 |
Shane (DVD)
by Goonerette89
'Shane' is a George Stevens-directed film starring Alan Ladd, Van Heflin and Jean Arthur. The film is shot in technicolour and released in 1953; it was based on the novel by Jack Schaefer.
This film, although it will always be filed under the Western genre, does transcend Western, adventure and drama. I like Westerns but the ... are like the country music of film (there's a theme in there somewhere...); they're often unfairly misunderstood and disliked by many. There are films in the Western category that transcend the stereotypical imagery of gun slinging, horseback and big cowboy hats such as Rio Bravo, The Searchers and The Big Country that are simply good films, in spite of their genre, that can be enjoyed by anyone: this is one such Western.
When gunslinger Shane (Ladd) turns up at a small town in Wyoming he soon becomes embroiled in the battle between Joe Starrett (Van Heflin) and Rufus Ryker (Emile Meyer), a cattle baron who wants to remove the Starrett family, who are homesteaders (squatters, as Ryker sees them) from 'their' land.
Shane stays with the Starretts to work with them, agriculturally, but becomes drawn to Starrett's wife, Marian (Jean Arthur). Meanwhile, Joe and Marian's young impatient son Joey (Brandon de Wilde) himself is drawn to Shane as he is mesmerised by his steel manliness and his gun. Shane's relationship with the boy becomes more prominent as he shows him how to use a gun; something Marian is quite opposed to.
Tensions amount though between the homesteaders and enemy when Joe and Shane find themselves fighting Ryker and his sidekick, Jack Wilson (Jack Palance). We continue to follow the story as the friendship between Joey and Shane deepens but as the conflict worsens. What will become of the homesteaders and the continuing struggles between them and the their rival settlers? Will Shane save the day?
Montgomery Clift was originally cast as Alan Ladd's leading character Shane but turned it down; now whilst Clift was an incredibly beautiful man and I adore all those close ups of his utterly gorgeous face the directors insisted on, I couldn't imagine any other actor as Shane, but Ladd. In the book, however, Shane was tall and dark haired whereas Ladd was blond as well as small so Clift would have fitted the role visually.
It seems strange to think of Ladd as the Western hero in this film; since he was shorter than many actresses, let alone burly male gunfighters, and in this film he has an enemy in Jack Wilson, played by the always tough, mighty Jack Palance but somehow it works; there's a sensitivity about the characters in the film and the battle they fight that you sympathise with that make this more than just a Western. Ladd isn't made to look taller than his 5 foot 5 inches in this film though and it only goes to emphasise his hero role; but he is good with a gun.
William Holden was originally intended to take on the role of Joe Starrett but again, incredibly handsome man and great actor, but Van Heflin was perfect in the role. Heflin's acting is subtle and plays Joey with great dignity. Joey himself is a man with great dignity who simply wants to support his family.
Brandon De Wilde was wonderful as little Joey, considering his age. He was considered a child prodigy in acting but sadly died aged 30. He also nearly embarked on a musical career, with help along the way from Gram Parsons. However the role of Joey will always be his greatest success.
Jack Palance is one of the greatest bad boy actors ever; I love watching him as he has that tough face that made him perfect in these villain type roles; he features heavily in the fight scenes here.
Jean Arthur is maybe my favourite American actress and I think she could have saved the most mundane film in the world. However, that said, this is one of the few Arthur films where she is not the star, partly because this is not a comedic role and also because it is quite a subtle role. She is solid and plays Marian with great sensibility in her last ever film role but I truly think that Ladd, Heflin, Palance etc. make this film so enjoyable. Stevens had directed her in two films the previous decade, including what was amazingly her one and only Academy Award nomination in the fabulous comedy 'The More the Merrier'. If 'Shane' is anything to go by, and we'll never know because after this (bar some television) she became the most reclusive Hollywood actress ever, her natural beauty was not going to be deserting her any time soon and nor were her talents; although Kate Hepburn was originally the favourite to play Marian. Jean Arthur still had so much to give and it's a crying shame this was her last film but thankfully she agreed to come out of retirement to star in it.
This film won an Academy Award because of its cinematography, courtesy of Loyal Griggs, and it really is a stunningly shot film, in Technicolour; the pure beauty of Wyoming's High Plains scenery constantly on display in all its glory (although some parts were shot in the studio).
The other beautiful aspect of the film is its famous music score; Westerns have given us some of the most recognisable and greatest film compositions of all time and 'Shane' is no exception. Composed by Victor Young, its famous soundtrack featuring 'The Call of the Faraway Hills' is so uplifting, adventurous and beautiful, it fits the mountainous backdrop of the valley and the carefree personalities of little Joey and hero Shane perfectly.
'Shane' is also an influential and groundbreaking film in both its stunts, cinematography and sound (including the sound of gunfire) and has continued to influence many in the film business since. Woody Allen said that this is George Stevens's masterpiece. Clint Eastwood paid tribute to it in 'Pale Rider' and other films have been inspired since.
