Reviews (145)

how spy films should be done!!!!
We've seen James Bond, the Man from Uncle but Mission Impossible is the only spy film that shows how to create a real world of espionage and action.
Based on the successful 1960's series, it starts off with the impossible missions force(a group of specially qualified agents) doing a simple job of catching a traitor,who is stealing secret files of every undercover agents real identity. The team is wiped out except for Tom Cruise who becomes the number one suspect for their deaths. Using all his skills he has to prove his innocence, find the real culprit and keep one step ahead of the authorities.
The set pieces are truely dazzling, the finale on the Channel Train tunnel is absoloutly stunning and the possibly one of THE best action sequences in cinematic history.
The story never slows down for a second and although at first viewing a little confusing its still gripping stuff.
The supporting cast is fantastic from Jon Voight to Vanessa Redgrave it's very hard to criticise a film so well-thought out.
The best action-orientated espionage film since You Only Live Twice. Shame De Palma would'nt stay for the sequel.
The DVD extras are few but who cares when you've got a film this good!!!!!!

Ethan Hunt is right up there with James Bond!
"Mission Impossible" is probably one of the best spy films I've seen in a long time! Different from James Bond 007 movies, "Mission Impossible" has a clever plot, lots of twists and turns, edge-of-your seat suspense, some parts where there is witty humor, and action which would satisfy any movie lover!

Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) is sent on a mission with other IMF agents Jim Phelps (John Voight), his wife Claire Phelps (Emmanuelle Beart), Sarah Davies (Kristin Scott Thomas), Jack Harmen (Emilio Estevez), and Hannah Williams (Ingeborga Dapkunaite). It's a fairly simple job in Prague, their mission is to keep surveillance on the top-secret NOC list. But everything goes wrong as the list in stolen and one by one, all of the agents are killed, leaving only Ethan alive. He then learns that the list that was stolen was actually fake, and that the whole thing was a set-up to capture a 'mole'. And since Ethan was the only one left alive, he is now the prime suspect for being the traitor. Now disavowed with a man-hunt going on for him, Ethan must find out who the real culprit is and to do that, he plans on stealing the real NOC list to bait him! With help from Claire who had not really been killed and two other disavowed agents Luther Stickell (Ving Rhames) and Franz Krieger (Jean Reno), they now have a 'mission impossible', to catch the traitor!

This is certainly a 5 star movie since it has what I think all the ingredients that are needed in a good action movie: acting, plot, action, suspense, and a bit of humor. And "Mission Impossible" has it all! But probably the two ingredients which were the most well used was the superbly written plot and the action.

The plot was pretty original, not the usual 'an evil man/group planning to take over the world' plot, but one where agents all over the world would be in danger if the NOC list isn't kept safe. Also there was plenty of mystery, surprises, and twists and turns, making the watcher actually having to think during the movie. You would actually have to watch "Mission Impossible" a few times to get the whole story.

As for the action, probably the highlights of the film are most probably the beginning where the agents are keeping surveillance on the NOC list, the breaking into the CIA computer vault, and the helicopter/train scene. My personal favorite is the breaking into the safe in the CIA safe, it was a really exciting part!

There was a sequel made after this movie, "Mission Impossible 2". Returning in the movie are of course Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt and Ving Rhames as Luther Stickell. Though it was very exciting and more action packed, the plot was very, very simple compared to the first movie and also it had a different director, John Woo, direct. All in all, an OK movie which I recommend to watch. And of course, all James Bond movies are must-sees.

Mission Declassified
Adapting a popular television series for the big screen is never an easy undertaking. Not only do you have to compete with audience expectations, but, the filmmakers also have to make it their own as well. Considering all of the rumored backstage problems, that were said to have happened while Mission Impossible was being made, it's amazing that the movie got made at all.

Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) is the leader of a crack squad of intelligence operatives. When a dangerous mission in Prague goes inexplicably wrong, Hunt finds himself out in the cold. A mole has infiltrated the CIA, and suspicions are that it's Hunt. His only chance to clear his name, is to find and expose who the realmole is, and turn the tables on that person. With potential enemies all around him, it's hard to know whom he can trust. The plan takes Hunt through a series of close calls as he tries to stay one step ahead of his foes.

