Editorial Review

Franco Zeffirelli's 1968 adaptation of Shakespeare's Read more

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Reviews (200)

Nearly 40 years old, now, the film still works...
You can even get a flash of Olivia Hussey's breast in the bedroom scene if you look closely, and she was only 15 at the time of filming, so this version of the ancient play was controversial in its day. It has passion, style, great supporting actors, and is true to its source as well. While the more recent version with Leonardo DiCaprio has some good moments, too, this one is the high water mark of "Romeo and Juliet" on film. I will never forget seeing this at the base theater at Fort Knox, Kentucky, after spending a month in Vietnam, facing almost another year in the Army. When the movie ended, one soldier in front of me said to his buddy, "They think they've got troubles? Try being in the damn Army!"Well, R and J did have life-ending troubles, but their falling in love, as instant as it was, achieves believability and really tugs at the hearts of the audience. This movie was a fine accomplishment, and its soundtrack album was also a big seller on LP in the late '60's. That Shakespeare fellow did his writin' before movies were invented, I think, yet his stuff adapts really well to the screen. For my taste, a Shakespeare movie almost always beats seeing his plays on stage.

This Pinnacle Film Captures the Pure Essence of the Play
There have been many screen adaptations of Romeo and Juliet over the years.Some of them played by some of Hollywood's top actors and actresses.There was even the Romeo and Juliet last done by Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes, which to my mind is simply Romeo and Juliet on steroids.
Brings back my teen years in the theater.
First saw this movie as a 14 or 15 year-old teen.Loved the film!It is one of those seminal movie moments of my youth.I think it is the definitive film version of 'Romeo and Juliet.'Never saw DiCaprio's version and have no real desire to.The DVD was of excellent quality, considering the original film was shot in 1968. My teen daughter watched it with me, and did have some trouble following the Shakespearean dialog, but she could still follow the storyline. (I think we had more exposure to the classics in the Baby Boomer Gen than do kids today.) Nonetheless, we both enjoyed the experience and the DVD was delivered in Amazon's usual timely manner. The angry Prince's final words to the feuding families, "All are punish-ed. ALL ARE PUNISH-ED!" stands as an electric moment in the film.The performances by all are terrific.Enjoy! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Drama    2. Feature Film-drama    3. Movie   

Editorial Review

One of the very best films about the Civil War, this instant classic from 1989 is also one of the few films to depict the participation of African American soldiers in Civil War combat. Based in part on the books Read more

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Reviews (320)

45 Times and Counting
It is not a mistake: I have seen this movie so many times that I can only estimate the number of times I have seen it. One may ask if it has even started to lose some of its charm. Short answer: no. It is still a great and moving story now, even after 45-odd viewings.
Moving performances
Neither Mr. Broderick nor Mr. Washington have been favorites of mine in the past but I must give them their due in their performances in Glory. Both gave stunning and moving performances. The visuals that made you feel like you were there were astounding as well.Mr. Broderick does a wonderful job of portraying a character who is sometimes self-righteous and self-seeking and at other times inspiring and self-abasing. Mr. Washington provides the angry man to bring out the more sedate and clear-thinking Morgan Freeman character.All come together in common bond that builds in fighting together for a common cause.It is a somewhat one-sided and shallow portrayal of the war's causes that may not go over well with the lovers of history.But, the coming-of-age band-of-brothers mood of the film is moving and enjoyable all the same. No matter which side you may favor in that conflict (if either), you will still find yourself cheering with the rest, "Give-em Hell 54th!"

