Reviews (8)

OK, not scary.
Pretty good, although not scary. Could have been more "vampiry".

EROTIC VAMPIRE CLASSIC
ANNETTE VADIM REALLY CAPTUTRED MY INTEREST AND SO DID THE STORY. THERE'S NOTHING BORING ABOUT THIS FILM.THE LESBIAN SCENES ARE BEAUTIFULLY PHOTOGRAPHED IN GREAT TASTE. IT'S VERY MUCH A WORK OF ART FROM LA BELLE EPOQUE. I RECOMMEND IT TO THE OPEN MINDED MATURE PEOPLE WHO LOVE EROTICISM AND ARE NOT OFFENDED BY TWO PEOPLE OF THE SAME SEX MAKING LOVE IN A TASTEFUL MANNER.ROGER VADIM WAS AHEAD OF HIS TIME. YES, I WILL ADD IT TO MY COLLECTION, AS I WORE OUT THE COPY I TAPED FROM ''UP ALL NIGHT''.

BEAUTIFUL SEDUCTIVE BABES
YES I AM ADDING THIS TO MY COLLECTION. BOY, THIS ROGER VADIM REALLY KNOWS HOW TO PICK THE MOST BEAUTIFUL SEDUCTIVE BABES FOR HIS MOVIES. IT'S A MOVIE I CAN WATCH OVER AND OVER BEAUSE THE WOMEN ARE SOOO SEDUCTIVE EVEN WITH THEIR CLOTHES ON. THE FILMS BY ROGER VADIM ALL HAVE A HAUNTING UNFORGETTABLE QUALITY.

bella gente 1960
i first saw this film on tv a few years ago and could not forget the melancholy music score and the beauty of the 2 lead actresses. the film,itself, is a bit silly but i think i'm a fan!there's a lot of atmosphere but the dubbing of elsa martinelli's voice is a joke.she sounds like marilyn monroe?

A masterpiece
A beautifully photographed, horror-art film/vampire romance based on the Carmilla novella. Directed by Roger Vadim, who later directed the horror-art film Spirits Of The Dead (an anthology of Edgar Allan Poe tales).

A woman is possessed by her artistocratic/vampire ancestor, both of whom are in love with the same man (yet the film also has lesbian overtones).

Languid pace and little gore, as one would expect from European art cinema, but enjoyable on its own terms. The sudden switch to black & white (and blood red) film in the hospital sequence is surreal and unsettling.

Beautiful actresses, as befits a vampire romance. ... Read more

Reviews (11)

Fairie Tale Theater rocks, especially Cinderella!
I love Fairy tales. The first time I saw this movie (and thisone Cinderella especially) I was enchanted and I loved it from thenon. Jean Stapleton gives this movie humor, Jennifer Beals gives it enchantment, and Matthew Broderick gives it a taste of what is still a celebrity in the late 90's! This movie ROCKS!

Faerie Tale Theatre: Cinderella
One of the most romantic episodes in the excellent Faerie Tale Theatre series, this one is the classic rags-to-riches story of Cinderella. Jennifer Beals beautifully portrays the role of Cinderella, and Matthew Broderick makes a delightfully witty Prince Henry. The appearances of Jean Stapleton as the fairy godmother and Eve Arden as the wicked stepmother are superb. The costumes, sets and music are truly divine in this wonderful faerie tale.

Happily Ever After start HERE!
What happens when you have Jennifer Beals playing Cinderella and Jean Stapleton as the fairy godmother? MAGIC!!! This is a wonderful film in the Faerie Tale Theatre series. Each actor/actress gives very memorable performances from Matthew Broderick playing the prince who is looking for love to Eve Arden who plays the unfair dictating stepmother. A perfect family film. A movie that no family or fan of fantasy should be without!

Amazing!
These videos were my absolute favorite as a kid, and at 20, I'm still watching them! They're all so beautifully done and have such wonderful actors! I'm saving all of my copies to show my children some day!

Great Movie
Wonderfully modernized version of the classic tale of Cinderella brought to life with wonderful actors. Great movie . Highly reccomend. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Seven Deadly Sins - 1962
This is an awesome classic!!!

In the 'sloth' segment I saw the most beautiful body on earth. I was a twenty year old college student when I viewed this movie at the Times Fine Art theater in Milwaukee in 1962.

Her name, I believe, is Danielle Aubry. I have made love to women with gorgeous... but Danielle is still #1 even after all these (40) years.

There are also some socially redeeming qualities about this film but I forgot what they were.

GM ... Read more

Amazon.com essential video

Jane Fonda's memorable, zero-gravity striptease during the opening credits of this 1968 Roger Vadim movie is the closest the film comes to a liberated marriage of wit and sex. Based on a French comic strip, the story concerns the adventures of a 41st-century woman, who pretty much gets it on with whomever asks. The sci-fi sets were pretty interesting at the time, though they look rather anachronistic now. Appreciated today mostly as a camp classic, the movie is actually more trying than anything else. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (50)

Funny, Intentionally-Horrid Camp / Cult Sci-Fi Flick
Jane Fonda may regret opting Barbarella as one of her earlier films, but fans of bad camp and cult sci-fi are happy to see the actress in this horridly funny sixties film.

Fonda plays the title role of a spaice vixen / astronaut in the exceptionally distant yet sixties-fied future. When genius but mad scientist Dr. Duran Duran (presumably from whom the band took their name) disappears, Barbarella is sent to track him down and given weapons she has no clue how to use (war has been outlawed for ages) and little warning of the planet she'll be landing on.