Anyone who has followed the career of director Brian De Palma will recognize many of his familiar trademarks. The cast is top notch. Ving Rhames as Luther, Henry Czerny as the smarmy Kittridge, Emmanuelle Béart as Claire, are just great support for Cruise. Sadly though, save for Jim Phelps (John Voight), none of the chacacters from the television series are in the film. The only other connective elemements of the show are the "Good Morning Jim...mission briefings and Lalo Schifrin's classic theme song, updated by coposer Danny Elfman. As a fan of the seies, I wish more of a direct homage were paid to what came before. The script, credited to Robert (Chinatown) Towne and David (Panic Room) Koepp, has plenty to keep the viewer guessing. But the major twist is pretty easy to spot and that's disappointing. One final problem--we don't really see The IMF work as a team all that much-- everyone's kind of scattered for too much of the film.

"Friction" between Cruise and De Palma may explain why a special edition DVD hasn't been released yet. Whatever the case may be...Mission Impossible is good enough to deserve an upgrade. As it stands now, the only extra on the current release, is the theatrical trailer. You can watch the film in either the widescreen or fullscreen formats.

de palma: cruise
Brian De Palma's (Carrie; Scarface; The Untouchables) 1996 action film starring Tom Cruise and Jon Voight is a pretty good action film. Well, once you suspend all belief. But that is what this movie is about. Putting real life on hold and believing in the impossible, the fantastic. Cruise, an excellent dramatic actor, does a great job crossing over into an action star--even with the bad haircut. Lots of cool gadgets and interesting scenarios and that great Mission: Impossible theme. And it is great to see the intimidating Ving Rhames casted as a computer genius/geek. Inspired casting.

Mission: Impossible (1996)
Director: Brian De Palma
Cast: Tom Cruise, Jon Voight, Emmanuelle Beart, Emilio Estevez, Vanessa Redgrave, Harry Czerny, Ving Rhames, Jean Reno.
Running Time: 110 minutes.
Rated PG-13 for violence and some language.

Based on the popular 1960's television series, this Brian De Palma ("Carrie", "Scarface") production possesses all of the qualities of a fun, top-of-the-line action flick--only to see it slightly crumble due to a storyline that is extremely tough to follow. Tom Cruise stars as the slick covert agent Ethan Hunt, who has been assigned with a crack team of American undercover agents to set up operations in Prague to catch a double agent (Jon Voight) in the act.

There are many scenes that are very exciting, especially the chase scene on the train finale; however, De Palma does not expand on a script that assumes the audience knows all of the technological and spy jargon, leaving us loving the action but lost in the wind. Cruise is only fairly adequate as Hunt, not given the chance to expand his character. Excellent special effects, a riveting, catchy musical score, and some fine supporting roles from Voight, Emmanuelle Beart, and Ving Rhames. A good action movie, but nothing more. Luckily director John Woo stepped in as director the second film, creating a rough-and tough, out of this world sequel that surpasses the original. ... Read more

Reviews (46)

wow!
this is a great movie for anyone with the patience to watch it develop. at the same time cheerful and ominous, it is deeply moving. the acting is superb - menshikov and the two mikhalkovs form a brilliant trio. though it moves slowly and it takes some time to figure out how all the characters are related, it is more than worth the wait. i don't speak russian, but i forgot i was reading subtitles by the first half hour. "burnt by the sun" is extremely accurate when it comes to the many arrests ordered by stalin. some background of the bolshevik revolution is needed, but even without it, the movie captures viewers. the emotions come through clearly, and the sets are beautiful. oleg menshikov isn't so bad looking either . .

