Description

Somewhere in the great wlsewhere there is a higher calling, a nobler ambition. Don Quixote is sure because he's read so in books about chivalry. But aged Quixote is not merely content to read. So he adorns himself in armor, takes up a makeshift lance and rides off to set the world right. Peter Yates directs from a script by John Mortimer and serves up a dreamy array of special effects both subtly and grandly scaled. Why would Quixote engage windmills in battle? Better yet, why not? To see the world through his eyes is to embrace life as the fullest adventure. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Don Quixote is not the Man Of La Mancha!
When my Man Of La Mancha tape got stuck in my VCR and ruined, (it was pretty worn as I have watched it dozens and dozens of times) I found it very difficult and expensive to replace. SO- I decided to get the 'new' Don Quixote movie and see if maybe I would like it just as much. Well, John Lithgow is really good in it, and the scenery is nice, and maybe it does follow the book a little more, but I just didn't care too much for it. I found it a bit boring, I missed the singing and I missed the passion with the imaginary Dulcinea. Maybe I am just too accustomed to Man Of La Mancha (even with all the flaws the critics point out) to be able to appreciate anything else, but in my opinion if you have seen the Braodway version of Man Of La Mancha and the movie with Peter O'toole- you are too spolied already to appreciate the new version of Don Quixote!

a Good Movie..
I have to admit i am not a big fan of John Lithgow, BUt in this version of Don quixote, He played the part of a delusional schitzophrenic perfectly. this story follows the book fairly well, alot better then youd expect. it would make an o.k. family movie but you can bet your money that your kids would get bored. i say that because it doesnt have the Flash and Glitter like so many of todays kid shows. if you have read the book, seen the play (Man of LaMancha) then this is a must for you. superb acting, superb visualisations of the illusions, and overall a good Flic.

Good Preformance
I have to admit i am not a big fan of John Lithgow, BUt in this version of Don quixote, He played the part of a delusional schitzophrenic perfectly. this story follows the book fairly well, alot better then youd expect. it would make an o.k. family movie but you can bet your money that your kids would get bored. i say that because it doesnt have the Flash and Glitter like so many of todays kid shows. if you have read the book, seen the play (Man of LaMancha) then this is a must for you. superb acting, superb visualisations of the illusions, and overall a good Flic.

Good Movie
I really had wanted to watch this when it was on TV, but I missed it. When I saw the video was available, I immediately purchased it. I am a big fan of John Lithgow and this part was perfect to showcase his unique talent. This movie was a pleasure to watch and is a movie that your whole family can watch together. The scenery was incredible and the movie was very enjoyable. While I haven't read the book, I think this movie is worth anyone's time. It's a nice break from all the action/horror/teen sex movies that seem to fill the theatres any more. Highly recommended!

don quixote
a well thought out movie that generally follows the book fairly well. funnie and exciting ... Read more

Amazon.com essential video

Peter Yates's 1968 cop drama has its existentialist pretensions, but there is something seductive about its strained seriousness and Steve McQueen's intentionally stoic performance as a San Francisco police detective on the trail of a murderer. A couple of key action sequences boost the film's stature, the most memorable of which is a vertiginous car chase that Yates almost approaches as a dance. Jacqueline Bisset provides window dressing as Bullitt's girlfriend--worried about how much his job strips away his humanity--and Robert Vaughan is almost reptilian as an opportunistic politician. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (104)

Bullitt Hits The Mark
1968's Bullitt is best known for its classic car chase scene that is still considered by many to the best of all time. The movie is worth watching for that scene alone as Steve McQueen's fastback Mustang chases down a Dodge Charger for a tense ten minutes through the streets of San Francisco. Even without that memorable scene, Bullitt is a classic 60's film. Mr. McQueen's performance as steely police detective Frank Bullitt is one of his best and the forerunner of the anti-heroes that would dominate films of the 70's. The plot revolves around a seemingly routine job for Bullitt and his men to protect a mob informant (Pat Renella) who is set to testify before a Senate subcommittee. When two hitmen break into the safe house and fatally wound the informant and injury another detective, Bullitt begins to have questions and takes up investigating the case on his own with the help of fellow detective Delgetti (Don Gordon). Fighting them at every turn is ruthless and ambitious senator Chalmers played with unctuous smarm by Robert Vaughan. Jacqueline Bissett co-stars in one of her first roles as Bullitt's girlfriend and Robert Duvall has a bit part as a cabbie. Director Peter Yates crafts a gritty look to the film and editor Frank Keller won the Academy Award for his superb work.

Steve McQueen scorches the streets of San Francisco
Arguably the best crime film of 1968, and certainly one of the most influential films of the genre...."Bullitt" established new directions in the mood and style of crime thrillers, and firmly established McQueen as one of the key anti-hero stars of the 60's. Based on the gritty novel "Mute Witness" by Robert L. Pike, this was the first, and only, time McQueen portrayed a police officer (albeit a maverick one) in his movie career. In 1968 Steve was then riding high on the success of his previous crime film, "The Thomas Crown Affair", and "Bullitt" just propelled his star even higher into the heavens !

The plot is tight, economical and well crafted....taciturn, moody Detective Frank Bullitt (McQueen) is charged with the protection of a key witness vital to an upcoming trial involving Mafia connections. Whilst hidden away in a supposed secure location, the witness and his police guard are brutally gunned down by unknown assailants. The heat is turned up on Bullitt by his tough Captain (Simon Oakland) and the manipulative, opportunistic politician Walter Chalmers (Robert Vaughn) to come up with the right answers fast ! Between the draining investigation, Bullitt struggles to maintain his relationship with his cultured, sensitive girlfriend, Cathy (Jacqueline Bisset)

Primarily coming from a TV series background, Englishman Peter Yates (directing his fourth movie) did a commendable job as director on "Bullitt"...producing a complex, intense crime thriller with a unique style that would ultimately influence many other films. Yates would later to go onto direct Robert Mitchum in the excellent "sleeper" crime film "The Friends of Eddie Coyle" !

And of course "Bullitt" is reknowned for it's now legendary car chase between Frank Bullitt's 390 GT Mustang and the two hitmen in their black, Dodge Charger 440 Magnum barrelling through the city streets and highways of San Francisco....just don't pay too much attention to how many times they pass that slow-moving, green VW Beetle !!

The DVD transfer is excellent in both sound and picture quality, and the Limited Edition Set with the extra goodies (Single sheet poster, shooting draft, lobby cards etc.) is a real bonus for keen film fans !!

One of my favourite cop thrillers....McQueen sizzles on screen !!

Put on a Sweater
This detective drama aimed to be the essence of cool, and succeeded, in fact it's a little too cool, can somebody turn up the thermostat? Barely anybody in the picture is allowed to show any genuine emotion, although one of the hoods looks a little upset before he's shotgunned. Director Peter Yates apparently planned to tell the whole story with action and came up with a near-classic. In fact his spectacular staging of McQueen's car pursuit of two Mob assassins is usually blamed for the countless imitation car chases that have blighted American movies ever since. It's certainly one of McQueen's signature roles, but why give him a hokey name like Bullitt?