'Shane' has is so stunning musically and its cinematography so sweepingly beautiful that it sucks you in from minute one since, like most films, its setting and music are the first thing that are brought to the viewers attention. I think because of the uplifting style of music, little Joey and the friendship between Joey and Shane, the film has more of an adventure feel to it than just a typical Western. Add the ambiguous notion of a possible relationship between Shane and Marian and there's also a subtle romance there. I think that this is why 'Shane' is as potentially enjoyable to a non-Western fan as it is to a fan. It's a Western but a Western with feeling. Its characters are fighting a cause and are portrayed as human and warm. There is fighting and guns but there are also real characters that set 'Shane' apart from other films of its type. Although subjective admittedly, it nearly always features near the top of greatest ever Westerns lists. Perhaps this really was George Stevens's masterpiece.
Read the complete review |
 |
Peter Pan (DVD)
by mickr
Peter Pan DVD
Please note: I am reviewing the two-disc special edition DVD
My little one absolutely loves sitting down and watching DVD's, so we have been adding to our collection of DVD's with a number of traditional and newer Disney films.
Peter Pan seems to be a firm favourite to many people, ... with many remakes made after this original Disney animated version first came out back in 1953, a colourful version of James M Barrie's story.
Bursting with fantasy, adventure, memorable characters, music and pixie dust, Peter Pan soars to new heights in this magical two-disc special edition DVD with an all-new digital restoration. The story follows Wendy and her brothers as they accompany Peter Pan and Tinkerbelle to Neverland, a magical world where there are pirates and lost boys who never grow up - literally. Once they are sprinkled with fairy dust, they pass the second star to the right and go straight on until morning. It is there in Neverland where Wendy and her brothers begin to explore the magical land, find Peter's secret hideout, and take part in high-flying battles with pirates which include the infamous Captain Hook.
I have always loved this film, and now my little one is following in my footsteps with the love of this magical film. Although it has been digitally remastered, to be honest, I did not really notice. When it showed two frames next to each other, you can see the picture is much brighter and clearer though. Although it is an old film, it did not bother my little one in the slightest and she really got into the film, watching it over and over again in quick succession.
The second disc includes some backstage Disney moments as well as some games and activities. These include the following;
Read Along To The "Peter's Playful Prank" Storybook
Sing-along with "Following the Leader"
Play The Pirate Treasure Hunt Game
See Behind The Scenes in "The Making of Peter Pan"
Find Out More As You Watch The Film With The Audio Commentary
See alternate beginnings to the film
Listen to deleted songs
My little one loves the games and activities, though the film is much more of an interest to her.
The special edition disc can be found on Amazon between £18.99 to £26.00 which I think is incredible and not in a good way. For a film which has been out for years, this is such a high price. Luckily, we were able to pick this up and our local CEX shop for around £6 which is much more of a reasonable price. The non-special-edition format DVD can be found for around the same price. You are also able to buy Peter Pan in a box set with Return to Neverland, or Tinkerbelle. The later is a similar price, though the double box set with Return to Neverland can go for up to £49.99 on Amazon!
I believe the Amazon prices are way too high, though if you are able to get this film for less then I fully recommend it. It is a timeless classic which generations will love for years to come.
Read the complete review |
 |
The Big Heat (DVD)
by TimListfield
This is Fritz Lang's Film Noir masterpiece, and it's a stunning spectacle with a fabulous cast, superb plot and masterful directing. It can safely be mentioned alongside other Film Noir masterpieces such as Casablanca, The Maltese Falcon and The Third Man.
Detective Dan Bannion (Glenn Ford) is an honest cop in a lying world. ... Following the apparent suicide of another officer called Tom Duncan. It seems as if Duncan committed suicide because of depression, and at first is almost a normal open and shut case. However, that all changes when Bannion is contacted by Duncan's mistress who claims that is was not suicide. He then discovers that Duncan had a second home and concludes that there was no way he could have been able to afford it on his salary.
Bannion then decides to investigate even further, but is soon told to stop by his superior, Lieutenant Ted Wilkes.
However, things take a sinister turn when the mistress is found murdered with cigarette burns on her body. Bannion then decides that he must continue with his investigation, even though he was told not to and that it's out of his jurisdiction. He soon receives some threatening phone calls to his house from local mob boss Mr Lagana. Bannion in turns threatens him in his own home.
Things then take an even more sinister turn when Bannion's wife is blown up in a car bomb. Feeling pressure from inside and outside the police, Bannion resigns and goes on a one man crusade to avenge his wife.
This is just a brilliant film. All the way. It was quite violent and dark for its day, and even has a fairly disturbing torture scene in it. The cast is just excellent. Glenn Ford is on superb form as Bannion, and seems right at home. But it's Lee Marvin in one of his earlier hard man roles that really makes this film. He really is exceptional as the psychotic henchman Vince Stone, and his way of torturing women is very realistic.
Fritz Lang's direction is dark and atmospheric, and he really makes Film Noir his own with this film. Nothing is ever left to chance, and the film moves at pace throughout. An exceptional film.
Read the complete review |
