One of the greatest screen biographies ever produced, Patton is a monumental film that won seven Academy Awards and gave George C Scott the greatest role of his career. It was released in 1970 when protest against the Vietnam War still raged in the States and abroad. Inevitably, many critics and filmgoers struggled to reconcile the events of the day with the film's glorification of US General George S Patton as a crazy-brave genius of World War II; how could a film so huge in scope and so fascinated by its subject be considered an anti-war film? The simple truth is that it's not--Patton is less about World War II than about the rise and fall of a man whose life was literally defined by war and who felt lost and lonely without the grand-scale pursuit of an enemy. George C Scott embodies his role so fully, so convincingly, that we can't help but be drawn to and fascinated by Patton as a man who is simultaneously bound for hell and glory. The film's opening monologue alone is a masterful display of acting and character analysis and everything that follows is sheer brilliance on the part of Scott and director Franklin J Schaffner, aided in no small part by composer Jerry Goldsmith's masterfully understated score. Filmed on an epic scale at literally dozens of European locations, Patton does not embrace war as a noble pursuit, nor does it deny the reality of war as a breeding ground for heroes. Through the awesome achievement of Scott's performance and the film's grand ambition, General Patton shows all the complexities of a man who accepted his role in life and (like Scott) played it to the hilt. --Jeff Shannon, Amazon.comOn the DVD: The widescreen print of the movie (which was originally filmed using a super-wide 70mm process called "Dimension 150") is handsomely presented on the first disc, with a remastered Dolby 5.1 soundtrack. It is accompanied by a rather dry "Audio essay on the historical Patton" read by the president and founder of the General George S. Patton Jr. historical society. The second, supplementary disc carries a new and impressive 50-minute "making-of" documentary, with significant contributions from Fox president Richard Zanuck, as well as composer Jerry Goldsmith and Oliver Stone. Director Franklin J. Schaffner (who died in 1989) and star George C. Scott are heard in interviews from 1970. In the documentary, Stone provocatively complains that Patton glorified war and that President Nixon's enthusiasm for the movie was directly responsible for his decision to invade Cambodia. Also on this disc, in a separate audio-only track, is Jerry Goldsmith's magnificent music score--one of his greatest achievements--heard complete with studio session takes for the famous "Echoplex" trumpet figures. --Mark Walker
The special relationship between a boy with a troubled past and a young teacher. Based on a screenplay by Rod Woodruff.
The definitive surf movie, this 1966 documentary by Bruce Brown is beautifully shot and thrilling to see in its portrait of youthful freedom on the world's shores. Brown followed two surfers around the globe in their quest for the perfect wave, finding it eventually on a remote beach far from home. The narration by "Big Kahuna Brown" cuts through the reverence a bit, being cheeky in tone. --Tom Keogh, Amazon.com
Set in 1929 Hollywood the story revolves around the legendary Tom Mix who is making his first talkie western an epic story about the life and times of Wyatt Earp the famous lawman. When Earp who is still alive is hired as technical adviser on the movie egos clash and the two become uneasy partners until a real-life murder calls for some real Wild West skills to be applied to Hollywood...
A Disney "classic" that actually is a classic, Dumbo should be part of your video collection whether or not you have children. The storytelling was never as lean as here, the songs rarely as haunting (or just plain weird), the characters rarely so well-defined. The film pits the "cold, cruel, heartless" world that can't accept abnormality against a plucky, and mute, hero. Jumbo Jr (Dumbo is a mean-spirited nickname) is ostracised from the circus pack shortly after his delivery by the stork because of his big ears. His mother sticks up for him and is shackled. He's jeered by children (an insightful scene has one boy poking fun at Dumbo's ears, even though the youngster's ears are also ungainly), used by the circus folk and demoted to appearing with the clowns. Only the decent Timothy Q. Mouse looks out for the little guy. Concerns about the un-PC "Jim Crow" crows, who mock Dumbo with the wonderful "When I See an Elephant Fly", should be moderated by remembering that the crows are the only social group in the film who act kindly to the little outcast. If you don't mist up during the "Baby Mine" scene, you should be legally pronounced dead. --Keith Simanton, Amazon.com
A biopic of one of the first true greats of boxing in the 20th century this film is interspersed with footage from the real Joe Louis in action. The fact that Louis is treated on equal par with the white characters in the story led to the film being banned in certain parts of southern America when originally released!
There has never been a more complete fighter than Joe Louis having all the attributes in one compact explosive package that made him the greatest heavyweight boxer of all time. He was world heavyweight champion from June 1937 to March 1949; his reign of 11 years & 8 months remains the longest in division history successfully defending his title 25 times before retiring in 1949 only to return because of his dire financial situation to lose title shot against Ezzard Charles in 1950 a
A gruelling competition of nerve strength and skill to stay on top of 2 000 pounds of wild animal for eight seconds: that's professional bull-riding. Champion Cowboy Lane Frost is driven by an obsession to exceed his father's expectations and gain his love. But the sacrifices he makes to his craft threatens not only his marriage but also his friendships. Set against an unpredictably precarious world this is a bittersweet love story about a maverick hero who elevated his sport in
Simply one of the cheesiest films ever made with a group of space travellers transported back to the earth when dinosaurs roamed. Nil special effects plastic dinosaurs and a hilarious commentary track from the director who should have known better.
