Editorial Review

Sean Connery retired from the 007 franchise after Read more

Features

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

Reviews (125)

Bond for the Uncomplicated and Uncritical
It isn't so much that Diamonds are Forever is bad, it's just that it's clearly the worst of the Connery Bond films. It does have a few good qualities. Shirley Bassey's singing of the decvent title song being one of them, Connery's usual professionalism and talent being another, but overall it's quite silly and inconsequential. The kind of people who like this one are generally those uncomplicated sorts who get confused easily and prefer their films to be as shallow as possible, so all they have to do is sit there passively and not think or get involved in the film. The fact that this Bond is essentially the true beginning of the Roger Moore era is a big part of the problem with this film. Like I said, it's silly. The distinctly unremarkable chase scene with Bond in the cheapo looking moon buggy is an example of this, as is the abundance of bad Bond-style quips, which seemed to comprise half of Roger Moore's dialogue and takes up way too much of Connery's here. I mean, there's nothing wrong with fun, but there IS a limit, you know, especially when the "fun" is as low rent and shallow as it is here. But, like I said, there are plenty of reasons to like this Bond. The actors are all-around decent, it isn't their fault that the characters are so uninteresting. Nothing seems developed, there's no sense of spy-type espionage action here, which should be the centerpiece of every Bond film, otherwise why make one. The main Bond girl being playued by Jill St. John is another drawback. Not that there's anything wrong with her, it's just that her "type" doesn't seem right in conjunction with Bond. There's just nothing exotic about Jill St. John, as decent as she is her presence lends a sitcommy atmosphere to everything. The fact that this story mainly unfold in Vegas is another problem. Vegas is the land of chintz and cheese, shiny superficial glamor with little substance. It does lend Jill St. John's presence some meaninging, as she pretty much seems to be just the type of woman that James Bond would meet up with in Vegas. The entire film just seems way too... American. I guess you could say that Diamonds are Forever, for whatever good you may find in it, is really the nail in the coffin for the whole series. After this, it could pretty much only be a parody of its former self. There just isn't ANY room in the world for a James Bond from the 1970's onward.

A Paradox in the Cinematic James Bond Lineage
When I first saw DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER I thought it was esoterically good from an eclectic viewpoint. It was the last Connery James Bond movie I had viewed. I had already watched the first 5 that he made. They were a little too serious. DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER was more like Roger Moore's James Bond movies. DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER was very different from the earlier ones, especially George Lazenby's stand-alone ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE. George Lazenby is the definitive James Bond in my mind. DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER was closer to Roger Moore's THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN GUN and the exceptional and misunderstood A VIEW TO A KILL.
Campy, But Good
"Diamonds are Forever" is the third James Bond film I've seen (the other ones being Thunderball and You Only Live Twice) and it's probably my 2nd favorite of the three. It's got one of my favorite opening sequences, great action sequences, a hot Bond girl, two odd assassins, and of course who could forget Bambi and Thumper.
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Subjects:  1. Action / Adventure    2. Feature Film-action/Adventure    3. Movie   

Editorial Review

Roger Moore was introduced as James Bond in this 1973 action movie featuring secret agent 007. More self-consciously suave and formal than predecessor Sean Connery, he immediately reestablished Bond as an uncomplicated and wooden fellow for the feel-good '70s. This film also marks a deviation from the more character-driven stories of the Connery years, a deliberate shift to plastic action (multiple chases, bravura stunts) that made the franchise more of a comic book or machine. If that's not depressing enough, there's even a good British director on board, Guy Hamilton (Read more

Features

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

Reviews (144)

A really good beginning from the Moore era, underrated--
Live and Let Die is one of the most overlooked Bond films.Connery die-hards tend to abhor Mr. Moore, but his era, taken on its own merits, has quite a bit of fun to offer.Particularly for latter-day Generation X kids (born in the 70's), Roger Moore was the first Bond they got to know, and just as `legitimate' as Connery's portrayal.
You're better of with the VHS than the DVD
I've been renting a lot of these Bond movies marked "special edition" and I've been running into glitches on more than half of them that make them unplayable. I think the studio ought to sever their contract with whatever burn plant they're using. Apparently the 21st century is not a good time to rent or buy a classic Bond flick on disc.

