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It's tough trying to beat the1934 version of thepopular adventure-romance story, starring Leslie Howard as the 18th-century British hero who poses as a fop in London society but runs a secret mission to rescue the doomed in Robespierre's Paris. But this 1982 television version, starring Anthony Andrews(Under the Volcano) as the Pimpernel and Jane Seymour as his beloved but estranged wife, is quite a treat. Andrews and Seymour expertly capture the essence of a relationship suffering from misunderstandings and elusive passion, and there is plenty of crackle to the action sequences. Clive Donner (What's New, Pussycat?) brings some strong cinematic qualities to this television presentation.--Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (161)

Better Each Time
It's the type of movie that I always expect to be entertaining, but not really 'great.' And every time I see it I find myself wrong. This is THE BEST adaptation of the Pimpernel. Other films have gotten some elements right but not others; this one bags them all (except that I still prefer the most recent version's interpretation of Robespierre, he's priceless). Anthony Andrews is the definitive Sir Percy: hilarious at parties, charismatic in battle, irresistable in love, and unrecognizable in every disguise. Jane Seymour is perfectly lovestruck and intense, and Ian McKellan as Chauvelin shows a man being eaten alive by jealousy. All the portrayals are larger-than-life, but suitably so, for the film has no place for realism. Scenes swing from very funny to almost painfully tense to heart-stoppingly romantic. This production hits every note right (although I wish someone would assasinate that hateful blond child). Not to be missed, definately. So why can't I buy it, I've been trying for a year now? Let's hurry up the DVD.

Sink me! But it's demmed brilliant!
Hopefully "The Scarlet Pimpernel" will someday make its way back to the big screen, but in the meantime this television version holds the place as probably the best one to date. First and foremost, the script never has a dull moment, as it's jam-packed full of romance, intrigue, suspense, and adventure. The action continuously bounces back and forth between England and revolutionary France, where the mysterious Scarlet Pimpernel is saving innocent lives from the cruel blade of Madame Guillotine. Anthony Andrews, as foppish Sir Percy Blakeney, an English aristocrat with a big secret, never fails to deliver. His droll, dry delivery of Percy's lines contrasts brilliantly with his dashing Pimpernel persona. Jane Seymour is a perfectly lovely Marguerite, entirely believeable as a spirited French actress caught between her loyalties. And Sir Ian McKellen is delightfully menacing as Citizen Paul Chauvelin, an agent of the French Republic and Marguerite's spurned lover. The plot is fast-paced, and every scene is as well done as the one before. It is truly a classic to be treasured. Unfortunately, the DVD is only a basic transfer and has no bonus material, but at least it's finally getting its due!

Great Movie, Horrible DVD
When the first second of the first scene shows you little cubes instead of people's heads, the walls, and the torches, you might think the DVD transfer has some problems. When not even the letters in the credits stay stable, you begin to wonder whether you wouldn't be better off buying an old VHS copy and turning it into a tiny-sized Divx file. ARRRRGH!

Which breaks my heart, because this version of The Scarlet Pimpernel is one of my all-time top ten movies. I'd be rating this with one star if the movie wasn't five-star. Too bad I can't actually see it!

Sink me! I'm renting it, and now I've ordered my own copy!
I've watched this movie five times in one weekend, and yet I still want to see it again. The copy currently in my DVD player is one that I'm renting. But I love this movie so much that I've ordered my own copy to add to our home library. Anthony Andrews is the best Sir Percy Blakeney/Scarlet Pimpernel that I've ever seen. I wish there was some way they could make sequels with the same cast members all looking as they did when this 1982 movie was released.

Sink me! Indeed
I took a chance and purchased this dvd purely based on your reviews. I must say that I am simply enamored by this movie. Yes, it differs to the book but it is certainly forgivable. One simply has to understand that it is based on two of Baroness Orczy books and then it all falls into place.

Now, for the movie. Anthony Andrews as the foppish/valiant Sir Percy was excellent. I thought he delivered an exceptional performance. I could not find any fault in his performance especially since the book Percy is so inane and a complete idiot...well, at least, his alter ego in any case. At times, it is so amusing to watch him, especially when he tries to undo Chauvelin. **smiles** I cannot say enough about his performance. When he is also conflicted by his love for Maguerite and his cold treatment of her, it is also beautifully done. His expressions are so real. His concern for the families of the aristos adds such a beautiful side to his character as well. You can actually see that he cares.

Jane Seymour as Maguerite was wonderful as well. The chemistry between her and Anthony Andrews was superb. They conveyed so much fire simply by a glance.

Ian Mckellan was also good. I must admit that when I realized he would play the villian that did not sit well with me (I love him as Gandalf but he really looks different out of the wizard's costume), however, it worked out well.

In conclusion, I thought this was a splendid movie. The sets, the music, the dances, etc were all engaging. There was never a dull moment. I actually ordered the film for my mum since I figure she would love it as well. Though I have never seen any of the other versions, I cannot imagine another one uprooting the love I feel for this one. It would be demmed near impossible. ... Read more

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An appealing, free-floating lunacy fuels What's New Pussycat?,and there's enough of it bubbling around to carry the movie past its manydefects. The cast is like a collection of terribly attractive people stumblingover each other at a disorganized cocktail party--they aren't always witty, andsome of them are drunk, but there's enough going on to keep you distracted.Peter O'Toole plays a swinging London womanizer seeking help for his addiction,who makes the mistake of consulting one Dr. Fritz Fassbender (Peter Sellers), ademented psychoanalyst. Woody Allen made his movie debut here and wrote thescript (much altered, to Allen's chagrin, in the filmmaking process). This movieand Casino Royale--which also features Sellers, Allen, Ursula Andress,and a Burt Bacharach song--are overstuffed '60s artifacts, brimming with modchaos. Alas, neither film is as funny as it should be. --Robert Horton ... Read more

Reviews (20)

My "What's New, Pussycat?" Review
Now HERE'S an absolutely uproarious 60's comedy featuring Peter Sellers at his peak and Woody Allen's first screenplay to a major motion picture. I also highly recommend Casino Royale, which also features Peter Sellers, Woody Allen, Capucine, and Ursula Andress (great cast, eh?). Although not rated, this film would probably be rated PG-13. It doesn't have much profanity or any nudity, but it contains adult themes that might confuse younger viewers. Woody Allen gets the most laughs in this movie, which came as no suprise to me when I first saw it. Highlights include Peter Sellers and Woody Allen one-on-one, and the ending is golden. I highly recommend this movie.

