Reviews (1)

Morse at his best, part two
The Inspector Morse series is one of the greatest in detective drama. While Colin Dexter's books are marvels of intricate (and occasionally bizarre) plot twists, the movies focus more on the characters involved...and in this movie (and "Who Killed Harry Field") especially so. The mystery is good, but the kinship between Morse and chief suspect Michael Steppings is best thing about this particular episode. It's one of those great films where the bad guys and good guys seem to have reversed roles, and the whole mystery hinges on one small slip...#2 on the list of the five greatest Morses! ... Read more

Description

Here's one of the most exciting, nonstop action-adventure hits since TOP GUN! When an international enemy turns to high-tech weaponry, the U.S. Army enlists the aid of the Apaches -- America's elite airborne task force specially trained for aerial assault! Flying the world's most advanced attack helicopters, these hotshot 'Fire Birds' battle an evasive foe -- hovering, diving, and dodging death on dangerous secret missions inside hostile territory! Starring Nicolas Cage (MOONSTRUCK), Tommy Lee Jones (THE PACKAGE), and sexy actress Sean Young (NO WAY OUT), FIRE BIRDS is an explosive action-epic, full of aerial gunfights and combat acrobatics ... audiences will be blown away by every thrilling second of FIRE BIRDS! ... Read more

Reviews (18)

The first all helicopter action movie.
So it isn't terribly original and the plot isn't exactly ingenuous. This movie leaves Top Gun far behind. At least it doesn't have a corny Freudian father-trauma or mysterious foreign powers. It's enjoyable to see and for me, that is what counts. The actors, especially Jones make the most of their parts and the action scenes are excellent. If every movie had to be based on a brand new idea, hollywood would have been out of business a long time ago.

Top-Gun in Helicopters
I must say that I disagree with Mr. Maltin's review of this movie. Although it is not well known, it has everything popular action movies have and more, including a great cast (Cage, Jones and Young). The arial combat scenes are intense, and the competition and trainingg of the pilots is very similar to Top Gun. One of the differences is that Young is actually involved in the action instead of sitting on the sidelines "consulting" ala Kelly MicGillis. To sum things up, this is a great movie and I recomend to anyone who is a fan of the actors or the genre.

Fire Birds is HOT!!!
If you're as much of an aviation buff as I am and love to watch machines being put through their paces, you need this movie in your collection. I've waited a number of years just to find Fire Birds in print -- having an old, taped-off-a-movie-channel copy I've just about worn out -- but to find it in DVD was a true gift. This has some of the hottest flying sequences I've ever seen, especially where helicopters are concerned. (I'm still amazed the things can leave the ground.) The acting may stall out a time or two, but the action is guaranteed to leave you doing rotor spins in your seat long after the movie's over. The chemistry between the main characters -- played by Nicolas Cage, Tommy Lee Jones, and Sean Young -- is truly inspired and great fun to watch. Overall, if you have an itch for fun and for flying, and for the fun of flying, then this is your movie.

If you liked Top Gun....
If you liked Top Gun...then go buy Top Gun. If you to know what army aviation is really like, then ask an army pilot, but do not, under any circumstances see this movie. this was 90 miniutes of my life i will never get back. Nick Cage's acting is up on the same scale as billy baldwin. this is the probably the only movie that ever made me want to walk out and take a smoke break (this reviewer is a non smoker). it's one redeeming factor is it's value to certian drinking games every time you hear a cheesy line from nick cage. i know i gave it one star, but i do not know how to rate in the negative.

Fire Birds
Outstanding movie that exaggerates Army Apache flight. It was great to see a movie made about it though. Tommy Lee Jones and Nick Cage were great ... Read more

Amazon.com

Fine casting, rugged characters, and authentic military detail make The Bridge at Remagen one of the best World War II action films of the 1960s. Based on actual incidents during the final Allied advance on Germany in March 1945, the story focuses on the U.S. Army's exhausted 27th Armored Infantry, assigned to seize the bridge at Remagen, on the Rhine River, to prevent 50,000 German troops from retreating to safety. Lieutenant Hartman (George Segal) leads the mission, while a Nazi major (Robert Vaughan) defies orders by attempting to hold the bridge instead of blowing it up. With strong emphasis on war's harsher realities, the film features compelling characters who illustrate the camaraderie of survivors and the heroism of mavericks in the thick of battle. Segal and Ben Gazzara effectively convey a hard-won friendship, and the film's dynamic action (filmed in Czechoslovakia and Italy) never overwhelms the story's emotional impact. Highly recommended. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (27)

A well acted, realistic portrayal of a true WWII event
This is a well directed and well acted depiction of the events that happen around and on the last remaining bridge on the river Rhine - the Ludendorf bridge, in Remagen, Germany. Historically, this was the first allied crossing point on the Rhine in March, 1945. In the Spring of 1945 to quell the Western Allies advance on a broad front inside Germany, Hitler orders all bridges on the Rhine to be blown. However, one bridge at Remagen remains intact, being kept open by a handful of Germans to allow their 15th Army to retreat from the Western side. Demolition charges are installed and the order is given to blow the bridge as American infantrymen are ordered to cross and take it. It is one of the better war films, realistic in its portrayal of men trying to go beyond the call of duty, on both sides. To make the film, a nearly identical bridge to the Ludendorf was located in Czeckoslovakia. The occupying Russian troops in 1968 forced the film crew to leave, and the film was finished elsewhere on location in Italy.

Factual Account with Fictional Characters
David L. Wolper's 1969 THE BRIDGE AT REMAGEN closely follows Ken Hechler's best selling acount of the American capture of the railbridge over the Rhine River. The facts and events occuring in the movie are largely factual with actors George Segal, Robert Vaughn and Ben Gazzara adding some fictional depth to the original participants. In fact, the actual names of the real-life combat participants were changed for this film. The latter part of the 1960's and very early 1970's were the golden years for war movies. In those years films like PATTON, TORA,TORA,TORA, M*A*S*H, CATCH 22, THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN and KELLY'S HEROES (To name a few) made names for themselves at box offices. Producer David Wolper, known for the historical accuracy constraints of his productions, undertook THE BRIDGE AT REMAGEN. The Rhine crossing operations were the next logical big screen production. THE LONGEST DAY took care of D-Day. Ken Annakin's 1965 production of THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE had taken on the Ardennes Offensive. The breaching of the Reich's last natural obstacle to the western allies was a logical choice. Teams searched throughout Europe for a site that closely resembled the Remagen area. In the end they found a river in (what was then) Czechoslovakia with a bridge, with set modifications, that resembled the former Ludendorf Bridge in Germany. Additionally, the REMAGEN production team was fortunate in that they were able to film in an evacuated Czech village that was slated for destruction (in order to accomodate strip mining of soft coal). Czech arsenals were full of German weapons and uniforms -- most carefully preserved in the event of a "next" war. Indeed the Czechs still had at their disposal their own version of the German Hanomag half-track. Everything seemed to be going the right way for the film makers. Serious filming began in 1968, but wasn't quite complete before the the Warsaw Pact's 1968 invasion of Czechoslovakia. Before filming was completed the film crew was forced to into a convoy out of Czechoslovakia leaving the majority of their props, weapons, uniforms and extras behind. Fortunately the production team was able to complete filming in Italy with the result that there is hardly any noticeable continuity break in the film. Look for some other familiar faces in THE BRIDGE AT REMAGEN such as war film veterans Peter van Ecke (THE LONGEST DAY, ATTACK), Hans Christian Blech (THE LONGEST DAY, THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE), and E.G. Marshall (CHRISTMAS VACATION). The soundtrack was composed by Elmer Bernstein (THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN, THE GREAT ESCAPE)and is superbly music for the movie. As war films go, this is one of the better movies about the last months of World War II in Europe.

