The Anniversary
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Movie Reviews of The Anniversary
Movie Review: Bette Davis in an eye patch
Summary: 3 Stars
You might think an eye patch would be over the top, well not for Bette Davis. This tale of family in-fighting and treachery is led by the legend on a romp through a family function gone terribly wrong. Although Hammer made this film and their reputation was in horror the film itself is more of a drama, although it does have a very dark side. A good script and a sufficient supporting cast round out the production making it worth the watch.Movie Review: Different
Summary: 3 Stars
This is a rather bizarre movie all the way around. Bette Davis, as always, rises to the challenge. She is an overbearing mother who rules her brood with a twisted sense of humor. It is an english movie, which I very much enjoy. It is a must see for any Bette Davis fan.Movie Review: You Won't Celebrate This ANNIVERSARY
Summary: 2 Stars
THE ANNIVERSARY is perhaps the most unusual film in Bette Davis' filmography. Coming after three fine "horror" thrillers, this one often gets pegged as another entry in the category (and was marketed as one by 20th Century-Fox who clearly was at a loss at how to sell it), THE ANNIVERSARY is actually a black comedy-melodrama with Davis playing such a monster mother she makes Gladys Cooper in NOW VOYAGER look like Stella Dallas in comparsion. Davis stars as Mrs. Taggart, owner of a construction company who keeps her three ineffectual adult sons on a tight leash. Unfortunately, the director failed to do likewise to Miss Davis but she can scarcely be blamed when the screenplay dares her to overact. Surprisingly successful playing a British matron (she does have the bad teeth for the role), Bette has a ball (and certainly a major segment of her audience will as well) but the bad taste and bad manners wears thin before long and the storyline, whatever it is, is just not interesting.
The movie is strong on outrageousness but weak on credibility, stunningly vicious remarks or actions are overlooked as if nothing happened moments later. Some of the insults are funny but the laughs are surprisingly few in this picture which has long stretches of melodrama. On the plus side there are two young actresses, Sheila Hancock and Elaine Taylor, who do very well and are able to stand up not only to Mrs. Taggart but to Bette Davis. The sons, unfortunately, are written off as drips although the hopelessly dominated middle son is well played.
THE ANNIVERSARY was for years a little seen film and television airings have always been extremely rare probably due to it's adult humor (although you will now see rougher stuff on TV cartoons). It's hard to miss in Bette Davis books with it's stills of Davis in a eyepatch or clutching a pissin' statue and I suspect many Davis fans have sought it out on video and DVD sight unseen.
This movie was apparently a bomb at the box office and started the most elusive chapter in Davis' career, 1968-1975 where she made some scarcely seen films like "Connecting Rooms", "Bunny O'Hare", and "The Scientific Cardplayer" as well as a few instantly forgotten TV projects. Bette Davis, like Mrs. Taggart, did not know the meaning of conceding and marched on and actually found a number of worthwhile and well-received projects in her senior years from 1976 until her death in 1989.
Movie Review: miss davis poison movie
Summary: 2 Stars
only for miss davis fans because the movie is not great is far from the good old histories and curriculm of bette!only the costumes are nice and the cover eye!!!!Movie Review: Total Humilation For a Great Actress
Summary: 1 Stars
When I first saw The Anniversary on Amazon I thought I had found the lost treasure of all Bette Davis' career. WRONG! This film is the most humilating piece of movie trash anyone has ever starred in never mind our most precious Bette. The eye patch is horrendous. The outfits are horrific. The plot? Is there one that holds up to anything that a clown couldn't play. I can't even sit through it again. I had to force myself to watch it the first time. What could have been a quite intriguing plot is instead a thrown together script to embarass our legendary Bette: yellow teeth and all. I felt like crying I was so upset for Bette. There are no great lines to recite. There are no shocking moments. This certainly is no treat for a Bette Davis fan and I am one who counts myself as an adoring fan.
If the releasing company would be so kind to burn all the inventory and put it out of circulation and out of it's misery that would be the kindest act. But they'll keep suckers like me thinking I've come across a gem for the money honey. Bette certainly was used and made to think the film had some importance. Alas, even my TV cried having to carry the picture through.
Please don't waste your money when there are so many of her fabulous films available on DVD. I gave it one star for our star Bette. May she rest in peace and this film rest in pieces of a recycle bin. It is a crime that some greedy folks put it out. Shame on them.