Reviews (8)

GOD MAKE ME A BETTER SWIMMER
this is one of the funniest movie of all time. it was crazy but cute. if anybody is reading this do yourself a great favor and buy this on dvd or rent it first because it is very funny.

I wish it would end!
What did I think was so funny about this movie back in the 70's?....must have been the substances I was on....this movie stinks....it's just bad!.....I couldn't wait for it to end!(actually couldn't make it all the way through!)

Funny but Not For The Easily Offended!
The End is a dark comedy about a man played by Burt Reynolds who has had a extremely bad day including being told by his doctor that he has a terminal ilness and is going to die so he tries to kill himself but is discovered by a cop and taken to a mental hospital where he meets a deranged patient played by Dom Deluise.

Burt Reynolds was very good and of course so was Dom Deluise in his hilarious scene stealing performance and also very good are Joanne Woodward as Burt Reynold's ex-wife, Sally Field as his ditzy girlfriend and Kristy McNichol as his daughter but unfortunately she only had a tiny cameo.

The subject matter of this dark comedy may offend some people so I would definitely not buy this or recommend this to anyone who you think may get upset at the humor in the movie and have a hissy fit, but anyone who likes a good dark comedy should be able to enjoy it.

Side-splitting hilarity abounds
I have not laughed this hard in ages. Ok the premise is that a man is dying and wants to spare his family, by killing himself. On the surface that's not funny, but this movie had me in stitches. Burt Reynolds plays bumbling very well. Joanne Woodward is a riot as the liberated ex-wife! Her scenes are not to be missed. ~ (comedy, drama, the woman is a genius!) Sally Field is neurotic and kooky. Dom Deluise is deranged. Oh boy did I have a ball. Recommended viewing for those with a twisted sense of humour.

An underrated masterpiece
Burt Reynolds directs and stars in this much underrated black comedy which also features Dom DeLuise, Sally Field and Carl Reiner. Reynolds plays Sony Lawson who is diagnosed as having a toxic blood disease. From this rather bleak premise stem a series of hilarious sequences, including the diagnosis itself by a very unsympathetic doctor, and Reynolds confessing his sins in church to a juvenile priest. Adamant that he'll die with dignity, Reynolds resolves not to tell his daughter, parents, girlfriend or ex-wife about his terminal illness, and he tries to cope with it himself by committing suicide. But his plan goes wrong and he finds himself in a mental hospital where he meets DeLuise (in a performance tour de force)who agrees to 'help' him. The resulting scenes of DeLuise's failed attempts to kill Reynolds are brilliantly executed moments of comedy. Tiring of these failures, Reynolds escapes from the mental hospital and again decides to do the job himself. It is really quite a shame that this film has been virtually forgotten. The concept of someone facing such monumental adversity is a universal theme, and this work is much better and more intelligent than higher-profile Burt Reynolds outings such as 'Smokey And The Bandit'. Perhaps this video release (is a UK version in the works?) and Reynolds' recent success in'Boogie Nights' will help gain this film more than just a cult following. It certainly deserves it. And there's even some atmospheric music from Frank Sinatra and Glen Campbell to enjoy too. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Gotta Get GATOR!
Gator is pure guilty pleasure. Burt Reynolds directed and stared in this 1976 follow up to the excellent WHITE LIGHTNING. This time the feds don't want Gator for running moonshine, but to go undercover to get evidence on his boyhood pal Bama McCall (Jerry Reed). Lots of action , fighting, boat chases and Reynolds signature style. The movie gets 5 stars but not the DVD. The transfer is incredible compared to the old VHS tape, but sadly the DVD is only FULL FRAME the movie was shot in SCOPE, so most of the picture is cropped off. It would have been nice to have a commentary track from at least Burt Reynolds, since this was his first directorial debut.

Badly directed, unfocused mess
After his success in "White Lightning," Burt Reynolds decided to make his directing debut with the sequel "Gator." While Reynolds would eventually prove to be a competent director with "The End" and the excellent "Sharky's Machine," he blew it with this unfocused mess. A clumsy mixture of light comedy and violent action, with ridiculous characters and a midsection that moves like molasses, "Gator" would have derailed the career of a lesser star, but Reynolds was so big in the '70's that this film represents merely a mild career bump between early '70's highlights like "Deliverance" and "The Longest Yard" and late '70's triumphs "Smokey and the Bandit" and especially "Starting Over."

