Showing posts with label 19th century britlit classics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 19th century britlit classics. Show all posts

5/25/2012

Waiting for the Moon Review

Waiting for the Moon
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Though this film has been criticized for some historical inaccuracies, overall it gives a very good feeling for the period and the relationships between some of the most famous writers and artists of the 20th century. Linda Hunt's portrayal of Alice B. Toklas is flawless, as are some of the scenes between her and Stein. It is almost as if you are "a fly on the wall", ease-dropping on two icons of "the lost generation."
The settings are superb and the opening scene of Stein and Toklas proof-reading one of Stein's books is amazing!
A must for anyone interested in the literature and art of the 1920s and 1930s.
Also the interview with the director on the DVD version provides some fascinating insights into how the script was developed as well as how the movie was cast and made.
A must-have for anyone interested in this literary period!

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5/23/2012

Far From the Madding Crowd: Masterpiece Theatre (1998) Review

Far From the Madding Crowd: Masterpiece Theatre  (1998)
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This latest dramatization of Far From the Madding Crowd (my favorite Thomas Hardy novel) is true to the novel's characters and to its romantic countryside mood. Nathaniel Parker as Gabriel is an example of perfect casting - expressive, gentle and stalwart; and the others are wonderful too. Paloma Baeza seems at first a bit too thoughtful to resemble impetuous Bathsheba but she really acts and looks like a 19th century woman. Jonathan Firth's dashing Troy is the picture of reckless disregard. This version, in my opinion, is MUCH better than the 1960s Julie Christie version, which resembles more a 1960s translation of Hardy than Hardy himself. (And Christie looked nothing like Hardy's dark-haired independent heroine; she was wrong, wrong.) This PBS version is very right, very authentic. A classy, romantic production; I'm glad they filmed it again.

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5/22/2012

Into the Blue (Masterpiece Theatre) (1997) Review

Into the Blue (Masterpiece Theatre)  (1997)
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For those who know John Thaw as the prickly Inspector Morse, you will enjoy this mystery almost as much as an episode of Morse. British mysteries do tend to be more involved than others and it is probably not a good idea to try and watch this one while you are catching up on your Spanish homework. All in all a enjoyable viewing. I only wish it was available on DVD.

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5/20/2012

We'll Meet Again Review

We'll Meet Again
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Compelling war drama about a USA Air Base in England. Struggling B-17 crews find solace among British ladies. The Yank's money is appreciated but not always their ways with alcohol and women. This is a story of the small village of Market Wetherby and it's war-weary locals, and how they cope with the new arrivals, American bomber soldiers who freshly join the war, and expect to win overnight.
The British TV has always been excellent in period television series, war dramatizations, and this is no exception. War nostalgia. It is surpurb, with added interest of half a cast of Americans joining British actors. Brits have the preserved buildings to pull off a period series. They use that to advantage. Beautiful 1943 scenery, costumes, props. This show was actually filmed in the 80s but because of the historical setting, it is a timeless DVD set; classic. Perfect for those with war interest, awesome for those interested in what it was like living in a country waiting to be invaded by Hitler's army. It is something of a cousin series to the more recent homeland war drama of "Foyles War" (a must for all British Drama fans) and "Enemy at the Door" (also good).
WE'LL MEET AGAIN cleverly mixes in actual bomber air strip and bombing raid footage. But much of the action takes place in the village homes and the local pub. Dr. Helen Dereham (by Susannah York) and Maj. Jim Kiley (Michael Shannon) are only two that show the extraordinary work that war leaders had to complete, as well as the struggles romantically of working so closely in life/death living. There's is not the only romance. Plenty of hardship and lives lost. Very believable, although I'm too young to know first-hand, being a Baby Boomer.
The series ends well; but with a potential for another season, which, alas, never came. This set has no subtitles or CC. It's box warning of partial nudity refers to one breast exposed for 3 seconds.
My wife and I both enjoyed this, both sorry there were no additional episodes after the 13 provided in this set.
Episode details (each about 53 min.):
1 ALL DAY AND EVERY DAY-Market Wetherby, Suffolk, April 1943. American Air Force arrives in England ungraciously.
2 HANDS ACROSS THE SEA-Cocky American crews fail to perform well in the air & on the local ground.
3 THE MILK RUN-Letty's Uncle Sid arrives with contraband booze while she falls for a Yank on a 'milk run'-safe mission.
4 ONE STEP FORWARD,TWO STEPS BACK-Some romance buds but overall relations remain tense.
5 THE BIG ONE-Market Wetherby & the American Base find some agreeable relationships. 'The Big One' mission heads over Germany.
6 UP THE SMOKE-Some Yanks get London R&R while Dr. Dereham ponders her feelings between her injured husband & US Maj Kylie.
7 FIGHTING MEN-2 men in English woman's lives seems to become a minor epidemic, plus secrets are found out.
8 A WING AND A PRAYER-Yank marries a local just prior to a dangerous raid.
9 YOU'LL NEVER KNOW-2 Brit wives contemplate continued relations with Yanks. 3 sec. of female nudity.
10 OLD ENOUGH TO FIGHT-Maj Kiley halts his romantic relationship causing poor results at work.
11 ONE DAY AT A TIME-Maj Kiley gets more active in the air & personally as death touches others lives.
12 EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES-Dr. Dereham adds more bedside time to her manner dealing with Maj Kiley's injuries.
13 THE END OF THE BEGINNING-It's love & war and time to choose permanent sides on romance issues.

