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Wicked, nasty, delicious fun. Laurence Olivier is a wealthy, veddy English mystery writer. He invites Michael Caine to his elaborate country house, in order to settle some rather unpleasant business between them: Caine is having an affair with Olivier's wife, and she is about to divorce the older man. Olivier, smooth as brandy, suggests that there might be a way the two men can help each other, but what appears to be an intriguing proposition escalates into a deadly cat-and-mouse game. Sleuth boasts a twisty script by Anthony Shaffer, calculated to drive an audience to distraction; and director Joseph L. Mankiewicz (All About Eve) shows a keen eye for the telling detail. But the real fun is watching Olivier and Caine go at each other hammer and tongs, a virtuoso wrestling match between two splendid actors (both were Oscar-nominated, but lost to Marlon Brando in The Godfather). Alec Cawthorne is also quite good as the inquisitive inspector on the case. --Robert Horton ... Read more

Reviews (27)

Making a game out of real murder...and making it fun.
The idea of a movie with only two actors in it may not sound overly exciting, but when you watch "Sleuth" for the first time, you realize that it couldn't have worked any other way. For many years, "Sleuth" has been one of my favorite movies, and remains so to this day. It is cleverly written and superbly acted by both Michael Caine (my all time favorite actor) and Sir Laurence Olivier.

The tag line "Think of the perfect crime...then go one step further" describes exactly what the movie is all about. Olivier plays Andrew Wyke, an eccentric and revered mystery writer invites Milo Tindle (Caine) over to his mansion over a weekend in order to discuss the terms of his affair with his wife. Wyke is known as a lover of toys, games, and deviously cunning games of trickery that he plays on people. Wyke has known for some time that Tindle has been having an affair with his wife, and that he intends to marry her. Wyke sees an opportunity to unload his wife, without the possibility of her coming back and getting deeper into his pocketbook. Knowing him to be broke, Wyke proposes to Tindle a robbery scheme that will solve both of their problems. Things got a bit awry. What happens next would be criminal to give away, but it is one of the most brilliantly crafted farces I have ever seen in a movie.

"Sleuth" was adapted from the stage play by Anthony Shaffer, and it plays out very much like the play itself. There is one setting, two actors, and lots of dialogue. It works very well, because it wasn't overdone in production. I cannot see how this could have worked with a more elaborate setting or cast. What carries the movie are the performances by Caine and Olivier, which ranks among their personal best (and picking ones from such distinguished careers is hard). Their interaction between each other is riveting, since their characters are so cunning. "Sleuth" was made in 1971, and 30 years on, every aspect of the movie has aged well. It is one of those movies that makes time stand still, and you are unaware that 2 hours has gone by at the end of it. That is the token of a great movie.

The Anchor Bay DVD boasts the best transfer and sound quality of "Sleuth" so far, though the previous versions were also very good (including the VHS, which is rare for older movies). The main supplement is the 20 minute featurette "A Sleuthian Journey with Anthony Shaffer", in which the famous playwright is interviewed on his experiences with the play, the making of the movie, and his interactions with the filmmakers. He is jovial and gives plenty of fun anecdotes throughout the interview. Aside from that, there are talent bios and the usual trailers and TV spots. Considering the age and modest budget, not much in the way of extras should be expected.

"Sleuth" is a rare movie that I can watch over and over again, and I am pleased to see that Anchor Bay did justice to the movie with this excellent (and modestly priced) DVD. An easy purchase for any movie fan.

LABYRINTH MAN
Adapted for the screen by Anthony Schaffer, the author of the play, and directed by one of the legends of Hollywood, Joseph L. Mankiewicz, SLEUTH is the perfect movie for you if you like excellent actors, Laurence Olivier and Michaël Caine for instance, a subtle plot with unexpected twists and a superior cinematography.

I was amazed by the admirable production design of the movie. Laurence Olivier's mansion is a dream come true, every objects appearing on the screen seem to have a priceless value and the rooms, including the cellar, are little museums. Joseph L. Mankiewicz had to nail the audience in some way because SLEUTH is not a play with a lot of characters and could have discouraged the viewer if the director hadn't been such a talent. Another (innocent) trick of Mankiewicz is to film the puppets or the masks as if they were alive, you always have the feeling that the characters are not alone in the mansion.

One can regret that the Anchor Bay DVD presents only a scene access and no english subtitles. The image quality was, in my opinion, rather good, without black or white spots. Sound, on the contrary, could have been better.

A DVD for the smart ones.

"Be sure and tell 'em... it was just...a bloody game."
"Sleuth" stars Michael Caine as the young hair-dresser "Milo Tindle" and Laurence Olivier as an upper-crust mystery writer "Andrew Wyke".

Michael Caine is having an affair with the wife of Andrew Wyke. Wyke invites Milo to his country manor to discuss a plan whereby Milo would "rob" Wyke of some expensive jewels, sell them to a pre-arranged fence in Amsterdam, and get enough money to afford Wyke's wife, thus freeing up Wyke to live with his own mistress (and get the insurance money for the stolen jewels.)

Wyke outlines the complexities of the plan, which involve Milo dressing in different clothes, breaking into the house, blowing up a safe, etc, to make it appear to be a legitimate robbery.

There are many appealing aspects to the movie. First is the character of Andrew Wyke, a famous writer of a series of detective-fiction wherein the main character, Lord Merridew, always outwits the rather bumbling police force to solve the crime. Second is Wyke's hobbies, which run the gamut from an ancient chess-like board game, a jigsaw puzzle that is only a white rectangle, and various assorted collectibles such as a full-sized animated sailor dummy. Wyke's gameplaying attitude is extended to the plan of the fake robbery. The third compelling aspect of the movie is the witty, sparring dialogue between Wyke and Tindle.

Although at first, the two characters try to maintain a slightly forced friendly rivaly, but as the robbery unfolds, it becomes clear that Wyke in fact resents Milo and his wife's affair, and is actually setting up Milo to be killed as a burglar. In a series of plot twists I won't reveal, Wyke humiliates Tindle and sends him away. However, Tindle gets the last laugh, literally, in the end.

A long-time favorite movie of mine, it earned best actor nominations for both Olivier and Caine, and a nomination for director Mankiewicz. The DVD has a 23 minute "interview" by playwright Anthony Shaffer, chapters and a trailer.

St. John Lord Merridew's "Death by Double Fault"
Sleuth is Anthony Schaffer's play of mystery and murder brought to the screen. If you are an Oxford scholar you will have no problem with this film. Others may require a dictionary as this is a very erudite work. You also cannot blink, cough, or let your mind wander for a moment or you will lose your place as to what is happening. I say these things because they are true and because it is one of the most intelligent scripts ever brought to the screen. I can only compare the "Brideshead Revisited" script that was done by John Mortimer to match this production from 1972. Michael Caine was at his best, and although Oliver's performance on screen seems top notch, if you have read anything on the making of this film it was reported that he had trouble learning his lines among other distractions. The SETS on this film are memorable! VERY EXPENSIVE and CUSTOM games are everywhere.The music is VERY atmospheric, from the harpsichord improvs to the old Cole Porter tunes. Unusual in that it features only two men without the mandatory love interest that pervades every American picture but their duels do concern a love relationship with women of mutual acquaintance. Oliver is a mystery writer who has a character, St. John Lord Merridew solve all the plots ala' Hercule Poirot. The play and film are tributes to the classic detective fiction of the golden age of the 1930's. "Where every cabinet minister had a thriller by his beside and all detectives were titled." He uses his talent in mystery to entice and trap Michael Caine (his wife's current lover) in a series of games of death within the mansion meant to scorn and ridicule by upper class methods and put a trumped up pantry boy in his place! Caine turns the tables as Inspector Doppler drops by and makes Oliver believe he is going to jail for murder. Eventually the duels lead Oliver to crack under insults to his manhood and he performs the ultimate deed at the untimely arrival of the real police and sees his world that he created of games end in real life tragedy.

Fun & Games With Two Fine Actors
1972's Sleuth is literally a two-man show, with Olivier and Caine matching each other scene for scene in this lengthy 2-hour, 18-minute story revolving around some rather unusual parlor games.

It's a pleasure to watch these two actors at work (or is it "play"?). I've never enjoyed Mr. Caine more.

It's quite unusual to see a movie with the entire cast comprising just two people! And each of them does a bloody good job of holding our interest till the end.