What's New, Pussycat?
Peter O'Toole, as a troubled fashion editor, visits psychiatrist Peter Sellers for help with his fanciful and complicated love life (Romy Schneider, Paula Prentiss and Capucine). However, Sellers has problems of his own and at time the roles become reversed. Ursula Andress also drops into the fray. Woody Allen is present in what I believe is his first film as both actor and writer. The film shifts back and forth from sophisticated comedy to slapstick. I always liked this funny and outlandish film. The VHS copy is not bad. I did find that the sound level was not consistent.

The Ridiculous and the Sublime
Maybe sublime is too strong a word. This is one mess of a movie. It's like a nerdy kid trying desperately to be cool. Most of the jokes are unbelievably juvenile and even lame, and it's often obvious many of the cast members realized they were in a piece of crap and decided to at least enjoy themselves-- which actually helps.

That said, there are moments (and I mean moments) that make it worth watching. Paula Prentiss steals the show from everyone, there are some laugh-out-loud lines in the picture and some of Peter O'Toole's reactions are priceless. Another good scene is the one Peter Sellers and Woody Allen share. Finally, there may even be one emblematic shot in it too, during the getaway at the end of the picture.

What's new Pussycat is endearingly goofy and AWFUL, but I'm looking forward to it coming out on DVD.

second best movie of the 60s
I consider this to be the second best movie of the 60s. The best is Casino Royal. This is the first comedy movie written by Woodie Allen and it shows great hand crafting with many little details. There are several sub plots that interweave and come together in the last 15 minutes. One of the most amusing parts is the famous homosexual woman, Capucine, playing a heterosexual nymphomaniac.

Sigmund Freud may have enjoyed this "comedy"
An International all-star cast delivers a confusing and rediculous "comedy classic". It's all about 40ish "Casnaovas" with nothing but "sex on the brain". Seeing Peter O'Toole, Peter Sellers and Woody Allen (the 3 LEAST SEXY guys ever to team up sharing the spotlight as leading men) cause attractive women to willingly offer themselves at the drop of the magic word "pussycat", is not funny, but stupid.

The plot (if you can call it that) seems like it is made up as you go. The jokes are sophomorish and lame. Beautiful actresses like the German Sensation Romy Schneider (featured in the GREAT comedy "Good Neighbor Sam" with Jack Lemmon just a year earlier) and the glamorous Italian star Capucine are wasted as "doormats" to nymphomaniac Peter O'Toole.

Credit does go to the fetching Theme Song by Tom Jones. The tune carries through countless mindless scenes, the only reason not to stop watching the dreadful story alltogether. Viewers will eventually tune out the horribly fake German accent delivered by the obscessed "freudian" psychiatrist Peter Sellers. My final diagnosis: Skip this mess of a film!** ... Read more

Reviews (25)

A powerful love story, unlike any other!
I stumbled across this film at Blockbuster about seven years ago. I've shared it with numerous friends. If you believe in love, believe some loves are pre-ordained, that love can be magical and two people can always want the best for each other, this is a movie for you. It saddens me that it is unavailable for purchase... it's a "must see" and a "must own." Treat yourself to a movie that will leave you feeling great about love, in awe of this couple and their dedication, in tears about the tragedy of their time period.

History's greatest love story!
I don't think there are words to describe how great this movie is! It's by far one of the most wonderful and touching love stories ever. What makes it even more wonderful is that it's the true story of Abelard and Heloise. I recommend this movie to anyone who has ever been in love!

why is this movie so funny???
Maybe I'm just cynical but, this movie cracked me up. Sex in a monastery, castration, clergy in funny hats, this movie has everything. And the 80's keyboard music, really captures the spirit of medieval France. Watch it and laugh heartily.

A beautiful movie for the hopeless Romantic, a true story
This is one of my alltime favorite movies. I't not so much that the acting is the best I have ever seen (not to say it's not good acting) but it's the captivating story line. To know that this was a true romance....ahhhh, what every heart desires. The hardships they had to face due to their own circumstances and the century that they lived in is simply heartbreaking. But to overcome such obstacles in the name of love says so much about the deep love they shared. It was the first I had heard of Abelard and Heloise, who now are stuck in my mind forever. I hear that lovers still grace their graves with flowers in France to this day. If you have a romantic bone on your body, this is a must see. Grab a box of tissues, while your at it.

Great, educational movie.
Having heard the true story of Abelard and Heloise for the first time in 1989, when I was walking through the ruins of the Parvis de Notre Dame in Paris, when I saw Stealing Heaven, I enjoyed every minute of it. I tried to read the book that was written in old English (very difficult to understand considering I'm not a native speaker), so I felt I was losing part of the history. This movie made me learn more about the beliefs in the past. I really felt sorry for this couple who loved each other so much and had to go through so much pain in their lives. Two incredible minds who fell in love while debating... delicously exciting! I highly recommend it! Try to visit the Parvis of Notre Dame, as well, and if possible, read the book "The Letters of Abelard and Heloise". ... Read more

Reviews (3)

A Family Event.
Forewarned is forearmed. I read several reviews of this movie, before I watched it, that cautioned me it would be disapointing. The reviewers, without saying so in as many words, let me know that this movie was low budget when filmed. I must add that many folks at home could reproduce all the action seen in this movie with a couple of video cameras and two VCRs.
Now, having understood all that, I watched the flick with a strong intent to laugh at its sad quality. Rather like one would with "The Rocky Horrer Picture Show." It worked.
I roared with delight as the undead knight sliced a large chunk from a huge boulder with a swipe of his deadly blade, yet his blows were blocked by six inch diameter saplings. I huffed along with Lancellot as the lanky youth bent iron bars with his feet while hanging upside down.
Watch this movie with the purpose of finding fault and your family will have a wonderful evening.