A classic Ealing film of half-truths whispers and wild imaginations! Centred on Johnny Brent (James Fox) a boy who fleeces a younger child out of his beloved magnet. In its place he offers an 'invisible' timepiece and there begins the chain of chaos in which the young swindler absconds from his home with the mistaken belief that he has somehow caused the young child's death. Unbeknownst to him he has become the town hero and as the unsung victor remains on the run the community ar
The Endless Summer is one of the first and most influential films of the surf movie genre creating and defining an entire category of cinema which has endured and evolved in the decades since its release in 1966. This powerful film has become a timeless masterpiece that continues to capture the imagination of every new generation. Director Bruce Brown follows two surfers Mike Hynson and Robert August on a trip around the world in search of the ultimate surfing adventure and the perfect wave. From the uncharted waters of West Africa to the shark-filled seas of Australia to the tropical paradise of Tahiti and beyond these California surfers accomplish in a few months what many people never achieve in a lifetime... they live their dream. The title comes from the last line in the film which expresses the idea that if one had enough time and money it would be possible to follow the summer around the world making it endless. The surf-rock soundtrack to the film was provided by The Sandals. In 2002 The Endless Summer was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being ""culturally historically or aesthetically significant"".
Jacqui Morris' directorial debut, "Mr. Right" is an ensemble piece following the lives of several gay Londoners.
High Speed Action and Thrills! This 1954 Hammer production is set in the high-speed world of motor racing featuring perfromances from real-life racecar drivers such as Stirling Moss and Reg Parnell. Peter Wells is an ambitious driver in the tough world of motor racing. But his dedication to his sport and his single-mindedness put his marriage at risk off the racetrack and his life at risk on it! This early Hammer classic was filmed on location at Goodwood in 1954 and features
Buster Keaton's 1926 masterpiece The General shows the great stone-faced comedian at the height of his powers. Buster is a train driver from the South who's caught up in the American Civil War. The film is basically an extended chase, with trains pursuing each other up the track. The level of stuntwork (including a huge train wreck) has to be seen to be believed, but it's the deftness and elegance of Keaton's comedy that is ultimately most memorable. For many, Buster Keaton is the greatest comedian of the silent era rated even above Chaplin, and College (1927) is one of his finest films. A poor student who has to work his way through college, Buster is desperate to win the attention of a pretty girl so takes up sports. Through every disaster, the great "stone face" as he was nicknamed betrays not a flicker of emotion, enduring all humiliations with aplomb. College shows Keaton at the top of his form. Steamboat Bill Jr dates from 1928 and is the last great film Buster Keaton made before he gave up his independence. Buster is the rather fey son of an elderly steamboat owner who is being driven out of business by a wealthy competitor. More by accident than intention Buster turns things around and gets the girl as well. The last 15 minutes are truly astonishing: a storm sequence in which a whole town is blown apart, with Buster experiencing a series of amazing escapes as buildings fall down around his ears. Tragically, the following year he lost his independence when he signed for MGM. His career collapsed, his marriage broke up and he became an alcoholic, never to regain former glories. On the DVD: The organ music accompanying this silent feature is pleasantly unobtrusive, and apart from a short section in the middle where it deteriorates, the print quality is a reasonable 4.3. In addition there are five excellent Keaton shorts, One Week (1920), The Boat (1921) Cops (1922), The Blacksmith (1922) and The Balloonatic (1923). --Ed Buscombe
This authorised Biography of Bruce Lee is the most comprehensive and well rounded to date. With great attention to detail this documentary uses rare home movies action-packed film clips behind the scenes footage screen tests and photographs from the Lee family archives to tell the remarkable life-story of Bruce Lee and his tremendous success as an unparalleled martial artist as well as an international film celebrity. Includes interviews with Lee's family members co-stars business partners and students. The ultimate Bruce Lee collection - a MUST HAVE for any Bruce Lee fan - Andrew J Staton Martial Arts Illustrated Magazine
Serena Stalin (Albright) wanted to learn from the best. So she tracked down Butch Harlow (Edwards) one of the wold's most notorious serial killers and blackmailed him into teaching her the fine art of murder. As the lessons begin teacher and student leaving a trail of horribly mutilated victims in their wake the couple are about to uncover the terible secrets that bind them together the unspeakable passion that compells them to kill again and again...
Bruce Lee - The Immortal Dragon This authorised biography of Bruce Lee is the most comprehensive and well rounded to date. With great attention to detail this documentary uses rare home movies action-packed film clips behind the scenes footage screen tests and photographs from the Lee family archives to tell the remarkable life story of Bruce Lee and his tremendous success as an unparalleled martial artist as well as an international film celebrity. Includes interviews with Lee's family members co-stars business partners and students. The Lee's: Action Speaks Louder Than Words As a compliment to 'Bruce Lee - The Immortal Dragon' this exclusive feature takes you on a guided tour of the Lee Family. Includes rare Lee family photographs and home movies in-depth interviews with Linda Lee Cadwell Shannon Lee Keasler Robert Lee James Coburn Taki Kimura clips from his TV and film appearances and much more.
The definitive surf movie, this 1966 documentary by Bruce Brown is beautifully shot and thrilling to see in its portrait of youthful freedom on the world's shores. Brown followed two surfers around the globe in their quest for the perfect wave, finding it eventually on a remote beach far from home. The narration by "Big Kahuna Brown" cuts through the reverence a bit, being cheeky in tone. --Tom Keogh, Amazon.com
This dark melodrama based on the John Patrick story 'Love Lies Bleeding' stars Barbara Stanwyck as the wonderfully wicked Martha Ivers a wealthy and domineering woman who controls a small town after inheriting a large family fortune. She lives with her weakling husband a district attorney running for mayor played by Kirk Douglas in his feature film debut - a role that's an unusual departure from his later work. What no one in the town knows however is that Stanwyck and Dougl
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