic photography. This VHS tape is recorded in hi-fi 2 Channel Stereo Surround.

For entertainment only
Noone can argue that "Battle of the Bulge" is more fiction than fact. The desert scenes, the tanks they used, the heroic stand at the fuel depot that won the battle and the war, yeah yeah yeah it's all been said before. But if you're sitting around on a lazy saturday afternoon, the popcorn's popped, the drink cold,
"Battle of the Bulge" is actually a fairly entertaining movie.
There's enough decent battle scenes, several interesting non battle scenes, and enough star power to keep things moving at a fast pace. What I resent most about "Battle of the Bulge" is all
the scenes cut out for the official VHS release..very exciting scenes too! Gone are the German commando rehearsal scene in which Col. Hessler is "captured", and an even more powerful scene in which Charles Bronson confronts Col. Hessler about the rumors that POW's are being massacred by their German captors.
Many other scenes are missing too, which hopefully will be restored if the movie ever comes out on DVD? The bottom line is
if you're watching "Battle of the Bulge" for its historical accuracy, avoid it. But if it's a fun, sometimes exciting movie
you're hoping to see, what's the problem? Check it out! 3 stars
for terrible editing.

A battle that needs an accurate film - this is NOT it!
This abortion uses the excuse that it is a "synthesis" of events, but it is simply an abomination. Not only are the characters and events for the most part complete fiction, or completely fictional in the way they are portrayed, but just some of the lack of realism in what happens is ludicrous as well. A tank gets hit and ends up looking like a blow torch was used to remove the top half of the turret (probably closer to how it actually got that way), yet the tank commander, sitting higher up in the command hatch than his fellow crewmembers, miraculously escapes unharmed! In the real world, a tank round would make a small hole in the armor and spew hot shrapenel all over the interior of the vehicle, with fuel and ammo likely catching fire/exploding/cooking off. This is more a comic than a serious film. As far as the historical inaccuracies, there was no "Col. Hessler", and for those who think this is a pseudonym for Col. Joachim Peiper, think again; if you recall, "Hessler" is supposed to be a Wermacht officer, not an SS officer, although his "brigade" begins its attack in the Losheim Gap (i.e., where Peiper began his attack). Next, the Germans had very few Tiger tanks, and even fewer King Tiger tanks; the bulk of their tank strength at that point in the war would have been Panzer Mk IV's and Panthers, with the Tigers and King Tigers being attached "heavy tank battalions" that reinforced the Panzer divisions. In the movie you'd get the impression that the entire German army was equipped with King Tiger tanks exclusively. And it wasn't as if the Bulge was the first time the Americans/Allies had seen this tank, since some early examples were knocked out in Normandy. The Malmedy Massacre was portrayed as an organized execution, when in actuality it was not - rather it was spontaneous, started by a single SS tank officer with a pistol at point blank range after he stopped his assult gun at the Baugnez crossroads where the unfortunate prisoners had been assembled (south of the namesake town which was never entered by the German forces during the entire battle). The fuel depot incident is a topic of some controversy, as some historians have it as fact and others fiction, but in any event it was the Francorchamps fuel dump (deep in the Ambleve River valley), the biggest on the continent with over 1,500,000 gallons of gasoline, not a dump on the Meuse River. While we're on the subject, there is the completely ridiculous "calculation" of the German fuel situation by the (fictitiuos) American General, using the fuel consumption of a Tiger tank, the exact distance from the Zeigfried Line to the Meuse, and the estimated fuel reserves of the German Army. Like tanks are the only thing that uses gasoline, like they only had Tiger tanks, like they new what route should be used for the mileage, like even if that were the only information they needed they new exactly HOW MANY tanks, etc. Ludicrous! The Germans in point of fact had accumulated more than enough gasoline for the Ardennes Offensive, but had it on the EAST bank of the Rhine River (in keeping with the extreme secrecy of the operation and its cover plan as a "defensive" operation), and they quite often couldn't get it to the front lines where it was needed because of Allied bombing of bridges railways and road centers. Finally, it wasn't as if the Germans swept the Americans aside like insects and then advanced unnoticed through the fog and then ran out of fuel, nor was the battle a big "tank battle" ala Kursk (which is the way it was portrayed). Indeed, there were some Americans that "bugged out" providing little organized resistance, and some large scale surrenders (think the 106th Infantry Division, the green outfit surrounded on the Schnee Eifel), but there were also stiff resistance and heroic stands that either stopped crack Panzer divisions in their tracks or cost them critical delays and detours (think the 2nd/99th Infantry Divisions in the Elsenborn Ridge area and the Engineer Battalions in the Ambleve River Valley blowing bridges in Peiper's face). The one positive note about this film in terms of historical accuracy is that it wasn't focusing on Bastogne as the "key" to the whole offensive. The Battle of the Bulge was won and lost on the northern flank where the 6SS Panzer Army was stopped, bloodied, delayed and detoured by fierce resistance and swarms of reinforcements in rugged terrain. Bastogne was anticlmactic; though an important road junction, its importance arose more from the failure of the Germans to break through where they intended to rather than due to its location in the middle of the area that ended up being their deepest penetration. Their Panzer Divisions in the south made some half-hearted probes but basically surrounded and bypassed it, leaving its capture to following infantry. It was only later when it was clear the Meuse couldn't be crossed until the lines of communication were cleared up that the Germans made any serious effort to capture it, and by then it was no longer isolated and had been reinforced and fortified. In any event, I'm sure that one small element of realism was purely accidental, since this film could have been a cartoon for all its accuracy.

