Out on a Limb (TV Mini Series 1987) Poster

(1987)

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8/10
The spiritual journey of Shirley Maclaine on self-discovery process!!!
elo-equipamentos16 May 2020
Shirley Maclaine had a nerve to expose your sanity in this bold book that later was taken to screen, here in Brazil the Spiritualist are around of three per cent of the entire population, whose I include myself, watching just a small part of Out on a Limb on 1987, which I'm didn't known the Spiritism properly yet, recently came out a double DVD of this movie, now watching this overlong endeavor of Shirley Maclaine, sadly she spent much time with her love affair with Gerry Stamford (Charles Dance) and doesn't going straight in the point, she will slowly walking by the edge to the center in four hours long, presented as mini-series I'd understood perfectly that it was so hard compressed the book in short time as possible, however it's a great picture, exposing her private life to mockery of the western civilization, she talked about past life, why she was involved with a married man, his guide on earth and also his journey of self-discovery on Peru, also putting an alleged Alien on the story, maybe she went too far, maybe not, in my opinion the Spiritism itself almost erased by Christian Church due they got the power over the mass, although it was plenty accepted on entire Asia and middle west by several religions, it's a complex matter to discuss widely, it needs an exhaustive studies of countless reliable authors of good books, as I did in last twenty years and l still learning!!!

Resume:

First watch: 1987 / How many: 2 / Source: TV-DVD / Rating: 8
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7/10
Better than expected and Shirley is hot
Matthew_Capitano29 May 2017
Not bad docudrama of a very pretty Shirley MacLaine describing her path of awareness.

Some strained romantic interludes - which most women will no doubt find alluring - are included in the movie, but the film is literally interesting once Shirley embarks on her 'journey' to find the meaning of life and all that. I still could never detach myself from the possibility that Shirley is just some bored rich chick who needed something to do, thus she began her little self-discovery thing. Having said that, the flick is okay, save the frustration of her character (herself) tolerating that spooky married British guy (Charlie Dance) when she had a more promising prospect in the enlightened beach bum (John Heard). Anne Jackson tags along as an over-bearing matza ball.

Check it out. There are some clips of Shirley performing on Broadway.
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A turning point film for me
coolade6 June 2002
Warning: Spoilers
This is only one story of Ms MacLaine's spiritual journey. Four hours, to me is rather overlong but I enjoyed it and it had the effect of encouraging me to look at reincarnation, ufos, and mediums. Her story of enlightenment is centred around her affair with a British politician played by Charles Dance with whom it is alleged that she had a previous incarnation in Atlantis. The film is in two parts - the first surrounding her affair and, the second part with her trip to Peru. The amazing thing about this film is that the mediums were the actual mediums she saw in real life and they actually went into trance. This shows as they don't have the polished performances of actors. Favourite scene: where she has an out of body experience in a pool. Things I didn't like: the fur coat she wore in Sweden - it was gross. The ending was leading us to a ufo sighting, but it never happened - that was a disappointment to me, although the car being steered by an invisible entity made up for it somewhat. As a film it wouldn't get an oscar, but it was never made with this in mind. Her books are amazing too.
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10/10
Speaking as a medium for 40 years I can identify with this movie
john_carter_bsc31 March 2008
This true story is an excellent movie that took a lot of guts by Shirley Maclaine to admit to, for her career and possible sanity were questionable after its release. I have been a physic for 40 years and can testify that in my experience the content is accurate. I know there are two types of entity with whom I can communicate. In this movie it only explores the possibility of Alien interaction with our lives and the benefits that can have. The early part of the story concentrates more on her relationship with a British Government official and the love affair that results. This is a good, rather bland "ordinary life" contrast to the almost surreal action that follows.
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10/10
Shirley MacLaine really goes out on that limb
indialm3 May 2012
Warning: Spoilers
I saw this on TV in the 1980's and remember thinking that she was setting herself up for all kinds of ridicule. But she portrays herself in the film, the way I think she did when these events were actually happening to her. It takes a brave person to come out and say they were on a search for evidence of extraterrestrial life, especially when they have the fame and acclaim she does. I loved the casting of Charles Dance, one of my favorite actors, as the married politician she was in love with, but is convinced that they have been together in other "lifetimes" which is why they are so drawn to each other. As most of the other real life characters real names were used, I had to find out who Dance's character was based on, as she doesn't reveal this. It was easy to discover on the Internet, so if you are curious, look there. Playing herself in this film helps the viewer to take it seriously. She is skeptical about the whole alien thing and makes no bones about it. But through her narration she adds an extra "voice" to her thought processes as she extends her search for knowledge. She shows she has an open mind throughout and in turn, that made me take seriously what would be normally a film I might dismiss as fluff. The film is almost impossible to find to purchase. I finally found it on an obscure website. I have watched this film several times now and I see something new in it every time.

