Description

All 68 Episodes of the Landmark Series On 20 DVDs! Upstairs, the Bellamy family negotiated the scandals and successes ofthe English aristocracy. Downstairs, their loyal and lively servantsshowed far less reserve when confronting the challenges of their lives.Together, their stories made TV magic.

When UPSTAIRS DOWNSTAIRS debuted, network executives fretted that theseries was "not commercial" and viewers would "switch off in thethousands." More than thirty years later, it is universally recognizedas one of the most successful and important shows in television history,seen by over 1 billion people worldwide and the winner of 9 Emmys, aGolden Globe and a Peabody, among many other awards.

Take a final journey back to 165 Eaton Place with this comprehensive setfeaturing all 68 episodes of the unforgettable masterpiece, digitallyremastered for presentation on DVD. The collection also includes therarely-seen retrospective Upstairs Downstairs Remembered: The 25thAnniversary Special. ... Read more

Reviews (14)

Simply Put: The Best Drama Ever
Often, when one of those "Top 100 Television Shows Ever Created" lists comes out, 'Upstairs, Downstairs' is listed as Number One, usually just above 'The Mary Tyler Moore Show' and 'I Love Lucy.' Well, now I know why. This show stunned me with its quality and vivid characters!

For those unaccustomed to a British accent, it may take a few minutes of viewing before your ears adjust. And I kindly suggest that you do NOT watch the 25th Anniversary documentary until you've first seen all the episodes (I wished I hadn't -- it gave away a lot of great twists and surprises).

This show is so subtle and respectful of its viewer. For instance, there are characters who are smitten with each other yet who never say or act upon that love: the show doesn't dare to condescend to you by telegraphing it in any obvious or official way.

Many fans cite the fourth season (about the Great War) as the show's best, but frankly and guiltily I must confess that I prefer the real soapy elements of the show that have less to do with world events and more to do with the interpersonal relationships and mini moral dilemmas of the householders.

There is one notorious episode called 'The Swedish Tiger' that is quite awful and that made it into the series by mistake (fans already know the whole story) so please don't judge the other 67 great episodes by the one awful one!

My personal favorite episode is the one that focuses on the Irish scullery maid's forbidden crush on another great family's footman. It's sounds pedestrian, I know, but that's the genius of the show. It crafts seemingly simple situations with so many nuances and facets that you feel as if you're standing in the kitchen with these people!

Simply Put: The Best Drama Ever!
Often, when one of those "Top 100 Television Shows Ever Created" lists comes out, 'Upstairs, Downstairs' is listed as Number One, usually just above 'The Mary Tyler Moore Show' and 'I Love Lucy.' Well, now I know why. This show stunned me with its quality and vivid characters!

For those unaccustomed to a British accent, it may take a few minutes of viewing before your ears adjust. And I kindly suggest that you do NOT watch the 25th Anniversary documentary until you've first seen all the episodes (I wished I hadn't -- it gave away a lot a great twists and surprises).

This show is so subtle and respectful of its viewer. For instance, there are characters who are smitten with each other yet who never say or act upon that love: the show doesn't dare to condescend to you by telegraphing it in any obvious or official way.

Many fans cite the fourth season (about the Great War) as the show's best, but frankly and guiltily I must confess that I prefer the real soapy elements of the show that have less to do with world events and more to do with the interpersonal relationships and mini moral dilemmas of the householders.

There is one notorious episode called 'The Swedish Tiger' that is quite awful and that made it into the series by mistake (fans already know the whole story) so please don't judge the other 67 great episodes by the one awful one!

My personal favorite episode is the one that focuses on the Irish scullery maid's forbidden crush on another great family's footman. It's sounds pedestrian, I know, but that's the genius of the show. It crafts seemingly simple situations with so many nuances and facets that you feel as if you're standing in the kitchen with these people!

Expensive and worth every cent
The most amazing aspect of this collection is how well it holds up after all these years. Having initially seen in the 70s, I wasn't prepared to be surprised. After all, didn't I know all the plots and characters? But what I found was, while I remembered most of it, there were huge chunks that I couldn't account for. I've watched the entire series now, some five times, all the way through, and it only gets better. The writing alone is worth the price of admission, but couple this with excellent acting, stellar camera work, and knockout sets, and you've got the superb drama that is UPSTAIRS, DOWNSTAIRS. Please, don't call this a soap opera--this is an insult to the writers and actors. This is great drama that just happened to be spread out over a couple of years. Here are just a few examples of what I'm talking about:

THE WRITING: The characters are not cardboard cutouts, but real, fallible people. Lord Bellamy, for all his wisdom and charm, does make some bad decisions (the stock tip scandal, the attempted bribe of the parents' whose infant Mrs. Bridges has abducted), and this only makes him more likeable. Who wants a stodgy old Edwardian man that's perfect? Then there's the subtle references to what's come before, so that if you've missed an episode or two, you'll still know what the characters are talking about. References to Lady Marjorie and the Titanic, the previous maids and footmen who have come and gone, etc. While this is somewhat standard in television and series writing, the deft handling of these references makes this series unique.

CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT: One of the finest examples of this is Edward, the footman. Always joking and playful, his is probably the most dramatic change during the series. When WWI breaks out, he's off to the front, only to come back shell-shocked. His transformation from a rollicking and randy young man, to that of a worn-out and scared soldier is remarkable. The one scene where Bellamy finds him on the stairs and comforts him in the morning room is worthy of an award. Reminiscent of "All Quiet on the Western Front," the performance Christopher Beeny gives in only a few minutes is one of the best ever seen on television.

THE SETS: With exquisite tastefulness, the sets on "Upstairs, Downstairs" are the best example of Edwardian decor ever to grace the screen. Never mawkish or overblown, they nevertheless hark back to a tasteful Victorian era without all the fuss, yet embrace the Edwardian era and the "moving forward" theme that permeates the series. It's amazing what one expertly placed kentia palm will do for good drama.

CASTING: This one's a no-brainer. Whoever did the casting deserves a gold star. The regulars are loveable with faults, and the guest appearances add just enough spice to the affair to keep you on your toes. Especially liked was the character of Alfred---surly, evil, comic, and dramatic, he's one of the highlights in the collection.

My only dislike of this series was that it eventually ended. It was a mark of genius to show the period from 1904 to the stock market crash, with WWI being the centerpiece. Overall, this is probably the best series ever created for television, and like all great works of art, the formula probably won't be repeated in our lifetime. There aren't enough stars for this one.

Unforgettable Masterpiece - Wonderful Characters
This is one of the best shows ever created for television. The acting was incredible, the scripts thought provoking and the period details were amazing.

Angela Baddely's Mrs Bridges and Gordon Jackson's Mr. Hudson are 2 of the most unforgettable characters in TV history. They were so real they really were the glue that held this show together. Add to that Jean Marsh as Rose (how could you not love her) The whole cast was incredible - even some members (like Pauline Collins as Sarah) who weren't in all the episodes are unforgettable.

The show is just incredible and you don't think it can get any better. Then the war years happen and the show is even better than it was before. These war episodes are classic. There is some great acting by the "upstairs" characters in those years (Simon Williams as James, Lesly Anne Down as Georgina & Meg Wynn Owen as Hazel especially) - also "downstairs" Christopher Beeny as Edward just breaks your heart in these.

This is a must have if you love drama on television. I am so jealous of someone who has never seen them before.

Some of the color quality on the DVD isn't great and some of the sound. I think this is because the series is older. I don't think it takes away from how great the show is or your experience watching it. Ignore the other reviews and enjoy this great show.

ROCKS!
Often, when one of those "Top 100 Television Shows Ever Created" lists comes out, 'Upstairs, Downstairs' is listed as Number One, usually just above 'The Mary Tyler Moore Show' and 'I Love Lucy.' Well, now I know why. This show stunned me with its quality and vivid characters! For those unaccustomed to a British accent, it may take a few minutes of viewing before your ears adjust. And I kindly suggest that you do NOT watch the 25th Anniversary documentary until you've first seen all the episodes (I wished I hadn't -- it gave away a lot a great twists and surprises). This show is so subtle and respectful of its viewer. For instance, there are characters who are smitten with each other yet who never say or act upon that love: the show doesn't dare to condescend to you by telegraphing it in any obvious or official way. Many fans cite the fourth season (about the Great War) as the show's best, but frankly and guiltily I must confess that I prefer the real soapy elements of the show that have less to do with world events and more to do with the interpersonal relationships and mini moral dilemmas of the householders. There is one notorious episode called 'The Swedish Tiger' that is quite awful and that made it into the series by mistake (fans already know the whole story) so please don't judge the other 67 great episodes by the one awful one! My personal favorite episode is the one that focuses on the Irish scullery maid's forbidden crush on another great family's footman. It's sounds pedestrian, I know, but that's the genius of the show. It crafts seemingly simple situations with so many nuances and facets that you feel as if you're standing in the kitchen with these people! ... Read more

Reviews (34)

Authenic replicant aircraft top this 16:9 grand comedy DVD!!
1965 was the year of the big screen action race comedies with lots of stars, grand costumes, lavish sets and authentic classic vehicles. "The Great Race" a 1910 auto race from New York to Paris and the "Those Magnificent Men and Their Flying Machines" a 1910 International Aircraft race from London to Paris.

