Reviews (89)

"To a New Yorker like you...a hero is some kind of sandwich"
Exciting, humourous and well paced WWII action film sees Clint Eastwood and Co. looking to liberate $16 million worth of gold bullion from the retreating Nazi forces in Europe !

Director Brian G. Hutton (who directed Clint in the WWII thriller "Where Eagles Dare") is at the helm of this movie and again demonstrates his passion for fiery, loud battle scenes !!

Eastwood plays Kelly...just another war weary soldier slogging through the muddy battlefields of France until he comes across a German colonel and top secret information about a bank full of plundered Nazi bullion...now all he needs is a skilled team to carry out this most audacious of bank heists in the middle of a war ! Kelly enlists the assistance of tank commanding flower child "Oddball", (Donald Sutherland in an unforgettable performance ) fast talking hustler "Crap Game" ( I don't think Don Rickles was acting ! ), battle hardened sergeant "Big Joe" ( Telly Savalas )....along with a motley crew of troops including Harry Dean Stanton as "Willard" and Jeff Morris as "Cowboy".

I know some reviewers tend to be a bit critical of some of the humourous aspects of this movie....but what the heck...it's not trying to be "All Quiet on the Western Front" or "Paths of Glory"...the movie is a fictional tale about an elaborate bank heist thrown in amongst a very noisy war, and peopled with some larger than life colorful characters. "Kelly's Heroes" is an enjoyable little cult film and is a fun way to spend a lazy evening watching a "Boys Own" action adventure.

Great to finally have "Kellys Heroes" out on DVD (although a few extra goodies would have been nice)....picture and sound quality is very good...and I always enjoy "The Mike Curb Congregation" singing "Burning Bridges" (the film's theme track)......

Classic Army Comedy
Very enjoyable comedy about a platoon of Army soldiers who set out to steal gold bars in a bank behind German lines during WW II. The movie takes place after D-Day when a Private, portrayed by Clint Eastwood, finds out that there is a huge stash of gold in a bank deep in enemy territory. The humor is centered around the lackluster group of soldiers he rounds up to penetrate German lines in a mission to retrieve the prize. What really makes the movie work are the actors: Donald Sutherland (a hippy tanker if you can believe that), Telly Savalas (the strong, reluctant platoon sergeant), Don Rickles (the scheming supply sergeant), and Carrol O'Connor (the division commander who has been trying to get the infantry division on the move). Although funny, it still has it's somber moments when the soldiers and tankers run into the enemy as they advance towards their objective, but it's not too violent nor bloody as recent movies with WW II themes. Previous reviewers have remarked how well done the production sets are with uniforms and equipment, and they are pretty impressive considering this is only a comedy. Interesting remarks about the Tiger Tanks, they probably are modified T-34s considering that they do not have front drive sprockets that original Tigers had, nor do they have the over-lapping road wheel suspension. Plus the turrets of these tanks sit forward on the chassis just like T-34s, regardless of these picky comments, they do almost like the real thing. An enjoyable movie and it has a lively soundtrack that compliments the plot very well.

Great entertainment,, with WWII backgound

Studio: Warner Studios
Video Release Date: November 6, 2001

Cast:

Clint Eastwood ... Pvt. Kelly
Telly Savalas ... Master Sgt. Big Joe
Don Rickles ... Staff Sgt. Crapgame
Carroll O'Connor ... Major General Colt
Donald Sutherland ... Sgt. Oddball, Tank Commander
Gavin MacLeod ... Moriarty, Tank crewman
Hal Buckley ... Captain Maitland
Stuart Margolin ... Pvt. Little Joe
Jeff Morris ... Pvt. Cowboy
Richard Davalos ... Pvt. Gutowski
Perry Lopez ... Pvt. Petuko
Tom Troupe ... Cpl. Job
Harry Dean Stanton ... Pvt. Willard
Dick Balduzzi ... Pvt. Fisher
Gene Collins ... Pvt. Babra
Len Lesser ... Platoon Sgt. Bellamy 42nd Engineers
David Hurst ... Colonel Dumpkoppf
Fred Pearlman ... Pvt. Mitchell
Michael Clark ... Pvt. Grace
George Fargo ... Pvt. Penn
Dee Pollock ... Pvt. Jonesey
George Savalas ... 1st Sgt. Mulligan, Artillery Unit
John G. Heller ... German Lieutenant
Shepherd Sanders ... Turk, Tank crewman
Karl-Otto Alberty ... German Tank Commander
Ross Elliott ... Major Booker, Gen. Colt's Staff Communications Officer
Phil Adams ... Pvt. Whiskey
Hugo De Vernier ... French mayor
Frank J. Garlotta ... Tanker
Harry Goines ... Supply sergeant
David Gross ... German Captain
Sandy Kevin ... Mo
James McHale ... Guest
Robert MacNamara ... Major Roach, Gen. Colt's Staff
Reed Morgan ... U.S. lieutenant
Tom Signorelli ... Sgt. Bonsor, Gen. Colt's Staff
Donald Waugh ... Roamer, Gen. Colt's Staff

Vincent Maracecchi ... Old man in town
Tony Wheeler ... Cpl., General Colt's Driver

This film is rich with humor, as well as suspense. Kelly (Eastwood) learns about a bank full of gold bars, in Germany behind enemy lines. He gets together a mixed bag of what can only be called losers and misfits, appropriates a tank, and heads for the gold. The ensuing struggle to get rich provides the motivation which keeps the motley band together.