I would certainly recommend this top-notch tongue-in-cheek murder mystery. ... Read more

Reviews (26)

Beware of cheap imitations
"Diva" is one of my very favorite movies -- I distinguish that term from "film." It has a wonderful combination of a suspenseful plot (based on a detective novel by Delacorta,( who, I believe, has a Lolita complex illustrated by the young Vietnames girl), pop-art imagery, and a thoughtful theme (the increasing mechanization/depersonalization ) of modern classical music. A beautiful mixture of film noir, nouveau vague, and Hollywood thriller, with a self-deprecating sense of humor.

BEWARE OF THE OTHER DVD VERSION (with the gangster portrait on the box). IT HAS HORRIBLE SOUND WHICH IS FATAL FOR A MOVIE CONTAINING OPERATIC AND CLASSICAL MUSIC.

Run, Jules, Run!
I first saw this film in high school and was immediately impressed with it. I've rented it innumerable times and am glad it's finally made it to DVD. The premise is somewhat ridiculous, but if you see the film as an operetta in itself, then it makes sense. The plot interweaves three stories quite skillfully: the first thread involves the obsessive love that Jules, a delivery man, has for an opera singer (the Diva), and the lengths he will go to in order to possess her (or at least to capture her amazing voice). The second tale involves two cut-throat Japanese agents who will do anything to nab Jule's bootleg copy of the Diva singing (as she refuses to be recorded and thinks that music should be an emphemeral experience). And the final intrigue that provides the weft and woof for this movie is that of an underground sex slave ring and the Paris police department's attempts at apprehending the crime lord in charge of it.

All the characters in the movie were quite well-developed, except for that of the title character, the Diva, played by Wilhelmenia Fernandez. She is in real life an American opera singer, and as such I probably should not have expected so much from her as an actress. Nonetheless, her lackluster performance did not sabotage the great work by Frederic Andrei, who was superb as a naive, lovestruck Jules. Other notable performances were given by Richard Bohringer, the fabulously enigmatic Gorodish, the Zen-man with an answer for everything; and Thuy An Luu, his incorrigible, shoplifting girlfriend. I also loved the slapstick humor provided by the crime lord's two henchmen.

Diva is an all-around enjoyable film that capitalizes on the sense of sound in the same manner that "Like Water for Chocolate" culled from the sense of taste. You will hear a certain aria over and over again from this film, but the music that will actually stay with you is a haunting piano piece by Erik Satie (when Jules and Cynthia are in the park). I highly recommend this movie, especially if you liked "Run Lola Run."

As wonderful now as it was then
When I saw DIVA in the theaters, back in 1982, I knew I had witnessed something incredibly special. And for years it had kept a warm spot in my heart and mind. When I heard the DVD had been released, I was afraid of two things: 1) that the transfer would be a disaster and 2) the film would be terribly dated.

The not-so-good-news first: while superior to the earlier DVD release (which I had never seen, but heard about) the film suffers a little from some muddy sound, and at the worst times: during the operatic performances. Yet, the chase scenes have incredibly crisp sound. But I can't let that spoil the fact that the movie has held up incredibly well after 20+ years. While the fashions are of a by-gone era, everything else holds up perfectly. The plot, the direction, the performances are all as engaging as anything that's come out in recent years. Younger viewers may feel that this is a little old-fashioned, but I doubt it. This is a great film that has a little bit of everything: drama, love, comedy--and the strangest villains in cinema history! Give DIVA a chance.

A Thrilling Visual Poem
Diva is poetically visual as it displays a cinematically stunning experience, which renders one speechless with its sublime cinematography. The story begins with a postman, Jules, who is absorbed by opera as he tapes an opera singers performance. Unknowingly Jules has been observed by two peculiar men followings him in order to try retrieve the recording. In addition, a woman who is murdered has placed a tape recording in Jules's postman bag, which will add more problems for him. Diva is a superb cinematic experience that will visually intrigue as much French New Wave did during the 60s and 70s as it often produces new and interesting ways of displaying cinema.

cult film - no question about it
Diva is very intriguing with it's two parallel plots. The first time I saw this movie I was a bit confused and to this day I wouldn't know how to properly categorize it. It's a bit of a crime story, a bit of a romantic drama and has got lot's of great music.

But even if the movie had no plot and the acting was absolutely terrible (which it isn't), you could still just sit back and enjoy the music and the pictures (the lighthouse scene is absolutely gorgeous). Thuy An Luu is very tantalizing and a joy to watch, especially skating around Gorodish's warehouse / home.

Vladimir Cosma's piano sequences like the "promenade sentimentale" are masterpieces in their own right and I highly recommend the soundtrack.

I've seen this movie many times in the theatre. Owning this DVD is the next best thing to the real experience on the big screen and this was one of the first purchases I made after getting a DVD player. ... Read more

Reviews (40)

Before There Was "Heat"
I had to write this review after reading so many rave reviews of "Heat", which is overrated compared to "Thief". It makes me wonder how many of those customer reviewers are adolescents or young adults who have not seen this picture.

This motion picture is somewhat similar in plot to "Heat", but with considerably less violence (until about the final 30 minutes). James Caan is at his best as an ex-con trying to play his cards close to the vest when he makes a deal with a mob leader that ends disastrously. I find myself agreeing with the customer reviewer who wrote that this was Caan's best acting performance ever. The intensity and feel of "Thief" make it a far superior movie to "Heat", with excellent supporting performances from Willie Nelson, Tuesday Weld, and Jim Belushi.

Especially noteworthy is the performance of Robert Prosky as Leo, the mobster who thinks he's got Caan's character under his thumb only to get his comeuppance. Look for Rick Rossovich and Dennis Farina as Leo's hired muscle.

In addition to a great plot and great performances (hallmarks of almost every film Mann's ever done) is a soundtrack by Tangerine Dream that really rocks! Rent or buy this movie, and if you like it, start your quest for the soundtrack album immediately! You'll be glad you did.

Don't get me wrong here, "Heat" was a good movie. "Thief", however, was done first and done better

James Caan At His BEST!
In his finest role to date, veteran actor James Caan plays Frank, an ultra-cool, independent jewel thief with some very definite plans. Frank reluctantly gets involved with a mobster who changes all those plans. Frank is "Joe the boss of my own Universe" as he tells Leo (Robert Prosky)upon their first meeting. Unfortunately for Frank, he'll soon find that Leo has become the boss of his universe once he agrees to "freelance" for him. To get free, Frank has to dismantle the picture perfect life he tried to assemble, and start over again. ................ This film has a wonderful noir mood with all the atmospheric rain soaked Chicago streets, earthy dialogue and colorful characters. These come in the form of crooked DTs and mobster henchmen to name a few, peppering the screen with non-stop action. These characters feel very real, and keep you riveted throughout. ............ Director Michael Mann, who also created "Heat" and "Man Hunter" as well as the "Miami Vice" TV classic of the 80s, did some of his best work in this film. The soundtrack from "Tangerine Dream" is no less than outstanding. The entire score really enhances every scene. I especially love the wonderfully sensual sounding lead guitars during the exciting culmination of the story when Frank faces Leo solo to take back his independence. .......... Willie Nelson as David Okla, master thief that taught Frank his craft, and Dennis Farina in his big screen debut (with BLACK hair!) as one of Leos henchmen are two of many interesting faces and characters along the way. .............. Since this is one of my favorite films, I can truly say, if you have never seen "Thief"... you've been robbed of a truly great film viewing experience.

The revenge is a wonderful dish
The thief is a modern film noir. James Caan gives his most powerful performance to date. Cool, analytical with a hard debt that it must be paid.
There is a film that I still remind very close related, titled Point Blank and directed by John Boorman. The starring in that film was the hard Lee Marvin. I have the inner conviction that Thief was inspired by that one. Please acquire both of two. I have them in my personal collection.
This is the opera prima of Michael Mann as director. Well effort and amazing script.
One of the top ten cult movies from the eighties.
A must in your collection!.

Great 80s film
James Caan does a great job at playing a master thief approaching middle age. Contrary to a superficial viewing he does not glorify the criminal life. His best scene is where he is describing the sense of waste he feels about his life and time in jail. James Caan really carries this scene over better than many actors of today would.

Oldsters will also remember that this is the first peice where James Belushi stepped out of his brother's shadow. He surprised a lot of people with a good dramatic role as James Caan's partner instead of a comedy.

Great Tangerine Dream score. Bit of trivia, the film has a song over the closing credits that was not by Tangerine Dream that is very good but not by Tangerine Dream. This song DOES NOT appear on the CD version of the Thief soundtrack, although it was included on the older cassette and LP releases. You can hear it on this movie release though.