Good film, but little realism
The film is not bad, for it's as spectacular as one might expect and the budget is not low: but since "Saving Private Ryan" on, genuine military buffs have understood what is that subtle sense of disappointment they feel when watching movies like this: lack of realism, that is portraying war the way it IS and not the way some movie-makers think it COULD or it SHOULD be! Uniforms should look like UNIFORMS and not just COSTUMES, and combat should look like COMBAT and not just ACTING combat. And the same could be said for most war movies of the '50's to the '80's.

The Allies Race to Cross the Rhine
Famous movie producer David L. Wolper has created a fine film about the last days of the war in Germany. The Germans were destroying all of their bridges across the Rhine in the hopes of stopping the Allies from crossing into the heart of Germany. However, one bridge still remained; the bridge at Remagen. The Germans wanted to keep this bridge open as long as possible before destroying it so that 75,000 German soldiers on the other side would be able to escape back into Germany. The allies wanted the bridge as a springboard to move troops and vehicles accross the Rhine and attack the heart of Germany. This movie portrays the struggle of the Germans and Americans over the bridge.

George Segal stars as Lieutenant Hartman, a hard-nosed GI who is given the job of securing the bridge for the Americans. Ben Gazzara stars as Sergeant Angelo, Hartman's right hand man. Together, these two Americans rally their troops against the Germans. On the German side, veteran actor Robert Vaughn stars as Major Kruger. He's given the job of holding the bridge open as long as possible to allow the trapped Germans time to retreat back into Germany, then he is to destroy the bridge before it falls into American hands.

The battle scenes are excellent. The scenes of the two sides firing at each other across the river are perhaps the best scenes in the movie. The battle on the bridge is well-done as well, with the scenes of the German soldiers hanging upside down under the bridge placing explosives especially good.

I enjoyed this movie very much. The battle and action scenes are excellent and the acting is very good, too. History and World War II movie fans should enjoy this action packed movie.

not have engish closed captioned!
what you think that only spanish and french closed captioned in america? that so absurd. i am not spanish or french guy. you got that! i am engish. i am live in america. what if you are america deaf guy and what you will say about yourself? huh mmm let me kow. thanks! here is my e=mail is crs1935@yahoo.com ... Read more

Reviews (45)

Irritating Movie
This has to be the most crappiest thing I have ever watched. This is not for kids, this video contains: MODERATE GUNS & WEAPONS SCENES, MILD NUDITY/SEX SCENES, EXTREME SCENES OF VIOLENCE AND EXTREME PROFANITY. So don't let your child watch this hoopla.

It'll hold the kid's attention
When my oldest (now 7) was two, this video had just come out and we bought for her. She would watch it OVER AND OVER and beg for more! Trust me, it got really annoying after about the 100th time of them finding that stupid egg!

But she loved it and now her younger siblings do too. I recommend this if you're not easily annoyed by watching the same thing over and over!

The plot is all about Barney finidng and egg and the kids and he go on a journey to find out what it is.

Enjoyable but sassy pre-teens in the cast
We've had this video for a couple years and my daughter, now 5, has always enjoyed it. But today she used the phrase "whatever" to me and I racked my brain trying to think where she had heard that used. Well, it was this movie along with some other sassy phrases such as "Talk to the hand because the face isn't here". That kind of language is definitely not what you would expect from Barney and the kids are too impressionable at this age to have such a sloppy and sassy role models.

stupid
This movie is very bad. It contains a nude dinosaur called Barney. and some retarded guy named Trevor doesn't believe in Barney. So a big comet fell out of sky. That was huge suspence. When Barney fell from the sky, I bet he was yelling swear words and acting like a moron when he was getting down. This movie should be banned everywhere, everybody will return this movie for a big refund of $100. Then the cops will arrest people who still have this video. Worst movie ever. Everybody hates this.. even God, man, they should think of something better like Barney and Heavy Metal.

Inappropiate
I have seen bad stuff, but this is ridicilous. What a stupid plot, they find a dumb egg. [ Sacrastically : ] Wow. What a cool plot! Why don't they eat the egg. And a kid steps his foot in cow crap. This should be rated R for drug refrences, alchochol-slurping scenes, scenes of nudity, mild violence and advanced cursing. Even a Barney fan will hate this.

If you are lookin or buying for movies... don't buy this numbskull-written junk on DVD. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Profoundly realistic and Un-Hollywood -like.
Having walked those streets and stayed in those types of builings recently - this movie made me think about what life was like in Budapest during those times. Schindler's list was a great movie but Wallenberg has somehow been missed by Hollywood so what we have here is a very good and unsensationalized account of a true hero. The whole story was gripping. I consider myself a student of history and truly appreciate this form realistic film making.

Bad quality and weak
I purchased this video because of others recomendations however I regret having wasted my money. The quality is bad, the script is weak and the entire moving was boring.

BETTER THAN SCHINDLER'S LIST
I disagree with the previous reviewers. This movie was far better than Schlinder's List. For me it was more emotionally moving than Spielberg's List. In fact as far as I am concerned it makes Spielberg look like an amature. I also think Spielberg may have stolen the little girl's red coat idea from this movie. After seeing this movie I was so turned on that I checked out 2 biographies of Wallenberg from the library. The movie was very faithful to the biographies.

an ACCURATE view of the holocaust
Ignore the following review. I almost didn't buy this movie because of those horrid comments. But my intuition told me that I still should, and I am glad that I did. Raoul Wallenberg was NOT brooding and ineffectual in this movie, but rather was a heroic, caring, motivated man who did all he could to help many of the Jews of the Budapest ghetto. His character in this movie can easily be compared to that of Oskar Schindler in Schindler's List. I did NOT notice any significantly inexplicable flashbacks, abrupt transitions or dark picture that the following reviewer complained about. I agree with the last reviewer that this movie is not as emotional as Schindler's List, and certainly is not quite as well-done, but is still among the best holocaust movies that I've seen.

