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Reviews (21)

toe curling
in german with german actors, production ofcourse;this is the almost verbatim meeting held in the city of the title where the german elite explained just how they were going to exterminate the jews entirely...the cover-up,how they would make it look and sound palapable,going over details without euphamisims.difficult to watch,but needed.we seem to have already begun willing to repeat the horrible mistakes we promised to learn from...there is an american version with kenneth branagh and stanley tucci that is as good,but lacks the story in and told by germans...it is called the "conspiracy" on dvd...

Excellent documentary on important topic
The Wannsee Conference was a critical, 2-hour event during which high officials of the Third Reich planned their "Final Solution" for the "Jewish problem." Their solution -- ship them east, then kill them all.
Holocaust Incorporated

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Reviews (59)

In short
This is simply the best motion picture I have ever seen. A beautiful and intelligent triology that will stay with you. Years ago, during it's first week on Swedish cinemas, I saw it twice. Since then I've seen it a few times more.

Dark, intriguing and "in your face" film...I want a DVD version!
Saw this film years ago in Sweden (without English subtitles). Despite not understanding most of the dialogues, the images were stark enough to remind you the realities of life in other countries outside the comforts of your home.Definitely a film that should go out on DVD and something I'd spend my money on!

Great film about a great tragedy
In watching this movie you can understand the Balkan conflict better than if you readfive books on the subject. It is about the power of war crushing the innocence of love. good acting all around and wonderful cinematography. We need a DVD relase of this one! those reading this review please tell amazon you want a DVD version, as more and more people switch exclusively to DVD it would be a shame of if this gem were forgotten. ... Read more

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

Editorial Review

Italy's rubber-faced funnyman Roberto Benigni accomplishes theimpossible in his World War II comedy Read more

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Reviews (602)

An absolute masterpiece
This film is better than anything else I've reviewed this week, or in a very long time. But you want details, so here we go.
A Wonderful Film
Life is Beautiful is a film by Roberto Benigni, which really showcases his talent before he made an embarassing stab at playing Pinocchio. "Life is Beautiful" is probably my favorite Foreign film (I've only seen probably 5 though); It's funny, heartfelt, has wonderful performances, and is all around a joy to watch. It also happens to be a layered film, that goes in one direction before veering off into another but never losing it's charm. Benigni plays Guido, a waiter with a humorous streak. After Guido contantly stumbles into Dora (Nicoletta Braschi), he falls in love with her and the movie (with no warning) flashes forward a number of years. This first half of the film (which is a little over 50 minutes) is pretty much a romantic-comedy. The second half is quite different. In the second half, Guido and Dora (who now have a young son named Joshua) live in Italy which is overrun with Germans. Subsequently, Guido and Joshua are taken into a concentration camp; Dora also goes to the camp, but under different circumstances which are a bit unbelievable but still a nice part of the story. Anyway, Guido employs his quick-wit to keep his son from the horrors of the camp; Guido tells Josh that it's actually an elaborate game and that he must avoid being seen. If, at the end, he does everything he's told and racks up the most "points" he will get a tank. Benigni (who is also the co-writer and director) does something that's never been done. He takes a horrifying setting (a concentration camp) and turns it into a comedy, without exploting anything and without losing heart.
Be happy that weare HERE.
Despite the holocaust that can happen to anybody,this movie shows deeply that as a child,everything you see around you is in it's nature.The heart of a child can feel the joy of living,while we (grown-up children) often look for the shade or nuance of everything....we judge,compare,condemn and critic.We are duped by all the happenings around.
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Subjects:  1. Foreign Film - Italian    2. Foreign Film [Dub Or Subtitle]    3. Movie   

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Reviews (39)

A WInner
This is a great movie that depicts the spirit of the courageous priests, religious and lay people during a terrible time.It is definitely a must see!

Powerful story about strength, convictions, action, and the power of forgiveness
I'm Protestant ... and some may think this is only a movie for Catholics ... but this movie transcends 'religion'. It is a movie for anyone facing adverse times and the difficult choices one must make (the choice between protecting self, or risking all for someone who cannot give anything in return). Because of this, it has always been one of my favorites. "What is our duty when we come face-to-face with evil?"
Gregory Peck stars as Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty, a brave Irish priest who works in the Vatican during the German occupation in World War Two. Over time O'Flaherty builds a network of hundreds of equally brave civilians to help him hide refugees and escaped Allied POWs from the Gestapo, under the command of the brutal Colonel Kappler (played by Christopher Plummer, in an unforgettable performance). Pope Pius XII (played by John Gielgud) soon knows of O'Flaherty's activities, but does nothing to help him, insisting on the church's neutrality and the dangers of working against the German occupation.
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Editorial Review