What makes this 1965 Action Comedy so Grand is the attention to detail by Director Ken Annakin who had 6 replica flying machines built by real aero - engineers from the original blue prints and specifications. The accuracy of these replicants even proved the critical pilot weight limitations. They had to even substitute a female stunt pilot to fly the French mono - wing because the original pilot was a very small man. Now available for the first time on a spectacular panoramic 2.20:1 Aspect ratio. (Anamorphic WideScreen DVD (automatically adjusts picture to viewing tv size) with Dolby Surround Sound.) NOTE: THIS IS A FANTASTIC MOVIE TO WATCH ON WIDESCREEN 16:9 HDTV!!!!!

This film is 138 minutes and has many extras which include very detailed information and the history regarding all the 1910 vintage aircraft used in the film.

With an All-star 1960's International cast; Stuart Whitman, Sarah Miles, James Fox, Robert Morley, Red Skelton, Gert Frobe, Jean-Pierre Cassal, Benny Hill, Alberto Sordi and Terry Thomas.

This is a magnificent movie and the ingenuity and comedy of 1910 flight is a delight to watch on the BIG SCREEN. Enjoy.

An airplane movie for the flight buff and general audience .
This is a marvelous film for people who love airplanes, but it also has much to recommend it for anyone in the family. It captures the romance of the pre-WWI era and takes an affectionate look at the pre-war planes as well. The story is set around a race from London to Paris, and is also a fractured take on the political and social situation of the period. Flyers from all over the world meet at an airfield set in the infield of a Brooklands style race track. The first half of the film introduces us to the somewhat caricatured but nevertheless engaging pilots from each major flying nation: the womanizing Frenchman, the stiff-backed Prussians, the rich and prolific Italian, the cowboy from Arizona, and several British types, most notably Sir Percy Ware-Armitage, played with black-hearted delight by Terry Thomas. The film boasts a whole gamut of great character actors like Gert Frobe, Robt. Morely and even Red Skelton. The flying sequences before and during the race combine slapstick comedy with truly awesome shots of the other stars of the film, the authentic reproductions of 1910 aircraft. I've loved this film since I saw it as a child, and my non-airplane daughter even counts it as one of her favorites. Highly recommended.

The best racing comedy of the 1960s.
This was yet another in a series of big-budget comedies that were so stuffed that had to include an intermission. (This 138 minute film has an intermission at the 79 minute mark, followed by a 6-minute Entr'acte, so that the second act is only 52 minutes.) It's also possibly the best one, along with IT'S A MAD, MAD, MAD, MAD WORLD, but where IAMMMMW was at times overlong and peopled with nasty characters, you can care about the people in TMMITFM. It's funnier-with much broader comedy than the other, and a careful sense of time and place. There are a few laggy romantic bIts, but Those Magnificent Men is a fine film well served by 20th Century Fox. Well recommended.

Jamie Teller

Absolutely gorgeous DVD of classic comedy!
This is truly a marvelous DVD transfer of the classic 1965 comedy that the whole family can enjoy. The image is breathtakingly sharp, capturing the amazing aerial photography of the classic early planes, the elaborate aerodrome set, and the delightful costume design; the sound, too, is top-notch, with the classic score and title tune bouncing along merrily. But what will keep you coming back is the laugh-out-loud comedy; sure, it's all based on stereotypes for each nationality, but some good-natured ribbing could help these days. Besides, funny is funny, and this movie is very, very funny, with riotous performances from Gert Frobe, Jean-Pierre Cassel and Terry-Thomas. You should try to see this on as big a screen as possible; pure cinematic joy!

Magnificent DVD
Finally! The 20th Century-Fox 1965 roadshow extravaganza comes to DVD. The movie looks marvelous in what must be a transfer from a restored 70mm print. On my 16X9 HDTV in progressive scan the images are quite stunning for a film of this vintage. The Dolby Digital 5.0 remastering of the original 6-track magnetic soundtrack is also a joy to the ears. This is an old-fashioned entertainment for the entire family. Thanks to its presentation on this new DVD the movie is once again a grand experience. The extras are extensive for such a moderately priced DVD too. Director Ken Annakin provides an interesting commentary track and appears in a new featurette. Somebody at Fox definately loves this movie, one that is a childhood favorite of mine. I saw it in its original release, and also in a 1969 reissue as part of a double feature with Fox's "Planet of the Apes." "The Perfect Mates" the ads said, "Apes and Men." Studios just don't don't do things like that anymore. Anyway, this DVD is a joy! ... Read more

Amazon.com

The Great Escape image of Steve McQueen (as "The Cooler King") astride his motorcycle has entered silver-screen iconography, alongside Brando on his bike from The Wild One. Based on a true story about a group of POWs who mount a daring breakout from a supposedly inescapable Nazi prison camp, this rousing and suspenseful WWII epic features an all-star cast, including James Garner, Richard Attenborough, Charles Bronson, Donald Pleasence, James Coburn, and David McCallum. The DVD also includes a 24-minute documentary about the making of the film. --Jim Emerson ... Read more

Reviews (151)

250 men just walking down the street? You're crazy!
That is the plot in the nutshell. 250 men planning to escape from German WWII camp. This movie has stars Steve McQueen, James Coburn, and Charles Bronson. John Sturges directs and Elmer Bernstein composes. If this sounds familar, its because you have seen Sturge's "The Magnificent Seven". Like "Seven", the Great Escape was sorely missed from AFI's top 100. They were later included in the top 100 thriller movies with Great Escape coming in at #20.
Here's the bad news. Its widescreen, but its not anamorphic. In other words, the movie is trapped in darkness even on an enhanced tv. Also there is no commentary, which is a shame.
Despite these techincal flaws, this three hour epic is enjoyable. James Garner, James, Donald, Richard Attenbourgh, Donald Pleasance and David McCallum also star. (Trivia: the latter two appeared in The Greatest Story Ever Told as Satan and Judas!)Sorry, no girls allowed in this film. This a man only film. Sturges carefully crafts it that each man is an unique individual who works with the team. You can see the competition going on in their acting which brings out the best of them.
The blend of American film stars and British stage actors is fabalous.
Elmer Bernstein, once again delivers a rememarkable score that you will be whistling when you finish watching the movie.
Favorite scenes: Charles Bronson crying in the dark tunnel, the 4th of July celebration, the river scence, and of course Steve McQueen's motorcycle chase! Steve agreed to do the film only if he had a bike chase. The result: the wisest choice in script rewriting creating a great climax.
Features include a documentary and a little booklet.
Highly resommended!

Gripping Tale of a
After more than a decade of trying to get a studio to film a movie based on Paul Brickhill's book "The Great Escape," John Sturges finally got backing from the Mirisch Company to recreate the true-life story of Allied officers escaping from a German POW camp in 1944.

While the screenplay by W. Burnett and James (Shogun) Clavell fictionalizes the characters and compresses time to fit a feature film's running time, the details of the escape attempt are true-to-life. Even better, the film was actually shot in Germany (even the thickest wooded areas in California don't come close to resembling the Black Forest area). Not only does Germany look like Germany, but the availability of WWII-era vehicles and uniforms make the authenticity more palpable.

Also helpful in the success of The Great Escape is the cast. Although the DVD artwork features the late Steve McQueen on its cover (and McQueen's contribution IS quite large, especially in the now-famous motorcycle chase, where McQueen did most of the real driving, since he was famous for his love of 'cycles and fast cars!), Sturges' movie is an ensemble movie. It's hard to remember, especially in the post-Vietnam era, that there was a period when war movies had all-star casts (The Longest Day is perhaps the best-known of these, and the trend continued -- even as viewership declined -- with such films as Tora! Tora! Tora!...Midway (a really bad film, by the way)...and ending with the well-made but poorly-received A Bridge Too Far). The Great Escape not only reunited director-producer with Steve McQueen, Charles Bronson and James Coburn (whom he'd directed in The Magnificent Seven); it also features the talents of Donald Pleasence, James Garner, David McCallum and Richard Attenborough (who would later go on to direct A Bridge Too Far and Gandhi).

