Amazon.com essential video

Jane Austen's classic novel of 1813, Pride and Prejudice, still winsthe hearts of countless schoolgirls with its romantic story of Elizabeth Bennet and her Mr. Darcy. Now, the 1996 BBC miniseries is winning over adults, with its faithful adaptation, gorgeous scenery, and superb acting.

The essence of the story is the antagonism between Mr. Darcy, a wealthy single man who believes Elizabeth to be beneath him, and Elizabeth, who upon being insulted at a dance by the aloof Darcy refuses to associate with him in any manner. Austen evokes incredible tension with the wit and flirtation of the two characters, and director Simon Langton (who also directed Upstairs Downstairs) successfully translates the repartee and conflict in this six-hour miniseries. Dialogue, for the most part, is painstakingly replicated, except when fleshing out and smoothing for modern sensibilities was necessary. Darcy, for instance, is drawn out, giving his personality significantly more depth. The acting sweeps you away to Regency England: Jennifer Ehle (of Wilde) is convincing as the obstinate Elizabeth, who, despite her mother's attempts to marry her off, spurs the attentions of Darcy. And Colin Firth (of The English Patient) will have women everywhere longing for a Mr. Darcy of their own.

For those who have been on an Austen binge--enjoying such excellent recent adaptations as Sense and Sensibility and Persuasion--this miniseries will round out the ultimate Austen video library. For those new to these romantic period pieces, this version of Pride and Prejudice will have you hooked and longing for more. One caveat, however: plan to watch it in an entire day, because very few have the self-control to not watch all six hours in a single sitting. --Jenny Brown ... Read more

Reviews (233)

Wow!
Before watching this movie, I couldn't stand BBC productions. I don't feel that way anymore. The plot stays true to the book more so than any other version I've seen. My favorite scene of the entire show happens when Elizabeth, accompanied by her aunt and uncle visit Pemberley, Mr. Darcy's estate. Mr. Darcy comes home earlier than expected, and oh! I'd say more, but it would ruin that scene for you. The actress who portrays Elizabeth's mother is exceptional! She does a wonderful job of interpreting her character, as does everyone else. If you don't have the time to watch this version, I recommend the Greer Garson and Laurence Olivier one. Though some things are not included in that screenplay, the same beautiful story is told. Laughs galore included. Schedule a time slot for this movie in a day when everything and everyone in the world seem against you, or a time when your life couldn't possibly be better. You have to see this!!!!!

It takes the time to tell the story properly- EXCELLENT
I'm a huge Jane Austen fan, both book and movie versions of her work. My two favorite movies are Emma and Sense and Sensibility, which are sweet and romantic but not necessarily true to the book. This movie surpasses both of them! I watched it twice, then the next day I watched certain scenes, and then the whole thing again! It's that good.

I could repeat the same praise other readers have shared, because the characters are perfectly right, the settings and costumes are lush and the script is just a delight. I especially liked the embarrassing, fickle Mrs. Bennett and the bowing, stupid Mr. Collins. Every sister was instantly recognizable as someone you knew! Lydia was well done as a giggling, boy-crazy apple-of-her-mother's-eye. And Mr. Bennet had the best wry sense of humour. He was teasing his high-strung wife constantly, but it went over her head every time.

But the best part of this adaption, I believe, was the tender way the director allowed the story to unfold, slowly. There were whole dances, not just 10 seconds. The sexual tension of the Lizzy-Darcy relationship was brought out carefully. At first I didn't like Darcy at all. It was only through a series of conversations, lingering looks, even flashbacks, that the main characters' hearts were revealed. I think the casting director picked these two gems (Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle) not just for their acting but also because of their ("fine") eyes...demure and curious in Elizabeth, brooding and expressive in Darcy. In the end I'd fallen in love with both of them myself!

A second viewing showed details you won't get with a 2 hour movie. For example, Darcy makes a passing remark about well-read women (as a small compliment to Lizzy, who's of course a bookworm). In a few minutes, the snobbish Caroline Lucas is seen parading around in front of the group, trying in vain to get interested in a book in her hands. Finally she throws it aside and goes back to her favorite past-time, cutting people down. Excellently done!

The 6 hours will just fly by! Have an Austen-a-thon this week-end and put this in line as the finale.

intelligent yet accessible first-rate costume drama
I'm very picky and selective about what I like when it comes to period dramas, and I usually got for the late 19th c. or early 1900s stuff rather than the 1840s Jane Austen stuff. But I must admit I was deeply captivated by this mini-series, it succeeded with me where others may have failed. The witty, cultured dialogue was very enjoyable to listen to, yet accessible. I understood everything. I loved the story, especially the relationship between the pretty and likeable Elizabeth and the handsome, proud Mr. Darcy kept me guessing all the time if his good qualities would shine through after he started falling for her and if she would soften up to him or not as I was hoping they would end up together after all. I was not disappointed.

David Rehak
author of "Love and Madness"

My Favorite Mini -Series of All Time...
I have watched "Pride and Prejudice" at LEAST 10 times over the last 8 years. It is truly one of the BEST adaptations of a novel and Sue Birtwhistle deserves such credit for her brilliant production.

I do not believe that I have EVER seen a better suited cast than in "Pride and Prejudice." Typically, in every movie - you always find that several roles have not coincided with your image of who you imagine the character as being portrayed. Not so with "Pride and Prejudice."

Especially brilliant is Colin Firth (will he EVER have a better role?) and Jennifer Ehle. These two title roles were SUPERBLY cast. Jennifer Ehle was magnificent in this movie.

What makes ALL of the acting so amazing is that the language was so different and yet it was so believable. The costumes were lovely; the dancing was historically accurate AND interesting; the countryside and houses were magnificent.

EVERYONE involved in this movie should feel rewarded. I believe that even 50 years from now, it will still be viewed as one of the greatest classics.

A great adaptation of a classic story
I did things a little backward seeing this video series first, and then going on to read Jane Austen's book. But that's how much I loved it! When it was over I wanted more details on Elizabeth and Darcy and the book filled in those details. The video series is very true to the book and I found much of the dialogue is taken right from the pages of Jane Austen's novel. I thought that Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth were wonderful as Lizzie and Darcy. It's amazing to watch Colin Firth do some incredible acting without ever opening his mouth! He did a fabulous job acting a role that must have been incredibly difficult since he said so little yet expressed so much! This is truly my favorite film of all time. If you like it half as much as I did, you'll love it! ... Read more

Amazon.com essential video

The second most-watched miniseries (after Roots) of all time, The Thorn Birds was originally broadcast in 1983 and captivated viewers with its story of a lifelong conflict between the spirit and the flesh. Adapted from the bestselling novel by Colleen McCullough, the production starsRichard Chamberlain as a Catholic priest named Ralph de Bricassart, whoselife in Australia between 1920 and 1962 is one long torment as he pines for his lover, Meggie Carson (Rachel Ward), while seeking advancement in hisclergyman career. The passion and the guilt make for compelling drama, but a stellar cast of supporting players adds muscle to the proceedings: BarbaraStanwyck (who won an Emmy for her work as Meggie's tough grandmother), Jean Simmons, Richard Kiley, Christopher Plummer, Bryan Brown, and MareWinningham. Chamberlain, who was something of the king of the miniseriesform at the time, is very good in the lead, as is the often-underrated Ward. Their affair is indeed irresistible to watch, which proves to be true, too, of the story's thick weave of church politics, forbidden desire, socialchange over decades, and family secrets. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (84)

BEST ROMANCE MINISERIES/MOVIE EVER!
This has been my all time favourite miniseries ever! I have seen this movie since I was a young girl (at 12) and now at 20 I still think it's the best! Richard Chamberlain and Rachel Ward did an excellent job portraying Father Ralph de Bricassart and Meggie Cleary. The story focuses on the forbidden love between Ralph and Meggie. It is so passionate, so believable. The script is very powerful and touching. In regular romance movies the guy gets the girl (or vice versa) after about an hr. into it. But in this miniseries, you see Father Ralph trying to resist temptation for about 5hrs, so when they do get together it is like WOW! There's fireworks everywhere! The rest of the cast also did a splendid job like Barbara Stanwyck portrayed Mary Carson, Meggie's mean, jealous aunt and also in love with Ralph and Jean Simmons portrayed Fee, Meggie's mum who ignored her most of her life. This is a must-see movie covering over 40yrs. of the Cleary family and Father Ralph's rise to being Cardinal....