Ladies and gentlemen welcome to the surrealistic world of 007!
With this movie Roger Moore debuted for the pretended rescue of the previous saga. Perhaps it does not sound exaggerate to affirm that we are before the weakest Opus ofthis agent. It was certainly, a thin service to his Majesty.
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Subjects:  1. Action / Adventure    2. Feature Film-action/Adventure    3. Movie   

Editorial Review

The British superspy with a license to kill takes on his dark underworld double, a classy assassin who kills with golden bullets at $1 million a hit. Roger Moore, in his second outing as James Bond, meets Christopher Lee's Scaramanga, one of the most magnetic villains in the entire series, in this entertaining but rather wan entry in the 007 sweepstakes. Bond's globetrotting search takes him to Hong Kong, Bangkok, and finally China, where Scaramanga turns his island retreat into a twisted theme park for a deadly game of wits between the gunmen, moderated by Scaramanga's diminutive man Friday Nick Nack (Read more

Features

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

Reviews (129)

GOLDEN GUN Approaches Cult Status
THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN GUN has always been one of my favorite James Bond movies. It has a great cast, great special effects, a good John Barry score and it does not take itself too serious. The location photography and epicurean surroundings of the opulent sets are stunning. It brought "Q" back to the series after being absent from LIVE AND LET DIE and re-established him as a major team member. Roger Moore firmly establishes himself as James Bond in this film, re-posturing his interpretation of 007 from his first appearance as Bond in LIVE AND LET DIE. Moore is much tougher in this film as he blends his urbane humor with a no-nonsense approach to vanquishing the villain, namely Christopher Lee in the title role. Christopher Lee is without doubt one of the best villains in the Bond series. Sheriff Pepper was one of the most curious characters to ever appear in a Bond film. Why do so many people think this is bad film? The DVD is really nice looking and it is Stereo which is indicated in fine print on both the DVD and VHS versions.

An ok Bond film after Live and Let Die
I do like some of the locations where the film was shot.However, some flaws.Roger Moore looks like he started to age and the bond girls were quite boring and not as sexy as the others.Christopher Lee plays the a good villian and the little short guy which I cannot remember his name is out of place in film.Also, the bond car is AMC!!! No special effects or gadgets?What Happened???Otherwise, the soundtrack is groovy and was starting the Disco Bond years with Roger Moore.Three stars is good enough.

Most underrated Bond flick?
If James Bond movies are a guilty pleasure, then TMWTGG is a guilty pleasure among guilty pleasures. Purists prefer Connery to the other Bonds, but I've always been partial to Roger Moore. The Moore movies were very silly stuff, but never forgot to have their tongues planted in cheek. Sometimes the Moore movies were terrible, as in the case of Moonraker. Others were great, such as The Spy Who Loved Me and Octopussy. MWTGG, however, may be the most elegant of the Bond films. Moore charms without breaking a sweat, Jill Eckland looks great, and Christopher Lee is Christopher Lee: a lean everyvillain with a set of Mack the Knife teeth. The scenery is great, especially the exotic cave where Christopher Lee's character Scaramanga lives off the coast of China. Scaramanga is an ex-circus performer who lives with his pint-sized servant Nick-Knack, and is trying to ... But why bother with the plot? The Bond movies are about sexy girls, cool cars, stunts, and seeing Bond score another victory for Queen and country, while also scoring with the ladies. TMWTGG is not great cinema, but it is a lot of fun. ... Read more

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

Editorial Review

To own Read more

Features

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

Reviews (200)