INSPIRATIONAL MASTERPIECE
Flawless movie making at its best! Patriotic and powerful telling of the true beginning-of-the-end for the Confederacy. Ex-slaves and free blacks alike, finally aloud to defend their dignity, were the final blow to the Southern bondage of an entire race of human beings history tells us. The Truth based story of the Massachusetts 54th. Only the beginning of black heroics during the Civil War.
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Subjects:  1. Drama    2. Feature Film-action/Adventure    3. Movie   

Editorial Review

The Academy Award winner for Best Picture, Best Director Robert Zemeckis, and Best Actor Tom Hanks, this unlikely story of a slow-witted but good-hearted man somehow at the center of the pivotal events of the 20th century is a funny and heartwarming epic. Hanks plays the title character, a shy Southern boy in love with his childhood best friend (Robin Wright) who finds that his ability to run fast takes him places. As an All-Star football player he meets John F. Kennedy; as a soldier in Vietnam he's a war hero; and as a world champion Ping-Pong player he's hailed by Richard Nixon. Becoming a successful shrimp-boat captain, he still yearns for the love of his life, who takes a quite different and much sadder path in life. The visual effects incorporating Hanks into existing newsreel footage is both funny and impressive, but the heart of the film lies in its sweet love story and in the triumphant performance of Hanks as an unassuming soul who savors the most from his life and times. Read more

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Reviews (586)

Sorry Tom......
I'm giving this movie two stars because of the supporting actors, and, the book from which the movie is taken.I believe those are what the rest of the reviews are truely applauding without realizing it.
Deja Vu All Over Again
The fuss over Forrest Gump still amazes me. This movie basically rips off better movies in almost every scene. Still somehow it managed to win Best Picture over Pulp Fiction And The Shawshank Redemption in 1994. Out of all of the movies that were released 1n 94 this one wouldnt even make my top 20. Nobodys Fool, Quiz Show, The Lion King, and the list goes on. The only reason that I would give it props is for(at the time) was the special effects, which now are dated. After Gump Zemekis directed a episode of Tales From The Crypt where he used the same Technology and was easiest the worst episode of that year. I used to be a HUGE Zemekis fan. Used Cars, Romancing the Stone, Back to the Furture movies and Death Becomes Her were I thought were strong movies. But arounf Back to the Future 2I thought Zemekis started to rely to much on special effects and it shows on this film. To the objective viewer re-watch this film and think about every scene and try to remember where you have seen that scene before. I guarantee you after you do that you will see this movie in a totally different light.

The "It's A Wonderful Life" of the 60's generation
Forrest Gump is an absolutely brilliant film that captures the 60's and the early 70's in the same way that Frank Capra's wonderful film did for the WWII generation.
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Reviews (38)

I'm so commercial I could die!!!
Flo and Eddie. Ringo Starr. Theodore Bikel. Keith Moon. And a vacuum cleaner.
Odd
The question is are you a zappa fan? I'm not a huge Zappa fan but I like a couple of his songs. If you aren't a big fan then don't bother.
Only For The Fans Who Like Flo & Eddie Too..... Average Movie
*** Warning to Zappa Fans - FZ does not sing or speak at all in this movie...he leaves that up to Flo & Eddie.
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Subjects:  1. Comedy Rock    2. Experimental Rock    3. Hard Rock    4. Music Video - Pop/Rock    5. Pop    6. Prog-Rock/Art Rock    7. Rock   

Editorial Review

Robert Bolt's successful play was not considered a hot commercial property by Columbia Pictures--a period piece about a moral issue without a star, without even a love story. Perhaps that's why Columbia left director Fred Zinnemann alone to make Read more

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Reviews (131)

Powerful intellectual and ethical exercise...
This is one of my favorite films from the '60's, and I saw a superb stage production of it as well, two years before the film version. Sir Thomas More, chancellor of England, is asked to choose between his King and his Catholic Church. He refuses to take a side, publicly, but everyone in the nation knows he opposes King Henry's decision to break with the Pope so that he can marry another wife. How More (Paul Schofield) tries to stay alive via a silence that shouts a rebuke makes for compelling drama. A young Robert Shaw does a flamboyant and wonderful job as King Henry, but then, the entire supporting cast, as is common in British productions, is great. Faith and greed, power and the loss of it, survival and sacrifice...all are elements of this fine film.
A courageous and moral man - Thomas More
A 1966 period movie with a true story about a man who stands up against powerful King Henry VIII and many others for his moral beliefs in regard to divorce.The king wanted a male heir and wanted to divorce his wife and take another one to achieve that.He was trying to get the church's permission to get out of this marriage with their approval.The stand Thomas More takes complicates his life in many ways, including his family and friends.More is an influential man of some means who was high in the leadership of England at that time.
Would St. Thomas More really be any more popular today?
The technical excellence of this film on every level has already been sufficiently and deservedly documented many times over.
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Subjects:  1. Drama    2. Feature Film-drama    3. Movie   