THE SIGNATURE STYLE OF MICHAEL MANN
James Caan in black Armani leather looking better than he did in THE GODFATHER; Tuesday Weld looking angelic; Chicago lit up in neon with non-cliched corrupt cops, desperate crooks and the underbelly of the Midwest. Michael Mann imprinted his signature style on this fierce tale of a career criminal caught in the nightmare of a dream gone bad and a life that could never exist. THIEF is distingushed by its incredible visuals and hard dialogue... the most frightening of both is an exchange between a silent, face up Caan and Robert Prosky (fantastic as Leo) in a back alley shop with an acid bath at arms length. THIEF is the prototype for the new era film noir and Mann a skilled and worthy architect of the genre. Dennis Farina makes his acting debut as a shotgun toting mobster. ... Read more

Reviews (73)

A Thrilling Movie Starring Some Great Actors
Mel Gibson and Julia Roberts are among the highest paid actors in Hollywood, and the director of this movie, Richard Donner, is also the director of the Lethal Weapon movies. I figured that putting all these people together to make a movie would result in a great product. Though Conspiracy Theory isn't bad, it isn't that great, either.

Gibson plays Jerry Fletcher, a cab driver who obsesses over government conspiracies in his spare time. He pours over the newspaper everyday to try and uncover secret plots that the government doesn't want the public to know about. He's also infatuated with Alice Sutton (played by Julia Roberts), an attorney in the Justice Department. Jerry gets this idea that NASA is trying to kill the President by deliberately causing an earthquake in Turkey while he's there on a diplomatic visit. Alice, of course, thinks he's absolutely crazy. However, it turns out that Jerry might not be as crazy as everyone thinks as one of his conspiracy theories suddenly begins to materialize. Now Jerry must convince Alice that the government is out to get him, and together they must team up to uncover the conspiracy.

This is a pretty demanding role for Mel Gibson, but he's definitely equal to the task. This is the kind of role that earns an actor an Oscar nomination, though he didn't receive one. Julia Roberts' role in the movie isn't very demanding, and we never really get to see the full range of her acting ability, but she still does a solid job as the level-headed lawyer who is also trying to solve the mystery behind her own father's murder. Patrick Stewart is also in the movie, and he plays some sort of evil doctor in charge of running a government experiment that turns average people into raging assassins.

This is an action movie, so by rule, the feasibility of the plot is of less significance than the gunshots, chase scenes, and burning buildings. This is probably a good thing, considering that the plot is rather far-fetched. Most people would probably agree that there are secret conspiracies that the government does not disclose, but this whole project about turning humans into assassins doesn't seem very viable, neither do the attempts to capture Jerry Fletcher and extract information out of him. It all seems pretty bogus.

Regardless, I have to say that I was entertained. Though I might not remember what the movie was about a month from now, it was definitely two hours well spent. I recommend this movie.

Conspiracy Theory - An extremely well made film!
I would definitely have to say that "Conspiracy Theory" is one of my favorite films of all times. The overall premise, pacing and the performances given by the actors lends heavily to this opinion. The one intriguing yet very strange thing about this movie is seeing Patrick Stewart playing the bad guy. After years and years of parts in which he is generally one of the good guys and then of course, his role as Captain Jean Luc Picard on Star Trek The Next Generation solidified his status as the "ultimate" good guy, it's very difficult to see him on the wrong side of the script. As usual though, his performance is as top notch as it is in any project he immerses himself.

Mel Gibson's performance as Jerry Fletcher in this film is quite a show. Just imagine his demeanor as Riggs from the "Lethal Weapon" movies and "crazy" it up a few notches and you have Mel Gibson as Jerry Fletcher, an Oscar caliber performance unrewarded. What can one say about Julia Roberts; she does her thing in this film and it works very well. That's the one strange thing about Julia Roberts, in most of her films, you don't see a very drastic difference in her performances, she pretty much does the same thing film for "most" of her films and they keep on being box office hits.

As testament to the quality of this film, one only needs to look at the name of the director which is Richard Donner. For many years now, Richard Donner has directed some of the most successful television shows and films ever produced such as; "Gilligan's Island," "The Rifleman," "Superman" the movie in 1978 and all four of the "Lethal Weapon" movies, hence Mel Gibson's casting in the lead role of "Conspiracy Theory." Needless to say, if you see his name as the director of a new film, it will definitely be worth your time to watch.

The Premise:

Jerry Fletcher (Mel Gibson) is an extremely neurotic cab driver in New York City. Very early in the film, you'll see that he appears to be obsessed with a lawyer by the name of Alice Sutton (Julia Roberts). As the title of the movie suggests, Jerry sees conspiracies every where and despite telling everybody about it to include Alice, nobody seems to believe him and he doesn't even appear to believe himself until Dr. Jonas and his crew steps in and abducts him...

What follows from there is clearly one of Mel Gibson's best films that I've found to be quite enjoyable over several different viewings as this film is quite well worth multiple viewings. I highly recommend this film to any and all who are interested in films from this genre of action/adventure and mystery. {ssintrepid}

Special Features:

This is the only downside to this DVD version, a serious lack of special features.

-Production Notes
-Theatrical Trailer

Serendipity Cinema #9
A film you may never have heard of, but really should see. Trust me. You may hear the word Hitchcockian thrown around, everyone would like to achieve something that sings of the master, and, so, it gets used when anybody turns a corner and the music makes you jump. You could go a long way before you find anything that has even the slightest resemblance to the works of Sir Alfred.
Well, look no further. No, don't pay attention to the fact that it is Mel Gibson and Julia Roberts (with Patrick Stewart and Director Richard Donner thrown in) Rather see the everyday people thrown into the madness that only real life can destroy us with, and spit us out when it is done. Everyman fights the insanity that shouldn't be happening, but is, like "The Lady Vanishes," "The 39 Steps," even "The Man Who Knew Too Much." These are all precursors of this story of the obviously deranged man who is in love with this fairly normal girl, and is here to protect her from imagined danger. Or is it? Buy your copy of "The Catcher In The Rye" and follow us, it's a ride down the stairs streight-jacketed in a wheel chair!

MEL O DRAMA ALMOST WORKS
The charisma that Mel Gibson and Julia Roberts have developed over the years is the saving grace of this convoluted, overly plotted movie. Written by Brian Helgeland (LA Confidential, Mystic River, A Knight's Tale), it tells the story of a conspiracy obsessed cabbie (Gibson) who finally stumbled onto a conspiracy that involves his unrequited love (Roberts). Heading up the bad guys is X-Men's Patrick Stewart, who gives a solid performance as Dr. Jonas/Henry Finch.
the movie seemed a little too long, and some middle sags deleted some of the suspense. Gibson performs admirably, although it's just a little bit more of the Lethal Weapon personna unharnessed. Roberts is not a great actress (in spite of Erin Brockovich), but she is a great presence, and Donner films her with all the right lights and angles to enhance this. Someone like Laura Linney would have made the role much more memorable.
But as entertaining, if confusing, fluff, CONSPIRACY THEORY is a fun movie to watch.

Tom Atoe
Conspiarcy theory is one of those movies that makes you stop and wonder what if? I loved all the twists and turns throught the story line. The acting was superb, Mel Gibson really accuratly protrayed a crazy man. If you dont pay attention for 2 minutes you'll be lost for the rest of the movie. I didnt completely understand the moviw untill the second or third time I saw it. Once you really get what it is saying you'll love it. In short it was excellent. ... Read more

Reviews (64)

Very Intelligent and Entertaining Thriller
"The Player" is one of those fascinating comedic thrillers with one defined dramatic plot, and various subplots dealing with the movie industry. Player is not a fast paced thriller, but rather an intelligent and laid back story surrounded by Hollywood and the business of film making. Tim Robbins plays Griffin Mill, a studio executive whose main job is to decide which scripts make it to the big screen. When he starts receiving threatening postcards, he suspects they come from a writer whose script was turned down. Hence, he tries to identify the writer in order to pay him off and stop the blackmail. Apparently he found the writer , apparently not. Murder. Whoopi Goldberg's performance as detective Avery, investigating the murder, is simply wonderful and provides humor with her spicy language. For the rest of the plot, you must see the movie. Directed by Robert Altman (Gosford Park), Player's cast include Greta Scacchi, Peter Gallagher, Fred Ward, Lyle Lovett and numerous cameo appearances by familiar faces such as Lily Tomlin, Bruce Willis, Robert Wagner, Susan Sarandon, Julia Roberts, Nick Nolte, Andie McDowell, John Cusack, to name a few. Besides the main plot, this is certainly a good perspective of how decisions are made in Hollywood, and the dynamics and politics of movie making . Player views the "film noir" and independent film making alternatives, and flirts with the concepts of dissociation of the big studios with the artistic ("Ars Gratia Artis") philosophies of the old days, those being replaced with the "money-making-happy-ending" driving forces of modern day Hollywood. DVD version.