Also reuniting with Sturges was composer Elmer Bernstein, who had scored The Magnificent Seven three years previously. Bernstein's main theme is pretty catchy and still holds up well in these John Williams and James Horner-dominated years.

The DVD itself is pretty standard. The image is a bit grainy but it's not too distractingly so. It also includes the theatrical trailer and a short "making of" featurette.

And why did Sturges have such a hard time selling this now-classic film to major studios? Get this: Studio heads thought the subject matter was too depressing (most of the escaping POWs were recaptured, and 50 were shot on Hitler's personal orders), and there was no female romantic lead!

If you have the original DVD release SELL IT NOW!!!
Okay....All the extras are great...and there are MANY featurettes and interviews to keep you busy for hours....BUT..the main point I want to make is for all of you who don't care about extras and figure you already have this on DVD....you don't...
this transfer is AMAZING!!! it is a real HIGH DEFINITION transfer and STUNNING is what they say on the case and its true! Many DVDs say digitally transfered....and often that just means they pulled it from a previously issued laserdisc via digital output...you have never seen this movie this pristine....EVER!

TRUE AND INSPIRING AND TRAGIC
THE GREAT ESCAPE Special Edition (MGM) is based with fidelity on Paul Brickhill's best-seller. The inspiring story is about heroic men who cannot be broken and refuse to give up.

This was Steve McQueen's career defining role but it's the late and much lamented Charles Bronson that you most remember as the taciturn tunnel digger with claustrophobia.

Previously released on DVD, this hi-def transfer has new 5.1 surround sound, and interesting extras that include five featurettes, a terrific documentary on the untold true story and a commentary track that includes John Sturges, some of the cast (including the late James Coburn) and crew.

The two disc is WELL worth the money
I just finished watching all the extra stuff on the 2nd disc and if you are into the true story of this WWII event, you'll love it! I'm not sure, but I think there is almost 2 hours of extras. Although the film seems dated (especially after 'Band of Brothers'), I've now changed my mind - after seeing how accurate the director tried to keep the film. The only draw back was the director had to put the American's (mostly Steve McQueen) in the forefront where they didn't belong. ... Read more

Reviews (41)

LOVE & SPITE IN 1932 EDINBURGH.
Miss Brodie is the kind of teacher who wants to inspire her "gurls" rather than teach them; she's the kind of teacher little girls get crushes on...As Muriel Spark's witty, fey and romantic crackpot teacher, Maggie Smith does a magnificent job conveying comedic elements of mimicry, affectations and sheer snobbery: Miss Brodie is so entertaining that we become entranced by this Scottish lass with a jumble shop mind - she's very funny. It becomes hard to accept her as a dangerous influence when the plot turns dramatic, but her scene where she states that she's "PROUD"! copped her the AA. Celia Johnson has a genuine triumph as her adversary, Mrs. Mackay, and Robert Stephens does a lot with his role as her art instructor lover. Jay Presson Allen wrote the script from his stage version, and the film was rather too conventionally directed by Ronald Neame. Unfortunately, Pamela Franklin's big confrontation scene is something of a disappointment (the fault goes back to the original novel). Overall, however, the film is a fey and rather unique treat for those who enjoy character studies of eccentric people. The song JEAN was a huge pop hit when released by the artist OLIVER back in 1969.

IN HER PRIME AND HOLDING HER OWN ON DVD
Maggie Smith is the elegantly pert Miss Brodie, a 1930s Edinburgh school marm of immense panache, charm and wit in a film that's sort of a cross between a female version of "Goodbye Mr. Chips" and "To Sir With Love." Smith's performance easily commands "The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie" beyond cliche and its theatrical trappings as she becomes the ultimate self-deluding spinster to whom Mussolini is a treasure on par with the Mona Lisa, and passionate love is but a taboo. Dame Brodie marks her existance on over-inflated romantic notions about art and beauty. Adapting from the novel by Muriel Spark, director Robert Neame keeps the pacing sweet and nimble, touching on all the right points without dwelling on any of them. Also in the cast are real-life husband, Robert Stephens as Jean's married lover and Celia Johnson who is marvelously insideous as the hostile headmistress. The film score by Rod McKuen may have been Oscar nominated but it betrays its 60s origins and really pigeon-holes the film as a production of that decade instead of seeming a vital tableau of the 30s.
THE TRANSFER: Fox has done a marvelous job remastering "Miss Brodie" on DVD. Colors are lush and nicely balanced. Black levels are deep and solid. Contrast and shadow levels are bang on. Some of the long shots suffer from pixelization which breaks up fine detail and there is also a very small trace of age related artifacts. These do not necessarily distract. The audio is stereo. Though dialogue does not sound natural it is nevertheless very clearly presented. The score - in all it's twinkle-twinkle get down of 60s flashback is amply displayed.
EXTRAS: An audio commentary and very sparce stills gallery. It really is a mystery to me why Fox's continues to benchmark certain catalogue titles as part of their Studio Series when their attention to suppliments continues to grow more scant by every release. Just call this a general release and be done with it. There's nothing special apart from the film to recommend such titles as part of a special series.
BOTTOM LINE: Recommended.

Great film
What do you get when you cross great writing, a great story, an excellent cast, and one of the world's greatest actresses? This film. It's certainly one of the most unusual films ever made, and especially when you consider WHEN it was made. I didn't see the initial release many years ago, but can only imagine what the American public made of a teenage girl in a married, much older, man's bed. Maggie Smith carries the film and her reputation on this one alone should seal her claim to best actress in the world. It doesn't get any better than this.

"POINTLESS"
This is one of the worst movies I ever saw. I saw it theatrically when it came out and then saw it again twenty years later on TV, when I had hoped that a more adult perspective would enable me to appreciate the initial critics' reviews. WRONG! It was still awful. There didn't seem to be any point to character motivation (what little motivation there was). Then one day I saw the book in the library, and since the book is always better than the movie, I read it. No wonder the movie was pointless. The book was the same. Better to watch one or other of the versions of "Goodbye, Mr. Chips".

Maggie and Celia At Their Finest
This has always been a favorite film of mine and now that is it
on DVD we have a letterboxed version. From the opening shots we
know we are in for a real treat. Maggie was just starting out in
the movies when she snared this role. Fox wanted Audrey Hepburn
or Deborah Kerr but Maggie made the role her own. She is not
alone. Celia Johnson as headmistress Miss Mackay is fabulous and
Gordon Jackson who later achieved world fame as Hudson in
UPSTAIRS, DOWNSTAIRS is a superb Gordie Lowther. Smith and Johnson
both won British Academy Awards and a few weeks later Maggie was
an upset winner at the Oscars and there was hooting and hollering
and mass celebrations at our house. I am delighted that Fox has
put this on DVD. ... Read more

Reviews (151)

250 men just walking down the street? You're crazy!
That is the plot in the nutshell. 250 men planning to escape from German WWII camp. This movie has stars Steve McQueen, James Coburn, and Charles Bronson. John Sturges directs and Elmer Bernstein composes. If this sounds familar, its because you have seen Sturge's "The Magnificent Seven". Like "Seven", the Great Escape was sorely missed from AFI's top 100. They were later included in the top 100 thriller movies with Great Escape coming in at #20.
Here's the bad news. Its widescreen, but its not anamorphic. In other words, the movie is trapped in darkness even on an enhanced tv. Also there is no commentary, which is a shame.
Despite these techincal flaws, this three hour epic is enjoyable. James Garner, James, Donald, Richard Attenbourgh, Donald Pleasance and David McCallum also star. (Trivia: the latter two appeared in The Greatest Story Ever Told as Satan and Judas!)Sorry, no girls allowed in this film. This a man only film. Sturges carefully crafts it that each man is an unique individual who works with the team. You can see the competition going on in their acting which brings out the best of them.
The blend of American film stars and British stage actors is fabalous.
Elmer Bernstein, once again delivers a rememarkable score that you will be whistling when you finish watching the movie.
Favorite scenes: Charles Bronson crying in the dark tunnel, the 4th of July celebration, the river scence, and of course Steve McQueen's motorcycle chase! Steve agreed to do the film only if he had a bike chase. The result: the wisest choice in script rewriting creating a great climax.
Features include a documentary and a little booklet.
Highly resommended!