A melodramatic yet guilty pleasure, I love The Thorn Birds..
but, as they say, the book was much better. Richard Chamberlain and Rachel Ward did a fine job as the leads. (I despised Chamberlain's Father Ralph just as much in the movie as in the book and Ward's Meggie impressed me far more towards the end of the movie as in the novel).

All the other characters were played well by the actors except for Justine's character. In the book, Justine was a strong, self-willed, determind young woman struggling with knowing she wasn't as treasured as her brother Dane. However, in the miniseries, she came across more as a cynical, whining brat.

On the whole, because I've read the book so many times, I watch the movie every once in a while as a guilty pleasure. But I'll always go back to the book to get the whole story that somehow the movie seems to miss.

By the way, Meggie's maiden name is not Carson, it is Cleary. Mary Carson was her aunt, Paddy's sister, not her grandmother.

Breathtaking
This miniseries was one of the formative memories of my adolescence--I remember watching it at 14, absorbed in the story and entranced by Meggie and Ralph. I watched it again as a 34th-birthday present to myself, and it was as moving a story as I remembered. Beautiful!

Very Good
This movie was a truly great one. I have read the book and I feel that it was great also. I believe one of the reasons why it doesn't go into detail about Justine and Dane's relationship as much as a few people of liked or that there wasn't anything that showed the relationship between Patsy and Jims is because the movie is so long without it. It's around 10 hours long. I think it showed the closeness between Justine and Dane quite well just some people didn't pay attention! Probably just thinking about something to complain about. I for one think that the actors did a great job and sound not too much like they were American. Give them a break.

The Thorn Birds
I would have to say that The Thorn Birds is and always will be my most favorite movie of all time. I have never seen two characters such as Richard Chamberlain and Rachel Ward that have such chemistry. The first time I saw this movie I was 11 years old and have watched it more times than I can count since. I am 31 now. I have the video collection now of my on to watch. I hope that everyone that reads this can watch the movie and enjoy it as much as I have and still do. By the way my wife is probably tired of me watching the Thorn Birds but the love of the movie came with me when we were married. ... Read more

Description

Based on the bestseller by Stephen E. Ambrose, the epic 10-part miniseries Band of Brothers tells the story of Easy Company, 506th Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division, U.S. Army. Drawn from interviews with survivors of Easy Company, as well as soldiers' journals and letters, Band of Brothers chronicles the experiences of these men who knew extraordinary bravery and extraordinary fear. They were an elete rifle company parachuting into France early on D-Day morning, fighting in the Battle of the Bulge and capturing Hitler's Eagle's Nest at Berchtesgaden. They were also a unit that suffered 150 percent casualties, and whose lives became legend. ... Read more

Reviews (703)

Band of Brothers - The Complete 10 Chapter Miniseries
This 10 chapter miniseries set is an exquisite mix of Saving Private Ryan with the documentary feel of an A&E type production and the drama, look and the inevitable touch of Spielberg/Hanks brilliance and genius.

Incredibly real and gut wrenching, the miniseries begins at 101st Airborne Division training camp at Camp Toccoa, USA. Whereupon we learn about the tough reality of being in the Airborne Division and the severity of living under a military chain of command. Under the command of Lt. Sobel, Easy Company is trained and drilled every single day until they become on of the best companies in the Division, a fact that will prove to be woeful in battle.

At long last (2 years in training) the Allies have concocted a plan to start the invasion/liberation of Nazi occupied France and Europe. D-day is gruesome but Easy Company is more terrible events are yet to come.

As we follow along the story, we slowly get into knowing people like Lipton, Luz, Perconte, Winters, Buck, Bull, Skip Muck, Popeye, Guarnere and many memorable characters who we see triumph, survive and perish in the cruelty of war.
We are taken into the very jaws of the enemy at battles like Foy, Carentan, Bastogne, the Eagle's nest, all these in the dreariest and bitter conditions of bad weather and lack of supplies. We are also shown the harsh confrontation and evil they were up against when Easy and other companies face the concentration camp in Landsberg.

A miniseries all WWII fans and followers are sure to enjoy, hands down a top 5 stars and Thumbs Up.

You will enjoy it.

Powerful testament to the human spirit
BAND OF BROTHERS (USA/UK TV 2001): The trials and tribulations of Easy Company, 506th Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division, from the D-Day landings in Normandy to their capture of Hitler's Eagle's Nest in Austria at the end of World War II.

Co-produced by Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg, HBO's epic 10-part miniseries (based on a terrific bestselling book by the late Stephen E. Ambrose) was the most expensive TV undertaking of its day, costing a massive $120 million to produce. And, as the old saying goes, every penny is up there on the screen. Borne from the success of Spielberg's SAVING PRIVATE RYAN (1998) - with which it shares a similar dramatic and visual style - BAND OF BROTHERS' recreation of a glorious (and hard-won) chapter in American history assumed an even greater patriotic significance during its initial US broadcast, when it coincided with the horrific attacks that destroyed the World Trade Center in September 2001. Written with economy and grace, and directed with emotional intensity by a series of directors (including Phil Alden Robinson, Richard Loncraine and Hanks himself) whose combined efforts achieve a genuine aesthetic uniformity, the movie is a masterpiece of storytelling and historical documentation. Punctuated by horrific battle sequences, in which the camera is placed within mere inches of the death and destruction, the film manages to transcend its educational remit by its relentless focus on the human cost of war. Almost every episode opens with testimony from surviving members of Easy Company (none of whom are identified until the end of the series), which further strengthens the emphasis which BAND OF BROTHERS - book and film - places on the bonds which drew them together in times of conflict. And, because it's a true story, there's no telling from one episode to the next which of the 'characters' will live or die, which makes it all the more potent and visceral.

The entire production represents quality writ large: Beautifully filmed on various European locations (including the UK and Austria), the movie is noble without being the least bit pompous or austere, and it manages to humanize a large cast of essential characters with small touches of humanity and humor, all of which serves to heighten the sense of terror as they descend into the maelstrom of conflict. The first - and longest - episode is deceptively staid, featuring David Schwimmer (a long way from TV's 'Friends') as the bullying, cowardly commanding officer Herbert Sobel, whose tyrannical methods nevertheless shaped Easy Company into a fighting force which eventually cut a swathe through the heart of occupied Europe. Brit actor Damian Lewis takes the spotlight thereafter as Easy Company's most respected platoon leader, Richard Winters, with Ron Livingston as his right hand man, Lewis Nixon. Other standout performances in a flawless cast include Matthew Settle as battle-hardened platoon leader Ronald Speirs whose wartime career was distinguished by numerous acts of bravery (fuelled by a unique - if morbid - personal philosophy), Shane Taylor as company medic Eugene Roe, Neal McDonough as 2nd lieutenant 'Buck' Compton (laid low by his horrific combat experiences), and Donnie Wahlberg as 1st sergeant C. Carwood Lipton, who maintained the morale of his fellow soldiers, even when the odds seemed stacked against them. Every episode has its merits, but stand-outs include David Leland's 'Bastogne' (ep. 6), which recounts the horrendous circumstances surrounding Easy Company's involvement in the Battle of the Bulge, and David Frankel's 'Why We Fight' (ep. 9), in which the full horror of the Nazi regime is uncovered in a German forest. Additionally, the closing moments of chapter 10 ('Points', directed by Mikael Salomon) are truly heartbreaking.