Editorial Review

If Robert Zemeckis's mega-hit Read more

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Reviews (80)

streep is a creep but goldie rawks!
why does meryl streep continue to think she can do comedy?(then again, why does meryl streep continue to think she can do drama?)but never mind, bruce willis is wonderfully understated here and goldie is goldie.this is hardly a great movie but its fun for what it is.
A TERRIFIC MOVIE THAT WARRANTS A WIDESCREEN RELEASE ASAP!
This movie is a real hoot, with Meryl Streep and Goldie Hawn embroiled in a Bette Davis/Joan Crawford-type feud... the plot was pure genius and the special effects were ahead of their time. With terrific performances by all the leads, this one is an "essential video" for your collection.

A witty and funny comedy
A witty and funny comedy with a dark and hysterically devilish undertone.The three actors, Meryl Streep, Goldie Hawn and Bruce Willis play their parts brilliantly making what could be an oddball script into a brilliantly comedic classic.
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Subjects:  1. Comedies    2. Feature Film-comedy    3. Movie   

Editorial Review

Demi Moore and Patrick Swayze are the passionate lovers whose romance is undone when the latter is murdered during a bungled hit arranged by a rival. The clever concept by screenwriter Bruce Joel Rubin (director of Read more

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Reviews (132)

enduring
This is my #1 favorite movie.I saw it again hours ago.I could recall all scenes and 90% of the dialogue; so I was a bit surprised to find a few tearsrunning from my eyes at the ending scene.
" Ditto "
Phenominally successful film, about a man named Sam , who is killed and begins his journey to solving his own murder , as a ghost. Simple plot , however , the story is told with a fantastic cast. Whoopie Goldburg gives an outstanding, Oscar winning, performance as the medium that helps , Sam , communicate and get his earthly revenge. Everyone says this is a great film. I say , ditto.
Ghost DVD
This is one of my favorite movies.It is one of a very few movies that I can watch over and over again, leaving the day's worries behind. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Drama    2. Feature Film-drama    3. Movie   

Editorial Review

Sometimes simplicity can be heartbreaking. So it is with Read more

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Reviews (28)

The Clock (1945)
This is one of the most beautiful and heart wrenching movies ever made. You are lulled into the movie from the beginning. I saw this on Turner Classic Movies the other night and was amazed at how beautiful it is. There is no swearing in this movie, no sex, no violence, just old fashioned romance and the display of the powerful need for love in human beings. Judy Garland is a great actor and it is directed well by Vincente Minnelli. Movies today are sick, perverted and immoral and they feed the moral decay of this once great nation. The Clock is a must see movie from better more hopeful days.

Sweet Wartime Romance with a Luminous Garland in a "Musical"-Feeling Non-Musical
A sincere piece of treacle just before the end of WWII, this 1945 romantic drama features a never-lovelier Judy Garland in her only non-singing role during her golden MGM years. Even though she is a talented enough actress without having to vocalize, she is in a movie that feels like a musical in its cinematic sensibilities - swooning romanticism, quicksilver plot turns and broad stock characters. That shouldn't come as a surprise since her then-fiancé Vincente Minnelli directed and Arthur Freed produced, both much better known for their musicals of the period. Still, they have made a sweet film with worthwhile stylistic touches such as the use of long zoom shots in maneuvering through the swarming crowds in the subway and train stations and the screen panning used in showing the mini-dramas of background characters we never see again.
Let's make a stop in the War!
During a very brief withdrawal a soldier will meet,woo and wed a girl before shipping out. A romantic drama typical of that age but with a striking message beneath the script. Follow your bliss before it may be late. Judy Garland is wonderful in this movie.
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Subjects:  1. Drama    2. Feature Film-drama    3. Movie   

Editorial Review

This zany, eye-popping, knee-slapping landmark in combininganimation with live-action ingeniously makes that uneasycombination itself (and the history of Hollywood) its subject.Read more

