This is definitely is a re-make that should never have been made. A harsh comment perhaps, but the nevertheless true.
The production is less than average for a producer of such status as Carlo Ponti (husband of Sophia Loren).
The scipt is dull by any stretch of the imagination, completely ... Read review
The combined star-power of two of cinema's 'greats' - RICHARD BURTON and SOPHIA LOREN - ... more
illuminates this update of one of the most poignant cinematic love stories of all time.BRIEF ENCOUNTER is Noel Coward's classic tale of a doomed romance. When unhap...
Noel Coward's Sensitive Portrayal Of What Happens When Two Happily Married Strangers, ... more
Played By Celia JohnsonAnd Trevor Howard, Meet And Their Acquaintance Deepens Into Affection And Love. It Is The Story Of Two People, Thrown Together By A Chance Meeting, Helpless In The Face Of Their Emotions But Redeemed By Their Moral Courage. Over The Years Few Films Have Equalled The Compassion And Realism Of Brief Encounter.A Profile Of Brief Encounter Is A Warm And Revealing Tribute To The Enduring Appeal Of This ''VeryEnglish Picture.'' Producers Anthony Havelock-Allan And Ronald Neame, Actress Margaret Barton And Celia Johnson's Daughter Lucy Fleming Give Special Behind-The-Scenes Insights While Fans Including Writer SheridanMorley And Actor John Sessions Explain Why It Remains Everyone's Favourite Film Romance.
Expanded from a one-act stage play by Noel Coward,Brief Encounteris without doubt one of ... more
the true masterpieces of British film history. The story seems slight--a respectable suburban housewife has a chance meeting with a handsome married doctor, their friendship becomes romance, but they feel the pressures of convention pulling their relationship apart--but the writing, acting and direction are sublime, turning what might have been just another melodrama into a memorable and heartbreaking story of impossible love. David Lean went on to make much bigger films than this, but few of those epics packed the emotional punch of this picture, set in a mundane world of railway stations, semi-detached houses and inexpensive cafes. Trevor Howard is perfectly cast as Alec, the doctor, but the film belongs above all to Celia Johnson, as the heroine Laura. It's easy to mock her clipped ultra-English accent, but she gives one of the greatest screen performances imaginable, brilliantly evoking how an ordinary life can be turned upside down by unexpected passion. Throw in the superb use of Rachmaninov's swooning Second Piano Concerto, shrewd supporting acting from Cyril Raymond, Joyce Carey and Everley Gregg, and some of the best black-and-white photography of its era, and the result is irresistible. Anyone who isn't besotted withBrief Encounterhas either never been in love, or doesn't deserve to be. --Andy Medhurst
Postage & Packaging:free Super Saver Delivery Availability:Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Production Year: 2004 - Drama - Director: Nick Cassavetes - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over, 12 years and over - Starring: Rachel McAdams, Ryan Gosling, Gena Rowlands
Advantages: A limited appeal for enthusiasts of electric trains, and Sophia Loren Disadvantages: The list would be too long.
This is definitely is a re-make that should never have been made. A harsh comment perhaps, but the nevertheless true.
The production is less than average for a producer of such status as Carlo Ponti (husband of Sophia Loren).
The scipt is dull by any stretch of the imagination, completely ruining Noel Coward's original story, so wonderfully captured in the 1945 Black & White original.
The acting is well below standard ... ...more than one occassion appeared to be worse-the-wear from drink in front of the camera.
In conclusion:
The film, unsuccessfully made in colour, fails miserably to capture the atmosphere of the original production starring Trevor Howard and Celia Johnson.
How a cinema audience is supposed to be captivated by the 'comings and goings' of Southern Railway electric trains, filmed possibly in Surrey or Hampshire, in contrast ... more
This is definitely is a re-make that should never have been made. A harsh comment perhaps, but the nevertheless true.
The production is less than average for a producer of such status as Carlo Ponti (husband of Sophia Loren). The scipt is dull by any stretch of the imagination, completely ruining Noel Coward's original story, so wonderfully captured in the 1945 Black & White original. The acting is well below standard for such a skilled thesbian as Richard Burton, who on more than one occassion appeared to be worse-the-wear from drink in front of the camera.