Now that we can bring back the real tanks and other equipment with the miracles of digital effects, it's time for someone to do an historically accurate epic about this battle or the most important parts of it (Peiper's breakout and his subsequent sacking in the Ambleve River valley if they must keep the scale confined).

great war flick
I seen this movie when i was a kid, around the age of 10 , i went to the hobby shop and bought a model of the tiger tank.
the elite german command, and tiger tanks proved a formidable enemy , and we see the americans in their retreat and chaos in which the over come and eventuallly won the battle.
the vhs copy was great, as i read their was more stuff filmed...so let's get that dvd rolling on the production line. ... Read more

Reviews (131)

Comparisons are inevitable; they're also unhelpful
The comparisons are of course between THE LONGEST DAY and SAVING PRIVATE RYAN. The only similarities are: both movies depict the allied landings at Normandy on D-Day, they are tributes to the servicemen of WWII, and most importantly, both are good movies. That said, general comparisons are unhelpful because the realism that made Spielberg's movie so memorable is totally absent from THE LONGEST DAY; for two very good reasons: (1) technically, the capability was unavailable in 1962 and (2) morally, that level of graphic violence would have been unacceptable. Also, Mr Zanuck, as director, did not want to make bloody messes of his numerous stars.

Realism aside, on its own merits THE LONGEST DAY is a tribute that has stood the test of time. The huge collection of stars (over 40) and the near 3 hour length qualifies it as epic. On an emotional level, it is a patriotic salute to the soldiers who went ashore. With a scope larger than Omaha beach, the focus is not exclusively American; the movie depicts the role of the British, and other allied troops, as well as the work of the French resistance. German dialogue is subtitled to add some realism. Perhaps the best aspect of the movie is that as an adaptation of Cornelius Ryan's book of the same name, it is based on a historically accurate account of the battle.

For realism, patriotism, and a sentimental heroic story, only partially based on real events of D-Day, watch SAVING PRIVATE RYAN. For an old fashioned, "clean" war movie based on history with good acting (Henry Fonda, Robert Mitchum, John Wayne, Curt Jurgens) watch THE LONGEST DAY. Better yet, view both, just don't spoil the experience with a lot of comparisons.

The Longest View
Unlike Saving Private Ryan, The Longest Day was filmed to dramatize the true, unfolding story of the invasion of France beginning several days before the invasion, which was documented for all time by journalist Cornelius Ryan. Ryan did something few historians have successfully accomplished since the end of the war. He compiled thousands of interviews and wrote a realistic account of the invasion which reads like a suspense and action novel. The movie seeks to combine many characters taken from Ryan's book, and is therefore fiction as well as history, but it is masterfully done and is otherwise true to history. Stereotypes of incompetent German officers and troops, so common in film and television of the early 1960's was not a problem in this movie, nor is the graphic violence of Private Ryan observable. The true story is the focus of the movie, and it was made primarily for veterans who had seen the real violence and had fought tough, intellegent and brave Germans, and had no need to be reminded of those horrors. They did have a desire to see their sacrifices and trials acknowledged alongside the background of historical context. It is a gripping movie. A side note for those who might want to compare The Longest Day with Saving Private Ryan. These should compliment each other, not be compared with each other. The audience for The Longest Day was primarily the veterans, their peers and children. The audience or Saving Private Ryan is primarily the grandchildren of the veterans, young people who are in the main, quite ignorant of history. There is no doubt that Saving Private Ryan is more accurate a portayal of historical American and German weapons and villages, but this was not even attempted in the Longest Day. If you will read The Longest Day before watching Saving Private Ryan, you will see that the sites and sounds remembered by many of the interviewed veterans who were at Omaha and Utah beaches somehow happened at the same time and place in Saving Private Ryan. That makes Saving Private Ryan as inaccurate for what it shows, as is The Longest Day, for what it doesn't show. Both movies are excellent, and both are moving.

IT HAS NOT STOOD THE TEST OF TIME
Director Darryl F. Zanuck tried his best with the technical resources at his dispostition at the time and using the narrative standar for epic movies of that time. But watching this movie today is a really act of courage. It drags and drags, the three hours seem to never end. Also, even if they tried to give a view of the global situation, they failed miserably.

The movie is an endless sequence of shell and fire sounds, a really pain. I simply don't like the movie, although I understand what they tried to do.

Only a Partial View of D-Day and Operation Overlord
Although this film is certainly worth watching, the viewer who has little idea of what Operation Overlord was about won't learn very much about it. Of course, we see many examples of heroism, but so much was left out that one can easily get a distorted view of things.
(1) Contrary to the impression that the Hollywood movie industry gives, the Americans and British did not defeat Germany alone. Three-quarters of the strength of the German Wehrmacht was destroyed by the Soviet Union. I realize that this film was made a the height of the cold war, but still some mention should have been made of their contribution to victory.
(2) The most impressive part of Overlord were the meticulous preparations made. Some mention of it was made, but more of it should have been shown, such as the various special weapons and ships that were made to ease the assault on the fortified beaches. Archive film could have been easily procured to show the various devices used to clear mine fields and barbed wire.
Most crucial was the development of the "Mulberry" artificial ports.
(3) This film used several Germans as advisors such as Blumentritt who were in the Wehrmacht High Command. They use this film as a vehicle for pushing the now largely discredited line that "if only Hitler had let the Generals run the war, they would have won it for him", and the also the myth that they opposed Hitler and held nothing but contempt for him (von Rundstedt calls Hitler "that Bohemian Corporal" in the film). In reality they were all very loyal to him and they really strongly supported him and his criminal policies when they were winning the war.
(4) The importance of the deception campaign making the Germans think the assault will be at the Pas de Calais and not a Normandy was very important and continued even after the landing on D-Day to make the Germans think Normandy was just a diversion.
This was not mentioned. A whole "virtual army" was created with fake radio traffic opposite Calais. This could have been shown as well.
(5) Although I have nothing personal against the man, John Wayne is a very poor actor and I have no idea where he got his reputation as one of Hollywood's leading men!

