Only some films are Classics and we're here to tell you which films and why ... they are a cut above the rest, they are timeless, and they are worth watching... again and again. Cinema has been with us for well over a century, which means the back catalogue is enormous and while there are a lot of great films, there are many times more that are simply a waste if time This channel will give you an insiders view into the must see films, we don't review turkeys. We'll also tell you what makes these films so good, and where you can find them. Subscribe, and we'll take you on an unforgettable ride.
I wasn’t aware that William Holden had been considered for the part. I think that he would have been better at conveying an underlying sense of regret, which would have made this film (one of my favorites) more powerful.
@@paulbudrean2946 it's always interesting to hear of other possible casting choices and to consider how it may have changed the film for better or worse, you're right, Holden may well have been better in the role
This is one of my favorite films of all time and I wish it was released on Blu-ray & 4K Ultra here in America. The thumbnail you have for the video is one of the most 80’s things I’ve ever seen😂😂😂.
I have a lovely book I got 14 years ago called STILL MEMORIES: an autobiography in photography - John Mills. Published in 2000 by Hutchinson. John was an ardent photographer when not acting and captured a huge amount of his acting career using his own hand held cameras. The book is a wealth of his life on location in his films, on and behind the camera with fellow actors, wife and kids... a remarkable legacy right up to the end of his life. There are a few photos taken during the shooting of 'SUMMER OF THE SEVENTEENTH DOLL', with his own captions. One photo shows him standing in the carpark of Artransa Park Studios in Australia under a large sign stating the name of the film, who is producing it, where, lists the main cast and lastly in smallish print 'And an Australian cast'. John's caption to the photo states 'After working for a month on my Australian accent and a month of shooting, MGM in Hollywood called to tell the director, Leslie Norman, that they couldn't understand a word I was saying! We ignored them and carried on.' www.abebooks.com/servlet/SearchResults?cm_sp=plpafe-_-coll-_-first&an=john+mills&ds=5&fe=on&n=&sortby=1&tn=memories+autobiography+photography
Bloody Americans! Lately I've avoided wasting my time watching what's currently coming out of Hollywood because so much is rehashed remakes, or repetitive action/super-hero trash!
I agree about the recent releases, but I do think they did a half decent job with this film even if they probably didn't fully understand what it was about
I think "The Grapes of Wrath" is the greatest film of all time. John Ford's direction garnered him a deserved Oscar and Jane Darwell delivers the best Oscar-winning supporting actress performance ever. Henry Fonda and a cast of fine character actors including Russell Simpson, Charley Grapewin, Zeffie Tilbury and John Qualen give the best performances of their careers. Nunnally Johnson's screenplay based on John Steinbeck's searing novel offers a glimmer of hope in the face of overwhelming tragedy. Studio head Darryl Zanuck also deserves recognition for looking into and bringing to the screen this tragic chapter in American history. Nearly all great films have a scene or two which one might not appreciate, but in this film every scene resonates and at the end you realize that you've seen a masterpiece.
In my Top 10 list. Fantastic, taut, thriller with great performances from the two leads, both of whom are among my all time favourite actors. The film used to be available on you tube, but was taken down- sadly.
The French new wave might not mutch of Henri-Georges Clouzot but to me, he is the greatest French director and I'm not a fan of French cinema I think Henri-Georges Clouzot is the only director as good as Akira Kurosawa. I know they make very different movies but for me, their movies just don't age and they pushed the medium cinema to its full potential
Yes Cluzot was easily the best of the French directors, and at his best when his wife Vera was on-screen. Though Vera was unwell during the production of La Verite she was working behind the scenes
Hi! I watched 'Jedda' last night on SBS and the above treatment this morning. I would've liked to know the name of this commentator, presumably one of the organizers of 'Classic Films' - this is the first I've heard of this group. As a note of context, one of my favorite films of all time is 'Rabbit Proof Fence', and I generally love the works of Rolf De Heer and others which document and explore Aboriginal themes. As for 'Jedda', most of what our commentator has stated appears true; the incredible locations, the physical attributes of the two stars, the denial of instinctual and tribal proclivities by the Anglo foster-mother on the girl, and other storyline features which were well stated in terms of scene construction. Unfortunately, my suspension of disbelief crumbled somewhat in the final half hour of the film, and I was hitherto 100% in favor of everything about the film. At one point Joe is within 100mts of the exiled couple, a proximity which is subsequently lost, and as Jedda wasn't making good time in her condition, this seemed rather - well, hard to believe. Pretty much the chronology of events; the death of Joe's 2 men and then there was the deranged reasonings of Malek; that if she dies he would somehow survive. So there are those elements in storyline which made me feel that - basically the film 'lost the plot'. There is also one other thing I would like to comment on, and that is the use of the word 'lovers' to describe Malek and Jedda. There was only one moment, with a symbolic fire burning in the foreground (where SBS decided to place a commercial) that indicated a consummation might have taken place. Yes, I might be looking through modern eyes, and these were rites of an ancient race, but it would still be very difficult for me to concede that a union at that time, of these two characters, was anything other than a rape. In spite of the awakening of primeval instincts depicted by Malek's dance and Jedda's swooning response earlier. Also, what happened to the posse who were pursuing Malek? There were a couple of shots of them on horseback looking formidable, but they didn't appear to have any contact whatsoever with Malek. The story could've ended differently. Joe might have intervened successfully and lived happily ever after with Jedda. I'm not saying this would necessarily have been better, but it might have improved box office performance. Thank you for reading.
Thanks John, you provided some great insights. The only context I'd provide is this film was produced in 1959 - you have the dual influence of limited mainstream understanding of the circumstances of Indigenous Australians (the general public being the intended audience) and the attitude of censors who wouldn't have allowed nudity let alone any suggestion of sexual activity. I like the symbolism of the death of both Marbuk and Jedda but as you say a better scriptwriter or editor may have made this more believable onscreen. The other factor worth considering is that beyond the Chauvels and Ken G Hall there was essentially no Australian film industry so with such a shallow talent pool, they've done an incredible job. Its a film best viewed by trying to ignore some of its short-comings. I too am a fan of Rabbit Proof Fence and the films of Rolf De Heer. I'm also a big fan of a film called Yolgnu Boy... if you haven't seen it you should check it out
I first saw this wonderful movie in the summer of 1955 when I was 8 years old. I love it! I never get tired of watching it! In the 1980s, I was on the team of Robert Skotak researching this movie for him, and interviewed both Jeff Morrow and Rex Reason in the early 1980s, and film composer Herman Stein and became lifelong friends with all three of them. I also interviewed several of the original production crew including Roswell A. Hoffman and William Alland. Some of the information you have is inaccurate and should be corrected.
Thanks for sharing all that. I don't have the same depth of knowledge as you. The best way to correct the record is here in the comments section. Please correct any errors you are aware of
@@ClassicFilms1 Thank you sir. I am not in the game of one-upmanship. just want to set the record straight since I know so much about the making of TIE. I will have to watch your video again and take notes, then add my comments. Thanks for the video!
@@TheDejael I value your input, I read a lot about film both online and in printed form and frequently come across conflicting info and its hard to filter fact from fiction, I'm looking forward to reading your corrections
Thank You. You probably won't like everything I review, still I'd love to hear from you again whether you agree or disagree with my tastes. It It's interesting to hear from those who disagree. I've changed my mind about films over time.. in both directions
If you like this movie like I do allow me to recommend _The Arrangement (1969)_ by Elia Kazan. It’s more straightforward and less surreal (though there are surreal elements and dream sequences) but the two have a lot in common. I wasn’t sure I would ever find another movie like _The Swimmer_ in my life but here it is.
I first saw this as a young man and now, fifty years later, I still remember the power and impact of the acting and storytelling. Perhaps it's time for a second screening.
What a gem of a film! Yes a kitchen sink drama but with a massive heart, so many interesting and sympathetic characters and, as you say, an excellent ending. Thanks for the review. Spot on.
Henry Fonda was brilliant and I have a theory about him: I believe Hitchcock chose him esp. because of his wide, expressive eyes and the cell door close up, what a beautiful shot that was!
I think more than any other Hitchcock film, this film has so many great location shots. A lot of Hitchcock's work was done in a studio or back lot... this film tells me he should have done more location shooting
It is a magnificent Hitchcock movie and genuinely terrifying: it could happen to any of us. I would love to see a remake of The Wrong Man, starring Jonathan Majors, this time about racial injustice in the criminal legal system.
I'm always reluctant to see great films remade, but a racial bias slant would be interesting. I wouldn't want to see an actor who had real life legal troubles cast in the lead for fear of conflating fact with fiction.
Enjoyed your commentary on an underrated Hitchcock film. The black-and-white cinematography and location work add enormously to the sense of foreboding, and Father Logan’s plight. The acting is excellent, particularly Karl Malden. One slight criticism: after all the build-up, and amidst the climactic chaos, Anne Baxter casually turns to her husband and says, “Take me home,” as though everything were suddenly back to normal. But this film belongs in the upper tier of Hitchcock’s film legacy. One suggestion for your future presentations: get a background - artwork, bookshelves, anything - but not cluttered or distracting. With the blank grey wall, this looks like a hostage video! Good film selection, though.