A mixed bag
"Merlin And The Sword" has its good points and its bad points. Unfortunately the bad points are soooooooo bad, they make it hard to even notice the good points. Which is a shame, because in its better moments, this made-for-TV movie brings to life some lesser-known characters from the Arthurian legends.

BAD POINTS: Dyan Cannon is unbelievably awful as a bimbo American tourist who stumbles upon Merlin's cave, thus setting the plot (or rather, the flashback) into motion. Candice Bergen is not much better in a one-note (rhymes with "witch") performance as Morgan Le Fay, and Joseph Blatchley is too dweeby to take seriously as Mordred.

The Arthur-Guinevere-Lancelot triangle is handled very poorly. As King Arthur, Malcolm McDowell seems more like a preoccupied travelling salesman than like a king. Meanwhile Guinevere lounges around the castle all day in her underwear (I'm not making this up) complaining about having nothing to do, except when she's being abducted by grunting barbarians, which happens not once but twice.

Rosalyn Landor has a lovely melodious voice and tries her best to bring some dignity to Guinevere, but her efforts backfire: she comes off as so much more mature and worldly-wise than the still-wet-behind-the-ears Lancelot (played by a very young and skinny Rupert Everett) that their scenes together remind you of Mrs. Robinson seducing Benjamin in "The Graduate." Icky.

Add some incredibly bad guy-in-a-rubber-suit monsters and I think that about sums up the bad points.

GOOD POINTS: Edward Woodward makes a great Merlin, probably my favorite movie Merlin of all time. He conveys an air of power, authority, and playfulness, all at once. Lucy Gutteridge is also memorable as Niniane, young, open-hearted, inexperienced, but also very strong. The scenes from their magical courtship are charming (if only Dyan Cannon wouldn't keep butting in...)

Also good are Patrick Ryecart and Ann Thornton in a subplot about the courtship of Sir Gawain and Lady Ragnell. This episode has quite a bit of charm, too bad it goes by so fast.

With the exception of some dopey-looking helmets, the costumes are for the most part very handsome. And the locations (the movie was shot at Stonehenge and in Yugoslavia) are truly gorgeous.

If you can ignore the prevailing badness, there are moments in this movie that are like a fairytale come to life. Too bad they're only moments.

A story of old fashioned love
Malcolm Mcdowell plays the role of King Arthur in is what more a tale of love than any magic or myth. Despite the title, there isn't any emphasis to the famous sword and it certainly doesn't show any powers. However it is a plesant story and despite the tacky special effects I did like the way they cept the meaning of love alive. ... Read more

Reviews (106)

DVD is one of My Favorite Christmas Presents of 2002!
I have seen several different movie adaptations of A Christmas Carol and have liked them all but I think the three best versions are this George C. Scott adaptation, the Alastair Sim adaptation and the adaptation starring Patrick Stewart and I also like the adaptations starring Albert Finney, Reginald Owen and Sir Seymour Hicks. This adaptation is very good and I'm very impressed with George C. Scott's acting, he gave an excellent performance as Ebenezer Scrooge and I also liked David Warner as Bob Cratchit and there are many other fine performances too, Edward Woodward, Suzannah York, etc. I very highly recommend this adaptation which seems pretty faithful to the Charles Dickens classic and I like that they included aspects of the book that are not in the other Christmas Carol movies! I had seen some of this version a few years ago but didn't see the whole movie but I got this DVD today for Christmas and I just finished watching it and I loved it, definitely one of my favorite Christmas presents of 2002.

The best CAROL ever, with the best Scrooge ever
There's a reason that of all the stories woven around the Christmas season, and of all the tales Charles Dickens told, this one is still being retold over a century later. And it's the same reason Clive Donner's version, out of all the many filmed and staged retellings, is still around and now being offered in DVD format: they are, quite simply, both the best of their breed. The script is faithful to Dickens' original text as few other versions have been, the production values are sumptuous and conscientious in their historical accuracy, and the performances from a star-packed cast are pure British sterling, above all the late, lamented George C. Scott's unforgettable limning of an all too human Ebenezer Scrooge. Also not to be missed are Edward (THE EQUALIZER) Woodward as the Ghost of Christmas Present, cruelly rebuking Scrooge with his own words; Mark Strickson (Turlough of DOCTOR WHO fame) as the young Scrooge in the Christmas Past sequence; Roger Rees, Susannah York, Frank Finlay as a suitably fearsome Marley's Ghost, the always reliable David Warner as Bob Cratchit, Angela Pleasance as the gentle Ghost of Christmas Past, Joanne Whalley (the former Mrs. Val Kilmer, of SCANDAL and many other films) and Michael Gough (another DOCTOR WHO veteran [the Celestial Toymaker in Hartnell's First Doctor era] and Alfred the butler in the BATMAN films).