McQUEEN COOL!
Ignore the paisley pajamas, Steve McQueen was an icon of cool and BULLITT is the proof. Peter Yates has a smart thinking man's cop drama, bolstered by (yes) the best chase scene on film. Great locations in San Francisco. Superior acting by McQueen, Robert Vaughn as a sinister U.S. Senator and Don Gordon, as McQueen's partner. Why didn't Don Gordon become a bigger star?

The good, the bad, and the pretty
"Bullitt" is highly regarded by many for either "the chase", or the drama.

The good and the bad: True, there is a high-speed car chase in part through the hilly streets of San Francisco. Is it "the best ever" chase? Depends on how you look at it. Plus - It was very high speed. Plus - It had a cool-looking Mustang fastback vs a big GTO. Negative - They pass the same VW 4 times, and another car 2 times (why? if not intentional, then very poor continuity) Negative - double-shifting or not, there are about 97 too many gear changes, and some of those are at top speed on the flat stretch near the end. Neg - the bad guys lose too many hubcaps. Still, it's fairly exciting. However, though not car vs car, I think the chase in "The French Connection" is as good if not better.

As for the drama, some of it seemed a bit drawn out. Lt. Frank Bullitt is supposed to protect the state's witness "Ross" against the Chicago "Organization". Ross and one cop are shot, and Ross is later killed in the hospital, where Bullitt is hanging out. Bullitt does not want the prosecutor who gave him the assignment (Robert Vaughan) to know Ross died, so he will have time to find the killers. Turns out Ross may not be who the cops think he is, and this leads to a good foot-chase across the airport runways and the airport itself.

Some of the police procedure as portrayed in the movie is rather shoddy - such as handling a lot of evidence, then asking for it to be fingerprinted, etc.

The pretty: Bullitt has a girlfriend played by Jaqueline Bisset, who gives him grief for his callous attitude. This sets up the final scene of the movie where Bullitt ambiguously questions his existence. Otherwise, her appearance in the movie is useless.

Good acting by McQueen and Vaughan. Look for Robert Duval, Georg Sanford Brown, Norman fell, Simon Oakland and a few other names.

The jazzy score by Lalo Schifrin sounds like a bad TV movie. Wide-screen movie has decent picture and sound quality. DVD extras include a short behind the scenes documentary, text-based cast/crew/location info, list of awards, and a trailer.

In short - Not the best cop movie, not the best McQueen movie, and not the best chase. Watchable but not a stand out. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

EXCELLENT MOVIE/Guaranteed to shed a tear!!!
Definitely a wonderful movie and one of my personal favorites, Eleni, brings to the screen the true story of a boy whose family suffered terribly during the Greek Civil War 1946-49, but who managed, thanks to his mother's love, to get safely to the USA and raise his own family in peace. It is a movie about war, hunger, suffering, but most importantly courage, honor, sacrifice, and how Love-motherly love, can overcome and prevail even in the most difficult of situations. A great movie indeed which will surely bring tears to one's eyes! Needless to say, both Kate Nelligan and John Malkovich are superb in their roles as mother and son!
The previous "reviewer's" comments are not even worth elaborating on...

So close to the truth-dramatic dynamite
I saw this film while living in Greece and having had visited many such villages in northern Greece, it was completely mesmerizing. The portrayal of the Greek people at that time and the cultural differences were astonishingly true.

At its first showing, it was picketted and closed after one day only to reopen two days later away from the city center, which was when I saw it.

It completely absorbed my interest and I felt a new sympahthy for the people who lived through those times (many of whom I knew).

It;s a great movie and should be more widely shown!

Great Movie "Eleni"
I loved this movie, I have been looking for it for a long time, when will this be coming out on DVD.

absolute garbage
one of the worst movies ever made. it actually glorifies a traitor to the Greek people who supported the fascists in the civil war. unbelievable and shameful.

Powerful. Unforgettable. TRUE story.
It is 2:00 a.m. and I cannot sleep after watching this movie.

Mothers love their children but in our decadent, face paced, greed driven society I so often find myself off course, yelling and snappish at the slightest thing. In other words, God forgive me for not conveying that love and for taking our time together for granted.

This movie takes place during the Greek Civil War in the late 1940's. God help us to cease all wars and fighting. 28,000 children were taken from their homes and sent to work in communist camps.

This story shares the sacrifice and love of a brave woman and truly devoted mother, Eleni. ... Read more

Reviews (11)

Two inept cops who frame An Innocent Man
This is the story about two inept cops who frame AN INNOCENT MAN named Jimmie Rainwood(Tom Selleck). The two plain clothes police officers deviously plant drugs inside Jimmie's home,also using his mailing address. The cops spot a shadow of what looks like a pistol,but is actually a hair dryer. Jimmie was drying his hair after taking a shower. After other officers discover the drugs in Jimmie's home,he is arrested,arraigned,convicted and sent to prison for six years. After Jimmie is released,he and a few friends scheme to incarcerate the drug-planting cops. The cops end up in jail. Jimmie's buddy(F. Murray Abraham),who's still in prison,says at the end of the film,"Ain't life a motherf---er?". This film was not as great as THREE MEN AND A BABY and HER ALIBI,but I loved it.

AN EXCELLENT SELLECK MOVIE
As long as I can remember I've always immensely enjoyed/loved Tom Selleck movies. This is defintely one of his best(as well as 'Her Alibi'). This is a very enjoyable prision movie with a range of emotions. This film as always been on my DVD wishlist so I'm very excited that it's finally on DVD. I highly reccomend this film, you won't regret it.
By Justine Ryan

An Entertainingly Uncomfortable Film
Even though you know what's going to happen to Tom Selleck's character, and you know that the ending will be happy, watching the process is enjoyably discomfiting. This is a plot film -- stuff keeps happening to the main character, things he appears utterly incapable of controlling, and everything spirals right into disaster. Great Friday night fare. Make a lot of popcorn and savor it.

an excellent movie
Very entertaining movie. The characters are all great, the plot and the suspense are terrific.

Best Selleck Drama
I always like Tom Selleck movies. Some are actually very entertaining. This is by far his best dramatic role. I was very impressed how well he played the part of a framed Airline crew chief Jimmie Rainwood. F. Murray Abraham gives a great performance as one of the prison inmates, Virgil Cane, that befriends him. It has all the elements for some good drama, bad cops, drugs, decent and really bad convicts, attractive loving wife, and motive for revenge.

David Rasche and Richard Young do a fine job as the crooked detectives that frame him. I have recommended this to many people since many Selleck fans are not even aware of it. Whether you like Selleck or not you will enjoy this film if you like movies like "The Fugitive","US Marshals", and "Shawshank Redemption". It is being released on DVD soon and you can bet I pre-ordered a copy. ... Read more

Reviews (77)

A classic
I don't want to make a bigger deal out of this movie than it deserves. It's not a world-changer and the ending is a bit predictable, but it is a wonderful and charming coming of age story and an honest look at small-town America. And cycling and Italians play central roles -- a plus for an American cyclist living in Italy, like me.