Donald Sutherland ("oddball"), the hippy tanker, is the source of much humor, as well as Don Rickles ("Crapgame"), and (believe it or not) Carroll O.Connor as the general.

This is a funny movie, with more than a little action. Nothing offensive.

Joseph (Joe) Pierre

author of Handguns and Freedom...their care and maintenance
and other books

Off-beat WW2 classic with all-star cast!
This is definitely one of the funniest war movies of all time! Donald Sutherland, who plays a hippie(!) tank commander, seems out of place in a WW2 setting. However, he had me laughing the whole way through! I can't imagine what this film would be like without his hysterical performance. One of my favorite scenes is when Sutherland's three Sherman tanks attack a Nazi railroad station while playing Hank Williams' music on a loud speaker! I realize that this "WW2 movie" has a definite 70's feel to it (especially with one of the hit songs of the decade, Burning Bridges), & some don't like this movie for that reason. I can't help but have fun everytime I see this! The tanks, even the German ones, look much more authentic than those in Patton or The Battle of the Bulge. This is a real treat for WW2 tank buffs like me who appreciate authenticity. I know the plot is hokey, but who cares? If you want to see a war movie that isn't depressing (like most) or boring then this is for you!

Action packed and funny
Another "tough-guy" film that is sure to entertain you over and over again. Starring Clint Eastwood as the demoted Sgt. Kelly, Telly Savalas as "Big Joe", also starring Don Rickles, Donald Sutherland, Carol O'Connor and Dean Stanton. Truely great action packed film with lots of dry humour. Donald Sutherland looks like he's spent the last 5 years in San Fransisco than an actual Tank commander. I recommend this film. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Blake Edwards's delightful 1959 comedy stars Cary Grant as a World War II submarine captain whose preference for a by-the-book command reluctantly yields to certain realities. Chief among those is that Grant's first officer (Tony Curtis, who impersonated Grant that same year in Billy Wilder's Some Like It Hot), a shameless hustler, is better than the navy at delivering whatever supplies the ship and crew need to keep going. But when Curtis sneaks a handful of Philippine refugees and several gorgeous nurses onto the all-male sub, the skipper not only has to cool down his crew but deal with an unexpected feminine influence on ship protocol. The film is a great deal of fun, sprinkled with the director's trademark sight gags (including one of Edwards's best, involving a torpedo and jeep), and graced with his unmistakable lilt. Grant is in great form, his comic brilliance almost impossibly effortless. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (33)

One of the best
Operation Petticoat is one of those movies that makes you laugh no matter how many times you see it. The cast is led by none other than Cary Grant as the commander of a decrepit submarine, caught behind the Japanese advance in the Pacific, trying hard to sail her back to safety and repair at a US base. Grant makes a fine picture as a tough yet sentimental commanding officer. In counterpoint is Tony Curtis as a totally amoral rascal with a talent for getting things done, usually by breaking all rules. Despite their mutual dislike, the two have to work together to get the sub home and the result is a truly bizarre voyage. Curtis' expertise in scrounging supplies for the damaged sub extends to a group of stranded army nurses, who predictably create havoc on the submarine. And as the sub approaches safety, it improbably ends up as a maternity ward to the consternation of Grant and the delight of the crew. I would hate to spoil the surprises but let me say the manner of the sub reaching safety is simply hilarious. Of course, all ends well - this is a movie after all - and the right lessons are learned by all. A great movie to laugh over with some superb dialog lines for Grant in particular and a string of great one-liners all around. Highly recommended.

All Hands will Emergency Surface with Laughter
My favorite part of this hilarious Cary Grant and Tony Curtis romp was when Tony Curtis reports for duty to a WW II submarine in his dress whites. The rest of the crew -- greasy and grimy from trying to get their critically damaged boat into good enough condition to limp to another friendly base laugh their heads off when looking through the periscope they spot Curtis looking a little out of place on the busy pier. However, much to their surprise, Curtis proves himself invaluable as the boats "Supply" officer who does an unequalled job in "procuring" the badly needed parts for the boat in early supply shortened portion of the war in pacific. Come to find out this smoozing, angle hunting "idea man" who had been on the Admiral's staff and "Champion Rumba Dancer" (with the Admiral's wife) really was a street-wise guy from wrong side of the tracks in NY City.