Like the movie itself, HBO's region 1 DVD is magnificent. Housed in a beautifully embossed metal case, all ten episodes are spread across five discs (running a total of 624m 23s). The image is letterboxed at 1.78:1, anamorphically enhanced, and picture quality is stunning throughout, with faded colors (a deliberate artistic choice) and strong contrasts. The Dolby 5.1 soundtrack is spectacular and horrific, designed specifically to immerse the viewer in some of the most terrifying battle scenes ever captured on film. Closed captions are included, though there are no open subtitles. Crucially, each disc contains biographical information on the soldiers represented in every episode, which allows the viewer to keep track of an extensive array of characters, and there's a useful glossary, map and timeline of Easy Company's advance across Europe. Perhaps the number of chapters per episode could have been doubled (as it stands, there are six for each instalment), but that's a minor glitch in an otherwise exemplary presentation. The sixth disc in HBO's package contains a fascinating, feature length documentary on the real members of Easy Company (essential viewing), and a series of video diaries by actor Ron Livingston of the boot camp to which many of the cast were subjected in preparation for filming, during which the actors seem to have cultivated the same bonds of friendship experienced by real soldiers in combat situations.

It's doubtful that a more fitting tribute to the men of Easy Company could have been devised than BAND OF BROTHERS, a truly remarkable experience, given the Rolls Royce treatment on DVD. By turns engrossing, provocative and deeply, profoundly moving, it stands as a testament to those who fought and died for our freedoms, almost a lifetime ago.

Who did save Europe?
I have seen this mini-series and like every movie that will ever be made by any film maker (US, Ireland, China, Germany, etc…) it is not an accurate account of what really happen. If the US did not save Europe who did? Was it the Russians, the French, the German’s? I forgot the German’s where conquering Europe. Ireland, who did HELP save Europe? Any way, I am thankful and grateful for all who fought to free Europe and the rest of the countries in this world. I am a naturalized citizen and retired member of the Arm Forces of the USA, who with out their sacrifices I would have not been able to come to this great, wounderful, and giving nation I call my home. It also shows the stupidity of the leadership of all nations, but most of all it shows the prize that Americans paid for the freedom we have today. God bless all those who fight for freedom. This is what this movie is all about, FREEDOM!

Idiot's guide to WWII
This tripe just reinforces the idiotic opinion held by so many Americans that "America saved Europe" from the Nazi's. Rubbish. Read a good book instead.

"It appears the Germans are bad, very bad."
I was lucky enough to catch this excellent mini-series on a replaying on the history Channel because 1.) I don't have HBO and 2.) I don't have over $100 to spend on this box set. But I wish I did. This is probably the best war movie I have ever seen. It follows Easy Company, probably the most famous platoon of world war 2 from their training in boot camp, to the very end at hitler's "Eagle Nest." They were a platoon that suffered 150% casulties.

With the exception of its length (over ten hours) this is right up their with a big bedget movie. It has great actors, awesome cinemetogrophy, and great war special effect. Don't let the fact that this tv miniseries is a wimpy piece of junk. It's not! Because it was on HBO, the makers made sure to keep it realistic with the violence (lots of blood, injures, lossed limbs, etc...), theirs bad language and even a little nudity. So don't let a little kid watch this. The late Michael Kamen provides the excellent score and really provides a ambient backdrop to the sorrow and loss and horrible side of war.

If you are at all interesting in Worl War II or like war movies in general. You must do yourself a favour and check this masterpiece out. You will not be dissapointed. ... Read more

Amazon.com essential video

From the moment the young Kunta Kinte (LeVar Burton) is stolen from his life and ancestral home in 18th-century Africa and brought under inhumane conditions to be auctioned as a slave in America, a line is begun that leads from this most shameful chapter in U.S. history to the 20th-century author Alex Haley, a Kinte descendant. The late Haley's acclaimed book Roots was adapted into this six-volume television miniseries, which was a widely watched phenomenon in 1977. The programs cover several generations in the antebellum South and end with the story of "Chicken" George, a freed slave played by Ben Vereen whose family feels the agony of entrenched racism and learns to fight it. Between the lives of Kunta and George, we meet a number of memorable characters, black and white, and learn much about the emotional and physical torments of slavery, from beatings and rapes to the forced separation of spouses and families. Nothing like this had ever confronted so many mainstream Americans when the series was originally broadcast, and the extent to which the country was nudged a degree or two toward enlightenment was instantly obvious. Roots still has that ability to open one's eyes, and engage an audience in a sweeping, memorable drama at the same time. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (57)

The spirit and the Spirituals
Two days ago, I finished watching "Roots" ( the re-edited DVD version) , a series I scarcely remembered from my adolescent years. I remembered I had liked it. That was just about it.
Well.....now I'm 40, a musician (choral conductor and educator) and a profound lover of Spirituals and Gospel music. So....let me tell you that "Roots" moved the very bottom of my heart. I cried every episode, deeply touched by the sadness of the story but also by the invincible courage that has led African Americans through a hard history in the U.S. From my knowledge of Spirituals I've always admired this courage, this strength of the spirit reflected throughout all the melodic and rhythmic richness, ( "Hush...hush... Somebody's calling my name") the spiritual and physical beauty of a race, the deep and sincere approach to Christianity!
I think and I do hope that, someday, those "in power" all around the world will open their eyes and finally come to understand that racism, and all forms of discrimination, belong to the darkest and the most ignorant side of the human heart!
Just one last question: Is it possible to buy the printed Screenplay?
Santiago Zuleta. (Bogotá, Colombia)

The Roots of Roots
Warner Brothers has done a wonderful job in bringing David Wolper's 1977 television classic to DVD. This 3 DVD box set comes in an attractive tri-fold insert with an extensive chapter list and summary of each episode of the 573 minute production. The picture is colorful and sharp and the audio is a satifactory digital mono. The box claims "feature-length" audio commentary. Although commentary is extensive and entertaining, it does not run through the entire feature, constantly. There are also video commentaries on each disc from various people who worked on the film, which show highlights from the film as the actors speak on their memories. Some of actors have not aged well. There is also a behind-the-scenes documentary. My only quip is that one can not switch back and forth between the film's audio track and the commentary track at whim. One has to go to the main menu and switch to the commentary feature, much like Warner Brothers's release of Ben Hur, a mild irritation. There is a Spanish language track and English, French, Spanish subtitles. It is interesting to read the subtitles to study subtle nuances of the dialog. It is a pleasure to finally discard my 6 bulky, cumbersome tapes and replace them with 3 thin discs that I can access any portion instantly. If you love the story, you'll want to own this boxset.

Really sad!
All though i only saw first part of these mini-series it's really sad.How kuntah kinte and some other blacks were forced to be in a slaver,get sold to plantation owners and such.And its really heartwrenching when they abuse the slaves and hit them with their whips,anyways this is a cool series.You sometimes think how can other people have treated other people in the past like this.5/5!

Funny & Dramatic
I liked the movie. I mean, I'm kind of young but I really liked the movie. It was funny too. In the way it was funny was when like, they talk in these Southern accents when they come from New York, or something like that. The dramatic part is when they get raped and stuff like that. It's really sad to know that my people was treated like that. You know what I mean? Not the white people's people just the black peoples' people, you know. I think it was a good show. My favorite character was Kizzy my least favorite character was the overseers. You know, the slavemasters. Well, I liked the movie and I can't wait to see the Next Generation.