Director Gillo Pontecorvo's 1966 movie Read more

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Reviews (91)

I have finally seen this movie and it is excellent
I travel to Algiers many time a year for work. As a result, I visited the Algiers casbah many times and each time, as I passed in front of the house where Ali Lapointe was killed by the French, along with another man, a woman and a 10-year old boy, I was reminded I needed to see this movie.
Extraordinary film
I'm a good friend of Haskell Wexler, and edited his film, "Medium Cool," in 1968. This film came out the year before and was required viewing for all of us -- especially because of the way it made a scripted story look like a documentary. I loved the film back then but hadn't seen it again until last week. I admit I was a bit worried that it would appear dated and irrelevant.
Original and Superb!
One of the most realistic war movies ever made, Battle of Algiers is a must see for those that would like a deeper insight into revolutionary mentality and/or expert film making. From actual FLN rebels used in the film to the scenes being shot on location, Gillo Pontecorvo is able to combine a terrifying event into a cinematic masterpiece.
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Subjects:  1. Drama    2. Foreign Film - French    3. Movie   

Editorial Review

This tongue-in-cheek 1970 variation on Read more

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Reviews (121)

"A Sherman Can Give You a Very Nice Edge.."
"Kelly's Heroes" is an odd, yet quite enjoyable war movie. This 1970's comedic, cinematic take on WWII, mixes genres such as the suicide mission/action film, the crime/caper film and the army comedy. In other words, take a lot of "The Dirty Dozen", mix a bit of "Ocean's 11" and add in some "M*A*S*H" plus "Catch-22" and you'll have "Kelly's Heroes". The film features a battered U.S. Army infantry unit, which has been on the front lines since landing at Omaha Beach. All they have on there minds is a little R&R, that includes booze & broads. That is until Pvt. Kelly (Clint Eastwood) interrogates (with a bottle of brandy) a captured German intelligence officer, who tells him about a Nazi convoy transporting 16 million dollars worth of gold bars. Kelly hatches a plan for his unit to go thirty miles into enemy held territory and steal the gold from a small French bank, that is being vigorously guarded by three Nazi 'Tiger' tanks. I know in this day and age it might sound rather odd, but this is one war movie, that is not only suspenseful, but is also a whole lot of fun! Is it an accurate portrayle of WWII? Probably not. (I doubt there were too many hippie tank commanders during the "Big One") This 1970 release pretty much through its' hilarious, sharp scripthas more of a Vietnam era mentality, which satiracally makes fun of both the army and it's attitudes about war. Unlike the John Wayne style war films of the past, these guys are hardly trying to be patriotic heroes, but they are just trying to make it through the war with their a**'s intact (and maby make a little profit on the side). The film features a large, talented cast, some of whom, were already stars and others, who later went on to become big names in both television and film. This includes Clint Eastwood, Telly Savalas, Donald Sutherland, Don Rickles, Caroll O'Connor, Gavin MacLeod, Stuart Margolin, Harry Dean Stanton and Len Lesser (Uncle Leo from TV's "Seinfeld"). How can you go wrong with a cast like that? If your in the mood for a good action picture with some big laughsmixed in, then I would highly recommend Kelly's Heroes".

flawed but good overall
Many reviews are billing this as a funny World War II film. I'm not sure I agree, if only because 1) I don't remember laughing one time, and 2) its attempts at humor are interspersed with scenes of grave seriousness. Regardless, not a bad movie, but various devices leave you scratching your head and wondering why they bothered to put that in the film.
NOT, ASANDWICHSHOP
What? like you never thought of that joke...
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Subjects:  1. Action / Adventure    2. Feature Film-action/Adventure    3. Movie   

Editorial Review

It's tempting to call this harrowing picture a World War II version of Read more

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Reviews (164)

Up there with Das Boot
Compelling story from a "small cadre of individuals" perspective. Stalingrad
The movie was true. It was to the point. People nowdays may not what is really true.One of best.Outstanding.