Perhaps James Bond's BEST Outing
GOLDFINGER is a very good movie. Perhaps it is the best James Bond film of he entire series. This one film contains many definitive aspects of all the James Bond films in the series. GOLDFINGER is very different from its two predecessors. The level of sophistication is much higher. Visually it is more stunning and is lavishly produced establishing a high standard for many of the cinematic elements associated with a James Bond film. Sean Connery gives his most sophisticated and distinguished performance as James Bond in GOLDFINGER. His friendly and easygoing approach in this film combined with his look of determination and confidence, wit, charm and a physical dexterity all add to his arsenal for self-preservation in order to see the job of eliminating the opposition to fruition. Even the main villain Goldfinger, who is more menacing and cunningly diabolical than his predecessors, is given greater depth by screenwriters Richard Maibaum and Paul Dehn. Gert Frobe's performance and visual presence as Goldfinger is one of the highlights of this film and the series. He is a constant menace to Bond as they play a cat and mouse game throughout the film. The intriguing golf game is a highlight of their confrontation. Once again another distinctive element to the Bond formula is introduced during the golf game in the form of Oddjob, the main villain's henchman who kills his victims with a steal edged bowler hat. Returning to Richard Maibaum and Paul Dehn, it can be seen that the script of GOLDFINGER is perhaps the best structured and balanced giving the plot elements, action sequences and the familiar Bond gadgets integrated treatment producing a solid story. Their script is also rich with character development meticulously incorporated into the story, which is never intrusive to the film's flow but is part of the cohesiveness of all the visuals skillfully directed by Guy Hamilton and expertly edited together by Peter Hunt. Of those visuals it is Production Designer Ken Adam's distinctive set designs that also help define the film's "Bond look" where he creates a unique look of functionally modern almost futuristic sets that dominate the screen with his iconic style. Cinematographer Ted Moore did some of his best work on this film utilizing photographic techniques to produce a dynamic and lavish look to this film. John Barry composed (along with lyricists Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley) the main title to GOLDFINGER sung by Shirley Bassey, which is probably the most recognizable song from the series and immediately brings to mind images of James Bond to this day. This melody used and often referred to throughout the score integrates the James Bond Theme along with John Barry's own distinctive musical motifs and style once again lending credence that this is the definitive Bond film when combined with all the other superlative elements presented in GOLDFINGER. The "Bond Girls" and their specific role in the Bond formula are best represented yet uniquely presented in GOLDFINGER seeing that the formula in this film is tweaked a bit. Usually the formula dictates that Bond has one leading female partner who accompanies him on and off during his exploits. There is also the sacrificial lamb that becomes sexually involved with Bond but along the way pays the ultimate sacrifice, which only intensifies Bond's resolve to vanquish the villain. Also, there may be a female villain who Bond also becomes sexually involved in and her fate varies from film to film. GOLDFINGER as a film stands on its own. It is good filmmaking. As a James Bond film it could easily be considered the best of the series.
Sean Connery IS James Bond
Sean Connery is the ONE and ONLY James Bond - Agent 007. That's it. This is his best outing. GOLDFINGER has a great script, villain, girls, location, gadgets, music and action. Who could ask for more when you really examine it? The DVD image is good but I question the aspect ratio. The aspect ratio on my laserdisc looks closer the theatrical version. The extras on this DVD are outstanding just the same.
Should Have Six Stars
This is one of my favorite Bond movies. It begins with the beautiful Shirley Eaton, and just gets better. This is a classic which really set the pace for future Bond flicks. Sean Connery, Gert Frobe and Honor Blackman are great. The world can thank Ian Fleming for having such a wonderful imagination. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Action    2. Action / Adventure    3. Adventure    4. Feature Film-action/Adventure    5. Movie   

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Reviews (9)

funeral in Berlin
This movie is available by Paramount in Italy. It's Region 2 and the price is very reasonable. Euros 24 English language and subtitles. Giuliano Fournier

