Reviews

It is difficult to imagine how a grade school teenager performed so brilliantly and courageously in World War 2 given the circumstances that he was part of all the major theaters of operation in Europe. He was and will always be remembered as a hero.

Perhaps my viewpoint is tinted because of all the superior docudramas that have unfolded in Hollywood over the past 15 years. This was a 50s war movie and Hollywood didn't really capture realism even with Audie in the lead role.

Knowing it is a true account of Murphy's unbelievable heroics, the director wandered through the film with with a typical script of the time that didn't give Mr Murphy the proper credit he so rightly deserved. The so-called Italian girl scene didn't help the movie.

Realism was absent during critical scenes and the uniforms (so clean) did not help its' believability. God love Audie and God bless him and it is too bad, considering the subject, that that Hollywood didn't spend enough time making the story much greater than it was depicted.

Director Hill and Actor Robert Duvall collaborate to bring to the TV screen, an epic western. Duvall, no stranger to cattle/horse drives (Lonesome Dove) steals the show with his inherent ability to depict a turn of the century trail boss. We are treated to superior production values, great cinematography as Duvall and his cowboys move 500 head of beautiful horses northwest and encounter love, villainy and danger during their sojourn. Duvall's animated movements and true western rhetoric leave you anxiously waiting for the next scene. The entire cast works hard to bring realism and believability to an excellent script. Although "Lonesome Dove" has been the standard for TV westerns since the 80's, you will find this presentation at a level commensurate with top shelf western productions.

A much better than average TV film. Cinematography and solid acting performances make it worthy of watching. A fine story of a WWII pilot who visits his old base in England during a veteran's reunion. Mitchum,the pilot, reunites with his old love,Deborah Kerr. Add a peace activist grandaughter and several old Army Air Force buddies and the story develops nicely. Mitchum rules and the film is good family fare.

Paul Hogan has been "The Austrailan" in terms of the American viewpoint that he was fresh,new and quite a different comedian. It seems that he was told he could make a " A Million" being that funny "That's A Knife" character. Well, I am not looking forward to Crocadile Dundee 4. Dundee 2 faded and Paul Hogan in Los Angeles might as well been "Crocadile Dundee Tries to pull the "Wool". The script and acting belongs on "Ripley's Believe it or Not". I personally got very bored waiting for something funny to happen. Hogan is talented as is, his wife, but give me a break! It smacks of "Lets see how much we can get away with". It obviously was a lousy idea and indeed, a "Bomb" movie.

This movie lives up to the catch name "Sleeper". When it first appeared in theatres, I wasin the USAF, stationed in Thule, Greenland. Advertisment and Publicity for this film must have been meager. It is a powerfully done World War 11 drama with an exceptional European cast. Holden is at his fiery best as a Sweedish Oil magnate duped into spying for the allies. Lili Palmer stunningly beautiful as Holden's contact and love interest. European locations and a good script of a true story make this spy adventure a top 1960s - must see.

As a senior I'll make a couple of stock comments; "They don't make em like this anymore and " Pop culture of the 50's in the USA was artful and demanded talent. Beautiful and sensuous Cyd Charisse and "All Pro" musical dancer Fred Astaire team up wonderfully to update and old story put to music. The settings are lush and the dancing is suberp. Peter Lorre and Janis Paige add the right touch of humor and talent. Although much of the "Cold War" lingo seemed corny, if you were an adult at the time this movie was made, you'll find it hillarious but so true. All said and done, it is a pleasureable treat!

Exploration buffs are still arguing about Dr. Cook's credentials and Peary's claim to the North Pole. Chamberlain and Steiger are certainly more than qualified to portray these real life explorer's and it is a shame that scripting,direction and special effects give this film below average ratings, especially if one is a history buff.

After enjoying Mr Martin's voice in many musicals, I found it very difficult to buy his casting and acting in a Western! The story line was ok, however Mr. Martin bombs as a cowboy and I wonder who put him upto this endeavor which falls very short of the mark.

The question of "Adultry" doesn't sway my view of this film, however the casting does. For those who have read the book, the film follows the Waller's romantic endeavor about an unattached National Geographic photographer and a naturalized Italian/American housewife in the mid-west. Perhaps contractual or legal aspects of bringing this novella to the screen resulted in an Eastwood/Streep tandem. Streep is a great American actress with tons of credentials. Eastwood has proven his worth in both acting and directing. Without naming anyone, I feel that several other male/female tandems could have made this movie "Great". As it stands I credit it with a respectable "6". Streep's italian accent was off the mark and once more she looks as much Italian as Katie Hepburn. Great love story for romantics, could have been a movie milestone with the right actors.

During the peek of his career, John Wayne chooses to be part of this film vehicle, which goes nowhere fast. Miss Loren and her beauty may stop one from zapping it off your VCR. I was stationed in Tripoli, Libya when this film was made and have a snapshot of Miss loren having lunch with Rosanno Brazzi. Capturing her photograph was a real rush, however viewing the film in later years was a big dissapointment. The film chose a great location but it looks like script formats and overall direction wasted an otherwise good cast

Roland Huntford's meticulous and exhaustive research of Scott and Amudsen's Antarctic exploration efforts for winning the South Pole help make the making of this film a Directors dream and challenge. Outstanding cinematography and period costume design push this great story to the highest level of viewing. The film should be mandatory viewing for all highschoolers. The historical and geographical values will enhance ones knowledge of this very special period of Antarctic exploration in the early 1900s. The British and Norwegian actors perform their skills with convincing emotion. The film, based on Huntford's documentary brilliance, gives us all time to ponder what really happened in claiming the South Pole and lays to rest a good deal of sentimental nonsense,which some of us were subjected to during our high school days.