The Last Valley
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Movie Reviews of The Last Valley
Movie Review: One of my absolute favorite movies...
Summary: 5 Stars
This movie was made a bit before my time (nine years before, to be exact), and I'd never even heard of it until my dad requested it as a Christmas present one year, saying it was an old favorite of his. I found it for him and figured, well, Michael Caine and Omar Sharif--it has to be pretty good, right? I watched it with him, and I was absolutely blown away. It's now one of my favorite movies of all time.
My dad likes it because he says it's an action movie (I somewhat disagree...this movie has only a fraction of the action found in a typical James Bond movie, much to my relief); I like it because of its exploration (and criticism) of various religious ideas. Michael Caine is absolutely brilliant; I noticed another reviewer mention that one of the criticisms of this movie when it came out was his accent...I'm not sure what was being criticized, but his staccato-style delivery of lines was, I thought, fantastic.
I'm also a big fan of the movie "The Crucible"; if you like that (specifically if you like it for the religious theme) you'll probably like this as well. Such movies seem to be few-and-far-between; people on the whole seem to prefer action, special effects and scantily-clad, big-name actors and actresses to any sort of meaningful, thought-provoking story these days. Such a pity.
Movie Review: Very Pleasurable Discovery
Summary: 5 Stars
I thought I had seen all of the films in this venue. I was very pleasantly surprised to view The Last Valley for the 1ST time, just a few days ago (Sunday, September 5, 2004). Imagine my delight to see James Clavell's masterpiece without introduction or review.
The film is exciting, dramatic, and even poignant in places. The cinematography is reminiscent of films like The Magnificent Seven, and the Rogers and Hammerstein films. There has been criticism of the fighting scenes, but they blended well with the story, much as the fighting scenes in "Flesh and Blood" look poorly done, but add to the flavour of that film.
If you have not seen this film, you are at a loss. Your life will be enriched by the experience. Here is an opportunity to see Michael Caine and Omar Sharif at their theatrical best.
I cannot express my joy and delight at finally having seen this film. I now own the DVD of course and would recommend the purchase for all videophiles of note.
Movie Review: Both timeless & timely
Summary: 5 Stars
Given the current state of the world, this wonderful, neglected film is all too relevant. A thoughtful, penetrating depiction of the madness & horror that are unleashed by religious fanaticism & unrestrained greed, this story is all too sadly familiar. Self-righteousness, invincible ignorance, and blind ideology trump reason once again. If it commented on Vietnam at the time of its release, it comments with equal precision on the newest quagmire of Iraq & the fundamentalist mindset of every rigid stripe.
Both Caine & Sharif give superb performances, with Caine's cold but haunted Captain lingering in the memory. It's telling that even in the Eden of the valley, the serpent rears its head in the form of religious intolerance. When Sharif & his new love leave the valley, it's with the awareness that there is no truly safe place in a world governed by such madness. The struggle to create a sane world continues. Highly recommended!
Movie Review: Depressing as Hell, Yet Good
Summary: 5 Stars
The action takes place during the 30 Years' War, arguably the most vicious, destructive, irrational debacles in European history. A group of undisciplined soldiers/pillagers stumble across a valley that has remained unspoiled throughout years of nonstop carnage. They are convinced to winter there instead of pillaging it.
Although I despise Michael Caine, I have to admit that this early role of his was carried out to perfection. Omar Shariff, although an excellent actor, also gives a good performance, but because of his dark complexion it is hard to picture him as a native German of the time.
It is a very depressing, anti-war, movie. Yet, it is also very good and gives an excellent feel for the historical period.
Movie Review: Brilliant Acting and an insight into the future of war
Summary: 5 Stars
A brilliant movie set in the Thirty Years War. The drama between the multi-ethnic mercenary soldiers, the peasants, the rich landowner, the priest and the educated man play themselves out in a time of superstition and religious wars. In many ways our current wars are heading back to this type of conflict in a more 'high tech' way. Read Brave New War: The Next Stage of Terrorism and the End of Globalization to see what I mean.