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5/19/2012

Nicholas Nickleby (2002) Review

Nicholas Nickleby  (2002)
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Charles Dickens- love him or hate him, you must admit that there was never anyone like him. His books are full of social critiques, melodramatic romances, characters so eccentric that they border on crazy and of course jaw dropping coincidences. The books are also wildly entertaining.
There has been a revival of Dickens lately in the form of TV mini-series and Nicholas Nickleby is the latest. The title character has just lost his father in death and now, in his late teens, he must find a way to support and protect his sweet sister Kate and somewhat silly mother. Their only relative is their uncle, the greedy and cold Ralph Nickleby.
Ralph gets Nicholas a job as a teacher in Yorkshire and Kate a job assisting a dressmaker. Here is where the main problems of the story come into play. Both Kate and Nicholas have the same problems, they are too good looking and talented. That may seem like no problem but they have no money and their equals in station are jealous of them. Also, they have to fend off unwelcome advances at every turn. The young actors playing Kate and Nicholas manage to make their characters good without being saccarine, a challenge to say the least.
The Yorkshire school where Nicholas is sent is a horror, the boys are abused particularly the silent waif Smike. Nicholas befriends Smike and then protects him from a beating. Forced to escape with Smike, Nicholas is disowned by his uncle for being ungrateful. He is told that if he sees his sister and mother again, Ralph will throw them into the street. Nicholas agrees to leave but swears vengeance if Kate or his mother suffer in any way at Ralph's hands.
This is pretty much how the movie goes, more and more problems come up and the characters escape by the skin of their teeth. The rivalry between Nicholas and Ralph is very well acted and one of the highlights of this miniseries.
Dickens purists will doubtlessly complain about the many cuts that had to be made due to time constraints but they were needed for the film to run smoothly. All in all, this is a very good adaptation that does not modernize the tale too much. (This has been a problem in far too many adaptions of the classics, over-modernization)
There are abductions, rescues, duels, chases, forced marriages, and one BIG suprise ending. (no Dickens novel is complete without a murder/attempted murder, a suicide and a suprise ending)
If you are looking for an old fashioned soaper, this is it. I could not reccommend it for children since some of the abuses at the school are rather disturbing. However, this is how things were in the worse schools in Dickens's time and it is rather an eye-opener. I would say in American ratings, this movie ranges from a PG to a PG-13 so parents will have to make their decisions accordingly.