A DISTORTED VIEW OF THE HOLOCAUST!
No viewer of this drab, offensive film should imagine that it is an accurate account of the exploits of one of the great heros of World War II. Raoul Wallenberg, a Swedish diplomat and businessman, undertook in 1944 to thwart Hitler and Adolph Eichmann in their plan to kill the remaining Jews of Budapest. He saved some 30,000 from death in the concentration camps. "By contemporary accounts, the real Raoul Wallenberg was a forceful, decisive, clever, and handsome man who saved lives by diplomatic and other means. In addition to issuing Swedish passports and other papers to those at risk in wartime Budapest, he employed intrigue, confrontation, and bribes. He also supported soup kitchens, houses, and hospitals that helped Jews survive. He had great spiritual strength. "But in the movie, Wallenberg is an anti-hero--brooding, ineffectual, almost trivial--frequently standing by helplessly while Jews are slaughtered. In addition, the film is dark and hard to follow, with jerky, abrupt transition between scenes and sometimes inexplicable flashbacks. "There are many books in print describing Wallenberg's heroism. I Werbell and Thurston Clarke. ("Mystery" refers to the fact that the Soviets took Wallenberg prisoner at war's end. He disappeared into their prison system and is presumed dead.)" ... Read more

Description

Track listing:

1. La Lune
2. Winter in July
3. Scarborough Fair
4. Who Wants to Live Forever
5. Hijo de la Luna
6. La Luna Interlude I
7. Figlio Perduto
8. La Luna
9. La Califfa
10. Pie Jesu
11. La Luna Interlude II
12. Nessun Dorma
13. Siren
14. Deliver Me
15. He Doesn't See Me
16. La Luna Interlude III
17. A Whiter Shade of Pale
18. There for Me
19. Twisted Every Way
20. Phantom of the Opera Suite
21. Little Lotti
22. Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again
23. Music of the Night
24. A Question of Honour
25. Moon River
26. Time to Say Goodbye ... Read more

Reviews (93)

"La Luna" takes you to the moon and back....
I don't know what Angel Records was thinking when they released the VHS version of the La Luna concert. Five songs were missing, the songs were presented out of order, and the sound quality was sorely lacking. But with the release of the La Luna DVD Sarah Brightman fans are treated to the complete concert version of La Luna, as well as over 90 minutes of extras such as a tour map, backstage footage, interviews, and the music video for "A Whiter Shade of Pale." Sarah's innovative staging, crystalline voice and gorgeous costumes are captured brilliantly on this DVD.

Track Listing 1. La Lune 2. Winter in July 3. Scarborough Fair 4. Who Wants To Live Forever 5. Hijo De La Luna 6. Figlio Perduto 7. La Luna 8. La Califa 9. Pie Jesu 10. Nessun Dorma 11. Siren/Deliver Me 12. He Doesn't See Me 13. A Whiter Shade Of Pale 14. There For Me 15. Twisted Everyway 16. Phantom Of The Opera Suite 17. Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again 18. Music Of The Night 19. A Question Of Honour 20. Moon River 21. Time To Say Goodbye

Sarah Brightman Fans - You won't be disappointed!
Watched the La Luna concert DVD three times last weekend. It was great! I heard the VHS version is not very good with bad editing and inferior sound quality. Rest assured that the DVD treatment of Ms. Brightman's latest concert tour is magnificent. Sarah's performance was out of this world. She truly is the "angel of music"!

My favorite tracks were "Winter Shade of Pale", "Nessun Dorma", "Moon River", and the spectacular "A Question of Honour". I also enjoyed the bonus materials very much. It's nice to see Sarah's behind the scenes stuff. Not only is she a great singer and performer, Sarah is also a sweet and down-to-earth person. How many stars actually sign autographs and take pictures after their shows? Sarah did! I am anxiously waiting for her next CD and tour!

The sound quality of the DVD is breathtaking. Dolby Digital 5.1 or DTS Digital Surrond. Wow! Furthermore, it's wonderful that you can turn on the on-screen lyrics. Nice touch. The only thing I would love in the future will be some interactive DVD content that can be played in the DVD-ROM of a computer, e.g. screen savers, photo gallery, web links, etc.

In closing, this is a must buy DVD for any Sarah Brightman fan. Trust me, you won't be disappointed!

Excellent Entertainment
I recently took my father to see Sarah Brightman on her 'Harem' tour, having previously seen Sarah myself on the 'La Luna' tour. She never disapoints. She is an incomperable performer and singer, and my dad doesn't get out much, being disabled, and I had never seen him so excited than he was at that concert. I had given him all my Sarah concerts on VHS when I moved and bought a DVD player, and everytime he's alone in the house, he says he watches them. The video on La Luna is not as good as the DVD, but watching this concert, and being at the real thing, I could barely tell the difference. 'Moon River' is one of my favorite songs, and I was so delighted when she came out for an encore, sat down on a piece of stage equipment, and just crooned it to the audience, just as she does in the DVD. The fireworks display on "Question of Honour" is almost as spectacular as it was in person, too. Well worth the buy, if you're a fan, or if you'd like some mood music playing on the TV for a dinner party or something. It's beautiful to watch.

My Favourite Concert
I love this Concert, is a combination of Beautiful Music, Beautiful voice, a great show!! I always recommend this DVD to my friends, Sarah Brightman looks beautiful, LA LUNA is one of the most beautiful Albums from Sarah Brightman so you don't be dissapointed GREAT!!

Very Good
Overall, a very good dvd with excellent visual effects. The phantom suite from the Andrew Lloyd Weber concert is better though. The song from the Moody Blues is very good. A good dvd for the collection. ... Read more

Description

In this superlative courtroom drama series, John Thaw (Inspector Morse) is respected and feisty British barrister, James Kavanagh, a top member of Queen’s Counsel. Beneath the powdered wig and sombre robes is a relentless mind able to tear the truth from a tangle of legalese, lies and desperate excuses. Even as his professional triumphs mask a troubled private life, James Kavanagh will go to any lengths to see justice served. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Silly Willy and Silly Jilly dressed in Mary Poppins-meets-the Music Man regalia lead the singing kids through Silly Dillyville in this Kidsongs outing. The 11 tunes include standards like "The Name Game" (the song that rhymes every name with "bo-banna, fe-fi-fo-fanna..."), "Down by the Bay," "Michael Finnegan" and "Purple People Eater." Each song features characters that introduce the songs. So Billy Daffidilly sings about his eccentric mother, Professor Quackenbush describes the one-eyed violet beast (who also makes an appearance), and Farmer Phil shows off his straw-hatted iguana, a hen pulling a cart, and an owl that performs no discernable tricks in "Fiddle-I-Fee." The whole "town" joins in for the "Do the Silly Willy" finale, featuring Willy rapping in his candy-striped jacket. This 27-minute program was shot at Universal Studios in North Hollywood, California, and a tour of its attractions rolls under the credits. Aimed at ages 1 to 8. --Kimberly Heinrichs ... Read more

Reviews (3)

verry silly songs
hi my name is christian christian i love kidsongsv my 9 year older loves christian and kidsongs
you could get like play along songs and much more you kont have
ive know thare was 67 tapes in the lrc
weve got lots of tapes
get rules we can doles in dr winks ofice
i know we arec g5at
ive got lots of friends
thanks for viving christian'
iff yuo are have nig a party
co,me us

oh i almost forget yiu ahfe ti goet it

Corny, but it does the trick!
My 17-month-old is MESMERIZED by this video. I'm going to have to get a copy for our collection, because it is a favorite. Warning: The songs will get stuck in your head and disrupt your sleep.