But having an affinity for things Italian or for bike racing is not necessary in order to enjoy this 25-year-old classic. What is necessary is an appreciation for small things and memories about the mysterious period between adolescence and adulthood. If that describes you, then chances are you'll enjoy this touching film.

Amid the praise I should say that the DVD package is only average: the original trailer and teaser are there, but it would have been nice to have some commentary from director Peter Yates, some of the actors, or from critics who were fans of the film. A "Making of Breaking Away" mini feature would have also been a welcome addition.

One note: Breaking Away is a very American film, and so I'm not so sure how much of it will hit home with foreign viewers.

Inspiring Coming-of-Age Quirky Heartwarming Film
This is the story of four boys who have just finished high school and who live in Bloomington, Indiana. They are trying to figure out who they are and who they could be. They run up against the animosity of the college kids who look down upon the townies or "Cutters" (Bloomington is also a rock quarrying town) as inherently inferior.

The main character is irrepressible Dave Stohler (Dennis Christopher) who decides that he wants to be an Italian international bicycle racing star, even though he has never been out of his home town and doesn't happen to be Italian. He pours himself into the role of becoming Italian and becoming a star-quality cyclist. His loving parents are bewildered and worry if their son will ever be normal. He doesn't want to be normal; he wants to be outstanding.

This movie does a wonderful job of blending comedy, character development, and action. After watching it, you feel like you were there and you knew these people. I was inspired by this film to look for other Dennis Christopher movies (e.g., "California Dreaming") but none even approached this one. "Breaking Away", with the multiple meanings to its title, is one of the most likable movies I've ever seen. A great pick-me-up if you're down in the dumps.

Remember Being 18? You Will...
Watching "Breaking Away" is like visiting an old buddy in a familiar town. The film is about four friends who have graduated high school and aren't quite sure whether to embrace adulthood and the future or to shun it and cling instead to their childhood identities and each other. There is a great deal of warmth and gentle humor throughout the film, and the performances are winning.

Mike (Dennis Quaid), the leader of the group, clings to his friends as reminders of his days as high school quarterback and fears they will prove to be his best. Moocher is eager for adulthood and is planning to marry his girlfriend. The only problem is he cannot keep a job! Cyril (Daniel Stern) is resigned to the fact he may never leave Bloomington, but remains buoyant regardless. Dave Stohler is the main character, he knows exactly what he wants to be, an Italian Cyclist. There is only one problem- he isn't Italian! Dave learns through a young woman he meets and eventually through his father that simply being Dave is more than good enough, and that he must embrace his natural talents and the future. There have been countless "coming of age" pictures, but this one is the most enjoyable!

DVD: The production values of the DVD leave something to be desired and therefore I only give the product 4 stars. The lack of 5.1 surround is a disappointment, as well as the quality of the video. A commentary track featuring the four leads would have been an interesting addition. The only extras are a couple of trailers.

Wide appeal.
This film has wide appeal. At the outset it really seems to be one of those movies that were made specifically to cater to rising trends of the times -- in this case, the bike boom of the early 70's. And yet, even though our protagonist rides a Masi, this film has few things in common with other flicks like Torque, The Fast and the Furious, Top Gun, Wildstyle, Quicksilver and others that feebly attempt to elevate their respective scenes to almost mythical underground status by building stories and jargon completely around the sport or subject itself. Initially I watched Breaking Away because I was into bicycles. But bicycles in this movie surprisingly take somewhat of a backseat in relation to its main thrust; this film could be said to be not just about coming of age in small town America but more about taking pride in your own cultural identity while finding the courage to pursue your own dreams. And however cliche it might sound, the struggle is a real one, especially concerning the 'vicious cycle' that exists in our supposedly classless American society. And this I think, has a far more timeless appeal than a kid going around thinking he's a professional italian cyclist, however charming it may seem.

A classic
A sleeper that made the grade and graduated into the realms of Classic Flicks, Breaking Away is one of those wonderfully uplifting and subtly patriotic movies that champions small-town America. Steve Tesich won the screenplay Oscar for this semi-biographical story about four 19yo kids who can't quite decide what to do with themselves after high school. They live in Bloomington, Indiana, where the guys from the university look down on the townies and make derogatory comments about their rock quarrying forebears. One of them drifts, then runs, into the world of Italian bicycling, much to his used-car-salesman father's dismay and embarrassment.
You'll feel yourself pulled into rising excitement as the marvelous finale hoves into view, and, though sorry to see the film end, you'll hit the rewind button with a big smile on your face. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Year of the Comet
I love this film - pure escapist comedy with romance and love of wine starting with mad dash across Scotland (beautiful scenery) - a perhaps unlikely pairing of Penelope Ann Miller and Tim Daly (of TV's Wings fame) works surprisingly well and Louis Jordan as the villain is a charming addition (he never could sing). Not well received by the critics, but a great time and a must see for wine lovers everywhere!

A CUTE ACTION / ROMANTIC COMEDY WITH CHEMISTRY!
A NICE BOY MEETS GIRL, HELPS GIRL, RESCUES GIRL, LOSES GIRL, AND FINALLY A HAPPY ENDING! THERE IS REAL CHEMISTRY BETWEEN DALY AND PENELOPE. THE PLOT IS INTERESTING IF A LITTLE FLAWED, BUT THIS IS A MOVIE THAT WHILE IT MAY NOT WIN ANY CRITICAL ACCLAIMS IT IS WORTH SEEING! ... Read more

Amazon.com

An underrated gem of the early 1980s, this film is a solid mystery with a terrific and unlikely romance at its core. Hurt plays a New York janitor whose fantasy life centers on TV reporter Sigourney Weaver. When a murder occurs in the office building where he works, he claims to have seen more than he did just to get her attention. But when the murderers believe him, they both become targets. The plot is workable, but mostly serves as a meet-cute device for throwing together the unassuming janitor and the TV star, and the resulting collision of social strata when he successfully woos her. James Woods nearly steals the film as Hurt's jumpy Vietnam vet friend, a shifty operator of whom cop Morgan Freeman observes, "He was born to be a suspect." --Marshall Fine ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Great Underrated Gem!!
Sigourney Weaver,William Hurt and James Woods rule in this great underrated gem.It's well worth watching!! ... Read more

Reviews (5)

"The Romancing the stone of the '90s!"
This is one of the best movies out there that has been overlooked by many people. It is a story of an apprentice wine-merchant,(Penelope Ann Miller), who discovers a bottle of wine that belonged to Napoleon called "The Year Of The Comet". The adventure starts when the bottle gets stollen and they have to chase after it.

This movie has been compared to Romancing the stone, and I think that is a fare comparison. If you buy this movie, you will love it.

Excellent "Girl" movie that guys like too!
The plot line is very amusing with a significant amount of action. The chemistry between the lead actors is great. Excellent movie for when you don't want a "shoot em up" action movie or a sappy romance that would put a guy to sleep. We don't buy a lot of tapes but this one is a must. Strong competition to "Romancing the Stone".

