Super integration of songs and plot, superb acting by all. One of my favorite movies, although it's really too long to be a "movie." Giles Thomas is wonderful as private Francis Francis. I own this one and watch it at least once a year. It's that good. This is NOT a movie for children, as none of Potter's work is. One of the song and dance numbers is integrated into the plot in a most extraordinary way. It's the one in the military intelligence office about Egypt with the camel. The room is floor is full of balloons. When the number ends, and we get back to "reality," Col. Bernwood walks across the floor and kicks a final, pink balloon out of the way.
Reviews
3 Reviews
The World at War
(1973–1974)
Best overall documentary of WWII
13 October 2005
My wife and I have watched this whole series at least three times. I can't imagine how it could be better. This isn't the "complete" history of WWIIno library could hold such a historybut it is the best summary of that history. Lots of detail, lots of personal stories, and still keeps the overall picture in view.
Olivier's narration is excellently written and, of course, superbly given. The interviews are from all sides, except the Russian, because the producers were not allowed to talk to many Russians. It is very much worth owning this complete program on DVD. We treasure our copy.
The producer's do an excellent job of providing pictures and action where there was almost none extant in any archive: There are almost no films of convoys and submarine battles, for instance, but still, the episode on this subject is very well done.
Olivier's narration is excellently written and, of course, superbly given. The interviews are from all sides, except the Russian, because the producers were not allowed to talk to many Russians. It is very much worth owning this complete program on DVD. We treasure our copy.
The producer's do an excellent job of providing pictures and action where there was almost none extant in any archive: There are almost no films of convoys and submarine battles, for instance, but still, the episode on this subject is very well done.
Seabiscuit
(2003)
Very good story, but book is better, as usual
10 March 2004
Good, heartwarming story. I enjoyed it a lot. But having read the book first, I missed some of the tone of the book. The book spends several chapters here and there explaining horse racing to us non-fans, and the explanations are just as fascinating as the plot. If you see this movie, read the book anyway.
The film did a nice job of moving time along without bogging down in details. We leap from "now" to "later" with a few scenes that have music only. This is not a new technique, but I thought it was very well done in this Seabiscuit.
I felt there was a slight disconnect between the close-ups of the jockeys riding and the longer shots. This was done about as well as it could be, I think, but I was always aware that the close-ups had actors who were not sitting on horses.
The film did a nice job of moving time along without bogging down in details. We leap from "now" to "later" with a few scenes that have music only. This is not a new technique, but I thought it was very well done in this Seabiscuit.
I felt there was a slight disconnect between the close-ups of the jockeys riding and the longer shots. This was done about as well as it could be, I think, but I was always aware that the close-ups had actors who were not sitting on horses.
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