Tyco brand - KIDS SONGS series
This video is lively totally & entertaining! My son at age 18 months could easily sit through the entire 30 min video. Songs include ones like "Down by the Bay" & "Mail myself to you."

My husband & I end up watching at least 1/3 - 1/2 of tape with our son because the songs are sung by children but redubbed later for better quality singers & acoustics.

I would by more Tyco Kid Songs such as "Ride the Roller Coaster" or "Trains, Bus' & Airplanes" ... Read more

Amazon.com essential video

Even under the heavy censorship of 1946 Hollywood, Lana Turner and John Garfield's libidinous desires burn up the screen in Tay Garnett's adaptation of James M. Cain's torrid crime melodrama. Platinum blond Turner is Cora, a restless sexpot stuck in a roadside diner married to mundane middle-aged fry cook Nick Smith (Cecil Kellaway) when handsome drifter Frank (Garfield) blows her way. It's lust at first sight, a rapacious desire that neither can break off, and before long they're plotting his demise--but in the wicked world of Cain nothing is that easy. Garnett's visual approach is subdued compared to the more expressionistic film noir of the period, but he's at no loss when he films the luminous Turner in her milky-white wardrobe. She radiates repressed sexuality and uncontrollable passion while Garfield's smart-talking loner Frank mixes street-smart swagger and scrappy toughness with vulnerability and sincere intensity. Costar Hume Cronyn cuts a cold, calculating figure as their conniving lawyer, a chilly character that only increases our feelings for the murderous couple, victims of an all consuming amour fou that drives their passions to extremes. --Sean Axmaker ... Read more

Reviews (13)

Naughty, naughty, naughty.
I may be old fashioned but I still find this movie a little shocking. And while the end is a dissapointment, it was probably made necessary by the censors. Its also an element of Film Noir that everything ISN'T going to be ok.

It all works because of Lana Turner. Ms. Turner takes a simple--and hopfully, implausible--story and makes it cheap, tawdry and hotter than hell.

Man, this must have been something in 1946! I'll bet a lot of couples gave each other a long look as they left the theatre....

"You've been trying to make a tramp out of me."
"The Postman Always Rings Twice" is one of the best-known entries in the Film Noir genre. The film, directed by Tay Garnett is based on the James Cain novel. Cora Smith (Lana Turner) is married to Nick Smith. It's an incongruous match, and drifter Frank Chambers (John Garfield) certainly thinks the Smiths are wildly mismatched when he arrives in the Smiths' petrol station/roadside cafe. Frank has no intention of staying, but when he gets an eyeful of the scantily clad Cora, he decides to stick around and accepts a job from Nick Smith.

Before too long, Cora and Frank are embroiled in a hot affair under her husband's nose. He's blissfully unaware that Cora and Frank are hot and heavy. In some situations, perhaps, this affair would continue on for years, but circumstances force Frank and Cora to take action. When the decision is made to murder Nick, Frank and Cora's relationship is put to the test.

Lana Turner was great in the role of Cora. She is obviously extremely unhappy with Nick--even before Frank comes along. This is glaringly obvious to everyone except Nick, and as it turns out, he has entirely different plans for Cora. Cora tries to fight the attraction to Frank, but they are too much alike and they are inevitably drawn to one another. Under different circumstances, they would probably meet and have a passionate brief affair. Somehow, I don't think ambitious Cora would really give Frank much of a second glance if she had the world of men to choose from.

This film works so well thanks to the strong characterization and excellent acting. Bleached blonde Cora just doesn't look right in her neat, little white Twin Oaks uniform--she was built to languish on a velvet chaise, but fate has her stuck in a poky hole-in-the-ground cafe. One conversation between Cora and Frank hints at Cora's past as she explains away her marriage. It's only a matter of time before some man comes along, takes one look at Cora and decides to liberate her from Nick's company. Just as Cora married Nick for security, Nick has his own reasons for marrying Cora, and love does not seem to be one of them. Frank, the drifter, is suitably rough-around-the edges. He's so enamored with Cora, that he takes her bidding--but also nurses a vague resentment at the same time. Hume Cronyn and Leon Ames are both excellent in their supporting roles--both actors are scene-stealers. The DVD also includes many worthwhile extras about the career of John Garfield. I recommend this film highly if you are interested in Film Noir or just want to watch a riveting film--displacedhuman

Welcome to the Twin Oaks
Postman's plot centers around drifter Frank, and his relationship with the beautiful Cora. Cora and husband, Nick, run the Twin Oaks -- a roadside service station/diner -- and Nick has hired Frank to help around the place. Cora and Nick are May/December, but there is no romance whatsover between them. The reason for their marriage is cryptically revealed during one scene, but, in the end, one never can quite figure out why they are together. Frank and Cora quickly fall for each other and desire a life together -- a desire that requires removing Nick from the picture. The urgency reaches fever pitch when Nick announces his intention to sell the diner and move Cora to nothern Canada where she will care for Nick's recently paralyzed sister, who, in Nick's words, is going to live for a long time. As other reviewers have mentioned, the DA and defense attorney stand out in this film as well-conceived characters, the defense attorney played to perfection by Hume Cronyn.

Over the years, Postman has been lauded as perhaps the quintessential piece of film noir -- an intentionally bleak genre that experienced its heyday in the forties and fifties. Although Postman is undoubtedly a precise work of film noir, it's reputation may be based as much on it's mold-shattering relationship with MGM as on its artistic merit. Released by MGM, Postman was so far out of character for the studio that MGM had to borrow John Garfield to cast the leading role. That said, one is hard pressed to envision Frank as having been played by anyone other than Garfield. The same can't be said for Lana Turner's Cora, though. Yet, while other actresses may admirably have filled Cora's sultry shoes, Turner does indeed sizzle in this role. Both Garfield and Turner play their parts to perfection -- their acting is simply terrific. Somehow, though, the chemistry between the two leaves a little something wanting. For me, this was underscored by the instant chemistry that exists between Frank/Garfield and the "other woman" he picks up at the train station during Lana/Cora's absence. That said, the little something that is wanting between Turner and Gerfield contributes, in its own way, to the bleakness of the plot.

Technically, the dvd presentation of Postman is quite good. The transfer here is not as pristine as other Warner releases and there are digital artifacts and noise noticeable in many scenes. However, they are not severe enough in effect or number to detract from the film. Although the audio on this dvd is fine, the score for Postman is really just mediocre. Heavy on suspense motifs, one is left feeling as though they've heard much of this music before. The highlight of the dvd is the Garfield documentary that Warner has included as an extra. For fans of the noir genre, and for fans of Garfield in particular, this extra transforms a good dvd into a must-own dvd.

