History at the Movies
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Movie Reviews of History at the Movies
Movie Review: Why I fell in love with Stewart Granger!!!
Summary: 4 Stars
I bought this DVD for one reason only: "Sarabande for Dead Lovers," which I saw as a kid at least 12 times. Unfortunately, it is not available elsewhere, in its pristine beauty. Despite the dreadful deterioration of the print, "Sarabande" is still revealed as a splendid historical J. Arthur Rank epic. Based upon A.E.W. Mason's historical novel, "Koenigsmark", "Sarabande" concerns the tragic life of Sofia Dorothea of Celle (the silken-voiced and beautiful red-haired Joan Greenwood), who is locked in a loveless marriage with the loutish and gross Elector of Hanover, Georg Louis, who becomes George I, of England, but not before he locks his unloved wife in a tower for life. The reason? Her love affair with Philip Christopher von Koenigsmark (Stewart Granger at his most suavelicious!). Their tragic affair is thwarted by the aging once-beautiful red-haired Countess Clara von Platen (Flora Robson--the Helen Mirren of her day), abetted by a sinister Anthony Quayle. Completing the cast is the outstanding French actress, Francoise Rosay, as the Electress of Hanover, who has renounced all emotion in the name of Royal Obligation.
It is such a shame that this film was not rescued before it disintegrated. The performances of the cast speak for themselves, but, unfortunately, one has to intuit the glorious color of the costumes and the richness of the settings in their lost magnificence.
Movie Review: Good Value for the History Buff
Summary: 4 Stars
Among these nine movies, the quality of storytelling (and DVD transfers) vary, but this boxed set is a good value for anyone interested in vintage historical flicks, especially considering that some of these films are virtually impossible to find anywhere else. Contents include:
*HENRY VIII AND HIS SIX WIVES (movie version of the classic British TV series)
*FIRE OVER ENGLAND with Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh
*SINS OF ROME with Massimo Girotti as Spartacus
*EAGLE IN A CAGE about Napolean in exile, with John Gielgud and Ralph Richardson
*CONSTANTINE AND THE CROSS with Cornel Wilde as the first Christian emperor
*LADY HAMILTON about the lover of Lord Horatio Nelson
*SARABANDE FOR DEAD LOVERS a romance about King George of England
*THE IRON DUKE with George Arliss as the Duke of Wellington
*SCOTT OF THE ANTARCTIC starring John Mills (with a score by Vaughn Williams!)
Movie Review: History, occassionally hysterical often excellent
Summary: 4 Stars
This compilation is excellent value. The Six Wives of Henry V111 itself is well worth the price but their are other first rate movies. Many are in black and white but this often adds to the charm and gives them a more authentic feel i.e. they look as if they were filmed at the time they took place! One note that struck me was the performance of Laurence Olivier in Fire over England, absolutely terrible! Talk about hamming it up! By comparision any of Errol Flynn's performances in similar roles e.g. The Sea Hawk show that for sheer screen charisma he leaves Olivier far behind. This DVD is enjoyable and watchable, highly recommended.Movie Review: Hard To Find Historicals
Summary: 3 Stars
Unfortunately, a few of the movies are in poor condition - Sarabande (terrible lighting, very washed out, faded look to it) and Lady Hamilton (freezes in spots about the middle of the film).
However, the two I bought it for "The Wives Of Henry VIII" and "Fire Over England" are in great shape and worth the price of the collection.
"Sins of Rome" is another re-telling of the Spartacus tale and was much better than I expected.
Overall, "History at the Movies" is the bargain the other reviewers claim it is and I wasn't sorry I made this purchase.
Movie Review: History at the Movies DVD Multi-pack
Summary: 3 Stars
Overall, good fun. The visual quality is just okay, though with such old films that might be expected. The choice of films varies from high quality to old Saturday matinee. That said, still glad I bought it, particularly for the opportunity to see Stewart Granger in Sarabande for Lost Lovers, and Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh in Mrs. Hamilton. Keith Mitchell's performance in Henry the VIII and His Six Wives is worth the price of the three-disk set in itself. For true old British movie buffs there's George Arliss in The Iron Duke.
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