A Pretty Movie
"Burnt by the Sun" is a nice movie, quite similar in thematic content to the recent "Life is Beautiful", and shot on snazzy, high-quality, expensive film (those of you who have seen earlier Russian films will heave a collective sigh of relief). Ah, the advantages of capitalism. It's just too bad that the fall of communism in Russia had to bring along some less auspicious consequences. Unlike their predecessors, films made in Russia after 1991 had to actually make money. This resulted in an overall "Westernification"--a slicker package at the expense of complex themes and poetic photography. "Burnt by the Sun" is a perfect example of this. You won't be struggling to comprehend all of the different levels of meaning in "Burnt by the Sun" the way you might in "Andrei Rublev". Things are spelled out quite clearly here, and the plot is easy to follow and takes precedence (somewhat of a rarity in "highbrow" Soviet films--compare this one to "The Color of Pomegranates"). There's also very little of the wonderful symbolism you find in the earlier films--in "Burnt by the Sun", water is just water. It is by no means a bad movie--in fact, quite good by Hollywood standards--but I can't help but wonder what might have become of it had it not been made under the commercial pressures of capitalism. If you're in the mood to be entertained (and, perhaps, made to cry) by a good foreign film that doesn't require an inordinate amount of mental input, "Burnt by the Sun" is for you; if you want to see Russian film at its height, better go look up Tarkovsky or Eisenstein.

Under the Shadow of Stalin
Mikhalkov always had a flair for Chekhovian drama, and he doesn't disappoint the viewer in this movie, which essentially updates "The Cherry Orchard" to Stalinist Russia. What we get is a tumultuous day in the life of a theatre group in a tranquil rural community, lorded over by the proud Commander Kotov, as the small town prepares for the celebration of Stalin's first ride in an air balloon. Mikhalkov deftly mixes humor with pathos, the hallmark of all his movies, as the bucolic life is broken by the return of Mitya (impeccably played by Oleg Menshikov). We slowly get to learn of Mitya's mission with a profound sense of foreboding. The acting is purposely staged to give the scenes their rich theatrical air, yet there is a naturalism too, as Mikhalkov has such a fine eye for detail. To reveal too much of the movie is to give away its stunning climax. It was one of the first films to emerge from the post-Soviet era and gave Mikhalkov a broader international audience, earning him an Oscar in 1994.

Heartbreaking
This is one of the most powerful movies I can remember seeing. In many movies about the Holocaust or the gulags, the focus is on the suffering in the camps. This movie shows the idyllic life ripped apart by the paranoia of Stalin and his overwhelming cult of personality. The whole movie rings true with everything that i have read about the Soviet Union during the purges.

The pace is slow, but the acting is brilliant, the cinematography gorgeous, and the ending packs a punch.

Uh... I thought this was the band, burnt by the sun!
Okay, i bought this thinking it was about burnt by the sun the grind/metal band...Well, i was wrong ! Anyways, i got a change to actullie read the book & i was quite impress better then any other book i've read before. Interesting plot and it has the best ending! Buy it now ! ... Read more

Reviews (71)

The story of one man's remarkable journey
Seven Years in Tibet, being a true account, is a tale of journeys, both a physical journey and a spiritual one. The film centers around the selfish and arrogant Heinrich Harrer (Brad Pitt), an Austrian who joins an expedition to climb Nanga Parbat in British India in 1939. When World War Two breaks out, he is arrested with his team and interned in India. Finally he and his friend escape and make their way into Tibet, the remote country of which few foreigners had ever entered. After a harrowing and near death two year trek across the remote regions of Tibet, Harrer and his companion arrive in the forbidden city of Lhasa, home to the Dalai Lama of Tibet. After a few more years of living amongst the Tibetan people, Harrer is forced to leave after the Communist Chinese invade Tibet.

The movie does an excellent job of developing Harrer's character, who goes from being a lonely man who cares only for himself and his own personal glory, to a man who after encountering the gentle spirituality of the Tibetan people and the Dalai Lama, becomes a man who is at peace with himself and has attained his own level of self knowledge. While some may criticize Harrer as he was a member of the Nazi party, the film shows that he didnt really have any involvement with the party, and didn't seem too interested in the theories put forth by his country at the time. Besides, how can a man become friends with the gentlest people on earth and best friends with the human incarnation of the Bodhisattva of Compassion if he is a man of hatred and racism?