All things considered, this is a title for confirmed noir fans, and, for them, it is highly recommended. Even if you're not a noir fan, though, Postman is a work of broader cultural significance and is well worth owning even if its the only noir on your shelf.

I wouldn't say
it's the BEST movie about lust, but it should be in the enclclopedia next to "noir." Whatta cast, whatta film, whatta fool you are if you don't buy or at least rent it!!

Start watching and you won't be able to stop
Great black and white photography
Excellent tension between Garfield and Turner.
Great storyline.
If you start watching this film you won't be able to stop.

I have always thought Lana Turner is fun to watch but sometimes of I find her performances -over the top- but,
she is pitch perfect in this film. With her whiter than white hair and clothes she seems like the unattainable female. She works in this greasy spoon but she is incredibly groomed and perfectly desirable to the drifter played by John Garfield.

My favorite scene is when she and John Garfield leave together the and then decide to return. Lana's character explains her motivations--the dialogue and her delivery seem so real and you sympathize with her character (a woman who plots to kill her husband!)

I also like the setting of early Southern California...orange groves and empty beaches.

This is a must see film ... Read more

Description

In Terry Gilliam's fantastic voyage through time and space, a young boy named Kevin (Craig Warnock) escapes his gadget-obsessed parents to join a band of time-traveling dwarves. Armed with a map stolen from the Supreme Being (Ralph Richardson), they plunder treasure from Napoleon (Ian Holm) and Agamemnon (Sean Connery)-but the Evil Genius (David Warner) is watching their every move! Featuring a darkly playful script by Gilliam and costar Michael Palin, Time Bandits is all at once giddy fairy tale, revisionist history lesson, and satire on technology gone awry. ... Read more

Reviews (113)

Gilliam achieves much with little
Worth it for Gilliam and indie film fans. A group of renegade shrubbery-designers on the lam from the Supreme Being stumble through a hole in space-time into the bedroom of a small boy, whom they abduct to help them steal the treasures of history. Okay, Gilliam fans, rejoice. Python fans, rent it first. Indie filmmakers - here's how to make a plausible looking fantasy film on a (still big) budget. The executive summary: 1. Acting - well done and believable. Appropriately over-the top in places. 2. Plot - fun fun fun and I want that map! Touching in places, and the non-Hollywood ending is perfect. 3. Production design / special effects - good enough. On par with Monty Python episodes / Holy Grail film. Notable exception - everything to do with "Evil". Bonus: see the origins of the "insidiously cheesy machinery" look Gilliam later perfected in "Brazil" and "12 Monkeys". Sets and props are extremely well-used (pay attention to the kids' room at the beginning!)and add richness to the film. The DVD has commentary by the now-grown child lead, as well as some Gilliam miscellany. For fans, well worth the extra investment, even if you already own the VHS edition. Key issue - this is only a date movie if your date can handle "silly." Most American ladies (in my experience) find Monty Python really unfunny. This film is not true Python when taken as a whole, but anything with a little slapstick and cockney accents seems to get painted as such. Warning: I thought that since one lady friend of mine liked Adam Sandler, she'd like TB - I was wrong! Be warned! Overall - fans, buy it. Others - rent it or ask for it for a gift.

PYTHONESQUE ADVENTURE
From a script written with fellow Python Michael Palin, Terry Gilliam's TIME BANDITS Divimax Special Edition (Anchor Bay) is a certified cult fave of wonder, wit and unbridled imagination. A school boy is sucked into a crime spree by a time travelling gang of dwarves who have a map to the holes in the space-time continuum. Along the way, they encounter Napoleon (Ian Holm), Robin Hood (John Cleese), King Agamemnon (Sean Connery), Evil Genius (David Warner) and God (Sir Ralph Richardson) -- who almost answers one of the supreme theological questions.

This new two-disc edition in Divimax is a state of the art hi-def transfer. The bonus disc features interviews with Gilliam and Palin and a career retrospective that includes Brad Pitt, Shelley Duvall, David Warner among others.

Pretentious junk
Save your dough.

A british kid goes on adventures with a bunch of hammy-acting little people. At the end, his parents die for no apparant reason. (Before some film school moron e-mails me with the reason, I got it. It was just dumb.)

Get "Brazil" or "Munchausen" instead. Gilliam's off his game here. Or try "12 monkeys." That's a great film

A Concept Film that Doesn't Know When to Quit
Like a big candy bar. Eye-popping but unfulfilling. Momentarily pleasing but undernourishing. Couldn't help but think this could have been so much better. It's kind of a Monty Python reimagining of The Wizard of Oz. More mature and cleverer. A plucky resourceful child is transported to a parallel world where the child must make things right before he/she is allowed to go home. The Munchkins are the stars this time. The Supreme Being is, of course, Oz. Evil is the Wicked Witch. Instead of the fantasy world sing-a-long; Gilliam goes with Sci-Fi time travel. Either the movie should have been longer to allow for more story & character development or some of the great ideas should have been shelved for other projects. There's a certain episodic feel to the proceedings as the time travelers jump from time to time but don't really get anywhere; much like the film itself.

an interesting film for older mature children.
This review is for the Criterion Collection DVD edition of the film.

This film was marketed as being for children. I thought that this film is too morbid for small children and recommend that children be at least 8 years old to watch it.

In this film, a young boy joins a troupe of dwarves who travel through 'holes' in time with the aid of a time map stolen from a deity. They rob famous historical figures such as Napoleon and Agamemnon. Later they are captured by an evil sorceror who takes the map from them.

This film has several creatures in it that I think would frighten younger children I urge parents to watch the film by themselves before showing it to their children.

The Criterion Collection has special features including a theatrical trailer, a slide show of production photos and a video, and full-length audio commentary by selected cast & crew. ... Read more

Description

Multiple Academy Award Winners Robert De Niro and Meryl Streep are together again for the first time since The Deer Hunter. In Falling In Love they play Frank Raftis and Molly Gilmore, two everyday people who meet first by chance, and later by choice. There's just one thing standing between Frank and Molly's intense, newfound love-both are already married.It's a genuine modern dilemma, and De Niro, Streep and a fine supporting cast bring the story to life with flair and sensitivity. ... Read more

Reviews (16)

Gentle and Romantic
There is a romantic glow to this very undervalued film. It is a throwback to films of the 40's and 50's. Robert DeNiro and Meryl Streep give old style performances to match the story's atmosphere, which is sweet and sentimental. It does not make light of the subject matter of having an affair but instead is a film about finding love itself. In keeping with that theme there is no sex in this film. The love that gently blossoms is one of the heart.

Frank Raftis (DeNiro) and Molly Gilmore (Streep) are going about their mundane if uninspiring lives amidst the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season in New York when they literally run into each other at a bookshop. Both are married and when they meet again on the train both are taking to work, a friendship begins. Even the small prospect of riding to work together is handled gingerly as both are good people who would not want to hurt their spouses.