Pursued by evil children with cannibalistic dolls and rescued by a tough man in furs, Barbarella finds out about real sex (thankfully not pictured) when she offers to use a mood-linking pill, the 41st century method of copulation. From there she's off to a city of evil, avarice, and sin, to be caught by the demented Dr. Duran and put through such tortures as a cage of pecking budgies to the doctor's notorious and sensual machine for execution by sheer pleasure to a lake of liquid evil whose effects look to have been done by lava lamp. Along the way she meets various helpers (most of whom she ends up sleeping with), including a blind angel named Pygar.

Barbarella's costumes vary with each scene, all skin-tight and definitely satirizing the garb of women of golden-age science fiction. On the whole, the movie pokes fun at the field of early science fiction rather well with a heaping helping of sixties hippie culture thrown in for good measure. The DVD doesn't include any exceptional special features.

Barbarella is by no means a good movie, but it is excellent fare for fans of campy sci-fi that would be right at home on MST:3K and quite humorous when taken with a grain of salt.

The hottest hottie ever?
Okay, so these days Jane Fonda is weird, which is entirely understandable given that she is married to Ted Turner, who can often be found snoozing during Braves games, wearing a cap 3 sizes too big for his head. But in "Barbarella," Jane Fonda is unbelievably hot, to the point where I questioned whether this movie was real or a mere figment of my fantastical imaginations. Well, it's real, people, and you need to see it. Not only is Jane utterly flawless (which can be easily seen by comparing her to today's "hot" stars like Britney Speers, Jennifer Love Hewitt, and Denise Richards), she also invites every male character in the film to basically have his way with her. Um, waiter, check please? But seriously, we cannot be supporting this type of wanton behavior (primarily for the reason that the women who act this way in the real world look more like George Forman than Jane Fonda), so this type of vision is best left to the campy comedy known as "Barbarella." I am 21, mind you, so I am not biased towards the 60's, but I am telling you not to miss out on the world's perfect female--watch it.

A trip
This movie is a trip. In spite of what agenda-driven, right-wingers have to say about it, based on their personal dislike for Jane Fonda and her oppinions of the Vietnam war, this movie is a true classic. It's campy to a point that it makes you think how serious, pragmatic and booring people have become over the past decades. It's a total groovie trip. It doesn't take itself seriously at any moment. And best of all, it actually has lines to read between.

Hanoi Jane in her best role
The only movie she ever made that I can sit through.

Ban Jane Fonda
Read up about her role in the Vietnam War before giving her your patronage. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

TheBoy Who Left Home to Find out Aboutr the Shivers
The Shivers is the greatest Faerie tale in the whole theatre.I grew up on these videos. I have been searching for a few years now to purchase these videos.I can't wait for them to become available. I would love to own the whole collection.These classic tales should be available for all children to see and enjoy.I must say The Faerie Tale theatre collection is the greatest among faerie tale production.

Utterly Enjoyable!
The Fairy Tale Theatre Series is wonderful. I watched them as a child, and still enjoy watching them. This one especially. It makes you laugh and at the same time has enough scare to it to make a child feel that they just watched their first horror movie. In actuality there there is nothing horrible about it. A perfect family entertainment movie.

Truly a classic!
Faery Tale Theatre movies are masterpieces! They follow the tales they tell fairly faithfully as they were originally written. I only hope they will soon be re-released as my children are now asking for copies, and I don't want to give mine up!

My favorite out of the Faerie Tale Theatre collection.
I am a collector of these series by Shelly Duvall. I have the complete 26 set of movies. It is a great set of movies for families, young and old alike. My sister's favorite is "Cinderella," starring Jennifer Beals and Matthew Broderick. My Mom's favorite is "Rumpelstiltskin," starring Ned Beatty. This is a great collection of movies and a must for every family. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

A sexy film
Man,is this a sexy film. Rebecca DeMornay is Robin,a paroled convict who forms a band with some people who answer an ad she placed(she's the lead singer and rhythm guitarist). Upon her release from jail she marries the handsome man who bails her out. So Robin begins her new life with her new husband Billy(Vincent Spano) and his young son,Timmy,from an earlier marriage. Handyman Billy has a younger brother who's a musician also. He also works as a sales clerk at a fast food restaurant(he was fired from the restaurant after failing to show up too many times). Billy and Robin had affairs with others during their marriage which never ended. Robin had sexual affairs with governor hopeful James Tiernan(Frank Langella). They shot pool together and Billy went bowling with another woman. After Billy an Robin engage in a sexual activity on a bed inside a museum,they're photographed by a patron. The photograph is brought to the attention of Robin's parole officer. Now Robin's about to go back to jail. Billy gets a lawyer and fights to the finish for Robin's revoked parole. James even admitted,"Miss Shay(Robin) is getting too dangerous for me.". So Robin and her band perform in a nightclub and she catches the eye of a male sex fiend. Jealous Billy beats the crap out of the sex fiend. So to keep the marriage alive,Billy plans to go to Robin's jail(Billy confessed to her that he murdered another woman). Awesome film!

Somewhere between a guilty pleasure and an underrated gem
If you can forget the whole remake thing, this is a somewhat involving movie, with interesting plot twists, a great performance by De Mornay, nice supporting performances, interesting if corny character development, a nice sound track, Vadim's strange but unique visual style and it's very sexy. What more do you want? I think as time goes on and a new generation stumbles on this flick free from the hype about it being a remake of a "classic" it will be appreciated more and more as a nice offbeat B movie melodrama with lots of sex, some nice humor and beautiful photography.

And God Created Rebecca De Mornay
AND GOD CREATED WOMAN is a remake of the classic Bridgett Bardot film but in title only. The movie is pretty predictable, so it is only saved by just having Rebecca De Mornay heating up the screen. There is a hilarious chain of events near the beginning of the film. She escapes from a women's prison, hitchhikes a ride (from a man played by Frank Langella in the car), and the vehicle ends up at the prison she's escaped from. So, she has to sneak back into prison without being noticed. A contractor (Vincent Spano) helps her out while he's working on some construction in the prison gymnasium...The rest of the plot is not very memorable as she tries to start her own rock band when she's paroled and must sacrifice integrity and her marriage to get to the top etc. Overall, a movie that was made to showcase the "talents" of Ms. DeMornay and nothing else.

