Reviews

This film won accolades. All actors act their socks off. Very tense and at times quite moving.

If only these actors could do a sequel, albeit without the delightful actor David Warner. As an aged couple obviously. The film does allow for this.

The script is tight and the direction tighter! The late David Warner, Malcolm McDowell and Mary Steerburgen could easily have been nominated for Oscars.

Unlike some quotes I do not find this a romantic comedy at all. It has the necessary gravitas and soul screaming presence to make this a classic horror. Steerburgen's deadpan creation gives the film additional kudos. It is delightful and the actors a credit to their craft. Hollywood produced a timeless classic a real one of a kind. Well done all the cast, directors and producers.

Thes men and women could sure act. A powerful episode. Lodge and Waterman bring true grit and gravitas at the end of the denouement. Very moving Leslie Anne Down, perfect and yes the singer from Manfred Mann, puts in a strong shift. John Thaw at the very, very top of the list. Moving and toe curling -the victims have our sympathy but so does "Pop". One day we will wonder just why Waterman Thaw et al. Were not revered in the way some of the British greats have been? Maybe some snobbery was always about? This is a masterpiece of fast TV that we now miss. We miss Sir John and the amazingly talented Denis. David Lodge a top pro that brings out the best of the rest. Proper telly.

So this is a 1/10 My sense of judgement is mine and I am not one these days for describing any film as 2-9 it's just a hit or a miss a 1 or 10. This could have been sumptuous. TV show Poirot showed the world how it must be done. Any whodunnit must be true to that format or fail I am afraid. It really does NOT help that the WPC is not wearing her hair in a bun, or net, why so? Shoddy attention to detail here. That the cars were built after 1953 and that the inclusion of inclusivity is apparent and not one tatty banger or noise in central London is so very odd. The WPC is not the perfect foil and the Inspector is too liberal in attitude. I like the idea of using the Mousetrap and so this really should have been better. This is cosy and comfortable but would only be watched once by me. Sad that -as the direction and the photo shoots are sumptuous. London in 1953 is too quiet. No way would any uniform not wear a hat. The scene of the late arrival of the inspector, being safeguarded by the constable, to their Commissioner of police is nonsense. OK why does that matter? Surely this is just entertainment? Well it matters and is therefore shoddy. I needed so much more attention a la Poirot. 1/10.

Hawkins is imperious and possibly his finest display of acting? It truly captures real drama and has you locked into the undercurrent of living within the Nazi regime. The actors have all turned up and put in a dream performance. This must NOT contain spoilers so I just have to ask you to trust in my knowing you will not be disappointed. It is dark, well scripted and has strong production values. The despair and triumph will have to wait. Unlike some mention this has nothing to do with the real man that some say the film and story is based on. It is hard at times given the subject to not wince. A worthy film. A spy thriller? Certainly.

This is a fit stuffed full of nothing. It is almost laughable. I can't imagine any actor being pleased with the end result of awfulness but I guess the one actor who is trying to play his role is the angel -sent to bring some order to the chaos of a tragedy? (Take a bow Derek McGrath).

The whole thing is undeveloped and so assuming. One cannot buy into this it seems so hopeless as a film albeit a one made for TV? What were they doing producing directing and acting out this turkey?

Sometimes a film is so bad I give it a ten, but this runs short of even that.

It appears that someone wanted to make an Xmas movie that threw in everything. It's dull and even with an unexpected twist (well done they) so terribly, terribly dull.

OK, we all realise that Sandler plays Sandler. He plays a real "goofy" sister (why is that funny?) BUT Pacino proves he is the greatest screen actor by bringing credibility to this "film". It is awful BUT there are some great one liners and jokes. "In" jokes that are not now funny -and were probably not funny then? Sandler encourages "Jewish" "jokery" throughout - in the way that only certain people can? He plays his twin as slightly goofy AKA as "retarded" in the way that Sandler always does - and he is no Jerry Lewis is he? BUT, again that word, It DOES deliver laughs. If only he had found an actress to play the role of the twin sister then maybe this film could have delivered but you only see, even with the trickery: Sandler in drag, very odd. In fact with black face white face issues maybe someone playing a straight female as a man might be questionable - are there no cross dressing actors in Hollywood? This film made money and if you do watch it at Xmas, then watch it with the young kids and their old grannies, as they WILL giggle. A film not for those found in-between childhood or near death But Al Pacino walks it.