Great educational series
This is truly one of the great epic mini-series of all time. This series caused me to do research of my own. Everything told in this story happened at various places and times in the United States (both North and South) and some things even worse. One of the glaring things that was left out (that relates to modern times ) was the fact that many of the Africans were sold to Christian White European Slavers or their Black agents by conquering Arabic and Black Moslems (selling people who wouldn't convert to Islam) who were crusading through Africa (and still are). Why would the Whites want to risk getting hurt or killed when they had lots of people willing to gather this "Human" harvest for them? This program of Slavery continues today in Africa and Asia. While you can take my word or not this series should challenge people to find out the truth for themselves. Discover the true "Roots" of the modern world, not just America. Alex Haley did it, but be prepared...Alex didn't tell everything...he was being kind and politically correct. Ask yourself why Mr. Haley didn't become Moslem himself when he had many good friends (he was a very open minded man) who were Moslems. Could it be that he found the idea of converting to a religion that sold his ancestors into slavery unappealing. Buying this DVD and reading the book is a GREAT place to start, but don't stop at the PG version. ... Read more

Description

There are two sides to every story, the saying goes. For Alex Haley, one side was roots, the towering chronicle tracing severn generations of his mother's family. The othe side comes to the screen in Alex Haley's Queen, the remarkable history of a paternal side of the author's family. David L. Wolper (Roots, The Thorn Birds) is the executive producer of this acclaimed adaption of the story Haley was working on when he died. Halle Berry plays Queen, daughter of a slave (Jasmine Guy) and a plantation owner (Tim Daly). During the turbulent decades of the antebellum South, the Civil war, Reconstruction and beyond, she searches for a home in the two cultures of her heritage - and at times is shunned by both. Rejection and hate are no match for her unconquerable will, however. Ann-Margret, Danny Glover, and Ossie Davis are among the many stars of this poingnant, uplifting final chapter of the Haley legacy. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Everyone should see this one!
My favorite movie of all time is Gone with the Wind(I realize it's fiction)and I have to say Queen is right up there with it. I have also read the book, which I should say is also a must read. Queen is non-fiction so I think there are lots of people who would really enjoy it and maybe it would make some see what that time was REALLY like. I love books, movies or anything that has to do with that era. I love to watch it every chance I can.

A great movie, sad, but compelling
I was never aware of the hardships that biracial slaves suffered. I am a fairskinned black woman, so I greatly sympathized with Queen. She was defintely ahead of her time, but she had a hell of a lot of courage. I admire her a lot. Watch this movie. You will never view race relations the same again. END

Good
I saw the movie before reading the book and I must say that the book was more interesting. I think that can be said for most books turned movies because of the detail books allow. However, I don't think the change in character was necessary to the movie to save any time. After all, much the time the book takes to read is due to the detail given to physical features, setting the scene, and describing supporting characters. The visual of film slashes those burdens instantly. On another note, I understand that Queen is the focus of the movie but I feel that more could have been done to develop the characters of people like Lizzie. Her upbringing and personal feelings of insecurity had as much to do with her treatment of Queen as the social order of those days. Even with all this, the movie is touching. The acting was excellent for the most part.

QUEEN
Excellent Movie. A must have. Halle Berry is great in this movie.

I could relate
I loved this movie. Their is still this prejudice against bi-racial people and I can relate. What happened in Queen is what happens now still. Its hard to get accepted. This movie did a good job in showing a bi-racials point of view in the movie Queen. Halle Berry(my fave actress) did an EXCELLENT job in this movie and I was also impressed with the scenery and costumes. It was so real and I think it was an great idea to have an continuing of roots. I would really recommend this movie to anyone who loves movies or tv shows like Dr.Quinn, or historical movies. You don't want to take your eyes off the screen because you want to know what happenes next. ... Read more

Reviews (87)

'Yo Adrian!
I LOVE THE ROCKY MOVIES!!! my god my god my god. they are totally awesome. the first is amazing because it details the beginning of Rocky Balboa's(Stallone) career & relationship w/Adrian(Talia Shire)..that fight against Apollo is one of the best boxing matches & is widely recognized. Follow your love for this movie onto Rocky II where Apollo Creed has a rematch w/the hero Rocky. in Rocky III, Mr. T fights Rocky.. Rocky & Apollo are best friends now & Rocky is really rising(hits the big bucks) meanwhile Adrian & he are still together. she's a very loyal wife. in part IV, Rocky heads off to Russia to fight Ivan Drago(Dolph Lundgren)..this is another gr8 fight..totally & completely nail-biting. & in Rocky V, well Rocky's had many downs in his life/career right now.. audiences find Rocky managing an ambitious youngster & having father-son issues..i suppose what makes these movies one of my faves & one of those well-loved movies is: it demonstrates how a common guy can have a dream,fulfill it, rise up in his career & life, then suddenly fall because of a stupid mistake..the important thing is to realize who is w/him throughout all this time. Rocky's a very courageous, down-to-earth type character. combined w/gr8 fighting sequences & renowned music themes, the ROCKY movies are immediate take-home Blockbuster material. Why are you wasting time reading this?? Buy the movies!!! the DVD is gr8! complete w/awesome features. well hope ya like it!

ROCK-Y! ROCK-Y! ROCK-Y! ROCK-Y! ROCK-Y! ROCK-Y!
So many people have written about the things that make the Rocky movies so successful, and I have no doubt that I'll be repeating some of them in my review. But I have to throw my hat in the ring anyway, so to speak.

Rocky Balboa certainly qualifies as one of the most unique and determined heroes in cinema. His story is truly an inspiraton to us all. In the first movie, of course, he starts out with basically nothing, gets a chance to fight Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers), and loses. In the second movie, he wins the heavyweight title from Creed in a rematch. By the third movie, Rocky is basking in the glow of his success; he and Adrienne now have a son. But Clubber Lang (Mr. T) has been making his way to the top as well, and he challenges Rocky to a match. Rocky trains hard and tries his best, but his concerns about his manager Mickey's (Burgess Meredith) health make it difficult to concentrate, giving Lang the advantage...and Rocky's title. With encouragement from Adrienne and his former rival Apollo Creed, who takes over as manager after Mickey's death, Rocky rediscovers his Eye of the Tiger in the rematch and puts Lang in his place.

In the fourth movie, Apollo is killed in battle by Russian champion Ivan Drago (Dolph Lundgren). In one of the most intense boxing matches of the entire series, Rocky finds the "chink" in the Russian's seemingly impenetrable armor. It's worth getting the fourth movie just for that match.

But, by the time of the fifth and final movie, things are quite a bit different. (As I'm writing this, I've just finished watching the fifth one for the very first time.) Not only do Rocky and his family find out that they're broke, but Rocky seems to be suffering from brain damage as a result of his fight with Drago. He becomes a manager for a new young fighter, Tommy Gunn (upsetting his son quite a bit), who allows his ego to cloud his judgement, thus luring himself into the sleazy side of the boxing business. When Tommy gets a shot at the heavyweight title, the audience is already in a bad mood because Rocky isn't there on stage with him. But when Tommy takes the title in just over three rounds, the audience is REALLY in a bad mood; at least Rocky had class.

Rocky and Tommy end up resolving their differences in a street fight, and for several agonizing minutes it looks like it could be the end...but Rocky has the spirit of Mickey with him, and for the fourth time, the Italian Stallion wins, proving that he's still a champion and always will be, even after fifteen years.

Whenever I watch these movies I can still feel the excitement of seeing them for the first time. When the odds are stacked against him, even in the face of several brushes with death (Tommy Gunn makes Ivan Drago and Clubber Lang look like pussycats somtimes), he still manages to triumph.

I love you, Rock...you the man!

Awsome Series
I luv all 5 Rocky movies. It was by far one of the best series I have ever seen; along with all Star Track, Star Wars, and Lord of the Rings!!! I just finished watching them all this 4th of July weekend when and most of them I watched twice!!! It was an all day Rocky Fest on AMC. I watched them with my girls and they loved it just as much as I did. The movies had a moral to every storyline althrough sometimes repeating itself...It was still good. It was just like I saw it for the first time. I luved it!!

