Drama > 1954 Drama

Greed or desperation?

Advantages: Very watchable thriller, great characterisation
Disadvantages: (For some) it's black and white, old-fashioned

...all their money problems. Will the heist go smoothly? Will they ever be able to lead the lives they would like to lead? There are a host of famous actors in this 1954 film made at Shepperton Studios in the UK and directed by Lewis Gilbert (who also directed the brilliantly moving Carve Her Name With Pride). Perhaps sadly, the worst performance comes from the actor who is top of the bill - Laurence Harvey, who plays Rave. Rave is not a likeable character ...
...across at all well. Thankfully, the rest of the cast more than make up for any deficits in Harvey's performance. My favourite was Richard Basehart, who plays Joe. He loves his wife and simply wants to return to the States with her and is infuriated at the bad behaviour of her mother. Basehart gives a really heartfelt performance and deserves great praise for the role. As does a very young and barely recognisable, Joan Collins who plays his wife. ...

sunmeilan 20.12.2009 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of The Good Die Young (DVD)

  Classic Contender

Advantages: Brando is mesmerising and has real chemistry with Saint, whilst the rest of the cast hold their own
Disadvantages: Brando bears no resemblance to this anymore and Sinatra could have played his role!

...is a film that improves on repeated viewing even though it is nearly fifty years old. It is a film that is rich in detail, showcasing an extraordinary performance from the film's lead, supported well by some equally able actors and complimented by an atmospheric score. Unlike many films of its era it has not dated badly, and is still fresh and intriguing even when the story of corruption in the Unions of New Jersey's longshoreman is no longer a contemporary ...
...controlling who works and lives on New Jersey's docks. Unfortunately for them Joey Doyle begins to threaten their position by threatening to testify against them, and Terry is given the job of luring Joey up onto the roof. When Joey is killed instead of forced to back down, Terry is forced to re-evaluate the life he is leading. Especially when he begins to fall in love with Joey's beautiful and headstrong sister Edie (Eva Marie Saint). A woman who ...

ickkate 10.06.2004 · Read full review
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Review of On The Waterfront (DVD)

The U.S. Navy is Full of Frozen Strawberries

Advantages: Good film with an impressive ensemble cast
Disadvantages: film's relationship with Navy businss

...ASIN # B00004D0H9 ****************************************************************** THE DARK SIDE OF THE NAVY ****************************************************************** As many of you already know, I was in the United States Navy for 8 long years; in all that time, I had never seen a mutiny onboard a ship. However, I surely heard stories that they had happened before, particularly during World War II. I was on two ships during my Navy ...
...of 2005, I reported onboard the U.S.S. Arleigh Burke out of Virginia; shortly after arriving, I met someone in my division who welcomed me onboard and even offered myself a place to stay at his apartment. We went to New Orleans for Mardi Gras shortly afterward, and naturally I decided to go out with this person while out on liberty; I drank very little, though he was practically drowning himself with alcohol. We had to get back to the ship by 0700, ...

eve6kicksass 09.05.2007 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: exceptional
Review of The Caine Mutiny (DVD)

One wild film!

Advantages: Fantastic acting, a cult classic
Disadvantages: I can't think of any!

The Wild One is a fabulous film that reflected the middle American hysteria that was rife in the the 1950s. Marlon Brando cemented his career in this iconic role as Jonny, a rebelious youth set on tearing up a small town with his band of drunk and out of control bikers. Based loosely upon a true story, 'The Wild One' is a fun and fast paced film that dares you to enjoy the carnage create by a terrific cast of rebels. This film I felt, had the same ...
...little bit of anarchy to the big screen. I could just picture the teens of the 50's flocking to the cinemas to see Brando enter on his motorbike and fall for the girl, Kathy (Mary Murphy). We also see Jonny (Brando) who is challenged by crazy Chino (Lee Marvin), his once friend now rival who is determined to knock him from his pedestal. This film offers no special effects or stunning scenery but this is more than made up for in the performances ...

katattack3 21.04.2008 · Read full review
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Review of The Wild One (DVD)

Camel Lips, Thy Name Is Gladiator

Advantages: Lavish sets and gorgeous costume, great cast, the lascivious undertones and the whole damn campy lot of the rest of it!
Disadvantages: Dated and cheesy, jumbled themes, muted action scenes, product constrained by its times

...of the freed greek slave Demetrius who would lay down his life for its protection. We follow Demetrius as this desire to keep the robe safe leads to his capture and to his enforced gladiatorial duties (an unfortunate position as a Christian who refuses to fight) after he catches the eye of labidinous senator's wife Messalina(Susan Hayward) and later to his position as her concubine(or whatever the word is!) as he struggles with his Christian faith ...
...In much the same way Demetrius and the Gladiators is entertaining in fits and spurts as well but also feels very much like a bid to cash in on the success of its fore-runner without much thought going into its own plot which somewhat spoils things. If you intend to think while watching which is probably never a good thing with cinema anyway eh? ;o) The idea of following Demetrius throughout the sequel is a sound one and the idea of him being forced ...

wampyrii 02.07.2003 · Read full review
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Review of Demetrius And The Gladiators (DVD)