Gripping Tale of a
After more than a decade of trying to get a studio to film a movie based on Paul Brickhill's book "The Great Escape," John Sturges finally got backing from the Mirisch Company to recreate the true-life story of Allied officers escaping from a German POW camp in 1944.

While the screenplay by W. Burnett and James (Shogun) Clavell fictionalizes the characters and compresses time to fit a feature film's running time, the details of the escape attempt are true-to-life. Even better, the film was actually shot in Germany (even the thickest wooded areas in California don't come close to resembling the Black Forest area). Not only does Germany look like Germany, but the availability of WWII-era vehicles and uniforms make the authenticity more palpable.

Also helpful in the success of The Great Escape is the cast. Although the DVD artwork features the late Steve McQueen on its cover (and McQueen's contribution IS quite large, especially in the now-famous motorcycle chase, where McQueen did most of the real driving, since he was famous for his love of 'cycles and fast cars!), Sturges' movie is an ensemble movie. It's hard to remember, especially in the post-Vietnam era, that there was a period when war movies had all-star casts (The Longest Day is perhaps the best-known of these, and the trend continued -- even as viewership declined -- with such films as Tora! Tora! Tora!...Midway (a really bad film, by the way)...and ending with the well-made but poorly-received A Bridge Too Far). The Great Escape not only reunited director-producer with Steve McQueen, Charles Bronson and James Coburn (whom he'd directed in The Magnificent Seven); it also features the talents of Donald Pleasence, James Garner, David McCallum and Richard Attenborough (who would later go on to direct A Bridge Too Far and Gandhi).

Also reuniting with Sturges was composer Elmer Bernstein, who had scored The Magnificent Seven three years previously. Bernstein's main theme is pretty catchy and still holds up well in these John Williams and James Horner-dominated years.

The DVD itself is pretty standard. The image is a bit grainy but it's not too distractingly so. It also includes the theatrical trailer and a short "making of" featurette.

And why did Sturges have such a hard time selling this now-classic film to major studios? Get this: Studio heads thought the subject matter was too depressing (most of the escaping POWs were recaptured, and 50 were shot on Hitler's personal orders), and there was no female romantic lead!

If you have the original DVD release SELL IT NOW!!!
Okay....All the extras are great...and there are MANY featurettes and interviews to keep you busy for hours....BUT..the main point I want to make is for all of you who don't care about extras and figure you already have this on DVD....you don't...
this transfer is AMAZING!!! it is a real HIGH DEFINITION transfer and STUNNING is what they say on the case and its true! Many DVDs say digitally transfered....and often that just means they pulled it from a previously issued laserdisc via digital output...you have never seen this movie this pristine....EVER!

TRUE AND INSPIRING AND TRAGIC
THE GREAT ESCAPE Special Edition (MGM) is based with fidelity on Paul Brickhill's best-seller. The inspiring story is about heroic men who cannot be broken and refuse to give up.

This was Steve McQueen's career defining role but it's the late and much lamented Charles Bronson that you most remember as the taciturn tunnel digger with claustrophobia.

Previously released on DVD, this hi-def transfer has new 5.1 surround sound, and interesting extras that include five featurettes, a terrific documentary on the untold true story and a commentary track that includes John Sturges, some of the cast (including the late James Coburn) and crew.

The two disc is WELL worth the money
I just finished watching all the extra stuff on the 2nd disc and if you are into the true story of this WWII event, you'll love it! I'm not sure, but I think there is almost 2 hours of extras. Although the film seems dated (especially after 'Band of Brothers'), I've now changed my mind - after seeing how accurate the director tried to keep the film. The only draw back was the director had to put the American's (mostly Steve McQueen) in the forefront where they didn't belong. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Venerable British actors Alec Guinness and John Mills give two of their finest performances in Tunes of Glory, a compelling, emotionally charged study of leadership in a peacetime Scottish battalion. In one of his most memorable roles, Guinness plays Jock Sinclair, the brash, red-haired colonel who temporarily commands his regiment of loyal, devoted soldiers. He's quick with a drink and hearty tales of military bravado, placing him in fun-loving contrast to his replacement, Col. Barrow (Mills), a hot-tempered martinet whose by-the-book style couldn't be more different, or less likable, than Sinclair's. In adapting his own novel for director Ronald Neame, James Kennaway keenly establishes the psychological opposition of these two stubborn men, demonstrating the equal merit of their military careers while exploring class distinctions and, ultimately, the inevitable tragedy of their failure to reach a mutual understanding. Ironically, Guinness was originally offered Mills's role, but suggested a switch to avoid comparison to his role in The Bridge on the River Kwai. It was an inspired decision, allowing each actor to shine in a timeless film that speaks volumes about military men and the winning (or losing) of hearts and minds. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (17)

a tour de force of acting!
Alec Guinness and John Mills - two of the best actors for decades, though I don't think either really received their full dues. Face it, a lot of people's awareness of Guinness came from Star Wars. And that is a shame. He was a brilliant actor with a touch of comedic genius, and he shines in this battle of wits and wills with Mills, another great.

It's basically a two man film, though there is a fine supporting cast of John Fraser, Dennis Price, Susannah York, Gordon Jackson, Percy Herbert and Peter McEnery.

Guinness is Major Jock Sinclair who has been with this Highland regiment since he joined as a boy piper, and rose to Second-in-Command during war time. The unit is now back in Scotland during peace time. Had he stayed as second-in-command, it might now have set tone for the conflict with Lt. Col. Basil Barrow (John Mills). But Jock has been Acting-Commander, so he fully expected to be promoted to full command. The men love him, he's a real man's man. He is devastated, a blow to his ego, when they bring in Barrow to assume command.

Barrow is not a very likable character, a martinet, so it's easy for Jock to wage psychological warfare by undermining Barrow at every turn. A Sandhurst trained disciplinarian, Barrows quickly alienates everyone with his prissy by the book ways, giving Jock the power to slowly rot Barrows authority, ultimately shaking Barrows mental foundations.

While Jock is doing all he can to send Barrows into a tissy fit, Jock's daughter is slipping around meeting John Fraser, which is pushing Jock to the edge as well.

There is a coming confrontation and only one man will survive.

This is acting at is best, and this film really should get more attention.

An astonishing story by Ronald Neame...
The sociable and veteran Major Jock Sinclair (Alec Guinness) has been the acting as Commanding Officer for the Highland Regiment since World War II where he once began as a piper. However, Jock is about to be replaced by a new Commanding Officer, Lt. Col. Basil Barrow (John MIlls), and the mere thought of being swapped with another officer upsets Jock. Colonel Barrow is an aloof and pedant officer with deep scares from the war where he spent most of his time in a prison camp. When Colonel Barrow takes over he immediately begins to set his changes into action, which upsets the lenient Jock who does not like Colonel Barrow or his new strict changes that he has brought to the Highland Regiment. These changes instigate Jock to begin a private psychological warfare toward Colonel Barrow where he plays on the fact that the other officers are not used to changes.

Tunes of Glory is an astonishing story as it displays the rough surface of the Highland military, but at the same time presents the affectionate side of grown men that have returned from war. On top of this the audience gets to see two outstanding performances by Alec Guinness and John Mills that are supported by a terrific cast. In the end the audience will have experienced a wonderful film that leaves them with thoughts and stirred feelings.

One astonishing movie
This smart film shows us one true tour de force between John Mills and Alec Guiness.
Besides all the technical aspects that support this work, the dramatic nucleus deserves be remarked.
Yet this film was made in 1960 ; this script turns around one the essentials lines that support the question about what an effective leader must be.
Look inside what Guiness means; he has set up his mood leadership in a crowd of soldiers accostumed to his irreverent behavior.
He shares what they like; he drinks and he's vulgar too; in other words he flies with them , even ridiculizes the essential role of the authority. This a style yet employed for many managements specially in organizations composed by people of medium professional rank ; this leader stans up about the warm scent of the charisma; that behavior lets to Guiness smell and know the hidden weakness of every man under his power.
This approach is suddenly disturbed when an officer (John Mills) comes for him to replace. Obviously; that fact generates an inmediat reaction state in all the officers. Guiness knows his days are gone and yet he fights with his rules ; you disagree with his psycolghical handles; but you think that Mills a distingued officer, will be capable to end with this screwy state of things.
The obstacle are countless: some are direct and the rest you can imagine: that invisible match to establish the real rules of game , will turn in an unexpected twist ending.
The script is very carefully made ; just remember just two years before Stanley Kubrick had filmed Paths of Glory. This is important due the bitter atmosphere about every item related with the authority excess was not accepted in any society status.
Add to this, the Korea Cold War from the fifties ; the russian invassion over Hungary ; the growing nuclear tension around the nuclear weapons and the visible increase of peace movements all around the world in multiple facets as Litherature; poetry ; painting (Jason Pollock) ; music (rock & roll); cinema (New Wave birth) and challenging films as Baby doll, On the waterfront or Anatomy of a crime ; the raising movements for protecting the nature ; at this decade (fifties) the society was opened for new discoveries and sensations search (remember that the pill was discovered in the middle of the fifties) ; and this mood made the loss of certain principles you assumed as permanent.
And this movie walks in that direction. Watch this one; because its values and intentions goes far beyond a mere entertainment , the movie inquires you ; it challenges you and invites you to react.
Another superb achievement.

