More than half a century after its release in 1950, Sunset Boulevard is still the most pungently unflattering portrait of Hollywood ever committed to celluloid. Billy Wilder, unequalled at combining a literate, sulphurous script with taut direction, hits his target relentlessly. The humour--and the film is rich in this, Wilder's most abundant commodity--is black indeed. Sunset Boulevard is viciously and endlessly clever. William Holden's opportunistic scriptwriter Joe Gillis, whose sellout proves fatal, is from the top drawer of film noir. Gloria Swanson's monstrously... deluded Norma Desmond, the benchmark for washed-up divas, transcends parody. And her literal descent down the staircase to madness is one of the all-time great silver-screen moments. Sunset Boulevard isn't without pathos, most notably in Erich von Stroheim's protective butler who wants only to shield his mistress from the stark truths that are massing against her. But its view of human beings at work in a ruthlessly cannibalistic industry is bleak indeed. Nobody, not even Nancy Olson's sparkily ambitious writer Betty Schaefer, is untainted. And neither are we, "those wonderful people out there in the dark". Norma might be ready for her close-up, but it's really Hollywood that's in the frame. No wonder Wilder incurred the charge of treachery from his peers. It's cinematic perfection. On the DVD: Sunset Boulevard lends itself effortlessly to a collector's edition of this quality. The film itself is presented in full-frame aspect ratio from an excellent print and the quality of the mono soundtrack is faultless: the silver screen comes to life in your living room. The extras are superb, including a commentary from film historian Ed Sikov and a making-of documentary which includes the memories of Nancy Olson. Interactive features such as the Hollywood location map add to the fun. --Piers Ford [show more]
It is difficult to imagine just how Sunset Boulevard, from the startling opening images to the madness of its grand finale ending, could be improved in any way. This is a truly atmospheric classic, which makes viewers feel that they are with the characters in each scene themselves. Billy Wilder has served up a portrayal of Hollywood eating itself - which must have been the bravest and most innovative thing for any director or writer (let alone one of Wilder's standing) to do.
There are no filler scenes or forgettable moments in this film - even a chimpanzee lying in state - viewers will find it hard to tear their eyes away. Norma Desmond has her friends round for a game of cards - even that is not as mundane as it sounds - they are all former silent screen stars as well - including the great Buster Keaton ! Even a trip to Paramount Studios to see Cecil B.De Mille incorporates the real Cecil B.De Mille shooting another Hollywood classic - Samson & Delilah. Bizarre but it all works fantastically well.
For anyone who still hasn't seen this film, this edition with all the brilliant extras is a real bargain. The 'Making of' and the 'Music of' documentaries are recently filmed updates which reinforce the relevance of Sunset Boulevard today. There is a particular good short featuring the work of Edith Head - the legendary Hollywood costume designer, and a map featuring locations used in the movie that the viewer can click on for comprehensive information. Add to this the original deleted openings (available to read and see) and an extensive photo gallery, and it all adds up to a great night in with superb value for money.
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Please note this is a region 2 DVD and will require a region 2 (Europe) or region Free DVD Player in order to play. Gloria Swanson as Norma Desmond, an ageing silent film queen, and William Holden as the struggling writer who is held in thrall by her madness, created two of the screen's most memorable characters in Billy Wilder's immortal Sunset Boulevard. The film was winner of three Academy Awards in 1950 - Best Story and Screenplay, Black and White Art Direction and score for a Dramatic Picture. Joe Gillis is floating face down in a swimming pool as the homicide squad arrives. Six months previously, unable to sell a script or borrow from anyone, he pulled into 10086 Sunset Boulevard to hide from men who wanted to repossess his car. The owner of the mansion is Norma Desmond, faded star of the silent era. Under the illusion that millions of fans still adore her, Norma is planning a comeback playing the lead in her own screenplay "Salome". When she finds out Joe is a writer she wants him to help her with the script. He moves in, becoming a kept man and the object of her obsessive affection.
Billy Wilder directs this Oscar-winning classic exposé of the Hollywood studio system. Struggling Hollywood writer Joe Gillis (William Holden) is attempting to avoid his creditors when he pulls his car into the garage of an apparently deserted mansion. He soon discovers that it is in fact the home of Norma Desmond (Gloria Swanson), an ageing actress who was once a star of silent films. Desperate for money, Gillis agrees to work on a screenplay adaptation of 'Salome' which Norma has written for her intended comeback. Gillis then gradually becomes trapped in Norma's bizarre fantasy world, and when he tries to leave her, she makes an attempt at suicide. The film also features silent screen legends Cecil B. DeMille, Buster Keaton and Erich von Stroheim in supporting roles.
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