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Reviews (150)

A Very Special Movie
"Who Framed Roger Rabbit" is quite simply a most magical filmmaking experience. It's a film that is truly brilliant in every way imaginable. From its plot, a brilliant homage to the great film noir thrillers of the 1940s', to the fantastic visuals, still impressive even today, to its smart, funny, fast paced script, "Who Framed Roger Rabbit" is a truly timeless piece of cinema.
I love it .
This movie produce in year 1988 , it was very good movie then , but when I witch it ýagain now , I love it more and more than before . ý

Four Oscars!
Well-deserved Oscars for Editing, Visual Effects, Sound Effects Editing, and Special Achievement (animation direction) recommend this delightful film, which combines live action and animation before CGI came into regular use.Watch for the beautifully realized details throughout.For example, the Toons have shadows, and when one is thrown against a venetian blind, it bends and makes the sound of somebody actually hitting a venetian blind.The interaction between live action and animation is so good, you quickly forget they're not really together at all -- and much of the credit for such realistic "interaction" must go to live actor Bob Hoskins.There are a load of extras in this 2-disc package, including both fullscreen and widescreen versions, audio commentary, a deleted scene, and a very interesting "before and after" split-screen comparison with and without animation.This is a technical masterpiece and well worth seeing again and again. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Comedies    2. Feature Film-comedy    3. Movie   

Editorial Review

Here's a model for adapting a novel into a movie. The bestseller by James Jones, a frank and hard-hitting look at military life, could not possibly be made into a film in 1953 without considerably altering its length and bold subject matter. Yet screenwriter Daniel Taradash and director Fred Zinnemann (both of whom won Oscars for their work) pared it down and cleaned it up, without losing the essential texture of Jones's tapestry. The setting is an army base in Hawaii in 1941. Montgomery Clift, in a superb performance, plays a bugler who refuses to fight for the company boxing team; he has reasons for giving up the sport. His refusal results in harsh treatment from the company commander, whose bored wife (Deborah Kerr) is having an affair with the tough-but-fair sergeant (Burt Lancaster). You remember--the scene with the two of them embracing on the beach, as the surf crashes in. The supporting players are as good as the leads: Frank Sinatra and Donna Reed won Oscars (and Sinatra revitalized his entire career), and Ernest Borgnine entered the gallery of all-time movie villains, as the stockade sergeant who makes Sinatra miserable. Zinnemann's work is efficient but also evocative, capturing the time and place beautifully, the tropical breezes as well as the lazy prewar indulgence. This one is deservedly a classic. Read more

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Reviews (71)

This film gets it right
This is exactly what I am talking about. This film gets it right. The entire film is about people. It has characters and it has action; what make the film really work is that so much time is spent on the characters that by the time we get to the action we really care about the outcome. We know who these guys are, what they are fighting for and how much the have to loose. This is what Pearl Harbor tried to do but failed to achieve.
One of the Best Movies I've Ever Seen
From Here to Eternity, where to begin?This is probably one of my top 10 movies that I've ever seen.I love it!Frank Sinatra is wonderful in it; Montgomery Clift is gorgeous, vulnerable, and brave in this movie; Burt Lancaster is awesome, as everyone who has ever seen him could tell you.This movie shows a clear depiction of the soldiers at Pearl Harbor before it was bombed.The book is a totally long, obnoxious book, towards the end I only read the quotations. The movie totally changed the book and made it wonderful.This is a classic, and will be for the rest of time.

From Here to the Box Office
Hollywood at its phony best or worst, take your pick. Who would believe scrawny, introverted Monty Clift as a rough, tough, defiant leather-neck, who beats up on men twice his size. Evidently, the producers, who wagered that a star-struck audience would. Then there's the wholesome, well-scrubbed Donna Reed as a wholesome, well-scrubbed Honolulu hooker, who lives in what appears a Manhattan apartment. If you believe Mother Theresa did outcall, then you might fall for this Hollywood hokum. Let's not forget that notorious surf scene, where Lancaster and Kerr mate like over-heated jellyfish. The questionis howdo you parody something that's already a joke. And, oh yes, there's Burt Lancaster, clenching full speed toward becoming Tinsel Town's most celebrated great stone face, and a long, long way from his promising noir roots. And poor Deborah Kerr trapped all those years in virginal repression, when there's really a red-hot mama waiting to break out. Finally, there's Frank Sinatra's Maggio, who at least doesn't beat up hulking men twice his size, but does get an award and an afterlife as Las Vegas's shady ambassador to Hollywood, a not uncalculated consequence. Summing up: this is exactly what happened when the studios of the 50's got a hot property and decided to exploit it. And exploit it they did. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Drama    2. Feature Film-drama    3. Movie   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (190)