The problems are numerous: To begin with, the script is poorly constructed. It begins with an exciting boat chase as moonshiner Reynolds eludes authorities and then doesn't offer any further action sequences to top it off later in the film. Further, several characters are played strictly for laughs throughout the film and then killed off in the most violent ways imaginable. While violent deaths in serious action fare can be cathartic to the audience, (especially that of a heinous villain like Scorpio in "Dirty Harry") here it is jarring and disturbing. And Reynolds the director shows no clue whatsoever as to how to end a scene, letting some ad-libbed schtick (especially his own) run on forever until it ceases being funny and simply becomes annoying. And while the supporting cast (Jack Weston, Lauren Hutton, Burton Gilliam, Alice Ghostly) is impressive, nobody gives anything close to their best performances for their friend, er director, who doesn't exactly encourage anybody to stretch. But don't miss the first five minutes, which contains the single worst performance in the history of film: talk show host Merv Griffin (!) as a bigoted, ambitious good-ole-boy governor with presidential aspirations (!!!)

Actually the only good thing about "Gator" is the performance of Jerry Reed as the villain "Bama" McCall. Best known as Reynolds' sidekick in the "Bandit" series, Reed is cast perfectly against type and creates a memorably heinous villain. Watch his performance here and you'll understand why some of us think if his career hadn't evaporated in the early '80's he could have developed into an excellent character actor. And his title song (played over the opening credits) is also a highlight--a bouncy and fun romp in the "Amos Moses" tradition--that sets just the right tone for what should have followed: a well-paced and slightly mean action comedy, which was clearly what was intended but was ruined by amateurish adlibbing and ham-fisted attempts at comedy.

Burt Reynolds is a frustrating figure in movie history: extremely talented when guided by good directors (John Boorman, Alan J. Pakula, Robert Aldrich and "Boogie Nights"'s P.T. Anderson) but frustratingly self-destructive and ill-served by the typical B-level hacks and yes-men that he surrounded himself with. "Gator" is a perfect example of everything that was wrong with a superstar career that flamed out spectacularly in the mid '80's. If he had trusted his talent and picked his projects more wisely, who knows what might have been?

Incidentally, the DVD is presented in pan-and-scan instead of widescreen, which matters since the film was filmed in Panavision and suffers greatly when cut up for fullscreen presentations. Why Reynolds films, no matter what studio releases them, seem to be exclusively presented on DVD in pan-and-scan is beyond me. Even weak films like this should be seen in their original format. That's why this DVD rates * instead of **. Thanks for nothing MGM/UA.

Gator
This was one of those movies I enjoyed watching, and would watch over again and again, it's quick paced, full of action, and light comedy, I would suggest this to anyone. I would have bought this along with White lightning, which came out before Gator. But Alas the Studio's blew it again, by only releasing this and White Lightning in full screen format.
So out of my basket they went. My message to the powers to be at the studio's if your going to release DVD's such as these good fun movies, release them in both widescreen and fullscreen, you might sell more copies. But what do I know I am only a consumer.

This review is for "Floridians" only.
Once upon a time, "Buddy" Reynolds, star footballer for Florida State was recuperating from an injury at home in Riviera Beach and attending Palm Beach Junior College to keep up with his studies. The head of the English department, Watson B. Duncan III, saw him one day on campus and asked him to read for a role in a play that P.B.J.C. was doing. According to Duncan, this was the beginning of Burt Reynolds' acting career. Years later, Burt honored his beloved teacher (Duncan was beloved by all who knew him) by having him play the press secretary to the Governor in his movie "Gator." The movie is a fun movie. All are having a great time. The cast is a hoot. Easy going Jerry Reed plays the heavy, Burt, the hero (of course), and the rest of the ensemble is a delight. This is light fair with a moral and it is a lot of fun to view.

Enjoy the movie, not the format
I have always enjoyed Burt Reynolds movies and "Gator" is no exception. Oh sure, don't expect any of Burt's offerings to be placed in nomination for any awards, but they are extremely entertaining and always action oriented.

I'm however saddened that the powers-to-be have again chosen to put yet another Burt Reynolds DVD movie out in that dreaded "full screen" format. I just don't understand the rational for some of his best movies like "Sharky's Machine" and "Hooper" and now "Gator" to be released like this. To me, it is akin to buying a "Rolls Royce" with a VW engine.