The Longest Movie
I watched on June 6th 2004 "The Longest Day" to learn about D-Day June 6th in 1944. In general it was a painfully boring movie. I accomplished my goal of learning about D-Day, but it was at a cost of wasting about three hours of my life. It is my belief that this story could have been told in one and a half hours instead of three. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

The best joust
In this version of Robin Hood the jousting match on the bridge is the best I've ever seen it done. Robin and the stranger get right to the point. They both want to cross the narrow bridge over the deep brook first. They quickly decide to settle it by jousting with staves.
The jousting match is very realistic with, of course, Robin Hood getting tumbled in.
I first saw this movie when I was about 10 years old. I loved the joust so much that a friend and I went to the woods, found a nice deep brook with a bridge and Robin Hood and Little John lived again. I was Robin Hoood, so I took the dunking and loved it.

The best film version of the Robin Hood legend
Many Disney fans born after 1960 aren't aware that Disney wasn't all about cartoons; in the early 1950s his studio released a number of live-action adventure films, which were nowhere near as financially successful as his animated movies. But a few of them were as good as many of his cartoon features, and none was better than "The Story of Robin Hood", which appeared in the summer of 1952. Set in 12th century England at the start of Richard the Lionheart's crusade to the Holy Land, we see England as it was then, rural, mainly poor, solidly Catholic, devoted to the Holy Mother Church, and ruled over by a benevolent king about to set off to holy war while he leaves his evil, scheming younger brother, Prince John, behind to rule in his stead. When the film opens, their mother, Queen Elinor of Aquitaine, is giving her blessing to the enterprise while reminding all within earshot that she needs no looking after ("The woman who bore two sons like you", she informs her oldest son the king, "can take care of herself"). And here is Robin, 18 years old, wishing he could tag along after the king, but without a care in the world except winning the upcoming archery tournament and chasing Maid Marian. But this idyll is about to come crashing down; after winning the tournament and rudely rejecting to serve under the wicked Sheriff of Nottingham, Robin's father is murdered by the sheriff's right-hand man, and is killed by Robin in turn. It's off to Sherwood Forest for life on the run as an outlaw, while Robin gathers around him other outcasts who have been impoverished by the sheriff's rapacious deputies. There's fun galore as we see Robin and his merrie men robbing the rich to aid the poor, rescuing the downtrodden from the sheriff's villainy, kidnapping the sheriff himself and lightening his purse, and helping to pay King Richard's ransom after he is captured in the Crusades by robbing the loot King John and the Sheriff have stolen from the poor.

Ken Annakin keeps the film solidly on target in time and place. The movie's score is exceptional; from Allan A'Dale broadcasting the news as a wandering minstrel, to the Gregorian chant sung by the knights as they set off on Richard's crusade, we are transported 800 years back in time. And Annakin reminds us, in a telling scene where Allan A'Dale is snubbed by some villagers, that not everyone in merrie olde England thought Robin and his men were saviors; to most of the upper class, and many of the small but growing middle class, they were a gang of thieves and worse.

A great cast helps keep the film rolling. Richard Todd was never better than he was as Robin; bold, generous, not to mention full of himself; merciless to the enemies of the underclass, he's a winning hero. Joan Rice is sweet and sassy as Maid Marian; no simpering damsel is this young lady, she gives as good as she gets. And the minor cast is terrific: James Robertson Justice is just right as Little John; Elton Hayes is excellent as Allan A'Dale; Anthony Forwood is sly and cynical as Will Scarlett, and James Hayter almost walks off with the film with his hilarious performance as Friar Tuck. The movie works both as an action/adventure film and a fascinating romp through medieval England. It's one of Disney's best.

UNIQUE VERSION OF OLD LEGEND
This Walt Disney version of an age old legend is unique and, I think, on par with the Eroll Flynn version. This British made Disney version has a great producer/director team (Perce Pearce/Ken Annakin) and it shows. Great cinematography of English countryside, atmospheric stage sets, good casting of most/all characters by actors who can be invisioned as their character (Instead of being protrayed as strong willed and direct, Prince John is portrayed as a subtle and conniving younger brother, as he would have to be if usurping his older brother's crown), and the musical score by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra is just downright charming. (To this day, whenever I watch the opening credits where Alan Adale wanders through Sherwood singing the opening theme while playing a lute, I end up whistling and humming the tune for some time afterward. Charming!!)

I believe the reason that so many studios can make their own version of Robin Hood and an audience can watch all of them without becoming bored with the Robin Hood story (or favoring one studio's version over another) is because each studio can emphasize a different aspect of the story; Robin and his relations with Marian, Robin and his relation with his followers, Robin interacting with Sheriff of Nottingham, the exact reason why Robin becomes an outlaw, whether Robin started as a nobleman or became one when Richard returns, and how much the story develops the characters of Prince John and Richard I. This version by Disney includes interaction between Robin and his father which I do not think any other version has. There is also some story line for Eleanor of Aquitaine, the mother of Richard and John as well as the archery contest being at the beginning of the story instead of the middle or end. All these differences keep the story fresh and not just a stale rehash.