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A commence, brutal and passionate take of greed and love in Victorian England. A top-notch cast of veteran actors and rising young newcomers shines in a lavish new British production of the Charles Dickens classic. The hero, a penniless young gentleman, struggles to make his way in the world and protect his mother and sister, meeting up with the worst and best of humanity along the way. Charles Dance (The Jewel in the Crown) stars as Ralph Nickleby, with James D'Arcy (Rebel Heart) as Nicholas and Sophia Myles (Mansfield Park) as his beautiful sister, Kate. Other standouts include Lee Ingleby (Ever After) as Smike, Nicholas' faithful companion, and Dominic West (28 Days) as the lecherous Sir Mulberry Hawk.

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5/18/2012

Masterpiece Theatre: The Wilkie Collins Set - The Woman in White/The Moonstone (1997) Review

Masterpiece Theatre: The Wilkie Collins Set - The Woman in White/The Moonstone (1997)
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Both of these films are intriguing British pieces. The Woman In White is perhaps slightly over-dramatized in this version, but the heart of the story is well captivated by the actors.
The Moonstone has long been a favorite mystery of mine, and this portrayal is rather brilliant.
It was a good purchase for those anglophiles that enjoy nothing better than a good British period movie.

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5/15/2012

The Road from Coorain (2003) Review

The Road from Coorain  (2003)
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I think this is a wonderful adaptation of a wonderful novel. The acting is superb. The cinematography exquisite. Juliet Stevenson and Tim Guinee are extraordinary. It is well worth your time.

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5/13/2012

Rime of Ancient Mariner (1975) Review

Rime of Ancient Mariner  (1975)
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Recently, a friend and I were discussing educational and ethical influences when we were growing up in the 1950's versus today.She mentioned Samuel Taylor Coleridge, who, in 1798, wrote The Rime of The Ancient Mariner. Both of us had been required to recite parts of the epic poem in high school and in English Literature courses in college. My friend said, "Its messages even might be called metaphysical within today's context."
We tried reciting it and only remembered bits and pieces. (I have problems remembering Dr. Seuss.)I said I'd get two copies of the poem so each could read it. That was easy enough, but I was extremely surprised to find it had been made into a film. We looked forward to watching the film to see how it had been interpreted. After all, The Rime of the Ancient Mariner isn't exactly light reading. After each had read the poem, we watched the film together.
We considered the film a remarkable achievement, especially considering it was made in the 1970's, before computers, before the so-called "Ken Burns effect," and before special effects too often began compensating for a lack of substance. Particularly noteworthy are the 19th and 20th century illustrations culled from "lesser known artists," such as Willy Pogany, the early Hollywood designer.
The film is narrated by Sir Michael Redgrave, whom had taught the poem when he was a schoolmaster, adding a tone of authority and credibility in remaining true to the poem.
Its mastery is in the layers of subtle messages, conveyed without "instructing," or becoming an oppressive and obvious morality tale. We found it such a refreshing change from today's 'in your face' and 'clobber them over the head' mentality. Most of today's morality messages in film are two-dimensional: extreme violence, murder and mayhem mark the bad. The bad are really, really, bad, and good are super heroes.It is as if human character lacked any nuance. The Rime of The Ancient Mariner is a celebration of the individual, of character, of an appreciation for celebrating all the richness life has to offer, within the larger context of humanity, i.e., man's capacity to give to others.
Proud of ourselves for having found this "unknown" gem, we then learned it had won the top award in its category five out of six times at "name" international film festivals. Another surprise was learning the film's director, Raul daSilva, is a recognized authority on early animation, and authored six award winning books about film.
This film's message is just as relevant today, if not more so, than when Coleridge penned the original epic poem and when Raul daSilva translated it to film. If I still was teaching high school, which I did for five years, I'd grab this one and show it to all my students. There's a level of richness here that naturally leads to discussion about the big and important issues all of us face, whether in 1798, 1978, or today--in fact, as long as humanity has a spiritual component.
Highly recommended.