The best romantic movie without overt sexual scenes.
This is the first entertaining movie i've seen in a long time. Penelope & Tim are both funny and appealing I would like to see more of these types of films. I love intriguing chase movies.

Great funny romantic adventure!
I love this movie! It is such a great date flick! It's got some funny lines, quirky characters, and adventurous plot. I have lent this movie to all my friends and they love it!

Terrific romantic comedy!!
Tim Daly and Penelope Ann Miller have great chemistry in this different, but great comedy. The plot of this movie is something I have never seen before, which, in my opinion adds to it's value. If you like romance with a twist of laughter, I strongly recommend "Year of the Comet". ... Read more

Reviews (12)

One of the most suspenseful adventures ever
"The Deep" was made a few years before I was born, but I had always heard it was a good movie. I finally watched it and I liked it....a lot. From what I heard, I was just expecting it to be full of great underwater photography, but it has an amazing plot tagged alongside it. Nick Nolte and Jacqueline Bissett are a couple that are on vacation in Bermuda. They go deep sea diving one day and find a small bottle of morphine from a ship that sank in the 1800's. They go to a man who's a known treasure hunter (Robert Shaw) and he tells them what they found. But they are also pestered by Louis Gossett, who is a serious collector that will do anything to get his hands on one of those tiny bottles of morphine. Robert Shaw teams up with Nolte and Bisset after they decide there might be more bottles of the treasured substance and possibly some treasure deep in the sunken ship. All the while, they must stay away from Gosset and his fearsome gang.

There are also more exciting sequences such as an encounter with a deadly eel and of course, the wet t-shirt swim at the beginning.

"The Deep" is one of the most exciting and suspenseful adventure movies ever made. Yes, it does have great underwater scenery (mostly at the beginning) and the background music goes perfect with the movie. Although the wet t-shirt by Jacqueline Bisset might be what's best known about the movie, this is actually a great movie. It's one of my favorites.

As for the DVD, it's not big at all on extras. You do get to select from subtitles in several different languages, there's a scene selection, and best of all, both the widescreen and full screen versions are included in this DVD's one disc. Unfortunately, the sound quality isn't very good. While your current volume setting might be too loud or just right on one of your DVDs, it will probably be too low for "The Deep". The picture quality is good enough though. If you're a fan of the movie, "The Deep", I do recommend adding the DVD to your growing collection.

Beautiful photography, and that's about it
The Deep grabs your attention in the first ten minutes, which shows Jacqueline Bisset and Nick Nolte scuba diving, and Bisset's wearing a.....well, you probably already know. The underwater photography throughout this movie is gorgeous, but the action that happens on land, I felt, was kind of fake and somewhat improbable. The story is interesting, though, but it could've been told in the film better. The book by Peter Benchley is good, though. The film's worth watching for the underwater photography.....and the first 10 minutes.

Very Good Movie
A pair of young vacationers (Romer Treece as Robert Shaw & Gail Berke As Jacqueline Bisset) are involved in a dangerous conflict with treasure hunters when they discover a way into a deadly Caribbean wreck ...

Very good underwater scenes if you think 70's ...

A must for Horror , Mystery , Adventure , Thriller lovers ...

They don't make 'em this good anymore!
A brilliant and engrossing movie which closely follows Peter Benchley's novel on treasure hunt in the carribean. Spectacular views and under-water footage, all accented by one of John Barry's finest musical scores which lends mystery and expectation to various scenes and sustains an atmosphere of suspense throughout the movie. Top performances by Robert Shaw and Louis Gosset. Even Nick Nolte and Jaqueline Bisset were at their best, the latter sporting a semi-transparent underwater mask so that you're positive no stuntwoman was employed for the under water scenes. Elli Walsh is at his usual sleezy best. Great movie and great music. See it!

The true sequal to JAWS.
Forget Jaws II, III, or IV. This film by Peter Bates was about as close to a good sequal to Jaws as they could get. Also based on a book by Peter Benchley, with Robert Shaw pretty much carrying the whole movie with his performance, great underwater photography, and enough of a story to keep a person watching to the end. ... Read more

Reviews (85)

Krull: A great masterpiece of science fiction films
Krull is one of the greatest science fiction films, a true masterpiece. The amazing special effects are really impressive! The movie takes us into the planet Krull. Young prince Colwyn is getting married the beautiful princess Liza in an attempt to face better the Beast - a monster looking creature who wants to rule the world of Krull with the help of his army. During their wedding, the Beast's army attacks and takes Liza away into the Black Fortress (Beast's home). Colwyn, with the help of Inir, starts his journey to find and free Liza. The first thing he has to do, is to find the powerful Glaive, a really unique weapon. Soon, he will realize that his mission is more difficult than he thinks. He will get some more friends and all together, they will live a great adventure... The story of this film sounds and it IS exciting. Ken Marshall acts perfectly as Colwyn as well as other actors (including Lysette Anthony in the role of Liza). Some of the actors have probably the best performance than any other moment of their career. Freddie Jones and Liam Neeson (Star Wars Episode I - The Phantom Menace) make the film even more brilliant. Krull is really unique, you have never seen a weapon like Glaive, it is probably the most impressive weapon that appears in a science fiction film. Also the soundtrack is a great synthesis by the great and very known composer James Horner, much better than Titanic's one... Totally, this film is amazing and will keep your interest until the end... I suggest it to everyone! I hope in the near future to be released in a hi-fi sound, widescreen version, in DVD format if that's possible and -why not?- to have a special version just like Star Wars trilogy! Krull exprerience is unforgetable!

Watch it for the music; laugh at the dialog.
Krull grows on you, but it's pretty juvenile stuff.

Even in 1983 the effects were not too special. and the dialog sounds as though it was written by a pre-teen who is as pretentious as he is precocious. How did the director let his cast get by delivering lines with the lingering gravity of Shakespeare? The film takes off a little bit after the opening 10 minutes and the actors loosen up slightly, but they take everything so Seriously! This film could have been much better if it had been played as was The Princess Bride. Both films are sword-wielding fairytales, but Krull makes the mistake of conciously trying to achieve "epic" status.

On the positive side is the musical score by James (Titanic) Horner. A year after he wrote the score for Star Trek 2: The Wrath of Khan he was back with similar sounds, but an even more heroic theme. I was familiar with the music well before I ever saw the movie and had visions of stirring action behind the opening credits. It was a surprise to see that virtually Nothing is happening during the rousing strains at the beginning of the film! Perhaps the score is TOO good for the movie. It belongs in a true epic, not a wannabe.

There's plenty to look at and listen to, but don't expect depth of plot. Boy meets girl, boy looses girl, boy gets girl back with the help of friends with mystic powers, bandits with swords, and a magical sword/frisbee called the "Glave".

There is plenty to wonder about...the real motives of the evil "Monster", the fate of slain "Slayers", how one captures a "fire mare" so easily, and why the heroine is allowed to wander through the stronghold of the villian without supervision.

However, if you can forget logic and enjoy the swords and sorcery genre, you could do worse to than watch KRULL. Worse examples are......well, I'll get back to you.