I personally would like to see some studio make a version in which the story continues long after the reign of Richard and into the reign of John with King John outlawing Robin a second time ( on some trumped-up charge, of course) For example, the last scene could concern King John signing the Treaty of Runnymede in 1215 with his barons and earls with Robin (now older and maybe middle aged) having a minor/background role in the signing of the Treaty, being the Earl of Huntingdon after all; or at least being present at Runnymede when it was signed. True to the Robin Hood? Maybe not, but the essence of Robin Hood is the struggle of common men against the caprice of great noblemen. So, I think it makes sense and would make for a four or six hour drama instead of the usual two hour.

Anyway, to conclude, this film is in the true, original Disney fashion when old Walt was still around to do quality control( i.e. before the Eisner era) and I consider it picture perfect. no pun intended, and one should purchase a copy before it disappears!!

Wonderful and exciting!
This film really deserves rediscovery! It is so far superior to the animated Disney version, and explains so much more about the legend of Robin Hood and how he assembled his Merrie Men. It also gave some background on his friendship and love for Maid Marian, and the whole setup of why King John was in power to begin with. The animated film tried very hard to be cute, but left out a lot in terms of character development and plot. By comparison, The Story of Robin Hood is far and away a stronger film!

Vastly Underrated Version
This movie is often overlooked, because Disney made a cartoon version years later which is what people usually think you mean when you refer to "Disney's Robin Hood." It is a small, jewel-like film, with great photography and a joyful, boy's book quality not found in other versions such as the overblown Costner flick. In its own unassuming way, it's a kind of masterpeice. James Robertson Justice is perfect as Little John. And Prince John is a great under-stated villian. The Sherrif of Nottingham in none other than Peter Finch. A real sleeper. ... Read more

Reviews (34)

Authenic replicant aircraft top this 16:9 grand comedy DVD!!
1965 was the year of the big screen action race comedies with lots of stars, grand costumes, lavish sets and authentic classic vehicles. "The Great Race" a 1910 auto race from New York to Paris and the "Those Magnificent Men and Their Flying Machines" a 1910 International Aircraft race from London to Paris.

What makes this 1965 Action Comedy so Grand is the attention to detail by Director Ken Annakin who had 6 replica flying machines built by real aero - engineers from the original blue prints and specifications. The accuracy of these replicants even proved the critical pilot weight limitations. They had to even substitute a female stunt pilot to fly the French mono - wing because the original pilot was a very small man. Now available for the first time on a spectacular panoramic 2.20:1 Aspect ratio. (Anamorphic WideScreen DVD (automatically adjusts picture to viewing tv size) with Dolby Surround Sound.) NOTE: THIS IS A FANTASTIC MOVIE TO WATCH ON WIDESCREEN 16:9 HDTV!!!!!

This film is 138 minutes and has many extras which include very detailed information and the history regarding all the 1910 vintage aircraft used in the film.

With an All-star 1960's International cast; Stuart Whitman, Sarah Miles, James Fox, Robert Morley, Red Skelton, Gert Frobe, Jean-Pierre Cassal, Benny Hill, Alberto Sordi and Terry Thomas.

This is a magnificent movie and the ingenuity and comedy of 1910 flight is a delight to watch on the BIG SCREEN. Enjoy.

An airplane movie for the flight buff and general audience .
This is a marvelous film for people who love airplanes, but it also has much to recommend it for anyone in the family. It captures the romance of the pre-WWI era and takes an affectionate look at the pre-war planes as well. The story is set around a race from London to Paris, and is also a fractured take on the political and social situation of the period. Flyers from all over the world meet at an airfield set in the infield of a Brooklands style race track. The first half of the film introduces us to the somewhat caricatured but nevertheless engaging pilots from each major flying nation: the womanizing Frenchman, the stiff-backed Prussians, the rich and prolific Italian, the cowboy from Arizona, and several British types, most notably Sir Percy Ware-Armitage, played with black-hearted delight by Terry Thomas. The film boasts a whole gamut of great character actors like Gert Frobe, Robt. Morely and even Red Skelton. The flying sequences before and during the race combine slapstick comedy with truly awesome shots of the other stars of the film, the authentic reproductions of 1910 aircraft. I've loved this film since I saw it as a child, and my non-airplane daughter even counts it as one of her favorites. Highly recommended.

The best racing comedy of the 1960s.
This was yet another in a series of big-budget comedies that were so stuffed that had to include an intermission. (This 138 minute film has an intermission at the 79 minute mark, followed by a 6-minute Entr'acte, so that the second act is only 52 minutes.) It's also possibly the best one, along with IT'S A MAD, MAD, MAD, MAD WORLD, but where IAMMMMW was at times overlong and peopled with nasty characters, you can care about the people in TMMITFM. It's funnier-with much broader comedy than the other, and a careful sense of time and place. There are a few laggy romantic bIts, but Those Magnificent Men is a fine film well served by 20th Century Fox. Well recommended.

Jamie Teller

Absolutely gorgeous DVD of classic comedy!
This is truly a marvelous DVD transfer of the classic 1965 comedy that the whole family can enjoy. The image is breathtakingly sharp, capturing the amazing aerial photography of the classic early planes, the elaborate aerodrome set, and the delightful costume design; the sound, too, is top-notch, with the classic score and title tune bouncing along merrily. But what will keep you coming back is the laugh-out-loud comedy; sure, it's all based on stereotypes for each nationality, but some good-natured ribbing could help these days. Besides, funny is funny, and this movie is very, very funny, with riotous performances from Gert Frobe, Jean-Pierre Cassel and Terry-Thomas. You should try to see this on as big a screen as possible; pure cinematic joy!