And to top it off the Boat ends up with stranded Army Nurses all this makes for a great movie -- how the submarine ends up pink and how they torpedo an enemy truck I will leave to you find out. Do yourself a favor and get this movie. What a hoot!-- K.K. Dunn (Submarine Veteran), Kansas City

A must in Cary Grant Fans
This is a great comedy and a must for Grant Fans. Cary Grant as the commander of a very peculiar submarine sailing thru the Pacific with an even more peculiar crew. Great Movie

The Cast
Tony Curtis and Cary Grant are at their handsomest. You should see Cary in his admiral outfit. But, in my opinion, you may disagree, a very obvious flaw is the weak cast of women. I was casting it in my mind as I watched. Marilyn Monroe would have been hilarious-- and Thelma Ritter as the mechanic. Of course, with a stellar cast, the parts would have had to be better for them. The pink sub is hilarious and the men seem very relaxed, glad to get non-challenging roles. This is a must for the 50's comedies collector and has that great super-bright photography.

lightweight WWII comedy still worth catching
Like submarines, this flick really doesn't have that much keeping itself above the waterline. The USS Sea Tiger is almost completely destroyed when attacked by the Japanese in port in 1941. Through the pluck of its commanding officer, Matt Sherman (Cary Grant) and the scheming of his very un-military XO (Tony Curtis), the stricken sub is pulled together enough to make it out to sea, where it suffers a series of embarrassing misadventures - the crowning indignity being the coat of pink paint it must wear when their isn't enough gray. In between, the sub faces off against a squad of army nurses, a family of Filipino refugees, a goat, and a torpedoed jeep - all without killing a fly. It's not great comedy, but the flick gets by with Curtis as Holden who can always get what he wants, and never wants active-duty (when he tells Grant that he had seen action on a destroyer, Grant is dumbstruck that Curtis ever found time for it between golfing with admirals and dancing at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel). The flick actually belongs to Grant as the prim and perfect Sherman who tries to mold Curtis into a proper officer and finds himself being molded in his likeness instead. (When sailors find their port facilities stripped to provide replacement parts for Sea Tiger, a forlorn admiral concludes that they've witnessed "Sherman's march to the sea".) The leads aside, "Petticoat" is actually a great time capsule of a time in Hollywood when the military was still respected - in more modern flicks, the street smarts of Curtis's character would make him the hero and the wisest of all. But the script makes him a pathetic weasel to be whipped into shape by the proper Sherman, who of course sees right through Holden. ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

Following the success of The Sound of Music, directorRobert Wise chose to film Robert McKenna's prize-winning 1962 novel,The Sand Pebbles--an ambitious choice for a director at the peakof his career. Shot in Taiwan and Hong Kong, the film combineshistorical sweep and intimate human drama in several parallel stories,all revolving around U.S. Navy machinist's mate Jake Holman (SteveMcQueen). Holman is a skillful but fiercely independent sailor whojoins the "sand pebble" crew of the U.S.S. San Pablo, a Navy gunboatpatrolling the Yangtze River on the eve of the Chinese revolution in1926. The San Pablo's inexperienced captain (Richard Crenna)obsessively defends the Navy's mission--however unnecessary orunwanted--to protect American missionaries and businessmen, blind tothe more dangerous implications of American involvement with China'sopposing political factions.

Holman is a defiant voice of humanity in this clash between outmodedvalues and inevitable change; his final line of dialogue ("What thehell happened?") is a tragic summation of misguided policy, expressingthe film's criticism of the Vietnam War. Rather than preach, however,Wise lets McKenna's potent drama emerge from finely-drawnrelationships--between Holman and a young American teacher (19-year-oldCandice Bergen, in her second film); between Holman and the Chinese"coolie" (Mako) whose heartbreaking fate transcends all issues ofracial or political difference; and between crewmate "Frenchy" Burgoyne(Richard Attenborough) and the Chinese woman he's sworn to love andprotect at all costs. Combined with the film's colorful supportingcast, adventurous scope, and climactic battle scenes, these personaldynamics bring substance and spirit to a complex story of goodintentions gone awry. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (43)

What happened....
I started to watch this movie a long time ago, and finally got the chance to finish it. I am glad that I did! This is a very good movie, and I would highly recommend watching it. It is three hours long, so be prepared!

The movie is set in the late 1920s in China. Revolution is in the air, and America is merely showing its presence with the San Pueblo (affectionately called the Sand Pebble by the sailors). Jake Holman (Steve McQueen) has just been transferred to the boat. All he wants is a position where the officers will let him do his job, which is working on the engine.

As the movie progresses, different characters will try to impose their way of thinking onto the picture. Revolution fits in no one's view. The captain (played by Richard Crenna) wants to do all for the flag. Everything should look great and fit his military view of things. Another sailor (played by Richard Attenborough) just wants to be with his love. All these characters are thwarted in their goal as China rolls towards revolution and casts out the foreign influence.

None of the characters can see this from his limited point of view. Things go from routine to chaos, and no one can explain with his personal world. Why did it suddenly happen this way? As Holman cries, "What the ... happened?"

I would highly recommend seeing this movie.

Great treatment of America's Asia Experience
The Sand Pebbles is an extremely well made movie. The ensemble cast is exceptional but the standouts are Steve McQueen and RIchard Crenna.

McQueen is outstanding as a Machinest Mate who is devoted to his machinery and has extremely limited ability to interact with his fellow crewmembers. He is perceived as an outsider by the crew of the San Pablo and a potential troublemaker by the captain of the ship. At this time in Naval history, a good man could and would stay in a single ship for years at a strectch. One who moved frequently was considered to be a problem Sailor.

Richard Crenna is excellent as a commanding officer at the this distant end of America's Naval reach. His task is to keep his men motivated to the mission at hand which is to represent American power in Asia. At the same time knowing that the missionaries in the area dislike them and the businessmen tolerate them as a required evil.