Retro Fantasy Classic
This movie is one I grew up on in the 80's. I was pleased to find it on DVD, It is worth owning just for memories of retro special effects and just basic escapism.

Fantasy and Sci-fi meshed together
When I was young, this was one of the first films I remember seeing at the drive-in, and it was fantastic. It had your fantasy (heroic warrior to save his betrothed, a lovely princess, battling and recruiting a band of brigands, a wizard, mythical creatures AND a legendary weapon, the Glaive.)mixed in with sci-fi (powerful aliens bent on world domination.) Compared to today's special effects, this movie is quite dated, but is still enjoyable in my book.

Pisses all over LOTR
Great rollicking adventure/fantasy in the tradition of dragonslayer, ladyhawke and star wars. Beautiful cinematography, great effects, cool weapons and amazing set design. Some genuinley creepy parts. Still holds up today. ... Read more

Reviews (16)

More like 3.5 stars; a fine, funky 70's curio
Alternately ahead of its time and an unmistakable product of its era, the 1976 paramedic comedy-drama "Mother, Jugs and Speed" has finally made its way to DVD.

This uneven but underappreciated little B-movie drew obvious influence from the blood-and-pranks mixture of Robert Altman's "MASH," but you can also see its darkly comic influence on contemporary fare such as "Six Feet Under" and "Bringing out the Dead," and it poked fun at zip-ups gone wrong 20 years before "There's Something About Mary."

Bill Cosby and Harvey Keitel play Southern California ambulance drivers forced to contend with all manner of accidents and injuries, both amusing and tragic. The all-over-the-map cast also includes Raquel Welch, Allen Garfield, Dick Butkus, Bruce Davison, L.Q. Jones, Larry Hagman (as a creepy lech whose antics haven't aged well) and even Allan Warnick, the kid from the records room in "Chinatown."

With its gritty, widescreen look and those awesome blue lens flares so common to the period, "Mother" is a fine, funky 70's curio. Welch and Keitel (who had just been replaced by Martin Sheen in "Apocalypse Now") are stiff but the rest of the pre-Carter administration cast seems to be having fun, particularly Cosby, as the glib, laconic Mother. It's a bit strange to see the sitcom star playing an anti-hero, but his cool, sneaky performance breezily anchors the movie.

Good drive-in fare
Pretty much what you would expect, given the plot--two competing ambulance services chase around the city for patients and profits; the wacky stuff, like occupied gurneys rolling free down city streets and scaring nuns at crosswalks alternates with the mercifully brief meditative stuff--shortly after giving his "There's more to life than this" speech to fellow EMT Bill Cosby, Bruce Davison gets blown away by a junkie who wants drugs from their rig. Raquel Welch moves her way up from harassed office secretary (everyone at the station calls her "Jugs", nice, huh?) to EMT, but loses her first patient--bummer! Harvey Keitel is Raquel's love interest (rare that the man gets subordinated in that way), and Cosby underplays nicely as the most professional of the group. Allen Garfield does his usual sleazebag routine as the put-upon head of the operation. Funny in spots--evocative of the time period. Really stretches the "PG" rating--the board must've been in a giving mood--lots of rough language, drug and alcohol use, and yes, Larry Hagman's character at least TRIES to have sex with an OD patient in the back of his vehicle. Raquel, though, "comes through" under a sheet (a lot happens in the back of those vans!) Can't give an "expert" review--I'm a librarian!

A 70's Classic finally on DVD!!!!!
After all these years the Peter Yates classic staring Bill Cosby, Raquel Welch, Harvey Keitel finally arrives on DVD. Take Cosby's humor, Raquel's sex appeal, Keitel's smouldering late 70's cool and one sweet ride of an ambulance, and you've got Mother, Jugs and Speed. Peter Yates' classic take on the ambulance industry in metropolitan Los Angeles gives us a little bit of everything in a quick, well paced film. Cosby's charm shines in one of his best roles i think as the cynical, no nonsense ambulance driver Mother Tucker. Just by looking at Mother's custom Rig, and patch covered jacket you get the impression that Cosby's character was not always an ambulance driver, but perhaps was once something quite differnt. Follow the F+B ambulance company and their staff of irregulars (Including Larry Hagman of Dallas Fame, and football player Dick Butkus) as they do their best to save the lives of their patients and hammer away at one another with a barrage of jokes, and one liners. They don't make comedys like this anymore where the car was just as big of a star as the trio named in the title. While normally found in the comedy section, the film does have an equal number of "dark" moments that let the viewer know that Yates wasn't just doing this for laffs and help to balance out the humor. The DVD transfer is crystal clear, and the slamming 70's soundtrack will be nostalgic for some, and new, and inventive to others. Another reviewer mentioned hearing Peter Frampton's "Show me The Way" playing in an early scene, and I always think of this film when i hear that song. Treat yourself to a 70's classic, and enjoy the ride, and pray that if you ever need the guys in white that he shows up wearing yellow sneakers with red socks, and goes by the name of Mother Tucker.

How do I love Jugs, let me count the ways
I could spend countless words proclaiming the greatness of this film as one of the great urban street comedies of the 70's but just watch the film and it will speak for itself.
I do want to mention that the director of this cinematic gem also directed a little number called "Krull" which is to high fantasy what "Mother, Jugs, and Speed" is to the world of high-brow comedy.
Plus it gave us Lysette Anthony.

A very enjoyable movie about EMT work!
I think this movie is one of Bill Cosby's funniest and best. He plays an fun loving Emergency Medical Tech (EMT) worker who works by his own rules. He drinks his beer, jams his Brother Johnsons tape loudly and scares nuns. The movie does have some very funny moments (like the runaway gurney with the lady strapped to it). Rachael Welch, Harvey Keitel, and Larry Hagman all play fine supporting roles in this movie. Hagman is espically hilirious as an hot to trot driver. I agree with another reviewer who said that this movie shows EMT work in its earliest beginnings. Basically, they were running from call to call dealing with all kinds of different patients and situations. I also like this movie because it was filmed on location in Venice, Culver City, and Los Angeles California. This movie is one gems from the early 1970's. I recommend it highly to anyone. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Language not present
Contrary to what is indicated, the film does not contain a French track.

Attention, ce film ne contient pas la piste française indiquée dans le détail de l'édition.

"I Know The Feeling. If It Ain't Nailed Down It's Mine."
Awesome movie but not much for bonus features unless you consider subtitles bonus material. Plot: Late WWII. Murphys' ship sunk by German U-boat. Survivors brutally shot up in the water. The rest of movie either goes into Murphys' personality or deals with the U-boat trying to kill Murphy or vice-versa. This is the only movie (Except "The Empire Strikes Back" and "The Omega Man") that I am madly in love with that has an ending that I normally don't like. Has some one-liners including my favourite, "I Know The Feeling. If It Ain't Nailed Down It's Mine." If you like fictional movies that have a WWII storyline this is for you. Cheers.

