Betrayed
|
List Price: Our Price: $11.67 You Save: $3.31 (22%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $5.71 (click here) Category: DVD See more DVD releases |
|---|
Canada
Movie Reviews of Betrayed
Movie Review: A Surprisingly Frank Look At RAHOWA
Summary: 5 Stars
Let me first say I'm truly shocked that anyone ever made a film this raw in 1988 or any year.
The plot: After the murder of a Jewish radio host in Chicago, FBI agent, Katy (Debra Winger) goes undercover with farmers to seduce widower and father of two, Gary (Tom Beringer). Katy forms a close bond with Gary and his family and even moves in with him. Gary is a suspect in the murder and Katy is trying to learn more about Gary's KKK terrorist group and their plan for future attacks.
The title suggests this is the classic story of love vs. duty. Katy loves Gary but she is bound by duty to take him down.
However this film is so much more. As some have already noted this is based on a true story of "The Brotherhood". A Nazi terrorist group that based itself on `The Turner Diaries' and indeed murdered a Jewish radio host and committed a high profile armored car robbery taking a record amount of money (which the FBI never recovered). The film is faithful even to their choice of firearms, Ingram Mac-10s which each member carries.
`Betrayed' accurately depicts a family trip to a Klan rally where the children shoot at paper targets of black and Jew cartoons. This Klan camp is based on Elohim City, a Nazi training camp. (The same one Timothy McVeigh was later to attend.)
They also refer to America as ZOG. Zionist Occupational Government.
`Betrayed' is smart to make no real political statement. They tell the story, we decide.
The production quality of `Betrayed ` is good with fine acting all around. Honorable mention is deserved by underrated actor John Heard who plays Katy's commander and suitor. In 1988 he was still thin.
Surprisingly a film this smart was written by Joe Eszterhas. I'm amazed Eszterhas could form complete sentences but he really did his homework in accurately depicting RAHOWA.
Movie Review: Gripping film from start to finish. Excellent characters!
Summary: 5 Stars
Another 5 star vote for this film, and well deserved it is.The artistry in this film is evident, the plot is gripping from beginning to end. I was pleased to see so many familiar faces in the cast: Betsy Blair, (a 1955 Oscar Nominee for "Marty"), "Frasier" dad John Mahoney, John Heard, and character actor Ted Levine ("Silence of the Lambs") all are here, and all do a wonderful job. (John Mahoney is especially excellent, in a chilling but affable way.)
The plot unfolds slowly at first, with only faint hints of what is to come. (Actually, the less you know about this film going in, the more you will be surprised by it.) The "wholesome" farm community which seems so "normal" holds so much more--something troubling and sinister. But yet, these people still retain that "wholesome" normalness to them, even after we see what is underneath. The "normalness" never completely goes away, and in some cases, we still are actually able to sympathize with these characters, as depraved as they are. As a previous reviewer said, the "insanity of normality". "Betrayed" depicts this well.
The whole cast is wonderful--Winger is compelling and convincing, as is the rest of the cast. The characterization (and acting) of Tom Berenger as the "insane/normal" Gary should be applauded particularly. All through the film his character is consistent--a man with a "normal" ability to love those close to him. Even when see how his motivations and world view are so completely warped, we see a Gary who feels deeply, loves, and wants many the "normal" things in life. These qualities do not disappear when the darker side of him is revealed, which makes his character all the more fascinating and even sympathetic at times. The "insanity of normality" is most evident in his character.
Great film score by Bill Conti--understated at times, but effective. All-in-all, a fantastic film. A must-see.
Movie Review: Fascinating
Summary: 5 Stars
It is an absolute pleasure to see how highly rated this film is. When it was first released, "Betrayed" received strongly mixed reviews -- everyone praised the sterling performances but most critics found this story of white supremacists planning on starting a guerrila warfare against the U.S. government wildly implausible. Oh, how little they knew! Here we are, after Oklahoma City and Ruby Ridge, truly evaluating this film for its prophetic theme. Don't miss this one, folks. It's brilliant.Movie Review: Stunning performances from Berenger and Winger
Summary: 5 Stars
This is an incredibly memorable film about white supremicists that explores racism in it's most extreme form. Debra Winger is an undercover agent who infiltrates a community of seemingly innocent hard working farmers but as the film progresses the hatred and evil lurking beneath the surface becomes more and more evident. Shocking at times and realistically written and acted, this is a thought provoking and disturbing movie that deserves more attention than it has received. Not one you will soon forget.Movie Review: hel(l) bound lady
Summary: 5 Stars
Berenger died for his love
Debra killed him in despair
of getting isolated
from community he belonged to
Berenger got absolved
in loving till death parted them
she got cheeky enough
to suck to daughter of man
she just murdered
i see patriot americans
vs servants to system that's
gone overboard for outsiders
if we make our own choices
who to love who to betray
the split personality
plays it from both ends