Coupled with the smallest ship being the fartherst into China, is the local unrest as various warlords are establishing local control, Communist forces are making in attempt to influence events and student unrest boils up. Is it any wonder that the crew is confused as to what thier missions are. But rather than worry, they head for the local saloons and leave the bigger decisions to the officers.

This film tells the story of not just a single man, it tells the story of generations of men who served in China. Some came and stayed when their Navy careers were over. SOme came and never left and are buried there. Others came and left and have never forgotten their time there. They did their duty and that was all the America asked of them, or at least the diplomats. I'm sure that in the 20s, very few, if any, Americans ever realized that there were hundreds of US Sailors patrolling thousands of miles of rivers and coasts to preserve America's rights in China.

The Sand Pebbles is a comprehensive movie that shows the Asisatic Sailors at their best and worst. It should be a must see movie for anyone intersted in America and China and how our present relationship developed.

A timeless classic of the time of Old China's awakening.
This film, along with The Great Escape, established Steve McQueen as a major star, but it is much more than a vehicle for McQueen. This is a wonderful story of the intersection between Western culture and Old China, in the period when China was seeking to emerge as a modern nation.

This is the story of one Jake Holman, a sailor in the American gunboat navy in China. The Navy's mission is to protect American/Western missionaries, businessmen, their lives and property. Holman serves on the USS San Pablo, known to her crew as the "Sand Pebble." Holman has a passion for engines, and sought to serve on the Sand Pebble on the notion that his engineering expertise would make him valuable and autonomous aboard. Instead, he learns that each American sailor has a Chinese servant who actually performs all of that sailor's routine duties. Holman is thus effectively prevented from performing his engineering role. Nor are the Chinese, untrained in engineering and acting by wrote, able to safely handle the ship's power plant. An undercurrent to the story is Holman's struggle to get control of the management of the ship's antiquated but essential engines.

Holman's struggles to establish his place on the ship take place against the panorama of a China seeking to throw off foreign domination and become a modern nation-state. This is the larger story, effectively presented in this excellent film.

This film is a reasonably faithful adaptation of the bestselling novel of the same name. The cinamatography is superb, and the DVD appears to be a pretty good transfer from the original film. Recommended.

"Damn your flag, damn all flags!"
Steve McQueen is the classic American loner, as one observer puts it, "As long as he obeys orders the Navy takes care of him, its a life that appeals to a certain kind of man." It is not so much the Navy that appeals to McQueen's character, Jake Holman, as it is the solitude of the ships engine room, where he is the master and commander. Upon arrival on his new ship, the San Paulo, nicknamed the "Sand Pebble", Holman is in for a surprise. In keeping with the traditions of the 1920's South China Seas US Navy, locals have been brought aboard to do all the work, including in the engine room (South China Sea vets say all with this film is accurate save that key point, the engine room would have been off limits in most cases). The world is changing in many ways. Jake tries to keep his personal world from crashing by helping a fellow sailor who has fallen for a local girl, even though he should know better, and by trying to resist his own temptations to a fresh faced young missionary in the person of Candace Bergen. Richard Crenna is excellent as a prima donna Captain who sees Holman as a threat to his system even before he comes aboard. The political world is also in flux. With the Russian Civil War at an end, revolution is spreading to China as Communists and Nationalists both try to wrest China out of the grip of warlords and foreign powers. The acting by even the most bit players is believable in every nuance and there are simply too many stand-out performances to mention, from Simon Oakland's bullying ship-board nemisis to McQueen to Larry Gates as a frustratingly idealistic missionary. From Action to Romance this movie hits the bullseye every time.

This is simply a classic of movie-making regardless of genre, era, or actors. It is top-notch in every respect. Thank goodness for wide-screen DVD, the ONLY way to watch this film. Nowhere is the non wide-screen, "pan and scan" technique more strongly indicted than in "The Sand Pebbles", I've sat through numerous viewings in that format where characters engaged in conversations can't even be seen! Widescreen DVD is the only way to go on this one.

Utterly Serious and Genuine
Steve McQueen, in one of his best performances, plays Jake Holman, an independent, outspoken, and proudly misfitting sailor with great engineering skills, who is assigned to the American Navy gunboat San Pablo, patrolling the Yangtzee River on the eve of the Chinese revolution. The Communists actively oppose the American presence, and Chiang Kai-Shek's Nationalists give a cold welcome, at best. All parties are fighting for power. Meanwhile, Holman falls in love with a young teacher, played in a surprisingly low-key way by Candice Bergen. Holman runs against the grain of the hierarchy amongst the Chinese laborers and trains a young man, played by Mako, as an assistant. Holman also butts heads with his inexperienced, spit-and-polish, by-the-book captain, played superbly by Richard Crenna.