A different kind of view
I liked this movie because I could relate to some of the relationship problems in my past i.e. 2 of 5 women who first told me they loved me then told me I'd be a lonely old guy, I told them both,better than than being a miserable young man with them.Women I've known,they all think they're smarter than me always trying to tell me stuff I already know.Anyway I liked the movie and all the arguments and humor,a typical politician got have something on the side [...],but has to becareful of his image.Rebecca DeMornay was excellent as a free spirit,not a gold digger or typical hollywood bimbo, like those other hollywood bimbos. I thought she was great in this movie,the other actors were good too. I think because of jealousy by other people in Hollywood, Ms. DeMornays efforts are not recognized. This movie was very entertaing but see it for yourself [....]

For Rebecca DeMornay Fans Only
If you were hooked by Rebecca De Mornay's sexiness in Risky Business (like I was), this movie is for you. She is so beautiful and voraciously sexual throughout. The story has a few flaws (she nearly has her parole revoked for being photographed having sex with her husband??) but it is a worthwhile vehicle for doing what she does so well. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Roger Vadim's directorial debut is more titillation than continental cool, but it broke box-office records and censorship taboos in its teasing display of sex and eroticism in the sunny vacation playground of the Saint-Tropez seashore. Vadim ushered in the era of continental attitudes toward sex and christened the voluptuous Brigitte Bardot (his wife) the world's original sex kitten: earthy, innocent, and all fleshy curves. Bardot is Juliette, a pouty child-woman orphan prone to nude sunbathing and playful flirting. Though pursued by a rich widower (Curt Jurgens) and attracted to the brawny fisherman Antoine (Christian Marquand), she marries Antoine's shy younger brother Michel (Jean-Louis Trintignant), an earnest, innocent kid hardly older than she but far less worldly. Despite her sincere efforts to "be good," Juliette gives in to Michel's advances, setting off a chain of events that ends in fraternal conflict.Vadim keeps the display of skin this side of an R rating, but only barely, teasing the male audience with skimpy outfits, barely concealing sheets, and often conveniently arranged scenery. Bohemian Bardot frolics through the film with nary a self-conscious moment, culminating in a passionate mambo, her pent-up frustration and sexual confusion exploding in a mad dance as bongos pound away on the soundtrack. Who needed Viagra in the '50s when Bardot was around? --Sean Axmaker ... Read more

Reviews (16)

And God Created Brigitte
From a time when movies were more about character development and less about explosions and effects. I purchased this DVD out of curiosity and now I adore this movie_ especially Brigitte Bardot's character_ wow, what a babe! This is way cool retro cinema_it's funny, it's witty, it's shocking, it's roguish and it's definitely unpredictable. Reminds me of the movies by Radley Metzger, set in Europe. The restoration of the negatives are flawless, and the colors of the film have been revitalized, but nevermind that, if you've never seen this film before, or even Brigitte Bardot, prepare to fall inlove.

never a boring moment
I have seen this film many, many times and I never tire of it. While some people say Brigitte Bardot was not a talented actress, she had a very believable, charismatic presence and her character Juliette was at times innocent, vulnerable and brazen. She is an orphan living by her own rules in a stuffy small town (St Tropez) and is searching for the place she "belongs". This search leads her to stray from her husband, only to find that where she belongs all along is by his side. I think the movie was done very well both visually and though the script was simple, the actors made up for it.

a groundbreaking film
This review is for the Criterion Collection DVD edition of the film.

This release was supervised by director Roger Vadim who died while the DVD was being produced.

This film highly controversal at the time of the release in the US (it was considered racy) but is tame by today's standards.
It got a PG rating for it's 1978 rerelease in the US

The film was also remade in 1988 by the same director and title and the remake got an R rating.

The original French title is "Et Dieu créa la femme"

The film is about a young woman whose hedonistic tendencies cause problems in the town she is living in. Her husband attempts to calm her but that also causes problems.

The Criterion DVD has a theatrical trailer in English and there is also a restoration demonstration.

sparks flying off your screen
In all her 48 movies, Brigitte Bardot never catches public imagination with more effect than she does here. Paradise on earth is just around the corner, she tells us, making the sparks fly off your screen. This edition is the new one, by the way, cleaned up in 2000. You will appreciate its fine use of colors.

That really is all there is to say about this movie. But it's enough. More than enough. It is exactly the reason why 'Et Dieu créa la femme' (= And God created woman) is immortal.

not so secret indulgence
ah Brigitte you were once my idol. Seeing you again after 40 some years, just as fresh, just as fabulous ( in both senses) as you ever were is a real high. They may have shot JFK and lifted Linda Tripp's face, if not her moral compass, but you are the magic. Je t'adore! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Best Faerie Tale Theatre Ever!
I would have to agree with the previous review that this is the best episode of Faerie Tale Theatre. In adapting faerie tales for film or television, the biggest difficulty seems to be in capturing that sense of awe and wonder that the original stories invoke. Without picture illustrations and a child's imagination to fill in the blanks, the original stories often appear static and lifeless on the screen. At worst, the sublime becomes downright ridiculous. Faerie Tale Theatre is a great and entertaining show, but rarely has it captured that sense of magic. This episode is one time that is has, and the results are truly something to behold. Eric Idle is the only "name" here, but the rest of the cast is equally perfect in their roles. Nicholas Meyer creates an entire other world, utilizing medieval tones in setting and costumes, as well as an eerie score of pipes from composer James Horner. The effect is mesmerizing, and if the use of rhyme as dialogue takes some getting used to, it only adds to the haunting impact in the end. This episode may be too disturbing for the youngest children, but all lovers of faerie tales owe it to themselves to see this. It doesn't have the budget of big-screen fantasies, but I rank this right up there with the NeverEnding Story and the Dark Crystal. If you love those films, then you understand what I mean about the sublime.