Seeing Scott as Scrooge crying out in anguish over his own gravestone, "Why show me this if I am past all hope?"; then on Christmas morning, jumping up and down on his four-poster with glee; showing up on his nephew's doorstep, properly shame-faced and hoping for a chance to begin again -- these moments bring a tear to my eye and a lump to my throat every time. If you need a reminder of why this season is so important even to those of us who have lost faith in the Christian church, bookend this film with Clive's brother Richard Donner's equally excellent updating of Dickens' classic tale, SCROOGED, starring Bill Murray (his speech at the end is worth the price of the DVD all by itself!) for a night of holiday laughter and tears like no other. Scrooge embodies the hope that all of us have that, whatever our failings and our misdeeds, our lives may yet be counted of value and our souls admitted into heaven; and this version of his odyssey from miserdom to redemption makes it abundantly clear why this one short story holds such a special place in the canon of Western literature.

Why (Officially) I Love This Movie!
Every winter, I enjoy watching A Christmas Carol on TV whenever I can, and the 1984 version is my favorite. The production and performances add up to a moody, realistic and touching adaptation of the Charles Dickens' classic.

Director Clive Donner (editor of the much celebrated 1951 Alastair Sim version of Scrooge) presents a stunningly authentic recreation of Dickens' London. From effectively foggy streets to Ebenezer's own cobwebbed-infested manor, Donner provides a gritty, appropriately dark atmosphere, enhanced by the wonderful score.

The film's pacing is exquisite. In showing Ebenezer the error of his ways, the filmmakers give equal time to his past, present and future, never once lingering to the point of boredom. Thus the story seems to fly by compared to the other adaptations.

George C. Scott is excellent as Scrooge. Like all of those who've portrayed the character, his old miser starts out mean and bitter and ends up joyous and thankful! But throughout his performance, true sadness runs deep. Scott makes his emotional transformation subtle, painting a realistic portrait of a man haunted by the mistakes of his past, taking his pain out on the world.

But what separates the 1984 production of Christmas Carol from all others is the terrific supporting cast. David Warner may give the warmest performance of his career as Bob Cratchet (all the more poignant considering the many villains he's played over the years). Frank Finlay is the most compelling Jacob Marley I've ever seen. You can almost feel this man's torture just by gazing upon his unblinking expression. Edward Woodward brings great depth to the Ghost of Christmas Present, communicating tremendous power, yet just the right touch of humor. Finally, this adaptation of the Dickens' tale features the scariest, most intimidating Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come you'll find anywhere!

Most of us look forward to a healthy dose of A Christmas Carol at the end of each year and we all have our favorite version. Thanks to the handsome production values, expert pacing and perfect cast, led by the magnificent George C. Scott, I believe they truly got it right in 1984!

The Best All Around Version of a Christmas Classic!
Some people are under the impression that this is an American production of A Christmas Carol while others (namely the 1951 Alastair Sim version) are British. Truth is, while the George C. Scott 1984 version was televised on an American network, it was filmed on location in England, and presents an effectively murky, gritty atmosphere where other versions, including the most recent Patrick Stewart version, look a little too "pretty".

Perhaps most telling is that the director of the 1984 Christmas Carol is Clive Donner. Not only is he British, but he was also the editor of the 1951 version...the very same Scrooge featuring Alastair Sim's acclaimed performance! This indicates that Donner had a unique perspective when he decided to revisit A Christmas Carol. He could easily have chosen to tell the tale just as it was done in 1951, but he diverted slightly. Thus, the George C. Scott production is much more atmospheric and concentrates a little more on Scrooge's present and future whereas the Sim version devoted way too much time on Scrooge's past. In giving Scrooge's past, present and future equal time, Donner is able to depict Scrooge's emotional tranformation convincingly and realistically (having George C. Scott doesn't hurt either).

The 1951 production of Scrooge: A Christmas Carol will always have Alastair Sim's celebrated performance, but this 1984 production has become the definitive film version of the Dickens classic!

lower class adaption
I saw this video two weeks after reading the book. It came across as flat and lifeless compared to the book and the 1951 Alastar Sim version I have. Instead of taking you back to the time of Dickens, it takes Dickens up to our time. Another problem is that the characters have lower class characteristics with their confrontative behavior and their arrogance which is always a cover for incompetence. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Yes, it's true; Don Adams's Maxwell Smart act is little more than shtick, but marvelous shtick it is, and on Get Smart! with its half-hour doses of high-tech hooliganism, straight Bond parody, and uproarious slapstick, he made his mark as one of the more memorable comic figures of 1960s television. You wouldn't necessarily bet that Adams's trademark moves--deadpan mock-seriousness, smart-alecky catchphrases, and elastic faces--would translate well to the big screen; truth is, though, he's no more irritating than Rodney Dangerfield, Bill Murray, or any of the other comic leads of the early 1980s. In The Nude Bomb, the first (and only) Maxwell Smart movie, our secret agent 86 battles a mad KAOS scientist who possesses a fiendish weapon: one which will destroy the world's supply of clothing. Joined by several attractive compatriots (not, alas, Barbara Feldon, whose ultra-hip Agent 99--the crucial foil for the hyperactive Smart--is sorely missed), the hapless spy has 48 hours to confound the evil plot. Several hilarious premises, including a plan to render the weapon ineffective by wearing food, are adeptly exploited through winning and well-timed sight gags. Recommended not only to fans of Get Smart! but to those who appreciate high-spirited '80s comedy as well. --Miles Bethany ... Read more

Reviews (13)

UNMEMORABLE (IT'S BEST POINT)
What the movie MISSION IMPOSSIBLE did for the TV series of the same name, THE NUDE BOMB does for (to) the TV series Get Smart. This film is absolutely irrepentable! It is actually saddening to watch this "sequel" to the TV series GET SMART. In it, the evil empire prepares to detonate a bomb that shall destroy all fabric (clothing). Hence, THE NUDE BOMB. That way the bad guys, whose clothes must be bomb-gaurded, can blackmail everyone lest they stay nude forever. Only the re-enactments of the crazy spy equipment from the TV series, and brief cameos from original cast members, offer a nominal enthusiasm for this petty disheartening tripe. No wonder 99 stayed home!