Hectic Life of Hollywood Wheeling & Dealing
This film has the most unique opening scene (which lasts about 8 or 9 minutes in a single frame!) I have ever seen in a movie! Tim Robbins plays the role of a producer who "just does his job", which includes brushing off hopeful screen writers and being nasty to his assistants. Little does he know, that others are good at back-stabbing too, and that his name is about to be dropped. All depends on his next project; if it stinks, he sinks! -- A few clever twists, including black-mail and manslaughter, keep the viewer interested, right up to the surprise ending. Watch for Whoopi Goldberg and Lyle Lovitt as police detectives (I couldn't picture either of them in such a role, but they did surprisingly well!). This is a very good film, but I still have a problem with how everything turns out (which I can't dwell on, or I'd spoil it for those who haven't seen it). See for yourself!

Gripping & Hilarious!
Only Robert Altman could make a movie like this. With its huge, sprawling cast of talented actors and famous people dropping by for cameos, Altman has created one of the best Hollywood satires ever made. I think the only other movies gunning for this title would be "The Day of the Locust" and Steve Martin's "Bowfinger."

Recent Academy Award winner Tim Robbins plays a sleazy movie exec who deals with the writing talent. A bunch of mysterious and threatening postcards show up at Robbins's office, and a tense thriller unfolds. Interspersed between the classic thriller elements, Altman stuffs a making-the-movie subplot in there which pokes fun at Hollywood producers and actors, as well as developing a convincing and warm love story. How does he do it? He's Robert Altman, for Christ's sakes. And he does it seamlessly - by the time the movie is over, you're wishing it had just begun.

Altman uses text messages to get points across to the viewer, and the background becomes almost as important and pertinent to the plot as the physical action unfolding before you. Perhaps this is a comment on our celluloid-dampened minds and our inability to see, as it were, the "writing on the wall." For if the characters in this film stopped for a moment and saw where they were, what they were doing, and why, perhaps none of those people would be in trouble. It's a nice jab at our MTV attention spans, and hilarious when foreign films are mentioned Hollywood Types, who immediately clam up and say, "Haven't seen it."

Good times, indeed. You'll have tons of fun just pointing out the celebrity cameos in "The Player." Altman probably did this to give the audience the same awe-struck sensation they would get if they were amongst those power players. You find yourself pointing at the screen and saying, "Hey, that's Susan Sarandon!" or "That's Jack Lemmon playing the piano there!"

So not only is "The Player" an excellent and biting comedy, it's a convincing thriller as well. And nobody could've guessed the ending, which leaves you ... well ... it's difficult to describe how "The Player" ends without giving too much away. So rent it, buy it, spin it on your finger and give props to one of the greatest living American directors.

"IF THE PRICE IS RIGHT, GRIFF..."
This is one of my all-time favorite films, a scathing, paced look at inside Hollywood that deciphers the netherworld of studio execs, producers, directors, actors and, most importantly, those over-abused prostitutes of the industry, screenwriters. Tim Robbins is Griffin Mill - smarmy, corporate and slick as cat manure on a vinyl floor. Robert Altman brought in an array of big names to lend this film their aura. Everybody was in it. Buck Henry pitches the best film idea that never happened, "The Post-Graduate", which is the sequel to "The Graduate".

Grif is getting poison pen mail and he explores it a little too much, leading him to an art house in Pasadena where he accidentally kills a teed-off scribe, then into the man's ice queen girlfriend. Plot twists and studio politics intersect, and Whoopi Goldberg is insane as the cop who knows Grif got away with murder, which he does.

There is no morality, just cold-hearted realpolitik. Do not miss Altman's interview at the end. Like "Sunset Boulevard", this one captivated and irritated this closed industry which still believes its press releases. Robbins is as good as it gets. This is sex and power, the ultimate aphrodisiac.

The plot twist that ends it is one of the best ever devised, with Grif and his blackmailer suddenly co-producers "if the price is right..."

As Matthew says in the Bible, "what does a man profit if he has the world but loses his soul?"

STEVEN TRAVERS
AUTHOR OF "BARRY BONDS: BASEBALL'S SUPERMAN"
...

A Keeper!
This is a great movie! I usually shy away from Tim Robbins' work, ever since "Bull Durham" anyway. His politics are the reason, I cannot stand the sanctimonious "message" movies he and others such as Oliver Stone repeatedly assault the general public with from their pulpits of privelege. All that aside, Mr. Robbins is quite great in this movie, treading the line of being a typical Hollywood ahole yet still evoking sympathy from the audience for his tenuous hold on his studio position. At least that's what I felt. I was glad when he "got away with it". All in all this is a really good movie and it really gives one the sense of being "in the scene" much like a documentary does. My one fault is the way the crowd scenes, such as in restaurants were handled, from a sound standpoint. I'm sure the overlapping dialogue was intentional but it was distracting more than anything. Great Movie...did I say that enough times? And where has Greta Scacchi gone? She is sexy as heck here. ... Read more

Amazon.com essential video

David Lean focused all his talent as an epic-maker on Boris Pasternak's sweeping novel about a doctor-poet in revolutionary Russia. The results may sometimes veer toward soap opera, especially with the screen frequently filled with adoring close-ups of Omar Sharif and Julie Christie, but Lean's gift for cramming the screen with spectacle is not to be denied. The streets of Moscow, the snowy steppes of Russia, the house in the country taken over by ice; these are re-created with Lean's unerring sense of grandness. The movie is so lush and so long that it becomes an irresistible wallow, even when logic suffers--like Gone with the Wind before it and Titanic after. Sharif, who achieved stardom in Lean's previous film, Lawrence of Arabia, mostly looks noble, but the supporting cast is spiky: Rod Steiger as a fat-cat monster, Tom Courtenay as a self-righteous revolutionary, and Klaus Kinski and Alec Guinness in smaller roles. Geraldine Chaplin, in her adult debut, plays the doctor's compliant wife. Robert Bolt's screenplay won one of the film's five Oscars®, with another going to perhaps the most immediately recognizable element of the movie: Maurice Jarre's romantic music, with its hugely popular "Lara's Theme" weaving in and out of a swooning score. --Robert Horton ... Read more

Reviews (132)

Doctor Zhivago with Omar Sharif
Doctor Zhivago is David Lean 's measured and beautiful adaptation of Boris Pasternak 1958-acclaimed novel. Made in 1965 and winner of five Academy Awards, starring Omar Sharif and Julie Christie, Doctor Zhivago is a cinematic masterpiece, a visually stunning and expressively powerful love story set in the foreground of life in Russia during the latter days of Czarist Russia and the turmoil of the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917.

The film features gorgeous landscape and romantic scenes set to Maurice Jarre's haunting music. Lean uses Panavision cinematography to boast his landscapes that are often remote and cold is contrasted with the emotional fires burning within Zhivago and Lara -- a romanticized version of an illicit relationship without moral dilemmas or conflicts. The romance is amid the opulence of Russia before the war and the violent social upheaval that followed. Like many Russians, Zhivago's life is swept away with the radical currents of the Revolution.

A stunning Russian love epic of grand proportions.
This is the film that set off a fashion trend at my high school when it was released in a 30th Anniversary edition. This film is a grand scale drama about a Russian poet/doctor who dearly loves his sensitive wife yet wants this other woman named Lara. The backdrop is Russia during the Revolution around 1916, or something like that. Zhivago and his family are swept up in these fleeting events that put him in self-conflict between his wife and adulterous lover. His final choices concerning her and his family forever alter his remaining years. Based on the Nobel-Prize winning novel, it won 5 Academy Awards in 1965--Best Screenplay Adaptation, Best Cinematography, Best Art Direction, Best Costume Design, and Best Music Score, which introduced the hit tune "Lara's Theme" a.k.a. "Somewhere My Love." It was also a Best Picture nominee. Omar Sharif won a Golden Globe for his portrayal of Zhivago. Julie Christie and Geraldine Chaplin also star. Christie won the Oscar that same year for Best Actress in the film "Darling", which I also reviewed. Not rated upon its release, but the anniversary edition denotes a PG-13 rating for mature themes and situations. This is one of my favorite films ever and is one of the films listed on AFI's Top 100 Films of All Time. The acting is great, costumes exquisitely detailed, gorgeous photography, lavish sets, and a famous score all add up to one of the greatest films of this century.