The film also realistically shows the true brutal nature of the Chinese occupation of Tibet. Scenes of cultural destruction and genocide show the tragedy that engulfed Tibet, and that still continues to this day.
The actor playing the young Dalai Lama also does a wonderful job, playing the part with convincing compassion, wisdom and youthful earnestness that made him into one of today's most respected leaders.

One of the best aspects of the film is it's photography and eye for detail. Spendid shots of mountains (although filmed in the Andes, it is uncanningly identical to Tibetan Himalaya.), mist shrouded valleys, and the grand Potala Palace that towers high above Lhasa, create a visually stunning film.

Respectful, visually stunning tribute to Tibetan culture
The only thing more beautiful than Brad Pitt in Jean-Jacques Annaud's low-key drama "Seven Years in Tibet" (1997) is the astonishing location photography (Argentina, Canada, Austria and the Himalayas standing in for Tibet), rendered in glorious Panavision widescreen by Robert Fraisse and preserved with stunning clarity on this eye-popping DVD. Pitt, every inch the blond Aryan god, plays real life explorer Heinrich Harrer (on whose book this film is based), an arrogant Nazi bully who ran from his wife's unhappy pregnancy to conquer the Himalayas toward the end of the 1930's. Stranded there by the outbreak of World War II, Harrer found his way to the forbidden city of Lhasa, where his unexpected friendship with the teenage Dalai Lama (played with great warmth and sincerity by non-actor Jamyang Jamtsho Wangchuk) curbed his ruthless streak and provided him with a fresh outloook on life, until he was forced to flee the country following the Chinese invasion.

Suffering from unfair comparisons with Martin Scorsese's "Kundun" (1997), which opened shortly afterward - both movies were denounced by mainland Chinese officials - Annaud's film evokes the splendors of a remote mountain community founded exclusively on Buddhist principles (in an amusing sequence, Pitt is asked to build a movie theater without killing the hundreds of worms uncovered by his workers' excavations). It may be a Hollywoodized vision, but it's also respectful and, in places, deeply moving ("Do you think someday people will look at Tibet on a movie screen and wonder what happened to us?" the Dalai Lama asks Pitt in one of the movie's most self-referential moments). When Chinese troops invade the Tibetan stronghold towards the end of the film, they display all the arrogance and hostility which had typified Harrer's behavior until he was transformed by the example of his gracious hosts. Distinguished by John Williams' majestic score (so much better than the tuneless dirge he provided for "Sleepers" the previous year), the film also features David Thewlis ("Naked") as Pitt's climbing partner, Lhakpa Tsamchoe as the beautiful woman who comes between them for a while, and B.D. Wong as a lowly Tibetan official whose vanity and cowardice prompts the downfall of his own culture.

Columbia Tristar's dual-sided DVD runs 135m 56s and features both a full-screen and widescreen (2.35:1, anamorphically enhanced) version - for maximum visual impact, try to see it on a 16:9 monitor. Released theatrically in a choice of Dolby Digital or SDDS, the disc's 5.1 Dolby track has plenty of energy where needed, but the sound mix is fairly subdued overall. There's also a 2.0 surround track, equally restrained. English captions and subtitles are included, but due to the film's length, no other extras have been provided, not even a trailer.

Ironic issue
The fact is simple that most of Americans know nothing about Tibet.

This country liberated itself from Britain but inherited many colonial scars from Britan as the Tibitan issue.

This country fought a civil war for slavery, but unconciously sympathetic to the ghost of the most notorious slavery society: Dalai Lama.

What an irony!

Pitt seems brighter than the Play Girl icon and religion-lost R. Gear, but his taking of this role appears culturely illiterate.

propaganda
This film is a kind of propaganda. Historycally and oviously, Tibet has been a part of China for a thousand years and Tibetean is one of Chinese group. Now Tibetian redidents create great culture and Chinese people respect them.