Fine DVD for a Guinness classic
No need to say much about the film itself: it is superb as others have agreed, with a phenomenally compelling performance from Sir Alec Guinness, with Sir John Mills (who won Best Actor prize at the 1960 Venice Film Festival) and the rest of the cast giving great support.

The Criterion DVD offers a really fine transfer: colours are rich, and there is a total absence of any artefacts, nicks or blemishes in the print. Sharpness is also very good, there is a hint of occasional grain but this is in the original celluloid I think - and anyway is nothing to worry about.

One slight caveat which has been commented upon by various review sites (so is not just a flaw in my DVD copy) is near the end of the film the appearance on the transfer of an opaque vertical line close to the right edge of the image, about a centimetre wide on my 28" screen. This is not really as distracting as it sounds and was presumably unfixable by Criterion from the source print. It starts near the end of the snooker room scene and stays for about 5 minutes - disappearing during Guinness's tour-de-force final scene where he addresses the assembled officers in a bravura display of fine acting - which leads to the unforgettable (and very moving) climax of the film. Certainly no-one should be put off by this slight flaw as it didn't interfere with my enjoyment of the film.

Soundwise this film offers a straight mono track - which with a 5 channel set-up will unusually use only the centre speaker. Manually adjusting my amp I was able to switch to the two fronts (minus the centre) which gives a slightly wider soundstage. In any event the dialogue is clear (subtitles will help with some of the more inpenetrable lines) and Malcolm Arnold'd bagpipe-based score comes through well.

The extras are slight but OK: the audio-only interview with the aged John Mills in 2002 is not too revealing but he is a lovely man, as comes across well here. The filmed interview with Guinness is better but covers his whole career rather than this film - and he doesn't give too much away of the real man. The trailer is interesting - because it is so appallingly (and hilariously) bad, with a dreadful voiceover and bizarre captions.

Get this DVD for the fine transfer of a brilliant film, which at the end of the day is the prime reason for any DVD package.

Och aye, a supairrb disc!
One of my favorite films has finally made it to DVD. One of the true gems of the postwar British cinema, by a director who often gets short shrift alongside his illustrious contemporaries, Ronald Neame. Everything about the picture's been said - some of the best screen acting of all time in this one. The disc does it justice. The delicate color balance is magnificently rendered,
and the sound is equally well-presented. The real kicker, tho',
is in the extras. The Neame interview is a delight, as is the Guinness one. The Mills one is marred slightly by the rather fatuous questions he is aked, but still quite fine. In short, Criterion hits another one out of the park. Pour yersailf a
wee dram, sit down, and enjoy a bona-fide classic. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Cast a Giant Shadow is based on Ted Berkman's biography of Colonel Mickey Marcus, the American soldier who served as an adviser in the fight to establish the state of Israel in 1948. Marcus (played by Kirk Douglas) must decide whether to settle into peacetime America or follow his more natural, combative instincts abroad--a dilemma symbolized by a love triangle involving wife Angie Dickinson and Senta Berger as a soldier whom he falls for in Palestine. Although lavish and spectacular, especially in the war scenes--filmed in the actual Middle Eastern locations in which they occurred--Cast a Giant Shadow is not entirely authentic. Moreover, in the light of later troubles in the region, not everyone will find heartwarming this depiction of plucky little Israel coping against Arab foes who are barely depicted as human throughout the film. Still, it's an impressive enough relic of epic 1960s cinema, with cameos by Yul Brynner, John Wayne, and Frank Sinatra. --David Stubbs ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Captures the spirit that founded Israel
Reviewers need to be aware that films of history the sooner they are filmed to the event can often catch the mood/look of the time period better than today with our myriad of special effects but no heart. "Cast a Giant Shadow" does this.

A great war film that shows how technotactically the "edge" on the battlefield goes to those who can get the best mechanical advantage---the Israelis need a main supply route open to feed Jerusalem (I have actually walked these steep defiles) and tries to armor plate trucks and this doesn't work against ambushers waiting for them. This serves as a warning that the U.S. Army cannot make the same mistake of basing itself on restricted to roads, vulnerable heavy armored cars as some seem lusting for these days. David Ben-Gurion, Israeli Prime Minister knows the "center of gravity" is holding Jerusalem (same is true today) in order to have a rallying point for the new nation. He compels Marcus to find a way to win.

Col Marcus played by Kirk Douglas displays the dogged determination "if you first don't succeed, try, try again" so lacking in today's generation. He reminds the Israelites not to wallow in self-pity over their plight BUT TO DO SOMETHING to make things better. He tries to infantry attack Latrun without tracked armored vehicle fire support and fails to take the walled post (now the IDF tank museum) to bust open the road to Jerusalem. He does succeed in mobile warfare against Egyptian tanks using anti-tank guns mounted on jeeps. Eventually, Marcus finds a way----

I think the women in the film are sexy; Dickinson and Berger and add to the film in that they love their man, Marcus but fear for his safety as he does what has to be done because humanity insists it be done. The film reminds us that the true feelings many people have towards Israeli people would be exctinction as Marcus discovers at the death camps in Germany as a U.S. Army Paratroop officer. This prejudice is depicted well in the film and reminds us that freedom is not a "free" lunch. Someone has to pay for it, and that usually means our men in uniform. It also means helping them do their jobs as the film shows that getting support from your own people is not automatic. Marcus earns the respect of his Army but at a lot of struggle; what if today there are no men of vision willing to go this far to defend freedom?

Cast a Giant CAST
First off, this film contains a rousing score by Elmer Bernstein. It is brilliant. Melville Shavelson wrote and directed this sprawling biographical action picture about (Colonel) "Mickey" Marcus (Kirk Douglas), a West Point graduate and an adviser to President Roosevelt during W.W.II, who, at the request of the Israelis, went to there in the late 40s to re-organize their army. In this account, based on a book by Ted Berkman, Mickey Marcus is the master strategist who leads the Israelis to victory in the war with the Arabs. Melville Shavelson admires him, making him the cool but enigmatic leader. Shavelson is very eager to please the audience enough to throw in numerous guest stars, such as Frank Sinatra and Yul Brynner, and agonizes over Mickey's moral conflict between Angie Dickinson, the wife he leaves at home in the U.S., and Senta Berger, the female warrior he takes up with. Even those willing to accept the hours of incoherence and banality may recoil at the obscenity of being asked to experience the horrors of Dachau as reflected in John Wayne's bleary eyes. It also features Topol, James Donald, Stathis Giallelis, Ruth White, Gordon Jackson, Luther Adler, Gary Merrill, and Jeremy Kemp. Get the soundtrack.

UTTER RUBBISH
I GIVE THIS MOVIE MINUS 5 STARS.
Why do we watch movies? Sometimes its because we like fantasy, or action, or romance, OR THE TELLING OF A TRUE STORY. I guess the idea with cast a giant shadow was to tell the true story of how a group terrorists [Jews] with great might and courage created an independent state of Israel- which of course is all false and utter rubbish. The film is light years away from the telling of a true story. The Jews were not mighty nor courageous, nor passionate. The truth is they were terrorists and with America's help defeated the Arabs. What ever the film potrays of the Jews was wrong and highly inaccurate. There was also some inaccuracies in the portrayl of the Arabs, but not on a grand scale as the Jews. Steven Speilberg wanted to do a movie very close to the truth about the same war, but when zionists saw the script they pressured Steven to drop the idea. Cast a Giant shadow underated the amreican involvement which was the only reason why Israel won that war. If you like a war movie there are plenty that are much better than this. If you are pro-israeli I think you will like it, but remember 80% of it is inccurate. Many people watch and then review a movie at amazon if it is a good ONE. On the basis of that, cast A Giant shadow has only 11 reviews, indicating what utter rubbish of a movie it is.