Doctor Zhivago Was An Adulterous Slime!!
Folks, get the romantic stars out of your eyes. Doctor Zhivago was cheating on his pregnant wife with (...) Lara, who started out in the world by having an affair with a MARRIED MAN! She seems to like the married ones. Commitment phobic?

Yes, it had a soaring score and gorgeous landscapes, but the morals of these characters made me sick. For Zhivago to leave his pregnant wife with an old man in the middle of nowhere in a Russian winter was reprehensible. I found it poetic justice when Zhivago's raging hormones led him back to the town where Lara was and he was caught by the army and inducted as military surgeon. He deserved the misery he put upon himself! That's the plot in a nutshell!

great film
This dvd format of "Doctor Zivago," is excellent a great documentary and much extra special and footage and a trailer. This is well worth getting and excelent film, one of the best ever. Great packaging and wonderful acting. A must see movie.

An epic that lasts...
David Lean, creator of the also epically great Lawrence of Arabia, has taken Boris Pasternak's novel and created a very good film with it. Having not read the book, I cannot comment and will not on whether it matches the book, but I can say the movie itself is very near excellent. This movie is really almost a historical film in disguise, since it highlights the lives of many, but especially Yuri and Lara, the main characters, and their attempts to live during and after the early nineteen hundreds Russian revolution. Like the movie To Live did for China, Dr. Zhivago helps one understand the daily sufferings before and after the revolution. These sufferings, or sufferers, are laced with almost hope as they live and love one another and try to thrive. This movie, although long, should interest almost anyone. It will also touch the mind and remind themselves of other culture's and their historical changes. ... Read more

Amazon.com essential video

Situated somewhere between supernatural horror and lush Victorian melodrama, director Peter Weir's lyrical, enigmatic masterpiece is an imaginative tease. The setting is a proper turn-of-the century Australian boarding school for girls, a suffocating institution built on strict moral codes, repressed sexuality, and a subtle but enforced class structure. As the film opens, girls draped in immaculate white dress prepare for a picnic at the nearby volcanic formation, Hanging Rock, and Weir hangs an air of dark foreboding over the proceeding. "You'll have to love someone else, because I won't be here very long," says one virginal girl, Miranda, to her friend. Her words are prophetic: during the picnic, Miranda, along with two other girls and an uptight schoolmistress, vanish into the rocks. While a search party repeatedly returns to the rock to look for either the girls or the reasons for their disappearance, Weir leaves the mystery unsolved. Like Antonioni's L'Avventura, the vanishing is open to numerous interpretations--both rational and illusory--but Weir drops enough allegorical clues that it feels like a parable. He transforms the landscape and weather into menacing and eerie images; outlines of faces can be seen in the rocks, while the oppressive heat beating down on the picnic doubles as an atmospheric metaphor for the girls' unbearable social and sexual confinement. These images and other plot twists toward the end hint that this mysterious vanishing, on some level, was actually a form of spiritual escape--the only out, other than death, from the film's bleak, tightly structured community. Regardless of how you see it, though, this hypnotic puzzle remains the highlight of the '70s Australian New Wave. The DVD version presents the film in letterbox form. --Dave McCoy ... Read more

Reviews (95)

EERIE BUT INTRIGUING.
First, this enigmatic film is NOT based on a true story. A group of school girls go on a school excursion to "Hanging Rock" in Victoria, Australia. The period is around early 1900s. Four girls decide to climb the rock along with a teacher. At the end of the day, only one hysterical girl can be found, and can shed no light on what happened to the others.

Sound intriguing enough? This film asks more questions that it answers, inviting the viewer to dream up their own explanation for what happened to the girls. According to the Joan Lindsay novel's "missing chapter", the girls were sucked down a wormhole (or something), but I think both Lindsay and Weir were wise to leave this out. Which perhaps adds to the mystique.

In all its nebulous beauty, the film actually does a remarkable job of capturing a resplendent mood. The Australian vistas are even more evocative than that of "The Piano" -- ethereal and brooding. This curious rock that hangs over the film with its menacing presence is given almost mythical status, and even to the viewer on the other side of the screen seems oddly alluring.

Personally I'd have liked the ending to be a bit different, but hey, the movie is hauntingly memorable, and if it's any consolation, it's not until after the movie you may wish for a more clear-cut resolution.

A chillingly beautiful mystery
On St.Valentine's day, 1900, a party of girls from a private school set out for a picnic at Hanging Rock in the Macedon Ranges in Australia. While they are on the rock, something mysterious and disturbing happens and, when the party returns to the school, they have left three girls and one teacher behind. All missing on the rock.

Rather than follow the normal mystery rules of working towards an answer, the film concentrates on the effect of the disappearances on those connected either directly or by circumstance. What will happen to the school after such an event? How will the other girls react? What of the young Englishman who was the last person to see them alive. He is both under suspicion and obsessed with the fate of the missing girls.

This sense that the events just cannot be explained is bolstered by one of the most memorable and haunting soundtracks of any film ever made. The director really has an eye and an ear for setting a mood of something beautiful and precious which has been lost and will never be regained. The images of the outback are stunning. They convey the feel of a landscape that is both threatening and spiritual.

The film has aquired a reputation for being based on a true story. We are used to unresolved mysteries in real life but not in fiction. Despite the rumours of a real event which was mysteriously unreported, this is a work of fiction. The film was based on a novel of the same name by Joan Lindsay.

This film really is one that you should see and its beauty means that you will want to watch it many times over.

Tedium ad infinitum, avec mademoiselles
"Picnic at Hanging Rock" is a beautifully shot movie about the mysterious disappearance of 4 women on a geologically intriguing exposed volcanic plug. This occurs in the first 35 minutes. It is a slow and steady decline from there on out to the unusual ending an hour later, and requires determination to stick it out.

Nice score which includes the pan flute. Nice photography. Mostly pretty women dressed head to toe who use formal proper speech.

I don't know what to recommend it for, though. There is no message or answers, here.

Overrated, pretentious, but interesting
I came to this film fully expecting to like it because of the many glowing reviews I'd read over the years. While it has its positives (evocative photography; haunting atmosphere; rich, overblown sets; some strong performances) it's essentially a tedious exploration of Victorian psycho-sexual dynamics, seen from a very 1970s perspective. The plot is so thin it's constantly in danger of floating away. I had to force myself at regular intervals not to turn it off because of shear boredom.

The film leads you to believe it's based on a true story, which, frankly, was one of the reasons I stuck with it. But it's not. The story's a total fabrication, which makes the film even more ridiculous in retrospect.

Unless you're a devotee of Peter Weir, Australian cinema, or 1970s costume and hair design trying to look "Victorian," I suggest you watch The Beguiled instead.

Really bad and cliche...
and not even worth further words. Save your time and money. ... Read more

Reviews (34)

ORSON IN TOTALITARIANLAND
With an international cast involving Jeanne Moreau, Romy Schneider, Anthony Perkins, Fernand Ledoux and Michael Lonsdale, Orson Welles gave in 1961 a very personal version of Franz Kafka's THE TRIAL. The labyrinthic and anonymous world Joseph K. is living in has undoubtedly visually inspired Terry Gilliam for BRAZIL Look at Joseph K's office or think of the first scene of THE TRIAL when Anthony Perkins is awaking.

The outside scenes of THE TRIAL have been shot in Zagreb or in the middle of the suburbs of Paris, amidst anonymous buildings. The production design is one of the main characters of the movie and one has a little shock the first time Anthony Perkins is getting up from his bed : his head is nearly touching the ceiling. On the contrary, observe the huge doors of the courtroom that are destined to oppress the poor accused people.

The filmography of Orson Welles being so short, you must have this DVD in your library if you're interested in movies. The DVD presented by Image offers as bonus feature a teaser and a little presentation of the movie. No subtitles at all. Good images but a very poor sound.

An Orson W. DVD.