Harry Palmer: The Spy Who Went Into the Cold
Each of these films is a self-contained story but having seen the previous entries does give the central character more depth. "The Ipcress File" introduced Len Deighton's spy with no name as "Harry Palmer" -- a gritty, workaday operative for the British Secret Service -- the polar opposite from James Bond.
It's the Best of the Series
Unlike the "Ipcress Files," which is almost a mockery of Len Deighton's original novel, "Funeral in Berlin" more accurately captures the atmosphere and characters of its written sources.The generous use of real locations rather than studio sets also gives this film an air of authenticity.It's a shame that ethically compromised anti-heroes like Harry Palmer have given way to pretty-boy moralizing idealogues like Governor Arnold.The world is a complicated place.We need more complicated role models like the characters of Len Deighton. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Feature Film-action/Adventure    2. Movie    3. Mystery / Suspense / Thriller   

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Reviews (8)

The 18th Century, 50's Style
This is one of my favorite movies.Burt Lancaster and Kirk Douglas are in thier prime, both sexy and studley.If they really had ministers like Lancaster, I'd never miss church.The story, adapted from a play is a bit stagey, but it's very enjoyable.I liked the black and white photography as well.The best part of this picture is Lawrence Olivier as General Burgoyne.He is just so fantastic.He steals every scene he's in and the wordplay between him and Kirk Douglas is really entertaining. The 18th Century, 50's Style
This is one of my favorite movies.Burt Lancaster and Kirk Douglas are in thier prime, both sexy and studley.If they really had ministers like Lancaster, I'd never miss church.The story, adapted from a play is a bit stagey, but it's very enjoyable.I liked the black and white photography as well.The best part of this picture is Lawrence Olivier as General Burgoyne.He is just so fantastic.He steals every scene he's in and the wordplay between him and Kirk Douglas is really entertaining. What a load of Horse Sh**
I'm not a fan of G.B. Shaw (who was a blithering idiot in my book)and therefore I didn't have high expectations for this tripe. And I was right again. The sequences with the animated paper "puppets" was annoying from the start. Burt Lancaster, who plays the parish minister, sleep-walked through this whole mess. (The scene where he attempts to blow up a British powder wagon looked more like a Three Stooges routine) And everyone all stood around watching like a bunch of statues ? Give me a break!!! Only Burt could take on a handful of British soldiers, armed with muskets and bayonets and defeat with a table! More horse sh** And Kirk Douglas should have stayed with Sparticus and left the 18th films alone. He was totally inappropriate for this part. His mannerisms and demeaner was a joke. The only saving grace was "Gentleman Johnny" as played by Sir Laurence Olivier, but even his acid wit couldn't save this load of horse sh**. The best line uttered during this whole nonsense was "History will tell us lies as usual" Like so many Hollywood productions, clothing, uniforms, etc. were all wrong. Don't waste your time, unless you enjoy self torture. ... Read more

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

Editorial Review

Generally underrated by critics, this 1978 sequel to the famous Read more

Features

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

Reviews (60)

One of Harrison Ford's Worst Movies
One of the biggest abortions, in terms of both quality and box office receipts, that Harrison Ford has ever starred in was 1978's Force 10 from Navarone.
Navarone Part II
I thought I saw this movie from the very beginning.Evidently, I missed the introduction tying "Force 10" back to "The Guns of Navarone."Somewhat strange to have a sequel with none of the actors from the first movie.It should be noted that this movie is not dependent on the plot from the first film.The storyline is mostly independent from the original "Navarone" and there does not appear to be any favoring of one character over the other when it comes to screen time; therefore, no definitive hero in this story.
This is an errata corrige to the [...] specs
Be advised that the described DVD is not 93 minutes in length, but rather 118 minutes for the Full Screen version, and 126 minutes for the Theatrical (Widescreen) version.
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Subjects:  1. Action / Adventure    2. Feature Film-drama    3. Movie   

Editorial Review

There's something about this film that's so irresistible, despite its grandiose manipulation. Maybe because it recounts the greatest air battle in history, achieving the greatest aerial battle in film history. Maybe because it has such a terrific cast (Harry Andrews, Michael Caine, Trevor Howard, Curt Jurgens, Laurence Olivier, Nigel Patrick, Christopher Plummer, Michael Redgrave, Ralph Richardson, Robert Shaw, Patrick Wymark, and Edward Fox). Maybe because it's so technically well-made, thanks to the Bond team of producer Harry Saltzman and director Guy Hamilton and the great cinematographer Freddie Young. Or maybe because there is something truly riveting about watching the British kick the Nazis back to Germany. Read more