As they become more dependent on each other the moral dilema escalates. There are charming scenes as each almost misses the train, and the chance to talk. Her father is sick and her response is to call him. It is the little things that separate this film from others. Frank and Molly fall in love for the reason we all do; because of how we feel about ourselves when we are with that person.

When they finally can not stand it anymore they have a clumsy, and aborted, attempt at making love. Both DeNiro and Streep are wonderful at capturing the moral dilema of two people already married who have found the love of their life. Dianne Wiest has a nice turn as Molly's best friend Isabelle and Harvey Keitel as DeNiro's pal Ed is engaging. Jane Kaczmarek, of television's 'Malcolm in the Middle' fame, gives a nice performance as Franks's wife Ann.

This film begins at Christmas and ends at Christmas a year later. It is a sweet and charming film about falling in love and finding happiness. Dave Grusin helps the atmosphere with a nice score that perfectly captures the sweet exhilaration and anguish of Frank and Molly's love. If you enjoy films like 'An Affair to Remember' then chances are you'll love this one also. It's a nice film to own.

Flawless acting
The acting that De Niro and Streep exercise within this film is truly exemplary, proving once again (The Deer Hunter) that the chemistry between the two is so powerful. They don't need to be talking in order to show it either. The amount of emotion that Streep and De Niro convey within a subtle face gesture is enormous. There remains no doubt within my mind that true lovers of the acting craft will appreciate their skill within this gem of a film. Everything about their acting makes this story so credible-- that extraordinary love can flourish and blossom among two everyday people who are currently living within two decent, good marriages.
No, this will not be the De Niro you may see in your hard core gangster filck, but that's just a sign of a great method actor! De Niro is man of many faces and emotions! He's not simply playing himself in all his roles, as opposed to many other actors. He pulls this role off brilliantly!
Bottom line: If you appreciate great acting, and are a romantic at heart, you will not be disappointed with this film. I hope that De Niro and Streep make another movie together!

Well made......
Hollywood capitalized on the acting talents of DeNiro & Streep by uniting them for this wonderful, well made & clean film. DeNiro & Streep play Frank Raftis & Molly Gilmore, two people who first meet by chance & then by choice. There's only one problem between them - they are both married. It's a genuine dilemma that they face. With a fine supporting cast & an excellent Dave Grusin score, Falling in Love is a winner all the way !

A gentle & romantic DeNiro, a canvas of emotion from Streep
Warning, a few spoilers here! I am a big fan of Robert DeNiro and Meryl Streep, especially Deniro. So, I know I liked this film more than people who aren't appreciative of them would. Still, its nice to finally see a film for adults that does not have profanity, violence, or nudity. That is a rarity these days. There is good chemistry between these 2 actors and the only other film they were in together was "The Deer Hunter", another great film!. I could not take my eyes off of them, especially DeNiro! I only wish they had done more films together. There must be other big ones in them, so I hope they do! The movie builds up the tension nicely before they really meet and get to know each other, and I found myself really wanting them to meet even though they are married to other people. I did not find it plausible that in a city of so many millions that they would bump into each other as much, but hey, if they did not, we wouldn't have the movie. Each character has a friend in which they confide (Streep ruluctantly so) about the possibililty of an affair, and their friends are'nt really concerned that they might lose their marriages as they have allready played around some. DeNiro's friend, played by Harvey Keitel, is getting divorced and likes the change, so its frustrating that no one tells them the obvious, that an affair changes things for good. It is a treat seeing DeNiro and Keitel together again. These 2 great actors were first seen together in 1973's "Mean Streets"! Check that one out if you want to see chemistry between those 2 although to warn you, it is a very violent film! After seeing them in the gritty, realisic "Mean Streets" its hard to imagine them in business suits chatting. The 2nd film they were in together is 1976's "Taxi Driver" a film I rate even higher than these 2 films! A powerful study of loneliness in isolation in a city, "Taxi Driver" is one of my all-time faves.

Ok, back to this review. This movie starts out pretty thoughtful, showing what falling in love can do to one's married life where you allready have commitments, but I felt that the end was not as realistic as the characters deserved, but I am not one for unhappy endings and I really wanted to see these 2 characters happy. I know, its a cliche, someone running to meet someone on a train that has allready left, but I love romance and I know I'd want Robert DeNiro running after me! Streep does a great job at showing her inner turmoil and resulting guilty feelings as she knows she has spent time w/Frank (DeNiro's character)and not with her ailing parent. The sadness and the stress that this romance causes her is human and real. Its sweet to see these approaching midlife characters become caught up in an all-new blush of love! They are in each other's thoughts, especially when away from each other. I thought DeNiro did a nice job in the hard-to-watch scene where his wife sees his moodiness and asks him what's wrong and he is caught up in this delemma of wanting to be really happy and not wanting to hurt his wife and family. One thing the screenwriter could have clarified better is what actually brings these 2 characters together? since they have great lives living in nice neighborhoods and shop in upscale places. Streep's character, Molly, had a serious dud of a husband, so there I can see why a bit, but Frank seems happy w/his 2 children and married life. So I only wish this fun-to-watch film had been longer so we could get a sense of the why.

I want to also add that with the not-strong plot, this movie really needed 2 strong performances and DeNiro and Streep give it all they got. Their facial expressions are just perfect and wonderful in their subtlety and complexity. You can tell, just from watching their faces and the way their eyes move, what the weak script could not portray, so to me, that is a true test of great acting and they deliver!

Frank and Molly try to make love, and I won't say what happens but I really wish their attempt at love-making had been longer. I know, its more of a feeling oflove film, but with their chemistry that would have been something. In these times where hollywood always portrays infidelities w/violence and carnality, a film like this is memorable and greatly needed.

And its so refreshing to see DeNiro in an unviolent role where he is not playing a threatening, mean character who mistreats women, so this film showcases a different side of his acting. If you want to see a very rare, gentler DeNiro, as I do, I also recommend "Stanley and Iris". You can tell this film was made in the 80's and they should have given Streep less frumpy clothes to wear, but the theme is timeless--2 people who have something between them that they know is there. That other person makes them feel good. They don't know what to do with these feelings of fondness for the other but they do want to feel something.

This is an undervalued film to which critics did not give great reviews and was not a box-office hit, but box office records mean little when you look at the load of pitiful movies that have action w/no character development and I feel the critics did not give this film a chance. That was partly due to the fact that there were huge expectations in these 2 actors and if it had been 2 other actors the critics would not have been as serious. They kept saying that one problem was that there was not much to it, but that is what I like about this film--I felt there was allready enough plot in the film and there isn't the overload of plot and subplots that most movies have. This movie does not assault you like so many w/choppy editing and loudness and action, thankfully! If you want your 100% us rda of DeNiro and want to complete your Streep collection, this is definitely for you. If you do not, you still get a fun movie about love.

