The Carpetbaggers
Our Price: $44.99
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $22.97 (click here)
Category: DVD
See more DVD releases
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
DVD Cover Information
Actor: Alan Ladd, Elizabeth Ashley, George Peppard, Martha Hyer, Robert CummingsDVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Subtitled); English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono; French (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono
Format: Anamorphic, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DVD, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
Picture Format: 1.85:1
Running Time: 150 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2003-04-22
Audience Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: Paramount
Movie Reviews of The Carpetbaggers
Movie Review: Riveting Hollywood Sleaze
Summary: 5 Stars
"The Carpetbaggers" is a fantastic adaptation of Harold Robbins' bestseller, very racy for its era, with dialogue that is often rare and juicy, a superb cast, and great direction by Edward Dmyrtryk. The character of Jonas Cord is loosely based on the life of Howard Hughes, and it is interesting to compare this film with Martin Scorsese's "The Aviator." Both George Peppard as Cord and Leonardo DiCaprio as Hughes give brilliant performances, but overall, I find this film far more satisfying, and certainly a lot more entertaining.
Peppard was at the height of his career in this film, and it is perhaps his best. It gives him a wide range of emotions, as well as the physicality and toughness he was so good at. Others that shine in the large cast are Alan Ladd in what was to be his last film as Nevada Smith, Carroll Baker as the sultry Rina, Robert Cummings as Nevada's slick and slimey manager. Elizabeth Ashely as Mrs. Jonas Cord (and who soon after this film was to become the real life Mrs. Peppard), Martin Balsam as the owner of a film studio, and Lew Ayres, as second in command in Jonas Cord's empire, has some of the best lines in the film.
The pacing of the film never lags, and there is a brutal fight between Jonas and Nevada, one of those screen fights that is always fascinating to watch. The Nevada Smith character is quite complex, and was to spawn a "prequel" 2 years later, starring Steve McQueen. The cinematography by Joseph MacDonald is marvelous, the Edith Head gowns lavishly glamorous, and very important to the success of this film is the fabulous jazzy score, which is one of Elmer Bernstein's finest. In my youth I devoured all of Robbins' books, loved the well-written sleaze of them, and loved this film in its theatrical release. I've since watched it repeatedly, and find more to enjoy in it with each viewing. Total running time is 150 minutes.
Similar DVD Movies
Home from the HillWarner Brothers; Release date: 2007-01-23; DVD
Best price: $10.35
Price in other shops:
From the TerraceFox; Release date: 2003-05-20; DVD
Best price: $7.00
Price in other shops:
Giant (Two-Disc Special Edition)Warner Brothers; Release date: 2005-05-31; DVD
Best price: $8.95
Price in other shops:
ShaneLADD,ALAN; Release date: 2000-08-15; DVD
Best price: $23.95
Valley of the Dolls (Special Edition)Fox; Release date: 2006-06-13; DVD
Best price: $7.21
Price in other shops:
The Long, Hot SummerNEWMAN,PAUL; Release date: 2003-05-20; DVD
Best price: $6.23
Price in other shops:
A Summer PlaceWarner Brothers; Release date: 2007-02-06; DVD
Best price: $5.95
Price in other shops:
The Blue MaxFox; Release date: 2003-05-20; DVD
Best price: $6.70
Price in other shops:
HarlowRelease date: 2010-09-28; DVD
Best price: $14.73
Price in other shops:
Nevada SmithNevada; Release date: 2003-04-22; DVD
Best price: $19.98