Wonderful and surreal...as fairy tales should be.
In the early to mid eighties, Shelly Duvall produced a cable show for the then flagship HBO network called Faerie Tale Theatre. The intent was to bring classic childhood stories to an audience of young and old alike through big name stars, directors, and hip, irreverent writing. Without this series, there would not have been a "Princess Bride". Although many of these were excellent examples of the best television could offer, the finest hour (for me) was director Nicholas Meyer's interpretation of Robert Browning's "Pied Piper of Hamelin". Both faithful to the original poem and liberal in its creative embellishments, Meyer perfectly captured the eerieness of the story. The show starred Eric Idle and he makes a perfect Piper. Tall, pale, with piercing eyes and a hawklike nose, Idle looke every bit the character: part mystic, part mercenary. And his final march out of Hamelin with the children is truly the stuff of innocent nightmares. Without sentimentality, without any concession to cuteness, this episode proved that within all great children's stories lurked something magical and sinister...Just like adulthood. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

'Maids' - - -Three Pretty Stars in A Row.
An odd, (and hardly publicized) little black-comedy/bedroom farce written and produced by STAR TREK creator Gene Roddenberry and directed by Roger Vadim (AND GOD CREATED WOMAN, BARBARELLA). One could understand Vadim involved with this piece of light-hearted sleaze, but Roddenberry? Boasting a great and diverse cast with Rock Hudson, Angie Dickinson..., Telly Savalas, Roddy McDowell, Keenan Wynn, and James Doohan (Star Trek's Mr. Scotty himself), the film has dark humor, [love]situations, and a murder mystery to boot. Rock Hudson, in one of his weirder and misogynistic roles, plays a coach/counselor (Tiger) at a western university. He's bedding some of the college ... coed's, killing them when they want commitment, and leaves their bodies strewn along various parts of the university (a far cry from his characters in films with Doris Day). An on-campus investigation (headed by Telly Savalas as Capt. Sam Surcher) begins and Tiger is the prime suspect. In the meantime, one of his students, Ponce (John Carson) is having a tough time scoring with girls. Tiger (Hudson) is willing to give the young man some advice. Then, enlists the help of Miss Smith (Dickinson) to help Ponce along but gets (and gives) more than she bargains for. Much of the humor is the relationship of Hudson's and Dickinson's characters in the film when helping out Ponce (Carson), and the weirder humor comes when Tiger (Hudson) is "sampling" the coeds. The film is slightly entertaining. Satirical at times with it's point of view of women and the education system. However, it is mostly worth watching just to see these actors play against type. A curiosity from the man who created STAR TREK. Note: Look for actress Joanna Cameron (as Yvonne), one of Hudson's ...co-ed/victims. She played ISIS - - in the Saturday morning live action kid's show part of the SHAZAM (Captain Marvel) hour. Also, William L. Campbell has a supporting role as a sheriff deputy (Grady). He played one of Star Trek's (orig. series) memorable alien villains, Trelane from the 1967 episode "The Squire of Gothos."

Before Wild Things there were...
Wonderfully sleazy film with Rock Hudson doing his best to fool all the other characters and the viewers of his innocence in various rapes and murders around the high school where he is the clean cut Phys Ed teacher.

Vadim's sensibility really has no place in the US how he managed to get this one ... is beyond me.

The Sexual Revolution Has (Had) Arrived!
It is shocking to look back and see how screwed up America was during this time of "free love," as the concept of this movie would be totally unacceptable now. But the country was 'feeling itself out,' as it were, and the pendulum always swings a little too far at first.

The movie is very cheesy, but the most surprising thing about it is how comical Angie Dickinson is in this role. I do wonder why she chose to play a B movie role that is so overtly sexual at that point in her career, because I wouldn't expect to be taken seriously as an actress after this. But this movie is a moment in time, and has historical significance as part of the swinging 60's-70's era.

Rock Hudson is always good, but Angie Dickinson is absolutely delightful in this role. Her scene being seduced by Rock Hudson is classic camp, and her timing is great. She was forty when this was made, and became a major sex symbol well into her forties. "Dressed to Kill" was made when she was near fifty. Go Angie!

Teasing short skirts
I suppose the '70s promoters of this thing thought there was some sort of serious "message" in satirizing the importance of football against the backdrop of sexy coeds being murdered.

I'm a bit of a Roger Vadim fan since his movies tend to emphasize pretty girls. This movie has lots of pretty girls, mostly in short skirts. One of the earliest scenes is a boy walking towards the school as a girl in front of him bends over to pick up her books. At that time in fashion history, skirts were so short that girls *never* bent over, except in movies (see "Smile").

Eye candy from the golden age of free love
I actually saw this in a theater when it first came out (ok, I'm old, get over it) and I'd been really curious to see it again. It was just as bad (and good) as I'd remembered.

It's just as Austin Powers said: consequence free, unprotected free love. And terrific miniskirts as well. I watch it for the fashions, and Roger Vadim's make-out scenes are more appealing than hard core. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

my personal fairy tale theatre movie
If your looking for a fairy tale for kids that can make even you laugh this is the one. Robin Williams will lighten the mood every time.

Bad for Children
This film contains language and sexual content. Robin Williams uses profanity and parental discretion is advised. It is a funny telling of the story for adults but not younger viewers... Parents should watch the movie first to decide if it is appropiate for their children, and trust me, it isn't!!!!