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Samuel Taylor Coleridge's epic poem is brought to life with an evocative mix of animated and real images which givethis famous poem an exciting new dimension.This visuallyremarkable cinematic work is narrated by Sir Michael Redgrave, who gives an inspired reading of this literary classic. The program is presented in two parts.Part One is a biography of Samuel Taylor Coleridge from his orphaned childhood, through his vain attempts at being a dashing blade in 18th Century London. It also traces his tragic encounter with opium, his brief, ill conceived flight into the army and how his friendship with William and Dorothy Wordsworth inspired him to write "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner. Part Two is a unique visualization of Coleridge's evocative poem that takes us on a strange and lonely voyage where time and space are as limitless as the imagination.

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5/06/2012

Lost for Words: Masterpiece Theatre (1999) Review

Lost for Words: Masterpiece Theatre  (1999)
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There are very few films which I would call exceptional, but this 1999 British gem is without a doubt one of them. It is based on author Deric Longden's story of his relationship with his independent, determined, spunky mother and of his coming to terms with her increasing disability after she suffers a stroke, and it stars two wonderful British actors. Pete Postlethwaite (Sharpe's Obediah, Brassed Off) puts in a first-rate performance as Deric, a caring son trying to do his best by his mum. Mrs. Longden is a real treasure (she's such a character!), and she's portrayed splendidly by the late Dame Thora Hird (Summer Wine's Edie Pegden, In Loving Memory), who tragically passed away in 2003 a few days after suffering a stroke herself. She was 91.
This may sound like the basis for a melodramatic, weepy film (as indeed I feared it was going to be before I saw it). Certainly, the subject is one which could so easily have been maudlin and depressing (as most Hollywood renditions would have been), but it is actually anything but. The Brits are wonderfully adept at handling touchy subjects (like death and disability) and are not afraid to infuse them with humour. The result is an endearing, heart-warming, upbeat film which, despite its subject matter (or perhaps because of it), celebrates a life. You will be wiping away the odd tear, certainly, but that spark of humour manages to be maintained--right to the end. Indeed, it's the juxtaposition of such monumentally serious issues with subtly comical (or at the very least endearing) moments that make those moments all the more humorous (not to mention welcome).
The film is only 75 minutes or so in length, but there is more quality packed into that short time span than most films could even hope to achieve in 2 or 3 hours. Personally, I found it to be so immensely satisfying that, having watched it on television, I immediately sought it out on video. It really is that good a film and one which I recommend extremely highly--indeed unconditionally--to anyone looking for a thoroughly enjoyable, clean film of exceptional quality that is consummately acted. Indeed, what more can one ask!

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5/05/2012

World War II: The Home Front (Monsignor Renard / Total War) Review

World War II: The Home Front (Monsignor Renard / Total War)
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This dvd gives the impression that its a two disk set of John Thaw in a world war two movie. He is shown in a priest's habit next to a German soldier. In fact its two different dvd's one is Monsignor Renaud and the other is wartime black and white newsreels. Nowhere in the description does it mention Monsignor Renard. I already own this dvd and now I have two. Amazon says if you blow up the front of the box you will see in small print Monsignor Renard is mentioned. I don't know anyone who blows up the front of a dvd before buying.

