Description

Shakespeare is rightly considered the world's greatest playwright for the soaring beauty of his language, for his profound insight into human nature, for the truths he dramatized and for the realism of the characters he created.He was, and remains, a superb entertainer.

These BBC and Time-Life film productions feature some of Britain's most distinguished theatrical talent (Anthony Hopkins, Sir John Gielgud, Patrick Stewart, Derek Jacobi, Claire Bloom and more), these DVD's now are the number-one choice for continuing personal enjoyment.

This special Drama DVD Giftbox Set contains 5 of Shakespeare's most popular tragedies: *Romeo and Juliet

*Hamlet

*Macbeth

*Julius Caesar

*Othello.

The Plays contain sub-titles in English that can be turned on or off.

TV Guide Raves: "Shakespeare Would Be Amused.by the care, money, time and talent that are being lavished on the mammoth task of producing all 37 of his plays." ... Read more

Reviews (2)

At Last! The First Part Of The Ambrose Series!
This is the Ambrose video series that many libraries have purchased...The 37 play VHS series is still >$2,500 with individual plays around $100. The series was remarkable in that it actually included all 37 plays in full with a solid set of players (some famous) who worked hard at maintaining as much historical accuracy as possible, but especially with the verbiage.

This set has selected some of the best ones, so it is well worth the expense. The problem is that many of the scenes are less than sparkling....it's very much like watching the filming of the series of plays instead of watching a movie or TV version.....even the Bard himself would have struggled to keep the life in them with no audience. Sometimes the effort for accuracy actually shows in some of the acting. You have to give the various troups credit for sticking to the goals of the series, but realize that it is done with some sacrifices to the thrill and magic at some points.

Romeo & Juliet stars Sir John Gielgud, Rebecca Saire, & Patrick Ryecart
It's difficult to make a really bad R&J and with these folks this is a good version.

Hamlet stars Derek Jacobi, Patrick Stewart, & Claire Bloom
Jacobi makes this work....because it certainly is possible to do a horrible Hamlet.

Macbeth stars Nicol Williamson & Jane Lapotaire.
The scenes work even though there are times when you know for sure they are filming a play, not acting for the big screen.

Julius Cesear stars Richard Pasco, Keith Michell & Charles Gray.
I have to admit that this is the one play where my kids were so bored they actually asked if they could just read it instead of watch the video.....this one is not done as well as the rest of the series....I'm surprised it was chosen for the DVD set.

Othello stars Anthony Hopkins, Bob Hoskins, & Anthony Pedley
Hopkins said Othello was the one role he most wanted to play, so they gave it to him.....of course he's good....this is by far the best of the 5 play set

What I like about the Ambrose Video series is the hard-to-find plays.....like All's Well That Ends Well, Coriolanus, Cymbeline, Measure For Measure, Henry VI, Henry VIII....it's nice to see the whole Henry and Richard historical series with the same troup. Perhaps we'll get a "rare" set and a "historical" set on DVD out of them next.

The Best of Shakespeare
In this gorgeous set of 5 plays produced by the BBC & Time-Life you get the pleasure of seeing some of the most wonderful talent such as, the late Sir John Gielgud in Romeo & Juliet, Jane Lapotaire in Macbeth, Anthony Hopkins in Othello, Patrick Stewart & Derek Jacobi in Hamlet just to name a few!!! The set comes with a full cast list for all titles and english sub-titles so you can read along. A must-see. ... Read more

Description

Shakespeare is rightly considered the world's greatest playwright for the soaring beauty of his language, for his profound insight into human nature, for truths he dramatized and for the realism of the characters he created.He was, and remains, a superb entertainer.

Featuring some of Btitain's most distinguished theatrical talent: Derek Jacobi, Sir John Gielgud, Charles Gray, Jon Finch, Martin Shaw, David Gwillim and Anthony Quayle, and many more.DVD brings out the rich beauty in the acting and sound.The English language subtitles allow viewers to correctly understand the rapid fire of the beautiful langage of William Shakespeare.

Contains 5 plays on 5 DVD's: Henry V, Richard II, Richard III, Henry IV, Part I and Henry IV, Part II ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Which are the plays in this series
This is not a revision. The BBC series is well know among people who enjoy Shakespeare's poetry. My purpose is to give the readers the missing information: Which are the plays in this series: Here they are: Henry IV part 1 & part 2, Henry V, Richard II and Richar III. In this famous series of 37 DVDs from BBC the historical plays where considerate the best ones and this particular selection the "creme de la creme". I hope you would enjoy,as much as I did, to know the plays compraised in the set. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The hugely ambitious Beckett on Film project gathered together 19different directors to turn the 19 stage works written by Samuel Beckettinto films. The range is vast--from the 45-second Breath to the twohours of his most famous play, Waiting for Godot--but all the worksreflect Beckett's penetrating obsessions with memory, regret, and thesimple, excruciating experience of being. Not every film succeeds--likeall great theater, Beckett's plays demand interaction with a live audienceto express their full intent--and though scholars tout Beckett's everyword as genius, several works are slight (Catastrophe, OhioImpromptu, or What Where will leave many viewers unimpressed).But all the plays feature Beckett's uniquely distilled language; thegreatest of them--including Waiting for Godot (in which two trampspass the time while they wait for someone who may never come),Endgame (in which a blind man and his lame servant bicker and jokeas the world declines), and Play (in which a love triangle isbitterly recalled by two women and a man in urns)--are astonishing in boththeir potent humor and piercing grief.

Though Beckett's stature drew in animpressive array of directors (including Anthony Minghella, PatriciaRozema, and Neil Jordan) and actors (including Jeremy Irons, JulianneMoore, Alan Rickman, Kristin Scott-Thomas, Michael Gambon, and JohnGielgud), some of the finest work comes from relative unknowns. But thegem of the collection is Krapp's Last Tape, about an old manrevisiting his life through recordings he has made throughout his years.It's the perfect marriage of text, actor (the incomparable John Hurt), anddirector (Atom Egoyan, The Sweet Hereafter); in their hands, theplay spins from deeply funny to deeply sad, all with only the slightestdim of the light in Hurt's eyes. --Bret Fetzer ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Worth a look.
2 stars is misleading. I would recommend this to anyone interested in Becket. To see a directors interpretation of his work provided invaluable insights into both the works themselves, and the process of directing film.
That being said, I was not amazed. The potential of a four disk DVD and large booklet, exclusively Becket, was unlimited. The product was a half-dozen enjoyable plays, and not even a documentary on Becket. In their great humility, they made a documentary, about themselves, making the DVD you are about to purchase. Great.