Undoubtably one of the best Faerie Tale Theatre videos.
This episode of The Tale of the Frog Prince, starring the hilarious Robin Williams and wonderful Teri Garr, is not only a very well told classic children's tale, but a comedy. It has plenty of bits an adult would find entertaining, none being underhand or crude, while still amusing to a younger audience. I grew up watching this series; I loved it then, and I still love it now ... A very good movie to see, and a deal if you can buy it anywhere!

Hilarious, but for adults
This is a hilariously funny version of a children`s fairy tale. Both Robin Williams and Teri Garr do a superb job in their portrayals of the frog-prince and the princess, but you will, most likely, be surprised at how well Rene Aberjonois (Clayton, fron the t.v. series Benson) does comedy. The only caveat is that because of the language and some the situations I would not recommend this video for pre-teens, but anyone else will definitely be amused! ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Faerie Tale Theatre: The Three Little Pigs
Hilarious episode from the Faerie Tale Theatre series with an all-star cast. Billy Crystal as well as his on-screen brother actors are excellent as the three pigs, and Jeff Goldblum is show-stealing as the Big Bad Wolf. Valerie Perrine is a knock-out and makes a surprisingly sexy pig in this faerie tale. A great comedic hit for the entire family to enjoy!

I love this series!
My brother, sisters and I grew up watching the Faerie Tale Theatre collection, and loving them all. By the way, they're not just for kids! My mother loved them so much she went out of her way to find them for my little niece to enjoy. I highly recommend them to anyone with (or even without) children to view them!

cute and appealing
Billy Crystal, Valerie Perrine, Doris Roberts and Jeff Goldblum star in the new telling of the tale from FAERIE TALE THEATRE.

One of the more light-hearted entries in the series, its a delightfully comic piece, played out by master comedians Crystal and Roberts, with the beautiful Perrine cutting a mean figure as a porker indeed.

The series was a huge success, boasting a huge multi award-winning cast (Tonys, Oscars, Emmys, Grammys, Golden Globes, etc), and creator/producer Shelly Duvall has earned laurels for one of the finest family series in years.

Best of the Fairie Tale Theatres
I must have rented this video 40-50 times for my then pre-school age son and daughter. We all had the lines memorized. Billy Crystal is terrific as one of the pigs (Peter, Paul and Larry) and Jeff Goldblum is a howl as the wolf. The whole cast is great. This is truly a film that everyone in the family will love. The best.

As Unforgettable as Nat
This was a household staple rented over and over from our local video store, played over and over for all ages whenever our guests seemed willing. There was never ever anything but laughter and appreciation; I'm still trying to find the Samuel Barber music played just so. Please let me know if you know where I can get a copy... there are future grandchildren and grandnieces/nephews in my life whose lives will be incomplete without it. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Enough of Washington Irving's Magic Resonates
RIP VAN WINKLE is the kind of pseudo-fairy tale that can mean nearly anything that the reader wants. In the hands of director Francis Ford Coppola, RVW is a surprisingly entertaining version of the Washington Irving novel that was resurrected by the Fairie Tale Theater. A previous reviewer castigated Coppola for what he termed the cheapness of the sets. Yet, as I watched the film for myself (no children involved), I was carried along by what I saw as a deliberately surreal style that successfully mimicked the much more somber tone of the text. Rip (Harry Dean Stanton)is presented as a henpecked husband of wife Vilma (Talia Shire), a woman whose cacophanous shrewishness more clearly suggests Margaret Hamilton's Wicked Witch of the West than the shrill yelping of say Hillary Clinton. In such a non-threatening world, Vilma's harsh voice and equally harsh hairdo do little more than serve as plot devices to propel Rip into the haunted mountains of the Catskills, where the tale's true power resides. Rip leaves the outer level surreal world of his village to enter the inner level surreality of the Magic Mountain of Commander Heinrich. There he sees the magical ghosts whose own deaths 150 years ago prefigure his own looming sleep death of twenty years. Rip's return is a balancing of his own confusion of his long sleep with an equally confusing long sleep of the burgeoning united colonies. The silliness of the mayor (Tim Conway) suggests the subtext that the changes in Rip's village--astounding as they must seem to the bewildered Rip--are only the precursor to further changes that involve granting rights to women and people of color. When Rip finally accepts the reality of his new life, so does the viewer accept the notion that even the seeming reality of momentous changes must be viewed against future and even more momentous ones. RIP VAN WINKLE succeeds in resonating this message as well as far more "serious" films.

Faerie Tale Theatre: Rip Van Winkle
Atmospheric and delightful version of the Washington Irving classic from Faerie Tale Theatre. Francis Ford Coppola creates a spellbinding film with Harry Dean Stanton turning in a great performance as the man who liked to sleep alot! Talia Shire is wickedly funny as Rip's wife, Wilma. Alot of people probably think the same thing as I do, that the sets are a little too fake such as the sheet used for water when the goblins talk about their misfortunate shipwreck. Overall however, it's another excellent episode.

