Reviews (9)

Audrey 's worst film!!!
How Sheldon's wonderful novel was turned into such a bad (and very boring) movie is a mystery. Good cast (Hepburn, Mason, Schneider) wasted...Buy the book instead!!!

Suspenseful, Sexy, Mason/Gazarra Worthy Adverseries
James Mason and Ben Gazarra were still virile and energetic enough to pull it off as two middle-aged adverseries for the eternally charming Audrey Hepburn. Enjoy it for what it is, a straightforward, by-the-numbers suspense thriller with plenty of '70s fashion and atmosphere. The ending, where Hepburn must decide to believe either Mason or Gazarra, is great. Mason's 1978-79 performances in "The Boys from Brazil" and "Salem's Lot" and here made for a notable trifecta of quality acting.

Chic cast with dark secrets in Audrey Hepburn shock-drama
I had the good fortune as a teenager to sit through "Bloodline" each day or night for the week it ran in Freeport, Illinois. Later, when I ran away to NYC, I watched it again on my first little screen in a tiny, sloped theater-in-a-complex. I scoured Central Park for one of the scenes shot there against a graffiti-dusted bridge. Ahh... It was my last fix for a while on what chic is, what perserverance, trust and fabulous Parisian locales can do for a lost soul... Then I ran away to France. It would a few more years before I made it to Paris, but when I did I searched out Hotel de Crillion, Maxim's, Notre Dame. The Sydney Sheldon book was a bore compared to the film. Seeing these great international actors together -- Romy "Shrew in Silk" Schneider and Irene "Show me your back!" Papas, for example -- gave me a great shot of what it must be like to tread life's waters in Gucci and Bulgari (back when Gucci didn't seem so silly (watch out! is Chanel next?)) This film, about the Roffe Pharmaceutical heiress (Audrey Hepburn)tagged for murder because she won't go public with the stock market, has a great soundtrack, with lovely resolution, and if you can get the album or CD you'll catch a funky tune not used in the film. All those bits of different languages, different people: "Kennst du dieser Mann?" "They make cheese!" "Poland? This time of year?". What about that tacky snuff-murder sidebar (Roffe's film stock is being used to discredit the company)? You have to admit that that bald man is a hotty. I am in a whirl of support for this little picture and I'd see it again and again. Sometimes the best teachers in life are lurking in the cinema. It's not just about art! Look at Audrey's friendship with her Dad's aide, Beatrice Straight. What about that "senseless" death when Audrey goes back to get earrings? The cool unfolding opening credits and shocking change in music? And I could write a book on all that absolutely fabulous Givenchy clothing!!! The velvet applique and crystal-studded gown she wears to meet Gazzara (another hotty) at the "Guess who?" restaurant? How about the OD green wool cape as she meets about a new formula that can save Roffe? How about her chic sweater and cords as she crawls across the imbricated roof of that villa in Sardinia? Reprising the Jewish ghetto in Cracow? Horses and syringes? The ubiquitous tied-up silk robe Audrey wears? Count me in! This was one of her best "adult" roles. She got a million bucks to do it, it gave her family even more security, and I say she infused the project with inestimable elan. It is a satisfying and slightly sickening love story. Long live Audrey Hepburn! (May she rest in peace.)

Very bad Movie
This was a very disappointing movie. Both James Mason and Audrey Hepburn, both very great stars, were totally miscast for the content of this motion picture. The explicit sex scenes were a total distraction from the plot, and not needed at all. Sidney Sheldon needed to know better. I can understand why Ms. Hepburn wanted out of this movie, when she learned what was to be filmed, but her contract bound her to this film.

Perfectly dreadful in every way...
I disliked everything about this film, from the wretched plot to the cheesy props to the flimsy acting. I was a fan of James Mason until I saw this movie. The plot is contrived, confusing, and dull. I cannot recommend this film to anyone. ... Read more

Reviews (136)

From Russia With Love
From Russia With Love is certainly an excellent OO7 film to date and is Connery's third best in my opinion, I like Thunderball and Goldfinger slightly better. The plot is that SPECTRE is bent on getting the LEKTOR, a top-secret decoding device. They plan to offer it to Bond from a young girl. SPECTRE plans then to kill OO7 and take the LEKTOR for themselves. The acting is excellent. sean Connery is in top form as the dashing British agent OO7, and few Bond girls are better than Daniela Binachi's Tatiana Romanavo. Robert Shaw and Lotte Lenya are superb villains, especially Shaw as Rosa Klebb and Donald "Red" Grant. Kerim Bey is wonderful as Pedro Armendariz. The action includes OO7 being chased by a helicopter, the famed "gypsy camp" scene, an incredible and long hand-to-hand fight aboard the Orient Express between Connery and Shaw, and a good boat chase near the end. The gadgets include Bond's attache case, Grant's garoutte wire watch, and Rosa Klebb's switchblade shoes. The script is very good, the cinematography is dark and brooding, and the settings are nice. The only problem is I didn't like the song that much but I loved the score. Overall, everything from the acting to the dark atmosphere, to the good DVD quality make this film a terrific OO7 film and a welcome edition to your DVD library.

Beautiful looking DVD
James Bond is given the opportunity to obtain a Russian Lektor decoding machine but he needs the services of a beautiful Russian defector, Tatiana Romanova (Daniella Bianchi) to help him steal it from the Russian Embassy in Istanbul. The British think it's a trap, but one worth taking as they are desperate to get their hands on the Lektor. It is indeed too easy to be true - but the treachery and manipulation comes not from the Russians, but from a totally unexpected quarter.

The story may appear simplistic but if you let your concentration lapse you'll miss key information to understanding the plot. Because there is more dialogue it helps to own this movie so you can watch it again. Everything becomes much clearer after a repeat viewing. This was the first 007 DVD I bought because it's one of my favourite Connery Bonds. It features ice-cold assassin Red Grant (Robert Shaw), and one of the best bond girls ever ('James, will you make love to make all the time in England?'). Pedro Armendáriz fits the role of 007's ally Kerim Bey very nicely.

From Russia With Love doesn't overwelm you with a main villain's secret fortress blowing to pieces, nor does it have a heart-pounding car chase scene. The real action is between the characters and within the story.

This series deserved better.
It is hard to imagine that only the 2nd 007 flick would be one of the worst, but this one is just so horrible! The romance plot is laughable and badly acted, Connery and Bianchi don't even have any chemistry. A ton of scenes in the film don't make any sense either--- the gypsy camp sequence for instance. It has NOTHING to do with the plot, yet a good deal of the film is spent here. It's almost as if the filmakers had 2 scripts, couldn't decide between the two, and just used them both, resulting in one huge convoluted mess. Perhaps this was because they were trying to get the movie out in only a year after Dr. No came out. A shame--- had they given FRWL more time and not rushed it, it could have been something really good.

the second young bond and the best of them all
fighting gypsies (one of whom is the delectable martine beswick) in scantily clad clothes, a beefcake blonde assassin robert shaw, a killer old hag with poisioned shoes, the most beautiful blonde imaginable wearing a choker, and connery's ultra cool bond non chalantly smoking his way through half the fim.
what more can you ask from terence youngs second bond flick and the best bond of them all.
from russia with love.

Number 2 yet full of firsts
The second installment of James Bonds adventures starts with the post gunbarrel pre-title chapter which in this movie sees an expert assasin take out what appears to be our intrepid agent untill it is revealed that it is a stage set up.