Quite a treat!
"Say what you like, but THE TRIAL is the best film I ever made!" So says Orson Welles of his 1962, underrated masterpiece THE TRIAL, taken from Franz Kafka's legendary novel of the same name, the story concerns Josef K, (Anthony Perkins in a world class performance) a bank clerk arrested and put on trial for an unspecified crime. The liquid tracking shots and receding perspectives familiar from TOUCH OF EVIL are refined here and more at home with the narrative of THE TRIAL. Welles' editing is also more distinctive and expressive, as K's world begins to reel faster and faster out of control, the editing itself transforms from the long takes in the beginning to more frenzic cutting giving certain scenes an oddly affecting flow. The exteriors are notably different from scene to scene, some Italian, some Yugoslavian, some Parisian, but all effective and creepily disorienting. The casting is also a plus: Romy Schneider as a seducing nurse who jumps on Josef t! he first chance she gets, Jeanne Moreau as a world-weary nighclub stripper with whom Josef is smitten, Orson himself as The Advocate, Akim Tamiroff as his client/slave, and Perkins, in a bit of casting that many people didn't understand, is truly a marvel and a revelation. With every facial expression and movement of his body he paints a portrait of man who on the surface strikes a cutting, heroic stance, but in private is really like all other people in his impatience with uncomfortable circumstances. He avoids the tempting opportunity to provide sympathy to K, as his plight grows more chaotic, his demeanor becomes more testy, and that's as it should be. Critics apparently wanted a nullingly straight rendition from the novel, but Welles, Perkins and the rest of the crew thankfully didn't oblige them. They find the perfect balance between a daring cinematic adaptation without sacrificing the spirit of the novel. While it's not his best, this is better than alot of Welles'! films, . 1. The Magnificent Ambersons 2. Falstaff 3. The ! Trial

Samir Roy END

Guilty!
What is Joseph K guilty of? There are a number of possibilities, none of which I will suggest here. I don't want to be guilty of ruining the fun of figuring that out for yourself. This movie is Welles at his brilliant best. Many great directors seem to have a trio of films that represent their greatest work. With Welles, those three seem to be Citizen Kane, Touch of Evil and The Trial. The Magnificent Ambersons wsa murdered by the studio and an editor sent in to hack together a new ending. But the Welles directed part is so good I guess it has to rank with the above mentioned three. Then there is Othello, ruined by poor funding; but is it a wreck of a movie? I guess it belongs with the above mentioned four. Forgive me, I guess I'm guilty of digressing, as well as assuming that one can pick three of Welles's movies that stand out from his other work. What I can say about The Trial is that Welles had enough money to make his ideas work as they should on screen. When a Welles movie has enough money to cover technical costs the movie is usually great. The Trial is no exception. The Milestone DVD is a little costly; but you get an excellent looking transfer, which is all you really need to make this movie worth owning.

A great adaptation of Kafka's book
The Trial is Orson Welles' adaptation of the Franz Kafka novel of the same name. It follows the story of Josef K., a man who finds himself in a nightmarish version of reality he neither understands, nor can escape from. It begins with Josef K. (played by Anthony Perkins) being awakened by police officers, who refuse to tell him the crime he's accused of. He's placed under arrest, but not taken into custody - they allow him to continue his "normal" life. Instead, he is taken away at bizarre moments to appear in court, which is a distorted mockery of the concept of justice. There is no judge, no jury, no stated charges, no burden of proof, no lawyers, and no one that assumes impartiality or responsibility. When Josef K. asks for a lawyer, he's told it's not necessary, since it's an "informal" questioning. After the "court" appearance, Josef K. goes to enlist "the Advocate" to defend him. The Advocate (played by Orson Welles) is portrayed as a demi-god of legal access and information not available to the common man - to be worshiped and feared at all costs, since without him, they are nothing. However, in the end, Josef K. is sentenced and eventually executed for these elusive crimes.
The Trial is a merging of the existential philosophies of Kafka with the cinematic genius of Welles. Josef K. is not a particularly empathetic character - he's weak, morally flexible, and passively pushed along this nightmare. In either ending, (the book or the film), Josef K. doesn't fight against his fate, or meekly accepts it. It embodies the existentialist view that Josef K.'s nightmare prison is one of his own making, and therefore only he is responsible for its injustices. Welles adds his own perspective in the sense that it reflected the subversive tactics of those in power around the judicial system during that time - a very Marxist perspective in the face of the McCarthy era, where the HUAC had frightening similarities to the nightmare court.
Overall, it's a film with many possible interpretations and meanings - that are neither right nor wrong, but dependent on the audience's own observations. Like most of Welles' and Kafka's work - you can either take it at face value, or as an intellectual piece - either way, it's a well done cinematic accomplishment.

Not much into the " noir " style of film making.
This film is dark in more ways than one. My copy was way dark. Of course it is emotionally dark also. Didn't much like the novel in college & my opinion hasn't improved. It was a pain to sit through it. This subject has so much promise but not with a depressive like Kafka. One of Welles lesser films to be sure. But one extra star for Welles portayal of the advocate, the best thing in this film. ... Read more

Reviews (187)

Compelling and Chilling
"The Wicker Man" was always a bit of a disappointment to me because long before I got a chance to watch the movie, I accidentally learned how it ended. Therefore, the final devastating moments of this Christopher Lee/Edward Woodward horror-drama lacked the punch it probably has for most viewers who go into "The Wicker Man" totally unaware. Try to avoid learning a lot about this movie before you watch it because I assure you that you will be much happier with the results. Imagine a film about paganism and the philosophical implications of a modern day Christian encountering such a primitive religion, with all of its attendant rituals and colorful ceremonies, alive and well on a Scottish isle and you have the basic premise of this haunting movie. "The Wicker Man" is considered by many to be one of the greatest cult horror films ever made, and while I don't think this claim is necessarily true, I still found much to like here.

Police Sergeant Neil Howie arrives on a small island off the coast of Scotland on a mission to follow up an anonymous tip he received about a missing girl. We learn right from the start that the police sergeant is a devout, no nonsense Christian, but even he isn't prepared for the weirdness running rampant through the byways of this community. Right from the start, things on Summerisle seem downright weird. The locals drinking in the pub where Howie procures lodgings are extremely strange folk, as is Willow, the daughter of the inn owner. That very night the police sergeant has an erotic encounter with Willow that is sure to test the faith of the most ardent Christian. Further eeriness rears its head when Howie sees strange goings on at the local school, some of the bizarre customs practiced on the island, and finally meets with the wild haired eccentric Lord Summerisle. It turns out that most people don't seem all that concerned about the missing girl Howie is looking for. Howie rapidly goes from a state of perplexity to one of utter repugnance as he gradually learns the true secrets of the this island: the people here, led by the zealous Lord Summerisle, are practicing pagans who emphatically reject the Christianity so adored by Howie. But as much as the police sergeant thinks he knows, he is in for a very rude awakening as the movie twists and turns to its grim conclusion.

"The Wicker Man" is a very colorful movie, with plenty of dancing, singing, and great costumes. The music is quite unique, at least for me, and plays a big part throughout the picture. What I liked best about this film was the cast. Britt Ekland turns up in the small role of Willow, the pagan temptress who tries to seduce Howie with a rather sultry dance in the beginning of the film. Christopher Lee is a bit of a question mark here. In an interview included on the disc, he claims that "The Wicker Man" was the best role he ever had in a movie. Moreover, he loved the film so much that he personally called film critics in order to help get the film some much needed publicity. Most of what Lee says about his part in this production is a bit of surprise because his character really doesn't appear in many scenes of the film, and when he does show up, he doesn't really do much. Apparently, some missing footage contained several lengthy scenes of Lee as Lord Summerisle, so perhaps this helps explain his limited screen time. The real prize in the film is Edward Woodward in the role of Neil Howie. Like most people, the only exposure I have had with this actor was his stint in the American television series "The Equalizer" a few years ago. In "The Wicker Man," Woodward shines as the hard-nosed Howie, a dedicated cop who adequately conveys the sort of outrage concerning the shenanigans on Summerisle one would expect from a deeply religious man. Even though I knew how the film ended, Howie's reactions to his fate still chilled me to the bone. Woodward alone provides the biggest reason you should watch this movie. What a fine actor.