WOW!
I-5 stars-an underdog story
II-5 stars-the rematch
III-5 stars-he gets soft then he gets mad
IV-5 stars-do you believe in miracles?stupid soviets
V-3 stars-it wasnt that good
it teaches you to beileve and never give up-its about heart
once i saw them i got some boxing gloves and started beating up
my best friends.
and i dont get what u yankees and people dont like about #IV,
its better than #V and just as good as the other ones.
dont like my review? say it to my face!

His Entire Life Was A Million To One Shot
American classics only come along once in awhile. Films like Star Wars, The Godfather, and The Terminator are among many. Sometimes you say to yourself, "If that movie never existed, it would have a real effect on culture today." And you're quite right. Star Wars brought us immortal lines like "Luke, I AM your father." and "May the force be with you." The Godfather brought the American fascination with the mafia to life. Just think, No Godfather, No Sopranos. And The Terminator established Arnold Schwarzenegger and James Cameron's careers as well as the "technology gone wrong" and "I'm from the future" genres. Yes, films like these have believe it or not had an effect on everyone. And who can forget the world's sporting people. Everyone who participates in sports has to train hard and balance their personal lives with their professional lives. When I played basketball in high school, I had to. And we all need something to motivate us. To drive us. And being a film fanatic, I got my inspiration from a movie. That movie Was Rocky. Sylvester Stallone's masterwork series that showed us the stages of a man's life through his sport of boxing. From his one shot that put him on the map (Part 1), to his rematch that won him a world title (Part 2), to a rise and settlement, loss, and redemption (Part 3), to a burning vengeance (Part 4), to a retirement, betrayal, and final fight(Part 5). This series shows us that you can be the poorest, dumbest guy in the country, and become a legend just by taking your one chance. Now these movies are on DVD in a beautifully crafted boxed set. Now you can enjoy one man's journey from zero to hero anytime with a great DVD transfer and good special features on the first disc only (didn't understand that one.). This movie can change your life. Now, I recommend the first Rocky over them all because it's very realistic and humanistic. I recommend Rocky 2 as a good sequel with a shocking conclusion. Rocky 3 was the best sequel not only because of the performances of Hulk Hogan and the talented Mr. T, but because it shows how fame can cloud your mind and how putting bitter rivalries and materials behind to regain your drive can help you overcome. Rocky 4 was my least favorite not only for a far fetched storyline and that damned robot, but because it lost it's humanism to go for the revenge plot.Plus it was Stallone's blatant "let's end the Cold War" peace offering. It was saved by good performances, a great fight sequence, a cool villianous contender, and good 80's music. It also screws up the timeline of the story a bit. Rocky 5 regained the humanism and returned Rocky and Adrian back to their roots and it was good because it was different. Rocky had one fight, and it was one hell a fight- on the street. Plus it showed how quick trusting someone else in the fighting game can destroy you. These movies are all good but if you have to see any of them I rank them 1,3,2,5,4. ... Read more

Reviews (14)

One of the Best Films About the Holocaust
I first saw this miniseries at the age of 14. As a young, black female, I had heard only bits and pieces about the Holocaust and really didn't understand the Nazi atrocities. That all changed after watching 8 hours of this miniseries. From that moment on, I developed an overwhelming sense of empathy for Jewish people and hatred of Nazism. My own race had suffered horribly during slavery but I had never heard of nor seen anything like the cruelty of Nazi Germany.

It is now 2004. I am watching a rebroadcast of the Holocaust. After all these years, it still ellicits strong emotions from me - tears, anger and fear. Yes, fear. Fear because something like this may happen again. Fear because antisemitism is growing throughout the world. Fear because people are trying to deny the truth of the holocaust.

This miniseries gives me hope though. Hope that people will never forget and never want to be a party to such inhumanity, cruelty and horror. The strong performances, historical accuracy, and excellent writing make this miniseries not only a great piece of filmmaking but also a piece of evidence that hopefully will keep any human being from treating another like a piece of garbage.

Haunting and Sorrowful, But...
I was a kid when I saw the mini-series on TV in Italy. I remember sitting on the couch with my entire family since my mother wanted us to see what happened to the Jews during WWII in Nazi Germany. Back then, what I saw made an everlasting impression and got me hooked on everything that was Jewish. Since then, I've been reading books and watching movies and documentaries on the Children of Abraham... Anyway, after more than twenty years, I rented this TV movie to bring back the memories of the old times. The movie is moving and compelling. The only criticism that I have is that it uses the broad term Christianity when it's actually specifically referring to Catholicism; also, in a couple of scenes it looks like an apologetic portrayal of Catholicism as the last bastion against the Nazi horror, when it is common knowledge that the Catholic church had at last a dubious role in the handling of the matter of the Jews during that period. Other than that, the movie is truly poignant and well acted by the protagonists. Perhaps, the most incredible thing is how those monsters could coldly murders millions of innocent people and then go back to their families at Christmas, sing "Silent Night," and boldly proclaim to their children that they were defending the civilization of Western Europe from the threat of the Jews, the killers of Christ, like they themselves, with their folly, were not killing the spirit of Christ not one, but six million times.

Well-intentioned melodrama
This film is more important for its historical impact than either its verisimilitude or aethestic quality as drama. It is a well-intentioned melodrama that is great on making people cry and not so great on making them think very much. Not sure what to say about the scene when Meryl Streep walks up to a concentration camp gate, knocks on the gate, in order to join her husband who is a prisoner. But there is no denying the film's importance in getting people on both sides of the Atlantic to look at the event of the Holocaust.

MICHAEL PEASLEY'S HOLOCAUST SKINNY
THE SKINNEY ON THIS TALE OF ONE OF HISTORY'S DARKEST PERIODS IS THAT IT IS EVERYTHING SHINDLERS LIST WAS ASPIRING TO BE. THIS MOVIE IS SUPERB. MICHAEL MORIARITY, STREEP, WOODS ALL TURNED IN EXCELLENT PERFORMANCES IN THEIR THEN YOUNG CAREERS(PROBABLY PUT THEM ON THE MAP). LIKE SHINDLERS LIST, THIS MOVIE SHOWS HUMOR AS WELL AS HORROR. THIS MOVIE IS A LITTLE MORE GRAPHIC AND DEALS MORE WITH 'FATAL' SOLUTION WHEREAS SHND LIST DEALT WITH THE SAVING OF LIFE. HOLOCAUST FOLLOWS A FICTICIOUS FAMILY THROUGH THEIR ORDEAL TOUCHING DIFFERENT NON-FICTIONAL EVENTS AND CHARACTERS. SHNDLR LIST FOCUSES ON THE NON-FICTIONAL RELATIONSHIP OF ONE MAN WITH THE HUNDREDS HE SAVED. HOLOCAUST IS A MUST SEE, ESPECIALLY FOR YOUNG ADULTS WHO TAKE CIVIL LIBERTIES FOR GRANTED. HOLOCAUST IS LOADED WITH HISTORICAL EVENTS EVEN THOUGH THE STORY REVOLVES AROUND A FICTIONAL FAMILY. REMOVE THE 'FAMILIE WEISS' AND YOU HAVE A HISTORY LESSON ( RIGHT DOWN TO HIMMLER BEING SICKENED AT THE SIGHT OF WHAT HE ORDERED DONE). SIE MUSSEN DIESEN FILM ANSHAUEN.