Well, this is advertised as a comedy, today I am certain it is actually a strong spin on the norm not actually played for laughs? I enjoyed this and as I watch it again I have changed my mind on this being a dud( I only score 10 or 1 these days, a sort of "hit" or "miss") No the script is tight. It seems highly risky but for me it succeeds. It disappointed a 1980s audience and millions didn't get to see it. But those millions missed a delight. There is reason why it has matured so, very well: the actors. Good scenes well assembled cast about them makes this highly watchable and good family fare. This is more than a silly homage to a say Abbott and Costello, this really is not being played quite for laughs, so consequently you get "hammy" the way Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce might have played this? Sadly they didn't produce a run in the same way as those 1940s films were able to deliver canon based around the two actors. Shame Caine and Ben don deliver a performance. Give it a go.

Well I stayed and watched this film unfold. Charming period drama albeit a bit too clever and today such racial stereotypes would not be tolerated. However as it was 1951 we can forgive the essential prejudice that is necessary for the plot to remain plausible. I liked it and will watch again. A very fine film that has aged better than many. I liked the many actors in this that went on to become regular names in films and TV. Take bow all of you. It was an amazing watch and great twist at the very end that made me smile. A fine denouement. No idea why this bombed in the UK it was good enough and better than so much out there at the time. Do watch this. But park your sense of justice and go with out all.

A tight script and a cast of A listers, what can possibly go wrong? Nothing. It is perfect. The drama is everywhere. Why no Oscars? This is high end entertainment. A must see. I have seen it so many times. It used to be on always at Christmas, alongside similar greats that include "Ice Cold in Alex" and the "Great Escape". The opening, before the credits open, gives three actors a quick pay day - bless them. Then the crew and cast go to work. There is a very real tragedy that is acknowledged at the end of the story and makes one realise why CGI is used today. If you have yet to see this classic movie do so. The remake was tame by comparison and hugely disappointing. Jimmy Stewart delivers a masterclass and the fellow actors bed down and simply enjoy the ride. You can too. Sumptuous and delicious 10/10.

There is very little to add to those post out there. David Lean did he ever make a bad film? Even Ryan's daughter improves with age.

The actors, act. The B and W genre works.

Incredible script a beautiful work mastered by all the actors and highly, highly enjoyable.

Marvellous.

Look, you have to watch this - as it is frequently dubbed " the worlds worst movie."

OK hence the 10. This is the litmus paper whereby such junk movies are judged. BUT I have seen some very well produced films that are awful, that I will never watch again, a listers that star in huge fails - "watezwold" for example.

This film then is a fantastical adventure and a B movie gem. It's genre, is Sci-Fi - but such films need the viewers imagination or CGI to produce such "out of this world" experiences. This film is hot in someone's garden and orchard, perhaps on stage somewhere at very little cost.

The problem is that this "film" has little by the way of special effects. Verisimilitude then is terribly lacking. The film is not credible. But peculiarly it is watchable, akin to a car crash?

Talking about car crashes, I noted that the two lead actors, Susan Shaw and Paul Carpenter had their lives ended by such incidents. Let me explain. Susan Shaw became alcohol dependent after the death of her husband, the marvellous Bonar Colleano, who died in his Jag (XK 140) and Paul Carpenter, who died aged 42 from sudden death (where it was noted PC had earlier apparently recovered well from injuries in a car crash).

This film is irritably toe curling, frankly it IS awful. But it does have those "cash tarts" that needed to earn a living by being British "B" movie regular icons: Sydney Taflar and Harry Fowler, take a bow I love you guys!

The fact is the cast, in the main, then could act and proved it by this odious challenge. The ladies though, some could barely learn their lines but they did flash their knickers and knockers, and there in lies the rub? Was this just very soft-porn, just upskirting for the masses of those dirty old men? There seemed to be a lot of dancing and very little plot, so I wonder if this might have proved popular near the clip joints of Soho?

The "monster" is laugh out loud. Awful.

I though actually commend it, so bad it is actually good. A shining exemplar of its own genre? Certainly - if that genre is "The worst Movies ever made."

Enjoy. ;-)

AA. What can anyone say about BHAA? The back stage boys and girls are having a ball in the shared lime light of Big Hearted Arthur and the gang also seen having a ball.

Of course it's dated, of course it's cheesy, what else would you want?

I am a fan of AA. After his "Ghost Train" what is NOT to like about the little man?

He should have been knighted, was he associated with the scarlet harlot, the lover to the, oh- what-a-wonderful-husband-the-Queen-must-miss-the-Greek- freeloader-Philip. The man that slept around whilst our Queen held court, he seduced a number of celebrities and ruined their careers whilst he kept his marriage and finally was the mystery man that Profumo never mentioned. Nice one chap!

Back to the film: what's not to like? It was of its time. A fascinating insight into establishment, the BBC and a nation's core values.

Cheeky Arthur a lightweight but big hearted. The NHS cut his legs off in teh end before he finally was able to RIP, bless him.

I am a fan, devoted to his, smiles for miles, comedy!

;--)

Stacked full of stars that made it.