ONE OF THE STRONGEST FELT LOVE STORIES IN FILM HISTORY!
Someone said in their review that he/she didn't know if Streep was still with her husband at the end, and called this film''TRIPE'' because of it, and because of it having been left to our own imagination [paraphrasing]....

Don't blame a FILM just because YOU aren't paying attention. Her girlfriend [Weist], while walking down the street with Streep at the end, very deliberately suggested to Streep about fixing her up with someone, or her possibly finding someone at a function, and the way the scene went, that friend's attempts and concerns of finding a new mate for her was played to appear to be going on for a long time.... because she is obviously alone/single again at the end of the film!

I watched this film years ago, taped it on a blank with all of Streeps other films consecutively on blanks, and had to own it in it's cover. There isn't a single thing anyone can pick at in this beauty .....it is FLAWLESS, and one of the greatest of a simple little love story... EVER MADE! ....We've all been there [those of us fortunate enough to have had such a love]. ... Read more

Reviews (17)

Too kool!
This movie was an indie release (I think), but it's awesome! The drama & action are like nothing I had seen before. It's about teens in New Jersey stealing cars for joyrides, then selling them to Chop Shops, or just keeping them. Jason Petty's (Sharron Corley) character is the most dramatic, because his friends steal cars, but he doesn't want to get into that. He just wants to be friends with them, no crimes involved. This also brings up the subject of race; white cops are always out to get the inner-city youth (who are of-course, black) of New Jersey. If you want a powerful action/crime-drama flick, or if you're one of those in da hood, ghetto flick people, buy this.

Eh...Could have been better...
No, this movie is not "da dopest car movie evah" or anything like that. I am a huge fan of films about Black-America, being that some of my favorites are Menace, Boyz, Lean on me, and many more. However, Let's be honest, there is nothing that is that great about this movie. It doesn't have much of a plot that will really hold you down and make you want to watch, and the acting is, average at best. I will say though that the acting of the police officers is horrible.

This movie could have been something much more, had they tried to make you want to watch it for more than what it is, just people stealing cars. I doubt many people will see this film that live outside of New Jersey, but it is an accurate portrayal of life in Newark, so for that I commend it. But if you want to see a great movie, I suggest looking elsewhere. If you are just in the mood to watch cars being stolen and enjoy the action, then this movie might be for you.

Are you kidding?
This movie was a total peice of garbage. I lost IQ points watching it. Take your money and buy lottery tickets. You'll get more value for your dollar.

Great ghetto flick with everything you'd want
This movie is one of my favorites ever. I love ghetto movies, and this one has everything you'd want in an action ghetto movie. It is about ghetto teens who steal cars and take them to chop shops for cash or just for joy rides. The main characters are Jason, "Midget", Richie and "Tiny". With Richie being definately the funniest one of the bunch, I wish he had actually had more parts in the movie. His mannerisms will have your stomach hurting you'll be laughing so hard-even when he's not even trying to be funny. Midget is the biggest car thief of the crew, and Jason is his best friend, who starts out not really being a car thief himself, just a tag-along. But he gets increasingly more and more involved with his buddies' hijinks, leading him to some time in Juvenile hall. There is also an unbelievably hysterical scene where Richie, jason and Midget steal a POLICE CAR and take it for a joy ride!! Richie was so unfreakin' belevably hilarious in this scene, even thhough he didn't even have that much talking. Midget also does something with the squad car that I won't give away-you just hav e to watch the movie. Midget was a great character too. He was very funny and had no shame. For some great ghetto entertainment, buy this movie! There is also a maniac cop who messes with Jason alot in the movie because of something Jason witnessed the cop doing.

hot
this movie was hot it funny and a movie that you should have in your dvd libary ... Read more

Description

Originally broadcast on the BBC in the UK in 1977, The Robots of Death stars the popular fourth Doctor, Tom Baker, with Louise Jameson as his savage but loyal companion, Leela. On a barren planet, the pair comes upon a society that has grown soft and dependent on robots for all their needs. The striking set and costume design make this Doctor Who serial especially worthy of DVD. ... Read more

Reviews (29)

Robo-phobic.
Doctor Who episodes -- at least during Tom Baker's run -- tended to fall into certain basic plot categories. Two common themes were: The doctor must liberate people in servitude ("Face of Evil", "Underworld"; "The Sunmakers"); The doctor must uncover and foil a clever alien scheme to destroy/conquer earth ("The Android Invasion"; "Terror of the Zygons"). A lesser-used device was the "ten little Indians/haunted house" approach, which we saw in the superb "Horror of Fang Rock" episode and here, in one of the few Tom Baker Dr. Who DVD's available, "The Robots of Death."

This episode is regarded by many fans as a true classic, one of the best of the whole long-running Dr. Who television show, and not merely the Baker years. I disagree. I think the story was told better in "Fang Rock", one of my personal favorites which also features Leela as the companion. I am very curious as to exactly how the BBC decides which Who episodes get committed to DVD, especially considering that not all of them are even out of VHS yet (what's the holdup, fellas? It's been 30 years!). But even I have to admit that few, if any, Baker-Who episodes are as dark and creepy or as well thought-out as this one, and probably none have better overall production. The robots are unusually well-designed for such a low-budget show, and when they turn evil their pleasant voices, frozen faces, and penchant for manual strangulation are downright frightening. But I'm getting ahead of myself.

Storywise, "Robots" is sound. The Doc and Leela land inside a giant spice-miner run by a handfull of greedy, effete, not terribly nice fortune-hunters who wear ridiculous costumes and seem to spend most of their time loafing about while a large staff of robots does most of the work. You have to take only one look at the robots to figure out that the tail is wagging the dog here, and before you know it, one of the crewmen is murdered and the Doctor and Leela, being stowaways, are of course blamed.

This starts the "ten little Indians" part. The spiceminer is wandering a gigantic, hostile desert of killer sandstorms and towering rock: there is no way off the ship. The humans, basically French aristocrats circa 1789 with their powdered faces and silly costumes, have no weapons and are so morally vacuous and wimpy they practically invite the robots to kill them. The robots oblige, having been tampered with by a member of the crew with a serious identity crisis, a robot fetish and a healthy dose of homicidal mania. One by one the humans get strangled, each trying to figure out who the killer is, and everyone suspecting -- of course -- our hero and his knife-wielding gal pal.

It is a nice plot device, and since it was not used very often I can let the writers off the hook for copying the fine work they did in "Fang Rock." My problem is mainly that the human characters on the miner are all pretty much loathsome and deserving of a good strangulation. It is hardly uncommon in Who episodes for the Doctor to be abused by the very people he is trying to save, but in this case the people just don't seem to be worth saving at all. In fact, the nicest character we meet on the ship is D84, the supposedly mute "dumb" robot who turns out to be a company agent. 84 should probably have read "Message to the Oppressed" a few more times before he chose which side he was on.