The coldness
Although much has been said about the performances of James Woods and Meryl Streep, the standout performance is that of Michael Moriarty as the SS officer who so completely succeeds in subjugating his own personality in service of the Nazis that his statements are uttered in a dull, emotionless monotone. It's a frightening performance, because one truly senses the coldness and indifference of these architects of death. ... Read more

Reviews (28)

An excellent piece of history.
A magnificent piece of work that truly reveals an intriguing piece of this country's history. A true must-see for novices and expert historians. Wonderfully written and excellently directed; while John Jakes has superceded himself in writing this trilogy, the producers have done equally as well in the development of this mini-series.

North and South Book 2
An excellent historical portrayal of life during the War Between the States. The scenes of the Battles are acurately portrayed in this movie. If you ever get a chance to visit some of our Civil War Battlefields, you will get the same idea of how the battles were faught. Friendships and families torn apart by politics of the time.

My next question is When are they going to make a movie from the 3rd book. Heaven and Hell?

North and South Parts 1, 2, and 3
North and South is probably my all time favorite movie. It is an excellent blend of actual historical events and fascinating fictional characters. For those of you who were wondering when they were going to come out with Part 3 (Heaven and Hell), the movie was aired on television in early spring of 1995. It has three parts to it and stars Leslie Ann Down, James Read, and Teri Garbor.

When Will It Be On DVD?
This is one of my favorite CW stories. I loved the books & thought, for once, they were well translted to film (as a TV mini-series)! What I want to know now is WHEN WILL "NORTH & SOUTH" & "NORTH & SOUTH, Book 2" be out on DVD, with some great extras from the stars; Swayze, Reed, Down, et al? I'd LOVE to hear Carridine's take on his evil character!!! C'mon Warner Bros, I WANT MY DVD!

North and South Book 1 and 2
I have to say I loved the whole story, I saw Book 1 and Book 2 again recently. The story between the Hazards and the Mains was wonderful. From the friendship of George Hazard and Orrey Main to the oddness and excentricities of Virgilia Hazard as well and the scheming and lack of scruples of Ashton Main)Hontoon.

I think it is a wonderful story to be enjoyed by all, keep in mind there are some passionate scenes, of course by today's standards that may be a stretch. ... Read more

Amazon.com essential video

Originally made for TV in 1977, this in-depth (six hours plus) version of Jesus' life is so thorough that the first hour is devoted solely to the story of his birth. The film doesn't skimp on some of the other landmark events of this famous story either. Director Franco Zeffirelli gives more than 12 minutes screen time each to the Last Supper and the Crucifixion.Passages of the Bible are quoted verbatim, the locations have a Palestine-like authenticity, and, aside from some of the principals (Robert Powell as Jesus, Olivia Hussey as Mary, and Stacy Keach as Barabbas), many of the non-Roman characters are actually played by Semitic-looking actors. Zeffirelli diligently provides the sociopolitical background that gave rise to Jesus' following and the crisis in belief it caused for the people of Israel (and one or two Romans). While not graphic by today's standards, some of the scenes--baby boys being ripped from their mothers' arms and slaughtered, nails being driven into Jesus' hands--may disturb young and/or sensitive children. --Kimberly Heinrichs ... Read more

Reviews (234)

Majestic version of Christ's life
Majestic and beautifully shot with strong performances all around, Jesus of Nazareth lacks the overblown almost operatic production touches of Nickolas Ray's "King of Kings" but still manages to retain a sense of the importance of the subject through subtle, nicely wrought character touches.

Although not completely faithful to the New Testament, director Franco Zefferelli embellishes in such a way as to make the story more dramatically compelling and interesting. The performers particularly Robert Powell in the central role all give strong, interesting performances. Powell's characterization is less bland than many of the other versions we've seen and, as such, makes the Christ come alive much more so for the modern viewer.

"Jesus of Nazareth" makes a fine companion piece to Mel Gibson's controversial "The Passion of the Christ" focusing on different elements. The big difference between the two films, though, is the level of explicit onscreen violence. Zefferelli's film still shows what happens but with a more subdued touch (due to the constraints of network television censors as it was originally produced for NBC).

Both films in their own ways tell what could be termed essential variations on the same great story. Their contrasting styles make each suitable to very different audiences.

A MUST-HAVE FOR EVERY BELIEVER!
It is inconceivable that on Amazon there are only 90 reviewers for Franco Zeffirelli's masterful and inspiring masterpiece as opposed to over 2000 for "The Matrix," a less-than-monumental piece of fluff from 1999.

"Jesus of Nazareth" sports a cast of Academy Award-winners (Lawrence Olivier, Anne Bancroft, Ernest Borgnine, and Peter Ustinov, to name a few) and nominees (James Earl Jones, James Mason, Christopher Plummer) as well as a support from an international group of performers. Olivia Hussey brings just the amount of warmth and humanity in the role of Mary; Rod Steiger deftly portrays Pontius Pilate as a man torn between duty to his country and awe of this man called Jesus; Michael York is stunning as John the Baptist.

Robert Powell brings to the movie the definitive portrait of Jesus. His passionate performance is the stuff of legend. Prior to this motion picture, there had been few instances wherein Christ had been seen; it is as if the screen was awaiting the right man for the part. Powell proves that to be true; he is perfect!

If I have motivated even one soul to purchase this masterwork, then I have accomplished the goal of this review. Money could not be better spent.

Jesus Christ Never Existed.
'Jesus of Nazareth' is a famous film some people have seen or at least heard about. Most people fail to realize all of that doesn't matter because Jesus Christ never existed!! Jesus Christ is a mythological figure the church has exploited for hundreds of years and now the film industry has for almost a hundred years. There is absolutely no archeological or historical evidence that Jesus Christ existed. Even if he did exist, it would be highly unlikely he would have received that kind of punishment.
It is a shame that con artists like these filmmakers are using this mythological figure to make millions of dollars. People have to start swaying away from the manipulations of the church and the filmmaking industry and start looking at the hard facts. Jesus Christ and his crucifixion never happened.

Realistic interpretation
Each movie of the life of Jesus is subject to the creator's interpretation and perspective, however, I found this movie to be the best depiction of the humanity of the individuals involved in experiencing Jesus' mission. It is respectable and not corny. The only thing my father (a priest) found odd was the way the Virgin Mary was wailing at the foot of Christ's cross. He felt she would have displayed quiet resignation.
It's beautiful and the score is fantastic. I've watched this movie a million times and watch it when I need some spiritual renewal.

Jesus of Nazareth Music
I watched on the first for the first time yesterday the DVD movie Jesus of Nazareth on my computer. All of my some previous negative emotions of the film were replaced with honest love. Good pc equipment will enhance your feelings. I spent the day watching the complete movie. I played 'ALL' the correct songs to the movie. You need to play some songs to comprehend the true concept of the movie. The songs do not waver true Christian beliefs. I played near 20 original concept songs. If you're looking for love about faith then this is the movie for you. ... Read more

Description

Joseph Conrad's sprawling masterpiece of the quest for dominion over a backward South American country comes to life in this spectacular production.Featuring an all-star cast. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Archimedes Succeeds
When Archimedes declared that he could lift the earth with a long enough lever,the extent of his endeavors became readily apparent. Joseph Conrad in "Nostromo" attempted much more using the lever of language.He created his own universe with the finest prose that has ever been written.

The BBC attempted not much less converting this perhaps best ever work of literature into film. I congratulate them first for their enormous courage, their incredible endurance, and for their excellent production. After having tried to read this wonderful literary work most of my life, how wonderful it was to relax and through the medium of film have it revealed.

I could criticize this work, but it would be like critizing the dragon for having too many scales, or the elephant for its ugly
trunk. That this work was even finished deserves immense praise. That it succeeds as great entertainment to modest
moviegoers like me, implies that it deserves some critical acclaim. "Nostromo" as a work of literature will last as long as mankind, and I suspect that this movie will too. I am truly thankful for those bold ones so full of love that they were willing to hand us their lives through their work that we might have a blueprint for tomorrow. Their stories are every bit as interesting as the stories they wrote and rendered into film.