A White Silk Scarf
This is a story about a stubborn and arrogant man who needs to push his body to its absolute limits, but who dedicates very little of his energy to his soul or intellect. Let us remember that films owe no debt to the books or the reality on which they are based (read the book "Monster" by the late screenwriter and author John Gregory Dunne if you need to get that straight).

Brad Pitt is not too bad as Heinrich Harrer, but you may cringe occasionally at his Austrian accent. Let us remember that this film may not have been made at all without his interest and participation, and it wouldn't have been permitted the sort of budget that gave us the amazing landscapes which pervade the movie.

I suppose once they had their big star, casting went for the very finest actors they could find regardless of their status: therefore, we have two beautifully resonant performances by David Thewlis as Pitt's climbing companion and Lhapka Tsamchoe as the Love Interest.

Because this movie is about Heinrich Harrer, not the Dalai Lama, we ought not to whine about the time spent in the camp for enemy aliens (those were YEARS of his life) or the difficult scrabble to simply exist once he escaped. The shots of the Dalai Lama's early childhood are there not only to foreshadow the important role the Dalai Lama ultimately plays, but also to establish a link between the child who will befriend Harrer and the son who Harrer does not know.

The authenticity and detail of Tibetan life, dress, buildings, and so forth is rare and overwhelming. Even if it was staged, it is a good record of a lost time.

With respect to the Chinese invasion as it is filmed, let us recall what "virtues" were instilled in the Army of the People's Republic of China. If the soldiers behaved like "automatons" or "killing machines", that was precisely the point. Leaders rarely want their underlings to think for themselves, and in Communist China such an activity was a capital offense. I see no disregard of history.

Further praise to the screenwriter (Becky Johnston) who translated a good book into a good movie. The addition of a few good laugh lines and the general development of character was well done.

Heinrich Harrer is an interesting man and merits a movie about his life. Of course, the elements of living in Tibet and developing a friendship with the Dalai Lama are crucial to the interest. For my part, I've watched the movie several times not just for its other virtues, but because I get deliciously lost in the scenery. ... Read more

Description

MISSION IMPOSSILBLECruise stars as Ethan Hunt, a secret agent framed for the deaths of his espionage team.Fleeing from government asassins, breaking into the CIA's most impenetrable vault, clinging to the roof of a speeding bullet train, Hunt races like a burning fuse to stay one step ahead of his pursuers...and draw one step closer to discovering the shocking truth.MISSION IMPOSSIBLE II The world's greatest spy returns in the movie event of the year, M:1-2.Top action director John Woo brings his own brand of excitement to the mission that finds Ethan Hunt partnering up with the beautiful Nyah Hall to stop renegad agent Sean Ambrose from releasing a new kind of terror on a n unsuspecting world.But before the mission is complete, they'll traverse the globe and have to choose between everything they love and everything they believe in. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Fun action movies!
I saw both of the Mission Impossible movies in the theaters and liked them both (the first much more than the second). Tom Cruise is great in both, and each movie has an awesome supporting cast. While some of the scenarios are a little far-fetched, the movies are both a lot of fun. Tom Cruise's character, Ethan Hunt, is a master of disguise - so you never quite know who you're seeing on screen at any one time. I haven't received the DVDs yet, though I have them on order. Looks like they contain a ton of special features, which I'm sure will be great! I highly recommend both movies to anyone who is an action movie buff - they definitely keep you on the edge of your seat!

Excellent Movies
I saw Mission Impossible I when it first came out in theaters, and did not watch it again until I bought this double disk set. I enjoyed it just as much if not more than it's incredible sequel. Both movies together, even though they are very loosely related, add up to a great buy.

A good buy, no doubt about that
As usual box sets are always pleasing, especially when there are many special features (like this set), but If you are a "die hard" fan of Mission impossible 1 and 2 I wouldn't buy this. Tom Cruise and David fincher are in talks to make a third (Tom Cruise want's a different director for each film). If you are truly a fan wait for the collectors edition of the trilogy.