Magnificent DVD
Finally! The 20th Century-Fox 1965 roadshow extravaganza comes to DVD. The movie looks marvelous in what must be a transfer from a restored 70mm print. On my 16X9 HDTV in progressive scan the images are quite stunning for a film of this vintage. The Dolby Digital 5.0 remastering of the original 6-track magnetic soundtrack is also a joy to the ears. This is an old-fashioned entertainment for the entire family. Thanks to its presentation on this new DVD the movie is once again a grand experience. The extras are extensive for such a moderately priced DVD too. Director Ken Annakin provides an interesting commentary track and appears in a new featurette. Somebody at Fox definately loves this movie, one that is a childhood favorite of mine. I saw it in its original release, and also in a 1969 reissue as part of a double feature with Fox's "Planet of the Apes." "The Perfect Mates" the ads said, "Apes and Men." Studios just don't don't do things like that anymore. Anyway, this DVD is a joy! ... Read more

Reviews (4)

A LOVE THAT WILL NOT BE DENIED...
This is an entertaining costume drama by Disney. Based upon actual historical events, though not quite historically accurate, it tells the love story of the Princess Mary, sister to Henry VIII, and Charles Brandon, a commoner and Captain of the Guard. It is a love made difficult by considerations of state, as well as by the evil machinations of the jealous Duke of Buckingham, who himself is in love with the Princess Mary. Forced to marry the decidedly elderly King of France, despite the fact that she loves Charles Brandon, Mary extracts a promise from Henry to allow her to marry the man of her choice, the second time around. Henry so promises, little knowing what would lie ahead.

Glynis Johns is perfectly charming as the outspoken and determined Princess Mary. Richard Todd is dashing as the handsome Charles Brandon with whom Mary falls in love. James Robertson Justice is a delightful Henry VIII, while Michael Gough is an unctiously evil Duke of Buckingham. This is a delightfully told story of true love that eventually triumphs. In typical Disney fashion, there are no objectionable scenes or language. A first rate production, it is a movie that is suitable for the entire family and highly entertaining.

Love and Adventure in the Court of King Henry VIII
After Disney had success with "The Story of Robin Hood," the studio kept the same production team together for 1953's "The Sword and the Rose." This time Richard Todd played Charles Brandon, a young Englishman on his way to America who is made Captain of the Guards because Mary Tudor (Glynis Johns), sister to King Henry VIII (James Robertson Justice), has fallen in love with him. Unfortunately, the Duke of Buckingham (Michael Gough, now known for playing Alfred in the Batman movies) is in love with Mary and therefore bears ill will towards the new Captain. Brandon decides to avoid all the palace intrigue and head for America, but Mary disguises herself as a boy and persuades him to take her along. They couple are found out and the Captain is sent to the Tower and Mary is betrothed to the King of France. Then things get really confusing as the King of France dies, the Duke rescues Mary claiming Brandon died escaping, but it was really a murder attempt, but Brandon is still alive, setting up a climatic sword duel between the Duke and the Captain.

If this sounds rather confusing it is because "The Sword and the Rose" is the most complicated storyline ever put out by Disney. However, the production values of this film are first-rate, the equal of any Errol Flynn costumed epic. The story might be convoluted, but director Ken Annakin manages to keep the action front and center throughout. However, in England the film was denounced because it made no attempt whatsoever to be historically accurate once you got past the fact Henry VIII did have a sister named Mary, and there were also a King of France, Duke of Buckingham and Captain of the Guards at that time. "The Sword and the Rose" is not a great film, but for this genre it is certainly above average. Todd cuts a better figure as Brandon than he did as Robin Hood, Glynis Johns manages to make her gender work for her in Tudor times, and Justice has some marvelous moments as King Henry. I consider this film the best of the Disney costume efforts.

THEY DONT MAKE'EM LIKE THIS ANYMORE!
One of the three Disney historicals with Richard Todd from late 40's/early 50's. Why can't movies be made like this nowadays? Lush cinematography, inspiring musical score, crisp and sharp acting without trying to be overly complicated or overly sophisticated. The story line is paramount here; not the special effects, the partial(full) nude copulating scenes, the need for nonstop action scenes (at expense of story line) or the totally moronic (not to mention out of place) rock music sound tracks, and other eye candy (i.e. garbage), seen/heard in movies made these days!

This movie is not for the mass viewing public but for those with some intelligence and culture. This is what cinema was always meant to be. A viewing-treasure for all time!

Bring Back the Sword and the Rose
This is one of the most romantic movies I ever saw as a kid; before Disney movies became sappy or stupid or both. Mr. Todd is so handsome and the flirtation between, eventual love relationship with Glynis Johns is absolutely WONDERFUL. Sexy without naked bodies in contorted positions; devoid of 4-letter words and cute cartoon characters. Three cheers; please, please bring this movie back. ... Read more

Reviews (12)

"Family-freindly" my butt!!
This movie was very poor. For one thing this is NOT family friendly. For example in one scene these dogs get mad and they attack each other and in the end of that scene one of the dogs WAS RIPPED APART AND WAS VERY BLOODY. Also my Mom says that a scene were cut. Also the music is horrible. Also there was one very stupid curse they called the dogs(very ironic) also if you know spanish you can get an easter egg from the song they sing. In a few scenes all of a sudden stuff is completely red.

such a shame
i was telling my wife of a film i had seen when i was a child that was both excellent and moving.......CALL OF THE WILD

so i sourced it from australia as the dvd is deleted in the uk.
i thought i had given my money to a con man who had sent me a pirate copy until i read reviews from other buyers.

never have i seen such a rough dvd with the most awful picture and sound quality. the film is also one of the most dissapointing i have seen and i am embarrassed that i admitted to my wife that it made me cry when i was a kid!!!
i can only presume that it was the trauma of sitting through such badly worked material that upset my childhood.....

do yourself a favour and buy white fang instead.

such a shame

poor quality
Sorry ragmuffin, for being honest, I thank you for your 1 nice email,
but object to your other 2 " not so nice email's "
I will give you 100% for very good delivery very quick to the uk...thank you.
picture cover on dvd was different to advertised on amazon. very weary on buying again on amazon.