Who Put the Film in the Beckett on Film Project?
Directors working on stage-to-screen adaptations find themselves torn between dual obligations to both the original work and the new medium. In the case of creating a collection of films meant to highlight the playwright's vision, questions raised by these obligations become even more controversial: should they remain true to the text, even if elements of the play don't work well on film? Dare they change those elements to better fit their new mode of expression? And in the case of Beckett, what percentage of the collections' earnings should go towards manic-depressive treatment centers? Of course, total objectivity in stage-to-screen adaptation remains a pipe dream. But we have to remember that even a theatric production has a director, who-while possibly faced with less decisions than a film director-invariably must makes choices leading to his own personal interpretation of the play. Ultimately, every production of a play, be it for DVD or Broadway, interprets rather than mirrors the original work. Therefore, the Beckett on Film Project should not be regarded as an unbiased representation, but rather an ambitious interpretation of one of the greatest playwrights of the twentieth century. And in this regard, with few exceptions, the Beckett on Film Project shines with commendable effectiveness.

I wish to illustrate a few interpretive anomalies in the collection, to give you an idea of both the kinds of adaptive problems these directors had to face and some of their solutions. Consider "Act Without Words II," a short and dialogue-free play in which two characters mime their different daily routines against a narrow backdrop "violently lit in its entire length, [with] the rest of the stage in darkness." Director Edna Hughes chose to divide this backdrop into three film frames and to add a movie reel-like quality to the video. This constant reminder that we are watching a film is the same sort of self-referential metatextuality we find in many of Beckett's plays. Hughes' interpretive decision regarding the background also reinforces the repetitive theme of the play. That is to say, these characters' routines will go on and on, day after day, just as this very movie is being filmed-one frame after another. Hughes' use of a freeze-frame effect also highlights the technological superiority that film holds over its older cousin, theatre. The play calls for a "Frieze effect," but only on film can this be accomplished literally; in theatre it must be acted out. These changes by Hughes show intelligence in both his reading and adapting of the play to screen. Now, for something of a contrary example, consider one of Beckett's most famous short plays, "Play," in which three characters, trapped in urns, are forced to perpetually retell the story of the love triangle between them. The inquisitor: a lone spotlight that dictates which one of the three urns speaks, when, and for how long. But director Anthony Minghella's version gets rid of the light altogether, in favor of a loud and sometimes shaky camera, whose stronger presence is meant to take the light's place as these characters' inquisitor. Minghella's technique here ultimately falls somewhere between failure and success. The audible clicks and zooms of the camera do, for a time, give the viewer a feeling of submersion within the scene; since the camera now questions these characters, and we as viewers share the camera's gaze, the film achieves an interesting effect that draws us into the world of the story. But the camera cuts between the three urns so many times that the sense of a "unique inquisitor," as Beckett requests, soon dissipates. Not that the adaptation adds nothing to the play; once or twice, the camera pans around to give a broad scene of the background, a dark, foggy, and graveyard-like field littered with many more people in urns. While this background reduces the ambiguity of setting present in the original play, it does so perhaps necessarily, and in addition, clearly suggests that these characters' situations are in fact meant to be symbolic of some greater human condition. Ultimately, we recognize a tradeoff for every one of these questions of adaptation, but by and large, as these two examples illustrate, the gain outweighs the loss in the Beckett on Film Project. Or, put simply: the directors and actors earn their paychecks.

Now keep in mind that despite the interpretive decisions I just described, the main thrust of this collection remains Beckett's. What does that mean? It means that these plays glimmer and shine with a bleak despair. The most dramatic moments are often the most comedic, and the only happy characters-well, forget about happy characters (after all, "Nothing is funnier than unhappiness," as Nell from Endgame tells us). But, dismal as they can be, Beckett's plays always manage to match their gloom in originality, creativity, and importance. They pose critical questions about what it means to exist as a human being. Do we simply spend our days idly, waiting-for Godot or anything else? Do we bury ourselves in the desert when we say "I do"? Can our condition be reduced to the emblem of a solitary finch, living in a draped cage with a dead mate and only a cuttle-bone to eat, in a darkened room stalked by a black cat whose own life depends on a suicidal man standing at a window? Whether or not you agree, you cannot help but ask, once Beckett has shown you the shadowy corners of his imagination. And keep in mind his influence on theatre and even art in general. Often touted as odd and sometimes inaccessible, but always brilliant, Beckett's plays deserve our attention, whether or not we choose to buy the Beckett on Film collection. What these productions add to Beckett's vision is an important sense of a modern moment. How have the technological advances made since Beckett's death affected what it means to be Beckettian? And how do the questions his work poses affect you? It's worth your time to find out.

Mixed bag
Those who are familiar with the original productions will find this collection both exhilarating and frustrating. The more faithful the directors are to Beckett's vision, the more successful the adaptation to film. Come and Go is perhaps the purest of them, and also the most chilling. Other effective adaptations include Krapp's Last Tape, Rough for Theatre II, Act Without Words II, A Piece of Monologue, and Play (Minghella's truly -cinematic- adaptation probably deserves the highest marks). I'm ambivalent about many others, not least Ohio Impromptu and Catastrophe.

Unfortunately the longer plays (Godot, Happy Days, and Endgame) suffer from the directors' mistaken impression that Beckett's characters must be decrepit, disgusting, and/or humorless. Quite the contrary, there is levity and compassion to be found in Beckett's work, and without it his meditations become intolerable rather than incisive. Godot has its moments, but it's not nearly as effective (or funny) as any number of previous productions.

Pacing is also a significant issue here. Beckett's plays (excepting Not I and Play) demand a very slow reading, with an abundance of silence. Many of these adaptations simply plow through the texts with no apparent consideration of heft or nuance; Rockaby is probably the most egregious example. Other directorial liberties make Not I and What Where wholly unacceptable; these simply cannot be considered Beckett's work.

Happily, more Beckett productions are becoming available on DVD. You can purchase Happy Days with Irene Worth's excellent performance on this very site, three plays (Eh Joe, Footfalls, Rockaby) starring Beckett's favorite actress Billie Whitelaw, and a DVD of Beckett Directs Beckett (the three long plays) hopefully in the near future.

Excellent, with one exception.
First let me say I've been waiting my whole adult life for this collection. I've spent 30 years trying to collect audio and video recordings of Beckett's work, and suddenly here are all the theatre peices in one beautiful package. The chance that you will ever find another film version of most of these works, or ever have a chance to see them on stage, is almost nil. If you love Waiting for Godot and Endgame, you will not regret the money spent on this. Unlike most plays and almost all movies, these are peices to be seen again and again, over a lifetime, letting the beauty and subtlety of Beckett's language slowly soak into your being.

That being said, I was disappointed with only one peice: Endgame. With Michael Gambon as one of the leads, I expected the most from this play. But I'm afraid he was badly misdirected in this. He simply enjoys his dispair too much. He enjoys being a selfish, cruel master and his "Perhaps I could go on..." speech (one of Beckett's greatest)loses all its power. Gambon delivers this with hardly a pause, rambling on with the same puckish tone as the rest of his performance. (I thought maybe I was just too used to an earlier film version directed by Beckett, so I went back to the script to check this. After almost every phrase in the speech, Beckett has written (Pause). Without these pauses to let the anguish of the words sink into our minds, the speech carries no more weight than the rest of the text. Well, probably much more than you wanted to know.)

Short Review: BUY THIS NOW! You'll be watching these films again and again as long as you own a DVD player.

The Artist of the Century
Curious that DVD Basen, the wonderful Danish web-compendium of dvd reviews from all over the world, has yet to register a word on BECKETT ON FILM, by any measure the dvd release of the year. These film renditions of Samuel Beckett's nineteen works for the stage (which is not the same as his "complete dramatic works," which would include radio plays and scripts for television), are, for the most part, thrillingly successful. The plays fall into two types. WAITING FOR GODOT, ENDGAME, KRAPP'S LAST TAPE, and HAPPY DAYS, however revolutionary in their time, still more or less conform to the conventional understanding of what a play is, ie: they contain recognizable characters and the shortest is an hour long. Despite the filmmakers' protests to make true movies of these plays, as opposed to "filmed plays," each of their single-locale settings make the theatrical origins of each work inescapable. Having said that, they are the best "filmed plays" this viewer has ever seen. Most of the remaining plays, particularly the late plays, are very short (under 15 minutes), and as Alan Rickman remarks, seem more like installations or "performance art," then full-fledged plays. What makes these works among the greatest plays ever written is precisely their inability to be transfered to another medium. With one exception, each of these little films, even the most brilliant of them (I'm thinking of the mind-blowing PLAY), must somehow compromise itself as a play in order to make the transition to film. The exception is OHIO IMPROMPTU. The intensity of this two character, ten minute piece perhaps reaches the full measure of its power as a film. Beckett's stage directions specify that its two actors be as alike as possible. On film, they can be exactly alike, by virtue of being played by the same actor, namely Jeremy Irons, who has famously played twins before. Despite the actor's disavowal, the characters of Reader and Listener can't help but conjure the image of DEAD RINGERS' Elliot commiserating with his twin brother Beverly aeons from hence in their own personal purgatory. Irons' performance is impeccable and affecting, although the Beckett purist might wish there were a little less of it. The performances throughout the plays are deliriously good, with the sad exception of the beautiful FOOTFALLS, which suffers from an overly mannered delivery on the part of its two actresess. One can only feel sorry for the director saddled with the relentlessly uncinematic THAT TIME. But BECKETT ON FILM is mostly a box of treasure, and a gift to the world. ... Read more

Description

This epic network television mini-series brings to life the precarious existence of early Christianity.The new movement is beset by violent opposition from without and constant turmoil from within.Two key leaders emerge--Peter and Paul--who struggle to keep the faith alive.This dramatic presentation follows the pair, together and separately, through three epochal decades.Included are the stoning of Stephen, the road to Damascus, their encounter in Jerusalem, their conflicts over how the word of Christ should be spread.Paul’s travels to Asia Minor and Greece, Peter and Paul’s clashes over Jewish law, and Peter’s decision to follow in Paul’s courageous footsteps.The drama concludes in Rome in approximately A.D. 64 with the beheading of Paul and the crucifixion of Peter under Emperor Nero.

SPECIAL FEATURES:
-Spanish Language track with or without English subtitles
-Closed captioning in English
-Biographical information on leading actors
-Chapter titles provided for easy scene access ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Magnificent portrayal -
We have watched this movie over and over again and never seem to tire of it. It is an amazingly almost perfect portrayal of the Biblical account. Anthony Hopkins and cast make you feel as though you were there! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Occupying a delicious place between Victorian melodrama and superhero comic books, Judex is one of the great serials from the career of French movie pioneer Louis Feuillade. From his castle lair high above the countryside, mystery man Judex (granite-faced Rene Creste) seeks to protect the lovely Jacqueline, while nursing a secret hatred for her fatcat father. Multiple kidnappings, assassination attempts, and narrow escapes follow; much of the mischief is orchestrated by wicked temptress Diana Monti (Musidora, the star of Feuillade's Les Vampires). There's also a delightfully overwhelmed detective (Marcel Levesque), who's a sort of prototype of Monsieur Clouseau, and a streetwise Artful Dodger known as the Licorice Kid.

On DVD, the serial's 12 episodes and prologue are smartly tinted and feature a lively orchestral score by Robert Israel. Feuillade's use of real locations (both Paris and the Riviera figure prominently in the action) gives the film a realistic freshness that cuts wonderfully against the flamboyant plotline. When Feuillade's serials were re-discovered in the 1940s, they proved influential to a generation of filmmakers, and Georges Franju actually did a feature-length remake of Judex in 1963. Indeed, the figure of Judex remains a powerful fantasy protector:his secret lair, his disguises, his complete moral authority (although a cynic might point out that he doesn't always do a good job of protecting his ladylove--but then there'd be no cliffhangers). For all intents and purposes, Judex is Batman. He even has the cape. --Robert Horton ... Read more

Reviews (2)

bunuels influence
a exempelary transfer gives judex its due worth.
feuillade made an extremely belated, posthumas splash a few years back with the release of les vampires on video, waking a few crititcs up with an ' oh this is the guy that influenced bunuel. we need to watch this and promote it'.
judex is possibly even superior to les vampires. having and comparing both films is benefecial.
they are films i read about as a child and both are rare examples of films actually living up to their reputation.

what feuillade did with such a miniscule budget is a lasting testament to his artistry and his status as one of the early auteurs.
both of these films have such a sense of wonder to them that i feel describing them is completely unecessary.
but, if you have even an iota of interest in early cinema, avant garde art, or surrealism, then buying this is essential.

Feuillade's Masterpiece.
As a long time fan of silent films I was familiar with JUDEX from a number of reference books and from the 1963 remake by Georges Franju which is not without interest and should also be revived. Therefore it was an unexpected pleasure to discover that Flicker Alley (the people who gave us GARDEN OF EDEN with Corinne Griffith a few years back) in conjunction with Turner Classic Movies was issuing a newly restored version of the original 1916 version. Louis Feuillade (1873-1925) was the undisputed master of the movie serial. He took what was regarded as the cheapest form of cinematic entertainment and turned it into an art form. Although not as erotic or as violent as LES VAMPIRES his previous effort, JUDEX benefits from a tighter storyline, more fully developed characters, and some of the most remarkable photography to come out of that era. The plot is simple and is basically a reworking of THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO. A young man plans to avenge himself against the unscrupulous banker who ruined his family but his plans are compromised when he falls in love with the banker's daughter. The complete film runs over 5 hours and is divided into 12 chapters. While each episode doesn't end in a cliffhanger like most American serials, the storyline is intriguing enough that you'll want to keep going just to see how it all works out. The performances by the French cast are restrained by silent film standards and use a great deal of subtle pantomime which is very effective. The real star however is the photography. Feuillade uses a mostly stationary camera but the compositions of his shots and what he does within them especially in the outdoor scenes is truly remarkable. It is easy to see why he was known as the D. W. Griffith of France. The film has been color tinted to 1916 standards and features superb musical accompaniment from Robert Israel which ranges from solo piano to orchestral. While I haven't seen FANTOMAS which is not available in the U. S. but judging from what I've read about it and from LES VAMPIRES which is available, I'd have to say that JUDEX is Feuillade's masterpiece. Another winner from Flicker Alley, this DVD is an absolute must for all silent film buffs and to anyone interested in the cinema of crime. ... Read more

Description

Girls on Film 2 is a groundbreaking compilation featuring the best lesbian themend shorts made by Power Up members.These films have delighted audiences at festivals worldwide, including Sundance and Berlin.The DVD contains the short films D.E.B.S, Give or Take an Inch, Fly Cherry and Gay Propaganda.

D.E.B.S – Sexy schoolgirls in tartan uniforms are recruited through the S. A.T. to form an elite paramilitary crime-fighting squad in this comedic spy spoof. Starring Tammy Lynn Michaels (Popular) and Clare Kramer (Buffy the Vampire Slayer).

Give or Take an Inch – This touching film shows the struggle that a lesbian and her gay siblings go through as they come to terms with their sister’s plans to have a sex change. Starring Amanda Bearse (Married With Children) and Michele Greene (LA Law).

Fly Cherry – An imaginative girls becomes friends with an outcast neighbor in this cute, yet empowering, film.Starring Sharon Lawrence (NYPD Blue) and Shirley Knight (Divine Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood)

Gay Propaganda – A collaborative project in which classic movie scenes are remade with gay characters and context. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Very short shorts - not enough content to merit the price
This DVD contains 4 short films.

The first film, DEBS, is about 7 minutes long and was the most entertaining of the bunch(two very gorgeous girls making out in the middle of a gun fight between the goodies and the baddies).

The middle two films left me cold.One short was about a lesbian couple who goes to visit one of the partners sister who is transgendering into the man.Amanda Bearse (sp?) plays the sister who is furious bitch to her tranny sister.This film was a major downer and I didn't see the point of it.

The third film was about a little girl who wants to fly and lives with her trailer trash mom and is basically ignored unless she does something wrong. She runs away to a neighboror who everyone thinks is freak and they have a brief but touching discussion.I didn't see what this film had to do with lesbians and I was very disappointed because of this.

The fourth short film is a series of scenes taken from about a dozen famous films but with a gay spin (example: From Here to Eternity has two women making out a beach, Casablanca has Rick saying goodbye to his very femmy boyfriend, Young Frankenstein has a big gay monster doing it to the effeminate guy in the hay loft and so on.) Most of these short movie scenes were very enjoyable.

What I object to regarding this DVD is that it did not have a lot of lesbians and/or lesbian action, and/or the films were depressing.This DVD was not worth $25 but would be worth renting at Netflicks since you can bet your sweet bippy this DVID ain't ever going to show up at Blockbuster or Hollywood Video.

Touching, Entertaining and Fun!
All four of the short films have something very special to offer the L&G community.D.E.B.S is s super funny and sexy parody of high school spies where one has something to hide.Give or Take an Inch gives a touching look behind the repercussions of a sex change.Fly Cherry is a poignant look into the lives of two very different women and a connection they share.Finally is a great take on classic films with a L&G twist.Hilarious and thought provoking! ... Read more

Reviews (39)

Has made-for-television feel but still makes an impact
Based on Richard Rashke's account of the only successful organised Jewish uprising against Nazis from within death-camp barbed wire, "Escape from Sobibor" is an admirable effort adapted for film. Despite its often melodramatic made-for-TV overtones (something cliche'd and rather inappropriate for such a weighty and sombering event in human history), the film captures the painful struggles, defiance against the ugliest of tyranny, and ultimate triumph of the Jewish prisoners over their oppressors. Unlike "Schindler's List," which unfortunately represented its Jewish characters in a one-dimensional and consistently passive light, this film presents us with strong, well-developed characters, from numerous backgrounds and levels of experience, who are justifiably angry and rebellious against the Nazis. The characters are well-acted, with all the passion, heart, spirit, and SOUL it undoubtedly must take to play such demanding and emotionally draining role! s. I recommend this movie fully; it will touch viewers with the spirit of sorrow amid triumph, and vice versa. END

The film of historic accurancy.
"Escape from Sobibor" is a grim turn inspirational film about the prisoners who, after careful planning, managed to escape from Sobibor. 300 died during the escape whereas the other 300 managed to live during and after the escape. The actors, especially Alan Arkin, Rutger Hauer, and Hartmut Becker, gave memorable & magnificant performances. Becker was telling & excellent in portraying one of the chief SS men in charge of the camp, sargeant Wagner. The actresses, especially Joanna Pacula, also played with upmost effectiveness & familiarity with the history behind Sobibor.

The film is historically as accurate as it can be, with scenes so telling of the torture of the prisoners hated due to dangerous & distorted ideologies. The picture, not as masterful as "Schindler's List", is well done nevertheless with artistry & sophistication. The acting measures up to the acting in "Schindler's List."

My only hope is that this video recording is not abridged, for the complete film is two hours & thirty minutes. If the video has the complete version of the film, my recommendation exists very strongly. If the abridged version exist, hesitations should occupy your mind.

Ask questions.

Excellent made-for-TV WW2 true story
This is the best made-for-tv movie (broadcast network) that depicts true events I have ever seen. Rutger Hauer and Alan Arkin are excellent as a Russian POW and a Jewish concentration camp prisoner who lead an uprising in a German concentration camp. It left me feeling "at least SOMEONE in a concentration camp stuck it to the Nazis." It also made me wish more had been able to. It's surprisingly graphic for a made-for-tv movie (I think it was on CBS); it shows naked women lined up to enter the showers (gas chambers). Just a word of warning to parents.

Surprisingly good movie
I have bought this one a year ago and didn't watch it till now. It was a big surprise as I didn't expect souch a touching movie to come out. HIGHLY RECOMENDED

Amazing Portrayal of History
I have visited Nazi death camps in Poland. I found the information presented there to be dry and dull. But when I first saw Escape from Sobibor at a relatives house, I was intrigued, because I could actually see the information through the amazing acting of Alan Arkin. I was impressed how they were able to create a gripping story that appeals to all senses, yet still be able to follow the truth so closely. The emotions I felt while watching this movie was unbelievable, whereas the death camps I was bored and uninterested because I couldn't visualize the information. This movie is great for anyone, whether you are a history buff, like gory scenes, or anything. I would definitely reccomend this movie to anyone who asked me about it. ... Read more

Description

SAVE! 4 full-length DVDs including: SEX AROUND THE HOUSE, SWINGING, EROTIC SEDUCTION and TOYS FOR GREAT SEX. The ideal gift for loving couples. Learn how to enhance your sex life from this erotic collection of explicit and informative programs. From the LOVING SEX series, which was ranked the best by Men's Health Magazine. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

"Hollywood becomes reality" by RexCurry.net
This is an historic and sweeping film. This film has a lot of historic propaganda value. Just remember the time frame when the film was made. Carmine Gallone's Scipione l'Africano uses the raised-arm salute as one of its chief visual means to turn Mussolini into a new Scipio.

In fact you should view these four films also: the American "Ben-Hur" (1907), the Italian "Nerone" (1908), "Spartaco" (1914), and "Cabiria" (1914). These films were the origin of the "Roman salute" myth because these films show examples of a straight-arm salute. The "Roman salute" myth is the myth that the straight-arm salute was an ancient Roman custom, later borrowed by Mussolini and the National Socialist German Workers' Party.

The myth arose because of the made-up film portrayals in these films. These films are notable also because they led to the historic discovery by the journalist and historian Rex Curry that the U.S. Pledge of Allegiance was the origin of the salute of the monstrous National Socialist German Workers' Party (Nazi Party).

The "Roman Salute" myth grew because the viewing public forgot that the U.S. Pledge of Allegiance originally used the straight-arm salute. The creator of the U.S. Pledge of Allegiance was a National Socialist in the U.S. (Francis Bellamy). The salute is not in any Roman art or text. Dr. Martin Winkler of the American Philological Association has written that in imitation of such films, self-styled Italian "Consul" Gabriele D 'Annunzio borrowed the salute as a propaganda tool for his political ambitions upon his occupation of Fiume in 1919. Earlier, D'Annunzio had worked with Giovanni Pastrone in his colossal epic Cabiria (1914). Mussolini worked with D'Annunzio. Even so, evidence shows that the National Socialist German Workers' Party officially adopted the salute before Mussolini did, not vice versa.

Dr. Winkler didn't know about the original U.S. flag salute (1892) that inspired the films, and that the National Socialist German Workers' Party was inspired by the films and by the Pledge of Allegiance. The U.S. changed the salute during WWII.

a good classic
this is a very good movie for the era which it was filmed. also makes a good find for silent movie buffs. I hope the remake of HANNIBAL featuring VIN DIESEL will live up to it's billing, (as well as the LEONARDO DiCAPRIO movie about ALEXANDER the GREAT)....
EL ... Read more

Description

SAVE! 4 full-length DVDs including: WHAT WOMEN WANT, WHAT MEN WANT, MORE OF WHAT WOMEN WANT and MORE OF WHAT MEN WANT. The ideal gift for loving couples. Learn how to enhance your sex life from this erotic collection of explicit and informative programs. From the LOVING SEX series, which was ranked the best by Men's Health Magazine. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Oh My God
Ok, somehow people really need to get a grip on reality. This stuff is horrible. Me and my girlfriend watched this and busted out laughin most of the time. First of it's VERY old school, second, the "techniques" ... please ... a 16 year old can come up with this. Want my opinion get a book, bc this is pityful. Frankly I think that the other people who reviewed this must be the "stars" of these series.

ON WHAT WOMEN WANT - I WISH ALL MEN WATCH THIS DVD
Reviewed By: Jenne
Dr. Lonnie Barbach is our hostess with the mostess for this foray into the world of what women want. As a woman, I'm the first to admit I'm not always sure what I want from a man, so I was more than interested in finding out what Dr. Barbach and the video itself had to say on the subject. To begin with, there is a short introduction where Dr. Barbach explains that this is not meant to be a definitive guide on the subject and is really just designed to give people ideas, some food for thought as it were. Actually, food featured pretty heavily in the first two scenes of this video. There are also some interviews with real women scattered throughout the film where real women are asked what they want from a man. If those do nothing else, they may well confirm what we were told at the intro, and that is each women is as individual as the clothes she wears, or the job she has.
Scene one transports us into a bedroom where a couple begins to explore the delights of having a thoughtful man who knows how to cut up and prepare all manner of fruits. From grapes to mandarins he tenderly feeds his partner, before gently removing her clothes and feasting on her. I got the point here in that many women say they want their partner to worship and adore them and he certainly does that in this scene.
Magically we travel back to real life interviews as we do between all the scenes in this video. I actually really like this touch as it adds some reality to the whole scenario. Next, we enter a kitchen as a man prepares, or more accurately attempts to prepare, a meal for his partner before she returns from a hard day at the office. Even though the meal wasn't the most appetizing looking thing in the world, the fact that he went to all that trouble just for her, certainly appealed judging by what she choose for dessert: Him -)) This scene was a little hard for me to swallow but it was erotic as she devours him. I would have liked to have actually seen the couple undress, but that said, it was worth watching because the sentiment behind it was right. A little effort goes a long way. Take note guys!
The next issue that is talked about is trust. The scene cuts to an older women masturbating on her bed as she reads an erotic story. She's blissfully unaware that her lover is secretly watching through a crack in the door, although it's not long before he decides to join her. What follows next is actually as much about communication as trust in my book, although the two do go hand in hand. She directs him, showing what strokes she prefers and the results are satisfying for both partners judging by the smiles on both their faces. I actually thought this was a great scene for those who may be worried about sharing their masturbation habits with their partners. The basic message being if you share you'll get more out of the experience.
Back to the real interviews and opinions before we go to the airport where a women decides to surprise her partner who has returned from a business trip. After picking him up, she reveals that all she is wearing beneath her coat is some lingerie. It's not long before they arrive at an old haunt of theirs and the windows of the car start to steam up. This was a really fun scene and the fact that the female took the initiative was a definite plus.
Carrying on that theme, we move to sex in public places and anyone whose ever partaken in this particular activity knows just how exciting it can be. Here we join a couple that is sightseeing from a vantage point high above Los Angeles. This scene has all the elements that both partners will probably enjoy watching, like most of those in this series. The setting is romantic and yet offers the element of danger in that they are exposed as they make love with their clothes on. The fact that she has a dress on and no panties is definitely a plus here, as it makes for easier access, and is something that I recommend everyone tries at least once in their life.
Now we move back indoors and to the familiar bedroom setting, where a couple is busy making love but with a difference. In this scene the women is in control of the situation. By in control, I don't mean in an S+M type scenario, I just mean it's obvious that she is comfortable with her sexuality and knows how to tease her partner and more importantly they both enjoy this. Hubby was captivated by a scene where the woman sits astride the man and uses his penis as a clitoral stimulator, then teases him by masturbating. The film finishes by once again returning to our real life interviewees who again try to sum up what they find sexy in a man, and teh women all seem to fail miserably.
What's it all add up to? This was a well thought out video and one that I really enjoyed watching, as did my partner. I didn't think the title reflects what this video is about though. To me it wasn't so much about what women wanted but how you could introduce elements into a relationship that would serve both partner's needs. Men want passionate, alive women. Women want passionate, alive men was the message I got from this video and I'm not sure if that's what the producers were aiming for, but either way it's an erotic, sensual film that as a women I was able to really enjoy. I came away from this viewing experience ready to take control, try new things, or revamp old ones from our past. The fact that this video seemed to have a really nice pace and flow to it was a definite plus as well. Bringing out important points but not in the way many instructional type videos do. The emphasis was on making things fun and I for one fully concur with that sentiment.

ON WHAT MEN WANT
Reviewed By: Katie
What do men want? For years I've thought about this question and finally they've come up with a video that's going to give me all the answers, or so I hoped.
The video opens with an introduction by Dr. Bernie Ziebergeld explaining that his video is not about what EVERY man wants, but that it gives you some ideas of what many men want. It's a place to start at least. From there it goes into a man-in-the-street interview asking men what it is they want when it comes to sex.

The answers are really not all that surprising, one of which is that men want their partners to actually be interested in them and in sex in general. Apparently they enjoy it when the woman takes the initiative. "Being creative is important because it makes men feel that you care enough to share in the work of sex."
The video goes on to follow one couple, showing how the woman initiated sex with her partner by leaving a snapshot of herself in various stages of undress from the front door all the way to the bathroom shower where she waited for him. What follows is a shower scene where she washes him and then gives him a hand-job rich with slippery, soapy lather. (Note: Some soap can cause a burning sensation in the urethra) It's a very sexy scene. Matter of fact, I rewound the video and watched it again ;-) The couple then goes on to have sex while standing in the shower. Now I know this isn't always physically possible for some couples, but it was still sexy to see it work for them.
Back to the man-in-the-street to find out more of what men want again followed by a normal looking couple acting out one of the suggestions given by the men being interviewed. In all, there are five scenes acted out - Surprise in the Shower, Driver her Crazy in Bed, Fun in the Van, In the Jacuzzi, and An Erotic Birthday Present.
There was an interesting thing that happened in the Jacuzzi, as noted by Dr. Ziebergeld. The setup for this scene is that the man gets more pleasure out of pleasing his partner than in taking pleasure for himself. In that scene we see him pleasuring her orally by the side of the Jacuzzi, but the man never has an orgasm or full erection even though there is plenty of sexplay. Dr. Ziebergeld suggests the following for how men would like women to deal with this type of situation: "Respond by not asking anxious questions about whether she is turning you on or stimulating you correctly. Just go on with the show." I agree with this to a point. Making the situation stressful when it is happening is NOT a good idea. However, if it happens on a regular occasion, I think as a couple you should discuss what is happening.
What does it all add up to?
Overall, I enjoyed watching this video. It did give me some ideas for different things that I can do with my lover to enhance our relationship. It's important to be reminded every once in a while of what keeps the spark in a sexual relationship. If your partner is a bit shy and is not willing to tell you outright what he wants, Dr. Ziebergeld suggests that you tell him your likes and wants first. Your sharing will help him to do the same. That's good advice, but doing so is not always easy. Watching these videos is a step in the right direction. ... Read more

Description

THIS DVD can be played in ALL regions.Includes English, Spanish and Portuguese tracks with or without English subtitles.

Her story is wrapped up within one of the most incredible marvels in all world history: how the Christian church survived under repressive atheistic communism in China.But it did more than survive.It thrived and multiplied.We can better understand these heroic Chinese Christians through Nora’s story.Adopted by a prominent family in Shanghai in 1941, little Sung Neng Yee (Nora Lam) is treated like a princess. . . until the bombs drop, and the Japanese seize her house.After the defeat of the Japanese, she joins the Communists, believing they are the liberators of China.All goes well until she falls in love with Iam Cheng Shen from Hong Kong.Communist officials decide to break her of any bourgeois tendencies.During the next few years, in which she marries and has three children, she is subjected to excruciating persecution.She calls out to God for salvation.Miracles follow.She bargains for her husband and daughter’s release to Hong Kong and is sent to hard!labor, where she starts agitating for her own release.An intimate love story, sage of courage, and acclaimed inspirational gem. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Based on a true story
This is a film about a Young girl that is part of the new China. Because she gets the sort end of the stick by the government for being one of the privileged class, she jumps from the frying pan into the fire. Because "God hears the cry of the poor" not the privileged class, and she is still from a privileged class. The acting is great. And Julia Nickson-Sole is convincing as Sung. ...

China Cry
Great movie. Gives a new perspective on life as a Christian outside of the US. Very inspiring, I'd have to say it's somewhat life changing. Highly recommend for every Christian

Great Christian Video
This is my favorite Christian movie. It is also very entertaining. ... Read more

Reviews (13)

Warning: The disc goes to menu after every chapter!
This is a great movie, which I first saw at the Museum of Modern Art on the evening they held in honor of Nino Manfredi. I wasn't aware of anything by director Ettore Scola out on DVD, so I was surprised when I saw this movie was available at Amazon. According to the reviews I read here, it was supposed to have a so so picture quality and was also made for the purposes of learning Italian, but no one mentioned that the disc automatically went to the chapter menu after every scene. It is definitely annoying for anyone with intentions of enjoying the movie rather than learning Italian. Even if you bought this DVD to learn Italian, at one point you would like to watch the movie as a whole, I think, and the people at Brigham Young University, who produced this DVD, should have taken that into consideration and given the viewer this option as well. (I played this DVD on two different players, and tried to change some player settings too, but couldn't find a way to watch the movie without jumping to the menu every few minutes. If I am wrong and there is a way to watch the movie without interruption, please let me and all others interested know). I still don't regret that I have bought the DVD since there is no other way of owning this movie now, and it is worth putting into your collection even with the flaws of it. One thing I wish to say to whichever company owns the rights to this movie is to put this out as a regular DVD release. Looking at the director, the cast and the cameos by Fellini, De Sica, and Mastroianni, I know fans of foreign films will jump on it even if they haven't seen it and don't know what great a movie this is. Speaking of Ettore Scola and releasing great movies on DVD, his movie 'A Special Day' with Sophia Loren and Marcello Mastroianni is one of the greatest movies of all time according to many interested in film. I don't think it has been out on video since early 80s, and it is very difficult to find it anywhere to watch. So Criterion, Image, Kino, Fox Lorber, New Yorker or anyone from any other video company, who is reading this; somebody please pick this masterpiece up and release it on DVD. I am 24 and I hope I can wait for some time, but I am sure there are also older people who are dying to get this, please let them get it before they do!