This is an anti-war movie that does not shout at you. With its intertwining plots, repeated tragedies, and epic scope, it leaves you wondering why America was there, what was the goal, and what was the effect. This is a quietly intense, slow-paced drama loaded with meaning. It is not for the impatient viewer, nor for the faint-of-heart. It is worth owning and watching closely. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Susan Hayward won an Academy Award® for her performance in the compelling 1958 classic I Want to Live! Hayward plays Barbara Graham, a "good-time girl" with a heart of gold and absolutely no instincts about when to drop a bad association. After bouncing in and out of the prison system for a series of petty crimes, Graham suddenly finds herself framed for murder and facing the death penalty. Hayward is simply marvelous, giving a wrenching, complex performance without ever becoming maudlin. Director Robert Wise ratchets the tension up to a nearly unbearable level, making Barbara's moments of hope as agonizing as those of her despair. The film is based on the story of the real-life Barbara Graham, taken from her letters and interviews with reporter Ed Montgomery. Montgomery himself appears as a character, and the film is surprisingly evenhanded about condemning his own role in Graham's conviction. This is definitely a must-see for Hayward fans. --Ali Davis ... Read more

Reviews (27)

fantastic drama, a tour-de-force by Hayward
I WANT TO LIVE is a stunning film starring the amazing Susan Hayward in her Oscar-winning triumph. Director Robert Wise (THE SOUND OF MUSIC, THE SAND PEBBLES, STAR!) gives us an unforgettable film noir classic.

The film tells the true story of convicted murderess Barbara Graham (Susan Hayward - TAP ROOTS, VALLEY OF THE DOLLS) who was sentenced to the gas chamber for her part in the robbery and murder of an elderly lady. Professing her innocence right up to the end, Barbara is a sly, sardonic but always-likable woman who wins the heart of the audience. Hayward's tour-de-force performance as Graham is vastly rewarding. Her multi-faceted portrayal of Graham is truly amazing.

Highly recommended.

The DVD includes the trailer.

Excellent fare written to showcase the lovely Miss Hayward
Susan Hayward was one of the best actresses ever. I just love to watch her. The only real talent to come after her was Faye Dunaway. Anyway, "I Want to Live!" was Hollywood's scathing indictment of the death penalty and is the film for which Susan Hayward is best remembered. It is her Oscar-winning performance. Frankly, I liked her a lot better in "I'll Cry Tomorrow" "Smash Up: The Story of a Woman" and "With a Song in My Heart." I thought she was much better in those, but the Oscar had eluded her, so they wrote this screenplay full of plenty of dramatic scenes to get her the Oscar she rightfully deserved. It worked.

The dialog and plot are excellent and her scenes as the condemned woman hours from execution are still extremely powerful today. In some ways, Susan Hayward was at her very best, and with the perfect script, a rare combination. You still sit there rooting for her to get that stay of execution in the movie, the movie grabs you that much. I've watched this film about 10 times, she never gets the stay, but the situations are so real, you root for one every time.

The only thing that to me does not make this Miss Hayward's best role (apart from maybe a handful of scenes) is that Barbara Graham, the real-life death-row inmate portrayed here, was a low-budget, crude, herion addict who got along by using men, doing petty thefts and sometimes being a prostitute, and I don't mean the $100 an hour ones that come to your hotel room. We're talking low-class street woman. Miss Hayward is nothing of the kind, she doesn't have that look or manner. Though the prison and death penalty scenes and themes are excellently and realistically portrayed here, you feel like you're watching a wrongfully-convicted society woman, nun, or school teacher getting the gas chamber, not a two-bit street prostitute/heroine junkie/thief. I don't think this necessarily takes away from the movie much or how it grips you, but for this reason, I'm not sure I would rate this the best of Susan Hayward. The Oscar was righting previous wrongs, in my opinion.

I highly recommend this film, and if you like it, try some of Susan Hayward's other films. She was really outstanding!

The film that changed my attitude!
I feel that many cold-blooded criminals that're in jail probably deserve the death penalty, but when we can't prove beyond a reasonable doubt that they actually did the crime, then it's time to admit a mistake & let the falsely accused go free! This is a prime example of criminal justice gone wrong. The heartbreaking true story of Barbara Graham, who was wrongfully executed for a grisly murder she didn't commit. I knew the story before watching this, yet up to the very end I kept on hoping that Barbara, brilliantly played by Susan Hayward, would be granted another trial to prove her innocence. The tension is almost as unbearable for the viewer as it is for poor Barbara as she counts the hours & finally minutes before her execution. I'll admit, early in the movie it's difficult to sympathize with someone so amoral, but by the time she's pleading for her life we all feel terrible about her situation. I haven't seen many of Susan Hayward's movies, but her performance in this (which won her an oscar) is equal to anything Bette Davis or Joan Crawford ever did (& that's saying a lot!). If you're looking for a great Susan Hayward film, you've found it! This powerful film convinced me that the death penalty is not the best way to deal out justice. Consider Charles Manson: Now of course he deserves to die, but don't you also think he deserves to rot in jail the rest of his life? Whatever your current opinion about the death penalty, I gurantee this movie will make you think twice!

Hayward Masterpiece!
Maybe I'm a bit partial, being an avid Susan Hayward fan, but "I Want to Live!" must rank as the perfect example of how to meld great story and super talent. Susan rightfully deserved her Oscar for her portrayal of Barbara Graham, a woman convicted and executed for a murder she denied to the end. All the key element of sophisticated film making come together to make this a treasure. They don't make them like this any more.