Q makes an apperance with the first of many gadgets that Bond will call on during his lifetime. We also get to see his Bentley before it's famous replacement in the next film. The three modes of transport (air,sea,rail) and exotic locations are to the fore and of course, the Bond Girl, this time Lotte Lyna. ... Read more

Reviews (136)

From Russia With Love
From Russia With Love is certainly an excellent OO7 film to date and is Connery's third best in my opinion, I like Thunderball and Goldfinger slightly better. The plot is that SPECTRE is bent on getting the LEKTOR, a top-secret decoding device. They plan to offer it to Bond from a young girl. SPECTRE plans then to kill OO7 and take the LEKTOR for themselves. The acting is excellent. sean Connery is in top form as the dashing British agent OO7, and few Bond girls are better than Daniela Binachi's Tatiana Romanavo. Robert Shaw and Lotte Lenya are superb villains, especially Shaw as Rosa Klebb and Donald "Red" Grant. Kerim Bey is wonderful as Pedro Armendariz. The action includes OO7 being chased by a helicopter, the famed "gypsy camp" scene, an incredible and long hand-to-hand fight aboard the Orient Express between Connery and Shaw, and a good boat chase near the end. The gadgets include Bond's attache case, Grant's garoutte wire watch, and Rosa Klebb's switchblade shoes. The script is very good, the cinematography is dark and brooding, and the settings are nice. The only problem is I didn't like the song that much but I loved the score. Overall, everything from the acting to the dark atmosphere, to the good DVD quality make this film a terrific OO7 film and a welcome edition to your DVD library.

Beautiful looking DVD
James Bond is given the opportunity to obtain a Russian Lektor decoding machine but he needs the services of a beautiful Russian defector, Tatiana Romanova (Daniella Bianchi) to help him steal it from the Russian Embassy in Istanbul. The British think it's a trap, but one worth taking as they are desperate to get their hands on the Lektor. It is indeed too easy to be true - but the treachery and manipulation comes not from the Russians, but from a totally unexpected quarter.

The story may appear simplistic but if you let your concentration lapse you'll miss key information to understanding the plot. Because there is more dialogue it helps to own this movie so you can watch it again. Everything becomes much clearer after a repeat viewing. This was the first 007 DVD I bought because it's one of my favourite Connery Bonds. It features ice-cold assassin Red Grant (Robert Shaw), and one of the best bond girls ever ('James, will you make love to make all the time in England?'). Pedro Armendáriz fits the role of 007's ally Kerim Bey very nicely.

From Russia With Love doesn't overwelm you with a main villain's secret fortress blowing to pieces, nor does it have a heart-pounding car chase scene. The real action is between the characters and within the story.

This series deserved better.
It is hard to imagine that only the 2nd 007 flick would be one of the worst, but this one is just so horrible! The romance plot is laughable and badly acted, Connery and Bianchi don't even have any chemistry. A ton of scenes in the film don't make any sense either--- the gypsy camp sequence for instance. It has NOTHING to do with the plot, yet a good deal of the film is spent here. It's almost as if the filmakers had 2 scripts, couldn't decide between the two, and just used them both, resulting in one huge convoluted mess. Perhaps this was because they were trying to get the movie out in only a year after Dr. No came out. A shame--- had they given FRWL more time and not rushed it, it could have been something really good.

the second young bond and the best of them all
fighting gypsies (one of whom is the delectable martine beswick) in scantily clad clothes, a beefcake blonde assassin robert shaw, a killer old hag with poisioned shoes, the most beautiful blonde imaginable wearing a choker, and connery's ultra cool bond non chalantly smoking his way through half the fim.
what more can you ask from terence youngs second bond flick and the best bond of them all.
from russia with love.

Number 2 yet full of firsts
The second installment of James Bonds adventures starts with the post gunbarrel pre-title chapter which in this movie sees an expert assasin take out what appears to be our intrepid agent untill it is revealed that it is a stage set up.

Q makes an apperance with the first of many gadgets that Bond will call on during his lifetime. We also get to see his Bentley before it's famous replacement in the next film. The three modes of transport (air,sea,rail) and exotic locations are to the fore and of course, the Bond Girl, this time Lotte Lyna. ... Read more

Amazon.com

James Bond's fourth adventure takes him to the Bahamas, where a NATO warplane with a nuclear payload has disappeared into the sea. Bond (Sean Connery) travels from a tony health spa (where he tangles with a mechanized masseuse run amuck) to the casinos of Nassau and soon picks up the trail of SPECTRE's number-two man, Emilio Largo (Adolfo Celi), and his beautiful mistress, Domino (Claudine Auger), whom Bond soon seduces to his side. Equipped with more gadgets than ever, courtesy of the resourceful "Q" (Desmond Llewelyn), agent 007 escapes an ambush with a personal-size jet pack and takes to the water as he searches for the undersea plane, battles Largo's pet sharks, and finally leads the battle against Largo's scuba-equipped henchmen in a spectacular underwater climax. This thrilling Bond entry became Connery's most successful outing in the series and was remade in 1983 as Never Say Never Again, with Connery returning to the role after a 12-year hiatus. Tom Jones belts out the bold theme song to another classic Maurice Binder title sequence. --Sean Axmaker ... Read more

Reviews (132)

A Must Own on DVD
Explosive action, stunning locales, a tight plot and Sean Connery's most convincing turn as the world's favorite spy make Thunderball one of the finest-- if not the finest -- entries in the James Bond film series. Add to that a DVD package chock full of dynamic extras such as "behind the scenes" documentaries and two highly informative audio commentaries and you've got yourself a must own movie.

The most visually stunning of all Bond films, Thunderball's sheer cinematic beauty comes glistening through on the remastered DVD print. The light, tropical hues of The Bahamas radiate like never before and the vast scope of the dazzling underwater scenes are fully appreciated on the widescreen transfer. Having personally viewed this Bond classic at least 200 times on standard video, I felt as though I was seeing it for the first time via widescreen DVD.

The plot involves Emilio Largo(Adolfo Celi) as sinister SPECTRE baddie #2 who threatens to nuke Miami unless paid a hefty ransom by the British government and NATO. Of course, Bond has just four days in which to save the world -- four days filled with such distractions as an array of willing women, killer sharks, and exploding cars and boats!

Celi is absolutely captivating as Largo,the eye-patched criminal mastermind. Deliberate and understated, Largo catches on to Bond, and his intent, early on. The ensuing cat and mouse chase begins cordially before turning deadly. The pursuit of Bond through the Junkanoo Parade in the streets of Nausau is positively nerve-wracking. Ditto a pair of horrific scenes in Largo's swimming pool which convieniently doubles as a deadly shark tank.

Italian actress Luciana Paluzzi nearly steals the show as Fiona Volpe a femme fatale killer who yearns for Bond in more than one way. Paluzzi lights up the screen, oozing equal parts temptation and evil.

Former Miss France, Claudine Auger turns in a fine performance as Bond's main love interest Domino. The fact the Domino just happens to be Largo's mistress doesn't stop our favorite super-spy from pursuing her.

Rik Van Nutter's portrayal of CIA operative Felix Leiter is perhaps the series' finest. Of course, Moneypenny, Q and M all flawlessly reprise their respective roles.