BTTF
BACK TO THE FUTURE
A classic
Okay so maybe it's not a classic...but I think that it should be.This is a very well written script that stands the test of time.Watching this film on cable yesterday, the movie doesn't once fall into the campy column.I can't say the same for the rest of the series.To tell you the truth I think that they should have stopped at the one movie.But still, this movie has everything, laughs, lite-suspense, and just an all around good, clean family fun.

Back to the Future by me
'Back to the Future'.Directed by Steven Speilberg in 1985.'Back to the Future' is a movie about a boy who gets trapped in the past and has to get Back to the Future.
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Subjects:  1. Feature Film-comedy   

Editorial Review

The hit Broadway musical from the 1940s gets a lavish if not always exciting workout in this 1955 film version directed by old lion Fred Zinnemann (Read more

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Reviews (109)

20th Century Ripoff!!!
I specifically waited to buy this on DVD hoping to get a Todd-AO version and not just the Cinemascope version.The freaking Laserdisc looks better than this!I, for one, will not be buying any more "special editions" without reading the reviews in Amazon or elsewhere when it comes to 20th Century ripoff.This release reminds me of all the 20Th Laserdiscs that were first released when laser was just starting out and how poorly the transfers were treated...now it seems we're right back to the good old bad transfer days of yore.Yuk, I recommend that no one buy ANY of their discs (especially the upcoming crappy versions of STAR WARS non-anamorphic, non-5.1 sound original movies).These people suck big time!
great
A true musical theater classic.Wonderful melodies that will last for years to come.
Visual diappointment for a great format
Like several others, I agree that the Cinemascope version was well presented, but what a disappointment as far as the Todd-ao digital transfer! The original release I bought in 1999 gives a much clearer and brighter Todd-ao version that gives you a much better idea of what the original may have looked like. I enjoyed seeing "The Miracle of Todd-ao" again, but similarly the realism that was present in the original was lost, either due to poor quality of stock or inabilty to be able to digitally correct and sharpen the image. (I find it hard to imagine that Fox couldn't resore it better).There was an apology printed on our Region 4 version.
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Subjects:  1. Movie    2. Musicals    3. Musicals & Cast Recordings   

Editorial Review

Director Robert Zemeckis (Read more

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Reviews (57)

Finally Anamorphic
Eventhough the sound is not upgraded (Dolby Surround), the picture is. Now you can watch this extremely entertaining movie in an anamorphic widescreen. It looks nice and crisp on my 16:9 TV. Same thing goes for the sequel "Jewel of the Nile" except for a better audio sound with 4.0 surround. Hopefully Fox will release a new ANAMORPHIC version of "The Abyss" and "The edge". The latest release of "Young Frankenstein" is now available for the fist time ever in anamorphic widescreen. Audio remains MONO though, unfortunately.

Pure Adventure Fun On The Highest Level!
In 1984, when this movie was releashed, movie lovers were in the grip of Indiana Jones (Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom was releashed in that same year, the second instalment in the Indiana series), and so this movie was labeld an Indiana Jones clone.
Is Anyone Else Having Problems With This Disc?
I received my first disc and after the DVD loads, it bypasses the menu and starts playing the deleted scenes. I had Amazon replace it, and the new one does the exact same thing..... ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Action / Adventure    2. Feature Film-comedy    3. Movie   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (534)