A great DVD set and a must-have for Mission Impossible fans!
Mission Impossible 1 and 2 get the "Special Edition" treatment with this 2 Disc package.

MISSION IMPOSSIBLE
Brian DePalma's big-screen adaptation of the long-running T.V show is flashy, action- filled and with a plot that's extremely complicated but thankfully so, as it raises the film above standard fare. DePalma's trend for wild camera moves, excellent action and a sharp screenplay from David Koepp (Jurassic Park) and a great performance from Tom Cruise (as spy Ethan Hunt) all combine to create one wild, exciting ride, with some unexpected twists to keep the audience guessing.

This, in what would be DePalma's last good film of late (Snake Eyes and Mission to Mars were way below par) is an exciting adrenalin-pumping action fest with the smooth Cruiser making the coolest spy since Sean Connery in Dr NO. Also along for the ride are Jon Voight as Hunt's boss, Jean Reno and Ving Rhames as the disavowed agents and Vanessa Redgrave. Cool action, a great story, and a flashy look from the man who gave us the excellent "The Untouchables". One of the greatest action films ever made. And then some.

MISSION IMPOSSIBLE 2
John Woo's glossy sequel to Brian DePalma's excellent action film sees Tom Cruise return as the super-cool spy Ethan Hunt. This time, the plot is more straightforward than the first, and in contrast, the action is more outrageous.

Starting out with a literal cliffhanger, the film takes off with some good action scenes and trademark coolness from the Cruiser. But events seem somewhat un-involving, lacklustre even, as the plot meanders slowly along, with some boring sub-plots and un-inspired dialogue. And Thandie Newton provides eye candy but very little else. However the Anthony Hopkins cameo is very welcome and saves the rather tedious mid section. Finally, after some extended plot twists, we see the Woo trademarks: cool action, Slo-mo gunfights and those perennial doves. Then the action roars off with the last half-hour being one huge action wallop, with an enormous amount of stunts and explosions, leaving the viewer wanting a breather. Then we are greeted with the "bad guy and good guy punch up" ending, which is exciting, if somewhat overly- brutal. In short, been there, done that. Sold action can't cover the film's flaws.

A nice set for spy/action enthusiasts
MISSION IMPOSSIBLE:
Smart, crafty spy action-thriller which stars TOM CRUISE, JOHN VOIGHT, EMILIO ESTEVEZ, JEAN RENO, VING RHAMES, and KRISTEN SCOTT THOMAS. An agent named Ethan Hunt (TOM CRUISE) is framed for killing his whole spy team; soon after he is on the run from government agencies who are out to get him. Very technological with clever sequences of suspense and action. Some of the intricately assembled plot may be too complex for some and for others the film may be too boring. The ending is great. Directed by Brian De Palma. Filmed in 2:35:1 widescreen. RUN TIME: 110 minutes. GRADE: A-.

MISSION IMPOSSIBLE II:
This sequel follows Ethan Hunt (TOM CRUISE, who reprises his role) and his mission to track down a villain named Sean Ambrose (DOUGRAY SCOTT) who holds a deadly chemically engineered virus. Ethan must destroy the virus is addition to killing Ambrose. In the course of this, he must employ the Ambrose's former girlfriend, Nyah, (THANDIE NEWTON) and use her as a mole. VING RHAMES is the only returning characer of the original MI and ANTHONY HOPKINS makes a nice, un-credited cameo. Less smart, less technological, and less clever than the first MI, but delivers lots of shoot-em-up action and a great chase/fight finale. The plot may be too dense for people who are looking for the plot to be near the complexity of the original MI, but for action-fans this movie will certanily deliver. The love story between Ethan and Nyah is a welcome subplot. Directed by John Woo. Filmed is 2:35:1 widescreen. RUN TIME: 123 minutes. GRADE: B-.

ALL IN ALL:
If you're looking for a crafty, clever, technological spy thriller or a shoot-em-up action film, this set has what you're looking for. Since the two movies are almost completely different in terms of complexity, action, direction, and scope, it depends on what tastes you have for you to decide if you like the first one better of the second one better. TOTAL RUN TIME: 233 minutes. OVERALL GRADE: B+.