I misssed rating it a 1 by ___ this much
Oh what a horrible movie. Soem parts where funny, some where recycled jokes from the TV series, but this movie of the return of Maxwell Smart was badly concepted. For starters, I think the worst thing was that Max's wife 99 is not in this movie at all! And it is not in the agent 86 charactor to play a James Bond type of Charactor, flirting with every woman, beeing every womans dream, and having a completly new love interest "get the girl at the end" type of thing going on. It is very painfull to watch that when you love the TV series and love that Max and 99 are unsepreable, and then this movie blew that up.

So Kaos is back, the bad guy is a guy with a stocking over his head, he has a bomb that destroys clothing... I dont give it a total 0 or 1 vote, there are a few chuckles here and there... I mostly rate it down because of the sexual inuendo thing goin on and ignorning that Barbra Feldon was Max's wife. If this movie was portrayed as a prequal to the TV series, it couldve worked for me... but it just didnt feel like Max, it was more a James Bond adventure!

I know many of you are unpatiently awaiting the release of the TV series on DVD, but till then, I recomend the movie that was made after this one called "Get Smart Again" which Barbra feldon returns as 99 and as Max's long time wife.... which is what you have to have to make Get Smart work.

This is a movie you might , well... not buy, not even rent, just forget about it, and if its ever on TV, and theres nothing better to do? then give it a glance..... but fans of the TV series will understand what I mean when I say it just dosent work without 99!

Painful
This film was not funny. It was not campy. It was just bad. Stay far away from it.

Where'd she go?????
...I absolutly love Get Smart, but please stick to Get Smart Again!(1989 film). At least that one has 99(Barbara Feldon) in it. After reading all the other reviews you can probably tell what the story is about. Kaos creates a device that makes clothes go bye-bye. Maxwell Smart(Don Adams) stops it. There it is in a nutshell. Now I've told you the story (if you call it a story), so I've saved you the misery of seeing this movie. I warned ya...

Not Quite Smart
Do yourself a favor. If you are familiar with the 1960's spy spoof "Get Smart", keep your happy memories of that show intact and skip this movie. Some of the same creative minds that were behind that show were involved with this movie, but not many of them. The catchphrases are still here, but the effort is hollow. Agent 99 is not in this one, nor is she mentioned at all. Max is shown as a playboy who grins at his new female sidekick. Most of the jokes you can see coming from miles away, and when they arrive, they're still not funny. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Probably the best of the family of films with this title
The 1978 version of The Thief of Baghdad is probably the best of the family of films under this title. Unlike the Sabu (1940s) and Reeves (1960s) versions, this film takes a fairly serious attitude to the story. A made-for-television movie, this film has fairly good special effects for its era. The flying carpet and genie scenes convey the excitement of the quest to find the All-seeing Eye and rescue the Princess Jasmine from the evil Vizier. Roddy McDowell's rendition of the amiable thief/street magician, Hasan is pleasant relief without the slapstick found in earlier versions of the film. The test of the Temple of Truth and the final scene in which Prince Taj smashes the Vizier's soul (found hidden in a giant egg) is a combination of The Arabian Nights and European folklore. Great stuff! I enjoyed watching this film as much now as I did back in 1978.

A good classic for the collection...
This movie is an excellent addition to any film buffs collection. Although it cant compare to the first and original piece, it combines extraordinary film techniques and backgrounds, (especially for its time) And shows an arabian adventure for the ages. ... Read more

Reviews (25)

A powerful love story, unlike any other!
I stumbled across this film at Blockbuster about seven years ago. I've shared it with numerous friends. If you believe in love, believe some loves are pre-ordained, that love can be magical and two people can always want the best for each other, this is a movie for you. It saddens me that it is unavailable for purchase... it's a "must see" and a "must own." Treat yourself to a movie that will leave you feeling great about love, in awe of this couple and their dedication, in tears about the tragedy of their time period.

History's greatest love story!
I don't think there are words to describe how great this movie is! It's by far one of the most wonderful and touching love stories ever. What makes it even more wonderful is that it's the true story of Abelard and Heloise. I recommend this movie to anyone who has ever been in love!

why is this movie so funny???
Maybe I'm just cynical but, this movie cracked me up. Sex in a monastery, castration, clergy in funny hats, this movie has everything. And the 80's keyboard music, really captures the spirit of medieval France. Watch it and laugh heartily.

A beautiful movie for the hopeless Romantic, a true story
This is one of my alltime favorite movies. I't not so much that the acting is the best I have ever seen (not to say it's not good acting) but it's the captivating story line. To know that this was a true romance....ahhhh, what every heart desires. The hardships they had to face due to their own circumstances and the century that they lived in is simply heartbreaking. But to overcome such obstacles in the name of love says so much about the deep love they shared. It was the first I had heard of Abelard and Heloise, who now are stuck in my mind forever. I hear that lovers still grace their graves with flowers in France to this day. If you have a romantic bone on your body, this is a must see. Grab a box of tissues, while your at it.

Great, educational movie.
Having heard the true story of Abelard and Heloise for the first time in 1989, when I was walking through the ruins of the Parvis de Notre Dame in Paris, when I saw Stealing Heaven, I enjoyed every minute of it. I tried to read the book that was written in old English (very difficult to understand considering I'm not a native speaker), so I felt I was losing part of the history. This movie made me learn more about the beliefs in the past. I really felt sorry for this couple who loved each other so much and had to go through so much pain in their lives. Two incredible minds who fell in love while debating... delicously exciting! I highly recommend it! Try to visit the Parvis of Notre Dame, as well, and if possible, read the book "The Letters of Abelard and Heloise". ... Read more

Reviews (4)

They Shouldn't Have Messed With The Book
The novel, by Geoffrey Household, is well-paced and builds to a satisfying climax based on profound revelations. The movie pushes those revelations to the beginning, which robs the main character of his motivation to swing into action at the end. I enjoyed the movie to a point, but this is one of those cases where the film makers would have done better to stay more consistent with the book.