A perfect blend of From Russia with Love's suspense and Goldfinger's fun-filled explosiveness, Thunderball is undoubtedly one of the best Bond films. MGM did a great job on the DVD, thus making Thunderball a necessary addition to every Bond fan's collection.

Connery at His Unadulterated Best on DVD
Double entendres abound in this aquatic tale of intrigue, action and adventure 007 style. And make no mistake about it; Sean Connery makes this his picture. This may not have the narrative flow of a "Goldfinger" but Connery's confident and energetic performance and the villain's well-laid out caper makes this one of the most entertaining, realistic and tongue-in-cheek films in the series. This film was made at the pinnacle of the James Bond phenomenon and it shows. No cost was too great. This movie is big and it looks and feels big in every way. The underwater bellicose -ballet is one of the best pieces of action ever put on film thanks to Lamar Boren's colorful and beautiful photography and John Barry's original, innovative and intuitive scoring. The opening fight scene between Bond and Jacques Boitier in the chateau is one the best choreographed and edited of the series. What really makes this film is the dialogue. Connery's one-liners, his banter with Adolfo Celi as Emilio Largo and Luciana Paluzzi as Fiona Volpe and his delivery is brimming with aplomb, wit, humor and confidence all rolled into one. Claudine Auger, Molly Peters, Luciana Paluzzi and Martine Beswick are the ultimate 'Bond Girls.' Production designer Ken Adam, Art design Peter Murton, Cinematographer Ted Moore, Special effects expert John Stears, Editor Peter Hunt, Composer John Barry, Screenwriter Richard Maibaum and Director Terence Young make this one of the best Bond films of the series. Bernard Lee as "M," Lois Maxwell as Moneypenny and Desmond Llewelyn as "Q" all give their best performances. One of the best looking Bond films! It sounds better than ever in Dolby Digital 5.1 sound!

The second best film of Bond series
Thunderball is a feast eye. Visually stunnig with advanced and ingenious twist and ideas.
The presence of Adolfo Celi as Emilio Largo and one of the most beautiful Bond's girls - Claudine Auger , are winners components.
The unforgettable submarine fight deserved for this film won Best special effects . And from its release became in a classic sequence.
Funny and plenty of chases , sharks and arresting locations.
After Goldfinger , this could be the most clever and kinetic movie of Bond series.

THUNDERBALL = Best Bond Movie
This movie is Awesome. The story is the best and score is fantastic. Sean Connery gives one of his best performances as James Bond along with everyone else in the film. This is truly one of my favourite movies ever and I've only become a mega fan this past year. Make your life better and get this along with every other James Bond film!

borderline classic, borderline franchise popcorn
this is the pivotal bond film because it has enough of the same qualitites that rank it nearly alongside dr no, from russia with love and goldfinger.
but, it also has enough hints of the rot that is you only live twice and diamonds are forever that follows.
the first three bond films can actually be considered good films period and not necessarily 'franchise films'.
thunderball truly is the beginning of the franchise that will become furmulaic popcorn with the next one and that was too bad,
and connery, wisely, knew this himself. ... Read more

Reviews (153)

James Bond secret agent 007, licenced to kill
Dr. No was the first movie to launch the legacy that would span out into 20 more official movies and 2 unofficial ones. Sean connery brought a suave, witty and violently exciting role to 007.

The movie begins with a British agent in Jamacia called Stranways and his secretary being murdered. Then back in London we are introduced to James Bond. James Bond is called to office, and we are introduced to his boss "M" and the flirting secretary Miss Moneypenny. Bond is told that Cape Canaveral is worried because their rockets are being toppled and they think the destructive energy waves are coming from Jamacia where Strangways was investigating the mysterious Dr. No before he was killed. Bond is sent to Jamacia, where is identity is quickly noticed by a photographer and a phony chauffeur who tries to kill him. Bond then meets up with CIA agent Felix Leiter and a local fisherman called Quarrel who are also investigating Dr. No and his island Crab Key. Bond's life is also on stake when a spider is released into his room. Bond discovers the Professor Dent is behind the spider attack and kills him, since he does not talk. Bond and Quarrel travel to Crab Key to hunt down Dr. No. Bond awakes on the island to find the alluring girl called Honey Ryder, who tells them that she collects shells on the island. Suspecting visitors, Dr. No's men fire on the beach to try to find Bond. Bond, Honey and Quarrel travel deeper into the island where Quarrel is killed and Bond and Honey are taken captive. They are taken to Dr. No's laboratory, where they finally meet him over dinner. Dr. No explains to Bond that he is a member of the greatest criminal organization called SPECTRE. His job has been to jam all radio signals to USA rockets in order to destroy each one. Dr. no leaves Bond in a cell to jam the upcoming rocket. Bond escapes and battles Dr. No in the nuclear laboratory, with Bond drowning Dr. No. The rocket is not harmed, and the entire islands lab explodes while Bond and Honey escape in a nearby boat., where they are picked up by Felix Leiter and the CIA.

Dr. No was the movie that set the standard for all other 007 movies with the exotic locales, beautiful girls, dominating villians and the exciting, adventerous missions of agent James Bond 007!

"My name is Bond. James Bond." -James Bond 007
This is it ladies and gentlemen!! The very first film in 1962 that started the most popular series in the world! It's got villians with globally-fantatsic schemes, sexy girls, gadgets galore and the most famous spy of all- James Bond. Sean connery get this movie off to a great start with a high-stakes card game with the alluring Sylvia Trench. Then we are introduced to M, Miss Moneypenny and Q. The villian is Dr. No, who plans on destroying USA rockets from is base on Crab Key. The girl is Honey Ryder. She has set the standard for all girls to follow with her unforgettable walk in that bikini from the water! The James Bond theme is played by the John Barry Orchestra and the director is Terence Young. A top-notch spy thriller that CAN NOT be missed by anyone!

Two Great Entrances = A Great Start To A Great Series
From the opening strains of The James Bond Theme over the first gunbarrel opening, Dr. No propels the audience into the world of James Bond. The trio of Dr. No, From Russia With Love and Goldfinger got the series started with a bang and created a standard that has never quite been matched, even by great later entries like On Her Majesty's Secret Service, The Spy Who Loved Me and For Your Eyes Only. Director Terence Young's tough, violent tone in Dr. No does Ian Fleming's books proud and it's unfortunate that that tone wasn't maintained throughout the series. The locations, editing and casting are top notch. The only way the film really fails is in the casting of the wooden Jack Lord as Felix Leiter. In the books Leiter was a tall, blone, skinny gregarious Texan. Lord, in contrast, looks like he wandered off the set of Hawaii-Five-0 onto this film. Luckily, Leiter isn't that important to the film, so any negative effect is minimal.

However, Dr. No owes its success chiefly to two moments -- two of the greatest entrances in screen history. One is Honey Ryder's (Ursula Andress) entrance on the beach on Dr. No's Crab Key. Andress immediately became an object of desire for millions of red blooded males with her tanned sensuous body and skimpy bikini (in the book Dr. No, Ryder was naked). After 42 years and god knows how many sexy women, Andress' Ryder is still the standard. And unlike so many of the later Bond heroines, Andress' Ryder is a tough, intelligent woman who can take care of herself. When Bond promises he won't take the shells she sells to support herself, Andress answers, "I promise you you won't, either." Later, when she tells of killing her rapist with a black widow spider, even Bond recoils in mild shock. Andress' entrance opens the concluding act of the film and creates one of the more memorable Bond heroines of all time.

