Reviews (12)

Best film ever made
This movie is a cinematographic masterpiece. For me it was amazing how well the actors managed to get into their roles. I was dissapointed that all reviews talked mainly about Jane Seymour. You couldn't have done this movie without her, true! But there is so much more. Patrick McGoohan who plays the uncle is outstanding. The settings and camera work make this a winner. The photography is unique. Nobody mentioned the music. It was composed by Arnold Schoenberg (Austria) and is entitled "Transfigured Night". You can find the CD at any classical music shop. In my opinion a great movie has to have the power to involve you. For over two hours, when you see this movie, you'll be absorbed in the nineteenth century. If you like adventure, horror, drama, romance and powerful music, JAMAICA INN is whatyou want. If you love this movie I recommend "JACK THE RIPPER" with Michael Cane. Same atmosphere, same century and same brilliant acting. "Jack the ripper" also features Jane Seymour in a surprising role. Get them both now!

Not Quite Du Maurier . . .But, Good
In this mini-series adaptation of Daphne Du Maurier's novel "Jamaica Inn", Jane Seymour stars as the confused yet ethical Mary Yellan, a young woman who finds herself confronting some unknown evil on the Cornish moors.

I will not critique Du Maurier's story--it is a great Gothic masterpiece which employs tone, description, plot and characterization to near perfection---read the book to enjoy Du Maurier's talent and imagination at its best.

This adaptation follows the novel much more closely than Hitchcock's earlier film. However, some twists were added to further dramatize an already tumultuous story. I must wonder why this was necessary and can only think, sadly, that the original story was thought too tame in the light of our 20th/21st century viewpoints of violence. In this version, Mary's parents are victims to the sinister plot that wraps Jamaica Inn in secret, making Mary's involvement all the more desperate and poignant. If one has read the book before viewing the film, this addition seems overdone, detracting from the original and eliminating the self-righteously ethical factor so important to Mary's character. In order to emphasize the romance in the plot, Mary's relationship with the landlord's brother tallys up more screen time when compared percentage-wise with the novel's presentation of the same interplay---there are actually more scenes in the book where the characters are together, yet the book allows you to speculate as it plays the romance off the tale of suspense and the film does not. Patrick McGoohan plays Joss with a little too much gruffness--we never really see the vulnerability and helplessness which lie beneath the surface and appear after he has soaked himself in rum. There are never any scenes with both Jem and Joss together---the necessary comparison made between the brothers is not allowed and hence, we do not quite see Mary's dilemma in her attraction to Jem or what might have attracted her Aunt in the past. Aunt Patience, played by Billy Whitelaw, would have been perfect as the once beautiful woman worn down by the knowledge of her husband's misdeeds. However,through her stern cautionary conversations with Mary, she appears too logically complacent, more a fully functioning partner to Joss rather than the frightened remains of the silly woman whose head was turned by him in the first place. Jane Seymour's portrayal of Mary includes the bit of pep that DuMaurier states but never fully demonstrates, yet she tends to be too saucy at times, playing the active willing foil to Jem's criminal antics rather than the shocked observer from the pages of the novel.

The film is most definitely capitalizing on Du Maurier's so-called reputation for escapist romance; yet the book is not a romance at all, but rather Du Maurier's grim testament to the status of women as dependent creatures, shoved here and there by their stronger male counterparts. Mary doesn't necessarily find love nor does love conquer adversity as we are meant to conclude from this presentation. There is no moral lesson scorching Du Maurier's pages. Du Maurier's vision was much more dismal---Mary, finally beaten,accepts her fate and plays second fiddle to Jem's maleness; she learns to acquiesce to her dependency. Despite these fundemental differences, the film as a romantic interlude, is still good; it fully depicts Du Maurier's Cornwall seeped in its weather and crowned by monoliths. The film's music tends to be a little melodramatic--it is of the Camille Claudel genre--I think an insiduous pan pipe along the Braveheart vein would have been a better contrast with the rain, gloom and terror than 'Transfigured Night' which doles out more of the same.

A must have
One of our favourite films. The case of lending it to someone and not getting it returned!
No longer available in PAL format unless you want to pay over the odds on e-bay, we bought this NSTC version, so we can play it on an American friend's video player.
A classic

Riveting Performances
I have watched this video at least 10 times and am impressed each time with the intensity that is ever present in this dark and terrifying story. Yet within we have a romance between the impossibly young Jane Seymour and Trevor Eve, who are both cute as can be and still thoroughly reflect the grimness and tragedy of the tale. Twists and turns take you places wholely unexpected and keep you glued even to the rather capriciously happy ending!

