The Anniversary
by Roy Ward Baker
Our Price: $44.88
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $14.99 (click here)
Category: DVD
See more DVD releases
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
DVD Cover Information
Actor: Bette Davis, Christian Roberts, Jack Hedley, James Cossins, Sheila HancockDirector: Roy Ward Baker
Brand: STARZ HOME ENTERTAINMENT
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown), Dolby Digital 1.0; English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 1.0
Format: Color, DVD, NTSC, Widescreen
Picture Format: 1.85:1
Running Time: 95 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2006-04-04
Audience Rating: Unrated
Studio: Starz / Anchor Bay
Movie Reviews of The Anniversary
Movie Review: fine Bette Davis vehicle from the '60s
Summary: 5 Stars
Bette Davis stars in The Anniversary, a black campy comedy from the 1960s. She is ably assisted by other supporting actors; and if you like movies that are somewhat off the beaten path, this one's for you!
When the action starts, Mrs. Taggart (Bette Davis), the wealthy and highly manipulative matriarch of the Taggart family, demands that her three sons help her "celebrate" her anniversary to their father--even though he's been dead for ten years. Of course, this being a Bette Davis vehicle, the three sons aren't exactly the strongest. Henry (James Cossins) is a cross dresser and rather wimpy; and her other son Terry (Jack Hedley) doesn't have much backbone either. The youngest son Tom (Christian Roberts) brings his pregnant fiancée Shirley (Elaine Taylor) along for the celebration, which is sure to cause some friction.
Well, if you read that insults fly and family secrets become public information, you read correct information. Mrs. Taggart, who is so wicked and cold that she isn't even given a first name by the writers, carries on throughout the evening like a woman obsessed with humiliating and manipulating people as things as well as events so that she can always stay close to her three sons.
Of course, the plot can go anywhere from here. Will Mrs. Taggart get her way the whole night long? Will any or all of her sons ever stand up to her? What about Terry's wife Karen--will she stand up to Mrs. Taggart? What will Mrs. Taggart do when she finds out Tom's fiancée is already pregnant? No spoilers here, folks--you'll have to watch the film to fine out. This film offers up some good suspense as it is anyone's guess how the movie will end.
The plot moves along at a good pace and it held my attention very well. I liked the cinematography with its good shots of the Taggart residence from many different angles; and the choreography works well in scenes when the Taggart family eats dinner in a restaurant and sets off fireworks to liven up the "celebration."
This movie, a must have for Bette Davis fans, gives us a campy black comedy that really is one of the better ones in this genre of film. I highly recommend this for anyone who enjoys Bette Davis or this type of somewhat psychological piece.
Enjoy!
Summary of The Anniversary
The legendary Bette Davis stars as Mrs. Taggart, a venomous one-eyed matriarch who ? despite her husband being long dead ? demands her three grown sons gather for her 40th anniversary. Eldest Henry is a mild-mannered cross-dresser; middle child Terry is a henpecked weakling; and carefree youngest son Thomas arrives with his pregnant fiancée. But this bumpy night has only just begun, as family secrets will be revealed, cruel insults hurled, and frilly underwear stolen. Even if the siblings can survive the festivities unscathed, does the biggest mother of them all have a shocking final surprise for everyone? Christian Roberts (TO SIR, WITH LOVE) and Sheila Hancock co-star in this deranged black comedy written and produced by Jimmy Sangster (THE NANNY, WHO SLEW AUNTIE ROO?) and directed by Roy Ward Baker (DON?T BOTHER TO KNOCK, A NIGHT TO REMEMBER) that Bette Davis fans still call one of her most outrageous performances ever!Similar DVD Movies
Strait JacketSony; Release date: 2002-03-12; DVD
Best price: $8.12
Price in other shops:
Mr. SkeffingtonWarner Brothers; Release date: 2005-06-14; DVD
Best price: $11.82
Price in other shops:
The Bette Davis Collection, Vol. 3 (The Old Maid / All This, And Heaven Too / The Great Lie / In This Our Life / Watch on the Rhine / Deception)Warner Brothers; Release date: 2008-04-01; DVD
Best price: $24.29
Price in other shops:
Payment on DemandRelease date: 2009-06-22; DVD
Best price: $14.60
Price in other shops:
Family ReunionSony Pictures; Release date: 2011-03-04; Published: 2010-08-16; DVD
Best price: $15.67
Price in other shops:
In This Our LifeDVD
Best price: $13.25
The NannyFox; Release date: 2008-04-08; DVD
Best price: $10.45
Price in other shops:
Where Love Has GoneOLV; Release date: 2010-09-28; DVD
Best price: $14.70
Price in other shops:
Dead RingerWarner Brothers; Release date: 2004-08-10; DVD
Best price: $10.92
Price in other shops:
A Stolen LifeRelease date: 2010-12-22; Published: 2010; DVD
Best price: $15.70
Price in other shops: