I teach GCSE drama in a rough Saff London Comp and get the students hooked with Baz Lurhrmann's modern version of it and then to teach them more of what Shakespeare had in mind when he wrote the play, I show them this one by Zeffirelli - it works a treat. It is beautifully done, universal in its themes and appeal and the acting is rivitingly good - especially the very young and beautiful Olivia Hussy, though Michael York as a petulant Tybalt is equally good.
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I think I have been spoilt. Watching the new BBC version of Tess inspired me to watch this ITV version again and in my opinion, it doesn't come close to matching it!
One thing it it's favour is that I love Oliver Milburn as Angel! He is gorgeous and this is worth watching for him alone. I think the chemistry he and Justine Waddell share is electric. I am not so convinced of Justine as Tess. She lacks the innocence of Tess and I found her acting a bit forced.
The most annoying thing for me though is the commentary all the way through. Talk about ruining the moment! Whoever came up with that idea should have been sacked.
Perhaps I have been too harsh. It is a moving portrayal of the story and I did cry at the ... Read More:
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I bought this for my 6 and 9 year old girls, we watched it once and they told me they never want to see it again.
They sat horror-struck at the worsening cruelty and rejection suffered by the poor horse. Me too.I kept wondering why it's hailed as a great family film when we all felt miserable by the end! Not even seeing Sean could cheer me up.
I daren't even give it to a charity shop for fear of traumatising any more kids.
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This was Ridley Scott's first movie and it won him an award at Cannes too ,with a great cast including Harvey keitel ,Keith carradine ,Edward fox and many more ,he had a great oppurtunity and he did not waste it for sure .
There are obvious flaws in this really glossy look at eighteenth century europe where two maniacs duel with swords and pistols in every corner of europe from Marseilles to Lubeck over a period extending to almost two decades.
Scott lights every corner and bush with a candle light or luminous mist to make this almost a romantic painting by Fragonard or Delacroix-but ultimately the 2 actors rescue him from turning the script into a stylised monstrosity-though only by a slight margin itself.
An entertaining film - not original and not really very believable in places BUT it was entertaining and appealing to a wide (i.e. men and women) audience as it featured football and Sean Bean. What more can I say?
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The '80s were the era of the miniseries - big name (for TV anyway) stars, theme songs by well-known singers, international locations - it was all there. The miniseries was the visual form of the blockbuster novel, a genre that seems sadly lost to all us TV junkies now. The classics of this wickedly enjoyable genre included "Lace", "Hollywood Wives", "Deceptions", "Scruples" - and "Sins". Only the latter has been released on glossy DVD - so far - and you should lap it up while it is available.
"Sins" is a perfect example of classy trash. Starring then TV queen Joan Collins, this slickly produced sudser features an incredible all-star cast, a deliciously implausible story, exotic and beautiful locations, and a record 85 costumes changes for Joan. Carly Simon ... Read More:
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An extraordinary film from Christine Edzard, who also directed Little Dorrit. The film has an atmospheric, almost Dickensian ambience. Jacobi is superb, underplaying his dual roles while clearly establishing two different characters. The supporting cast, especially Cyril Cusack, is also--forgive the repetition--superb. The subtle social satire regarding the haves' attitudes toward the havenots (and vice versa), is clearly relevant today.
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I teach GCSE drama in a rough Saff London Comp and get the students hooked with Baz Lurhrmann's modern version of it and then to teach them more of what Shakespeare had in mind when he wrote the play, I show them this one by Zeffirelli - it works a treat. It is beautifully done, universal in its themes and appeal and the acting is rivitingly good - especially the very young and beautiful Olivia Hussy, though Michael York as a petulant Tybalt is equally good.
>>More Details
I bought this for my 6 and 9 year old girls, we watched it once and they told me they never want to see it again.
They sat horror-struck at the worsening cruelty and rejection suffered by the poor horse. Me too.I kept wondering why it's hailed as a great family film when we all felt miserable by the end! Not even seeing Sean could cheer me up.
I daren't even give it to a charity shop for fear of traumatising any more kids.
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This Play is one of the most important pieces of drama and poetry in Shakespeare's complete works. A cycle of peace and quiet is disturbed by an incestuous crime, both the murder of a brother and the hasty and sensuous marriage of the murderer with the victim's wife, a marriage which is totally against the normal Christian and feudal rules of the time : you are not supposed to covet the wife of your brother. Then havoc falls onto the kingdom of Denmark. Hamlet is forced to play deranged and crazy to save his life and to cover up his violent defense against dangers around him. Ophelia will get deranged to the point of drowning herself. Then the cycle of disturbances will go on to its utter end which means the destruction of all the protagonists. Shakespeare's vision does not stop ... Read More:
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