Not worth it
My mom purchased the video for my viewing pleasure, but I wasn't pleased. The music in the beginning sounds sort of alienated, the picture quality is horrible, and you actually see dogs tearing apart an animal and leaving its blood everywhere! I could only watch twelve minutes before I decided that it was not worth it to watch. If you ever, for any reason, actually WANT to watch the movie, then I recommend you read the book first, because the book is MUCH better than the movie.

Only Charlton Heston could keep me watching a dog like this
It's never a good plan to make a film where the dog is named Buck and the star is called Chuck, but this film's got more problems than that. Silly acting, weak photography, and a mediocre script that only sparks when it turns violent and nasty. In Charlton Heston's thoughtful 'In the Arena' autobiography, he considers this film "a total failure". He may not know good politics, but he has enough taste and sense to avoid film debacles most actors of his age have lived off for decades. So if Chuck actually writes "please don't watch this", listen to the man. Or listen to Paramount Studios, which shelved this film after they saw it.

"The Call of the Wild" is not unwatchable, but it's bad enough, one of the worst movies in Heston's career. Place this on the Turkey shelf next to Heston's equally bad "The Awakening", a ridiculous 1980 Exorcist/Omen knockoff. I haven't read Jack London's book, but this movie seems, um, a very loose adaptation.

The extras in the Alaska town are played by an assortment of German/Italian/British/American/Spanish actors, mostly overdubbed. What gems they say: one jumps onto a bicycle and yells "Yippee! Yippeeeee!" (Note: "Yippee!" will never be acceptable in a Hollywood script, and is punishable if done in real-life.) Heston's human co-star runs into that same town, yelling "Hi! Hi! Hi!" like a stoner coming down from the mountain commune. If all of the movie was as corny as the townspeople, we might have had a comedy for the ages. Alas.

As amusing as the vomiting town drunkard was, it was Charlton Heston, always a powerful presence, who kept me watching. He looks a little grumpier than usual, perhaps he noticed that the many wolves in the film are actually hybrid dogs that don't look much like North American wolves. However, his scenes with Buck are touching, against all odds and logic. I never thought of actors having on-screen chemistry with animals, but Heston proves it does exist. Those scenes keep the film from being a complete waste of film stock, but there aren't nearly enough of them.

Still, this dull film contains one classic Chuck Heston line - words he was born to speak: "Mister, if you touch that dog again I'm gonna shoot ya!" Yippee! ... Read more

Reviews (130)

Why Isn't It On DVD Yet?
The Pirate Movie is without doubt one of my favorite movies too and I truly hope that it does get onto a DVD and if it does I hope it has wide-screen besides just the popular (I don't know why) edited full-screen. Some people like to say that this movie is so bad it's good but I disagree, I don't think it's bad at all, I think it's so good it's good! This is my favorite Kristy McNichol movie and I thought she was delightful as Mable and I liked Christopher Atkins as Fredric and also Ted Hamilton was an excellent Pirate King and to me the definitive Pirate King who I liked better then the other actors who have played the character in performances of the Gilbert and Sullivan operetta The Pirates of Penzance. This movie is a cult classic and really should be on DVD and I wonder why it is taking so long, is there some kind of legal red tape holding it up? Anyway you would think that if the movie studio big wigs or whoever owns the rights to this movie read all of the reviews and saw how many people want it on DVD they would just do it!

Brings Back Wonderful Nostalgic Memories
I just recently watched The Pirate Movie again after many years and I loved it, brought back many nostalgic memories of watching this movie with my family in the 80's, I laughed so hard and really had a lot of fun and I notice all the funny jokes that went right over my head when I was younger, and I see others have commented about that too. I really liked Kristy McNichol as Mabel, Chistopher Atkins as Frederic and Ted Hamilton as the Pirate King and I hope that soon that the movie and video company finally realizes that this wonderful gem of a movie should be put on DVD and hopefully with a lot of extras and goodies like deleted scenes, trailers, etc, and I also hope they rerelease the soundtrack on CD and audio cassette (especially CD) as I listened to my old 33 two record set so many times that both records are all scratched and skip.

Please release it on DVD!
The Pirate Movie has been one of my favorite movies since I was 5 years old. It ranks right up there with Grease. I had it on a video tape that was recorded from the tv and after years of watching it started to fall apart. A few years ago I looked it up in an ordering book from the video store where my aunt worked and got it on VHS. I was so excited to finally have a cover for the tape. Needless to say, after years of play and getting stuck in my vcr I need a replacement! It's time for it to be released on dvd!

Pirate Movie DVD
G'day all. This movie is available in Australia (Region 4 encoding) on DVD. It's been released by Fox Studios Australia (Cat: 1185SDW), (...) It's pretty basic - just the movie with subtitles and chapter selection, but the overall quality is very good (4:3 format only). As the other reviews say, its a very fun movie, with wonderful songs. It's a movie that hits you years after you first see it, because suddenly you get the jokes!