White-Washed View of Arab-Israli War
The problem with a film like this today is that it will evoke passionate responses from both Arabs and Jews. I think a non-semetic person is needed to provide an honest assessment. As an American I have no great feelings for either Isreal or the varied Arab States. I think both sides have little to recommend them even to this day. This film portrays the creation of the modern Isreali army from a bunch of feuding militias. Kirk Douglas plays his usual out-spoken leader part which comes over ok. John Wayne as a WW2 general and State Department official is almost amusing, but does convey how the US government probably felt toward events in the Middle East at this time.

I was surprised at the reasonable portrayal of the British in this film, as they are usually vilified by pro-Isreali elments most times. It shows how the British vainly tried to keep both sides apart, and explains a little of their own position for a change. It was a thankless task for them. The almost saintly portrayal of the Isrealis does give one the impression that this film was funded by the Jewish Defense League in the US! They are always seen as long suffering as they prod along singing and dancing to their dour and flat music! The Arabs don't get much better treatment either, and little individual attention at all, excepet for one dissident chieftain who seems to throw his lot in with the Jews. His portrayal is a bit standard, but is amusing and not that inaccurate for the time.

What the movie does show well is the chaotic nature of the fighting in 1948 with the first Arab-Isreali War. We see Jewish columes being attacked from the mountains and bloody sacrefices being made. The Arab forces are shown a bit better armed than I think they actually were, but there can be no doubt that they had some initial advantages against the nascent state of Isreal which they threw away. 1947-48 was the only chance the Arab World would get to crush Isreal, and they have only themselves to blame for not doing it. The Isrealis once again proved the superiority of Western forces against Eastern ones. Even with the chaotic nature of the fighting, and their poor strategic situation, they were able to hang on and prevail through sheer grit and determination. Kirk Douglas represents the many mercinaries and outside supporters who were vital in giving the Isrealis the technical expertise, help and leadership that they so badly needed. Without them Isreal no doubt would have been crushed.

This movie is a bit sentimental and heavy-handed at times, but it probably conveys a general impression of the times better than any Hollywood production could today. Frank Sinitra flying around in his little plane has got to be funniest thing in this entire opus! Yul Brenner is pretty good also as a downcast Isreali leader. The women in the movie are probably the most compelling aspect. Kirk Douglas's wife and the Isreali girl are both lovely and compelling. Their pull on him has symbolic meaning in the story. There is some good dialouge in this movie, some of it with decent historical references. Viewers should try not to get too involved with the plot and characters, and just try to see it as a grand rolling epic with some scant relation to history! I guess it would help if you are not pro-Isreali or Arab as well. Just sit back, have a few chuckles and gain an appreciation for the complexity of the events which are conveyed in this epic. You can at least begin to understand the current mess in the Middle East today by viewing it. They don't make movies like this anymore.

10% good 90 % bad
Okay, we wanted a movie to enjoy about the Land of Israel and it's struggles. Old style movie making was enjoyable, as was the usual depiction of the Jewish courage and struggle along with a similar type people giving American support. HOWEVER, from the get-go the main actor was cheating on his wife, and every time John Wayne got a chance to say "damn" he sure did. It's like they realized at this point in movie making they could get away with saying "damn" on screen more than in the work place or schools, or any other place of decency, and so they went ALL OUT. Like little kids getting away with something for the first time, if it's all the sudden allowed for some reason, they display it with exhuberance! So bad language, a love affair during marriage (actually celebrated by two married couples' cheating spouses) is toyed with and starts to come to full fruition (whatever THAT means anymore). Movie went in the garbage, we are sad we bought it. There was NO need for profanity, nor a need for such sensuousness on a topic about heroic bravery and humand struggles to live together in peace ON A BATTLEFIELD. The Jews are dipicted as passionate and courageous (usual depiction) but not very smart w/ politics and rough relationships (usual depiction). We aren't Jewish, but we say...don't buy! ... Read more

Reviews (11)

True Love
Here's a real life story, told with love and compassion. If you love animals, you'll love this movie! Both children and adults will laugh and cry at this movie. The scenery is great, and the acting is great. The phrase, Man's Best Friend, must have been coined with "Bobby" in mind!

Loyalty and the Transformng Power of Love
Greyfriars Bobby is one of the finest children's movies of all time. Based on a true story, it is a deep-feeling, understated exploration of how a "pound-hound" transformed an entire city. In detail it shows the the mutual transformation of a lonely, impoverished older man and the stray dog who befriends him. They become a fixture in their Scottish neighborhood -- the dog greeting schoolchildren, etc. -- until the old man's death. Scruffy-looking Bobby develops a routine of staying on his dead master's grave each day, still taking the time to greet the kids on their way to and from school. Upon the old dog's death, the people of Greyfriar's built a statue to Bobby, by his master's grave: a testament to loyalty and love. A several handkerchief movie but very uplifting, for adults and kids alike.

Wonderful film...too bad it's in fullscreen
I feel tricked and used.
After waiting decades to enjoy this film the way I saw it in the movie theater as a child, what does Disney do? They glibly release the DVD in fullscreen format, even going so far as to list one of the "Special Features" on the jacket as "Fullscreen (1.33:1)". The "breathtaking Scottish countryside" mentioned on the box is nearly obscured in the film due to the cropping on all sides.

While the image and sound quality are superior to the VHS version, poor Bobby would cry at this fullscreen treatment by Eisner and his cronies.Why Disney doesn't offer buyers a DVD with fullscreen on one side and letterbox on the other is a complete mystery.

The DVD of Darby O'Gill and the Little People is coming out in August of 2004. If Disney releases it in fullscreen with the opening titles cut off like on the VHS tape, I think I'll consider breaking the DVD in half.

among disney's best animal films
Originally released in 1961, Greyfriars Bobby is a very tender and beautifull film. It really is right up there with old yeller, and other disney classics. Set in Scotland, the sets are lavish, the production values strong. Performances by Donald Crisp and Laurence Naismith are involving. I saw it recently for the first time in 30 years, since it was broadcast on the disneyland tv show many years ago. I was as equally captivated by it as I was when I was a boy. It isnt overly sentimental as some may think, but it is quite touching. A real classic.

Great movie
I watched this movie as a child and thought it was one of the sweetest Disney ever made. The tale of a little dog who comes to his master's grave no matter who tries to stop him. In the end the whole village of Greyfriar loves him and adopts him as their own. I loved watching the battle of wills between the restaurant owner and the graveyard caretaker who each thought the "wee dog" should be his. But Bobby belonged only to his dead master in the graveyard. After Bobby died he was buried in the graveyard alongside his master, a rare honor for a little dog.

The only reason I gave the video 4 stars instead of 5 is because of the mono soundtrack. I stronly prefer stereo and would really like to see this movie released on DVD or even VCD. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Looking for a rousing Viking adventure that's cheesy and entertaining? The Long Ships is just the movie for you. As England's greatest color cinematographer, Jack Cardiff had filmed 1958's The Vikings, so he was well-prepared to direct this exciting, occasionally grisly mini-epic (a British/Yugoslavian coproduction, filmed in Yugoslavia), which received mixed-to-favorable reviews when released in 1964. Back then, it was a perfect matinee marvel if you were young and impressionable, and it's still worth its weight in hot buttered popcorn. While that most contemporary of actors, Richard Widmark, is clearly out of place as a maverick Norse warrior, he's sufficiently valiant as he guides his Viking brother (Russ Tamblyn, still hot from West Side Story) and a long-ship full of warriors in search of a huge, solid-gold bell coveted by Mansuh (Sidney Poitier), a Moorish prince obsessed with retrieving the legendary bell at any cost. Treacherous maelstroms, lovely damsels, corny battles, and casual humor make The Long Ships a lot of fun--like a Ray Harryhausen adventure without the animated creatures. (Oh, and Mr. Poitier? James Brown called... he wants his hair back.) --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (26)

The best Viking movie I have seen!
A yarn of long ships and tall men. The long ship: one especially constructed as King Harald's funeral ship. The hero: Richard Widmark, a ne'er-do-well as crafty as Odysseus. His father: Krok, a tremendous beer-swilling thane, builder of the long ship. King Harald dupes Krok, paying him a mere two gold pieces for his two years of effort. So Rolf (RW) and his brother Orm consider it fair to steal the long ship to search for a legendary golden bell, "as tall as three tall men" to recoup their fortunes. To guard against reprisals against their family while they are absent, Rolf and Orm also kidnap the king's lovely daughter. Thereby is the stage set for the search for the bell, the pursuit by the king, and the exciting clash with the Moors, led by Sidney Poitier. If you like action and adventure, you must see this movie!