A Touching Film of Courage, Canniness, and Survival
This is a very moving film of one man's determination to stay alive while alone on a desert island after a plane crash. You can feel Chuck Noland's frustration level build as nothing seems to be going right, and he finally crashes emotionally when his only friend on the island (a volleyball named Wilson) floats out to sea.
An Amazing Part of Film History
About 90% of the film you only see one actor, one person on the screen: no one else expect that one man...
I forgt how powerful this film really was...
I watched this film again in anticipation of Hanks in The DaVinci Code. And I was amazed at how much I reacted this movie after 2 years. Unlike others, I don't like to give away the film. Details can sometimes make it so the film doesn't need to be seen. I prefer to express the emotion in this movie.
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Subjects:  1. Drama    2. Feature Film-action/Adventure    3. Movie   

Editorial Review

The classic Ernest Hemingway novel about man battling nature and the demons within himself is adapted admirably in this 1958 film starring the legendary Spencer Tracy. Playing the fisherman who goes on an intense and futile quest as he contemplates his own nature, Tracy turns in a spellbinding performance of understated power. He plays an itinerant Cuban fisherman whose luck at catching his prey has been poor of late, until he becomes embroiled in an intense pursuit of a giant marlin and in the process must confront his own frailties. Though the visual aspect of the film seems dated, Tracy is more than enough reason to see this effort at bringing one of the modern classics of literature to life on the screen. Read more

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Reviews (16)

Faithful to the novel
This version of Hemingway's The Old Man and the Sea is a faithful adaptation of the novel. The story focuses on Santiago, an old man who has spent 84 days without catching a fish. Spencer Tracey plays the old man to perfection for the most part, as he sets out on the 85th day to capture his big prize. While it isn't a movie that blows you away with either script or action, it is a film with a purpose.
Fine Hemingway adaptation
Spencer Tracy gives a powerful performance as Santiago, the desperate old fisherman who must struggle to subdue and then keep the giant marlin that represents his salvation.Director John Sturges and screenwriter Peter Viertel retain much of Ernest Hemingway's symbolism, making of Santiago a Christ-like figure.A more apt Biblical analog might be Job; like him, Santiago endures the indignities and strife thrust upon him, but perseveres and endures while retaining his appreciation of nature and simple pleasures./
The Old Man...and the Sea
The title says it all. The most compelling thing to note in the story of Santiago, (the lead character)is the implication that any of his contemporaries would likely have reacted to his plight in the same way. Not through any special courage, but through a plain lack of choice. A simple fisherman on a hard luck streak, he does the only thing he can do, he keeps fishing. The sea is the only thing he has ever known, and so he turns to it day after day despite recent failure.
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Subjects:  1. Drama    2. Feature Film-drama    3. Movie   

Editorial Review

1995 had already seen the box-office success of sword-wielding heroes in Read more

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Reviews (126)

"You must not care whether you live or die"
There were three medieval/British Isle films released in 1995 -- "Braveheart," "Rob Roy" and "First Knight." Mel Gibson's "Braveheart" is certainly the most epic of the three, but I found it incredibly overrated; which isn't to say I don't like it, I just don't feel that it's as great as the hype would suggest. I rate it 3.5/5 Stars. I liked "Rob Roy" slightly better than "Braveheart;" it's very adult-oriented, violent and grim, however. I give it 4/5 Stars.
First Knight Is First Class
A very pleasing all-around movie is how I found this Knights Of The Roundtable-type story and a good one for DVD, even one that's been on disc for quite some time. For an early DVD, this was a real treat for the ears with some great rear- speaker sound. The story, however, not the sound, was the main appeal of this film for me.
Gorgeous film of love, maturity, betrayal and forgiveness
This well-acted and told story features Richard Gere as the handsome, adventuresome loner, Lancelot; Julia Ormond as strong, principled Guineviere; and Sean Connery as noble King Arthur.Ben Cross perfectly portrays the self-righteously arrogant, destructive villain, Malagant.The settings move between the forests of Great Britain and the exquisite golden and slate blue castle of Camelot.The brilliantly written script contains various references to Christianity.The plot vividly portrays the struggle between forces of violent, oppressive domination and the defense of the innocent, which entails self-sacrifice.This story is my favorite.I've enjoyed it each time, and gain new insights with each viewing.If you enjoy romantic, historical adventures, you will surely savor this outstanding film ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Drama    2. Feature Film-action/Adventure    3. Movie   

