Home > Film > Movie DVD > The Kingdom [1994] (DVD)

The Kingdom [1994] (DVD)

Description: Genre: Television / Theatrical Release: 1994 / Director: Lars Von Trier / DVD released 27 May, 2002 at Ica Projects ... more

The Kingdom [1994] (DVD) ... Ltd. / Features of the DVD: PAL / The Kingdom has been described as "ER meets Twin Peaks", and seldom can the standard and the surreal have met in more perfect accord. The hospital that conceals dark secrets is the premise for this riveting "soap"--seen on Danish TV in 1994--in which science and civilisation are eroded by superstition and instinct. Lars von Trier is not a director who aims to please, and the claustrophobic visuals he draws from handheld cameras and natural lighting anticipate the stripped-down film work of his Dogme 95 movement. Yet there's nothing cerebral about the goings-on here, thanks to the rich variety of characters who people the labyrinthine corridors and functional wards. The Minister's visit and the Haiti jaunt are slapstick humour worthy of the best Python sketches, and Trier is never afraid to mix the prosaic with the profound. There are wonderfully observed performances from Ernst Hugo Jaregard as chequered Swedish surgeon Stig Helmer, and Kirsten Rolffes as common-sense psychic Sigrid Drusse. These are only the first five episodes: having seen them, you'll be awaiting the remainder with impatience. This is persuasive, provocative filmmaking. On the DVD: The Kingdom on disc has audio and visual reproduction that is authentically Trier, with English subtitles and 10 access points per episode. Each part is viewable separately or in sequence, though make sure you don't lose some of the director's amusingly offbeat postscripts. The first disc also features Tranceformer, a frank insight into the mind and movies of Lars von Trier with extracts from his features between 1984 and 95. --Richard Whitehouse

Newest Review: ... is carrying. The four American characters who go over to Saudi Arabia are played by Jennifer Garner, Jamie Foxx, Chris Cooper ... more

... and Jason Bateman. Although they are all well-rounded characters, they do each carry certain stereotypes. Foxx is clearly a family man, in his opening scene he is at his son's school. He is a good guy - he goes to talk to the young son of a friend who dies, and he comforts Garner near the beginning of the scene. You know he wants to do well by everyone, but uphold truth and justice. Garner carries stereotypes by simply being the only female, and although it would be too much to say she has a chip on her shoulder abou...more

Read Reviews for The Kingdom [1994] (DVD)

The Kingdom [1994] (DVD): Take Note (980 words)
by heatherrr13 - written on 05.11.07 (Very useful, 149 readings)
Rating:

You know how in programs like Law and Order and CSI everything seems to come together and you're left wondering why crimes ever go unsolved in the real world? Well I got a similar feeling whilst watching 'The Kingdom'. Although the subject matter is very complex with a very detailed history, the film is very fast-paced and gets straight to the point. Although this might not mean that the film sends out as accurate a message as it could have done, it does mean that it does work well as a piece of entertainment, which really, is all it is. The film opens with a fast moving timeline of Saudi Arabia's history. Again, this is very simplified, but it certainly gave ...

A Five Star Movie (143 words)
by bigkev7877 - written on 05.10.07 (Somewhat useful, 163 readings)
Rating:

This film is about 4 FBI Agents sent in The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to investigate when terrorists target Americans living and working in the kingdom are playing baseball. the team of FBI agents are led by Special Agent Ronald Fleury played by Jamie Fox also on the team are Special agent Grant Sykes played by Chris Copper Special agent Janet Mayes played by Jennifer Garner and Special agent Adam Leavitt played by Jason bateman. while in the kingdom they find themselves unable to investigate the crime scene that would help them find the ones responsible for the bombing of the Americans. Fleury's crew finds a friend who helps them navigate royal politics and unlock the ...

The Kingdom [1994] (DVD): Like ER and Casualty, but much better (1191 words)
by hogsflesh - written on 04.12.05 (Very useful, 157 readings)
Rating:

Dane Lars von Trier has made quite a name for himself as an art house director, somehow managing to land A-list stars for films that lack anything even remotely resembling mainstream appeal. He is, by all accounts, a crazy, crazy man, who either shows a stunning contempt for his audience, or has a very strange sense of humour. Possibly both. His controversial film The Idiots put him on the map (I think it’s great, but it is potentially incredibly offensive), and since then films like Dancer in the Dark and Dogville have consolidated his position. Before all that, though, he made this mini series. I don’t really have the patience for von Trier’s more recent ...

Read all 3 reviews

Read 3 reviews

Write a review