I first saw this film 30 years ago and was bowled over by the scenery and the actors. Recently I decided to watch it with a more critical eye and found to my surprise that I was even more captivated by the vastness of the landscape which throughout the film forms the backdrop for the tragic love story that unfolds.
At first I thought that Sharif's Zhivago was too "soft" but as the film unfolded I realised that he was "the poet". Christie was as always perfect as Lara and we shouldn't forget Chaplin as the dutiful and loving wife. She plays the role with just the right amount of pathos. However it is Steiger and Courtney who carry the film.
The sight of Courtney standing at the front of a military train rushing past civilians that ... Read More:
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Another Harry Potter film and just like the first 2 films this is an enjoyable film whilst being nothing special. In fact this is a little better than the its two prequels which is a reason I enjoyed it more. The story is getting darker, the young actors are getting better and this movie sucked me in more than the other two did. However, I have given it 3/5 just like I did for the other films although I was tempted to give it 4 instead. I have never read the books, so Im not one of these that bores people by saying "its not as good as the book". Enjoy it for what it is .... an enjoyable childrens films that you can happly watch with your kids.
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I endorse everything said by previous reviewers in acknowledging the power, beauty and sheer creepiness of this film classic, hence the 5 stars. Equally, I am appalled at this new DVD version that can offer such poor quality sound and would give it only 1 star if it were possible to rate the sound separately. The earlier release from Warner in 2002, though not brilliant sonically, is still preferable to this travesty. The message is - if you have the previous version, hang on to it. If you haven't, try to get one.
As for those who want to dismiss this movie in favour of the 'new horror' such as SAW or HOSTEL - all I can feel is pity for them. I am a long-standing fan and collector of the genre, going back to the silent classics, taking in ... Read More:
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Sad to hear that this one is still the same old shocking transfer of a really great and beautifully (Nic Roeg) filmed movie. To use the title of another Julie Christie/Nic Roeg work "Don't Look Now".
Why?
I have a notification from Amazon.com (US) that there is a NEW release due on January 27th 2009 (search it out). If there's any justice in filmdom - THAT one will be the remastered version we've all been longing and waiting for. Thanks to the previous two reviewers!!! And thanks Amazon UK for not automatically appending 57 previous unrelated reviews (of VHS tapes et al) to this release.
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The use of puppets and animation somehow enable a more real character of Jesus to be portrayed without the baggage of actors and sets. It is how I see he would really have related to people.
This is without doubt the greatest film ever filmed in Yorkshire - Bradford and a bit of Leeds ( and a short scene in Oxford Street). It has no faults, so rare for any film.
This was the film that made Julie Christie into a star, however she was not the first choice. The first Liz was played by Topsy Jane who became ill during the shoot and had to be replaced. Julie Christie was chosen because she was the first person they asked who was free to go to Bradford that week.
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This is without a doubt, the greatest, most heartbreaking, opulent and involving adaptation of Hamlet that will ever, ever, ever be in existence. We have seen 3 versions in our Shakespeare-obsessional career, and this is absolutely and by far the best. You just cannot compare this to anything else. It's our favourite film in the whole wide world. Kenneth Branagh delivers his lines with subtlety, genuine emotion and real understanding, which is key. He is our favourite actor in the world due to this film alone! Don't let the length put you off, you won't want it to end even after 4 hours. It is a joy to watch!
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This film may be set in swinging London, but it's a world away from the good natured celebrations of coolness and fabness that films whose action was centred on Carnaby Street tended to be. In Schlesinger's London, marriage to your first love - however settled and however many kds you have - will inevitably end in divorce when you meet someone younger and better dressed. You may be a Nobel winning novelist - but you will still give away your most valued possessions in return from some flattery from a pretty girl. Decency is old fashoned and loyalty - even to your closest friends - isn't worth giving up a 'liaison' for. Even when the object of your attention is your (male) best friend's new boyfriend. The - startlingly contemporary feeling - amorality of Diana's ... Read More:
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The three lead actors acted well, within the severe limitations of the anodyne script, but this was a shallow and sugar-coated film that wasn't a patch on "Iris", either for realism or emotion. I was starting to wonder if the two Alzheimers patients and their spouses were going to get together as a soft-focussed foursome and gambol across the snowy fields in slow motion, playing snowballs.
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