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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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 he neither ... Read More:
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One of my favourites but almost inaccessible - not currently for sale as a DVD and to my knowledge never shown on UK TV since 2001 - yet this is a classic, a first rate production that qualifies for cult status. This gorgeously filmed tale of a colony of hedonistic British upper-class expatriates near Nairobi in the 1940s continues to resonate with me after many years and many other films.
Based on James Fox's novel of the same name and subtly directed by Michael Radford, these shallow, self-absorbed residents of "Happy Valley" pursued a debauched search for pleasure through sex, drugs, alcohol, cross-dressing soirees, spouse-swapping get-togethers, and even a cocktail reception in a cemetery.
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 he neither sees or hears. Here is a man now ... Read More:
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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 he neither sees or hears. Here is a man now ... Read More:
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I am rating this movie three stars as the result of some complicated mathematics, of which the detail is as follows:
- basically, this is a ONE star movie. Why? Because in this movie virtually NOTHING happens! And this is a REEEAAAAALLLLYYYYY long one - 132 minutes is not a small thing to swallow, believe me, I know! Now, this kind of movie can be very dangerous. The first time I went to see it, I was with a date. Now, this date was to become later my fiance, then my bride, my life companion and ultimately the mother of my children. All of which almost didn't happen, because of this movie! Even now, after all this time, my wife reminds me "The Age of Innocence" disaster if she wants to put me down. So, be warned - this is a VERY long nothing!
I am rating this movie three stars as the result of some complicated mathematics, of which the detail is as follows:
- basically, this is a ONE star movie. Why? Because in this movie virtually NOTHING happens! And this is a REEEAAAAALLLLYYYYY long one - 132 minutes is not a small thing to swallow, believe me, I know! Now, this kind of movie can be very dangerous. The first time I went to see it, I was with a date. Now, this date was to become later my fiance, then my bride, my life companion and ultimately the mother of my children. All of which almost didn't happen, because of this movie! Even now, after all this time, my wife reminds me "The Age of Innocence" disaster if she wants to put me down. So, be warned - this is a VERY long nothing!
One of four big pictures made intended to re-create the Gainsborough era of British movie-making. These were made at the end of the 80s. Successfully done with tremendous productions using lavish sets and costumes. Some of the greatest names in modern British cinema starred.
'Duel of Hearts' is based on a great novel by the one and only queen of romance Barbara Cartland, but there's enough dramatic plots here to appeal to everyone! Stars; Geraldine Chaplin, Richard Johnson, Virginia McKenna, Beryl Reid, Billie Whitelaw and a very dishy Tom Adams! (one could be forgiven for thinking it is Alexandra Bastedo of 'The Champions' in the leading role - but it is in fact Alison Doody!)
The making of these four great pictures (the other three being: 'The Ghost in Monte ... Read More:
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Richard Lester and Alexander Salkind rekindled that old Alexandre Dumas (père) favourite of One for All and All for One! with a stirling cast, all of whom played their parts well and wore their splendiferous costumes with both dignity and aplomb. The 17th Century appears to be remembered as a time of loquacious and flippant humour ... which some may find 'less than serious.' Still, it's a colourful and thoroughly enjoyable swashbuckling and cloak-swirling romp. In fact, I wanted - and still want - one of those ostrich-feathered hats!
Although there was only one book (Les Trois Mouquetaires), Richard Lester shot THE THREE MUSKETTERS and THE FOUR MUSKETEERS primarily in Spain, and back-to-back as one film, but released them as two ... and payed the cast for one only. And there was much wailing and ... Read More:
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Having read the book at least three times, I wanted to see the TV adaptation, but was very disappointed that the book and characters had been followed so loosely. Very little in the TV drama gripped me, although it was pleasant enough, and so many of the book's characters and situations had been omitted or changed, that it was barely the same story. That being said, I am still considering buying the video.
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