Nicholas Ray's (REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE) masterpiece of anti-war sentiment is one of his lesser-known films, but it is nonetheless possessed of a subtle complexity and existential... more
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Actor(s): Richard Burton, Curt Jurgens, Ruth Roman, Raymond Pellegrin, Anthony Bushell
Director(s): Nicholas Ray
Genre: War
Classification: Parental Guidance
Production Year: 1957
Colour: Black & White
Video Category: Feature Film
Plot: The WWII-set film BITTER VICTORY charts the rivalry of Captain James Leith and his superior, Major David Brand, who both accept a dangerous assignment to be sent to Libya to recover top-secret documents.
Release details
DVD Region: Region 2 (Europe)
Studio(s): SONY PICTURES HOME ENTERTAINMENT; CINRAM LOGISTICS
Languages
Main Language: English
Hearing Impaired Language: English
Technical information
Special Features: Interactive menu
Sound: Dolby Digital Mono
DVD Description
Nicholas Ray's (REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE) masterpiece of anti-war sentiment is one of his lesser-known films, but it is nonetheless possessed of a subtle complexity and existential ambiguity that render it one of his most poignant. Set during WWII and unfolding mostly in the deserts of Libya, the film establishes a rivalry between its two main characters from the very beginning. The charismatic Captain James Leith (Richard Burton, WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF) and his cowardly superior, Major David Brand (Curt Jurgens, AND GOD CREATED WOMAN), both accept a dangerous assignment to be sent to Libya to recover top-secret documents. Before they depart, Brand sees his wife Jane (Ruth Roman, STRANGERS ON A TRAIN) dancing with the Captain, and becomes enflamed with jealousy; it turns out that Leith and Jane were lovers before the war. The rest of the exposition traces the two men's journey, made even more perilous by their intense enmity, and moves toward a climactic ending that plays up the absurdity of war. Refusing to draw a clear division between hero and villain, Ray highlights the way war ultimately reduces everyone to the same petty motivations and empty rhetoric.
Advantages: Great plot, so original Disadvantages: None
...This is a legend of a film, but surely any film with Arnie in has got to be special! In my opinion, the first is the, like a lot of films, because it is gripping and fresh, but the others are good too. Below is a rough outline of the plot:
A futuristic assassin called "The Terminator" is sent back through time to 1984 to kill the seemingly innocent Sarah Connor-a woman whose unborn son will lead the human race to victory in a bitter future war with a race of machines. If the Terminator succeeds, mankind is doomed. Sarah's only hope is a soldier from that post-apocalyptic war, who has chased the Terminator back through time. The future of the human race depends on which one finds her first...
Arnold Schwarzenegger ... The Terminator
Michael Biehn ... Kyle Reese
Linda Hamilton ... Sarah Connor
This is a fantastic film...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful
Advantages: Hilarious and below the belt. Disadvantages: Some slow moments, and horrendous Seventies fashions.
...is sleazy and pathetic, lying constantly to his players, trying it on with their wives, and goading them into horrific acts of violence. Even the Chief's eventual victory is a total farce.
He has able support from Strother Martin as the closeted homosexual chairman, whose desperate attempts at publicity stunts don't wash with the players. The rest of the team are made up of misfits, illegal immigrants, perverts and a general assortment of losers. Best of all are the berserk Hanson brothers, semi-retarded goons who manage to lay waste to whole teams, referees and even fans.
Brutal, bitterly funny, ugly, nasty and just plain grim, Slap Shot reveals the grot festering in the bilges of any professional sport....
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Advantages: Ambitious Writing, Dominion War, Special Features Disadvantages: Price
...of their make up.
- In the Pale Moonlight: Asks what the price of victory is...
- His Way: Introduces Vic Fontaine and sees two favorite characters finally coming together...
- Tear's of the Prophets: The bitter farewell to a character...
Never will you see the characters put through so many trials as this season, and so much of it is relevant today with the spread of wars and terrorism.
The special features are very well done for the set - there are many interviews done with the cast and producers on the show just for the DVD. Tons of behind the scenes info is revealed. The only thing that is missing is commentaries on the episodes.
Ultimately, this is the best series of DS9, and I can't imagine anyone being disappointed. The only problem is the price, which is quite high (though you can now find they are going down to half their original...
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