Murphy's War
An enjoyable film that keeps your attention. A survivor of a ship (Peter O'Toole) and a wounded comrade, (torpedoed by a German submarine), make it to a nearby island, where they are nursed back to health. In the meantime the commander of the submarine realizes that the two British made it to shore.
O'Toole after seeing his comrades gunned down in the water declares all out war against the submarine once he is fit again.
Helmut Griem of "The McKenzie Break," (another fine war film),

unfortunately has a small part as the sub's commander. I don't see any parallel between this film and, "The African Queen," other than both film's showed quite a bit of water :), and I have seen each of the film's several times. It's a different war film; and that's always refreshing... If your looking for hard to find war film's check out "Men In War" with Robert Ryan and Aldo Ray (A well done anti-war action film). Hopefully "The Naked and the Dead" with Cliff Robertson, and Aldo Ray will also be put to DVD soon.

Ahab and the whale
Only in this case it's a German submarine. Peter O'Toole stars as a survivor of a ship sunk by a U-Boat. The rest of the crew is massacred in the water. After this, O'Toole goes off of the deep end in his desire to destroy the sub. This is a retelling of "Moby Dick," with the sub as the whale and O'Toole as Captain
Ahab. Alas, revenge is sometimes not so sweet. The ending is both ironic and memorable.

Adventure in revenge.....
I thoroughly enjoyed this movie, not only because of the intense portrayal by Peter O'Toole as Murphy, but also because of the interesting story line. If one has to make an example of single minded pursuit of an objective, this movie is one of the best. It is an uncluttered adventure in revenge for a British seaman, one of two survivors of a ship sent to the bottom by a German U-boat, who's crew was cold-bloodedly massacred while in the water. Good aerial photography, coupled with a good supporting cast and one period song. Near the end of the movie, the philosophical and moral questions thrown by an exasperated Louis (played by Phillipe Noiret) to an unlistening Murphy says more about why it was entitled "Murphy's War." ... Read more

Amazon.com

It's life in the Theater with a capital T in this film adaptation of the London and Broadway hit by Ronald Harwood. Though we see other people, the film is really a duet between Sir (Albert Finney), an aging actor-manager who runs his own theater company, and Norman (Tom Courtenay), his dresser, who gets him into costume and, ultimately, into shape to go onstage each night. Sir is on his last legs; Norman is alternately his cheerleader, his parent, and his whipping boy--whatever it takes to get Sir up to performance level each night. Finney perfectly captures the vainglorious insecurity of this aging ham, whose career has never quite matched his expectations but who has to convince himself each night (with Norman's help) that a performance in the provinces is as big a deal as treading the boards in the West End. The film lives and dies, however, with Courtenay's neatly nuanced performance as Norman. No man is a hero to his valet--but Courtenay finds the affection along with the disdain that are part of this character. A great backstage tale. --Marshall Fine ... Read more

Reviews (12)

The show must go on in spite of co-dependancy and lunacy
Albert Finney is the actor character--a consummate Shakespearean actor who has perhaps played the role of King Lear one or two too many times, and is now in the midst of a mental meltdown prior to this latest curtain going up.

Tom Courtenay is the actor's dresser--a consummate professional who now faces the tackle of piecing back the shards and fragments of his creation--the actor who must go play Lear.

The only thing you need to know are the two main actors: Finney and Courtenay. Both were nominated against each other in the same category of lead actor in the Oscar race. Both were worthy of winning, and perhaps that is precisely why they both lost. They are both powerfully over the top in different ways--Finney being out of control and constantly in a state of dramatizing his backstage life like he is in front of an audience, and Courtenay as his rather prissy, fretting, "keep it together" devoted caretaker of his on-screen partner. The relationship between the two is intensely professional, very confrontational, and very personal. If those all sound contradictory, yes. For these actors to pull this off on so many different levels is amazing to watch. Their vocal battles are superb and highly entertaining. The only reason I can figure out why they lost their nominations are because the roles were both at the same level of campy, showstopping pompousity. They equally shared the screen; it is impossible to figure out who is the true singular leading man in this pair. The film's tightly matched duo makes you ponder the eternal question of who is the true artist--the performer, or the one who prepares the performer to be who he is?

See this excellent piece of cinema; it is truly a feast of great acting. Oh, yeah, director Peter Yates was fabulous in how he didn't bore you with cinema school trickery, and just let the actors steal the show. Yates also was recognized with a nomination for this picture. It is sad this film went home empty handed that year at the Oscar ceremony, but it would be even sadder if you didn't give this little gem a chance. SEE IT!

Probably worked better on stage
Some plays translate well to film, and others don't. Glengarry Glen Ross is an example of one that translates beautifully. The Dresser is certainly an interesting film; Albert Finney and Tom Courtenay deliver strong performances, (although they both are over the top) and one does feel the atmosphere of World War II England, but this story simply works better on stage.

Brilliant drama about drama
I have always loved the theater and actors. The Dresser pays great homage to the noble art of the thespian but also captures the isolating nature of their work.

Finney and Courtenay are both brilliant as the waning star and the has-been confidant. Their relationship is one of the most poignant ever written. Courtenay's character is a passionate study of both desperation and unflagging loyalty.

This one is truly a keeper for anyone who loves theater, actors and just good drama.

Brilliant
Others have said what a splendid film this is. I will add that it is also a rare thing: a movie that is smart and not a bit didactic.

Like much good art, The Dresser tells us more about human nature than the whole vapid enterprise of psychiatry. Imagine how dull these characters -- all of humanity -- would be after drugging and doping by shrinks.

Will there be anymore Shakespeares after Prozac? Does psychiatry even allow for as much noncomformity and artistic freedom as does communism? No more moral conflicts, no more tragedy. Just serene banality. The antithesis of this film. The antithesis of life.

If you are a devotee of what Thomas Szasz has called "The Therapeutic State," you almost certainly with neither understand nor like the film.

[...]

If you like Shakespeare and the English, You'll Love This
England, 1940, during the blitz: all the young actors are in uniform, hospital, or dead. Albert Finney, playing an aging Shakespearean, carries on as best he can, leading his troupe of women, and men too old or damaged to fight. Actually, he doesn't lead, but rather is daily cajoled into carrying on by his dresser (played by Tom Courtenay). Courtenay is wonderful as the fussy, loyal, oh-so-English man behind the man, maintaining a desperate hold on his good humour even as his life is coming apart in shreds as Finney disintegrates.

It is easy to see that Finney was classically trained, and that his booming stage voice must have rung through many a theater. The snatches of Shakespeare that we do see are great fun, as is the byplay between the old man who can do them in his sleep and even the most humble members of the crew, who by now know all the cues. But mainly this is the story of two men, one an artist who is used to taking what he needs from those around him, and the other who gives his life over to that man, and to some idea of carrying on the great work. This is not a happy film, but it is a great one. ... Read more

Description

A film about the love an Irish family holds for each other and their country. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

A Real "Culchie" Film
Two thirds of Ireland's popoulation doesn't live in the towns most Americans have heard of like Galway, Cork, Dublin. This film hit life in small market towns (down the country) square on the head. The scene where the lads are off in the delivery van to the disco the next town over is dead on, all piled into the back and bouncing around on wee roads for miles. The macho posing and abuses hurled back and forth eventually leading to a row sadly couldn't have reminded me more of my numerous nights out with friends in the Midlands. This is the Ireland they don't want you to see in the travel brochures..complete with post dole day, chip shop trash. And the amount of times I've overheard people there speak the words, "Say nothing 'til ya hear more..." says quite a few have viewed the film as well. My suggestion is to try and find a copy of "Father Ted" (Channel 4) or "Podge & Rodge" (RTE) instead. The countryside is beautiful though.

