The Osterman Weekend (Two-Disc)
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Movie Reviews of The Osterman Weekend (Two-Disc)
Movie Review: Excellent
Summary: 5 Stars
The product arrived as advertised and in a timely manner. It was in perfect conditon and would order from this seller again.Movie Review: Fine final thriller from Peckinpah 3 1/2 stars
Summary: 4 Stars
Although it starts off a bit shakey, "The Osterman Weekend" regains its balance and becomes a suspenseful thriller worth watching. While it isn't Peckinpah's best film, it has many of the best qualities that made "The Wild Bunch", "Straw Dogs" and other thrillers interesting and an example of vital cinema.
Rutger Hauer plays John Tanner a TV reporter devoted to uncovering the truth about our government's covert operations, illegal dealings, etc. When a CIA operative Lawrence Fassett(John Hurt)comes to him with the story of a career there's a catch--it involves Tanner's friends. Fassett reveals that Tanner's three best friends Osterman (Craig T. Nelson), Tremayne (Dennis Hopper) and Cardone (Chris Sarandon)are all three Soviet spies. Fassett proposes that Tanner can break an incredible story if he'll cooperate in trying to turn one or all of the spies over a weekend at Tanner's house. Tension builds as the three spies suspect that Tanner knows that they're agents for the Soviets and they're undecided what, exactly, to do about it.
On disc one we get the original theatrical version. It looks quite good and but this high definition transfer highlights the high amount of grain in the original film itself. That's due to the choice of film stock, lighting, etc. That doesn't mar the transfer just keep in mind it won't look quite as smooth as a more contemporary film. The print looks quite good with minimal digital and analog blemishes. The soundtrack in 5.1 sounds a bit hollow to me and lacks the presence it should but that's not a surprise given that it was transferred (If I'm not mistaken) from a stereo soundtrack master.
This Anchor Bay Special Edition includes both the original theatrical release as well as transfer of the video of the only known surviving copy of Peckinpah's original workprint. The workprint differs from the final version. The film was taken away from Peckinpah and many of the important subplots in the film were tossed aside and the more ambigious ending was also replaced a different cut making the film more conclusive. A warning about the workprint--it's precisely that an unfinished version of the film that hasn't been color corrected and is missing key elements of the film. It's also a direct copy of an old 3/4 inch transfer of the film and is in full screen. If you can get past that, it's fascinating to compare the two versions. While the final version is clearer and punchier, Peckinpah's version has some differences that make it compelling as well.
We also get a fascinating documentary called "Alpha to Omega" that discusses the making of the movie and the changes made to Peckinpah's movie as well as the general reaction to the film. There's also a still gallery and a nice commentary by Peckinpah historians Paul Sedor, Garner Simmons, David Weddle and Nick Redman. It couldn't possibly have topped Peckinpah's own commentary were he still alive but it's the best that we have. The commentary has a number of fascinating bits of trivia as well as observations about the film, performances and story that are very interesting.
While it isn't a perfect film, "The Osterman Weekend" is a fine thriller and well worth viewing particularly if you're a Peckinpah fan. The sharp performances, interesting script from Alan Sharp (who wrote the minor classic "Night Moves" for director Arthur Penn)and nice transfer make this well worth picking up.
Movie Review: "Truth is a lie that hasn't been found out."
Summary: 4 Stars
After the disasterous CONVOY Sam Peckinpah was given by Panzer and Davis (producers of HIGHLANDER) another chance in the big leagues. After CONVOY his only work was second unit direction of his mentor Don Siegel's JINXED. After OSTERMAN his only work would be on Julian Lennon videos. A sad climax to a career that had so much promise and, in the end, was sabotaged by Peckinpah himself. OSTERMAN is a cautionary tale of surveillance. In the Anchor Bay documentary people claim this was the first. Not actually true. Forerunners can easily be seen in Sidney Lumet's THE ANDERSON TAPES and Francis Ford Coppala's THE CONVERSATION. Nonetheless, this is an effective thriller. Good work by Hauer and company, Lalo Schfrin's understated score and the editing of Edward Ohman(?). In the end, as happened to him before, the film was taken away from Sam because of stubborness and a hatred of the powers that be. His career would have had more great movies and his life longer ... but then he wouldn't have been Sam Peckinpah. Extras include a very illumating doc called ALPHA OMEGA about the making of the film and interviews with the participants and his first preview cut. It is rough and easy to see by the opeming sex sequence why everyone was horrified. Still, this is a better fitting end to his career than if it had ended five years earlier with CONVOY. For Peckinpah there is what is there to see on celluliod and a thought of, if this man had more control of himself and his life, what might have been. Still, no one was better at slow-motion carnage than Sam. It's not RIDE THE HIGH COUNTRY or THE WILD BUNCH. It probably belongs on the same level as THE GETAWAY or THE KILLER ELITE. Still, this man's failures are one helluva lot more interesting some other men's success's.Movie Review: A minor film of a giant film maker!
Summary: 4 Stars
To talk about Sam Peckinpah is to name one of the most complete and wise North American directors in any age . He is in the elite of the Giants film makers . It is easy for the cultivated and passionate movie fan to distinguish his style ; that special seal he printed his works . the violence aesthetical had in him one of its most highest exponents .
Being this work the last Opus of S.P., and having besides a top cast : John Hurt , Burt Lancaster , Denis Hooper, Rutger Hauger it results more than unexpected the final product .
The film is interesting . Who can deny ? But you leave the film with a bitter taste . There is lot of action , and a credible story but something missed along the film .
It would seem the editing process , the excess of illumination in the night chase sequences ; the obsessive use of the first plane and the abuse of the close up ; the nervous camera and perhaps the fragile nature of the material based on Robert Hudlum made of this thriller just a visible film , indeed but without those ravishing pretensions of his previous films such Stray dogs , Ride the high country , The Wild Bunch , The ballad of Cable Hogue, Cross of iron and the Getaway .
Perhaps the hidden reason remains in a painful reflection . Just a few amount of directors have been able to overcome the pass of the time and its sequels and say farewell with his last opus and sublime work .
The time: that barefoot army demons hidden behind the door of our days .
Movie Review: The Osterman Weekend
Summary: 4 Stars
A great swansong to a dying man plagued by his personal demons.This is not classic Peckinpah admitedly, however this is great viewing. The action scenes for 1983 are up there with any (good) John Woo movies of later years. Rutger Hauer, John Hurt and Craig T Nelson are very watchable. This is defientely worth a second look.
The very rough cut on the 2nd DVD gives this film a more ambigious feel.
Like the train wreck of A man Apart, it shows that test screening clearly does not work!