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(More customer reviews)John Gielgud. Wendy Hiller. Patrick McGoohan. I could stop writing now, and feel that those three actors together in one film is all you need to know.
But, I will continue.
"The Best of Friends" is a television movie produced in 1991, which revolves around the correspondence of such towering figures as George Bernard Shaw, Syndey Cockerell, and Laurentia McLachlan, played by McGoohan, Gielgud, and Hiller, respectively. The three wrote letters to one another regularly, and even visited from time to time. This production culls its dialogue from the exquisite prose of those letters, nicely bringing to life these three interesting people. They discuss their ongoing lives, their opinions, their daily activies, their loves lives, but mostly their theological beliefs. Much of the story revolves around religion, faith, and devotion. Laurentia McLachlan is a nun, having devoted her entire life to the Lord. Shaw is also a man of faith, although he can sometimes be a tad more cavalier about it than his female friend, much to her dismay. Probably the most touching scene in the entire film involves Shaw's reminiscence of his trip to Bethlehem. McLachlan asked for him to take her there in spirit, which he did most admirably. She is quite visibly moved when he returns with two stones he picked up whilst in Bethlehem, one to put in the garden of her nunnery, the other.... for herself.
It is important to note that Alvin Rakoff directed "The Best of Friends" as though it were a play. There is very little music, though the music that *is* provided by Sidney Sager is quite moving. There are maybe 4-5 sets used throughout the 80 minute production, and the actors walk freely between them, reciting their dialogue sometimes to each other, sometimes directly at the camera, and sometimes to no one in particular. This takes but a few minutes to get used to, and by that time you are drawn-in by the wonderful words of these three people, brought to life by these three treasured actors. "The Best of Friends" makes for quite an enriching viewing experience, and it is nice to see that it has been given a good DVD release.
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