I WANT AN OSCAR!...
A memorable film from the 50's based allegedly on the true story of a woman named Barbara Graham who went to the gas chamber for a murder she swore she didn't commit. As played by Susan Hayward (who won an Oscar), Graham is a party girl and sometime thief/prostitute involved with some very shady small time crooks. An old woman is robbed and killed in the process and the crooks let Graham take the rap. Graham is also the mother of a small child---an angle played up in the press as she waves her son's toy tiger at the cameras. What sticks in your mind, though, are the scenes where she's back and forth from her death row cell to the gas chamber as she waits anxiously for a stay from the governor. These scenes are nerve-racking and make me cry when I watch this movie. Hayward is vivid and believable in these scenes as she is throughout the movie. I recommend this film for people who like watching stellar performances in off-beat films. A fine b&w case study of crime, psychodrama and powerful acting. Don't pass this one up. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Time Changer may be a little strident in its core message (i.e., ethics don't count unless they're backed by the force of Christ), but as an above-average feature for the Christian market, it's pretty agreeable. D. David Morin stars as a late-19th-century Bible professor named Carlisle, whose efforts to publish a book arguing that morals can be taught independent of Christ's teachings is denounced by one Dr. Anderson (Gavin Macleod), a board member at Carlisle's seminary. Anderson, who happens to be in possession of a time machine, sends Carlisle to the year 2001, where the latter quickly discovers the pitfalls of a secular world with relative morality and no absolute (i.e., Christian) standards. Time Changer's seasoned supporting cast, including Paul Rodriguez, Jennifer O'Neill, and Hal Linden, bring a professional gloss to the film that helps counter its thematic single-mindedness, while director Rich Christiano serves up some passable science fiction to go with all the preaching. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (50)

Entertaining, but a little awkward
The "Time Changer" is one of the better Christian-based movies produced recently. But it's not the best.

The basic device of the movie is a little silly, that someone in the 19th century could develop a time machine, but we've seen a lot worse in sci-fi before.

A seminarian, Dr. Russell Carlisle, is sent forward in time by his friend to show him the dangers of his upcoming book's message: that ethics can be separated from Christ. Carlisle, played by D. David Morin, discovers a moral-relative world, much to his shock.

Theologically speaking, the movie lacks any sublety. You know exactly what the theme of the movie is, and it's often hammered down hard. That tends to distract from the other aspects of the movie, but it does parallel with the plot of Dr. Carlisle's book.

I have to add Morin's acting is a little wooden at times. (My wife likened him to Mr. Data from "Star Trek.") He does a much better job with his facial expressions and gestures, as he adapts to the modern world, in what is often quite amusing misadventures.

So, while it's not the absolute best Christian movie made in recent years (I'd give "The Omega Code" that distinction), it's not the worst, and worthy of watching.

Timely message can no longer be ignored
Time Changer is a Christian time travel story, but it's more than that-much more. It deals with two primary topics: 1-it deals with the authority of Jesus Christ and 2: Eternity. These two issues are extremely important and cannot be ignored.

Plot: A bible professor-Dr. Russell Carslie has written a book called "The changing times" and he is seeking endorsement from the Grace Bible Seminary board of directors where he teaches before the book is published. Since everyone must give their approval of the manuscript-or no endearment by the board. All is well until Dr. Norris Anderson shows up and raises an objection to one item in the book. He believes that teaching morals alone-without the authority of Jesus Christ will lead many astray.

At first, Dr. Carlisle is as bull headed as they come-refusing to understand or accept what Dr. Anderson's is trying to say. Eventually, he goes to Norrris' Home where he shows Carlisle a time machine that his father built before he died. Carlisle laughs at first-but he realizes that they need to settle the issue. He is then transported in to the future-110 years to be exact.

He then sees the folly of his beliefs. He meets several people. Most of them have a shallow view of life. Even those in the church are ignorant of the truth of Christ. For example, he goes to a movie with a group from the church-and he is the only one who is bothered by the fact that a character on the screen is using the name of Christ in Vain. Every one else just say that "It's only a movie"

This movie DOES NOT paint a rosy picture of the past. At the board meeting, Norris points out that over 5% of marriages end in divorce(1890 numbers). When Carlisle is in the future-he learns that 50% of all marriages end in divorce. This is only one example.

Another reviewer accuses the producers of deceiving him for not informing him that this is a Christian film. If you look on the back of the case-there's a description of the film. It says plainly that it's about a bible professor who is sent into more than 100 years into the future. If that does not tell you that that this is a Christian film-then I don't know what will. There was no attempt by the producers to deceive anyone.

This is a timely film with an important message. Buy or rent this film today.

God Bless,
Jay

What if you could get offended by everything you see?
ONE MAN WILL! Ok this is such a baptist movie. All it is is watching a rule loving freak geting offended by everything in the future. I think this movie is funny, but I still hate it. If you watch this movie and enjoy it...FORSHAME!

Time Changer
This movie is bad. Almost bad beyond belief.

It's not a science-fiction movie, for those of you who were led to believe it is. It has sci-fi-elements but that's not the point of the movie. This is a Christian propaganda movie. It tells us that the reason there is so much bad morals in today's society is because we have separated Jesus from the morals and therefore don't know why we should act morally. It also tells us that we're living in the last days of the world.

The movie is extremely moralizing and preachy. One of the most (unintentionally) funny lines in the movie is "I believe that secular entertainment is one of the biggest tools that Satan uses to mislead people". Some of the supporting actors are decent, Jennifer O'Neal for example, but D David Morin who plays the lead part is unbelievably bad, but in a funny way. But then, I don't think any actor could play his part and say his lines and make it believable.