Finally Found my Favorite Movie from my childhood!!!!
You don't know how ecstatic I am that I have found this movie ... I've been to several video stores to rent this movie and have not been able to find it ... I had forgotten the name but I knew it had Pirate in the title and no one seenmed to know what I was talking about ... and because it is one of those cheesy 80's movies I never asked anyone in the movie rentals if they had it ... So i would spend hours at the video store going down the isles trying to find it ... would it be in the musical section, how about the comedy ... and I'd always leave upset ... well yesterday I was renting some movies and I noticed that this video store has a great collection of older movies, however they didn't have it ... so i rented The Blue Lagoon ... as I watched I felt as though I had seen Christopher Atkins before, so I looked up what movies he was in and Voila!!! The Pirate Movie (1982) was listed ... then I started thinking amazon might have it ... I can't wait till it gets here and I can call up my brother to come over and watch this blast from our past ... we used to check this movie out all the time when we were kids!!! I was disappointed it's not on DVD :-( ... Read more

Reviews (130)

Why Isn't It On DVD Yet?
The Pirate Movie is without doubt one of my favorite movies too and I truly hope that it does get onto a DVD and if it does I hope it has wide-screen besides just the popular (I don't know why) edited full-screen. Some people like to say that this movie is so bad it's good but I disagree, I don't think it's bad at all, I think it's so good it's good! This is my favorite Kristy McNichol movie and I thought she was delightful as Mable and I liked Christopher Atkins as Fredric and also Ted Hamilton was an excellent Pirate King and to me the definitive Pirate King who I liked better then the other actors who have played the character in performances of the Gilbert and Sullivan operetta The Pirates of Penzance. This movie is a cult classic and really should be on DVD and I wonder why it is taking so long, is there some kind of legal red tape holding it up? Anyway you would think that if the movie studio big wigs or whoever owns the rights to this movie read all of the reviews and saw how many people want it on DVD they would just do it!

Brings Back Wonderful Nostalgic Memories
I just recently watched The Pirate Movie again after many years and I loved it, brought back many nostalgic memories of watching this movie with my family in the 80's, I laughed so hard and really had a lot of fun and I notice all the funny jokes that went right over my head when I was younger, and I see others have commented about that too. I really liked Kristy McNichol as Mabel, Chistopher Atkins as Frederic and Ted Hamilton as the Pirate King and I hope that soon that the movie and video company finally realizes that this wonderful gem of a movie should be put on DVD and hopefully with a lot of extras and goodies like deleted scenes, trailers, etc, and I also hope they rerelease the soundtrack on CD and audio cassette (especially CD) as I listened to my old 33 two record set so many times that both records are all scratched and skip.

Please release it on DVD!
The Pirate Movie has been one of my favorite movies since I was 5 years old. It ranks right up there with Grease. I had it on a video tape that was recorded from the tv and after years of watching it started to fall apart. A few years ago I looked it up in an ordering book from the video store where my aunt worked and got it on VHS. I was so excited to finally have a cover for the tape. Needless to say, after years of play and getting stuck in my vcr I need a replacement! It's time for it to be released on dvd!

Pirate Movie DVD
G'day all. This movie is available in Australia (Region 4 encoding) on DVD. It's been released by Fox Studios Australia (Cat: 1185SDW), (...) It's pretty basic - just the movie with subtitles and chapter selection, but the overall quality is very good (4:3 format only). As the other reviews say, its a very fun movie, with wonderful songs. It's a movie that hits you years after you first see it, because suddenly you get the jokes!

Finally Found my Favorite Movie from my childhood!!!!
You don't know how ecstatic I am that I have found this movie ... I've been to several video stores to rent this movie and have not been able to find it ... I had forgotten the name but I knew it had Pirate in the title and no one seenmed to know what I was talking about ... and because it is one of those cheesy 80's movies I never asked anyone in the movie rentals if they had it ... So i would spend hours at the video store going down the isles trying to find it ... would it be in the musical section, how about the comedy ... and I'd always leave upset ... well yesterday I was renting some movies and I noticed that this video store has a great collection of older movies, however they didn't have it ... so i rented The Blue Lagoon ... as I watched I felt as though I had seen Christopher Atkins before, so I looked up what movies he was in and Voila!!! The Pirate Movie (1982) was listed ... then I started thinking amazon might have it ... I can't wait till it gets here and I can call up my brother to come over and watch this blast from our past ... we used to check this movie out all the time when we were kids!!! I was disappointed it's not on DVD :-( ... Read more

Amazon.com

After seeing Saving Private Ryan, this epic tale about the Normandy invasion will look sanitized. But in its re-creation of events leading to the epochal battle, the film is captivating and grand, and the parade of famous actors who cross the screen naturally give the already charged action even more of a boost. Three directors worked on it: Ken Annakin (Battle of the Bulge), Andrew Marton (Crack in the World), and Bernhard Wicki (this film being his only credit). --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (131)

Comparisons are inevitable; they're also unhelpful
The comparisons are of course between THE LONGEST DAY and SAVING PRIVATE RYAN. The only similarities are: both movies depict the allied landings at Normandy on D-Day, they are tributes to the servicemen of WWII, and most importantly, both are good movies. That said, general comparisons are unhelpful because the realism that made Spielberg's movie so memorable is totally absent from THE LONGEST DAY; for two very good reasons: (1) technically, the capability was unavailable in 1962 and (2) morally, that level of graphic violence would have been unacceptable. Also, Mr Zanuck, as director, did not want to make bloody messes of his numerous stars.

Realism aside, on its own merits THE LONGEST DAY is a tribute that has stood the test of time. The huge collection of stars (over 40) and the near 3 hour length qualifies it as epic. On an emotional level, it is a patriotic salute to the soldiers who went ashore. With a scope larger than Omaha beach, the focus is not exclusively American; the movie depicts the role of the British, and other allied troops, as well as the work of the French resistance. German dialogue is subtitled to add some realism. Perhaps the best aspect of the movie is that as an adaptation of Cornelius Ryan's book of the same name, it is based on a historically accurate account of the battle.