In conclusion: The film, unsuccessfully made in colour, fails miserably to capture the atmosphere of the original production starring Trevor Howard and Celia Johnson. How a cinema audience is supposed to be captivated by the 'comings and goings' of Southern Railway electric trains, filmed possibly in Surrey or Hampshire, in contrast to the dramatic night scenes shot at Carnforth railway station with masses of steam and smoke, and express trains roaring through the station lit superbly by the film crew, is beyond belief.
For the life of me, I cannot imagine how an actor of the stature of Richard Burton ever came to be associated with such a 'damp-squid' is beyond belief.
I could only recommend this film solely to fans of Sophia Loren, as it has nothing else going for it whatsoever.
Advantages: Romantic, endearing and tear-jerking Disadvantages: Slightly slow at times
Brief Encounter tells the story of a married GP and a married housewife who fall passionately in love after a chance meeting at a station's tearoom. Their short-lived but breathtaking affair questions the social morals of the period in which it is set. Brief Encounter, directed by David Lean, is an adaptation of Noël Coward’s script ‘still life’. Outstanding performances are given by Celia Johnson (playing Laura, the main character) and Trevor Howard ... ...than made up for this. When watching Brief Encounter I was surprised at how quickly i found myself entrapped in this film. The simple but honest storyline doesn't fail to stir up your emotions and capture your attention. A fantastic romantic tear-jerker, I would definitely recommend this film! ...
bekka101 18.06.2009
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Brief Encounter (DVD)
Did you enjoy it?
Story
Characters / Performances
Special Effects
How does it compare to ...
Similar reviews »
Reviews which might be of interest for "Brief Encounter (DVD)"
Advantages: Pure classic film Disadvantages: Those accents!!!
BRIEFENCOUNTER (1945)
DIRECTED BY DAVID LEAN
REVIEW OF THE 2008 ITV DVD
INTRODUCTION
Continuing my ?Lean Season? reviews this latest review is about one of David Lean?s earlier films ? ?BriefEncounter? released in 1945
The film received Oscar nominations for Best Actress, Best Director and Best Screenplay. It won the Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival. It is at second place in the British Film Institute Top 100 films, behind only ?The Third Man? (1949).
This was the fourth film that David Lean had directed.. As with his first three films, the story was based on a play by Noel Coward. Coward himself worked as a screenwriter and producer on the film.
My geographical claim to fame with this film is that the famous station scene with ?that? clock was shot at Carnforth station ...
Advantages: Ultimate romantic film Disadvantages: Maybe a little dated but in many ways that's a bonus too
resolved.
BriefEncounter is also a window into a long-lost world where women stayed at home, looked after their husbands and couples didn't divorece, where every railway had a tea-room and class distinctions were much more obvious. The accents are terribly terribly and in many ways their world has vanished
But the film's emotions are still contemporary because true love is timeless.
Several other factors make this a must-see. The score, Rachmaninov's Third Concerto, sweeps along theroughout with booming crescendos and anguished violins. It could all have descended into melodrama but the understated performances from the two lead players keep things real.
Much of the film was made up at Carnforth, near Lancaster, which has a BriefEncounter museum,,,,The trains the lovers catch together ...
Advantages: Great dialogue, cinematography and acting Disadvantages: Can be too quaint to be taken seriously by modern audiences.
There are films that a lot of people think they know, but have never really seen. David Lean?s ?BriefEncounter? is certainly a good example. Most people can tell you the plot, a doomed romance conducted at a railway station. Others will tell you there?s a bit when the train?s moving off and someone?s running to keep up (there, er, isn?t). Some people can even tell you that Noel Coward wrote it. It?s one of those films like Citizen Kane, where you can feel that the critics have watched it just so that you don?t have to.
I was surprised, then, at how much of a gem it really was. The film opens at the station, where the bulk of the action takes place. A guard hops over the tracks (a more devil may care time) and strolls into the cafe.
Once in there, he begins some cheery banter with the manager. Just as this is becoming irredeemably ...
Olly_Plimsoll 21.03.2005 (29.03.2005)
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Brief Encounter (DVD)
![Brief Encounter [DVD] [1974]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/78475385.jpg)
![Brief Encounter [Restored]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/100743651.jpg "Brief Encounter [Restored]")
![Brief Encounter [DVD] [1945]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/75116173.jpg "Brief Encounter [DVD] [1945]")