NOTE: The DVD of Mission Impossible has no special features, but the DVD of Mission Impossible 2 has many including a commentary with John Woo, cast/crew interviews, an on the set stunt featurette, a music video, and a breakdown of all of the stunts in the movie and how they were filmed. ENJOY! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Helen Mirren returns in triumph to the role that brought her internationalstardom, British police inspector Jane Tennison, in the sixth series ofPrime Suspect. Tennison finds herself being pressured to retire andresponds by seizing a difficult homicide investigation: A young femaleBosnian refugee has been tortured and murdered. As the trail begins tosuggest connections to war atrocities in the Balkans, Tennison findsherself struggling with resistance from higher up, uncooperative andambitious underlings, and deeply buried secrets. The strength of PrimeSuspect has always been how it merges suspenseful detective work withan intricate grasp of police politics, and The Last Witness is noexception. The plot unfolds masterfully, the program is directed withstriking visual style, and Mirren (The Cook, the Thief, His Wife, andHer Lover, Gosford Park) commands the screen. Her authority inthis role, honed through five previous series, is unmatchable; therichness of the character--steely, sexy, obsessive, rash, cunning--makesPrime Suspect essential viewing. --Bret Fetzer ... Read more

Reviews (5)

What a story!
The acting is great and all, but what a great story. I think this may be the best of all the Prime Suspects--but they are all good. (I bought UK version so I saw it in widescreen.) The use of the fisheye (Super-wide angle) lens was interesting, although it made me almost dizzy sometimes.

No, Jane, you are not going to Bosnia. Yeah, right!

You'll recognize Ben Miles right away if you have seen Patrick in Coupling--in the first shot of him he has on his wayfarer sunglasses--reminiscent of the "stop playing reservoir dogs" scene from Coupling season 1.
Except for missing Haskins from the other Prime Suspects, this one is superb!

Full Screen version - NOT widescreen
When this aired in Canada on CBC, it was the original widescreen presentation. I missed it when it aired on PBS recently, so I'm not sure if they showed a widescreen or full screen version. However, I assumed that HBO and Warners would release the original widescreen presentation, enhanced for 16x9. Apparently, that's how the DVD was released in Region 2. But despite what it says here on Amazon in the technical specs, this DVD is a full screen presentation. That's a real shame, and it makes me want to purchase an "all region" player and order the Region 2 DVD from the U.K. - so I can see Prime Suspect 6 as it was meant to be seen.

Prime Suspect 6: The Last Witness Is Best In Series -Superb!
Helen Mirren once again returns in her Emmy Award-winning role as Jane Tennison in what is, I believe, the series' most powerful police drama yet. This sixth episode in Prime Suspect, "The Last Witness," has Tennison hunting down the leaders of a paramilitary death squad in London. These men had perpetrated heinous crimes against humanity during the Balkan Civil War and could possibly be the cause of a terrible murder in Jane's jurisdiction.

Former Chief Detective Tennison, has now been promoted to overseeing all murder investigations in London. She is, as usual, battling the male establishment and coming to grips with advancing middle-age. At 54 she feels she is being pushed toward early retirement and the pressure and presence of ambitious younger colleagues who would love to have her job are ever present. At this point in her life Jane Tennison is also beginning to realize that her career has become her life - a sad and lonely realization.

When the body of a young Bosnian woman turns up, with signs of brutal, sadistic torture, Jane takes over the case. Her investigation leads her to one man, and perhaps two, who are alleged war criminals with much to hide as they attempt to make new lives for themselves in Britain. The murdered woman's older sister is finally found and promised protection in return for her story and assistance with the ongoing investigation. The police protection proves to be weaker than the will of the murderer to eliminate all possible witnesses to his crimes. And disaster strikes again with horrifying results. As usual Tennison risks all in her determination to bring the guilty to justice and in this sixth episode "all" could mean her career.