For realism, patriotism, and a sentimental heroic story, only partially based on real events of D-Day, watch SAVING PRIVATE RYAN. For an old fashioned, "clean" war movie based on history with good acting (Henry Fonda, Robert Mitchum, John Wayne, Curt Jurgens) watch THE LONGEST DAY. Better yet, view both, just don't spoil the experience with a lot of comparisons.

The Longest View
Unlike Saving Private Ryan, The Longest Day was filmed to dramatize the true, unfolding story of the invasion of France beginning several days before the invasion, which was documented for all time by journalist Cornelius Ryan. Ryan did something few historians have successfully accomplished since the end of the war. He compiled thousands of interviews and wrote a realistic account of the invasion which reads like a suspense and action novel. The movie seeks to combine many characters taken from Ryan's book, and is therefore fiction as well as history, but it is masterfully done and is otherwise true to history. Stereotypes of incompetent German officers and troops, so common in film and television of the early 1960's was not a problem in this movie, nor is the graphic violence of Private Ryan observable. The true story is the focus of the movie, and it was made primarily for veterans who had seen the real violence and had fought tough, intellegent and brave Germans, and had no need to be reminded of those horrors. They did have a desire to see their sacrifices and trials acknowledged alongside the background of historical context. It is a gripping movie. A side note for those who might want to compare The Longest Day with Saving Private Ryan. These should compliment each other, not be compared with each other. The audience for The Longest Day was primarily the veterans, their peers and children. The audience or Saving Private Ryan is primarily the grandchildren of the veterans, young people who are in the main, quite ignorant of history. There is no doubt that Saving Private Ryan is more accurate a portayal of historical American and German weapons and villages, but this was not even attempted in the Longest Day. If you will read The Longest Day before watching Saving Private Ryan, you will see that the sites and sounds remembered by many of the interviewed veterans who were at Omaha and Utah beaches somehow happened at the same time and place in Saving Private Ryan. That makes Saving Private Ryan as inaccurate for what it shows, as is The Longest Day, for what it doesn't show. Both movies are excellent, and both are moving.

IT HAS NOT STOOD THE TEST OF TIME
Director Darryl F. Zanuck tried his best with the technical resources at his dispostition at the time and using the narrative standar for epic movies of that time. But watching this movie today is a really act of courage. It drags and drags, the three hours seem to never end. Also, even if they tried to give a view of the global situation, they failed miserably.

The movie is an endless sequence of shell and fire sounds, a really pain. I simply don't like the movie, although I understand what they tried to do.

Only a Partial View of D-Day and Operation Overlord
Although this film is certainly worth watching, the viewer who has little idea of what Operation Overlord was about won't learn very much about it. Of course, we see many examples of heroism, but so much was left out that one can easily get a distorted view of things.
(1) Contrary to the impression that the Hollywood movie industry gives, the Americans and British did not defeat Germany alone. Three-quarters of the strength of the German Wehrmacht was destroyed by the Soviet Union. I realize that this film was made a the height of the cold war, but still some mention should have been made of their contribution to victory.
(2) The most impressive part of Overlord were the meticulous preparations made. Some mention of it was made, but more of it should have been shown, such as the various special weapons and ships that were made to ease the assault on the fortified beaches. Archive film could have been easily procured to show the various devices used to clear mine fields and barbed wire.
Most crucial was the development of the "Mulberry" artificial ports.
(3) This film used several Germans as advisors such as Blumentritt who were in the Wehrmacht High Command. They use this film as a vehicle for pushing the now largely discredited line that "if only Hitler had let the Generals run the war, they would have won it for him", and the also the myth that they opposed Hitler and held nothing but contempt for him (von Rundstedt calls Hitler "that Bohemian Corporal" in the film). In reality they were all very loyal to him and they really strongly supported him and his criminal policies when they were winning the war.
(4) The importance of the deception campaign making the Germans think the assault will be at the Pas de Calais and not a Normandy was very important and continued even after the landing on D-Day to make the Germans think Normandy was just a diversion.
This was not mentioned. A whole "virtual army" was created with fake radio traffic opposite Calais. This could have been shown as well.
(5) Although I have nothing personal against the man, John Wayne is a very poor actor and I have no idea where he got his reputation as one of Hollywood's leading men!

The Longest Movie
I watched on June 6th 2004 "The Longest Day" to learn about D-Day June 6th in 1944. In general it was a painfully boring movie. I accomplished my goal of learning about D-Day, but it was at a cost of wasting about three hours of my life. It is my belief that this story could have been told in one and a half hours instead of three. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY...
You can't get much more wholesome than this. This film definitely has the Disney stamp all over it. The Swiss Family Robinson are on their way to New Guinea. Chased by pirates on the high seas, their ship runs up against a reef, and they find themselves shipwrecked by a deserted tropical island. They manage to get themselves and all their belongings and animals ashore, intact and none the worse for wear.

The mother, played by the lovely Dorothy McGuire, is always clean, perfectly groomed and coiffed. The father, played by the wonderful English actor, John Mills, is positively cheerful the entire film. Talk about optimism. His three sons, played by the hunky James MacArthur, the adorable Tommy Kirk, and the cute-as-a-button Kevin Corcoran, work tirelessly to make their new home into an island paradise.

In record time, they build a multi-level house to die for, high up in the trees. Somehow, they manage to get a pipe organ off the wrecked ship, ashore, and up into their multi-level tree house, so that they can sing Christmas Carols at the appropriate time. Kevin Corcoran even