Editorial Review

Franco Zeffirelli's stripped-down, two-hour version of Shakespeare's play stars Mel Gibson as a rather robust version of the ambivalent Danish prince. Gibson is much better in the part than many critics have admitted, his powers of clarity doing much to make this particularRead more

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Reviews (157)

"Omelette" Said The Egg. "To Be Or Not To Be...."
I do find it most amusing whenever an actor such as Mel Gibson thinks he can produce a performance equal to that of Sir Lawrence Olivier which isafter allwhy remakes are made. Sadly Mel has neither the talent or the on screen presence to portray the Mad Prince Of Denmark and all we have leftis a guy who looks as if he is suffering from Mad Cow Disease with his eyes rolling about in his head who just wants his mommy.I give this movie 5 stars because all it did was remind me of just how good the 1948 version was.

New standard for Hamlet
Shakespeare's Hamlet has been done and redone many times over. Probably because the play has so many universal themes it is the most popular of his plays. When I first saw Sir Lawrence Olivier's adaptation I thought there could be no equal.Mr. Gibson has challenged that thought with a moving andpassionate portrayal. Mr. Gibson has created nothing short of a new standard for this old favorite.Ms. Close as the doting but fickle mother sets an equal standard for her part.The other roles are filled perfectly as well and the visuals take you back to that time and place to witness the events first hand.This is the one version of Hamlet you must have.

Mel did a very good job as the wishy washy prince
Poor Hamlet, couldn't make up his mind to save his life.I really ejoyed this version, Mel and the rest of the experienced cast did a great job.You just have to forget Mel was Mad Max and accept him as the Mad Prince of Denmark and you'll enjoy this as much as I did.Also, if a teenager has to do a book report on Hamlet this is a good version for that age group.Enjoy! ... Read more

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Editorial Review

A box-office hit when released in 1994, this sprawling, frequently overwrought familial melodrama may get sillier as its plot progresses, but it's the kind of lusty, character-based epic that Hollywood should attempt more often. It's also an unabashedly flattering star vehicle for Brad Pitt as Tristan--the rebellious middle son of a fiercely independent Montana rancher and military veteran (Anthony Hopkins)--who is routinely at odds with his more responsible older brother, Alfred (Aidan Quinn), and younger brother, Samuel (Henry Thomas). From the battlefields of World War I to his adventures as an oceangoing sailor, Tristan's life is full of personal torment, especially when he returns to Montana and finds himself competing with Alfred over Samuel's beautiful widow (Julia Ormond), whose passion for Tristan disrupts the already turbulent Ludlow clan. Under the wide-open canopy of Big Sky country, this operatic tale unfolds with all the bloodlust, tragedy, and scenery-chewing performances you'd expect to find in a hokey bestselling novel (in fact, it's based on the acclaimed novella by Jim Harrison), but it's a potent mix that's highly entertaining. Not surprisingly, John Toll won an Academy Award for his breathtaking outdoor cinematography. Read more

Features

• Closed-captioned
• Color
• Original recording reissued
• NTSC

Reviews (149)

Legends Of The Dull
More predictable than an old TV Land episode of Bonanza and much less entertaining, this story of an anti-government rancher and his three sons, one the upstanding sort who seeks to work for good within the system, one an idealist, and the middle son, Tristan, played by Brad Pitt, a tormented man who seeks to find peace within nature's anger. At least that's what I think he was doing. The fact is I never was a fan of this movie, not back in the 1990's when my best friend loved it (and predicted Julia Ormond would be a superstar--sorry, Gina, if you ever read this, I just couldn't resist working that in there, ha-ha) and not upon the occasion of a recent second viewing. I don't think there's anything to really recommend this movie to anyone. It's not spectacular in its setting, it's not revolutionary in its by-the-numbers story, and I found then and still find now that it is highly melodramatic and boring. To each his own, I know some love this movie, but from where I sit, this film is a would-be epic that never rises above fluff.