If you think this sounds like a good movie, you might enjoy this it. I guess this was made by, and for, Christian fundamentalist. Others, like me, might get some laughs out of it, but nothing more (except realizing the sad fact that there are people out there who make movies like these, and those who honestly thing they're good).

It seems like the Christians in America have millions to spend, making dozens of movies like this. I guess that's why they ask for donations all the time.

THE BEST!!
Not only is Time Changer one of the best christian movies I've seen, it's one of the best movies I've ever seen. Great story, wonderful screenplay and a strong message.

Time Changer is about a 1800's preacher who travels through time to today and is amazed by the lack of morality. With today's reality tv polluting our screens and total disregard for God and morality, this is an important film.

Thanks for reading and please buy this and show it to your friends. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Solid intro for Redford, but Saxon is the real star...
This is an obviously low-budget affair, but don't let that dissuade you from at least screening this film.

Set in the waning days of the Korean War, the story revolves around a new replacement (Robert Redford), who joins an infantry unit on the front lines. As he experiences the bitter taste of war, he tries to understand the meaning of it all. Meanwhile, he is concerned over the psychotic lone wolf in the outfit (John Saxon), and his bizzare attachment to a young Korean kid. Saxon's character is a successful killing machine, but unaccustomed to fitting in with people.

The main selling point is, of course, the film debut of Robert Redford. Redford is excellent here, even at a relatively young age. Redford has always been good at playing honest, good-guy straight shooters, and his debut as Pvt. Roy Loomis is no exception. However, it really has to be said that, for as good as the young Redford is, it is John Saxon who steals the show as the brooding, psychotic killing machine, Endore. If you don't believe me, just check out the scene when Redford confronts him, and Saxon shows us a murderer using every ounce of control at his command to master his anger and keep from killing.

Gavin MacLeod and Tom Skerritt play fellow soldiers in the squad, and the stark black & white photography assists in setting the proper mood for the story.

John Saxon as bad guy ?
very heavy war story but great in that we get to see a VERY young Robert Redford and the ever handsome John Saxon as the bad guy .. good battle scenes ... but dark brooding and violent ! ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Sal Mineo's drum playing is outstanding
Sal Mineo plays legendary jazz drummer,Gene Krupa,in this bio pic. This is an outstanding movie Sal's acting is superb,and his drum playing is breathtaking!Sal Mineo was one of the great actors of modern time,and this film proves it.

AWESOME! SAL MINEO ROCKS!
"The Gene Krupa" is possibly the BEST movie in which SAL MINEO was the picture's main STAR~~A huge Box Office hit in 1959! He studied the drums for 18 months(training with the real Gene Krupa) and although he is playing along onscreen to the REAL Krupa's soundtrack, Mineo's drumming is REAL and leaves you breathless. His acting in this film, as always, is amazing, and the supporting cast is awesome! Featuring the lovely Susan Kohner(who also co-starred in Sal's hit movie version of his tv play, "DINO"), James Darren, and apperances by jazz greats, Anita O'Day, Red Nichols, and Buddy Lester, this is a wonderful biopic sure to thrill jazz lovers, and inspire all generations of future drummers. It's also a wonderful treat for the Sal Mineo fan, especially to see him in something so different than his most famous Oscar nominated role in "Rebel without a cause."(Sal Mineo also was nominated for an Oscar and won the Golden Globe for "EXODUS")

FINALLY ON DVD!!!! Release more Mineo flicks on DVD!
At long last, "The Gene Krupa story" has been released on DVD by Sony/Columbia home video. Rather than review the actual film, this review concentrates on the DVD format as I am very pleased with this edition! The DVD is nicely packaged with a color picture on the front of the box. The film's glorious black and white has been digitally remastered and the clarity is just amazing. Even more important, the film is presented in full "widescreen" so you can view the film the way it was originally presented in theatres. This allows you to view the entire scope of the screen, instead of having the left and right sides of the screen chopped off into a crappy traditional "square" television format. You can see so much more as we all know how wonderful wide screen is. Although the soundtrack is still "mono," Sony has digitally remastered it, and presents it on this disc in "Dolby Digital." This makes a huge difference as the sound is deeper, lusher, and does great justice to the music. This is simply a beautiful presentation of this film. There are no "special features" such as behind the scenes or out takes, however it does have an interactive menu complete with chapter search. This DVD version of the film blows the old VHS version out of the water! For me, this DVD gave me a fresh new viewpoint of the film. The widescreen format compliments Sal's drumming so much that the VHS version could never come close to doing. I rate this DVD a 10+ on the scale of 1-10! If you love this film as much as I do, BUY THE DVD! Now, if only "Who Killed Teddy Bear" could be released on DVD..Now that would be a treat! I am concluding this review with some technical specs: Screen Formats: Widescreen Anamorphic 1.85:1 Closed Captioned Language and Sound: English: Dolby Digital Mono Original Release Date in theatres: 1959. Released to DVD in May, 2004

