Thank you, Sam, for presenting this great film. The finest interpretation of this play. I remember watching it on the CBC a long, long time ago. The actors here seem so real, so natural---unlike every other performance: film, or theatre. The actors here are so pure, so perfect. Only a Canadian production could do this play justice, and truly great stage actors, William Hutt, and Martha Henry, of the Stratford Festival. The play required humility. And this one does it. We are peering into the life and tragedy of a real family. We may find ourselves in it. I always understood this play. The disintegration of a family, and the tragedy of being human. This play was a window into my own existence. Even though my own life has no similarity to these people. The pain is universal. Beautiful. Magic. And steeped in deep sadness. Perfection! I don't think it can be beat---this film. Never will. A moment in time that we shall never see or witness again.
Dear Sam, thank you. I meant what I said. My mother has Alzheimer's and she needs to be put in home, and her house sold, and the money placed securely in trust fund to pay for her needs. This has stirred a hornet's nest among my family--my brothers and sisters. Real hate, and cruelty, and savagery, has erupted, and my family has been torn irreparably apart, and the battle lines have now been drawn. It is the end. And fearsome battle fraught with savage intent, and brutality. In short: it is evil. And those who are wicked, are causing it, creating it, and they meant to inflict as much hurt, harm, or injure to us who are innocent with their venal hatred and in vile anger. It is truly Christ vs Anti-Christ. Jesus vs Satan. My family. A tragedy.
@@pjoseph1658 Thanks for writing this! I'm very glad the film has had such an impact and I hope that more people who saw it when it was broadcasted can reconnect with it and have similar experiences to yours.
Probably the best version of this that anyone can access and perhaps the best ever , wonderful Canadian actors (though Martha Henry was born USA) in the major roles all associated with the great Stratford (Ont.) Festival.Thank you, Canada. ,
Thank-you for posting this. I worked as a sound boom operator on this film, and this is the only copy I have found online. I have been wanting to watch it to reminisce. It was such a great cast and crew to work with.
Perfect small talk to begin a harrowing day from breakfast to midnight. You’d never know Mom had just come from rehab for addiction to morphine. This is what families in distress do : small talk over the worst. “ Forget everything and face nothing.”
As someone who has spent a significant amount of time studying this play for research, I can honestly say this is one of the best productions of this play. Eugene O'Neil never wanted this play to be produced and based on some versions I have seen of this, I understand why. A pleasure to watch.
I completely agree. I saw Brian Dennehy, Vanessa Redgrave and Phil Hoffman in NY in 2003, among a half dozen other productions, and this one is better; all 4 principals at the top of their game, fine direction, and a stunning experience.
Brilliant adaptation no matter which cast and I've seen several.The writing of the play is exceptional and the acting is superb in each portrayal. 👏 👏 👏!!!
So glad this is available to view on RU-vid, but, unfortunately, as someone else has already pointed out, this is indeed incomplete. While containing Mary's final line -- the final line of the play -- a number of key shots that follow that, including a deeply poignant final close-up of Mary, and the long final haunting tracking shot -- accompanied by Ron Sures' beautiful score -- of the fogbound back porch, windows, and railings at night with the final credits following. A pity as those shots are all vital for the full impact of the film.
Oh my goodness! It’s William Hutt, Martha Henry, Tom McCamus, and Peter Donaldson!!! I saw them perform this play at the Stratford Festival in the 90’s. I fell in love with them and with this play. I didn’t realize they made a film version! THANK YOU so much for uploading it!!!
In case anybody was wondering, the piano piece that poor Mary attempts at 2:49:14 is recognizably Chopin's Waltz No. 1 in E-flat major, Op. 18 ("Grande valse brillante")
Just having seen the beginning, with the full intention of watching the rest: I’m impressed. Just finished reading the book version and it’s very close to what I saw in my mind while I was reading. A slow burning tragedy, just like real life.
O'Neil didn't want this published until 25 years after his death because there were family members from this time still alive. that knew the truth, but his widow released it right after he died.
Yes out of the 25 years he requested she waited all of 3 to sell the rights. Apparently those that knew his mother were quite shocked at what went on behind the scenes. I for one am grateful for her decision, though it may have been for the wrong reasons. At least we got this complex, though provoking narrative out of it. Not like it’s doing him any harm, after all. No sense in keeping secrets from beyond the grave.
Holy moly ... no wonder O'Neill's daughter married Chaplin! Life in the O'Neill home must have been like growing up in a graveyard. (Fine ensemble acting, esp the actor playing Edmond.)
Beautifully played. Martha Henry, in particular. The best Mary Tyrone I've seen, she's a raging fire on slow burn, not someone playing drug addiction. Nothing against Bethel Leslie, Constance Cummings, or, goodness knows, Katherine Hepburn's performances, but THIS is the one.
Martha Henry is indeed magnificent, though I put her on an equal footing with Hepburn and Cummings. My only caveat with Henry is that, at times, I feel she's in a Tennessee Williams play rather than Eugene O'Neill. But aside from those brief hints of Blanche DuBois, Henry is stunningly good and deeply moving.
This is how rich educated folks have a conversation...I guess....My family never had a conversation .. that even remotely sounded like this....Come to think about it...I can't recall that we ever had any conversations...just some random comments and babbling..
Ive seen and watched a couple different versions of this, and i think this is the best over all..... i saw Jane Kaczmarek as Mary in the griffen playhouse version and she bored me to pieces. the actress that playED mary in this version as well as the katherine hepburne version are aware that mary is in fact a dope head, the irritability, the subtle slurred speech in the first scene. its all subtle but very accurate.. jane was just... NO.
No pressing need to relate how much you DIDN'T like some other actress' performance immediately springs to mind. Not unless it's your way of leaving your mark. More of a stain.
What do you mean? The final line of the play is there. "I fell in love with James Tyrone, and was so happy for a time." What ending are you thinking of?
@@clarequilty4962 Stella probably meant it ended abruptly? Sure, the final line is there, but I don't think the play/movie would end abruptly like this, without any afterglow of that sad line.
Are you kidding me? This is on a par with the Sidney Lumet classic and swept the Canadian Oscars, the Genie Awards, for Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Actress, etc. and has the superb camerawork and rich, muted ambience of an Ingmar Bergman film. And the World's foremost O'Neill experts/biographers, Barbara and Arthur Gelb, felt this version of 'Journey' was the definitive one.