The Prime Suspect series has long been a favorite. Helen Mirren is superb as an actress in any role and absolutely shines as Jane Tennison. Ms. Mirren lends the correct mix of tough independence and vulnerability that are such an important part of the character. And her face mirrors all the emotion her character is feeling more eloquently than words. I heard Ms. Mirren say, in a recent interview with the press, that this will be the last Prime Suspect episode. I am very sorry to see it end but can't imagine a more fitting conclusion. Wonderful acting and drama. Highly recommended!
JANA

Best of them all: Jane back to bring war criminal to justice
I saw the 2nd part of this on Masterpiece Theater, and it's definitely the best of all 6. In this latest Prime Suspect Helen Mirren uncovers the murderer of 2 Bosnian refugees. The suspect turns out to be a Bosnia Serb war criminal, but is protected by the British government a la Szell in Marathon Man. Jane Tennison is older and wiser as she goes against orders to bring the mass killer turned smooth London professional to justice.
The script writing is superior, even to the earlier episodes, as we get this psychological cat and mouse between Jane and the suspect, his wife, and his underling. And as part of the investigation Jane even travels to Bosnia and has the inevitable affair with her assistant. This shows the Bosnian war should not be forgotten and we've got to bring Mladic, Karadic, and the others to justice.

helen mirren's masterpiece
This was an incredible movie. It is the best of the prime suspect series. Helen Mirren plays Jane Tennyson for the first time in 7 years. She is older and some think she should retire. But her experiance and intelligence is needed to catch a serbian war criminal who has killed on british soil, but is protected by the international witness protection program. This is 200 minutes of pure highly emotional suspence. I highly recommend this dvd. I just finished watching it, and am still effected by this story. ... Read more

Description

The Superbit titles utilize a special high bit rate digital encoding process which optimizes video quality while offering a choice of both DTS and Dolby Digital 5.1 audio. These titles have been produced by a team of Sony Pictures Digital Studios video, sound and mastering engineers and comes housed in a special package complete with a 4 page booklet that contains technical information on the Superbit process. By reallocating space on the disc normally used for value-added content, Superbit DVDs can be encoded at double their normal bit rate while maintaining full compatibility with the DVD video format. ... Read more

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Seven Years in Tibet
If it hadn't been for Brad Pitt signing on to play the lead role of obsessive Austrian mountain climber Heinrich Harrer, there's a good chance this lavish $70 million film would not have been made. It was one of two films from 1997 (the other being Martin Scorsese's exquisite Kundun) to view the turmoil between China and Tibet through the eyes of the young Dalai Lama. But with Pitt onboard, this adaptation of Harrer's acclaimed book focuses more on Harrer, a Nazi party member whose life was changed by his experiences in Tibet with the Dalai Lama. Having survived a treacherous climb on the challenging peak of Nanga Parbat and a stint in a British POW camp, Harrer and climbing guide Peter Aufschnaiter (nicely played by David Thewlis) arrive at the Tibetan city of Lhasa, where the 14-year-old Dalai Lama lives as ruler of Tibet. Their stay is longer than either could have expected (the "seven years" of the title), and their lives are forever transformed by their proximity to the Tibetan leader and the peaceful ways of the Buddhist people. China looms over the land as a constant invasive threat, but Seven Years in Tibet is more concerned with viewing Tibetan history through the eyes of a visitor. The film is filled with stunning images and delightful moments of discovery and soothing, lighthearted spirituality, and although he is somewhat miscast, Pitt brings the requisite integrity to his central role. What's missing here is a greater understanding of the young Dalai Lama and the culture of Tibet. Whereas Kundun tells its story purely from the Dalai Lama's point of view, Seven Years in Tibet is essentially an outsider's tale. The result is the feeling that only part of the story's been told here--or maybe just the wrong story. But Harrer's memoir is moving and heartfelt, and director Jean-Jacques Annaud has effectively captured both sincerity and splendor in this flawed but worthwhile film. --Jeff Shannon

Legends of the Fall
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. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more