The moment that defines the film and is probably one of the greatest moments in screen history is, of course, Sean Connery's entrance as James Bond. Legend has it that Ian Fleming was horrified when he met Sean Connery, but quickly changed his tune when he saw his entrance as James Bond onscreen. Connery says the famous line "Bond, James Bond" with such confidence and sex appeal, he instantly burns his mark into the series (which turned out to be a double edged sword when he tried to work outside the series). Next to Orson Welles' entrance in The Third Man, Connery's entrance in Dr. No is probably the best. Every time the clip is shown at the Academy Awards or other such award show, it still draws applause from the audience. It isn't a stretch to call it a landmark in film history.

terence young's bond
it is terence young, more than sean connery, more than ian fleming and more than broccoli who created the movie bond.
it is all here.
while this first movie is a little rough and has a somewhat bland villan, we enjoy the roughness of it, which was part of youngs inimitable style.
the first shot of bond smoking at the poker table is a classic and who knew what it was going to unleash.
the second memorable scene involves a long legged girl in a white dress shirt and a golf club. bond's entry into this scene is again, classic and ultra stylish.
too, bond is ruthless here, shooting an unarmed victim. he would not be this cold blooded again until license to kill.
andress looks like a perfectly formed candy bar and any red blooded male would love to unwrap her.
another mention is the sets, which are fantastic and again, very stylish.
one cant help but using that word; style, again and again because thats what sets the young bonds apart from all the rest of them.
young's bound abounds in style!

Underneath The Mango Tree
The start of the epic life that is James Bond. Sean Connery enters as the suave MI6 agent with a licence to kill number 007.
With the traditional enemies of the West and their devious ways set in his sights.

Of course one cannot avoid the fact that James will have a large female fan base and the first and most famous of all "Bond Girls" the bikini clad, knife welding Ursula Andress. Special effects of the times were spectacular but today a little unbelievable.

The DVD is absolutly full of information and worth it's price. A slightly light weight movie that has it's place in history as the first. ... Read more

Description

Reminiscent of Jean Cocteau's Beauty and the Beast, this intriguing gothic romance marked the directorial debut of Terence Young (From Russia with Love; Dr.No; Mayerling, 1968).Corridor of Mirrors begins in post-World War I Italy, where an artist becomes obsessed with a woman in a Renaissance-era painting.Imagining himself to be the reincarnation of her lover, the wealthy eccentric returns to London to make over his mansion in 16th-century Venetian fashion and search for his lady's modern counterpart.Impressed by his charms, a young British beauty is eager to play the part, even dress in period costume.The fantasy unravels, however, as the darkness of the artist's vision is revealed.Like Cocteau before him, Young treats viewers to a dream world created with lavish sets, exquisite cinematography, and the mesmerizing music of Georges Auric. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Haunting
The plot itself is somewhat flimsy, but is made up for by Eric Portman's unique and haunting style. The set is incredible. There is only one flaw: Edana Romney couldn't act if her life depended on it. Don't watch her and it's a terrific film.

haunting, unforgettable
When television first came to my tiny town in north carolina in l950, this was the movie that they played repeatedly. It was shown at least once a day, usually at night for nearly two years. Why, I don't know, but it certainly branded itself into my mind. Well, I saw it again last night for the first time in 50 years. The result: still as haunting as ever with magnificent lighting, camerawork and an unforgettable performance by the gorgeous Edna Romney, the strange heroine who becomes involved with a mysterious and sinister London gentleman. She visits his eerie mansion where he has recreated a vanished era, filled with a corridor filled with mirrors and bizarre secrets. Edana is a unique beauty who had only made two movies before this: "The Strangler" in l940 and "Alibi" in l942. She also co-wrote the screenplay. Although she looks Italian, the striking brunette came from South Africa.We can only wonder what happened to her since there is no mention anywhere of her doing anything else after "Corridor." You may want to "lighten" up your screen since my video was often so dark I could barely see who doing what to whom. This may remind you of "Last Year at Marienbad" and "Hiroshima, Mon Amour" because of its strong arthouse ambiance. A must-see for anyone who wants to see what London was doing in terms of film right after the war.

Haunting Swing From Modern Day To Renaissance Romance
Eric Portman, a man possessed with the past is intrigued by a bruentte of classical beauty who fits the part perfectly in his "Corridor of Mirrors". It is a corridor any drag queen would die for. This beautiful black and white film has suspense, romance and an exceptional movie score to complement. Wait until you hear that glorious voice of Eric Portman who should have been as popular to the American public as James Mason. Should you agree with my review seek out other films by this excellent British actor. ... Read more

Amazon.com essential video

Audrey Hepburn's last Oscar nomination was for this adaptation of Frederick Knott's famed stage thriller about a blind woman, a con man (Alan Arkin), and a doll full of heroin. Thanks to Hepburn's husband, a photographer who does a good deal of traveling, she's unknowingly come into possession of said doll, which was given to him on a plane by a comely young drug runner who winds up dead. The murderous Arkin, aided by sympathetic henchman Richard Crenna, will let nothing stand in the way of his obtaining it, even if it comes down to assaying multiple "personalities" in order to visit and terrorize Hepburn; Crenna is unwillingly enlisted to help. However, the "world's champion blind lady" (as Hepburn sardonically states) is more than up to the task of defending herself in her basement Manhattan apartment in a heart-stopping climax that to this day still defines the way horror movies with jack-in-the-box psychos are made. Despite the obvious staginess of it all (the entire action takes place in Hepburn's apartment), it still works magnificently, thanks to Hepburn's steely will and Arkin's deadly, sadistic madman. A helpful hint: turn out all the lights when you watch it; theaters back in 1967 did so, killing the guiding lights during the film's last 15 minutes. We can't tell you why, but trust us, it's worth it. --Mark Englehart ... Read more

Reviews (76)

A Spine-Tingling Thriller
I was extremely impressed with this movie. As I am a blind individual myself, I truly appreciated that this was not one of those ridiculous movies which dealt specifically with how blind people function in the world, but instead presented a realistic portrait of a woman fighting to survive.
Audrey Hepburn realistically portrays Susie Hendrix, a woman who has recently lost her sight due to a car accident. She still struggles to adjust to her new lifestyle with the help of her husband Sam. My only complaint of the movie is Sam's often harsh treatment of his wife. I realize that it necessary, but considering that this was a recent loss of eyesight, he possibly could have been more patient.
The main premise of this film concerns a villainous drug dealer, Harry Rote (portrayed by Alan Arkin.)
Alan Arkin is superb in his role. He is the most effective villain I have ever seen portrayed. Rote enlists the help of two recently released conmen to retrieve a heroin-filled doll from Susie's home, where it accidentially was taken by Sam. The ensuing struggle is between Susie and the three men, who attempt to deceive her in to handing over the doll. The climax of this film is extremely suspenseful and scary. Another quick note: Julie Herrod, who portrays Gloria, a young girl who assists Susie is extremely good.
This film is truly worth your time, not only because it is suspenseful, but because it tells of the importance of overcoming obstacles in order to help yourself and others around you.

One of my favorites
A drug dealer enlists two conmen to help him retrieve a drug-filled doll from a blind woman.