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5/04/2012

The Fortunes & Misfortunes of Moll Flanders (1996) Review

The Fortunes and Misfortunes of Moll Flanders (1996)
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This is the BBC/Masterpiece version of MOLL FLANDERS (most recent version) and definitely a film to buy if you are fond of English literature adapted for film. This is a long film 3 hours and 40 minutes, and was shown over several nights on our local PBS station. I own the DVD and it is excellent. The costumes, settings, etc. are fabulous and accurate and comparable to other Masterpiece dramas on DVD such as the recently released WIVES AND DAUGHTERS.
Moll Flanders (played by Alex Kingston) was an incredibly resourceful woman. Daniel Defoe (author of ROBINSON CRUSOE, 1719) wrote Moll Flanders and in some respects Moll is a mirror-twin to Robinson. While Robinson battled nature Moll battled civilization. Civilization in late 16th-early 17th Century England was ragged around the edges. We hear much about slavery during this period, but life for the ordinary working-class male and female was just as ugly. Through Moll we learn just how ugly life could be and what it meant to survive, especially for those not "To the Manor Born" and in some cases those who were. Poverty, illness, sexism, seduction, rape, murder--Moll sees it all. In spite of all this, Moll has her moments of gracious living, so you won't be watching a poor tattered Moll during the whole film. Moll is elegantly dressed most of the time, and the settings for the action in this film include everything from the finest drawing rooms in Tudor style manors to a plantation house in the English colony of Virginia.
Moll marries five times, and each marriage is perfectly logical, pragmatic, and a choice she makes to survive. Moll turns to the camera in each instance and asks, "What would you do" much as Defoe asked the reader the same question. Her marriages face incredible odds. Her favorite beau Jemmy, played by Daniel Craig (The Ice House), surfaces over and over. Are these two star-crossed lovers or destined to be together? The end will tell.
I like Moll, and though she's been characterized as a "bad girl" I don't think she was at all. Moll took what she was handed and made the best of it. Moll was street smart before the term was invented. More than one of us is descended from someone who faced these incredible odds of survival. Does Moll beat the odds, you'll have to see the film to find out. A special treat--the wonderful Diana Rigg as Mrs. Golightly.

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FORTUNES AND MISFORTUNES OF MOLL FLAN - DVD Movie

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4/27/2012

Muppets on Wheels: Muppets SingAlongFun (1995) Review

Muppets on Wheels: Muppets SingAlongFun  (1995)
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When my son first watched Muppets on Wheels he fell in love with it. The video taught him the names of car parts and the names of all types of trucks. We constantly sing those wonderful catchy songs. Even my mom has memorized all the songs. I would recommend all children to see this wonderful video.

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4/14/2012

The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby (1983) Review

The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby (1983)
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One of the finest theatrical productions of all time, no question. Beautifully staged and brilliantly performed; 39 of the world's best actors play more than 150 roles.
The DVD set should be better than this. (The play gets 5 stars; the DVD gets 1.)
It is improperly cut and sloppily transferred. A&E has released it (after much anticipation) not in its original four 2-hour acts but in the nine 1-hour episodes that they cut for broadcast on television, with intros and credits every hour. All they've done is transfer their 9-cassette VHS release, with intros, opening and closing credits and a "previously seen" commentary (meant for the TV audience watching it over a period of nine days) onto four DVDs, frustratingly marring the flow of the production. Not only does the play get interrupted every hour, but at one point you have to change discs mid-scene. In addition (and inexplicably) this DVD version is missing a scene that's on the VHS.
If A&E gets their act together, they'll rerelease this set and return this incredible play back to its original structure, without the cuts and interruptions. Isn't that the point of DVD? Bear in mind also that many of the glowing reviews on this site refer to the VHS set (and the play itself) and don't address the inept job of transferring the VHS onto DVD. (Amazon's reviewer even credits Jim Goddard as the director, when all he did was arrange cameras and make adjustments for taping; the actual directors of the play, Trevor Nunn and John Napier, go unmentioned.)
As you may have read in other reviews, the original stage production was four 2-hour acts in two parts (the running time of the play is actually 8 hours without the intermissions, not 9, as is stated in Amazon's review), and Parts I and II could be seen all in one day or over two consecutive nights. The designers of this set could have devoted one disc per part, without interruption, with one more disc for any extras (there aren't many). A four-disc set is excessive and inappropriate; it allows them to up their price while it weakens the experience of the play. (Peter Brook's 9-hour stage production of "The Mahabharata" is on two DVDs, in fine quality and half the price.)
I saw the play on Broadway in 1981 and, like most in that theater, fell in love with it. I've had the VHS version all this time and hoped that eventually it would be on DVD, carefully restored.
I would avoid buying this set and wait until they release one that's complete, uncut and faithful to the play. It's one of the greatest stage productions of all time. It features the Royal Shakespeare Company in its prime. It deserves better than this. The movies "Pearl Harbor" and "Dogma" got better DVD treatments. That's pretty sad.