I first saw this movie in 1970 when I was 5 years old.. Dallas CBS affilate KTTV channel 11 on the Monday - Friday 10pm movie I had always remembered the movie but not the name... This video review helped my memory.. thank you
Thanks for that. I hadn't seen this movie in a long time. Another morality tale, like many of the Westerns of that period, but very well done, like 'High Noon'. Many are too tediously preachy, even some of Randolph Scott's, but when well done they are very effective. Amazing stable of great actors too.
This is a great movie. I first saw it on TV, when I was a young teenager in the early 70's. The shots of the long, thin train going through the hot, baren desert grabbed my attention immediately. When Spencer Tracy was the only passenger that got off the train, I was all in. The sparseness of the landscape and town, were matched by the minimal yet sufficient dialog of the screenplay. As the tension built between Tracy's character and the townspeople, I could feel it in the pit of my stomach. The encounter with Borgnine's character caught me completely by surprise. "Bad Day at Black Rock,"is a well-written, well-directed and superbly acted film. One of my all time favorites.
Brilliant review. I have been a huge film Noir fan for over 5 decades since I was a boy going to movies with my parents. I believe Dick Powell did as well as Bogie (big fan of him) with the character of Marlow. This was a great film noir movie.
there were a lot of great film noir actors... bogart, powell, Edmond O'Brien, Richard Widmark, Robert Mitchum, Alan Ladd, and all those fabulous femme fatales of course
@@ClassicFilms1 I agree with you, however top 2 film noir male actors were Humphrey Bogart and Robert Mitchum, and the top female actress was Barbara Stanwyk.
@@mshahnazi7636 Stanwyk was brilliant but was much more than just a film noir actress. When I think of film noir actresses I think of the likes of Jan Sterling, Lizabeth Scott, Gloria Grahame, Gene Tierney, Claire Trevor, Lana Turner, Veronica Lake... great actresses but not as big names, and somewhat under-appreciated
One of my favorites. However, it always amazes me how when they show a spaceship flying through space, it's accompanied with the sound of the ship. In reality, sound does not travel in a vacuum, so there would be no sound. Lol
Yes you must remember these movies are made as entertainment, so we really need to hear the woosh of the Starship Enterprise in the opening titles of STAR TREK.
*As far as I'm concerned, "Farewell, My Lovely" is Raymond Chandler's best novel. Interestingly, when it came to writing the screenplays for "hard-boiled" novels, they put Chandler to work on James M. Cain's "Double Indemnity" and employed William Faulkner to be one of the scriptwriters for Chandler's "The Big Sleep"! In any case, Chandler's genius showed through in his script for Cain's novel.*
that is interesting. there's a funny story about how often chandler and wilder butted heads while working together on double indemnity. wilder usually didn't worry how much he upset people, but with chandler he was far more apologetic because he knew how badly he needed him and his incredible ability to write brilliant dialogue
Good timing. I just rewatched the British neo-noir adaptation of 'Farewell My Lovely' and decided I should also rewatch 'Murder, My Sweet', but I ended up with Alain Silver's commentary on the DVD because that is where I had stopped on last viewing. I liked both films, but 'Murder, My Sweet' better. Charlotte Rampling was insidiously beautiful as the femme fatale, but she seemed to be vamping it. Claire Trevor was acting the part - you could see her fear when she wasn't in control and her cold heart when she had the gun. Mitchum was pretty good as Marlowe, he looked the part and oozed the tired cynicism of the man who must walk down mean streets but himself not be mean (unfortunately, the script was over-sentimentalised and made a parody of this). Dick Powell felt more like Marlowe, though, even if he looked a bit underdeveloped for the part -at least to modern eyes used to the steroid muscles of modern actors. Alain Silver made an interesting anachronistic comment about Powell's physic in the scene when Clair Trevor intruded into Marlowe's apartment when he was in his singlet - 'that's what you got with Dick Powell'. But I doubt the producer, director, Dick, or the females in the audience thought he looked anything but great. William Powell had a similar build and I suspect he was considered quite handsome at the time. Anyway, I should give up on the criticism and just watch the film again for fun.
In my opinion, Kirk Douglas's three best movies were : third place: Lonely Are The Brave, second place: Strangers When We Meet, and first place by far is Ace In The Hole.
This has always been my favorite movie of all time since I first saw it on late night tv in 1968 when I was 16 years old. Kirk Douglas was magnificent in the film, his best role of all time by far. No other film is this tragic and humorous and dramatic at the same time.