The DVD version of the film boasts an impressive array of extras, specifically interviews with principals Edward Woodward, Christopher Lee, and some background about director Robin Hardy and screenwriter Anthony Schaffer. You even get some information about the conditions endured by cast and crew alike as they filmed the project (poor, poor Edward Woodward and that scared goat!). The controversy surrounding the distribution of the film, which the studio cut and sloppily marketed, is discussed in some detail. Christopher Lee still looks mad over the missing footage, which he claims is probably in someone's basement or attic waiting to be found. The official explanation is that a mistake made while cleaning out a film vault resulted in parts of this film being thrown in the back of a dump truck. Even if this enigmatic footage never surfaces, the film I saw was still massively entertaining. I cannot say that this is the best picture I have ever seen, but its reputation requires all cinema fans to give it a watch. It's definitely unique enough to stand out in the old memory banks well after the closing credits fade to black. Any film that can accomplish that feat is worthy of a five star rating, wouldn't you say

Beautifully crafted film gets its well-deserved re-editing!
I can't remember the first time I saw this film, but the next day I started a search for a print of it.

Edward Woodward stars as the almost unsympathetic, pious, and determined officer who matches wits with Christopher Lee, in a marvelous role of the smiling, ever-reasonable villianous island cult leader. The entire community seems to be hiding the truth behind the disappearance of a young girl, even to the degree of at first denying her existence. The very conservative Christian representative of the law has walked into the middle of a very Pagan circle; this conflict has to be resolved. Initially, the audience may not be too sure who is playing with whom or why. The climax of the suspense is a twist where the hunter becomes the sacrificial hunted.

Incredibly, the suspense of the plot does not wear off with repeated viewings, thanks to the production values (hats off to all those involved, shooting outdoor spring scenes in November on the coast of Scotland!) and outstanding performances of the cast.

I knew, when I saw it the first time, that the version I had seen of it had been cut down; however, even at the "sliced salami" level, it was an extraordinary experience - and experience is the word. The film puts you right there in the midst of the puzzle. Over the years I found various cuts of the film, eagerly awaiting what might be reconstructed. (The only other film I can recall searching for this diligently is a "more complete" cut of Fritz Lang's "Metropolis.")

This special edition of "The Wicker Man" might well be as good as it gets. Certainly, the inclusion of the backstory of the film ("The Enigma of The Wicker Man") added to both the theatrical and extended versions makes this particular release worth having.

If you haven't seen the film, make the chance. It's not exactly horror, it's not exactly mystery - it's both. And then some. It's one of a kind. It's "The Wicker Man."

SGT Howie is burned alive at the end of the movie
The movie begins with police SGT Howie arriving at the Scottish island of Summerisle to investigates the disappearance of a young girl. Guess what? It's really a trap! The report of the missing girl is really a hoax to get SGT Howie to the island so they can sacrifice him at the end of the movie, in a giant wicker man! The whole town is in on it, too. Pretty cool!

Truly a Great Film
Last week I had the chance to sit down and watch this truly excellent movie. The Wicker Man stars Edward Woodward, Christopher Lee and Britt Ekland. I was expecting a sort-of cheap gothic horror film (after all, Christopher Lee is in it) but I got something much better.

Edward Woodward plays a policeman from the Highland Police who has flown to the island of Summerisle to investigate a report of a missing girl. After discovering that just setting foot on the island is an adventure, Woodward is unable to find anyone who knows the girl who is missing. Even the girl's mother doesn't know who she is. A right puzzler. Forced to stay on the island, Woodward takes a room at the local tavern. Amidst the bawdy songs and lively music he begins to realize that the island folk are not quite what he is used to.

As his investigation takes him further along Woodward begins to suspect that the island is populated by sinners. By his definition he is right. The local population reverted back to their old religion during the early Victorian Era. They are now firmly entrenched in their old beliefs. To top it off it just happens to be May Day. Unable to drop the case, Woodward finds traces of the girl. He suspects that she is alive but captive and a soon-to-be sacrifice to restore the harvest. Woodward infiltrates the May Day celebration disguised as Punch. Then, at a crucial moment, he manages to grab the girl and flee. Then he learns the real truth.

From the opening credits showing the Scottish Isles and their sapphire waters and the accompanying Celtic music this movie is anything but a cheap horror film. Woodward plays the epitome of the Christian and the Authoritarian. Armored only with his belief in his god he must face a setting that, to him, is completely evil. Young girls being taught the significance of the maypole, naked women jumping through fire to help fertility, march hares in caskets and dozens of other examples. But it is Woodward who is the strange one. The people look at him as they would a simpleton. But Woodward, knowing that god and country are behind him, manages to keep going right to the conclusion of the film.

This classic confrontation of Christian against Pagan is so well done, framed by modern settings and Celtic music, that I can hardly say how good it is. Woodward's performance rivals his role in Breaker Morant and the young Christopher Lee's talent shows through so clearly that it is obvious why he was cast in so many roles. The story was written by the same man who brought us Hitchcock's Frenzy as well as the mystery Sleuth. If you have not seen this 1973 film, I urge you to do so.

one way ticket
visitng an island where people respond jovially to being brainwashed is quite a concept. the best example of a "mcguffin" ever. hedonists sacrifice an accomplished scottish police sgt. however the way his scottish colleagues spoke of him, they have still probably failed to realize he is missing. his attempt to instill any type of normalcy is quickly quelled in an orgy of obscurity.

if anyone knows the inn keeper's daughter's phone number, have her give me a ring.

a great dvd to reccommend at a party for sure, if you enjoy crookeye ... Read more

Reviews (36)

Spectacular!
The novel Death On The Nile ranks as my favorite of all of the Christie novels I've read, and so I was hoping that this movie was faithful to the original material. I'm happy to say I wasn't disappointed.

The performances of the many actors are great. Simon MacCorkindale's portrayal of Simon Doyle is wonderful, and Angela Lansbury as Salome Otterbourne is very entertaining. Maggie Smith and Bette Davis as Miss Bowers and Miss Van Schuyler, respectively, have some wonderful scenes together and have great chemistry. David Niven as Colonel Johnny Race is great and makes for a good Watson to Poirot. Jack Warden as Dr. Bessner and Jon Finch as Jim Ferguson, while don't have a ton of screentime, still portray their characters perfectly, and of course Peter Ustinov as the great Belgian detective Hercule Poirot is great.

The scenery is beautiful. The scene where Simon and Linnet Doyle are climbing the pyramid is simply breathtaking.

The extras on the DVD are pretty good. The 24-minute featurette "The Making of Death On The Nile" is interesting, and the interviews (both in French with subtitles) with Peter Ustinov and Jane Birkin (who plays Louise Bourget), while not extremely interesting, are still a nice addition.

There are a few flaws in the movie. The largest one is the fact that they cut out Tim and Mrs. Allerton. For those of you who have read the book, you'll know that cutting out Tim Allerton changes a few important things. Cornelia Robson is also cut out, as well as James Fanthorp and Signor Richetti (which again changes a few things). While I did like these characters a lot in the book, during the movie, these characters were hardly missed.

The movie runs approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes, and despite the PG rating, has some slightly graphic violence in it.

I would highly reccomend buying this DVD, however, I would suggest reading the book first.

Christie goes to Egypt
This big screen treatment of mystery author Agatha Christie's best-seller is dinstinguished by the first appearance of Peter Ustinov as the world famous sleuth, Hercule Periot. Though the film version of "Death on the Nile" doesn't rise to the quality of its immediate predecessor, "Murder on the Orient Express," it is still a worthy trip with a boatful of nouveau rich upper classers who all have a motive to kill a filthy rich heiresss (Lois Childs). When she actually come up with a bullet to her head while sleeping, suspicion falls on her husband's spurned ex-fiancee (Mia Farrow, in a slightly nerve-trying overacting job) and an all-star passenger list headed by Bette Davis, Maggie Smith, Angela Lansbury and Olivia Hussey. Enter Inspector Periot and David Niven as another sleuth aiding in the investigation. Though the "who did it" isn't a surpise, the "how they did it" is, and that solution makes the film an enjoyable watch. Additionally, there's some stunning scenary of Egypt and along the Nile, and Ustinov's personification of the fabled detective is worthy. He shows up again in subsequent film versions of some of Christie's other novels, and this is one of Ustinov's better efforts.

The MAID did it!! Or did she??
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I watched this 1978 movie of 140 minutes without first reading the 1937 Dame Agatha Christie novel (of the same name) that it was based on. I'm glad I did this! Why? Because it forced me to really watch the movie in order to try and deduce who the murderer was.