Is about the hardships of trying to make it on your own.
I thought that this was an excellent movie. Set in Ireland, it is about a young man, who after his mom dies, tries to make it on his own. He does not like to listen to his father, because he thinks that he killed his mother. He goes and he lives with a very outgoing friend named Cocoa. When they go to town across the border, he sees a girl that he instantly falls in love with. They meet and do fall in love and eventually she gets pregnant. The two families have two totally different approaches on what to do. The girls family ships her off, and punish the boy for what he has done to their daughter. All in all I thought that this was an excellent movie.

Funny yet serious Irish movie
Worth it just for the character Cocoa. He was hilarious and the actor who played him did an excellent job!

A fabulous coming of age film
Not to be missed. The acting is fabulous and the angst of growing up is realisticly portrayed. Not sugar coated and censored but actively seeks to be true to the younger set of today. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Suspect is an endearingly silly suspense movie with an excellent cast. Cher stars as Washington, D.C., public defender Kathleen Riley, who is beginning to question the meaning of her career. (Before you prejudge, she's perfectly believable as a lawyer. It's the overtly Irish moniker she can't quite pull off.) A murder victim is found in the Potomac, a mute homeless man (Liam Neeson) stands accused, and Riley gets the case. Can it be that the homeless guy is innocent? Can it be that this whole thing just might go right to the top? I don't want to spoil it for you, but I think you know which way the smart money is betting. Luckily Dennis Quaid is on the scene, playing that rarest of creatures, the heroic congressional lobbyist. Suspect has a refreshingly cheerful disregard for courtroom procedure, the rules of evidence (apparently it's OK to root around crime scenes and pick stuff up), and you could fit the Capitol dome itself through some of the holes in the plot. But once you're comfortable with the fact that you're in a world where special movie laws apply, it's a very enjoyable flick. Watch it in good health and remember: if you're going to question a highly dangerous homeless man in a terrible neighborhood, for heaven's sake do it alone in the dead of night. --Ali Davis ... Read more

Reviews (13)

Stylish Courtroom Thriller Has Precision and Poise
When a deaf-mute homeless man is accused of murdering a federal worker in Washington DC, the public defender assigned to the case assumes he is guilty--until she begins to receive tips about the case from the most unlikely of sources: a member of the jury seated for the trial. Any one even remotely conversant with the law will find the story so full of loopholes that it is more than a little ridiculous, but it scarcely matters: the cast carries it off in fine style, playing the script with exceptional precision and poise and generating plenty of suspense along the way. Cher is particularly noteworth as the public defender assigned to the case. Cher? Playing a Washington D.C. attorney? It's hardly typecasting, but once more Cher demonstrates the depth of her talent: not only is she extremely effective, she is completely believable. The same might be said for both Liam Neeson, who plays the deaf-mute on trial, and Dennis Quaid, who plays the smarmy juror who begins to put two and two together; SUSPECT is clearly Cher's picture, but her co-stars are every bit as good as she.

Although it has its share of courtroom pyrotechnics and suspenseful moments, SUSPECT is a surprisingly low-key and all the more successful for it. When all is said and done we like the characters as people, believe in them, and are glad we met them. While it will never compete with the likes of Hitchcock, SUSPECT is a good, solid, and very unpretentious courtroom thriller excuted with a great deal of style. Those whose tastes run in that direction will be very pleased indeed. Recommended.

One of Cher's best!
I actually prefer this film to Witches of eastwick and Moonstruck! Great thriller that will leave you sitting on the edge of your seat. Cher plays a defense attorney for a deaf/mute & homeless Liam Neeson. Dennis Quaid is on the jury and together, he & Cher must unfold the mystery and prove her client innocent. The ending is extremely suspenseful and will leave you in disbelief. This was during Cher's peak as an actress.

Great twists! Great performances!
Dennis Quaid delivers! As does Cher and Liam! NICE plot, great premise. The viewer gets very invested in the outcome. No gore, but some nice tense moments. Nice chemistry between Cher and Quaid--a surprise there. You will enjoy it.

Above the law
In SUSPECT, Cher plays Kathleen Riley, a defense attourney for the public. When a brutal murder is commited against a Justice Department file clerk, and a homeless man who is deaf and cannot speak is accused of the crime, and Kathleen gets the case. Dennis Quaid plays dairy farm lobbyist Eddie, who is a juror who helps Kathleen with finding evidence. This part of the movie is a little hard to swallow, but the performances make up for it. It's terribly unlikely a juror would become romantically involved with a defense lawyer as well. However the movie was fine otherwise, and one of the last scenes where an unknown assailant chases Kathleen down the hallways of the court house, is quite suspenseful and thrilling. Cher is very believable in this part. Overall, a great flick to rent, very suspenseful and has a surprise twist at the end.

Cher for the defense
This one will hopefully be restocked soon for Cher die-hards who'll find this suspenseful who-dun-it a worthy view. As Washington, D.C. public defender Kathleen Riley, Cher gets appointed by the court to defend a homeless deaf-mute (Lian Neeson, in one of his first substantial roles) accused in the brutal murder of a Justice Department file clerk. Setting out with a presumed guilt for her client, Ms. Riley comes to believe in her client's innocence and sets out to prove it. On the trial jury is dairy farm lobbyist Dennis Quaid who takes a judically improper and unethical active role in proving the defendant's innocence after he develops the hots for the defense counsel. Of course, the likelihood of a juror getting it on with the defense lawyer during trial is ludicrous and, in real life, would probably get both charged criminally and the lawyer disbarred. But the credible acting of the leads helps us to overlook that unlikely scenario and focus instead on who really done it. Anyone with any background knowledge of law, procedure and ethics might wonder about some of the judicial rulings handed down by the trial judge, but they figure significantly in the who and why of who really done it. Cher, by the time she made the film, was firmly established as a leading lady, and she demonstrates here that she can carry the responsibility. "Suspect," despite its unlikely premise, is nonetheless a compelling view, and the solution (and, yes, the defendant is innocent) is a stunner! ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Maybe I Am Easily Pleased
I just watched this movie again last night, having watched it before when it was first released. My motive for writing this review is to add one positive contribution to this collection of downward pointing thumbs.

Well, yes, it is sort of an ordinary cloak and dagger film, but I enjoyed seeing a female lead character who was gutsy, a lady who didn't follow the stereotype of the ankle sprainer who has to lean on the big strong man for protection. Actually it is a good thing that Kelly McGillis isn't prone to ankle injuries, because she certainly does a lot of running in this flick. She just seems to be in a hurry wherever she goes, and trots along at a good clip even when she isn't being chased. Sometimes I felt I was watching another version of Run Lola Run.