Fine, Except for Two Huge Flaws
One of the great shames of Cinema history is that David Lean died while working on bringing Nostromo to the big screen. He was the perfect man for the assignment, given his track record for bringing larger than life stories to audiences around the world. This effort, while commendable on several fronts, lacks the vision and scope that Lean would no doubt have brought to the endeavor.

The usual BBC miniseries apparata are at play here: solid cinematography, script, editing, directing, etc. The problem lies directly in the lap of the casting director (and the Producers, who have the final say in such matters). Two more incompetent actors could not have been conjured up for the crucial roles of Martin Decoud and Antonia Avellanos. I've spent a good part of my life involved in theater, and put simply, Lothaire Bluteau and Ruth Gabriel shouldn't be allowed a job in the most nondescript summer stock company in Amazonian Brazil. They are so inept and so miscast that they bring down the foundations of all scenerey, lighting, etc in their radii. They lack all acting skills. Sans elocution. Sans characterization. Sans any emotion faintly resembling human.

Too bad, because they really do blot out what could have been an absorbing miniseries. Even though Albert Finney is basically reprieving his Geoffrey Firman part in UNDER THE VOLCANO, he is still fun to watch. Claudio Amendola (notice you've never heard of these people?) is a passable Nostromo, though the part demanded a more dimensional, star quality actor. Joachim de Almeida chews the scenery as the nefarious Colonel Sotillo. Colin Firth does a commendable job as Charles Gould, though Serena Scott Thomas as Mrs Gould is another wrong person in a wrong role. A young Julie Christie is what is called for. Serena doesn't have the chops.

It looks indeed like the budget for this series was spent on location work and cinematography. If they'd done the thing on a soundstage in Warwick and spent a bit more on hiring a quality cast, it might have ended up as a worthy representation of Conrad's masterpiece. As it stands, I would imagine that David Lean is rolling over in his grave, every time this less than spectacular attempt is viewed.

BEK

"I will go to any lengths to succeed."
This 5 hour long BBC production of the Conrad novel is set on the South American republic of Costaguana at the end of Nineteenth Century. Costaguana boasts a once productive silver mine, but the republic's troubled political past includes a bloody anti-foreigner phase which resulted in the mine's closure. Now, murdered mine-owner's son, Charles Gould, returns to Costaguana to put the mine back in production. Of course, it is clear that in returning, Gould's determination--while ostensibly driven by the desire for silver--is also fueled by a sense of finishing his father's mission.

Gould (Colin Firth) arrives with his naive new bride, Emilia (Serena Scott Thomas), and for a while, the political climate is one of optimism. The small country is run by a benevolent, democratic governor, and soon Gould's mine is back in full operation with railroads shipping the silver from the mine to the port of Sulaco. However, the political largesse does not last, and before long, numerous factions all want a share of the silver. Everyone demands their tribute--the local bandits, a local priest, various corrupt officials--they all want a share of the silver. After a bloody coup, various factions vie for possession of the mine, and military officers and civilians alike change sides whenever the political winds seem to favour one side over another.

There is a benefit to watching the film "Nostromo" before reading the book--I came to the film with no visual expectations of the characters whatsoever. There are many 'big' names in the cast list. Colin Firth was simply marvelous as the mine owner, Charles Gould, and Brian Dennehy plays a small role as the American Joshua C.Holroyd (the man who finances the entire venture). Claudia Cardinale plays Teresa Voila--the Italian wife of an Innkeeper. Albert Finney plays Dr Monygham-a crippled drunk who managed to survive the last revolution only to face another. I preferred the scenes with Albert Finney sober--or almost so--it's just boring to watch Finney playing yet another role of a drunk.

I found the on-screen romance between Martin Decoud and Antonia Avellanos completely unbelievable. There was no spark between them, and yet we were supposed to believe that Martin returned from France to almost certain death for his love of Antonia. All I saw was a few hysterics, and it all fell flat. This was unfortunate and it did alter my perception of the film overall. Some of the revolution scenes were a bit cheesy too. One of the most interesting aspects of the film, however, was the development of some of the characters over time. Charles Gould wavers when making decisions in the beginning of the story, and he seems just a little unsure of himself, but by the end of the film, Gould has hardened into the ultimate capitalist. Emilia Gould is a giddy bride who metamorphoses into a neglected, unhappy wife. Moynham's character is fascinating. He has no illusions--no faith left, but he still rustles up chivalrous feelings towards Emilia Gould, and she uses these to her advantage. Nostromo is the 'dark horse' in the story. It is not clear at first what motivates him. He seems to be owned by no one--a true free spirit, and not subject to the corrupting desire for silver. Nostromo, in fact, refuses to leave the service of Capt. Mitchell for higher pay from the American Holroyd, and Nostromo boldly states, "you can't buy me." Exactly what characteristics make Nostromo tick--ego, vanity, and pride--develop over time. And it is the story here that makes the film worth watching. All throughout the film--right until the powerful closing scene, I heard the words 'money is the root of all evil' in my head. This production does not have quite the usual standard that I have come to expect from the BBC. While the lush location added to the atmosphere of the story, somehow the film had the feel of a prime time television series. Nonetheless, I was still extremely interested in how the story and the characters developed. Now I shall have to read the book. displacedhuman.

A rant
NOSTROMO is the BBC production of Joseph Conrad's novel of the same title. Set in the second half of the 1800s in the fictional South American backwater of Costaguana, the country's only resource is a silver mine owned and operated by a British entrepreneur. The indigenous people are exploited, naturally.

As the film opens, a local demagogue mounts a popular insurgence against the hated foreigners, during which spasm the mine owner is slaughtered. The storyline quickly moves forward a couple of decades when the owner's son, Charles Gould (Colin Firth), arrives with his wife Emilia (Serena Scott Thomas) to reopen the abandoned mine, make a fortune for the investors, and bring relative prosperity to the local labor pool. Charles is a benevolent exploiter. Gould must accomplish all this in the face of self-serving politicians, greedy army officers turned self-serving politicians, opportunistic banditos, another rebellion, and the disloyalty of a trusted native worker, Nostromo (Claudio Amendola), elevated by Gould to a high level of responsibility. Business as usual in a Third World armpit.

The beauty of the shoot's locations doesn't mitigate the fact that the film is five hours of tedium made possible by a succession of on-screen characters that inspired nothing but yawns.

Somber taciturnity, which was integral to Colin Furth's role as Darcy in PRIDE AND PREJUDICE (1995), renders Charles just a monumental bore. At least Emilia shows some spirit, but she ultimately has no effect on the outcome of anything.

Nostromo, who's apparently so important to the story that the book and film are given his name, is such an uncharismatic, minor player in the first two reels that by the time he becomes the Great Tragic Figure in the last I didn't care in the slightest.

Dr. Monyghan (Albert Finney), the Has-Been physician that lives in a personally more glorious past, and the venomous snake Colonel Sotillo (Joaquim de Almeida), are marginally interesting for the their first few minutes of respective screen time, then become tiresome because they offer no surprises.

The good friend that loaned me NOSTROMO is aware of my opinion, and called it a "rant". Now that I've put it in writing and made it public, perhaps I'll become a Horrid Person. The bottom line is that any nascent kernel of interest I may have had to read the original Conrad novel was smothered by the torpid pace of this TV miniseries evidently padded with ho-hums to fill a predetermined time slot.

So, that rant went well, don't you think?

Pleasent surprise
...it caught my attention. As I continued to watch it I was drawn further into it. It is a long movie, I think about 4 hours but the ending was really surprising. Its a must see movie. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

OH...WHAT A WEB WE WEAVE...
Based upon Catherine Cookson's best-selling novel of the same name, this is a handsome adaptation that beautifully showcases the book. At the center of the film is a strong, independent woman, modern for her time, England in the nineteenth century.