Audrey Hepburn is very credible as the lovely Susie Hendrix, a feminine and insightful lady who has recently lost her eyesight in an accident. Efrem Zimbalist Jr. plays her rigid but compassionate husband; one of his emotional reactions is my only problem with the movie, and even that can be overlooked. Julie Herrod is the bratty but fairly well drawn Gloria, and Richard Crenna and Jack Weston play the two conmen. Jack Weston's character is the simpler of the two, and Richard Crenna is the dishonest but convincingly charming. The intelligent Harry Roat (or however you spell it) is played by Alan Arkin. Roat is just creepy. He gives bad vibes.

'Wait Until Dark' is one of my favorite films. The mood, supported by music, excellent acting, and an interesting plot, remains tense throughout the movie.

Truly Terrifying!
Based on Frederick Knott's Broadway hit, Wait Until Dark is a chilling film, even by today's standards. This is a masterfully crafted thriller about three deranged crooks who manipulate a blind woman to recover their lost smuggled goods.

Audrey Hepburn is fantastic as Suzy, in her Oscar nominated role, showing us a fairly realistic portrait of a fragile woman coping with her dark new world. She manages to garner our sympathy, especially with Efrem Zimbalist Jr's demanding husband watching her every move.

Alan Arkin is equally terrific, making a terrifying villain.

Wait Until Dark manages to create a paranoid environment devoid of any human life. The apartment building Suzy lives in is perpetually empty; Suzy's husband, Sam, leaves her on her own for most of the day, and the dorky young girl upstairs is apparently motherless most of the time. The cave-like arches of the apartment has an unsettling effect of positioning Hepburn in a nondescript underground (the windows only look out on the feet of passersby, emphasizing Suzy's disconnect from her neighborhood). It all creeps up on the audience, making for a suspenseful, claustrophobic and effective shocker. I literally could not breathe during the film's final ten minutes.

Definitely wait until dark and watch it with someone who likes to scream. This is a true nail-biter if there ever was one.

"The blinds moving up and down. . . the squeaking shoes. . .
...and then the knife whistling past her ear. . . "

At the ripe old age of 38, Audrey Hepburn proved that she had aged like fine wine in Terrence Young's "Wait Until Dark", for which she earned her fifth, and last, Oscar nomination. Despite obviously being based on the long-running Broadway play; as the majority of the story takes place in an apartment and there are few characters; it translates surprisingly well onto screen and is remarkably intriguing and suspenseful. Alan Arkin, who plays one of the vilest villains of 60's cinema, Richard Crenna, and Efrem Zimbalist Jr. make up the stellar supporting cast and all turn in excellent performances.

The sheer terror "Wait Until Dark" inflicts upon its audience comes from the filmmakers ability to place us in Suzy's shoes. The very idea of being blind and trapped in an apartment and horribly alone even though you are in one of the most densely populated areas of the world, just plains scares me. The nail-biting climax has some truly classic moments in it (who knew Alan Arkin was such a gymnast?) and will stick with you long after the film is over.

As always, Audrey is simply perfection. Charming and beautiful even in the most unflattering situations, she yet again proves her star power. The constant distress and anguish Audrey portrays onscreen is achingly real, and unfortunately, not very far from the truth. She was suffering from anorexia and marriage troubles with the producer of the film, Mel Ferrer, throughout the entire shoot. One can only imagine how draining it must have been for her to be required to be screaming and crying the whole shoot while dealing with these problems. Her Oscar nomination was most certainly deserved!

WHEN THE LIGHTS GO OUT
Few actresses have lit up the screen in the same fashion as the late Audrey Hepburn. In this 1967 thriller (her last Oscar nomination), she plays a blind woman who finds herself terrorized by a trio of men looking for a heroin-stuffed doll.
Relying on pure psychological suspense as opposed to gore and violence, WAIT UNTIL DARK is still a powerful movie. Miss Hepburn is perfect for the role---she seems so frail, and yet there is an inner strength that comes to her aid in the final moments of the film. She lost the Oscar that year to another Hepburn (Katherine in "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner"), and it just goes to show how Oscar at times relies more on sentimentality than the actual power of a performance.
Richard Crenna eschewed his good guy roles by playing Mike Talman, one of the cons who does appreciate Suzie's intelligence. Jack Weston, a great comic actor, also goes for more visceral drama, and his performance as the buffoon is right on target. And what about Mr. Alan Arkin? His cold, insensitive evil is just right!!! Little Julie Herrod as Gloria also does a credible job.
Terence Young's direction is tight and Henry Mancini's impeccable music also heightens the suspense.
WAIT UNTIL DARK is a classic thriller, and one of Miss Hepburn's finest moments. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Missing in Action
I have no idea why this film is so hard to find. It's never shown on television, it's unavailable on US DVD, and the VHS version has been cut down from the original. This wonderful film is moving and exciting--and missing in action. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Superb Romantic Adventure Movie!!
The legendary Anthony Quinn and Rita Hayworth star in this superb,romantic Adventure Movie with great exotic locations.It's highly recommended!! ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Great film!
James Mason is as handsome as ever. It's a really well worth seeinf film. I highly recommend it.

Not Perfect, But Vastly Entertaining
I have been told that the French predecessor of this film is better, but I don't see how. The compelling true story of the downfall of the Hapsburg family is recounted here with an emphasis on the personal tragedy of Prince Rudolph. Here is a man trapped in a loveless marriage, domineered by his tyranical father, deprived of the love of a mother who tries to dazzle everyone, caught in the uprisings of democratic politics, and addicted to cocaine to dismiss his pain. To add to his personal pain, he meets a beautiful, penniless noblewoman, whose family is basically out of favor, and falls hopeless in love. The politics, the personal manipulation, the suffering of the lovers is beautifully presented by MGM in their grand style. Sharif may not be the optimal Rudolph, but who could be immune to Catherine Deneuve's charm. James Mason is a perfect cold and stern Emperor, and Ava Gardner (miscast) fares adequate as the Emperess. It is James Roberton Justice, who plays the Prince of Wales, who steals the movie. His every scene is a joy. The European character actors who fill out the cast do a fine job, and the story unfolds as the tragic love should. Whether you believe that Rudolph killed his mistress and himself, or that his father had the secret police remove him, you will enjoy this movie. Good musical score too!

Schmaltz
In early 1889, Crown Prince Rudolph, son of Emperor Franz Joseph and heir to the Hapsburg Empire, took his teenage mistress, Baroness Maria Vetsera, to a hunting lodge called "Mayerling." What happened there has been the subject of a good deal of speculation, but the most popular version is this: That sometime in the early morning hours of January 30th, Rudolph killed Maria with a single shot from his revolver, and then, some hours later, took his own life. How they came to this moment in time is the subject of the film, "Mayerling" which stars Omar Sharif as Rudolph and Catherine Deneuve as Maria.