Features

• Color
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Reviews (109)

Original Battle of Britain?
3 stars...otherwise five because of the end title music (when Sir Lawrence Olivier looked up in the sky outside of his office)...wasn't this originally a UA film?...the VHS was fine but, this DVD changed the end title music that isn't even from the Battle of Britain original movie soundtrack. The climax of the entire movie was that--and they blew it (It sent tingles up my spine). Are you listening MGM? Also Churchill's famous quote is curiously missing: "Never in the field of human conflict...etc. What is going on here? My original "feel good" memories of this movie are now ruined (I first saw this great flick in the local theater in 1969 when I was 18 years old).

One of the best war movies I've ever seen
...and I mean it. I've seen them all and I rarely label movies like this, but BoB deserves every bit of 5 stars and if I could give it more I would. The historical accuracy of the movie is amazing and the acting is better than some movies today. I saw this on TV once when I was a kid and couldn't find it locally, fortunately was able to buy it online and watch it again in the comfort of my own home, on DVD! Since then there was a Collectors Edition released, I would've bought that instead. But the original is still quite good. The soundtrack is very captivating. The HE-111 battles are accurate and quite fun to watch. Instead of focusing on one pilot throughout a battle, the movie places you in different planes and bombers from different angles, very cool technique and very fun to watch. Only downside was the occasional cheesy effect for plane explosions - not sure why they did this considering other effects were amazing, like the Spitfire crashing on beach. But not enough to take a star off, so we'll leave it as a 5 star beauty and a must see for any war fan.

a great air battle movie,but too unfocused
while this has some of the best air battles put on screen this movie is full of too many stars to keep track of the whole time so it leaves you cold! still the air battles are the best!!!!! ... Read more

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

Editorial Review

Mostly for Poirot completists and admirers of then-trendy, all-star ensemble casts from the 1970s and early '80s, Read more

Features

• Color
• Letterboxed
• Original recording remastered
• Widescreen
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Reviews (49)

"critics" don't know CRAP!
The guy who wrote the "official" Amazon review once again proves that the "critics" don't know anything.What does he think he was trying to prove?That he can make a name for himself by bashing the top-notch actors and screenplay?Come on!We all know that the book is better 99% of the time!!That being said, this movie is a CLASSIC, pure and simple.The setting on the beautiful island of Majorica, Spain, is incredible!The villa/resort where the story takes place is magnificent, and the interplay of the actors is just great.Ustinov rules in his portrayal of the famed detective.I have watched and will watch this movie until I die, how do we delete the official bash, uh, I mean review of this film??

Fun, fun, fun, fun, fun
I saw this film for the first time on cable and fell in love with it's bitch filled dialogue and cast. The Mediterranean settings are beautiful, costumes delightfully over the top and witty dialogue that lets the marvelous cast go not only for the jugular, but for bone marrow. Who can resist Dame Maggie Smith and Dame Diana Rigg ripping each other to shreds, all the while smiling at each other like the dearest of friends. Dame Maggie's line about Diana throwing her legs in the air higher than anybody else in the chorus is classic. Peter Ustinov is, as always, a delight as Hercule Poirot. All in all, it's a very fun film to watch and I'll bet you'll never guess where the missing diamond is hidden. Enjoy this film for the wonderfully fun bit of froth that it is.