You will thoroughly enjoy the movie if don't have any preference as to it's format, but I will never again knowingly purchase a DVD in full screen format when it should be in it's theatrically released format, because for me, that is one of the important reasons I am buying DVD's in the first place. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Burt Reynolds was getting restless with the good ol' boy screen image he cultivated in Smokey & the Bandit and numerous car-chase flicks of the mid-to-late 1970s, and this brutal 1981 thriller presented the actor with an interesting change of pace. Reynolds directed the film as well, and there was a lot at stake for him both personally and professionally, so Sharky's Machine--based on a gutsy novel by William Diehl--has an urgent, no-nonsense quality that lifts it above most comparably sleazy thrillers. The plot may be sordid, but Reynolds's handling of it is not. This adds another element of freshness to the story of a demoted Atlanta vice cop (Reynolds) who pursues a personal vendetta against a crime boss (Vittorio Gassman) after falling in love with a stunning beauty (Rachel Ward) from the mobster's stable of high-priced prostitutes. The climactic shootout is violent and bloody in keeping with movies of the period (when jarring brutality was beginning to be commonplace in Hollywood films), but Reynolds doesn't go overboard. Sharky's Machine doesn't pretend to be anything more (or less) than a tough-as-nails crime movie, and it's one of Reynolds's most unusual and intelligent films. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (18)

Burt Reynolds classic
Sharkey's Machine... A classic. At least if you like Burt Reynolds or the Atlanta of years past. I saw this film for the first time at the theater and have liked it ever since. It paints a picture of the Atlanta I knew as a teenager and miss. The movie is full of witty humor and good old fashioned action. Several co-stars including, Brian Keith, Bernie Casey, Charles Durning, Rachel Ward, Henry Silva and Vitorio Gassman help to make this a believable film, when so many unbelievable films are being made. Reynolds plays the tough "Sergeant Sharkey" opposite a very convincing Italian Drug Dealer(Gassman) as they clash in this good cop verses the bad guys flick. The movie soundtrack is a refreshing Jazz make up and suits the style of the film well. All in all, a winner.

A good break for Burt
Sharky's Machine is a classic thriller, which says a lot considering who the star of the movie turned out to be. I always associate Burt Reynolds with movies like Smokey and the Bear and Cannonball Run - fun, but stupid. This one actually made him think a little bit. The cop-prostitute love affair is just one slice of this complicated tale, and there are some great secondary characters, like the seedy old cop played by the late great ``Uncle Bill'' from Family Affair (I forgot his name, sorry)and the head detective who flies into a rage whenever Sharky gets too close to solving the crime. The whole corrupt politician story line is also a great addition to the drug-crazed murder plot. When Rachel Ward comes off the elevator and gives Sharky that smoky smile she's so well-known for, as he pretends to be a repairman, and the light shines straight through her skirt, you know Sharky is a goner. Also, the investigation of the murder, after Dominoe's friend is mistakenly blown to bits by the pcp sniffing brother, is a cool addition to the story line. It makes you think and keeps you completely in suspense. And the soundtrack is great. Overall, a great flick. It's the kind of movie to watch while nursing a cold one in the bar, or an afghan and a cat on the couch, on a rainy day.

"Do You Think I'll Live?"
I have always been a fan of Burt Reynolds. Sure, the guy has made some of the biggest bombs in Hollywood history, such as "Stroker Ace," "Cop and a Half," and several others too painful to mention. When I say I am a fan, I am not necessarily referring to his best known films like "Smokey and the Bandit,"...or "The Longest Yard." I like Reynolds's seedy looking films, those low budget action flicks that look like they cost five dollars to make. "White Lightening," "Heat," and "Gator" are always worth watching. I used to list "Sharky's Machine" as one of Reynolds's best efforts until I watched it again recently for the first time in many years. This 1981 action/thriller should give the viewer the best Reynolds has to offer: he directed it, starred in it, and made sure to assemble a stellar cast including Richard Libertini, Brian Keith, Charles Durning, Rachel Ward, Vittorio Gassman, and Henry Silva. In fact, you will recognize so many faces in this movie that you will start to wonder how Reynolds got all of these guys together without spending his entire budget on salaries. Unfortunately, Reynolds's directorial debut drags in spots due to the inclusion of decidedly non-action elements and slow pacing. "Sharky's Machine" is the film version of a book written by author William Diehl.

Reynolds plays Atlanta police detective Tom Sharky, a tough as nails cop attempting to crack down on the city's heroin trade. After a failed drug buy results in the death of an innocent bystander, the department ships Sharky off to the vice department as penance for his reckless heroics. Located in the dingy basement of police headquarters, the vice room is about as filthy as you could imagine. The other police officers consider vice as the bottom of the barrel, and so does Sharky until he uncovers a prostitution ring with links to a gubernatorial candidate...