The film is highly sympathetic to the lovers, portraying them as kindred souls beset by the prejudices and stupidities of everyone around them. Rudolph's liberal political views and Maria's innocence are made much of, and the idea that they were driven to the desperation of a suicide pact is central to the persuasiveness of this film. Unfortunately I have a hard time buying any of it, and perhaps it's partly because I know too much about the real couple and their situation, but I think it's also because the film is so heavy-handed that we feel more bludgeoned than persuaded. Sharif is wooden as Rudolph, but in all fairness some of the lines he's asked to deliver are almost laughable. The Oedipal subtext between Rudolph and his mother, Elizabeth, has no real purpose beyond titillation, and it is frankly difficult to believe in Deneuve as ingénue. Had all the roles been written with more authenticity the story might well have worked as a tragedy, but Terence Young, who apparently drew on the novels of Claude Anet and Michel Arnold to write the screenplay, has taken the easy route here, complete with cardboard villains and people's heroes. Not even James Mason as Franz Joseph or the ravishing Ava Gardner as Empress Elizabeth can propel this particular film out of the category of Bad Romance.

The look of the film owes more to the era in which it was made than that which it seeks to portray. Makeup, hairstyles, even costumes reflect a sixties sensibility which may have put audiences at ease in 1968, but which are jarring today. Frankly, this is one of the things that can really turn me off of a film; I tolerate it in "Doctor Zhivago," but in "Mayerling" it becomes so distracting, that any credibility this film might have had for me goes right out the window whenever I see an actress with overdone, sixties-style eyeliner or lots and lots of hair woven into intricate, sixties-inspired dos. I suggest you give this one a miss unless you're in the mood for some schmaltz.

Mayerling, a must see movie
A perfect example of Omar Sharif's brilliant acting, I wish we could see him again in big US produced movies to use his rare talent in new movies instead of losing him again to the Egyptian movie producers. In this movies you can see how much this great man can say just with his eyes to his also incerdible co-star Catherine Deneuve, wonderful movie and beautiful sceneries and acting, a must see. would recomend Doctor Zivago and some of his Egyptian movies .

Mayerling
A Beautiful re-make of the 1938 classic. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

A hilariously campy piece of garbage
This is such an atrociously awful movie that it's a joy to watch. You have to be aware of the real life events that were ongoing during the making of "The Klansman." Burton and Taylor were busting up and Burton was awash in vodka. He arrived in Oroville, California and promptly proposed to an 18 year Denny's waitress. His costar, Lee Marvin, was also drinking a bottle a day. Neither was sober for a single syllable of this terrible movie and their struggles to appear sober make for some hilarious moments.

Burton, as usual, dreadfully overacts and his attempts at a Southern accent are pitiful, to say the least. Marvin's acting is much better, but when he has to speak inane lines from a miserable script, he can't fare much better. The highlights has to be the scene in the bus station when Burton karate chops poor Cameron Mitchell nearly to death. The movie was so cheaply edited that you can clearly hear director Terrence Young yelling, "Cut, Cam! Get up! Cut!" They don't even bother to edit out the director's instructions. You will be laughing yourself into a choking fit during this lengthy bus station melee,

This is a great movie to watch with a couple of beers. If you appreciate a terrible script, crude sets and two major stars who were drunk out of their minds while filming, you'll love this one.

Truly disappointing!
Firstly, poor sound. Secondly, the film has been cut, heavily.
Let us hope that Paramount release it on DVD soon, as it is their film. In the meantime, if anyone wants to see this film then just buy the Paramount VHS tape- it's very good quality for picture & sound & it is UNCUT! Do not waste your money or time on this poor attempt at a DVD release!!!

"THE KLANSMAN" WAS A DISASTER
In the Spring of 1974 Director Terance Young and company came to Oroville, California to film the Klansman. The locals were excited to have a big studio film made in the small town. However, when it opened at the State Theatre in Oroville, there was widespread horror.

The film included a castration, an attempted rape and two rapes, plus a whole lot of racial comments and some god-awful acting. You would have thought that Richard Burton would have done well with his acting, but he was one of the worse. He was drunk and chasing an under-age girl for most of the shooting schedule and could not seem to handle the southern accent. (This may have been the incident that destroyed his and Liz Taylor's marriage.)

Lee Marvin, Cameron Mitchell, Lola Falana and a few others did well in their acting but the script shot them down. It was full of racial stereotypes that probably set back racial relations for the next 100 years. (This was OJ Simpson's first film.)

I was there in 1974 and saw a lot of the shooting of the movie. It's only redeeming value to me is the fact that it showed a lot of areas of Table Mountain, Cherokee, Oroville and Sugarloaf Mountain (75 miles north of Sacramento in Northern California).
The scenery is beautiful but the movie is awful.

There are many scenes that are unintentially funny because of the bad acting plus a hilarious scene where Richard Burton "slaps" Cameron Mitchell into a blood pulp. A Classic!

All in all a minor film but worth seeing if you want a laugh or two. Warning, the rape scene with Lola Falana is not for the faint of heart! Plus the castration scene makes ME grit my teeth!

Sad waste of two powerhouse talents
Richard Burton was one of the all-time great thespians and it's a travesty that the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences never honored him with an Oscar for any of his numerous nominations. Lee Marvin was a dynamic actor in his own right as well. Why they are wasting their time in this ugly, worthless (...) movie is anybody's guess.
Many films that incorporate a racist theme merit importance when they depict the horror and any subsequent violence that such bigotry and hatred derives. This film does nothing but present a shallow glimpse into the racial tensions stemming from the South (a common and unfortunate stereotype).
One interesting note: OJ Simpson made his film debut here as a radical "Black Panther"-type militant who murders white folks whenever he has a chance. (...)

Campy in the extreme!
This is such an atrociously awful movie that it's a joy to watch. You have to be aware of the real life events that were ongoing during the making of "The Klansman." Burton and Taylor were busting up and Burton was awash in vodka. He arrived in Oroville, California and promptly proposed to an 18 year Denny's waitress. His costar, Lee Marvin, was also drinking a bottle a day. Neither was sober for a single syllable of this terrible movie and their struggles to appear sober make for some hilarious moments.

Burton, as usual, dreadfully overacts and his attempts at a Southern accent are pitiful, to say the least. Marvin's acting is much better, but when he has to speak inane lines from a miserable script, he can't fare much better.

This is a great movie to watch with a couple of beers. If you appreciate a terrible script, crude sets and two major stars who were drunk out of their minds while filming, you'll love this one. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

The Amorous Adventures of Moll Flanders
If you take this version of Moll Flanders and compare it to the other versions, the other ones are better. But if you take this film and place it amongst other movies (not Moll Flanders-related), this film is pretty decent.
It's not a drama, if that's what you're thinking. It's actually a bawdy comedy, and I have to disagree with other viewers. This film has sort of a Monty Python/Three Stooges thing going on here which actually makes the movie interesting and funny for everyone...even the kiddies! I have little brothers and they love Jemmy's sidekick in this!
Well-casted, well-acted...it's actually pretty good. There isn't really anything wrong with this that made me lower the star rating - I just find it's not the best movie in the world. But I still love it. Hehe.

A Kim Novak Movie, for a change
Usually, whenever I've encountered Ms. Novak, she was part of somebody else's movie, "Vertigo" starring James Steward or "Pal Joey" starring Frank Sinatra. This time, she stands alone--and it's not very outstanding at all, I'm afraid.

Likes like a "Tom Jones" rip-off, and a very un-funny one at that. I had had great hopes for George Sanders, but even he can't bolster up this Tom Turkey.