Francis Ford Coppola seems to be directing in his sleep....
First of all, let me state that Faerie Tale Theatre is one of the best children's series ever made. It walks the fine line of being entertaining for both children and adults without pandering to either. However, this is by far the weakest entry in the series and should be avoided by all but completists. The dark aspects of Washington Irving's book have been toned down in service of a bland script and oddly tacked-on environmental message. There are glimpses of the sort of magic and wonder the story invokes, but mostly this is a lifeless and static adaptation. Francis Ford Coppola is the most acclaimed director to work on the show, but he's directing on autopilot here. The script by Mark Curtiss and Rod Ash (who have notably written the most as well as the lamest scripts in the series) wanders aimlessly in the first half before crashing to a halt in the second. Harry Dean Stanton as Rip is one of the few good things here, but Talia Shire is woefully miscast (although I think that was the point) as Rip's overbearing wife. The series always runs on a shoestring, but here it really shows. During Hudson's flashback of the storm at sea, even young children will be rolling their eyes at the toy boat tossing around on a blanket. Some of the set pieces do deliver (most memorably the encounter with the ghosts) and Carmine Coppola's music is pretty enough, but I can find little else to recommend here. Maybe if you need help falling asleep.... ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Definite kid-pleaser
My three-year-old daughter fell in love with this the first time we borrowed it from the library. I enjoyed it myself; my only gripe is Conchata Ferrell's performance. This usually very talented actress seems bored to tears and injects absolutely no feeling into her role as Thumbelina's mother. It's as if she was directed to perform as stoically as possible. I don't get it at all. I am also not impressed with Carrie Fisher's singing here. I know she is capable of singing quite beautifully, I just don't think the folkish songs in this tale are well suited to her instrument. It's hard to pull off such dirges unless the singer has that ethereal, almost mediaeval quality to her voice (think Loreena McKennitt, Mediaveal Baebes). But those minor complaints are of no consequence whatsoever to the intended audience. Children will certainly be enchanted! It's witty script and a fun production.

The Little Thumb with a Big Heart
"Thumbelina" is a fantastic retelling of the classic Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale, "Little Thumb".

Produced in 1983 (and released the following year), as part of Shelley Duvall's charming live-action "Faerie Tale Theatre", the narrative is told with good humour, imagination, and a great sense of fun. The magnificent cast adds much colour and warmth to the proceedings. In particular, Carrie Fisher, in the title role, delivers a captivating performance. She makes an extremely attractive heroine, not to mention one who's "more than just another pretty face". She's an absolute delight, adding her unique qualities to the role. Not only is she pint-sized in real life (although not quite as tiny as a thumb!), she has a lovely, deep voice that is quite at odds with her diminutive stature. When she sings, it is a beautiful and rewarding experience. Indeed, she sings with "an angel's voice". (This is also a highlight for any Carrie Fisher fan, as she began her career as a singer, and yet she only sings briefly in "Hannah and Her Sisters", 1986, and in the Walt Disney live-action comedy, "Sunday Drive", also released in 1986.)

Carrie Fisher is supported by equally delightful character actors. The late Burgess Meredith is in top form as Mr Mole, the second would-be husband of Thumbelina. Likewise, William Katt makes a very positive impression as the Prince of the Flower Angels.

This wonderful fairy tale is further enhanced by excellent production values, including great music, atmospheric sets, and good costumes and creatures like Mother Toad, her hapless son, Herman, the Fieldmouse, and the Swallow.

The script faithfully follows the original story, although the gender of the Fieldmouse has been changed, making for a more convincing friendship with Mr Mole to exist, as well as creating a heartfelt guardianship of Thumbelina along strictly platonic lines.

This well-written and perceptive tale ("I'm always the bride, but never the bridesmaid") makes for enchanting family entertainment. "Thumbelina" delivers a great message, too, but above all, it's storytelling at it's most memorable.

I applaud executive producer Shelley Duvall, and all involved, for giving such a wonderful gift. It's up there with Jim Henson's equally engaging "Storyteller" anthology series, produced in the late 1980s, and the "The Doll", an Emmy Award winning episode of "Amazing Stories" (of the same era).

For me, it's an extra special treat because Carrie Fisher became much more than just Princess Leia with this performance. Besides, she continues to melt me every time she smiles as the Ultimate Flower Angel! Let's hope that this "Faerie Tale Theatre" production, along with my other favourites like "Beauty and the Beast", are re-released soon. Preservation on DVD for future generations is highly recommended. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

A sexy film
Man,is this a sexy film. Rebecca DeMornay is Robin,a paroled convict who forms a band with some people who answer an ad she placed(she's the lead singer and rhythm guitarist). Upon her release from jail she marries the handsome man who bails her out. So Robin begins her new life with her new husband Billy(Vincent Spano) and his young son,Timmy,from an earlier marriage. Handyman Billy has a younger brother who's a musician also. He also works as a sales clerk at a fast food restaurant(he was fired from the restaurant after failing to show up too many times). Billy and Robin had affairs with others during their marriage which never ended. Robin had sexual affairs with governor hopeful James Tiernan(Frank Langella). They shot pool together and Billy went bowling with another woman. After Billy an Robin engage in a sexual activity on a bed inside a museum,they're photographed by a patron. The photograph is brought to the attention of Robin's parole officer. Now Robin's about to go back to jail. Billy gets a lawyer and fights to the finish for Robin's revoked parole. James even admitted,"Miss Shay(Robin) is getting too dangerous for me.". So Robin and her band perform in a nightclub and she catches the eye of a male sex fiend. Jealous Billy beats the crap out of the sex fiend. So to keep the marriage alive,Billy plans to go to Robin's jail(Billy confessed to her that he murdered another woman). Awesome film!

Somewhere between a guilty pleasure and an underrated gem
If you can forget the whole remake thing, this is a somewhat involving movie, with interesting plot twists, a great performance by De Mornay, nice supporting performances, interesting if corny character development, a nice sound track, Vadim's strange but unique visual style and it's very sexy. What more do you want? I think as time goes on and a new generation stumbles on this flick free from the hype about it being a remake of a "classic" it will be appreciated more and more as a nice offbeat B movie melodrama with lots of sex, some nice humor and beautiful photography.