Don't get me wrong here. "Robots" is a good, entertaining episode with a very high creep factor. Tom Baker and Louise Jameson are very good and the writing is on par with their acting -- this is one of those episodes where Leela gets to do more than just say, "What is it, Doctor?" in different tones of voice, which was not always the case during her time as a companion. It is much darker than your average Tom Baker outing, and I do think the plot would have been better served by more sympathetic crew-members. DVD-wise, the extras are nothing special overall, but the audio commentary is very interesting. But overall I must admit....these are the criticisms of a nerd. Go ahead and buy the damn thing. I did.

"I'm rather fond of bumblebees!"
This Tom Baker story is an extremely stylish, visually stunning and well written example of Doctor Who. Set aboard a sandminer crawling across the desert surface of a nameless planet, "The Robots of Death" is a murder mystery with interesting characters, whose interactions show people with hidden motives, secrets and fears - they are three dimensional and believable. The story has both action and creeping suspense, with some genuinely frightening, psychological and claustrophobic moments. But the piece de resistance to this story is the design. There's the art deco of the sandminer and the wonderfully decadent costumes, but best of all, the robots themselves. They look exquisite and are beautiful and deadly. Their cold, calm menace is chilling; the "pulse" music that accompanies their slow paces through the corridors of the Sandminer is wonderfully atmospheric. Isaac Asimov meets Agatha Christie in a highly memorable adventure.

Like being surrounded by walking, talking dead men...
It is little surprise that Dr. Isaac Asimov named this as his favorite Dr. Who episode (though it actually comes as considerable surprise to learn that he even watched the series at all). Certainly the plotline and backstory development borrow liberally from the future society Asimov established in the Lije Bailey/R. Daneel Olivaw novels; it even works in references to the Three Laws of Robotics. The influence of an earlier book, RUR (Rossum's Universal Robots), also surfaces in exploring man's reaction to robots and their total absence of human body language (robophobia). Even the author's name, Karel Capek, is mirrored in that of the villain Taren Capel.

Newcomer director Chris Boucher (The Face of Evil) took the suggestion of longtime Dr. Who editor Robert Holmes and created an isolated, murder-mystery adventure as a vehicle to solidify the role of Leela, a companion he had introduced in the previous serial. Boucher drew from one of his favorite novels, Frank Herbert's Dune, to envisage the Storm-Mine setting. Effects director Peter Grimwade is immortalized in the episode thanks to a bit of ad-libbing by Tom Baker. Amongst the cast was David Collings as Poul, David Baile as Dask (Taren Capel), and Pamela Salem as Toos; Salem had actually been an unsuccessful applicant for the role of Leela.

Though not a milestone episode, I would name this is one of my favorite Tom Baker-era stories, largely because of its attention to detail -throwaway lines by characters reveal a rich tapestry of politics, history, and sociopolitical orders not always seen in a Doctor Who serial. We get a sense of the social "pecking order" on this nameless future planet from Uvanov's obvious disgust with Zilda's and Chub's family standing; at the same time we learn that the all-pervasive Company is not above covering up an employee's potentially embarrassing (or potentially expensive) past. Poul is a great study in contrasts: nobody on the Storm-Mine is the least suspicious of him until Leela turns up and likens him to a hunter. The insertion of D.84 is even more clever, and it illustrates just how inured this society has become to anything out of the ordinary. Uvanov dismisses Leela's assertion that D.84 can speak simply because "everyone knows" that particular class of robots can't speak.

In the same way, the crew dismisses the Doctor's theories about the murderer because "everyone knows" robots are incapable of such a thing. Robot behavior and robot Urban Legends are clearly at the forefront of even casual conversation, as evidenced in the opening scenes when we meet the entire crew idling away in the lounge. I also like the fact that the cast is a little more varied, racially speaking, from the usual spate of pale English actors. Helps to paint a more realistic vision of the future.

D.84 (Gregory de Polnay), the "undercover" agent, provides some wonderful back-and-forth dialogue with the Doctor and goes a long way toward widening the scope of the story. The robot's recount of the life of Taren Capel has made the murderer into a tragic figure before we've even figured out who he is, and it even gets to explore its own feelings of inadequacy; next thing we know it has even cracked a joke at the Doctor's expense. I always thought D.84 would make an ideal traveling companion -a sentiment I was surprised to learn was shared by many other fans. Its plaintive request to "please do not throw hands at me" is priceless. Definite homage to Daneel and Giskard there...

Though we, the audience, know the killer at the outset of this "whodunit," it is the question of who is the puppet master that takes up the scope of the story. This is also an uncharacteristically graphic episode; there are several strangulation scenes, a disturbing shot of a dead body being buried in a downpour of gravel, and blood all over the hand of the initial killer robot. There are also some chilling pyrotechnics; for my money one of the scariest scenes depicts another of the killer robots trying to break into the command deck, calmly announcing in its polite bureaucratic monotone that everyone has to die. Another great moment comes when Leela throws her knife squarely into the chest of an attacking robot -which then casually knocks it aside and keeps on coming. It is the first time we've seen anything even approaching fear on Leela's face.

The society that has been postulated is full of cause-and-effect: the Doctor's casual line about it being "the end of this civilization" is clearly no exaggeration. The characters, for all their feigned ease and opulence, are clearly not wholly comfortable with this robot-dependent society they have created for themselves, and as a result there is an omnipresent creeping paranoia that lurks just under the surface for most of the storyline. The parallels to the distrustful, robot-dependent society in Asimov's Caves Of Steel are obvious: mankind has gone and made another technological breakthrough which has become an indispensable part of daily life before everyone's really had time to adjust. Likewise, the Storm-Mine's carefully-ordered life is exposed to be a powderkeg; one little deviation from "everyone knows," and suddenly everybody's world is turned upside-down. This is especially apparent with Uvanov (Russell Hunter)'s newly-found "blow 'em all up" attitude, Poul's total mental breakdown, and Toos's hysterical sobbing (the latter also provides a great springboard for the audience to learn Leela's surprisingly tender and compassionate side).

Classic Tom Baker episode from the "golden age"
This 4 part adventure is really one of the best ever made!

Perfect introduction episode for people who don't know the series and a must for every fan!

A return to the Definitive Doctor Age
Yes, it is old. Tom Baker is, to me, the best portrayor of the Doctor WHO personality. In particular this is one of the best stories that I found in my memory. The Doctor and Leela arrived to a Sandminer, just to be accused of being murderers. The sandminer tripulation are some aristhocrats who are served by Intelligent human-like robots. Some dumb, some others with the ability to speak, and probably others with the need for killing people!!!. Needless to say, the Dvd has all four individual chapters (with its openning and closing credits!), so you can watch them one by week, to recreate that time ago in front of the tv. It even has some extras, like the original peeks of the next chapter the narrator used to increase the need to watch the next chapter. Want a producer and writer comentary?, you have it. It is even fun to watch the old special effects, because they give a very good remembrance and felling of authenticity. For the newcomers, they could seem old and bad effects, and the story too simple, but for hard time fans is like going back to the youth. ... Read more