"Actor: Ina Balin"

• The Greatest Story Ever Told | DVD | (31/03/2003) from £4.99   |  Saving you £11.00 (220.44%)   |  RRP £15.99

  The life of Christ got an excessively long treatment (260 minutes, later trimmed to 195) in this 1965 film directed by George Stevens (The Diary of Anne Frank). Max von Sydow does beautiful work as Jesus--his spontaneous mourning at discovering his friend Lazarus has died is not like anything in other New Testament epics--and Stevens renders the familiar tale with a handsome authenticity. But the project is nearly undone by an unwise gimmick in which seemingly half of Hollywood's living stars at the time make brief cameo appearances, some of which are ridiculous (who can forget the sight of John Wayne as a Roman Centurion solemnly intoning, "Truly he was the son of Gaaad"?). But there is a lot to like in the film, and Von Sydow's sensitive nobility sticks in the memory. --Tom Keogh

• John Wayne Box Set (Undefeated/The Comancheros/The North to Alaska/The Big Trail) | DVD | (01/10/2012) from £15.05   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £N/A

  Box-set featuring four classic John Wayne movies. 'The Big Trail' (1930) was Wayne's first starring role. He plays the young leader of a pioneer wagon train travelling across the Oregon Trail. Repulsing Indian attacks and battling against the hostile elements, The Duke still finds time for romance with a fellow traveller (Marguerite Churchill). In 'The Comancheros (1961), Wayne stars as Texas Ranger Jake Cutter whose path crosses with that of professional gambler Paul Regret (Stuart Whitman). The two become uneasy bedfellows in their quest to crush a powerful outlaw gang who are selling arms and alcohol to the local Indians. This was director Michael Curtiz's last film and also stars Lee Marvin and Ina Balin. 'North to Alaska' (1960) is a lighthearted Western starring Wayne and Stewart Granger as rough and tumble gold prospectors in Alaska. When Sam McCord (Wayne) and George Pratt (Granger) eventually strike it rich in the gold rush, George sends Sam to Seattle to fetch his fiancee; but Sam falls in love with her. George eventually accepts his loss and sets about finding a new gal, but only seems to find trouble. In 'The Undefeated' (1969), Confederate Colonel James Langdon (Rock Hudson) prepares to travel to Mexico with his family. When they are attacked by bandits, Union Colonel J.H. Thomas (Wayne) comes to their aid. The former enemies find themselves united in their efforts to resist Mexican Emperor Maximillian, and Juarez, the rebel leader. When the rebels kidnap the Southerners, Colonel Thomas must decide whether to surrender his valuable herd of 3,000 horses and secure their release, or leave them to their fate.

• The Comancheros | DVD | (05/11/2012) from £6.88   |  Saving you £3.11 (45.20%)   |  RRP £9.99

  John Wayne is a Texas Ranger in this rollicking, good humored western, assigned to bring an arms-running gang to justice. After Wayne arrests one of the criminals, matters are complicated when they wander into an area controlled by the Comancheros- a group of Anglos aiding the warring Comanche Indians. Director Curtiz' last film is based on the novel by Paul I. Wellman.

• Comancheros, The / The Undefeated | DVD | (02/06/2003) from £10.78   |  Saving you £4.21 (39.05%)   |  RRP £14.99

  This is a John Wayne Western double-bill featuring The Comancheros (1961) and The Undefeated (1969). Nobody made a fuss about The Comancheros when it came out, yet it has proved to be among the most enduringly entertaining of John Wayne's later Westerns. The Duke, just beginning to crease and thicken toward Rooster Cogburn proportions, plays a veteran Texas Ranger named Jake Cutter who joins forces with a New Orleans dandy (Stuart Whitman) to subdue rampaging Indians and the evil white men behind their uprising. The Comancheros was the last credit for Michael Curtiz (Casablanca), who, ravaged by cancer, ceded much of the direction to Wayne (uncredited) and action specialist Cliff Lyons. With support from Wayne stalwarts James Edward Grant (co-screenplay) and William Clothier (camera), the first of many rousing Elmer Bernstein scores for a Wayne picture and a big, flavourful cast including Lee Marvin (the once and future Liberty Valance), Nehemiah Persoff, Bruce Cabot, and Guinn "Big Boy" Williams (in his last movie), they made a broad, cheerfully bloodthirsty adventure movie for red-meat-eating audiences of all ages. In The Undefeated Wayne and Rock Hudson each play a Civil War commander who, after the ceasefire, lead a community of folks into Mexico to make a fresh start. Hudson is a Southern gentleman; Wayne commanded the Yankee cavalry at Shiloh, where Hudson's brother died. Nevertheless, Rock, with his extended family, and Duke, with his troop of cowboys and 3,000 horses to sell to Emperor Maximilian, soon join forces to outgun banditos and beam paternally over the budding romance between their respective daughter and son. Lingering North-South animosities are celebrated in an obligatory communal fistfight, and the showdown with both Maximilian's lancers and the rebel Juaristas is disconcertingly perfunctory. --Richard T Jameson