Evil Under the Sun
Just as good as the first time I saw it.A very enjoyable who-dun-it in the delightful Christie style. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Movie    2. Mystery    3. Mystery / Suspense    4. Mystery / Suspense / Thriller    5. Suspense   

Editorial Review

To own Read more

Features

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

Reviews (200)

Perhaps James Bond's BEST Outing
GOLDFINGER is a very good movie. Perhaps it is the best James Bond film of he entire series. This one film contains many definitive aspects of all the James Bond films in the series. GOLDFINGER is very different from its two predecessors. The level of sophistication is much higher. Visually it is more stunning and is lavishly produced establishing a high standard for many of the cinematic elements associated with a James Bond film. Sean Connery gives his most sophisticated and distinguished performance as James Bond in GOLDFINGER. His friendly and easygoing approach in this film combined with his look of determination and confidence, wit, charm and a physical dexterity all add to his arsenal for self-preservation in order to see the job of eliminating the opposition to fruition. Even the main villain Goldfinger, who is more menacing and cunningly diabolical than his predecessors, is given greater depth by screenwriters Richard Maibaum and Paul Dehn. Gert Frobe's performance and visual presence as Goldfinger is one of the highlights of this film and the series. He is a constant menace to Bond as they play a cat and mouse game throughout the film. The intriguing golf game is a highlight of their confrontation. Once again another distinctive element to the Bond formula is introduced during the golf game in the form of Oddjob, the main villain's henchman who kills his victims with a steal edged bowler hat. Returning to Richard Maibaum and Paul Dehn, it can be seen that the script of GOLDFINGER is perhaps the best structured and balanced giving the plot elements, action sequences and the familiar Bond gadgets integrated treatment producing a solid story. Their script is also rich with character development meticulously incorporated into the story, which is never intrusive to the film's flow but is part of the cohesiveness of all the visuals skillfully directed by Guy Hamilton and expertly edited together by Peter Hunt. Of those visuals it is Production Designer Ken Adam's distinctive set designs that also help define the film's "Bond look" where he creates a unique look of functionally modern almost futuristic sets that dominate the screen with his iconic style. Cinematographer Ted Moore did some of his best work on this film utilizing photographic techniques to produce a dynamic and lavish look to this film. John Barry composed (along with lyricists Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley) the main title to GOLDFINGER sung by Shirley Bassey, which is probably the most recognizable song from the series and immediately brings to mind images of James Bond to this day. This melody used and often referred to throughout the score integrates the James Bond Theme along with John Barry's own distinctive musical motifs and style once again lending credence that this is the definitive Bond film when combined with all the other superlative elements presented in GOLDFINGER. The "Bond Girls" and their specific role in the Bond formula are best represented yet uniquely presented in GOLDFINGER seeing that the formula in this film is tweaked a bit. Usually the formula dictates that Bond has one leading female partner who accompanies him on and off during his exploits. There is also the sacrificial lamb that becomes sexually involved with Bond but along the way pays the ultimate sacrifice, which only intensifies Bond's resolve to vanquish the villain. Also, there may be a female villain who Bond also becomes sexually involved in and her fate varies from film to film. GOLDFINGER as a film stands on its own. It is good filmmaking. As a James Bond film it could easily be considered the best of the series.
Sean Connery IS James Bond
Sean Connery is the ONE and ONLY James Bond - Agent 007. That's it. This is his best outing. GOLDFINGER has a great script, villain, girls, location, gadgets, music and action. Who could ask for more when you really examine it? The DVD image is good but I question the aspect ratio. The aspect ratio on my laserdisc looks closer the theatrical version. The extras on this DVD are outstanding just the same.
Should Have Six Stars
This is one of my favorite Bond movies. It begins with the beautiful Shirley Eaton, and just gets better. This is a classic which really set the pace for future Bond flicks. Sean Connery, Gert Frobe and Honor Blackman are great. The world can thank Ian Fleming for having such a wonderful imagination. ... Read more

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

Editorial Review

Talk about hubris: this film, released at the height of sequelmania in the mid-1980s, came with its own intimations of future sequels built right into the title. Unfortunately, you have to make a good first film in order to generate follow-ups--something these filmmakers didn't manage--so the adventure began and ended with this one. Based on the pulp paperback adventure series The Destroyer, the film deals with a ne'er-do-well, Remo Williams (Fred Ward), who is recruited to battle the forces of evil. He is trained by an Asian martial arts master who, in those days before political correctness, was played by Joel Grey in heavy makeup. But the action is both forced and preposterous, jokey without every really being funny. The best thing about the film is Grey--and his stereotyped depiction of an Asian is pretty hard to take today. Read more