Fantastic movie with great fringe benefits
This is a great classic of Italian cinema, and anyone who enjoys a well made movie should see this film. This DVD was particularly helpful because it includes essays on the actors and the director, along with many different versions of subtitles that vary in length. You can watch the movie with comprehensive word by word subtitles, or with ones that just summarize what's going on, and they're in Italian or English, which is helpful for students of Italian.

Even with the extra content of the film aside, it is a fantastic show that portrays the life of three friends and the woman that they all fall in love with during Italy's post World War II era. It is a highly allegorical film, using the main characters as a topos of the nation Italy itself.

Fellini, De Sica, ... who cares.
I opened this DVD with some trepidation, because of all the controversy surrounding its original release. To my relief, the full theatrical version was there, uninterrupted and without cuts. The print quality is good enough, better than the one I saw recently at Vittorio Gassman retrospect. The controls are not particularly versatile, for example, I couldn't change the choice of subtitles during the play, but regardless of the flaws, we should be grateful to those, who made this wonderful film available to us. There is nothing like it!

An ode to friendship
This film is one of the most sincere and haunting films you'll watch in you life. A careful sight into the affective world of three friends, his adventures and livings, until they find casually twenty years later; and the changes produced by the life in what they are, and their useless efforts for trying 'to freeze' the time. Beautifully filmed with surrealistic rapture images.
Manfredi and Gassman were two of the major actors in the italian cinema in any age Watch also for that legendary seductive beauty who was Stephania Sandrelli.
The dazzling script and delightful sequences are feed by a clever sense of humor. It's about the nosthalgical reflections of those years that they'll never come.
A cult movie. One of my favorites italian films.

Clarification !
The Second edition of this DVD has been available since 2001. The first edition, which went to the menu after every scene, is no longer available. Neither version cut any scenes. The DVD now being sold at this site and others is the complete, uncut movie and can be viewed without interruption. I apologize for the confusion caused by my earlier explanation. ... Read more

Description

In the twinkling of an eye, a mass disappearance has occurred. Moments after the turmoil and confusion, the FBI is called in to investigate and locate the missing persons. For Agent Adam Riley (David White), it is personal. For Agent Charles Baker (Kevin Downes), it doesn’t matter, it’s just a job. Before long the investigation turns toward a mysterious man (Brad Heller) who seems to be raising up a para-military organization. Does this man hold the key to the truth to which the world is searching? If you seek, you shall find… the truth is out there. It can be found in this dramatic interpretation of the Book of Revelation and the prophecies of Daniel.

This powerful evangelistic suspense thriller will keep you at the edge of your seat. Don’t miss it!

Winner - Best Evanglistic Film - 2002 Crown Awards

"This is probably the best End Time movie made to date. Although I enjoyed films like 'Megiddo' and 'Left Behind', 'The Moment After' completely blew me away. Made on a small budget and this is evident throughout the film, but I felt like it adds to the reality of the film. No Hollywood candy coating this film is a real gem in a void of quality Christian films. An excellent message throughout along with a brilliant storyline make this a must have for any follower or fan of the Christian film industry." ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Wonderful Movie on the Pre-Tribulation Rapture!!!
Though the timing of the Rapture is an oft-debated topic, this is one of the best films you'll find from the pre-tribulational viewpoint.

This film reunites David White, Kevin Downes and Brad Heller from "End of the Harvest". If you liked the "Left Behind" books and movies, you'll love this film, I guarantee it. Wes Lewellyn did a terrific job finding scenic locations in California for this movie.

Early one morning, the Rapture takes place and two FBI agents are assigned to work a list of 600+ missing persons, including one of their long-time friends. With each interview, they grow more puzzled at the bizarre event that has just taken place. Curiously, many seem to want to dismiss it without explanation.

Brad Heller is simply excellent as the Messianic Jew who comes to know Christ as the Incarnate Son of God. Blowing a shofar to signify his new found Faith, Heller as "Jacob Krause" begins to evangelize the streets.

There's a slight continuity error when Kevin Downe's character walks into a wood shop with dark brown pants. In the next scene, outside, he's wearing tan pants. In the director's and the actor's commentary, both included on the DVD version, they have a little laugh about Kevin's "magic pants" in this scene.

Regardless of one's viewpoint on the Rapture, given Matthew 24:42 and Matthew 24:44, this film at least makes one think. This film was released in 1999, about a year before "Left Behind: The Movie" made its way to stores.

The DVD version also includes a theatrical trailer, language selections of English, French, Spanish and Portuguese, the aforementioned actor's commentary, director's commentary and one deleted scene. They note that somebody stole their DAT (Digital Audio Tape) and three days of sound for filming was lost (two of those days were dubbed in).

I recommend it, especially on DVD if you can get it. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

An amazing film
Joseph Losey's early masterpiece, The Boy With Green Hair, deserves a first-class DVD treatment. This is not it. The DVD quality is very, very bad.
Other Losey films, such as his version of M and Secret Ceremony need to be released on DVD also.

AWFUL DVD PICTURE FOR A FIRST-RATE FILM
This movie has been a favorite of mine since childhood. It covers an important time in American history -- World War II, Macarthyism, xenophobia ... and love. Fine acting, superb screenplay by a talented writer ... and it deserves a first-rate recording. The picture is almost impossible to see, the colors are dull, the sound is dull ... One must strain to see and hear this delightful film. Give us a Re-Mastered Version and I'll pay anything for this heartbreaking, life-affirming piece of art that has become a (cult) classic!

Everybody Has Green Hair
This DVD is one of the worst transfers in my collection. The picture has an overall greenish tint to it and it seems to be "fuzzy" or out of focus. Little care seems to have been taken in producing this DVD. Printing on the case looks unprofessional. Stockwell's acting is first-rate, but the supporting cast does a walk-on, at best. I recommend this movie only for the most avid, diehard Dean Stockwell fan.

The little movie that caused a lot of trouble
Joseph Losey's radical film, "The Boy with Green Hair" (BWGH) (RKO Radio Pictures, Inc., 24 November 1948) never got a fair shake. World events of the time haunted it, and powerful men argued about it. It was an expensive production for RKO and a showcase for cutting edge Technicolor film. I believe the film should be seen again and appreciated, if only in the context of it's time.

The film would hardly stir a ripple today but not in 1948. Like the film, "The Search", it centered on the plight of war orphans in postwar Europe. After World War II, the United States began to disarm, seeking the halcyon isolationist peace it knew before. However, by 1949, the political reaction in the US to international Communism led to the jingoistic Red Scare. It became an example of the kind of film some in and out of government didn't like: (1) it was made by Communists in Hollywood, (2) its theme was pacifist, and (3) it expressed racial and ethnic tolerance.