One Of Sal Mineo's Finest Performances
For jazz and music lovers "The Gene Krupa Story", is unsurpassed entertainment of the first order and contains some of the best ever work by talented actor Sal Mineo. Sal took on his first real solo starring role in this biography of the legendary Gene Krupa who as the percussionist for the Benny Goodman Quartet became the first real jazz heartthrob developing a legion of besotted fans. A major part of his legend was his innovative playing of the drums and in this film Sal Mineo manages to recreate that special magic, with some of the most amazing precussion work ever caught on screen. Having gained stardom for his sensational work in "Rebel Without a Cause", Sal Mineo was at just the right age and level of acting experience to tackle this major acting role and to his credit he manages all the stages in Krupa's life in a totally believable manner with a minimum of sentiment. Mineo's level of understanding of both the sheer genius of Krupa's ability and also his darker personal side makes for a wonderful screen performance that stays in the mind and makes "The Gene Krupa Story", a viewing experience to treasure.

The film traces Krupa's life from his humble beginnings in Chicago as the youngest child of working class parents who live by the rules of traditional life based around family and the church. We get a very early glimpse of the conflict already existing in young Gene when he brings home a set of drums which his angry father smashes as unsuitable for his son to be wasting his time on. After his father's death Gene however bows to the expectations of his family and joins the priesthood but after a year realises that it is not the life for him. He joins up with friend Eddie Sirota (James Darren) and his band and begins playing in many of Chicago's speakeasies. Eddie has a girlfriend Ethel (Susan Kohner), however soon a real attraction develops between her and Gene. Determined to succeed Gene soon pursuades Eddie to make a stab at work in New York's jazz scene. After a rough start and surviving on little money Gene through the force of his personality and sheer talent , manages to get a break which sees him climbing to stardom as the most electrifying performer in New York's big band scene. However stardom with all its adulation and material benefits also reveals its dark side as Gene begins to become involved in the heavy drug and drinking culture of the musicians world. His success also sees him begin to loose sight of the people who are important to him as he becomes alienated from Ethel who after committing herself to Gene finds herself forgotten. Best friend Eddie also drifts away as he doesn't approve of his friends free wheeling drug laden lifestyle. After being set up on a drug charge Gene's world rapidly crumbles before his eyes and he serves a jail term for possession which sees all those people, like selfish singer Dorissa Dinell, supposedly his lover abandon him in his hour of need. Upon release Gene experiences the full force of being considered a "has been", as he is reduced to performing in strip clubs and gambling houses. The hard times however refuel Gene's earlier love of music for the sheer joy of it and ever faithful Ethel comes back into his life as the steadying force she always was in the hard times. The conclusion sees Gene reunited with Eddie's band and setting out on a new life as the talented drummer that he is but this time with a more level view of what is important in life, which in his case is the devoted love of Ethel.

Sal Mineo is perfectly cast as Gene Krupa and he actually received the wholehearted blessing of the jazz legend to play him in the film. Mineo worked with Krupa to perfect his drum playing and the result on screen is sensational as Sal Mineo gives his heart and sole to his playing. The drum playing was actually recorded by Krupa however Mineo had the difficult task of matching that on screen which he does admirably. Totally devoted to perfecting his craft as an actor Mineo died far too young and sadly saw his star eclipsed long before it should have. This film along with "Rebel Without A Cause", and "Exodus", among others is this talented actors legacy to the movie going public and he will be remembered always for his great work in them. The supporting cast is uniformily fine with James Darren as Krupa's best friend Eddie, the before mentioned Susan Kohner as Ethel, and Susan Oliver in the hard driven role of Dorissa really shining and they perfectly compliment Sal Mineo's work. Appearances by real life jazz performers Buddy Lester, Red Nichols and Anita day also add an authentic ring to the story depicted. Character actress Celia Lovsky also has a memorable role as Gene's disapproving mother who is mystified by her son's obsession with the drums. The photography in "The Gene Krupa Story", is top flight with the often seedy black and white photography highly effective in particular in both Gene's pre stardom scenes and those depicted in his fall from grace when much of the action takes place in seedy "greyish", surroundings. Mineo's supreme concentration on his playing of the drums is a marvel to watch and is guaranteed to leave you breathless.

The great thing about "The Gene Krupa Story", is that you dont have to be a jazz enthusiast to enjoy the story or the music. For any lover of the drums it makes compulsory viewing and the golden age of jazz in the 30's is authentically recreated in this Columbia studios production. For me the best thing about the film will always be seeing the extraordinary talent of Sal Mineo on display. He combines strength and a touching vulnerability in his playing of Gene Krupa that leaves you rooting for him right through. I highly recommend this film to all lovers of jazz/swing and to those that like the less sentimental kind of performer film biography. Enjoy Sal Mineo at his electrifying best in "Columbia's "The Gene Krupa Story".

hooray! The Gene Krupa Story
I was stationed on a NIKE Army site between Albany and Sylvester Georgia in 1960-1961. I had the priviledge of showing the movies on our base. Due to staggered duty hours for the troops, I ran the Gene Krupa Story 3 times in one evening with the last showing at midnight. It was the only multible showing of any movie but I was more than eager to run the Gene Krupa Story as I was enthralled with the music and great drumming. Being a musician myself, it was a pleasure to offer it to my buddies no matter what time it was! Ben Shackelton ... Read more