As a brief synopsis, the movie begins with "Jacquline ('Jackie') De Bellafort" (Mia Farrow) telling her very wealthy friend "Linnet Ridgeway" (Lois Chiles) about the man "Simon Doyle" (Simon MacCorkindale) she has fallen in love with. Linnet falls for Simon and they eventually marry. Their honeymoon is on a riverboat (technically called a 'paddle steamer') called the "S.S. Karnak" that takes then down the Nile River in Egypt. Aboard the boat, besides the three mentioned above, are "Hercule Poirot" (Sir Peter Ustinov) and his good friend "Colonel Johnny Race" (David Niven). There are other passengers on board who all dislike Linnet.

Linnet is murdered. Eventually two other passengers are also murdered. Poirot has to solve who the killer is. For both Poirot and the viewer, it's obvious that the killer is either male or female or, as Poirot might say, either a "beau" or a "belle." It's also obvious that the killer is no "Simple Simon."

Who are these passengers? Besides the five mentioned above, they are as follows:

(1) Louise Bourget, Linnet's Maid (Jane Birkin)
(2) Socialite Marie Van Schayler (Bette Davis)
(3) Miss Bowers (Maggie Smith), Aid to Marie
(4) Marxist James Ferguson (Jon Finch)
(5) Romance Novelist Salome Otterbourne (Angela Lansbury)
(6) Rosalie Otterbourne (Olivia Hussey), Salome's daughter
(7) Lawyer Andrew Pennington (George Kennedy), Linnet's uncle
(8) Dr. Ludwig Bessner (Jack Warden)
(9) Manager of the Karnak (I.S. Johar)

Of the fourteen actors mentioned above, Ustinov's performance stands out. This was his debut performance as Poirot and I feel he does a stellar job being both serious and comical at the same time. Other performances to look for are Mia Farrow as the ex-fiance and Angela Lansbury as the perpetually drunk novelist.

The cinematography of this movie is visually stunning. We especially get to see the Sphinx, the Pyramids, and the ancient ruins of Egypt. The costume design is elegant. The main background music adds to this movie as well.

Listen for gags that run throughout this movie. For example, Poirot is Belgian but is always confused as being French. One of my favorite pieces of dialogue is where a passenger gets angry at the great sleuth:

Van Schayler: You perfectly foul French upstart!
Poirot: Belgian upstart, please madam.

As Poirot attempts to solve the crime, we are shown what might have happened. Unfortunately, there is some unintended humor as Linnet continually gets shot (in the head) as Poirot goes through each possible scenario. I found this somewhat distracting.

Finally, the DVD (which has the movie in widescreen format) has five extras. I found that the only one that was interesting was about the making of this movie. It lasts about 25 minutes.

In conclusion, this is a fun movie, even if you have read the book. For those who haven't read the novel, I have left clues in the above review as to the possible identity of the killer. If you think you know who it is, then watch this movie to find out if you're right!

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A Mysterious Movie and a Superb Tale!
It begins with a rich woman who gets EVERYTHING SHE WANTS and when her best friend Jackie's new fiance meets her. The rich woman immediatly steals Jackie's hunk and in a matter of weeks they are married and set off for their honeymoon in Egypt. Poor Jackie. Her only love has been stolen for her BY HER BEST FRIEND! But Jackie is determined and follows the new couple to Egypt. After meeting a host of new characters, the couple plus Jackie boards a little Nile tour thing. But suddenly the rich woman is dead (shot). Who could it be?

All Star cast who-done-it in Egypt.
The second lavish all-star Agatha Christie adaptation. This is the first film with Peter Ustinov as the Belgian Detective, Hercule Poirot. If you love a who-done-it mystery, this one will keep you thinking and stimulate your brain to the very end. Please watch it to the very last second. What may be so one minute may be different the next second. This all-star cast is wonderful, especially Angela Lansbury. Olivia Hussey, Peter ustinov and Simon Corkindale had just finished the NBC tv-miniseries movie "Jesus Of Nazareth" (1977). Also in the cast is Bette Davis, David Niven, Mia Farrow, George Kennedy, Maggie Smith (California Suite [1978], Jack Warden, Lois Chiles (Moonraker [1979]), Jon Finch, Jane Birkin, Harry Andrews and I.S. Johar. Warning: This is not for children to watch. very Grusome and graphic violence. There are many Agatha Christie movies from film and television. Here are some worth watching. Those with an "*" include Peter Ustinov as "Detective Poirot". And Then There Were None (Ten Little Indians) (1974), Murder On The Orient Express (1974), The Mirror Crack'd (1980), *Evil Under The Sun (1982), *Thirteen At Dinner (1985-tv), *Dead Man's Folly (1986-tv), *Murder In Three Acts (1986-tv), *Appointment With Death (1988).
For a lighter comedy, may I suggest MURDER BY DEATH (1976). ... Read more

Reviews (76)

superior to seven
Fallen has the "Seven" type feeling. The film is mixed with drama, suspense, mystery, and horror. Not to mention this film has almost absolutely no gore. It has a reliable and clever plot. Fallen is about a detective named John Hobbes, who is played by Denzel Washington. He has caught a killer named Edgar Reese who is about to be executed. Reese tells Hobbes a riddle before he dies. When another murder occurs, Hobbes finds the same riddle scrawled on the wall. He unravels the clue and begins to discover that the true being responsible for the murders is a demon called Azazel, who can move from body to body by simple touch. This film features many chilling scenes that involve Hobbes trying to keep up with who Azazel has just possessed. The supernatural twist in this movie makes it more interesting than seven, and the unique characters, especially Azazel, make this film one of the best suspense movies of all time.

Don't mess with a demon.
If you are with the opinion that The Bone Collector, also starring Denzel Washington, sucked because the "clues" left by the killer on purpose to make fun of the cops was way too exaggerated and it had a very lame ending, this is what you need to watch because this one is dealing with that both cases near perfect. Everything is just fine in this movie; cast, plot, direction, music, ect. The story will keep you nailed to your seat from the very beginning to the ending credits. And Rolling Stones will keep you watching the ending credits. The atmosphere is dark and mysterious, although it would be better if the writer didn't feel it necessery to reveal in the very beginning that the killer is in fact a body shifthing evil soul. Music is excellent, you can't help but get drawn into the movie with that music playing in the background. And it was so nice to see Elias Koteas in his role, someone i really admire for his Han Solo part in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. But that's not the only suprise in the movie, it has its exceptional ending. I strongly disagree with the idea that ending was anywhere near predictable. I hate to give away clues about a film's ending, but my title already does. Only thing i was sad about the movie, i would love to see John Goodman playing basketball. About the DVD, it has not much but some cool features. Like, it has the best feature for me, both full screen and wide screen formats. And then we have a running commentary, trailer, cast & crew and similar stuff. The picture transfer of the film deserves credit and apperiance is ok, too. So this film is a buy. The only reason that this cool film got 4 stars from me is because, i've seen Se7en.

Ho hum
Denzel Washington is John Hobbes, a homicide cop who is called to investigate a killing that looks very like the work of recently executed Edgar Reese and is disturbed to find that whoever did it seems to attach real significance to the odd riddle Reese teased him with shortly before dying. The riddle's solution leads him to the case of another cop's mysterious death in a remote mountain cabin thirty years previously and to that cop's surviving daughter, now an academic expert on angels. And deciphering the words of Aramaic Reece spoke to Hobbes in the same pre-execution conversation thickens the plot still further...

It's natural to bracket this film with Rupert Wainwright's 1999 "Stigmata" as a pair of ambitious, quite expensively cast, mainstream Hollywood attempts from the late 90's to breathe a little new life into the old "Exorcist" theme of possession neither of which quite comes off. This one is pleasant enough to watch, taking the form of what at first seems a fairly conventional police procedural thriller until the supernatural elements start to crowd in. The first half is the best with its intriguing sense of mystery. Things get weaker when the mystery dispels and Hobbes is left in no doubt about the strange game of demonic tag he has stumbled upon. The problem here is that what Hobbes find out is intended to be truly disturbing and scary and, well, it isn't all that much. SO an OK mystery movie that turns into a rather ineffective horror movie that is well enough put together to sustain interest but won't linger in the memory.

Denzel does it again
This is such a gripping movie. You never know when or in whom the killer will appear next. What a thriller. Another wonderful performance by Denzel. Bouncing back and forth from the viewpoint of the killer to the mind of the detective, you will not want to miss a beat of this hold-your-breath-and-grit-your-teeth movie. Enjoy!

Not Good
A good friend of mine told me this movie was really good and talked me into watching it with him. Let's just say we're no longer good friends. This movie is cheesy, cliche, and doesn't make sense, and the ending makes the whole movie pointless. It is one that Denzel should leave off his resume. ... Read more