Bridget Mordaunt is a wealthy young woman with a mind of her own and a heart of gold. Intelligent, practical, and fair, she is a no nonsense business woman who has a soft spot for Joe Skinner, a working class, honorable, young man who has broken away from his lazy, trashy family. He works in the factory that Bridget inherited from her deceased father who taught her the business. Unfortunately, Joe Skinner is in love with another young woman, Lilly, a factory worker who has been wronged by Lionel Filmore, the profligate scion of an impoverished member of the gentry. Joe marries Lilly, vowing always to protect her good name and knowing that the child she carries is not his.

Bridget's cousin, Victoria, who lives with her and whom she supports, is in love with Lionel, who mistakenly believes Victoria to be the factory heiress. On the day that Victoria expects their engagement to be announced, Lionel discovers that Bridget, and not Victoria, is the heiress. As this threatens to destroy the future that Victoria is seeing with rose colored glasses, Bridget steps in and makes a business deal with Lionel, not knowing just how despicable a blackguard Lionel really is, thinking that by doing do she is ensuring Victoria's happiness.

When the disparate worlds of the Skinners and Filmores collide one day, it leaves Joe accused of a murder he did not commit. What happens, as a result, will change the lives of all involved, as that murder acts as a catalyst for a series of events and revelations that will leave none concerned unscathed. No matter what happens, however, Bridget is at the core of this film.

This is a film worth seeing if one is interested in period pieces, the novels of Catherine Cookson, or a simply entertaining film with a first rate cast.

another fine catherine cookson adaption
I really enjoy Catherine Cookson's novels...and I've seen almost all the movie adaptions done for some of them. You get romance, intrigue, life struggles, and class warfare that seems to work out perfectly in the end. If you enjoy this one you shouls also check out "The Dwelling PLace" and "The Glass Virgin" ... Read more

Reviews (69)

Best mini-series I have ever seen!
I recently watched North and South, and I was swept away into a time period that is such an important part of our American history. I feel that we often forget about the way our country was once torn apart. This depiction of what the North and South were like in the mid 1800's was excellent. I enjoyed it immensely and enjoyed Book II as well.

Great Mini-Series but C'mon Bring it on DVD
This is one of those events which mixes great drama, sex appeal and down right fun on the small screen. After 17 years and 3 mini series with top calibre actors including James Read, Patrick Swayze, Wendy Kilbourne, Jonathan Frakes, Jimmy Stewart, Johnny Cash and Hal Holbrook, this mini-series helped bring back an interest in the Civil War. Shot on location throughout the real South, the story involves the relationship of two friends, one a Northern factory owner and the other, a Southern Plantation owner. The story has everything you want to keep you intrigued, greed, sex, action, comedy, history, friendship, deceit. Book 1 takes you through the friendship build up of Read and Swayze and the lead up to the Civil War. Book 2 takes us through the Civil War as Read and Swayze take sides against each other as opposing generals. The third book and the least entertaining was shot nearly 10 years after the second book and offers the reconstruction of the country and the expansion to the West. Most of the original cast is back minus Swayze who opted to stay away after he had a semi-successful big screen career going. Like I said, it is a great mini series and I hope that the powers that be will bring it out in a 3 volume set on DVD, it certainly deserves it.

Simply EXCELLENT
North and South by far has to be the best TV miniseries of all time. The saga of the Hazard and Main families is set against a back drop of a fairly young country about to be divided by civil war.

The series begins with Orry Main (Patrick Swayze) of Mount Royal, South Carolina setting off to go to the Military Academy at West Point. On his way he rescues the very beautiful Madeline Fabray(Leslie-Anne Down) from a buggy accident and a snake. After taking Ms. Fabray to her destination, he is back on his journey to West Point. Another character that Orry meets on his trip is George Hazard(James Read) and they soon become life long friends. North and South follows both Orry and George during their time at the Point, the Mexican War and after. There is an all-star cast too many to mention.

This first installment of the North and South Trilogy follows the lives of both Orry and George and their respective families through the period leading up to the Civil War. North and South written by John Jakes is the best historical fiction book I have read and this Miniseries has stayed true to form. Because of the historical correctness I would say that this movie has enough appeal for those men that can't get enough of Civil War history or even general war history. The main characters in this are fictional, however there are references to historical figures like Lincoln, Grant and Lee to name a few. However there is certainly plenty of appeal to women, namely Swayze and there is an excellent love story as well. That being said I definitely recommend seeing this miniseries as well as North and South Book Two: Love and War.

simply the best mini series I've seen
I found it outstanding because it had an all star cast.It help me get a better outlook in the history of the south and the north.I always look forward to seeing it on the television.

It's Key-det Bent, an' He's from Joe-Jah, SUH!
Don't forget the villans, the men and women you just love to hate
(or is it hate to love?). Ashton must've been JR Ewing's grand ma. Kirstie Alley as Virgilia...I must say, did she take her acting lessons from someone's ex-wife for that role or what? ... Read more

Reviews (25)

Lovely , simply charming and heartwarming
This movie touched my mind in so many ways. One thing it brought to mind was that the most important things in life are still free. The cast was excellent and the cinematoghraphy was beautiful. I truely enjoyed this movie. An excellent choice for those who love history with a lot of romance.

Good Entrainment with a Few Flaws
Great Cast with a great story is not always the best combo, but this DVD is a keeper. Audrey Hepburn as Natasha does the best with her multi expressions & cute dialogue during the many courtships throughout the film. Henry Fonda as Pierre comes in a close 2nd, but at 1st he seems out of place, too passive. Later this lack of emotion or evolvement shines forth as he goes though many hardships as a prisoner of Napoleon. Mel Ferrer as Prince Andrei, then Audrey Hepburn's real husband, has the same problem as Henry Fonda, he drifts in & out of character. I believe the problem with the main male actors is that they played it too straight. The woman who played Prince Andrei's 1st wife did the worst, she over acted like a silent movie star. The supporting cast does a great job, specially the actor playing Nepoleon. This is exactly what I think Nepoleon looked & acted like in the early 19th century. The phyical height & size for the French emperor are perfect, & the letting of free opinion to be express, yet at the same time having the over powering will to bring Europe to his knees. Desite the flaws, this version of "War & Peace" will give you a short stroll, with a "to the point" idea of a western classic with great photography & sound. I try not to watch it too many times because I don't want to wear it out.

the Hollywood version
This film is a bit of a mess, but nevertheless very entertaining, mostly because of Audrey Hepburn...her charisma and enthusiasm make up for a lot of the muddled and mixed performances that surround her in this star-studded production of Tolstoy's masterpiece.

Hepburn's then real life husband, Mel Ferrer, does a pretty good job as Prince Andrei and Henry Fonda is Pierre, who despite sounding like "Young Mr. Lincoln", gives a convincing performance, and has several fine scenes. Nino Rota's score is a curious one, as the beautiful Italian-flavored melodies we're accustomed to hear from him are replaced by Russian folk tunes and battlefield music.

Perhaps too many big names and too many writers (6 of them !) made the heart of the book get lost, but this is Audrey's movie, and she's a delight to watch.

Still The Best
This is an appeal to Hollywood, if anyone's listening.
I first saw this film in 1956, when it first opened in the UK.

I've seen it several times since, but all I can get here across the pond, is a second hand video at an extortionate price of nearly £ 40.

Please can we have it on DVD? SOON!

Hello?
Hasn't anyone ever heard of something called DIGITAL RESTORATION? Why must evryone keep waiting for sudios to release all these movies on proper 3- disc sets with a proper restoration. i mean, look what they did to My Fair LADY, it was so well restored that i couldn' tell the difference. even gone with the Wind hasn't had a proper DvD release yet. ... Read more