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LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF NICHOLAS NICKL - DVD Movie

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4/13/2012

The Golden Bowl (1972) (3pc) (1973) Review

The Golden Bowl (1972) (3pc)  (1973)
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Henry James' last novel, "The Golden Bowl," is a long work in which very little overt action occurs. The plot is basically as follows. After a long and intense love affair is over between a penniless Prince Amerigo and the beautiful Charlotte, they meet again just as he is ready to marry the American millionairess Maggie Verver. Maggie and her father Adam are very close knit; and as marriage will not seem to separate them for long, Charlotte gets Adam to propose. And so begins one of the most interesting menage a quatre in fiction.Published in 1904, the theme of adultery had to be handled with kid gloves; and this is where James is a master. When in 1972 it was dramatized and taped for the BBC (and then over here as a "Masterpiece Theater" presentation), the subtlety and ambiguity of the original had to be retained. So now that it has been made available by Acorn Media as a boxed set, we do not get to see as much as bare leg, let alone what some of the recent film versions would have offered by way of nudity. Indeed by never showing any of the amorous goings on between Amerigo and Charlotte, one can even begin to wonder if Maggie's suspicions--so long in being aroused--are actually justified.To replace the omniscient narrator of the novel, this adaptation gives us the urbane Bob Assingham (Cyril Cusack) who starts and ends each episode looking into the camera and telling us the story as he knows it. But what he knows is only what his wife Fanny (Kathleen Byron) tells him has happened. Of course, one might wonder, then, how he could know every word of dialogue that took place in Fanny's absence--but let us not quibble over technicalities.As the narrator tells us right off, this is a story not of what was said but of what was not said. At no time in the 6 episodes that make up this taped version does any character say what is really important until Maggie (Jill Townsend) finally confronts her husband and winds up simply stalemated. "No one must know" is the motto of the times and of the class of people with whom we are dealing.The acting is superb. Barry Morse (whom you might remember was the remorseless policeman pursuing The Fugitive many years ago on television) is a sympathetic Mr. Verver, too good to suspect the truth or to show he knows it when he finally does. Daniel Massey's Prince shows just the right balance between continental mores and those of the uptight upperclasses of England and America. Jill Townsend looks just fragile enough while she suffers immensely without batting an eyelash except for two moments of release during the 270 minutes of this dramatization.Gayle Hunnicut gives us a Charlotte who is not evil, who suffers ultimately more than any of the others, but who is simply in love and will not compromise. Kathleen Byron's Fanny never is reduced to caricature. Feeling responsible for introducing Maggie to the Prince, she tries to make amends by interfering and then lying about what she thinks. I am sure many of us can relate to her motivation and she emerges as a more sympathetic character, in a way, than do any of the others. And Cyril Cusack is just a joy, both as narrator and as something of a Richard Bucket to his socially motivated wife. I have to leave to my betters to find how closely this follows the original novel; but on its own terms this Acorn Media release is compelling drama and quite a treat for those who would appreciate some intelligent "adult treatment of adult themes" without the adolescent soft porn which that phrase usually implies. The three tapes hold two episodes each and are neatly boxed. Just the sort of thing you will want to see once a year to clear the mind and perhaps see yourself more objectively afterward.

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In his last great novel, Henry James crafted perhaps his richest study of manners and morals.A wealthy American collector and his daughter innocently marry a pair of former lovers who are disposed to continue their intrigue.The fate of the four turns on a beautiful but flawed object-the golden bowl. This classic BBC adaptation takes viewers into the great dwellings of turn-of-the-century England and the lives of Henry James' richly drawn characters.Cyril Cusack (My Left Foot) performs the role of narrator to droll perfection.Also starring Daniel Massey (In the Name of the Father), Gayle Hunnicutt (A Woman of Substance), and Jill Townsend (Poldark).