Rogue Male
I had seen this movie on TV once. It is a good movie, very interesting and holds your interest. My only complaint is the quality of the VHS tape I received. Color and sound were of poor quality and small portion of tape was unviewable. I know this was a TV movie, but I would think there would be a better quality transfer to VHS tape.

The "Rogue Male" is Superb!!
I saw this movie 6 years ago and wondered how I'd missed it for so long. O'toole gives an awesome performance as he fumbles and then haphazardly (with the greatest of luck) eludes his pursuers. This movie puts a great spin on the statement "what if" some one had killed Hitler, though it is in no way a documentary. It's the "CAT & MOUSE" standard in my book!!

ENJOY.

awesome o toole
Beautiful reparte's by OToole trashing Germans ... Read more

Reviews (3)

I Liked This Version of Oliver Twist!
I watched this version of Oliver Twist on television several years ago and though it's not as good as other versions including the musical Oliver at least it's better then the horrible Disney version from 1997 that had several American actors doing terrible jobs trying to imitate English accents! I actually remember liking this movie and George C. Scott is a superb actor who I have always been very impressed with and I think he was good as Fagan and okay so maybe Tim Curry wasn't as menacing a Bill Sykes as the actor from Oliver but I think he was pretty darn good anyway and I would definitely recommend this version over the 1997 Disney one! (I'm not a Disney Basher, I happen to like Disney movies but I just didn't like their version of Oliver Twist).

Not bad, but could have been better
I was a little surprised that I actually liked this version of O.T. The costuming was good, in fact much better than I expected. George C. Scott was a bit too likeable as Fagan, and I agree, the rage simply wasn't there.It's a shame since Scott was/is a fine actor. The Jewish sterotyping wasn't as bad as in other films, although the words "dirty Jew" does crop up from time to time. Dickens would later remove a lot of the more offensive slurs in later editions of the book. Tim Curry sleep walked through the whole film. I'm wondering if he really WAS drunk during the taping. His ragged costume and yellowed teeth did little to help. Others have done a much more menacing "Bill Sikes" and it shows. Robert Newton of "Treasure Island" fame and Oliver Reed are among the better performances. For the purist, the basic storyline is intact, but like any true Dickens fan, you find yourself asking, "please sir, I want some more"

Class consciousness in Victorian London
This 1982 British TVM of the Charles Dickens classic directed by Clive Donner has a teleplay by James Goldman, unsubtle class distinction between the rich and the poor where the poor are comic grotesques, but also a gentle performance by George C Scott as Fagin.
The David Lean 1948 version presented Alec Guinness' Fagin as both lowlife Jew and malignant old homosexual, with protests by Jewish groups forcing Lean to cut footage in order for his film to be released in America. Scott's own nose probably helps him pass for Jewish, and here he shows sexual interest in Nancy to counterbalance the homosexual subtext of a man who enjoys the company of young boys. However Scott's infamous rage is in check, perhaps because he shares some much tube time with children. If purists may find this Fagin is more likeable than Guinness' that seems hardly important to those interested in witnessing great acting. It's only a pity that Scott is a relatively minor player in the narrative, but even the title boy becomes a relatively minor player in this adaptation!
As Bill Sikes, Tim Curry is rather non-threatening and his dog seems dubbed, but Eileen Atkins as Mrs Mann, the head of the orphanage, gets some laughs from her duplicitous agenda. With Oliver being an Alice in Wonderland blonde and one half expecting the performers to burst into the songs from the musical Oliver! at any moment, the treatment doesn't achieve a semblence of reality until Scott appears, and after that rises and falls. This Oliver is never really in any serious peril, notably not from Bill Sikes, but at least Fagin retains his dignity. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Probably the best of the family of films with this title
The 1978 version of The Thief of Baghdad is probably the best of the family of films under this title. Unlike the Sabu (1940s) and Reeves (1960s) versions, this film takes a fairly serious attitude to the story. A made-for-television movie, this film has fairly good special effects for its era. The flying carpet and genie scenes convey the excitement of the quest to find the All-seeing Eye and rescue the Princess Jasmine from the evil Vizier. Roddy McDowell's rendition of the amiable thief/street magician, Hasan is pleasant relief without the slapstick found in earlier versions of the film. The test of the Temple of Truth and the final scene in which Prince Taj smashes the Vizier's soul (found hidden in a giant egg) is a combination of The Arabian Nights and European folklore. Great stuff! I enjoyed watching this film as much now as I did back in 1978.

A good classic for the collection...
This movie is an excellent addition to any film buffs collection. Although it cant compare to the first and original piece, it combines extraordinary film techniques and backgrounds, (especially for its time) And shows an arabian adventure for the ages. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Less can be more...
This satire on new-fangled but repressed citizens was a big hit on Broadway in front of the right audience (future Woody Allen fans). Perhaps it was not a good idea to put it on the big screen with a star cast, a scenery worthy of a Spielberg film and in cinemascope, no less. Absurd theater and pantomime never work on screen. Add a car-chase and an incomprehensible amount of slapstick and you understand why this film flopped. The plot in itself is good: Winner-type Milt Manville (Peter Falk) wants to get rid of his wife Ellen (Elaine May) to marry his sweetheart Linda. So he hires loser-type Harry Berlin (Jack Lemmon) to become Ellen's second husband. Before long Ellen and Milt realize their new spouses are losers and reunite. Since Harry won't leave they decide to kill him.

Peter Falk gives an adroit and smooth performance. His Milt is a true braggart: He shows off with his golden watch, his silk underwear and his terrace-house. He styles himself as "broker" although the source of his income is a flourishing second-hand trade ("There's a fortune waiting for us in garbage-cans"). Harry, on the other hand, is the classic loser. Top boy in school, high-flying plans. Drinks & drugs & girls & gurus. Now it's "why me?" and he contemplates suicide.