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Reviews (66)

A Comedic Adventure
This one can be a lot of fun if it is not taken too seriously. It stars Fred Ward and the title character, Remo Williams. That is not his real name. It is the name chosen for him by his "recruiter" who takes it from the bottom of a bedpan. That's how serious this show is.
Anyone but Fred Ward
OK, I gotta start by saying that I am a big fan of the Remo Williams/Chiun books,,and of that genre. My review may be biased insofar as I just can't see Fred Ward in the role. I am too poisoned by Tremors, a movie I really enjoyed and I thought he was perfect for. Here is the problem: you have to make up your mind making one of these guy action flics. Either you are campy (Buckaroo Banzai, Airplane) or serious (Rambo, Commando). The latter choice is just as hard as the first, because it is really easy to look ridiculous. Treading the line between the two is almost impossible, and takes the likes of Albert Broccolli who did the Bond films. In this one Fred tries to be a serious hero but carries too much baggage from prior roles to look like more than a fool. So his heroic tricks, like dodging (literally) bullets and outrunning explosions look like they were designed to amuse rather than impress. The low-budget production does little to dazzle the eyes. The script doesn't capture the political un-correctness of the books, written at a time when guys got off on booze, sleazy babes and violent death, and it was still OK to do so. The original Remo was bitter, isolated and detached. He was also indifferent to sex, except as a tool for domination, homophobic and elitist - and we loved him for it. Fred is just a toughguy, so he just looks like a bully. Chiun was the humor in the series for his neverending contempt for whites and Chinese and on and on. Because he was the toughest-ass old guy you ever met, it was OK too. Sorry, Chiun deserves to be elitist, but here is just a caricature of himself. I give it two stars for trying to pander to guys, but have to tell you that you are better off spending an hour watching Goldfinger, Live and Let Die or Tomorrow Never Dies.

Fred Ward Rules!
It is a mystery why this film didn't take off at the Box Office; it quite handily captures the tongue in cheek essence that makes the DESTROYER series so much more interesting than most pulp fiction series.
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Subjects:  1. Action / Adventure    2. Feature Film-action/Adventure    3. Movie   

Editorial Review

Angela Lansbury does the honors as Agatha Christie's determined sleuth, Miss Marple, in this adaptation of Christie's novel. A washed-up movie star (Elizabeth Taylor) is attempting to make a comeback but is driven to distraction by a mysterious event from her past. Also problematic for Taylor's struggling actress is a series of murders occurring with clockwork regularity in the quiet, 1950s English village where a film is being produced--killings that are all somehow connected to her. Despite the British backdrop, most of the suspects, including Rock Hudson, Kim Novak, and Tony Curtis, are American in this 1980 feature directed by Guy Hamilton (Read more

Features

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Reviews (25)

"Murder, She Droned"
For anybody that is expecting production values similar to those of the best TV mysteries of the nineties and later (like the Marple series with Geraldine McEwan or David Suchet's Poirot) this production will be a big disappointment. Angela Lansbury makes a really awful Marple and the addition of various "big name" stars like Elizabeth Taylor and Rock Hudson ruin the mood even further since the director is apparently forced to linger and linger on meaningless scenes that give the "stars" extra screen time.
The Mirror Crack'd
Movie arrived in excellent condition in the expected week.
four stars for the cast,1 star for the mystery
with it's cast of old pros(elizabeth taylor,rock hudson,kim novak,tony curtis,and angela lansbury as miss marple this film is very watchable,but the mystery really is why any of them would want to be in this one with such a weak script.10mins in you'll spot who the killer is and without the mystery going for it the only reason this movie works is because of the talent in front of the camera!
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Subjects:  1. Movie    2. Mystery    3. Mystery / Suspense    4. Mystery / Suspense / Thriller    5. Suspense   