• The Greatest Story Ever Told DVD and Blu-Ray Limited Collector's Edition Mediabook (+ Bonus Blu-Ray) | Blu Ray | (25/03/2024) from £30.98   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £N/A

  At the time of Rome's rule over Judea, Jesus (Max von Sydow) is born in a stable in Bethlehem. As a grown man, he preaches about his father's kingdom, gathers twelve disciples around him, performs miracles and is revered by the people as the long-awaited Messiah. Fearing for their position of power, the celebrated saviour is a thorn in the side of the Roman rulers and the Jewish priesthood: they have Jesus persecuted, arrested and sentenced to death on the cross. With his subsequent resurrection and ascension, he proves to humanity his identity as the Son of God. He Walks in Beauty Documentary, Filmmaker Documentary, Director's Commentary, Alternative Scene: Judas Dies , Original Theatrical Trailer.

• Big Trail, The / The Comancheros / North To Alaska / The Undefeated | DVD | (31/05/2005) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £34.99

  Four classic John Wayne films are featured on this fantastic box set. The Big Trail: John Wayne hits the pioneer trail in his first feature film. Starring as the leader of a wagon trail he battles through tough terrain and Indian attacks and learns of love and friendship in this sweeping Western epic! The Comancheros: John Wayne is a Texas Ranger in this rollicking good humored western assigned to bring an arms-running gang to justice. After Wayne arrests one of the

• The Comancheros | DVD | (18/04/2005) from £6.25   |  Saving you £8.00 (160.32%)   |  RRP £12.99

  John Wayne is a Texas Ranger in this rollicking good humored western assigned to bring an arms-running gang to justice. After Wayne arrests one of the criminals matters are complicated when they wander into an area controlled by the Comancheros- a group of Anglos aiding the warring Comanche Indians. Director Curtiz' last film is based on the novel by Paul I. Wellman.

• Charro | DVD | (20/08/2007) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £13.99

  In his twenty-ninth movie role Elvis Presley stars as an outlaw with a conscience who tries to break free from the clutches of a notorious gang. His former partners-in-crime seek payback as well as a cannon which everyone seems to want to get their hands on. Elvis sings the title song Charro.

• Charro | DVD | (24/02/2003) from £20.98   |  Saving you £-15.99 (-320.40%)   |  RRP £4.99

  When Elvis Presley first appeared on screen fans and critics alike called him the next James Dean. Everyone was shocked when 'The King' was actually a credible actor. His films exploited his youth appeal and crammed the running time with Presley music numbers and as time went on the plots became more and more ludicrous the songs less memorable.This was not lost on Presley who was getting more and more bored with his screen assignments. He wanted to do something more challenging a film befitting his early dramatic promise.He found that vehicle in one of his last screen appearances - Charro! This time he played it straight. Clearly influenced by the successful Clint Eastwood by the successful Clint Eastwood/Sergio Leone series this film is gritty and cynical. But most importantly Presley proved once again that he could act. Reviewers at the time were impressed with Presley's performance and in retrospect it makes one wish Presley had more challenging acting opportunities.

• Charro | DVD | (04/02/2008) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £5.99

  In his twenty-ninth movie role Elvis Presley stars as outlaw Jess Wade who tries to break free from the clutches of a notorious gang. His former partners-in-crime seek payback as well as a cannon which everyone seems to want to get their hands on. Elvis sings the title song Charro.

• Charro! | DVD | (19/01/2009) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £5.99

  In his twenty-ninth movie role Elvis Presley stars as outlaw Jess Wade who tries to break free from the clutches of a notorious gang. His former partners-in-crime seek payback as well as a cannon which everyone seems to want to get their hands on.