Milt tries to make Ellen palatable to Harry: He smartens her up and lauds her talents: she represents her married life diagrammatically. Milt sells Harry as intellectual "He has nearly written a book!" and cajoles Ellen into falling in love with him despite his tics and unsavory table-manners. But it's not until Harry and Ellen discover that they have common interests (flamenco) that two hearts beat like one. There are inspired moments when the lovebirds place confidence in each other. Ellen recklessly declares things like "I wish I were a lesbian" and "I'm too intelligent. Men feel threatened". They go to an amusement-park and lead a "profound" conversation about their miserable childhood. During the divorce-suit Milt tries to beat them at their own game "I have been flogged!" - in vain: The judge allows him to keep nothing but his underwear.

The funniest scene in the film shows Ellen and Harry during their honeymoon in Niagara Falls. She asks her new husband intimate questions - and he answers them down to the smallest detail. They test the strength of their love: He steps on her feet, she cuts his suspenders, he throws her mink-coat in the flood...But soon Ellen and Milt are disillusioned. Linda spends her days in bed, curlers in her hair, and she refuses to pay maintenance for her husband's ex-wife. Harry too is averse to work and plans to study medicine instead...

There is much witty dialogue. My favorite moment comes when Ellen examines her diagrams and jumps to the conclusion: " You love exclusively Milt - you are gay!". Lemmon's facial expression when he considers this alternative for a very long second is priceless, but sadly such inspired moments are rare. An overdose of slapstick quells any delicacy of feeling. Lemmon looks half-starved (he went down to 136 pounds) - of all films he made between 1962 and 68 this is the only one I hesitate to recommend. I doubt that you will love the film in his entirety. Better concentrate on its details. It parodies the love-life in a hedonistic but insecure society ten years before ANNIE HALL.

LUV is outstanding!!
This offbeat comedy was a wonderful play and is terrifically presented on film. Peter Falk and Jack Lemmon show great timing and characterization is a film version of a play that could have been written specifically for them. I've viewed it over and over and still breakup every time I see it. TV versions make inappropriate cuts to the movie which must be seen in video to be truly appreciated. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

terror stalks the class reunion
it was a fantastic movie, i love it.it is really a good movie i ever seen.i hope i could find again the same movie like this.keep the good work.

A very scary and excellent film
I thought this movie was a grade A

Excellent Film

wish it would be shown again on tv

It was the best movie I ever saw
The acting was phenominal and the script superb. A very interseting and sad end. Geraint was convincing and sincere actor. I highly recommend this video as a worthy addition to a video collection. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Probably the best of the family of films with this title
The 1978 version of The Thief of Baghdad is probably the best of the family of films under this title. Unlike the Sabu (1940s) and Reeves (1960s) versions, this film takes a fairly serious attitude to the story. A made-for-television movie, this film has fairly good special effects for its era. The flying carpet and genie scenes convey the excitement of the quest to find the All-seeing Eye and rescue the Princess Jasmine from the evil Vizier. Roddy McDowell's rendition of the amiable thief/street magician, Hasan is pleasant relief without the slapstick found in earlier versions of the film. The test of the Temple of Truth and the final scene in which Prince Taj smashes the Vizier's soul (found hidden in a giant egg) is a combination of The Arabian Nights and European folklore. Great stuff! I enjoyed watching this film as much now as I did back in 1978.

A good classic for the collection...
This movie is an excellent addition to any film buffs collection. Although it cant compare to the first and original piece, it combines extraordinary film techniques and backgrounds, (especially for its time) And shows an arabian adventure for the ages. ... Read more

Amazon.com essential video

In the same year that he directed a handsome version ofThe Scarlet Pimpernel for television, Clive Donner also made this worthy 1984 small-screen production of theDickens tale. George C. Scott can't quite muster a decent English accent, but he does bring some new colors to this movie's interpretation of Scrooge, making the character less nasty for the sake of nastiness and more a product of a life of lovelessness. The supporting cast is first-rate, and the production is far more handsome than most TV fare. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (106)

DVD is one of My Favorite Christmas Presents of 2002!
I have seen several different movie adaptations of A Christmas Carol and have liked them all but I think the three best versions are this George C. Scott adaptation, the Alastair Sim adaptation and the adaptation starring Patrick Stewart and I also like the adaptations starring Albert Finney, Reginald Owen and Sir Seymour Hicks. This adaptation is very good and I'm very impressed with George C. Scott's acting, he gave an excellent performance as Ebenezer Scrooge and I also liked David Warner as Bob Cratchit and there are many other fine performances too, Edward Woodward, Suzannah York, etc. I very highly recommend this adaptation which seems pretty faithful to the Charles Dickens classic and I like that they included aspects of the book that are not in the other Christmas Carol movies! I had seen some of this version a few years ago but didn't see the whole movie but I got this DVD today for Christmas and I just finished watching it and I loved it, definitely one of my favorite Christmas presents of 2002.

The best CAROL ever, with the best Scrooge ever
There's a reason that of all the stories woven around the Christmas season, and of all the tales Charles Dickens told, this one is still being retold over a century later. And it's the same reason Clive Donner's version, out of all the many filmed and staged retellings, is still around and now being offered in DVD format: they are, quite simply, both the best of their breed. The script is faithful to Dickens' original text as few other versions have been, the production values are sumptuous and conscientious in their historical accuracy, and the performances from a star-packed cast are pure British sterling, above all the late, lamented George C. Scott's unforgettable limning of an all too human Ebenezer Scrooge. Also not to be missed are Edward (THE EQUALIZER) Woodward as the Ghost of Christmas Present, cruelly rebuking Scrooge with his own words; Mark Strickson (Turlough of DOCTOR WHO fame) as the young Scrooge in the Christmas Past sequence; Roger Rees, Susannah York, Frank Finlay as a suitably fearsome Marley's Ghost, the always reliable David Warner as Bob Cratchit, Angela Pleasance as the gentle Ghost of Christmas Past, Joanne Whalley (the former Mrs. Val Kilmer, of SCANDAL and many other films) and Michael Gough (another DOCTOR WHO veteran [the Celestial Toymaker in Hartnell's First Doctor era] and Alfred the butler in the BATMAN films).