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4/11/2012

Kidnapped (1960) Review

Kidnapped  (1960)
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Originally released in 1960, filmed 10 years after Disney's "Treasure Island" (Both are based on books written by Robert Louis Stevenson). This is a grittier more realistic film than Treasure Island, not as flamboyant. Coincidentally, Disney Director Robert Stevenson wrote the screenplay based on the novel but he is not related to the original writer.
Set in 18th centurey Scotland, it features James MacArthur who made 5 other films for Disney as a young man, and later moved on to "Hawaii 5-O". The film starts with a plot of a young man finding out he has an estate after his father dies, and when he goes to reclaim it his uncle tries to cheat him out of it. There is a famous scene where the uncle tries to kill the young man by sending up a tower in the dark... with missing stairs. Peter Finch is the Hero that takes him under his wing. They have to battle their way off a ship as cutthroat sailors try to murder them. The movie draws you in, as it is very realistic and loaded with period atmosphere, costumes, sets, and weapons. The British are chasing the Scottish Highlanders all over the countryside which is loaded with friends and traitors, and so they can trust no one. There are many character actors that add to the richness of the film. This film is a rollicking good time, and has intrigue, adventure, and mystery as well. Swordfights and gun battles galore! There are numerous authentic Scottish actors and accents, as it was filmed on location in Scotland. While Disney films that were made in Europe were criticized for being "too Americanized" they loved this film and praised both it's authenticity to the original book.
The color is beautiful on this nice clean print. This film is not for the smallest kids as it does have some scary scenes and some violence. (But keep in mind that the film still takes a strong stand against killing and drinking/gambling. Nice moral lessons without being preachy. The stars fight because they have too, and truly regret having to participate in violence to defend themselves).

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Robert Louis Stevenson's exciting saga of a young man's quest for his rightful inheritance bursts upon the screen in this faithful Disney adaptation. Award-winning actor Peter Finch stars as the daring rebel, Alan Breck, who joins forces with young David Balfour (James MacArthur) to do battle with scurvy sea dogs and ruthless Redcoats. A strong supporting cast features the memorable screen debut of Peter O'Toole. Filmed in the majestic Scottish Highlands, Disney's KIDNAPPED, with its swordplay, storms at sea, and heroic bravery, is a classic adventure of epic proportions!

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4/09/2012

The Charles Dickens Collection, Vol. 1 (Oliver Twist / Martin Chuzzlewit / Bleak House / Hard Times / Great Expectations / Our Mutual Friend) (1999) Review

The Charles Dickens Collection, Vol. 1 (Oliver Twist / Martin Chuzzlewit / Bleak House / Hard Times / Great Expectations / Our Mutual Friend) (1999)
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This DVD set is a great entertainment value. Unfortunately, the set advertises closed captions but my new JVC television with closed caption ability shows no closed captions for any of the titles. The BBC productions really need subtitles for the hearing impaired. For some reason they don't have a policy of adding this enhancement to their DVDs'.

Click Here to see more reviews about: The Charles Dickens Collection, Vol. 1 (Oliver Twist / Martin Chuzzlewit / Bleak House / Hard Times / Great Expectations / Our Mutual Friend) (1999)

In these six acclaimed adaptations of his classics we enter Dickens's vibrant Victorian London encountering the outsized comic characters social commentary epic love stories and dark murder mysteries that have made these stories so timeless.System Requirements:Length: 1920 minsFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre:DRAMA UPC:794051234421

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The Heat of the Day (Masterpiece Theatre) Review

The Heat of the Day (Masterpiece Theatre)
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This film stars Patricia Hodge, one of England's most beautiful and competent actresses, and Michael Gambon, one of the greats. Michael York plays a pivotal role but the film really belongs to Hodge and Gambon. I have been trying to secure a copy for my own library to no avail. If you ever have the opportunity to see the film don't let the chance pass you by. It is suspenseful to the very end. And even then the viewer isn't exactly sure how it ends. Hodge and Gambon play against each other in a way that you will never forget. The beauty and the "beast".

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