Most fun Viking Flick
Now some will tell you "Vikings" is the best or some other film. I myself have a copy of "Vikings" too. But when it comes to the most fun I would have to say "The Long Ships" wins the prize. Take a swarthy group of Vikings on the quest for a giant golden bell, a dangerous sea journey, an army of Moors to battle, a ruthless King, and a fiendishly unusual device, "The Steel Mare", to kill a man and you have a classic.

It has great scenery, sets, costumes, music, and the cast does a great job of hamming it up. Richard Widmark and Sidney Poitier are perfect. You can tell they all had fun doing this movie. Though we don't get to see some carnage such as the results of riding the Mare, who needs to, my imagination works fine thank you. Quite honestly the in your face gratuitous gore of many other movies is overrated. When you think about it there are few movies about Vikings, and of those you definitely want to add this to your collection. The whole family should get a kick out of this one.

You will be humming the theme song after the movie, and may find yourself swinging pillows at one another seeing imaginary Moors. I couldn't wait any longer to see it on TV or until this comes out on DVD so I bought it on VHS. Now that I got the VHS copy it is coming out on DVD. DOH! I ended up buying this DVD and it is incredibly sharp. What a beautiful job of transferring it. Not much in the way of extras but still a wonderful DVD to own.

Viking--Where is the Bell ? !
I had not seen "The Long Ships" since it was released theatrically 40 years ago--yet it left a lasting impression. Of course, I am delighted that Columbia has issued this beautiful DVD--wide-screen, gorgeous colour--it is a treat to look at !

I think some of the negative reviews must come from people who took this movie far too seriously. What we have here is good, old-fashioned "hokum"--the actors knew it--the director knew it--so lighten up, and enjoy this rousing, exciting adventure.

I'm sure that Widmark and Poitier realised that they were not going to win Oscars for this movie--but sometimes even the best actors like to do things that are fun ! I suspect that Widmark was in his 40s, yet like that other famous "viking"--Kirk Douglas--he obviously stayed in shape, and acquits himself well in the action scenes. Mr. Poitier must have had a ball, wearing an outlandish wig, and flowing "Moorish" robes.

Movie buffs will see many familiar faces in this one, although--in a number of cases--they may not be so apparent at first. Terrific character actor, Lionel Jeffries, with heavy make-up and a top-knot, is the eunuch guarding the harem ( not too well ! )--his purpose is clearly comic relief. Stalwart British actors, David Lodge and Edward Judd, are "on board" as thick-bearded vikings. Another viking is played by that quintessential Scotsman, Gordon Jackson--I suppose some Scots might have travelled to Norway ? Clifford Evans ( on leave from Hammer Films ? ) is dignified as the viking king. Russ Tamblyn, always an acrobatic, athletic force, has his moments as the younger viking brother. Rossana Shiaffino and Beba Loncar are beautiful women--but that's all. Finally, the award for unbelievable over-acting goes to Oscar Homolka, as Widmark's ( and Tamblyn's ) father--his "drunken" scene at the mandatory "viking orgy" is quite surreal !

There are a number of memorable scenes, and I agree with other reviewers about the "Mare of Steel"--in 40 years, I never forgot it. You will not forget the poor "guinea pig" selected for a demonstration of this lethal device. Will Mr. Widmark be next ? Start chewing those finger nails !

One small criticism--as I mentioned, Columbia has done a beautiful job of presenting this film in all of it's colourful glory. However, someone in the "proof-reading" department really blew it. On the cover of the DVD case, the two stars' names are at the top--Mr. Poitier's name is spelled incorrectly. He is only one of the biggest stars in the history of film--so this glitch is unfortunate.

Anyway--for history scholars and lovers of authenticity--stay away. For the rest of us who like pure entertainment, "The Long Ships" is an exciting voyage !

Where is that golden bell?!
Finding a good viking film is never an easy task. One must wade through a lot of bad movies before discovering that rare gem. The 1964 lusty epic "The Long Ships" is not a gem. In fact, it is so laughably bad as to be amusing - but that's a good thing.

Certainly not as horrid as "The Norsemen," but far inferior to "The Vikings" and "The 13th Warrior," this film tells the tale of a band of vikings in search of a huge golden bell. Led by Richard Widmark and Russ Tamblyn (that's right, Russ Tamblyn), these colorful warriors steal a ship, oar through a maelstrom and battle Moors, all the while trying to find that darn golden bell.

Sidney Poitier, starring in probably the worst film of his career, is the leader of the Moors. He's got a sexually frustrated wife back home who's irritated with his obsession with finding this golden bell. Everyone's looking for the golden bell. I suppose when found, it can be melted down and provide untold riches for all involved. Which is really kind of a shame, because when it rings, it makes such beautiful music.

Anyway, Poitier and the Vikings reluctantly join forces to find the golden bell - which is about 20 feet tall. Such a golden bell must be awfully heavy, but it's carted around on a Gilligan's Island-like raft and pulled by a few horses once they reach land. At one point the bell falls down a cliff, killing a lot of vikings, and then oddly floating on the ocean. Thank goodness it didn't sink because I don't think viking scuba gear had been invented yet.

Oh well, I first saw this film as a child and thought it was the greatest darn film in history. It plays like a comic book, with Richard Widmark delivering Indiana Jones wisecracks throughout. It's a lot of fun if in the right mood and the battle sequences are exciting. The sets are also appropriately elaborate.

The film clocks in at over two hours and it drags because of it. But to edit "The Long Ships" down would mean to delete the scene where the vikings stumble upon a female harem. Rather than escape with their lives, they decide to sample the wares, which of course leads to chaos. I was half expecting John Cleese to make an appearance any second.

Ala Baba and the 40 Viking Thieves
Love Richard Widmark but this movie would have been better with a lighter weight actor like Tony Curtis. Entertaining but only worth renting. Russ Tamblyn is not the stature of Sydney and Richard.

Beautiful photography and effects but not a must see movie. ... Read more

Amazon.com essential video

In the spy-crazed film world of the 1960s, Len Deighton's antihero Harry Palmer burst onto the scene as an antidote to the James Bond films. Here was a British spy who had a working-class accent and horn-rimmed glasses and above all really didn't want to be a spy in the first place. As portrayed by Michael Caine, Palmer was the perfect antithesis to Sean Connery's 007. Unlike that of his globetrotting spy cousin, Palmer's beat is cold, rainy, dreary London, where he spends his days and nights in unheated flats spying on subversives. He does charm one lady, but she's no Pussy Galore, just a civil servant he works with, sent to keep an eye on him. Eventually he's assigned to get to the bottom of the kidnapping and subsequent "brain draining" of a nuclear physicist, all the while being reminded by his superiors that it's this or prison. Things begin to get pretty hairy for Harry. Produced by Harry Saltzman in his spare time between Bond movies, the film also features a haunting score by another Bond veteran, composer John Barry. --Kristian St. Clair ... Read more

Reviews (16)

Intelligent, well-acted spy thriller
"The Ipcress File" is a gripping spy thriller that was a big hit back in 1966. This was the time when Michael Caine was a rising young star, and this movie was an excellent showcase for his talent. Visually, the movie is dated in spots, especially in its use of psychedelic colors and images in the brainwashing sequences. These images, along with Caine's character's wearing of thick-lensed, horn-rimmed eye glasses, were later parodied in spy spoofs, most notably in the Austin Powers series. Fortunately, the story is as engrossing as ever, and Caine's Harry Palmer remains one of the most indelible movie characters ever.

Harry Palmer is a shrewd, cocky, amoral Army sergeant who was busted in Germany for some illegal trading. Sensing his abilities, the British army has offered to keep him out of prison in exchange for his becoming a spy. It's the threat of prison that keeps the freedom-loving Harry in line. [This plot device has been used countless times since "The Ipcress File" was released, most recently in "XXX".] When a prominent British scientist is kidnapped, Harry's boss loans him out to another department. What our confident hero doesn't realize is that he's being used as bait. By whom and for what purpose is what keeps the suspense going right up to the movie's tense climax.

"The Ipcress File" is in the category of spy movies which, unlike James Bond films, portray the characters as participants in a dark, sinister and deadly serious game. In this game, only the hero can be trusted.