What a shame, too, because the book "Moll Flanders" is so interesting. Well, I guess you can take THAT out of the library if you really have to. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Not Too Hot, After All!
Jayne Mansfield stars in this low-budget British melodrama about a tough strip-joint owner (Leo Genn) and his girl Friday (Mansfield) who must contend with a take-over move by hostile hoods in the sleazy Soho district of London.

Mansfield is surprisingly effective in this straight dramatic role, but the real reason she's in the film is for the semi-nude dance number she does. Scenes from this dance were featured in a 1967 Playboy article.

But evidently this video is the export version for the beknighted American audience of the uncut British original. Mansfield is clearly not semi-nude in a transparent gown here. The gown is very modest and demure in this edition. Be advised.

The image and sound quality of this VHS tape are just average. I recommend it only to nostalgia fans.

The director of this film, Terence Young, became much better known a few years later as the director of the James Bond films Doctor No, From Russia With Love, and Thunderball,

Brando is riveting!
Typical 1950's tale about a broken hearted sweetheart and the goat farmer that left her for his favorite goat, Nellie. The movie is a bit too long and a bit slow in the beginning. However, once the goat farmer begins his lust-filled affair with Nellie, things heat up and the almost prophetic themes begin to boil together much like a lovely soup. Easily the greatest performance is once again handed in by Marlon Brando who portrays a rebelious , meatball eating priest named Father Rhodes.

ok
if you like nudity this is a good movie no plot ... Read more

Reviews (76)

A Spine-Tingling Thriller
I was extremely impressed with this movie. As I am a blind individual myself, I truly appreciated that this was not one of those ridiculous movies which dealt specifically with how blind people function in the world, but instead presented a realistic portrait of a woman fighting to survive.
Audrey Hepburn realistically portrays Susie Hendrix, a woman who has recently lost her sight due to a car accident. She still struggles to adjust to her new lifestyle with the help of her husband Sam. My only complaint of the movie is Sam's often harsh treatment of his wife. I realize that it necessary, but considering that this was a recent loss of eyesight, he possibly could have been more patient.
The main premise of this film concerns a villainous drug dealer, Harry Rote (portrayed by Alan Arkin.)
Alan Arkin is superb in his role. He is the most effective villain I have ever seen portrayed. Rote enlists the help of two recently released conmen to retrieve a heroin-filled doll from Susie's home, where it accidentially was taken by Sam. The ensuing struggle is between Susie and the three men, who attempt to deceive her in to handing over the doll. The climax of this film is extremely suspenseful and scary. Another quick note: Julie Herrod, who portrays Gloria, a young girl who assists Susie is extremely good.
This film is truly worth your time, not only because it is suspenseful, but because it tells of the importance of overcoming obstacles in order to help yourself and others around you.

One of my favorites
A drug dealer enlists two conmen to help him retrieve a drug-filled doll from a blind woman.

Audrey Hepburn is very credible as the lovely Susie Hendrix, a feminine and insightful lady who has recently lost her eyesight in an accident. Efrem Zimbalist Jr. plays her rigid but compassionate husband; one of his emotional reactions is my only problem with the movie, and even that can be overlooked. Julie Herrod is the bratty but fairly well drawn Gloria, and Richard Crenna and Jack Weston play the two conmen. Jack Weston's character is the simpler of the two, and Richard Crenna is the dishonest but convincingly charming. The intelligent Harry Roat (or however you spell it) is played by Alan Arkin. Roat is just creepy. He gives bad vibes.

'Wait Until Dark' is one of my favorite films. The mood, supported by music, excellent acting, and an interesting plot, remains tense throughout the movie.

Truly Terrifying!
Based on Frederick Knott's Broadway hit, Wait Until Dark is a chilling film, even by today's standards. This is a masterfully crafted thriller about three deranged crooks who manipulate a blind woman to recover their lost smuggled goods.

Audrey Hepburn is fantastic as Suzy, in her Oscar nominated role, showing us a fairly realistic portrait of a fragile woman coping with her dark new world. She manages to garner our sympathy, especially with Efrem Zimbalist Jr's demanding husband watching her every move.

Alan Arkin is equally terrific, making a terrifying villain.

Wait Until Dark manages to create a paranoid environment devoid of any human life. The apartment building Suzy lives in is perpetually empty; Suzy's husband, Sam, leaves her on her own for most of the day, and the dorky young girl upstairs is apparently motherless most of the time. The cave-like arches of the apartment has an unsettling effect of positioning Hepburn in a nondescript underground (the windows only look out on the feet of passersby, emphasizing Suzy's disconnect from her neighborhood). It all creeps up on the audience, making for a suspenseful, claustrophobic and effective shocker. I literally could not breathe during the film's final ten minutes.

Definitely wait until dark and watch it with someone who likes to scream. This is a true nail-biter if there ever was one.

"The blinds moving up and down. . . the squeaking shoes. . .
...and then the knife whistling past her ear. . . "

At the ripe old age of 38, Audrey Hepburn proved that she had aged like fine wine in Terrence Young's "Wait Until Dark", for which she earned her fifth, and last, Oscar nomination. Despite obviously being based on the long-running Broadway play; as the majority of the story takes place in an apartment and there are few characters; it translates surprisingly well onto screen and is remarkably intriguing and suspenseful. Alan Arkin, who plays one of the vilest villains of 60's cinema, Richard Crenna, and Efrem Zimbalist Jr. make up the stellar supporting cast and all turn in excellent performances.

The sheer terror "Wait Until Dark" inflicts upon its audience comes from the filmmakers ability to place us in Suzy's shoes. The very idea of being blind and trapped in an apartment and horribly alone even though you are in one of the most densely populated areas of the world, just plains scares me. The nail-biting climax has some truly classic moments in it (who knew Alan Arkin was such a gymnast?) and will stick with you long after the film is over.

As always, Audrey is simply perfection. Charming and beautiful even in the most unflattering situations, she yet again proves her star power. The constant distress and anguish Audrey portrays onscreen is achingly real, and unfortunately, not very far from the truth. She was suffering from anorexia and marriage troubles with the producer of the film, Mel Ferrer, throughout the entire shoot. One can only imagine how draining it must have been for her to be required to be screaming and crying the whole shoot while dealing with these problems. Her Oscar nomination was most certainly deserved!

WHEN THE LIGHTS GO OUT
Few actresses have lit up the screen in the same fashion as the late Audrey Hepburn. In this 1967 thriller (her last Oscar nomination), she plays a blind woman who finds herself terrorized by a trio of men looking for a heroin-stuffed doll.
Relying on pure psychological suspense as opposed to gore and violence, WAIT UNTIL DARK is still a powerful movie. Miss Hepburn is perfect for the role---she seems so frail, and yet there is an inner strength that comes to her aid in the final moments of the film. She lost the Oscar that year to another Hepburn (Katherine in "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner"), and it just goes to show how Oscar at times relies more on sentimentality than the actual power of a performance.
Richard Crenna eschewed his good guy roles by playing Mike Talman, one of the cons who does appreciate Suzie's intelligence. Jack Weston, a great comic actor, also goes for more visceral drama, and his performance as the buffoon is right on target. And what about Mr. Alan Arkin? His cold, insensitive evil is just right!!! Little Julie Herrod as Gloria also does a credible job.
Terence Young's direction is tight and Henry Mancini's impeccable music also heightens the suspense.
WAIT UNTIL DARK is a classic thriller, and one of Miss Hepburn's finest moments. ... Read more

Reviews (14)

Culture Clash in the 19th Century
This movie, to me, is a classic, with a star studded cast from 3 continents: Toshiro Mifune, the archetypal Samurai, Charles Bronson, the tough good guy, and Alain Delon the French Superstar as the very convincing bad guy. It has all the trimmings: fast paced action, enough humor to keep it entertaining, and, for a movie of this genre, very convincing storyline, acting and dialogue. Last but not least, though the story takes few surprising turns, it does have a surprising end. A definite must have for Western and Eastern buffs.