Beautiful adaptation
Jamaica Inn is one of my favorite books. I have not seen the older version of the movie but I think this one is terrific. It follows the book very well and is a visual treat.It has everything, action, romance and intrigue. Jane Seymour, Patrick McGoohan, Trevor Eve and John McEnery were wonderful in their parts and the music was hauntingly beautiful. I have since learned from another reviewer that the music is " Transfigured Night" by Arnold Schoenberg. I think it's a shame that it's been allowed to go out of print and hope it will be released again, hopefully in both formats. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Something Went Right
Rodney Dangerfield played host to seven comedians, filmed live at Dangerfield's nightclub in New York City. Lenny Clarke, who co-starred with Dennis Leary in the TV series The Job, goes over well with the crowd. The notorious Andrew Dice Clay has never been funnier, especially when he does his off-color nursery rhymes. Dom Irrera, who played a prop comedian in an episode of Seinfeld, teaches Italians the finer points of being Italian. Rodney always had an eye for comedic talent, and all of the stand-up comedians in this video range from very funny to absolutely hilarious.

The best Stand-up I've ever seen!
This is the best collection of stand-up comedians I've ever seen. It is just a great video, and it's a shame that you can't find it anymore. It is really one of a kind. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Romance on the Orient Express
A chick flick, except that Cheryl Ladd is gorgeous (which may appeal to men). If you've ever had bad luck in your love life, you'll certainly identify with this movie and may even enjoy it. Alex is a handsome but silly college boy who falls head-over-heels for the lovely and intelligent (and equally young) Lily (played by Cheryl Ladd) while they're travelling on a train in southern France. A romance ensues that promises to be everything any woman could wish for. Unbeknownst to Lily, Alex is already engaged and is unable to back out of that commitment. He disappears, leaving her bewildered, humiliated and pregnant. Years later, on another train trip through France, they meet again. Only this time she's not likely to fall for his charms...or is she? Cheryl's acting is not the greatest at times, but the storyline is quite believable to any woman who has fallen in love with the wrong man. It's comforting to see that romance isn't so easy for the very beautiful among us either...too bad it's fiction.

Bittersweet!! Yet beautifull.
Cheryl Ladd and Stuart Wilson are so believable as lovers who seemed to have been seperated by fate, and then are given a second chance if only they could be honest with each other. I hope they rerelease this movie I love watching it on a rainy afternoon. If you want to watch a movie that convince you that love it worth fighting for get this movie.

Bittersweet love story for the romantic at heart.
It has been some time since I've seen this movie -- I was disappointed to find it unavailable. As I recall, the chemistry between Cheryl Ladd and Stuart Wilson made the story believable. Today Wilson seems to prefer to play the villain, but he does have some appeal as a leading man. The movie captured the essence of bittersweet romance. It's pleasant to think there might be a second chance for lovers who screwed up the first time around -- even if it only happens in the movies. Romance on the Orient Express is the perfect movie for a rainy Saturday afternoon.

Find Romance in Europe and never leave your living room!!
This movie is just a nice feel good romance! It has it a good story line, that makes you want to back pack across Europe. It is filled with action, romance, and a secret, so big, that it could ruin the reunion of long lost love. The characters explode on screen and you won't have a dry eye after that last seen. You can't buy it right now but diffinatly Rent this one!! ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Best film ever made
This movie is a cinematographic masterpiece. For me it was amazing how well the actors managed to get into their roles. I was dissapointed that all reviews talked mainly about Jane Seymour. You couldn't have done this movie without her, true! But there is so much more. Patrick McGoohan who plays the uncle is outstanding. The settings and camera work make this a winner. The photography is unique. Nobody mentioned the music. It was composed by Arnold Schoenberg (Austria) and is entitled "Transfigured Night". You can find the CD at any classical music shop. In my opinion a great movie has to have the power to involve you. For over two hours, when you see this movie, you'll be absorbed in the nineteenth century. If you like adventure, horror, drama, romance and powerful music, JAMAICA INN is whatyou want. If you love this movie I recommend "JACK THE RIPPER" with Michael Cane. Same atmosphere, same century and same brilliant acting. "Jack the ripper" also features Jane Seymour in a surprising role. Get them both now!

Not Quite Du Maurier . . .But, Good
In this mini-series adaptation of Daphne Du Maurier's novel "Jamaica Inn", Jane Seymour stars as the confused yet ethical Mary Yellan, a young woman who finds herself confronting some unknown evil on the Cornish moors.

I will not critique Du Maurier's story--it is a great Gothic masterpiece which employs tone, description, plot and characterization to near perfection---read the book to enjoy Du Maurier's talent and imagination at its best.

This adaptation follows the novel much more closely than Hitchcock's earlier film. However, some twists were added to further dramatize an already tumultuous story. I must wonder why this was necessary and can only think, sadly, that the original story was thought too tame in the light of our 20th/21st century viewpoints of violence. In this version, Mary's parents are victims to the sinister plot that wraps Jamaica Inn in secret, making Mary's involvement all the more desperate and poignant. If one has read the book before viewing the film, this addition seems overdone, detracting from the original and eliminating the self-righteously ethical factor so important to Mary's character. In order to emphasize the romance in the plot, Mary's relationship with the landlord's brother tallys up more screen time when compared percentage-wise with the novel's presentation of the same interplay---there are actually more scenes in the book where the characters are together, yet the book allows you to speculate as it plays the romance off the tale of suspense and the film does not. Patrick McGoohan plays Joss with a little too much gruffness--we never really see the vulnerability and helplessness which lie beneath the surface and appear after he has soaked himself in rum. There are never any scenes with both Jem and Joss together---the necessary comparison made between the brothers is not allowed and hence, we do not quite see Mary's dilemma in her attraction to Jem or what might have attracted her Aunt in the past. Aunt Patience, played by Billy Whitelaw, would have been perfect as the once beautiful woman worn down by the knowledge of her husband's misdeeds. However,through her stern cautionary conversations with Mary, she appears too logically complacent, more a fully functioning partner to Joss rather than the frightened remains of the silly woman whose head was turned by him in the first place. Jane Seymour's portrayal of Mary includes the bit of pep that DuMaurier states but never fully demonstrates, yet she tends to be too saucy at times, playing the active willing foil to Jem's criminal antics rather than the shocked observer from the pages of the novel.