The Anti-Bond, If You Will...
Michael Caine's Harry Palmer -- the character is nameless in the Len Deighton novels; as he is also the first-person narrator, this works, but for this film, (third-person all the way) it was felt that he needed a name -- is just as escapist a fantasy as Connery's Bond, but in a different manner. Deliberately deglamorised and *presented* as just a relatively ordinary man, if of a somewhat dubious moral character, doing his best to keep out of trouble, Palmer nonetheless is, underneath, a bit more.

Blackmailed into espionage with the threat of well-earned prison time, Palmer is a useful foot-soldier in the sordid, quiet war of espionage and counter-espionage, set to unmask a traitor -- but who *is* the traitor -- is there anyone at all that he can trust?

Michael Caine (this was the first film in which i had seen him) inhabits the role of Harry Palmer and makes it totally his, a man of contradictions -- a working class man, but one who genuinely loves and appreciates the finer things, unlike Fleming's (and, to some extent, the Bond movies') Bond, an amoral thug who apes the manners and tastes of his betters.

The apparently-realistic dreary grey London streets and settings add to this film's apparently-realistic approach, all the better to persuade the viewer to suspend his disbelief and accept the rather complex plot, especially when we get to the brainwashing parts...

First of three films, this was a series that *could* have rivalled Bond but fizzled out in the end.

All three, however, are well worth your time.

A LIttle Contrasting POV
I got this film with memories of the tight plot and the cataclysmic twist at the end. Thirty years has dulled considerably the enjoyment I once felt.

Everyone else finds Caine's performance riveting. I found it silly and stilted. I never bought in, never experienced anything other than an actor saying his lines, and not especially good lines at that. The other characters are all minor actors who fulfilled the stereotypes required for this film.

But spy films live and die on plot, and this one is pretty lame. The ease with which Palmer locates his prey, and the anvil like clues about who is the good guy and who is the bad guy, did a good job at diminishing whatever suspense it created. The big conclusion left me laughing....was I really supposed to see a choice here? Never doubted for a moment. Anti-climax implies climax. This was just silly.

This was not bad, but an uncharismatic Caine and a predictable plot combined to create a mediocre experience. And DVD extras were quite nominal.

The IPCRESS File - Michael Caine
The Ipcress File is without a doubt the best of the Hollywood action spy thrillers of the 60's. It is what the James Bond series started out to be and never quite became. Michael Cane in neither a tough guy nor a slick CIA/KGB type. He is a foot soldier, literally in this case, in the cold war. His opinions are neither sought nor listened too. He is only sent in when the situation becomes too clouded for the professional intelligence officers to unravel. An army sergeant convicted of shady dealings and condemned to one prison or the other, Harry Palmer (Michael Cane) chooses the one without walls, but great danger. The problem for Harry isn't to solve the mystery; it is to figure out just what the mystery is. Everyone about him is so stiff upper lipped and bowler-hated that it is difficult to see any movement, and as a good foot soldier, Harry Palmer knows that you can't shoot until someone moves and gives away their position. Finally the story plays out in a London back-alley where the street savvy, uneducated but intelligent Palmer is called upon to make the right choice. With a plot that is slightly too fanciful and a hero slightly too suave for reality, this is none the less a very believable film, beautifully photographed and edited. Watch The IPCRESS File in a triple bill with the much grittier and more realistic 1965 B/W film, The Spy Who Came In Form The Cold starring Richard Burton and the 1962 B/W film The Manchurian Candidate starring Frank Sinatra and Lawrence Harvey if you want to know what Hollywood's view of the Cold War was at the dawn of the Viet Man War.

Caine at his best!!!!!
I have always been a fan of Michael Caine since his intoduction in ZULU, and his brings Len Deighton's thinking man's James Bond to the screen with panache!!

Harry Palmer is minus the gizmos, the flash of Bond, he offers you instead a ex-con pressed into using his talents for the British spies. He is a gormet cook, cannot see too good without his coke bottle glasses, and poor Harry, caught between Ross, his former boss, and Dobly, his new boss, in a thinking man's game of cat and mouse.

Perfect droll British wit, with Caine alsolutely marvelous as Palmer. With good supporting work from Guy Doleman, Nigel Green(who was with Palmer in ZULU) and Gordon Jackson.

A must!!!!!!

Followed by Funeral in Berlin (1966) and Billion Dollar Brain (1967), and later several Palmer movies for Showtime Network. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Political drama? Perhaps. Taut espionage thriller? Hardly
This reviewer has not read John Hale's novel. An Amazon.com editorial review notes the book is not a spy thriller but rather, "a sad commentary on corruption in intelligence circles." One shouldn't expect "the excitement of a Forsyth, Ludlum, or Higgins."

The 36-year-old Nigel Havers (who has a viable "family-resemblance" to his "father" Frank) portrays a 28-year-old Bob Jones. As one intelligence eavesdropper remarks, Bob is a "self-righteous little prick." How true. Bob is a Russian language specialist at British intelligence GCHQ. Despite age and experience, his world view is a 17-year-old's. He sees lies and paranoia throughout GCHQ. "Nothing is as it is made out to be." Bob sees "burglary, bribery, blackmail, drug trafficking ... (even) murder!" (the horror, the horror). Why, (he says) "Our secret world is on exactly the same tack as theirs." British intelligence is as corrupt as the Americans' and the Russians.' Despite patriotic father Frank's (Michael Caine) advice to not rock the boat and either continue this necessary and important work quietly; or at least exit gracefully; Bob plans to quit with a whistle-blowing bang, thereby being a "man in the white hat" who "always wins in the end," thus saving England, perhaps the world.

To add insult to injury, Bob is also stucking his acquaintance Alan's wife, Cynthia, married with child, presumably Alan's. This stucking may be a factor in Alan's death: Cynthia had just so advised Alan, telling Bob that Alan took it "terrible." Was it carbon monoxide suicide or perhaps another GPSC murder? We'll never know, but it apparently has a big effect on paranoid Bob. It's also difficult to see what (beyond plot requirements) Cynthia sees in Bob (or for that matter what he sees in her): Alan was better-looking than Bob and an extroverted but faithful reveler to boot, though admittedly with unsavory political connections.

The film succeeds brilliantly if intended to portray Bob an ideological idiot. Indeed, Bob gets his just deserts after just 45 grueling minutes, markedly improving the film's gene pool in the process, likely not the reaction intended. And that is the principal problem with this film. Induced by the script, Havers does well but his portrayal so poisons the water that it is difficult for subsequent sympathetic engagement. Even worse, the bad guys' performances and motivations are so strong (if Bob carries out his threat, he'll create a first magnitude British intelligence failure) that the film risks making them the true white hats despite their government-sanctioned murderous intentions! In this sense, the film has a refreshing ambiguity.

Prolog being over, the story gets down to brass tacks. Bob's grieving father Frank tries to find out why Bob died and if he can do anything about it. He risks getting acquaintances bumped off just before they can spill the beans (a time-honored movie tradition). And when Frank confronts someone about Bob's (and others') deaths, the intelligence folks are so (literally) wired in that they know all about it and other "private" and politically sensitive conversations Frank and son had as they strolled through "safe" terrain. (Watch for the guy with the "suitcase" and ear phones, the nearby upper floor open window, the trailing taxi, the brief glimpse of a major player at the subway "accident".) But when Frank finally confronts someone much higher in the food chain, presumably under more intense scrutiny, said agents must be out to lunch, conveniently facilitating a plot twist.

The performances of Caine, Barry Foster as Charlie Gregg, Kenneth Colley as Pickett and the several intelligence agents (including James Fox and Gordon Jackson, with character names like "Lord" and "Bruce" never occurring in conversation) are actually quite good, as is John Gielgud (as always) who's lesser supporting role as Sir Adrian Chapple has pretty limited screen time. The dual-sided DVD presents both a widescreen (16x9) and a pan scan version. The widescreen picture and sound are generally satisfying. The pan scan version is surprisingly crisp and pleasing.

Final Capstone of Cold War Films
The Whistle Blower is the capstone of the Cold War films.

Michael Caine is in top form - this is one of his best parts.

While there are some parts that spin media culture, it has a transcendent quality that will provoke your thought.

who is the enemy ?
Based on a novel by John Hale, this 1987 film is a cold war spy story with more twists and angles than can be absorbed in a single viewing.
The boundaries between right and wrong are blurred, in this complex plot where co-workers in the secret service are asked to spy on each other, truth-seekers are murdered, and the guilty are kept protected in their luxurious nests.

With an excellent cast that includes James Fox, Nigel Havers, John Gielgud, Felicity Dean, and many top-notch character actors, it's a fast paced hour and 40 minutes...one of my favorite parts is how they manage to get informati