I Love This Movie
Marvelous movie, marvelous cast in this 1994 release.
I'd rather be hit with a bat than watch this again
Beyond words.Just awful.I wish they would have just followed a bear around with a camera for a few hours instead of doing this to the audience. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Drama    2. Feature Film-drama    3. Movie   

Editorial Review

A pampered socialite (Goldie Hawn) is so distraught after the wedding-night death of her husband (Albert Brooks) that she up and joins the Army. She whines, she pouts, she brings the corps down, until, of course, she gets with it. Eileen Brennan received a Best Supporting Actress nomination for her role as the butch Captain Doreen Lewis, Benjamin's nemesis. Funny and winning, the film takes an odd turn when Benjamin is assigned to the international theater and gets involved with a dour Frenchman (Armand Assante). Of course, it's all part of Benjamin's growth as a person, and the part confirmed that Hawn had gone from a go-go girl to a "you go" girl. Read more

Features

• Closed-captioned
• Color
• HiFi Sound
• NTSC

Reviews (17)

Overrated, but still entertaining
Goldie Hawn gives an astounding performance as Judy Benjamin, a spoiled rich girl whose second husband just died six hours into their marriage.Not knowing where to go from there, she calls a radio call-in show to get advice from people.In the end, she meets an army recruiter who tells her to enlist.Judy does so, but only because the recruiter glamorizes the lifestyle to the point that he flat out lies.When she gets there, she gets a rude awakening.
One of Goldie Hawn's Best Comedies
Goldie Hawn has long had a knack for comedy."Private Benjamin" is one of her best comedies.The "Jewish Princess" persona wears a little thin in a few places, but most of the time the comedy works well.
"...but I joined a 'different' army."
Goldie Hawn is just perfect as Judy Benjamin, a young woman who is torn to pieces after the death of her husband just six hours after saying their vows.Yes her husband dies right in the middle of making love to her.That's enough to make anyone a little nuts.While in this state of anxiety she calls up a local radio station under the persona of Jessica and laments about her situation.While the radio receives dozens of callers wanting to give their advice, it's one in particular that gets Judy thinking, and with a little persuasion she up and joins the army under the false impression that she'll have her own condo and, if things prove too hard for her, she can just up and quit whenever she wants.Little does she know, upon arriving at her base, she'll be bunked with quite a few other women (some of which are hardened criminals) and there will be no quitting for three years.
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Subjects:  1. Comedies    2. Feature Film-comedy    3. Movie   

Editorial Review

The hit Broadway musical from the 1940s gets a lavish if not always exciting workout in this 1955 film version directed by old lion Fred Zinnemann (Read more

Features

• Closed-captioned
• Color
• Original recording remastered
• THX
• NTSC

Reviews (109)

20th Century Ripoff!!!
I specifically waited to buy this on DVD hoping to get a Todd-AO version and not just the Cinemascope version.The freaking Laserdisc looks better than this!I, for one, will not be buying any more "special editions" without reading the reviews in Amazon or elsewhere when it comes to 20th Century ripoff.This release reminds me of all the 20Th Laserdiscs that were first released when laser was just starting out and how poorly the transfers were treated...now it seems we're right back to the good old bad transfer days of yore.Yuk, I recommend that no one buy ANY of their discs (especially the upcoming crappy versions of STAR WARS non-anamorphic, non-5.1 sound original movies).These people suck big time!
great
A true musical theater classic.Wonderful melodies that will last for years to come.
Visual diappointment for a great format
Like several others, I agree that the Cinemascope version was well presented, but what a disappointment as far as the Todd-ao digital transfer! The original release I bought in 1999 gives a much clearer and brighter Todd-ao version that gives you a much better idea of what the original may have looked like. I enjoyed seeing "The Miracle of Todd-ao" again, but similarly the realism that was present in the original was lost, either due to poor quality of stock or inabilty to be able to digitally correct and sharpen the image. (I find it hard to imagine that Fox couldn't resore it better).There was an apology printed on our Region 4 version.
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Subjects:  1. Movie    2. Musical Features    3. Musicals    4. Musicals & Cast Recordings    5. Musicals (Theatrical)