East meets the wild west
This movie to me is a great one to watch. It stars Charles Bronson and the late great Toshiro Mifune. Red sun has a lot of action and a few very funny seens. I would recomend it highly, and would rate it a classic, or near classic.

Great Movie
I thorougly enjoyed this movie. The combination of Toshiro Mifune and Charles Bronson was exactly what the doctor ordered.Enough humor and action to keep you watching.

Sol Rojo
This is an interesting and amusing internationally co-produced Western directed loosely by Terence Young. Charles Bronson (outlaw) teams with Toshiro Mifune (samurai warrior) in search of spoils, honor and Alain Delon (gambling con man). Ursula Andress and Capucine provide the major love interests. The highlight is Maurice Jarre's lively score integrating Eastern and Western musical idioms. This is a very entertaining film and which gets its inspiration from the Italian Westerns that were beginning to disappear into the sunset at the time of this film's release.

This is a pushy movie.
Even though Toshirô Mifune had been around years before, this was my first encounter with him. He plays a good counter personality to Charles Bronson. As I was saying, this is a pushy movie. Each character pushes the other to the brink. Gauche pushes Link who pushes Kuroda Jubie who pushes back and some where in there, among the Indians and others Cristina just gets pushed around.

I always think of this movie when I am watching "The Maltese Falcon" (1941) ASIN: 6305729328; The conversation between Sam Spade and Kasper Gutman where Sam insists that he can not be influence by the threat of death. If they killed him then they would not get the bird. Kasper says it takes a fine balance and not to push too hard, as there is no telling what a man may do in the heat of the moment and forget where his interests lie.

Well this film has a lot of heated moments and a lot of funny moments when the different cultures clash. This is definitely worth viewing. ... Read more

Reviews (132)

A Must Own on DVD
Explosive action, stunning locales, a tight plot and Sean Connery's most convincing turn as the world's favorite spy make Thunderball one of the finest-- if not the finest -- entries in the James Bond film series. Add to that a DVD package chock full of dynamic extras such as "behind the scenes" documentaries and two highly informative audio commentaries and you've got yourself a must own movie.

The most visually stunning of all Bond films, Thunderball's sheer cinematic beauty comes glistening through on the remastered DVD print. The light, tropical hues of The Bahamas radiate like never before and the vast scope of the dazzling underwater scenes are fully appreciated on the widescreen transfer. Having personally viewed this Bond classic at least 200 times on standard video, I felt as though I was seeing it for the first time via widescreen DVD.

The plot involves Emilio Largo(Adolfo Celi) as sinister SPECTRE baddie #2 who threatens to nuke Miami unless paid a hefty ransom by the British government and NATO. Of course, Bond has just four days in which to save the world -- four days filled with such distractions as an array of willing women, killer sharks, and exploding cars and boats!

Celi is absolutely captivating as Largo,the eye-patched criminal mastermind. Deliberate and understated, Largo catches on to Bond, and his intent, early on. The ensuing cat and mouse chase begins cordially before turning deadly. The pursuit of Bond through the Junkanoo Parade in the streets of Nausau is positively nerve-wracking. Ditto a pair of horrific scenes in Largo's swimming pool which convieniently doubles as a deadly shark tank.

Italian actress Luciana Paluzzi nearly steals the show as Fiona Volpe a femme fatale killer who yearns for Bond in more than one way. Paluzzi lights up the screen, oozing equal parts temptation and evil.

Former Miss France, Claudine Auger turns in a fine performance as Bond's main love interest Domino. The fact the Domino just happens to be Largo's mistress doesn't stop our favorite super-spy from pursuing her.

Rik Van Nutter's portrayal of CIA operative Felix Leiter is perhaps the series' finest. Of course, Moneypenny, Q and M all flawlessly reprise their respective roles.

A perfect blend of From Russia with Love's suspense and Goldfinger's fun-filled explosiveness, Thunderball is undoubtedly one of the best Bond films. MGM did a great job on the DVD, thus making Thunderball a necessary addition to every Bond fan's collection.

Connery at His Unadulterated Best on DVD
Double entendres abound in this aquatic tale of intrigue, action and adventure 007 style. And make no mistake about it; Sean Connery makes this his picture. This may not have the narrative flow of a "Goldfinger" but Connery's confident and energetic performance and the villain's well-laid out caper makes this one of the most entertaining, realistic and tongue-in-cheek films in the series. This film was made at the pinnacle of the James Bond phenomenon and it shows. No cost was too great. This movie is big and it looks and feels big in every way. The underwater bellicose -ballet is one of the best pieces of action ever put on film thanks to Lamar Boren's colorful and beautiful photography and John Barry's original, innovative and intuitive scoring. The opening fight scene between Bond and Jacques Boitier in the chateau is one the best choreographed and edited of the series. What really makes this film is the dialogue. Connery's one-liners, his banter with Adolfo Celi as Emilio Largo and Luciana Paluzzi as Fiona Volpe and his delivery is brimming with aplomb, wit, humor and confidence all rolled into one. Claudine Auger, Molly Peters, Luciana Paluzzi and Martine Beswick are the ultimate 'Bond Girls.' Production designer Ken Adam, Art design Peter Murton, Cinematographer Ted Moore, Special effects expert John Stears, Editor Peter Hunt, Composer John Barry, Screenwriter Richard Maibaum and Director Terence Young make this one of the best Bond films of the series. Bernard Lee as "M," Lois Maxwell as Moneypenny and Desmond Llewelyn as "Q" all give their best performances. One of the best looking Bond films! It sounds better than ever in Dolby Digital 5.1 sound!

The second best film of Bond series
Thunderball is a feast eye. Visually stunnig with advanced and ingenious twist and ideas.
The presence of Adolfo Celi as Emilio Largo and one of the most beautiful Bond's girls - Claudine Auger , are winners components.
The unforgettable submarine fight deserved for this film won Best special effects . And from its release became in a classic sequence.
Funny and plenty of chases , sharks and arresting locations.
After Goldfinger , this could be the most clever and kinetic movie of Bond series.

THUNDERBALL = Best Bond Movie
This movie is Awesome. The story is the best and score is fantastic. Sean Connery gives one of his best performances as James Bond along with everyone else in the film. This is truly one of my favourite movies ever and I've only become a mega fan this past year. Make your life better and get this along with every other James Bond film!

borderline classic, borderline franchise popcorn
this is the pivotal bond film because it has enough of the same qualitites that rank it nearly alongside dr no, from russia with love and goldfinger.
but, it also has enough hints of the rot that is you only live twice and diamonds are forever that follows.
the first three bond films can actually be considered good films period and not necessarily 'franchise films'.
thunderball truly is the beginning of the franchise that will become furmulaic popcorn with the next one and that was too bad,
and connery, wisely, knew this himself. ... Read more