And God Created Rebecca De Mornay
AND GOD CREATED WOMAN is a remake of the classic Bridgett Bardot film but in title only. The movie is pretty predictable, so it is only saved by just having Rebecca De Mornay heating up the screen. There is a hilarious chain of events near the beginning of the film. She escapes from a women's prison, hitchhikes a ride (from a man played by Frank Langella in the car), and the vehicle ends up at the prison she's escaped from. So, she has to sneak back into prison without being noticed. A contractor (Vincent Spano) helps her out while he's working on some construction in the prison gymnasium...The rest of the plot is not very memorable as she tries to start her own rock band when she's paroled and must sacrifice integrity and her marriage to get to the top etc. Overall, a movie that was made to showcase the "talents" of Ms. DeMornay and nothing else.

A different kind of view
I liked this movie because I could relate to some of the relationship problems in my past i.e. 2 of 5 women who first told me they loved me then told me I'd be a lonely old guy, I told them both,better than than being a miserable young man with them.Women I've known,they all think they're smarter than me always trying to tell me stuff I already know.Anyway I liked the movie and all the arguments and humor,a typical politician got have something on the side [...],but has to becareful of his image.Rebecca DeMornay was excellent as a free spirit,not a gold digger or typical hollywood bimbo, like those other hollywood bimbos. I thought she was great in this movie,the other actors were good too. I think because of jealousy by other people in Hollywood, Ms. DeMornays efforts are not recognized. This movie was very entertaing but see it for yourself [....]

For Rebecca DeMornay Fans Only
If you were hooked by Rebecca De Mornay's sexiness in Risky Business (like I was), this movie is for you. She is so beautiful and voraciously sexual throughout. The story has a few flaws (she nearly has her parole revoked for being photographed having sex with her husband??) but it is a worthwhile vehicle for doing what she does so well. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Puss in Boots
This is a great movie. It's real light hearted and comical. The characters are all very love-able, except for the ogre of course! I also thought it was neat that all the main characters are African American. I highly recommend this film if you're looking for a good, clean, fun movie to enjoy. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Faerie Tale Theatre: The Nightingale
Mick Jagger stars as the Emperor of Cathay in this beautiful and lavish production from Faerie Tale Theatre. It's one of the most touching faerie tales, and it turns out to be one of the best episodes from this series. Jagger turns in an excellent performance as the Emperor, and Barbara Hershey is absolutely charming as the loyal kitchen maid. A spellbinding episode that is one of my favourites.

Sweet and affecting
Mick Jagger stars as the Emperor of Cathay in THE NIGHTINGALE, FAERIE TALE THEATRE'S great new telling of the tale.

He is quite good in his acting role here, although one can't help thinking that someone more suitable could have been found, considering the series' impeccable casting in all its productions.

Barbara Hershy plays the Little Kitchen Maid who opens the Emperor's heart by bringing him the magical Nightingale, who is voiced by Shelly Duvall (creator and producer of the series).

Also featured are Mako and Edward James Olmos. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Each episode very engaging.
Each episode keeps you watching and always ends with an unexpected twist. I wish they would produce videos of the whole series; very good material.

SHANON TWEED IS THE STAR!
I saw the episode VIDEO DATE when it first came out on HBO and was SO-O-O turned on by Shannon Tweed in that! She looks incredibly beautiful and provides the makings for an all-time-favorite fantasy of mine: being tied up and seduced by a beautiful woman. If I was that guy (who is a real slimball, by the way) I would give in to her suggestions and be held captive without hesitation, particularly when she is wearing a sexy black thing like she does in this episode. I ordered the tape strictly with the longing to see the "climatic" parts of VIDEO DATE. Who cares about the other two episodes!

SYBIL DANNING'S INCREDIBLE BODY DESERVES 5 STARS
Video consists of three shows of the old Hitchhiker Series. The one titled "Face to Face" with the fully tanned B-Movie Queen SYBIL DANNING is the best. Each episode deals with the moral lesson that when someone does something wrong, it comes back to haunt them. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Average story, Cindy Pickett and Joanna Cassidy are good
This movie concerns a "frigid", as a result of a sexual assault earlier in her life, woman's transformation as a result of a "secret lover", who comes to her in the night, for some erotic "games", hence the title. It's an average movie with good performances, and quite a bit of revealing scenes, especially Ms. Pickett; who has a fairly decent (if small breasted) body. Joanna Cassidy (who's a little more endowed) also has a revealing nude scene, poolside, with Ms. Pickett. A friend of her husband, who she can't abide becomes her nighttime lover, and "opens her up", so to speak, to the pleasures of sex; which she lost. [Why is it that most women in these movies only get their satisfaction by someone other than their husband; or in the case of a man, his wife-doesn't send a strong message about marital fidelity does it?] Anyway, it's a good, but not great movie, and it's a departure for Ms. Pickett; (...) For anyone who watched that show, and I didn't, it's quite a shock. Worth a look.

Cindy Pickett is Sexy
Unusual tale of a housewife who overcomes obstacles in her sexlife by way of a mysterious man visiting her while her husband is away on a business trip. Cindy Pickett, a nice-looking actress easily recognized from other features, is very daring in this picture on the subject of sex and has a fair share of soft erotic scenes. Joanna Cassidy, best remembered as replicant 'Zora' from "Blade Runner," has a supporting part in the picture. The story is strange with the mystery lover appearing in Cindy's house at night in dream-like sequences, dressed in erotic clothing she designs as an art hobby. Logic is stretched with Cindy's character allowing the half-naked man, dressed in feathers, to repeatedly have his way with her night after night. It's different, and has some sexy scenes to boot. ... Read more

Reviews (13)

The best is last
Spirits of the dead is a mixed bag of cinematic delight. Of the 3 episodes, only the last one "Toby Dammit" sustains interest. Fellini is at his best in this segment & Terence Stamp puts in a self destructive performance that has to be seen to be believed! His character, a self destructing actor who has reached the end of all worldly hope & desire wants only to leap into the chasm of death & destruction & he does so in spectactular fashion. This segment alone is worth the price of admission & Fellini caries the weight of the entire film on his capable talents. Images to delight & dialogue to astound, Terence Stamp should have won some kind of award for this brilliant performance as he portrays a burnt out actor with a death wish. You can't help but sympathize with him as he jolts his way from one bizarre interlude to another. You know you're at deaths door when you can turn down that blonde in the awards segment! Yikes!!! Never bet the devil your head!! See it!