If you are looking for a fun, frolicking film, this isn't it.

If you are looking for one person's (albeit famous) journey for meaning in her life, you won't be disappointed.
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9/10
Inspiring and thought provoking
postforgale19 February 2010
This film and Ms. MacLaine's humanitarian concerns were (at the risk of being ridiculed) an attempt to empower and enlighten us from the 20th century. To save us from ourselves and to remind us of our connections to one another. A true pioneer in an era lost to greed and capitalism. Philosophers as early as 300 BC understood the force of God in all of us. That goodness and love can overcome bad and evil. This film inspired me to look beyond the injustices I incurred as child. To look at the big picture and to understand that everything we do must be for the good of future generations. That mankind's journey and survival depends on a openness of mind and the foresight to stand together as one against all diversity even at the risk of being ridiculed and dangling "out on a limb".
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9/10
Very interesting
kevjfarrell21 March 2015
I read the book before seeing the mini series. It followed the book accurately and was helped by having Shirley as herself. It made it more believable. I read all the IMDb user reviews of this and they are all valid.

For me it really touched me as I was exploring my own questions about the meaning of life. This just seemed to help put all my jumbled thoughts into place. This kind of new age philosophy is the one that sits most comfortably in my head. After seeing this and reading other books I have undoubtedly become more spiritual - not religious!!! I look at life and the world with different eyes now. It doesn't give you all the answers. As most people who have traveled the path that I have in their spiritual awakening, there are more questions than answers - but isn't that what life as we know it is all about? Without the questions, there is no evolution. Once we know everything, then life as we know it is meaningless. If you're reading this then you are obviously on your path too - good luck!!! I highly recommend this mini-series - or the book. They are both the same!
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5/10
Unusual TV
harry-7619 November 2003
Shirley MacLaine in 1987 had the skill and courage to both write and star in a supposed autobiographical miniseries delineating her spiritual journey.

Such topics as guides, reincarnation, and self discovery are plunged into with abandon by MacLaine. Having read her book upon which this script is based, I appreciate her creativity, imagination, and tenacity to bring this challenging project to fruition.

What I don't readily grasp is the volume of unique metaphysical occurrences that the heroine is alleged to have had. For one example: an extended car ride in the dead of night at top speed, down a narrow forest trail while dodging trees right and left--with none but "spirit" operating the vehicle.

While it makes for dramatic tv, it does stimulate wonder as to where actual facts leave off and creative writing begins. As for many profound questionings tackled, these touch us all and are part of the human spiritual quest.

Many viewers, however, may lack an intense interest in this subject to stick with it throughout its lengthy two-part running time. Those who do may well be rewarded with an intriguing introduction into New Age philosophy.
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1/10
An open letter to Charles Dance
oloiatao19 August 2015
Dear Charles,

I sure hope you were well-paid for this toe-curlingly awful vanity project. Not yours, of course. No man could possibly be vain and appear in dreck like this.

Your performance was perfect, of course. You convincingly embodied the romantic intellectual. You made it very easy to believe in Gerry's fascination with Shirley.

I've got to give you lots of respect: clearly, as an artist you're willing to take on risk. You've done (what must be unpleasant) work in order to fulfill your responsibilities as a husband and father. You've consistently delivered top-quality performances in the most unworthy projects. And in addition to all that, I've never seen or heard you even once complain or disparage anyone.

But Charles, even my love isn't enough to withstand watching "Out on a Limb." Taking most excellent advice from another of your pictures,* I decided to leave off watching after fifteen minutes. It is better to preserve my love for you than immolate it in service of checking off another item on your c.v.

Yours affectionately,

Oloiatao

*Dorothy: I believe in love. Not just getting it, but giving it. I think that if you're able to love someone, even if they don't know it, even if they can't love you back, then it's worth it. (Gosford Park)
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a film about reincarnation, past lives confusion and self discovery
Hastings1066AD15 June 2001
A daring and ballsy move by SHIRLEY MCLAINE to explain her discovery on her personal truth on reincarnation. The topic of reincarnation and past lives is subjective to each person as religion and ideology should be. yet, the book and movie that spawned from it as well as tv appearances were daring. There have been a few times myself Ihave met people inlife who resemble people who died in a past life of one of my ancestors. The concept of reincarnation is open to debate but interesting at best. The woman in this film was open to attack several times by far right religous groups who view all reincarnation buffs or explorers as a nazi grade generational lines cult..this is not the case. Not by a long shot. Reincarnation, suppose you meet a person you met during a past life this doesn't mean you are inclined to date etc. This film and her tv experiences relayed on shows like DONAHUE etc. were ballsy and daring in a era when people didn't want to talk about this stuff and her story a catalyst for change. I have my own opinion on this topic yet, well don't all of us? Interesting topic. I saw at least a hour of this film. I liked the live apppearances better.
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