When Howard Hughes, the armaments manufacturer, purchased RKO in May 1948, half the staff quit (including BWGH's producer and studio VP, Dore Schary) and others were fired. Hughes tried to change BWGH in several ways, including screaming at 12 year old Dean Stockwell to change his lines to a call for a stronger military. But Stockwell, though terrified of Hughes, believed in the film's message and refused. Allegedly, Hughes was unable to re-edit or change the film to his liking. So, he likely sabotaged it in other ways. The film was banned in some places, and Hughes soon pulled it from distribution and shelved it. Its box office is difficult to determine, though Variety reported it did respectable to fair business but not "socko". If critics understood it was a parable, then they were okay with it. If they thought it was literal, then they didn't understand it at all. Generally, they thought the story tepid and uneven. Both the director and a co author, Ben Barzman (who'd adopted a war orphan), were blacklisted. Other careers were hurt over this film, and even Stockwell stated in a 1990 interview that he's surprised he wasn't blacklisted, too, because of the fury over BWGH.

It opens in the period following the war. Twelve year old Peter Frye (Stockwell) is telling his story to a psychiatrist. Peter has a bald, white head. He is a sad, lonely boy whose parents were killed in the war and has been shuttled among relatives. Finally, he goes to live with a distant relative he calls Gramp (Pat O'Brien), a retired entertainer. Peter displays an active imagination and a tendency to exaggerate. But Gramp's Irish tall tales, gentle wisdom, and magic tricks are a fair match for Peter's little fibs. There is genuine affection between them. Then, while bathing one morning, Peter discovers his hair has turned emerald green. Peter first thinks it's one of Gramp's magic tricks, but it seems that the transformation is inexplicable and Peter hates it. So does almost everyone else. Eventually, Peter learns that the green hair is a mark that there must never be another war, and he delivers this message to the town. The town doctor tells Gramp that "Peter will discover it's a dangerous thing for a man to have green hair." Peter becomes an enemy of the people and hunted as an outcast.

It's quite rich in subtext. The story follows the pattern of the mythic Hero's Journey, during which Peter, like the postwar US, loses his illusions and innocence. He accepts the necessity of his parents' mission to save children from war and their deaths. He is complete now and happy in Gramp's love Further, I see the green hair as an image of the Green Man, the ancient Celtic icon of spring and rebirth after winter. The Green Man appears as a face adorned with green leaves and sometimes wearing a cap of stag antlers. This is forecast with Peter's baseball cap, which has a design like two horns on it, and when he is playing with his green hair in the bathroom mirror he forms two antler-like spires out it. Peter, in the spring of his life, is a symbol of the promise of new life, peace, and tolerance.

There are also plausible clues about Peter's green hair and his peace message. Peter may be an unreliable narrator, considering his imagination, history of exaggeration, and belief in Gramp's magic tricks. We also recall he washed his hair with a bar of green soap that morning. At the denouement, we may wonder, like the psychiatrist, whether Peter's hair turned green. Was it imagined, magic, a miracle, or an accident? Still, Peter has his message to sustain him.

Despite its troubled past, the film is a cult classic. It has been released again on vhs, when I would've preferred a dvd. The transfer might've been better. The new release from Terra Entertainment also has an acceptable image, probably on par with an internet version I've seen. Though I'm certain Losey sometimes shot in subdued light to fit the mood. Perhaps Stockwell might've offered commentary for a dvd. He's almost the last survivor of the principal cast. Though he viscerally hated acting as a child, he gave a very mature, thoughtful performance. Variety's review commented on Stockwell's "absorbing and sensitive" performance, as did others. Few juvenile performers today can match him. His home studio, MGM, now aware they had a standout juvenile star after "Genleman's Agreement" (he'd won a Golden Globe award) and BWGH (he'd won the Parent's Magazine award), exploited his talent. His famous roles in "Down to the Sea in Ships", "The Secret Garden", "The Happy Years", and "Kim" followed immediately. I believe it should be restored. It was the little film that caused a lot of trouble.

A classic, mostly unknown....and unnappreciated.
I first saw this movie when I was a child, and was immediately fascinated by it. I have seen it many times since, and enjoy it each time. It is a war story, (WWII) about a little boy, Dean Stockwell, (Peter) who loses both his parents and goes to live with his grandfather, Gramps, wonderfully played by Pat O'Brien. Gramps is a magician by nature and a waiter by trade, and he must work nights, consequently leaving young Peter home alone. The boy is terrified at first, but Gramps reassures him with the sentence: "There's nothing in the dark that wasn't there when the lights were on." He amuses the boy with magic tricks, and eventually wins his trust and love. One day at school there is a paper drive for war orphans, and it is then, from a classmate, (with the typical cruelty of children) tells him he resembles a boy in one of the war posters, and Peter responds: "I do not look like him; anyway, he's a war orphan." And the classmate says, "So are you." And that's how he finds out his parents are never coming back, and he really is a war orphan, and feeling betrayed, mistrusts Gramps and his teacher, and everyone else. Then he wakes up one morning and finds his hair has turned green. He is astonished, as is Gramps, who finds the color is permanent and will not wash out. When he goes to school that day, he attracts a great deal of attention, and at first, it's interesting; then people start to panic: "It's the milk, it's the school," etc. and fear spreads. So finally, the milkman complains and everyone shuns Peter and Gramps takes him to the barbershop where he has his head shaved completely bald. He wears a cap, but still the kids at school plague him, and one day, on the way home from school they chase him into the woods. They go away, he loses them, and finds himself in a glade, and flings himself down on the ground, crying...he looks up suddenly, aware that he is not alone, and sees a group of poor, bedraggled children, all sorrowful, all terribly thin, with torn, ragged clothes. The tallest and oldest of the children, a boy of about fourteen, speaks and tells him why his hair turned green...and why it is of such importance. The performances are fantastic, and the musical score is superb, a song written by a true original, **Eden Ahbez, the real First Hippie/rebel:

(**he was a legend in Hollywood for his unusual life style. Even after he and Jacobsen had a son, they kept on living out under the stars, with not much more than a bicycle, their sleeping bags, and a juicer to their name. The story may be apochryphal, but it's said that once, when Ahbez was being hassled by a cop who assumed from his wild appearance that he deserved to be hauled off to a mental institution, he remarked calmly, "I look crazy, but I'm not. And the funny thing is, that other people don't look crazy, but they are." The cop thought it over and responded, "You know bud, you're right. If anybody gives you any trouble, let me know.")

and it is called, aptly, "Nature Boy", sung beautifully by Nat King Cole. Haunting melody. It should be required viewing in all schools, and should also be released on DVD. Buy the VHS and see it, you are in for a great night's entertainment and more. ... Read more