Anyway the time period is the Joe McCarthy era, and Kelly loses her job because she refuses to name names to Congress. By chance she discovers some strange happenings that indicate maybe there are some ex (current?) Nazis inflitrating her pleasant neighborhood. Well the FBI is involved, too, and the chase is on. Evil people flit in and out, and surprises happen when people open doors.

Admittedly the tale is sort of muted Hitchcock, and not particularly exceptional in its plot, but I found it to be a pleasant thriller to watch. I must also confess that I was mesmerized by Ms McGillis's breathtaking beauty. She was about 30 when this movie was made, and, gosh, I just fell in love with her.

Disappointing
I agree with the Leonard Maltin review. This starts off well, but becomes a very ordinary, unexciting melodrama, that tries to have some Hitchcock tension, but it doesn't work very well. Towards the end of the film, I was muttering, "what a waste of time."

The reviewer Peter(can't remember the rest of his or her name) should have his or her review REMOVED, for revealing too much of the plot of the film. I'd write to Peter, if there were an e-mail address. Do NOT reveal too much about plot details. It's nice to be surprised when you see a film, Peter.

For the price, a best buy at 3 ½ stars
Though the Australian reviewer's comments are too harsh, they are entertaining with some points well-taken. But this reviewer would move the overall rating up to 3 ½ stars out of 5 possible.

Having purchased the DVD and seen it without any preconceptions or prior reviews, this reviewer was pleasantly satisfied: not a classic film, but quite entertaining, keeping one on the edge of the seat pretty much throughout. There is never a dull moment, but not overly so as is too often the case in today's hyperactive and mindless 'action and adventure' flicks. This film was definitely not written by 13-year-olds for 13-year-olds and contains a lot of well-presented material. Kelly McGillis gives a credible performance as a balanced and generally level-headed woman being persecuted by governmental agencies. Her portrayal is not the weepy, hysterical and too-vulnerable type that can find its way into films like this. Mandy Patinkin does well as a chilling, oily and thoroughly corrupted and unscrupulous politician/attorney (or whatever) with too much power in the wrong places. Jessica Tandy is good in what few scenes she has; too bad she couldn't have had a more central role.

As to the production values, the film is the letterboxed theatrical presentation at 1.66:1 (as stated on the case, and this seemed about right.) The picture, for a 1988 film, while not exceptional, is mostly clear, though with suggestions of fuzziness for purists. Overall, the image is on the dark side and there is some loss of detail in deep shade scenes, though not annoyingly so. Color fidelity of details in some scenes struck this reviewer as almost exceptionally good. The Dolby Digital mono sound is strong and clean.

There are no annoying advertising impositions or preliminary and unrelated material to try to get around (something becoming increasing annoying in many new DVD releases, sometimes necessitating drastic action to curtail!) The DVD is well-packaged in a quality case. If you like a thriller in the Hitchcock vein with reasonable and well-restrained message content that doesn't get in the way of the story, this DVD is a good buy for the price, and recommended.

who's in the house
This Peter Yates directed thriller was written by Walter Bernstein, who had been blacklisted in the McCarthy era, and had written about it for The Front. Here Bernstein takes his anti-McCarthy paranoia one step further by suggesting that Roy Cohn tried to illegally smuggle former Nazis into America, posing them under the name of dead Jews. Yates' underrated skill manages to overcome this somewhat far-fetched premise, providing a woman in peril drama with various Hitchcock-ian setpieces - a wedding reception, a church, a bookshop, a theatre, and the climax at Grand Central Terminal. He also attempts a romance between the woman targetted by the FBI and an FBI agent who feels guilty about her harassment. While the romance is aided by the score by Georges Delerue, and Jeff Daniels is acceptable, if a bit comically light, to play the male lead, Yates has more trouble with Kelly McGillis as the woman. In spite of her skill, McGillis isn't a romantic actress. No matter how effectively she is styled for the period, she lacks vulnerability so that we never feel she will be defeated. Pauline Kael memorably compared McGillis to Charlton Heston. Yates partially compensates by having her silent and on the run, but when in one scene she is naked in the bath being menaced by Mandy Patinkin as the Roy Cohn figure, while she acts vulnerable, it's not truthful. Patinkin playing his menace with musical comedy timing doesn't help either. Perhaps if he sang to her in his terrifying falsetto, McGillis would be truthfully frightened. Jessica Tandy appears briefly as a woman McGillis is paid to read to, and I was disappointed that Bernstein found no way to bring her further into the plot. Even the Carroll Street house (though I don't recall hearing the name Carroll Street ever mentioned) is disposed of quickly. And Patinkin has an odd speech where he demonstrates the logic of his shenanigans by splashing ketchup on a white tablecloth. The Grand Central climax is handled awkwardly when everyone is climbing the belfry (why do people being pursued always go up and no down?!), but Yates comes off better with a chase in a bookshop, and the wedding reception, with Daniels and McGillis dancing and spying. It's a pity Bernstein decided to take on this comic book style approach to an abhorrent moral and political time in history. You would think that someone who was blacklisted would not pander to such a base Hollywood aesthetic. McCarthy was scary enough without making him and his pals neo-Nazis. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

The only good Dortmunder movie
Of the several film versions of Donald E. Westlake's "Dortmunder" novels, this is easily the best. Not perfect, but it has very good acting and the story stays fairly close to the original book.

Timless Heist Pic for all ages
Okay, I rate movies by what they are aiming to do; THE HOT ROCK aims to entertain, make you smile, and infuse a sense of camaraderie while rooting for crooks. With that in mind, I would think that only Cyclops OD'd on Visine would rate this less than all the stars on a clear summer night

I've watched this film app. eight times, even showed it to my urban HS basketball team I coach a few years ago, and they loved it.

Without revealing any plot lines, this classic rhymer remains with me to this day: Afghanistan banastand. The most famous password since the Marx Bros fiddled around with "swordfish."

Just go get this and then wonder how you never seen or heard of it before.

Can't go wrong, all ages, timeless
Okay, I rate movies by what they are aiming to do; THE HOT ROCK aims to entertain, make you smile, and lend a sense of camaraderie while rooting for crooks. With that in mind, only Cyclops on Visine couldn't rate this anything other than a clear summer night sky.

I've watched this film app. eight times, even showed it to my urban HS basketball team I coach a few years ago, and they loved it.

Without revealing any plot lines, this classic rhymer remains with me to this day: Afghanistan banastand. The most famous password since the Marx Bros fiddled around with "swordfish."

Just go get this and then wonder how you never seen it before.

A Classic Favorite!!
The Hot Rock is a favorite movie of mine that brings back warm memories of my childhood. I loved this movie especially the scene when Dortmunder confronts Murch about not knowing how to fly the helicopter and Murch starts flipping switches, gets it started and takes off. My brothers and I used Murch's line "flip this here, hit this one, this one and this one, then double it over, hit your battery, then your starter and come on baby, come baby--Ha-ha-ha!" all the time when growing up and building cars. It is a classic film set in NYC that all