Seeing Scott as Scrooge crying out in anguish over his own gravestone, "Why show me this if I am past all hope?"; then on Christmas morning, jumping up and down on his four-poster with glee; showing up on his nephew's doorstep, properly shame-faced and hoping for a chance to begin again -- these moments bring a tear to my eye and a lump to my throat every time. If you need a reminder of why this season is so important even to those of us who have lost faith in the Christian church, bookend this film with Clive's brother Richard Donner's equally excellent updating of Dickens' classic tale, SCROOGED, starring Bill Murray (his speech at the end is worth the price of the DVD all by itself!) for a night of holiday laughter and tears like no other. Scrooge embodies the hope that all of us have that, whatever our failings and our misdeeds, our lives may yet be counted of value and our souls admitted into heaven; and this version of his odyssey from miserdom to redemption makes it abundantly clear why this one short story holds such a special place in the canon of Western literature.

Why (Officially) I Love This Movie!
Every winter, I enjoy watching A Christmas Carol on TV whenever I can, and the 1984 version is my favorite. The production and performances add up to a moody, realistic and touching adaptation of the Charles Dickens' classic.

Director Clive Donner (editor of the much celebrated 1951 Alastair Sim version of Scrooge) presents a stunningly authentic recreation of Dickens' London. From effectively foggy streets to Ebenezer's own cobwebbed-infested manor, Donner provides a gritty, appropriately dark atmosphere, enhanced by the wonderful score.

The film's pacing is exquisite. In showing Ebenezer the error of his ways, the filmmakers give equal time to his past, present and future, never once lingering to the point of boredom. Thus the story seems to fly by compared to the other adaptations.

George C. Scott is excellent as Scrooge. Like all of those who've portrayed the character, his old miser starts out mean and bitter and ends up joyous and thankful! But throughout his performance, true sadness runs deep. Scott makes his emotional transformation subtle, painting a realistic portrait of a man haunted by the mistakes of his past, taking his pain out on the world.

But what separates the 1984 production of Christmas Carol from all others is the terrific supporting cast. David Warner may give the warmest performance of his career as Bob Cratchet (all the more poignant considering the many villains he's played over the years). Frank Finlay is the most compelling Jacob Marley I've ever seen. You can almost feel this man's torture just by gazing upon his unblinking expression. Edward Woodward brings great depth to the Ghost of Christmas Present, communicating tremendous power, yet just the right touch of humor. Finally, this adaptation of the Dickens' tale features the scariest, most intimidating Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come you'll find anywhere!

Most of us look forward to a healthy dose of A Christmas Carol at the end of each year and we all have our favorite version. Thanks to the handsome production values, expert pacing and perfect cast, led by the magnificent George C. Scott, I believe they truly got it right in 1984!

The Best All Around Version of a Christmas Classic!
Some people are under the impression that this is an American production of A Christmas Carol while others (namely the 1951 Alastair Sim version) are British. Truth is, while the George C. Scott 1984 version was televised on an American network, it was filmed on location in England, and presents an effectively murky, gritty atmosphere where other versions, including the most recent Patrick Stewart version, look a little too "pretty".

Perhaps most telling is that the director of the 1984 Christmas Carol is Clive Donner. Not only is he British, but he was also the editor of the 1951 version...the very same Scrooge featuring Alastair Sim's acclaimed performance! This indicates that Donner had a unique perspective when he decided to revisit A Christmas Carol. He could easily have chosen to tell the tale just as it was done in 1951, but he diverted slightly. Thus, the George C. Scott production is much more atmospheric and concentrates a little more on Scrooge's present and future whereas the Sim version devoted way too much time on Scrooge's past. In giving Scrooge's past, present and future equal time, Donner is able to depict Scrooge's emotional tranformation convincingly and realistically (having George C. Scott doesn't hurt either).

The 1951 production of Scrooge: A Christmas Carol will always have Alastair Sim's celebrated performance, but this 1984 production has become the definitive film version of the Dickens classic!

lower class adaption
I saw this video two weeks after reading the book. It came across as flat and lifeless compared to the book and the 1951 Alastar Sim version I have. Instead of taking you back to the time of Dickens, it takes Dickens up to our time. Another problem is that the characters have lower class characteristics with their confrontative behavior and their arrogance which is always a cover for incompetence. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Probably the best of the family of films with this title
The 1978 version of The Thief of Baghdad is probably the best of the family of films under this title. Unlike the Sabu (1940s) and Reeves (1960s) versions, this film takes a fairly serious attitude to the story. A made-for-television movie, this film has fairly good special effects for its era. The flying carpet and genie scenes convey the excitement of the quest to find the All-seeing Eye and rescue the Princess Jasmine from the evil Vizier. Roddy McDowell's rendition of the amiable thief/street magician, Hasan is pleasant relief without the slapstick found in earlier versions of the film. The test of the Temple of Truth and the final scene in which Prince Taj smashes the Vizier's soul (found hidden in a giant egg) is a combination of The Arabian Nights and European folklore. Great stuff! I enjoyed watching this film as much now as I did back in 1978.

A good classic for the collection...
This movie is an excellent addition to any film buffs collection. Although it cant compare to the first and original piece, it combines extraordinary film techniques and backgrounds, (especially for its time) And shows an arabian adventure for the ages. ... Read more