The cast is the main reason to watch "Sharky's Machine." Libertini is a hoot as the scatterbrained Nosh, Durning plays Sharky's supervisor Friscoe with lung shattering intensity, Brian Keith is the always hungry Papa, and Bernie Casey plays the philosophical Arch. Rachel Ward is effective as Dominoe, and Vittorio Gassman oozes his way through the role of crime kingpin Victor. Henry Silva steals the movie as the ominous killer who possesses no scruples whatsoever. Silva was born to play bad guys on the silver screen, and that is what he has done throughout his career, but in "Sharky's Machine" he turns in the performance of a lifetime. It is regrettable that Silva does not get more screen time. Until I rewatched the film, I thought Silva appeared in nearly every scene but that's only because his performance is so over the top that it dominated my memories of the movie. If you watch "Sharky's Machine" for no other reason than Henry Silva's performance, you will still get a thrill out of this movie.

With the exception of a few of the characters and a several gritty scenes of violence including chopped off fingers, a gory shotgun blast to the head, and some shootouts, "Sharky's Machine" is a good, not spectacular, movie. I took particular offense with the romantic subplot between Sharky and Dominoe. These scenes seemed to drag on forever, with heavy doses of melodrama piled on top of a mountain of implausibility. Are we really supposed to believe that these two will get together? I recognize that most films always rely on a romance to help propel the narrative, but in a sleazy story like "Sharky's Machine," I want that interaction minimized. Too much emphasis on the relationship between Dominoe and Sharky seriously hampers the flow of this movie.

The DVD version is weak, with zero in the way of extras and a full screen picture transfer. How about having Burt Reynolds do a commentary for a widescreen edition? Since Reynolds directed and starred in the film, I am sure his insights would be more than sufficient in explaining the nuts and bolts of the movie. I would secretly appreciate a contribution on a potential commentary track from Henry Silva, but that will surely never happen. If you can stomach the cheesy disco soundtrack and the large injections of romantic interludes, you will probably enjoy watching "Sharky's Machine." At the very least, you get to see Burt Reynolds crack some heads and that is always fun.

Atlanta gets the major city treatment!
Burt Reynolds continued his love affair with Georgia's capital by setting his ultraviolent crime saga in the city of the South. The Atlanta background is only window dressing for a tale that could occur in any metropolis in the U.S.

Reynold's directing is tight and he does well in the title role. Great support comes from Rachel Ward, Brian Keith, veteran heavy Henry Silva, Bernie Casey, Reynold's longtime friend Charles Durning, and the always reliable Earl Holliman.

The film may not make any "best of" lists, but it is still an enjoyable cop drama, with exciting twists and turns, plus it provides an early '80's glimpse of crime in urban America..

Burt's Machine Keeps On Rolling
In "Sharky's Machine" Burt Reynolds plays Sgt. Tom Sharky, a case-hardened (tough outside, soft inside) Atlanta vice cop investigating the possible extortion of a gubernatorial candidate. During wiretaps and stakeouts Sharkey falls in love with Dominoe (Rachel Ward), the candidate's spoiled call girl girlfriend. When the candidate offers to take Dominoe out of 'the life' and to support her, Dominoe's gypsy owner/trainer Victor feels his control over the candidate threatened. Victor arranges for Dominoe's murder. By coincidence Dominoe escapes, Sharkey hides Dominoe, and they work together to end Victor's reign of terror.

Burt Reynolds directed "Sharkey's Machine" and he plays Tom Sharkey with his "Deliverance" bravado but without the hard edges. Burt assembled a strong cast. Rachel Ward is *stunning* as Dominoe. Brian Keith, Bernie Casey and Richard Libertini are Sharkey's police buddies -- his 'machine' which is destroyed in the process of bringing down Victor. Vittorio Gassman plays cold threatening Victor and Henry Silva plays his Dilaudin/cocaine-wired shootist associate -- both deliver extremely strong performances. And Darryl Hickman effectively uses brother Dwayne's 'Dobie Gillis nice guy' persona in an interrogation/torture scene.

Years have passed since Burt Reynolds' football days and Burt has played many characters. Burt still plays rough today. "Sharkey's Machine" is a superior showcase for Burt Reynolds' many talents. ... Read more