Sean obviously kicked on but then so did so many: Wilfred Hyde "only the poor pay taxes" White, Dame Barbara "What a Carry on" Windsor, Victor "The Face of the Squaddy" Maddern, John "Sgt Wilson" Le Mesurier, Cecil "The Ubiquitous": Parker, and even Kathleen "Sam Kidd's female persona" Harrison, so many others in fact the only Brit MIA is Sam K himself - he must have been seen as typecast!

The script actually works and direction and editing make this watchable. I really didn't want to like this but I do. Sean's role is significant as it apparently provided the platform to kick on? (Towards the end he is seen fighting in the woods and directing his mate in the art of warfare, perhaps that made up Cubby's mind?)

A poignant scene between Horace and peddler towards the end, when they fear getting run over by, "Hitler's flipping' staff car" made it for me. Cue the pathos.

I judge without the grey these days, so I score 1/10 or 10/10. So this hits 10/10 for the reasons described. But colour would have been good when exporting this to the USA. Such a con played on those abroad wanting more SC in a Bond-esque rôle who would have been found asking for their money back I suspect! A film about conmen and yet the film provides its biggest sting!

I am embarrassed about my review as the "likely Lads" were once my go to kinda comedy.

Time now makes this really dated.

Sure the actors are fine and the scriptwriters do a sound job. Locations and nostalgia abound but can that save the end product? No, not really .

I feel sad that the characters are so miserable, how could the girls ever find them attractive?

It is actually ALL pretty miserable throughout (nothing can save it from a 1/10) I am sad that my past memories expected more from this "comedy."

To watch and listen to the film is frankly appalling. So I want to give this 1/10 but my heart gives the lead characters a break and a bit of tea and sympathy so 4/10.

I feel very sad and old, dated and realise that, for a while, I was found within this grey, dull old vacuum called the 70s. The future is brighter without these guys. ;--)

Never more than a sub-plot. Massive emphasis on really poor sex scenes and yet Hollywood are rolling their eyes sounding their drum of indignity against such things as gratuitous sex?

This film is inept, if the two actors were meant to be turning on some sort of child or an old man in a dirty raincoat, then why? It is designed for Dillards with really nothing left to libve for, I mean nothing!

To sex this up with the suggestion that the sex scenes at least save the film is nonsense and toe-curling. I for one expected an all action robust KR movie but it sent me to sleep.

I re-watched it and it still sent me to sleep.

I am in the gang of reviewers that will never watch this again in my lifetime. So 1/10. It is so poor that I feel that 1/10 is one too many.

Nothing to see here . Don't download. Don't watch. It has no twists no turns. It IS embarrassing.

Its end at the pictures would have seen all spilling their popcorns and rushing out of any self-respecting cinema found in any country.

It's junk. I thank you.

Awful. OK if you love Cliff (and I mean you would have to love the lad) then fine, well maybe?

I am not sure that his fans can save such a dire film?

Just buy the LP/ CD if you are a fan.

Avoid, avoid, avoid if this is the only viewing option on a dull, raining, freezing Sunday. Instead go get the raincoat and take on the weather every time over this shoddy rubbish.

There is nothing NOT to like. Watch this and wonder why HL wasn't given any praise for his character portrayal in this superb BRITISH film noir? Us the audience were spell bound by this triumph of a film. This is A list from an A list artist. How it has become largely forgotten beggars belief. A classic, in the true sense. The BFI should promote this at every turn. I would love to watch this on the big screen post-COVID. ;--)

Actors that know how to act. Don't cheat and find the plot and ending. This is a very capable mystery. Relax and unwind with a good malt and some of that dark chocolate and enjoy this one.

It has the delightful piece of music that is reminiscent of Sergei Prokofiev's Lieutenant Kijé and is a delight. A light juxtaposition with the film's theme well done Benjamin Frankel.

The undercurrent of deception is underscored by the delightful Cathleen Nesbitt coupled with the innocent with a firm belief that there's a game afoot - played by the stunning and young Jean Simmonds.

An air ballon tragedy doesn't look too silly either, no CGI needed. The tour Eiffel is the backdrop and the actors the driving force.

"What ifs" abound. Is there a sinister plot or has the young woman been struck by a sudden madness? But then she meets a handsome artist and... (You'll have to watch to find out the ending).

All the actors are tip-top surprised we didn't get a cameo from Kathleen Harrison with her ubiquitous char lady, "Please sirs" or "Ooooh madam" but they probably couldn't afford her! Good to see Felix (Aylmer) getting paid too.

So what's not to like?I would like a colourisation one day only because this film is sumptuous and has the wonderful Pussy Galore AKA Honor Blackman. Enjoy! ;--)

I have far too much to talk about regarding this film, so I will just say this. Please watch it and enjoy" the tightness of the script, some of the world's finest actors, great cinema.