Five Stars for "Toby Dammit".
There really is only one reason to watch this film and that is Fellini's "Toby Dammit". Terence Stamp takes the title role of an actor arriving in Italy to appear is some kind of weird religious western. He is at the end of his tether and all seems alien and disorentated to him. The Edgar Allen Poe story from which this segment is adapted from is called "Never wager your head to the Devil" and thats exactly what he does! All with the usual Fellini touch of class. Excellent.

Fellini Makes Films Like My Dreams--Exquisite Bliss
These three short films, loosely adapted from stories by Poe, are all packed with stunning landscape and exquisite set design. However, only Fellini's film manages to create a story worth retelling in its own right.

The first film is Roger Vadim's "Metzengerstein". The best thing I can say about it is that the gorgeous horse was the most effective actor in it. He knew his lines, and nodded when appropriate. Jane Fonda plays Contessa Frederica, an occasionally sadistic libertine who develops a passionate romantic attachment to the aformentioned horse. She is wondefully cruel and gorgeous, making the most out of some truly inspired little outfits. The segment is filmed by Claude Renoir, who captures some stunning images breathtaking beauty. Again, the scenes with the horse galloping and cavorting with Frederica are rather intoxicating. The story itself, however, is sacrificed on the alters of atmosphere and aesthetics. The end result is a very empty film.

Louis Malle's "William Wilson" basically has two really excellent scenes that make this worth watching. The first is a simple send-up of an autopsy. Wilson is demonstrating for his fellow Medical School classmates, the proper introductory procedure for performing an autopsy. Except, where his instructor had used the corpse of an old man--Wilson had bound a lovely, living lass and is preparing to dissect her. The other great scene involves Brigitte Bardot. Throughout this film, Bardot is unflatteringly coiffed in a black wig that is pulled back in a rather schoomarmish fashion. Her eyes are seductive, but she doesn't demand the kind of camera worship she has so often received in other films. However, the hair comes down and Bardot is soon being subjected to Wilson's birch rod. Her face, hair, and the slashes on her back are aesthetically quite sublime. Alain Delon is fair in the title role, but he lacks any real charisma. Between him and his doppelganger, I think they both possessed nearly as much charisma as the horse in Vadim's film. Overall, this film also sacrifices its story to the look of the film. The end is rather intense and powerful in its own right, but it lacks significance because the story itself isn't carried forth with any conviction or authority.

Terence Stamp is Toby Dammitt in the final film, directed by Federico Fellini. He really does an outstanding job looking washed out, confused, sick, drunk, and completely at the end of his tether. The film itself is phenomenal. It is by far the most absurdist and melancholy of the three films. In this adaptation of Poe's story, "Never Bet the Devil Your Head", Toby is jaundiced with everything possibly gained by fame in this life. He seems to represent the insidious truth of fame. He is also haunted by a sweet little girl in white, bouncing a big white ball. The scenes relating to her are the best, in my opinion. She is a sylph with terrible symbolic power. What does the ball mean? Why is she so demonstrably joyful? She can be read as pure and active--a regenerative force that is the impetus for new life. She certainly is spooky and charged with energy. She is clearly something that Toby's psyche cannot accept. Ultimately, the viewer is made privy to a series of associations in Toby's mind that help us understand his relationship with the little girl. But we are not made aware of her exact role in his downward spiral. It is impossible to fully convey the magic that Fellini captures with this film. From start to finish, there is a typically "Felliniesque" hyper-surrealism that transports the viewer into another dimension. This is the only film of the three that manages the rather daunting feats of transcendence and cinematic art. Nino Rota's score is haunting and hypnotic throughout. An absolute masterpiece overall.

The last on "Toby Dammit" is a short in itself
The first two in the detached trilogy are forgettable but the last one directed by Fellini is a classic, at first I thought it was Terrance Stamp and then I found out it was and I like him even more now. His performance is classic and the short is actually quite creepy rendition of Poe's "Don't lose you head" If I was a film student I would pay attention to this one. Hey Jane Fonda was pretty cute in her time, nevertheless the short with her was pretty bad and kind of dull, the second one was better though. Overall: good late night fright film with Fellini saving this film.

Toby Dammit is great, despite overdubs
The best story here is Toby Dammit. At first I was very annoyed that they overdubbed Terence Stamp's voice with some french actor's voice. But I think that's only because I'm so used to hearing Stamp's distinctive voice when I see his face. That soon melted away and I couldn't have enjoyed the story more (although I still think they should have left Stamp's voice alone). This is actual art on screen. It's both surreal and intensely real at the same time.

The devil as a little blonde girl freaked me out... This is another great piece of work from Fellini. Worth my money. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

My favorite childhood movie!
My sister and I were recently discussing our favorite movies when we were little. And this one was it. We had the disney movies and stuff, but this movie is funny and a great story. We use to watch this movie a lot! A great, perfect movie for children.

Fond Memories
I rented every volume of the Faerie Tale Theatre that the video store had at least 100 times when I was a kid. All these years later, this is the one I remember the most. That must say something for the quality of this story. Kids and parents will love it.

The Princess Who Had Never Laughed
I really enjoyed this movie. It was very comical. It's the funniest Faerie Tale Theatre film I've seen yet. And it teaches a very good moral too! A great family film! ... Read more