Classic World War 2 Film
This film is a must for anyone interested in creating a 'collectors' library on World War 2 films. The film is an unbiased view into the sufferings and agony of both German and Russian soldiers during Hitler's famous assault on Stalingrad.
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Reviews (12)

Good Wine
I have been a fan of Zhang Yimou's films since 1999 when I first watched his 1991 film Raise The Red Lantern for my East Asian Novel class, and since then I have watched several other of his films such as Not One Less, To Live, The Road Home, Happy Times, and Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles. Each one of his films brings something new to the table and delves into such issues as urban/rural conflicts, political corruption, and Japan-China relations. Red Sorghum is Zhang Yimou's first film as a director and while it may be a bit simpler than many of his later films it contains elements that almost every fan of his films will be familiar with: beautiful settings, very fleshed out characters, and moments of conflict where those who possess little power are overwhelmed by larger forces. Also, Red Sorghum is Gong Li first film, and it is nice to see that even at such a young age, 21, that she already possessed on screen charisma that can really grip the viewer's heart. While not as masterful as her performances in To Live or Chen Kaige's Farewell My Concubine, her tears and iron core are still quite moving.
A pastoral epic!
The bold portrait of the humble village wine makers against the interloping Japanese forces. An enigmatic and brave film that marks the ascending and meteoric career of Yimou Zang. Winner of the Silver Bear 1988, and one of my Fifty top choices of that Decade.
A very good movie!
Watching this movie makes you feel the blood in your whole body are burning! It's very hard to produce a movie with such a strong force of passion. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Foreign Film - Chinese    2. Foreign Film [Dub Or Subtitle]    3. Movie   

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Reviews (11)

THE BURMESE HARP
Director Kon Ichikawa made a truly great movie, especially considering that this anti-war movie was made not long after the end of the second world war. [1956 release] Having read quite a bit about the Pacific theatre of war as an undergraduate, I came to appreciate this movie about how the trauma of this horrible war affected one Japanese soldier. The soldier becomes spiritually obsessed with burying as many Japanese war dead that he comes across in his journey throughout the country of Burma. And he vows to remain in Burma until he has accomplished this task [a very formidabale task!] The fact that this Cinematic masterpiece is only available on VHS, not DVD, does not detract from the richness of the movie. I rank this movie right up there with "PATHS OF GLORY," as my two most favorite anti-war movies ever made. A must see.

Haunting Japanese anti war film!
At the end of the WW2, a survivor of a Japanese Command, follows his bliss when he takes a decision: to disguise himself as a monk . He will make a reflexive tour, a powerful insight act, a soul searching journey soul searching backto those places where his fellow comrades met the death. This redemption fact once more completes the mythical cycle of the life: birth and innocence, maturity and experience and finally wisdom and redemption.
Come Japan, come England, Burma is Buddha's country
At the beginning of this long film the audience sees a spectatcular view red dirt and red mountains of Burma, which is very significant because, if one is familiar with Buddhist tradition, the dust symbollizes the mortal world of suffering and it represents what one wants to brush off if one desires to follow the path of the Buddha. After seeing the bleak terrain, the audience is introduced to a small contigent of soldiers led by Captain Inoue a former music teacher. In order to keep his troops spirits up, the Captain teaches his men how to sing with varying degrees of success. His most gifted soldier is Mizushima, who has taught himself how to play a Burmese Harp which he has mastered quite skillfully.
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Subjects:  1. Foreign    2. Foreign Film - Japanese    3. Foreign Film [Dub Or Subtitle]    4. International    5. Movie   

Editorial Review

This film was a touchstone of the late 1960s, when it was seen as an antiwar allegory for a world in which madness seemed to reign. Of course, that would probably be true whenever this movie was shown, wouldn't it? Directed by Philippe de Broca and set during World War I, Read more

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Reviews (42)

'King of Hearts' is King in My Heart
I have been going to the movies for a long, long time...starting in the late 1930's.'King of Hearts' is very near the top of my list of favorites and I was delighted to be able to obtain my very own copy.The premise asks the question, 'Who is Really Crazy? The gentle souls confined to an insane asylum or the warmongers on the battlefield?'Though the actions of the actors is comedic and amusing, this can hardly be defined as a comedy.It causes one to think a great deal about a very serious subject.

MORE URGENT THOUGH LESS POPULAR MESSAGE NOW THAN IN THE SIXTIES
We in the Sixties cheered this film heartily.
A FUN movie
I have learned from previous reviews that the movie has an antiwar message.When I watched the movie, my attention was held by its humor and entertainment.I was introduced to the film by a rental, and decided to buy it to replay when I was looking for a good laugh. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Foreign Film - French    2. Foreign Film [Dub Or Subtitle]    3. Movie   

Editorial Review

This brilliant film manages to reinterpret the story of Victor Hugo'sclassic novel, critique it, and investigate the nature of art and life on top ofthat--all in three hours that zip past, fueled by the dynamic performance ofFrench icon Jean-Paul Belmondo (Read more

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Reviews (30)

One of the best movies I've seen - needs DVD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is one of the best movies I've ever seen. I can't understand why it is still not available on DVD.

One of my all-time favorites
This re-telling of the well-known "Les Miserables" story is set in the bloody, painful first half of the 20th century in Europe. It opens with a scene of a gorgeous, turn-of-the-century ball, a robbery afterwards, and wrongful imprisonment. Quickly fast forward to WWII France, the Resistance and the awful plight of the Jews. Jean-Paul Belmondo is a truck driver whose decent heart leads him to hide some Jews, and his quiet courage and strength as the Nazis try to find out his secrets are amazing. As he is driving one of the Jewish escapees to freedom, the man regales him with the story of the Hugo novel, which he has never heard. The twists and turns of the story are truly bizarre and horrifying, but amazingly Claude Lelouche has made a movie of hope. The film ends with a reprise of the gorgeous ball in a very different setting. One can only sigh with satisfaction.
Light Shining in the Darkness
I really loved this film.Only reason it didn't get 5 stars is because I kept comparing it to what I think is the best english-language version (best period!) of the original tale.That would be the 1978 w/ Perkins, Jordan, Gielgud, Holm, etc.If you get that you have to get the full-length VHS version.
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Subjects:  1. Foreign    2. Foreign Film - French    3. Foreign Film [Dub Or Subtitle]    4. International    5. Movie   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (364)

Good but maybe a little too realistic
The acting is convincing and the script is excellent.Why only 4 stars?
William Craig's Book on Stalingrad from 1973 brought to life
A central statue display of Children dancing around a Maypole with a Crocodile leering at them while buildings burn after the bombing of a railroad yard in Stalingrad. That was the picture on the original cover of the famous book produced by William Craig that this film used as a resource. It makes an impression immediately as to what nightmares this battle was all about and the film does deliver that impression just as well. I was haunted by the stories in Mr. Craig's book when I first became acquainted with the work in 1980. You can feel the atmosphere in this film. It is very Stalinist in the deep browns, blacks and fiery red of war. As Al Stewart said in his famous song "Roads to Moscow": "and the pale sun of October whispers the Snow will soon be coming..and I wonder when I'll be home again and the morning answers 'never' and the evening sighs and the steely russian skies go on ...forever". So you can imagine how I felt as I sat in the audience for the first showing of this movie. When it was over, the audience sat there...in stunned silence at what had been shown and no one left the theatre as the credits rolled to the end. It was as if everyone could not quite take in all that was given in this movie. It did not fail in trying to tell the personal tales that Craig spoke about, but it tended to center on a few individuals (real people, in most cases, but somewhat romanticized) yet, it does convey a certain sense of the misery of fighting in the city. The director made a few changes in the fates of individuals, added a political officer in the mix to good effect and generally did a good job. A few scenes from the original have been CUT. One in the meeting with Nikita K of political officers where one wets his pants and another when Ed Harris (as Maj. Konig, an Oscar worthy performance!) is sitting in the train and the camera focuses on terribly wounded Germans in another train, stacked like cattle ready to head in the opposite direction, staring at him in a luxurious train car alone is a bit longer before he pulls the curtain down so that he don't have to look at them. The film decends into a personal duel between Harris and Jude Law playing the hero Vassily Zaitzev, two snipers of note. The film misses on other heroes like General Vassili Chuikov or Colonel Ivan Lyudnikov, a division commander who defended the Barrikady factory against the German Pioneer unit. 15 year old Sacha Fillipov was indeed hanged for espionage, but this too was romanticized for effect. I have nothing against it. It is still an effective picture. Not perfect for a History scholar but the film produces the intended result. The truth is that most Americans were unaware of the Russian fight at Stalingrad, only Harrison Salisbury, a reporter for the NY Times, wrote and reported during the war about Soviet fighting that later made for effective books that he wrote as an afterthought. It is still good and makes for an entertaining semi-historical lesson.

A Rare Recent Movie on Events of the Eastern Front of World War II
As you may have read, this movie covers events from the Battle of Stalingrad 1942, which was the turning point of the war against Nazi Germany.This was a brutal battle during a harsh winter and the casualties were horrific.Brutalities occurred from both sides fighting the battle, the Nazi's, which are well known, and the Soviets, the brutalities of which are alarmingly little known.Considering the library shelves full of the atrocities committed by the Soviets, there remains a dichotomy on the coverage committed by both of these totalitarian regimes.An acknowledgment of the nature of the Soviet Union will be when there's an equivalent Schindler's List Hollywood movie, heaped with loads of awards, and broadcast on network TV without commercial interruption.That day may be a long time off, or may never occur, so there only exist whatever rare movies occur on it.There are a few telling statements here and there, Bob Hoskins as Krushchev, the Communist political leader in the battle, asks another soldier what he thinks can be done to motivate the Soviet soldiers, and he replies threaten their families, to which Krushchev lets out a "pfthh, of course we already tried that!".This is a realistic comment on the mentality of the Russians who killed thousands of their own troops in disciplinary actions.There's a comment on the `political correctness' of the movie.It's the other way around, politically correct would be to say how great the Russians were in WWII.The fact that this Hollywood movie has been released and is un-politically correct is what's surprising, and is why you should view such a rarity.
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Subjects:  1. Action    2. Action / Adventure    3. Adventure    4. Feature Film-drama    5. Movie   

Editorial Review

Régis Wargnier's 1992 Oscar winner for Best Foreign Film is a bit like watching paint dry, despite its exotic locale and lead performance by the legendary Catherine Deneuve (Read more

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Excellent film of artistic and historic importance
I would say that this film is a grand mixture of exotic and natural beauty and complexity. The complexity is multifaceted; the complexity of character development, the complexity of an unfolding plot, and the complexity of changing world politics.
The Last Days of the French Empire
French Vietnam or Indochine in its last days through the eyes of an French plantation owner. Elaine is the adult daughter of the original owner who maintains its lush riches amidst the eventual collapse of the French colony. Living a society life in Saigon with her adopted Vietnamese daughter Camille, Elaine's wealthy and luxurious life is one of inert emotional satisfaction. It changes when she falls hard for a young Naval officer and vies for his affections with Camille. A love triangle emerges and gives rise to a folk legend when Camille refuses to let her love die. A slow moving but deep film about the end of France's glory on Vietnam.

Beautiful Depiction of an Era Gone Forever
"Your Indochine is no more" replied Camille ... the released prisoner, Communist fugitive, and adopted daughter of Eliane, her mother and wealthy rubber plantation owner. Eliane had gone to the prison to rescue her daughter and try to retrieve their old lifestyle but it had died along with the political changes and rebellions against the French colonialists. Camille had been a spoiled rich young girl. She escaped a traditional Indochinese betrothal and marriage to unwittingly participate in an underground Communist movement, while trying to locate Jean- Baptiste, the French Naval officer with whom she fell in love. The film is haunting and beautiful as it depicts a historical era from the 1930s to mid 1955. The upper class French colonial lifestyle is shown in all its opulence. French ex-patriots gather for social events and celebrations while the Indochinese are second-class citizens doing the back-breaking labor in the fields. The educated Indochinese young people go to Paris for education at Universities. There they develop a taste for freedom and rebelllion, as they understand the exploitation of their country ...
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Franco Flaminco
**Parts of Plot Revealed*
Great film set during the Spanish Civil War
The great director Carlos Saura started with an outstanding cast and authentic detailed war time sets to create this superb film about republican vaudeville entertainers who take a wrong turn during their road show and wind up in the hands of fascist troops.Expecting to be executed, they are given a chance to entertain the fascists and obtain freedom by a stage struck Italian officer.But a chance encounter with Polish international brigade prisoners of war creates an emotional conflict for Carmen Maura.She must go through with an act that she finds distasteful and dreads the possibility that the POWs will be in the audience.The details of wartime Spain are excellent and the supporting cast is outstanding.The title of the film is taken from a charming Civil War song which also happens to be the name of the act, Carmela y Paulino.Saura has created a film that is both light and charming but with an underlying seriousness about this great tragic period of Spanish history.

Novios de la muerte.
The Spanish Civil War seen as a vaudeville show for the brutal Franco troops, where the terrified performers try to save their skins and their conscience, knowing they can't have both. Carmen Maura shines (what else is new?) as the outspoken partner in a sing-and-dance couple, but Pajares clearly steals the show as herchaplinesque, panic-stricken husband.Read more

Subjects:  1. Foreign Film - Spanish/Misc Sa    2. Foreign Film [Dub Or Subtitle]    3. Movie   

Editorial Review

Ziad Doueiri established his credentials as the assistantcameraman on Quentin Tarantino's early films, but his feature debut,Read more

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Reviews (24)

The cathartic gaze!
Beirut 1975. Anarchy and violence surround all the urban environment. The city is under siege, clearly divided in two regions: the Christian and the Muslim, but a brothel is no