The film is most definitely capitalizing on Du Maurier's so-called reputation for escapist romance; yet the book is not a romance at all, but rather Du Maurier's grim testament to the status of women as dependent creatures, shoved here and there by their stronger male counterparts. Mary doesn't necessarily find love nor does love conquer adversity as we are meant to conclude from this presentation. There is no moral lesson scorching Du Maurier's pages. Du Maurier's vision was much more dismal---Mary, finally beaten,accepts her fate and plays second fiddle to Jem's maleness; she learns to acquiesce to her dependency. Despite these fundemental differences, the film as a romantic interlude, is still good; it fully depicts Du Maurier's Cornwall seeped in its weather and crowned by monoliths. The film's music tends to be a little melodramatic--it is of the Camille Claudel genre--I think an insiduous pan pipe along the Braveheart vein would have been a better contrast with the rain, gloom and terror than 'Transfigured Night' which doles out more of the same.

A must have
One of our favourite films. The case of lending it to someone and not getting it returned!
No longer available in PAL format unless you want to pay over the odds on e-bay, we bought this NSTC version, so we can play it on an American friend's video player.
A classic

Riveting Performances
I have watched this video at least 10 times and am impressed each time with the intensity that is ever present in this dark and terrifying story. Yet within we have a romance between the impossibly young Jane Seymour and Trevor Eve, who are both cute as can be and still thoroughly reflect the grimness and tragedy of the tale. Twists and turns take you places wholely unexpected and keep you glued even to the rather capriciously happy ending!

Beautiful adaptation
Jamaica Inn is one of my favorite books. I have not seen the older version of the movie but I think this one is terrific. It follows the book very well and is a visual treat.It has everything, action, romance and intrigue. Jane Seymour, Patrick McGoohan, Trevor Eve and John McEnery were wonderful in their parts and the music was hauntingly beautiful. I have since learned from another reviewer that the music is " Transfigured Night" by Arnold Schoenberg. I think it's a shame that it's been allowed to go out of print and hope it will be released again, hopefully in both formats. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Please I need this movie
I have seen this movie once and really enjoyed it but now I can't find it on video. I was wondering if anyone out there has this movie on tape. If they do then may I please get a copy from you. I really enjoyed this movie and now want to see it again. Thank you.

Cool & Passionate. Magic in soft focus.
A lovely movie. It is splendidly shot; the camera captures all the moods of the beautiful storyline. It has its greatest asset in Jenny Seagrove, whose exquisite body language complements the delicacy of the script, and has the audience rooted. Competently supported by John Shea, she exudes all feminine grace & passion. After this release, she ought to have been in contention for the sexiest roles in circulation.

Great Movie!
Everyone must see this movie, it's excellent. I have watched it many times.

a wonderful love story
I absolutely loved it. The first time I saw this movie was on showtime on cable T.V. and I could'nt wait for it to come on video for sale. This movie had it all mystery,suspense,and a couple of heart wrenching memorable scenes. With a strong male lead and a beautiful female cast the movie is pure romance full of magic. A box of tissue is a must. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

A bit of caution, Jack Higgins fans
When this originally came out on Showtime, I was thrilled, because I thought "Eye of the Storm" (the book this was supposed to be based on) was excellent. This wasn't the story the book told. Given that, however, when I watched it the second time around, I found myself enjoying it. I just put the book out of my mind and took this for what it was, an excellent movie with plenty of action.

Female star takes credit in Midnight Man
A great storyline idea by Jack Higgins. This thriller concentrates on the relationships between the leading characters. This is at its very best when Su Yin (played by Daphne Cheung) illuminates the screen with her presence. This is a must see movie for Miss Cheung's contribution alone. Kenneth Cranham (Respected British stage and TV actor) also makes a valuable contribution to this very watchable film.

What the Jackel should have been!
A great movie. Put's the Jackel to shame. The best English hitmen faceoff. Good concept? YES! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Good spy thriller.
What if there existed a document that could dismiss the transfer of Hong Kong from Brits to China? Rob Lowe plays Sean Dillon, a spy trying to gain evidence of that secret on behalf of Britain. But, as he engages his assignment, he is caught off-guard by a beautiful distraction, Deborah Moore. Good flick for Rob Lowe. No James Bond, though. ... Read more