Alexander the Great
|
List Price: Our Price: $1.90 You Save: $13.08 (87%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $0.57 (click here) Category: DVD See more DVD releases |
|---|
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
Movie Reviews of Alexander the Great
Movie Review: Tour de force performances!
Summary: 5 Stars
Despite a static script, that would seem to be made for a theatrical stage, the presence of this splendid cast and a talented director, the refulgent brightness of Richard Burton in what we might denominate one of the most integral actors never born, finds in this personage the wisest and most available choice at this special moment.
The introspective gaze around this Macedonian conqueror, the epitome of the hero through his epic vision makes of this film a very good option to watch, as well as an invitation to get into his colossal project.
Movie Review: Good Looking DVD
Summary: 4 Stars
I have recently rented or purchased so-called "remastered" films on DVD and have frequently been very disappointed. For instance, "Pope Joan" (1972) starring Liv Ullman, and "Third Man On The Mountain" (1959) starring James MacArthur. Both are terrible film/disc transfers, with scratches, dirt and no color correction. So, I shuddered to think what "Alexander the Great" would look like. To my surprise, and enjoyment, the DVD transfer is very good, with excellent Surround sound. The picture image (widescreen, 2:35.1) is free of dirt, scratches and distortion.
That said, the film is . . . well, what it is. You can't go back and remake this particular version with this cast. So, we're stuck with making the best tranfer we can with what we've got.
I heard that Burton disclaimed his performance because he so strongly disagreed with Robert Rossen's approach. He was probably right. You can see patches of a potentially good film, but Rossen's approach (plodding and episodic), with rough, patchy editing, destroys what vision he may have started with. Characters come and go so frequently that it's hard to keep up without a playbill in your lap. This is because Rossen told Alexander's ENTIRE life story, from birth to death. That's a lot of history, not to mention people, to absorb in just over 2 hours.
Very good actors are given only limited screen time. These seasoned character actors do the best with what they've got, but writer Rossen generally gives them only a thumb-nail sketch of their characters, people who are central to Alexander's life. I get the sense that this is the Reader's Digest version of a much longer movie.
Also, every scene feels exactly like the previous one. Rossen's direction is simple, mechanical and workman-like. Burton doesn't seem to "grow" into the role (but this, again, may be the result of choppy editing). I am reminded that Burton's performance as Antony in "Cleopatra" (1963) was generally panned, but there was a situation where the director was forced by the studio to cut 2 1/2 hours, most of which turned out to be of Burton. Burton's REAL performance as Antony is lying around . . . somewhere. It would be nice to see it.
The rssult (in "Anexander" as in "Cleopatra") is that Burton looks mechanical; he sounds the same at the end as he did in the beginning. It is also true to say that Burton's acting style at this time was generally very much effected and way over-the-top. (Look at the DVD of his Hamlet peformance on Broaway 8 years after "Alexander).
Of course, we can vetch and vetch till Doombsday, but at least the DVD transfer is wholly satisfactory in preserving this interesting piece of movie history.
Movie Review: a Great looking DVD!
Summary: 4 Stars
I see that all other reviews where written before the Oct. 19th 04 release of this DVD, therefore referring to VHS only. I purchased and viewed this today, Oct. 27th. 04. It is not my intention to give this a detailed review as has been done at lenght eleswhere. Not my style anyway.
To write about Greek or Roman history/heros with all the factions and diverse warring rulers of those times is tedious at best. And a hard subject to put into a screenplay, to breathe the least. However this is a literate screenplay and all the players are mentioned, just a bit hard to follow unless you've read your Will Durant. Not just another popcorn flick.
No, I just want to say that if anyone is thinking of buying this DVD, I don't think you'd be disappointed, providing you love all the Hollywood epics of the 50's. If you do you may want this one too! Not the spectacle of Quo Vadis, Ben Hur, King of Kings or the pagentry of Cleopatra, but a worthy entry none the less. Matte paintings used in all aforementioned used here as well, but not as many. The Babalonian City is extraordinary and enough glass paintings to convey an epic, unlike the claustrophobic Spartacus. The sets are somewhat meger, like Spartacus, but what lacks there is made up for in the use of Technicolor and Cinemascope and the absolutely remarkable and stunning wardrobe. This is a terrific transfer and will look even better on your 16 x 9 HDTV! The 480 that DVD's put out look as though you might reach for that goblet on wine on the table.
Spain seems to double well for Greece and Persia and although the battles were not of the rousing kind, one over looks this as a trade off to the overall movie. This film also doesn't have that ''Hollywood touch'' of the others of the 50's and seems more adult for that reason {Barabbas 61' is another}.
So if you're looking for another great but not Great 1950's epic just cut the Grodian Knot and ride out of the store on old Bucephalus!
Oh yes, I hope the up coming new release of Alexander, anticipated and welcomed, surpasses this version as there is nothing much better than a good movie, but this 1956 Richard Burton, Fredric March film may be above the mark in the end, as so many remakes or rehashed films can never come close the their predecessors, even with all of the CGI of today. Look at the disappointing Troy, a DVD I won't be purchasing.
Movie Review: Ponderous Classic
Summary: 4 Stars
With the recent Oliver Stone movie on Alexander just out, its always interesting to dive back and look at earlier versions of this subject. One thing for sure, Colin Farrell cannot compare to Richard Burton! Burton looks and acts the part, and is not all dolled up with dyed hair! He has a commanding presence about him. This film has a docu-drama quality to it, which may bore the average movie-goer, but at least there is a good effort to re-create the history of the time.
Here we get a stronger portrait of the tortured relationship between Alexander and his father, Philip II. Frederic March is terrific in the role, and again, Val Kilmer loses out badly! The qaulity of acting in this earlier movie far surpases the current epic on many levels. Some may find this film a bit stiff, but at least it keeps close to its subject matter and never loses sight of it. The same cannot be said of the recent Oliver Stone epic.
The production value for 1960 is pretty good, although perhaps not as impressive as the current version. The battle scenes are brief, and not large scale. Both movies fail to show the true origin of the Macedonian Phalanx system and how it would defeat the Persians. Here we see a brief version of the Battle of Cheronea in 336 BC which saw Philip and Alex defeat the last Greek resistence of Macedonia in the form of Athens and Thebes. We get a small Granicus here, and no Issus. Both Movies show Gaugamala (Arbela)and I would have to give the Oliver Stone movie more credit for showing this epic battle more impressively.
This older movie presents a striaght-forward portrait of Alexander. There are no homo-erotic overtones which are popular today, and little deviation from the image we know of him. The style of production is more standard and traditional. Perhaps a little statuesque, some may find this film too stiff and boring, but it is a worthy companion to the current epic which seeks to wow its audience with special effects and visually imagery. None of that here! Burton gives a moody and convinving look at the great Macedonian, without having to show a lurid image. Of course there are many views of Alexander to chose from, and one must decide which one suits their interests best. If the more traditional view is sought then this movie should fit the bill nicely.
Movie Review: "The world is my domain"
Summary: 4 Stars
One of the best things about this epic based on Alexander the Great is watching and listening to Richard Burton ply his magnificent craft. He was 29 at the time this film was made, and his resonant voice is remarkable, and one of the most unique sounds to be heard in the cinema. He is unfortunately wearing a strawberry blonde wig that has so much spray on it, it could be made of plastic, but otherwise makes a marvelous Alexander, in one of his rare appearances in an "ancient costume epic", others being "The Robe" and the infamous "Cleopatra".
Written, directed and produced by Robert Rossen, it has some excellent dialogue, overall fine acting, and of course, battle sequences with 1001 extras. There is also quite a bit of "beefcake", but not many who are ready for the bare chest exposure, including Burton, whose abs are almost absent, and many of the extras are flabby and rotund, and hard to imagine are warriors.
Shot on location in Spain, the cinematography by Robert Krasner, in typical '50s vibrant Technicolor, is wonderful. Claire Bloom is beautiful as Barsine, a dark and hairy, savage and quite unrecognizable Frederick March is terrific as Philip of Macedon, Harry Andrews is a good Darius, and Danielle Darrieux is Alexander's crafty mother. Others of note in the cast are Stanley Baker as Attalus, and Peter Cushing as Memnon.
Though flawed, this is a film that can be viewed repeatedly, for its well written scenes, Burton's acting, and a smattering of history as well, which is condensed and altered to fit the Hollywood format, but has some basis in truth; it is also fascinating to note that if one listens carefully, one will hear things reminiscent of recent news stories; history seems to be a wheel that is ever turning, and for the brief time that Alexander was in power, he would say "The world is my domain, and my mission is to rule it and rebuild it".
Total running time is 136 minutes, and the DVD extra is the original theatrical trailer.