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Reviews (3)

Entertaining but one sided
This is classic British cinema, plenty of stiff upper lip, correctness and solid acting on display. Remembering that the production year is 1955 explains the only down side to the story which is a one sided, and often unrealistic bias toward the POW characters. The Germans are played as either likeable, or totally inept, a fairly unlikely scenario considering the pedigree of Colditz as a top notch prison, and the stringent practices of the Wehrmacht during WWII. That said, this is a "feel good" flick to a degree, showing the quiet determination of the inmates against their irascible hosts. John Mills heads up a pretty A list cast for the year, not least Eric Portman who is central to the entire movie, and plays his character Colonel Richmond with a sagacious flair. You're not going to see much action, or brutal prison scenes (once again it's 1955 remember) but there are several moments of suspense interlaced through the relatively thin plot. The picture tends to allude to, but then completely side steps the horrors of POW camps, unlike the far more polished "The Great Escape" which came some 8 years later, but the Black & White production gives a nice antiquated feel to the set design, and the 94 minute running time is about right for the material on display. There have been many books written about the events that took place at Colditz castle, not least the memoirs of Pat Reid (the real life POW portrayed by John Mills on screen) and many will bemoan the fact that there is a lot missing from the story. However, if we compare more contemporary cinema that boasts "based on true events" taglines, they invariably delve even further into the realm of poetic license, than seen here. Overall 3 stars may seem a little mean, as this is a good WWII movie, being fairly typical of the period and the plodding script however, prevents it from climbing much above average. Enjoy

Wonderful
A terrific film, with a great story and acting. Eric Portman is particulary good, but the whole cast shines.

Poor
I have been a fan of all the "Classic" escape movies ofWW2 such as the Great Escape!After reading several books on "Colditz" and the exploits of the POW's, I could hardly wait forthe movie to arrive.After watching the Colditz story I was verydisappointed at the lack of escape attempts outlined in the books such asthe "Glider" I also found the humor of this movie very corny. The German guards are portrayed as idiots without a clue as to what isgoing on which made the move even more unrealistic.The various bookswritten about Colditz are not done justice by this movie. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Drama    2. Miscellaneous    3. Movie   

Editorial Review

Mostly for Poirot completists and admirers of then-trendy, all-star ensemble casts from the 1970s and early '80s, Read more

Features

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Reviews (49)

"critics" don't know CRAP!
The guy who wrote the "official" Amazon review once again proves that the "critics" don't know anything.What does he think he was trying to prove?That he can make a name for himself by bashing the top-notch actors and screenplay?Come on!We all know that the book is better 99% of the time!!That being said, this movie is a CLASSIC, pure and simple.The setting on the beautiful island of Majorica, Spain, is incredible!The villa/resort where the story takes place is magnificent, and the interplay of the actors is just great.Ustinov rules in his portrayal of the famed detective.I have watched and will watch this movie until I die, how do we delete the official bash, uh, I mean review of this film??

Fun, fun, fun, fun, fun
I saw this film for the first time on cable and fell in love with it's bitch filled dialogue and cast. The Mediterranean settings are beautiful, costumes delightfully over the top and witty dialogue that lets the marvelous cast go not only for the jugular, but for bone marrow. Who can resist Dame Maggie Smith and Dame Diana Rigg ripping each other to shreds, all the while smiling at each other like the dearest of friends. Dame Maggie's line about Diana throwing her legs in the air higher than anybody else in the chorus is classic. Peter Ustinov is, as always, a delight as Hercule Poirot. All in all, it's a very fun film to watch and I'll bet you'll never guess where the missing diamond is hidden. Enjoy this film for the wonderfully fun bit of froth that it is.

Evil Under the Sun
Just as good as the first time I saw it.A very enjoyable who-dun-it in the delightful Christie style. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Movie    2. Mystery / Suspense    3. Mystery / Suspense / Thriller