This is the very best of its genre.

;-)

Stool pigeon, murder and a duck, what's not to like? Technically very well produced and directed. Great British actors play the good guys and the evil Capitano Benucci too!

Bryan Forbes hallmark is all over this and incredibly enjoyable for that influence. (A legend of British cinema and no idea after almost single handedly saving EMI and the British cinema wasn't knighted? Hey ho!)

The film unfolds and becomes a whodunnit as much as a great escape film.

Watch it and enjoy.

Sadly this film fails due to its lack of attention to detail.We all watch films and hope to be immersed within its time, so why are the stars wearing haircuts of the 70s? . It was based on fact. That the real old lads of WW2 did it for King and Country is evidenced. So it is a lovely tribute. . Good to see actors having a ball. Verisimilitude is tricky but would have been captured if the prop department had had some dosh. . However it can be taken as read that we get to see some good performances from actors in the autumn of their lives. Good to see so many Brits valuing bit parts too. I enjoy it and it grows on me like the Matt Munro song - all coolio! So enjoy! ;--)

Well I decided to hang in there. This is an awful comedy. Nothing can save it: it's not even 1970s bawdy, it's a nothing, it's really dreadful. . . My review is written during the UK's lockdown, so what else is/was a man to do than to stay awake whilst his dog could sleep soundly through this dreadful malaise? No wonder English film stuttered to a halt, needing the taxman to re-start its pulse! . . This nonsense of a film finished late at night (0200) on 2.Oct 2020, that's a lot of number twos and this sums up the film nicely! IT's a really large number two! . . 3/10? Yes for the locations of old north London and the High Street St Albans, that's two out of ten and one for the cars! . . Amazingly the only thing that stirred me was that I couldn't stand the actress that seemingly screamed all the way through! So despite it being hugely unenjoyable she moved me viscerally with my seemingly pathological hatred (well it was late at night!) of one of the bit actresses/actors: take a bow Vanessa Howard.

(She (VH) apparently gave up acting - but sorry I can safely say that acting gave you up, and well before you decided to file to the USA, good decision, bless her RIP!) . . The remaining players were good actors in their lifetime but clearly here they are just nicking the dosh. Warren Mitchell et al., would probably NOT have wanted this shown in their lifetimes. Which is why years after their deaths I suspect that their families can pretend this example (found within the actor's individual canons of work) has never existed! I shall try to do the same thing... . . Goodnight and good riddance! . (In three hours time I will have a dog to walk! Hurrah!) . . ;--)

Sure this steers very close to becoming a parody. BUT it was designed to give the audience that watched the Sweeney a chance to relax and enjoy their show.

Eric and Ern never were actors - their own films were pretty dire, weren't they? But here is a chance to shine in a one off (despite the clamour for violence) TV episode.

Not tongue-in-cheek but hardly believable in the macho world of Regan and Carter.

The script IS tight as per most Sweeneys. The acting is top-notch (excluding Eric and Little Ern!)

It isn't full of gags and I reckon (having been a cop myself) this actually portrays celebrities egging and over acting within their own celebrity egos when they meet real coppers.

So it's actually NOT that bad. I am glad it was made. Fun over gravitas? You decide.

Regan, Carter, Haskins and a cameo from the delightful actor Edward Hardwicke that get to meet Morecombe and Wise, so honestly what is NOT to like?

This is the definitive "Columbo" episode. Well. written, and well filmed. That the sly old detective has a bit of sympathy for teh protagonist is also dismissed by him as, after all he is a professional detective.

The acting of all is 10/10.

The ending is why we love the shabby, chic man in a raincoat.

This was a very hard act to follow. Class.

This is the cheesy, unreal world of 30 minute drama. No time to develop the plot or characters etc., but wait this one delivers! Very well written and paced. Really good direction and the script seems oddly out of sync with some of the other ones found in this ITC series.

It helps that it is shot about London. A balance of the outside and in. This has a very fine cast. They ARE actors. The delightful Hannah Gordon, and Nyree Dawn Porter. The incredible Jeremy Brett is a delightful bonus and didn't I hear Victor Maddern during the intro to add gravitas? (Doesn't get a credit - am I wrong?)

Even the wooden (but equally delightful) Robert Vaughn appears interested. Maybe it was having the dog and family interest that sparked him to switch on his own actor's button? (He is the real star, ITC must have paid him well?)

This is possibly the finest example of this series. Still very hard to deliver action and dialogue, creativity and pathos within the time frame. But this one appears to deliver hence my score. Sylvia Anderson clearly more than just the wife of Jerry, Thunderbirds and Lady Penelope! .

Unusually the big props (the exotic cars) are MIA in this one. (But teh Rover and RR delight).