mathewshires
Joined Apr 2001
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Reviews12
mathewshires's rating
This really, really is a first rate film in every respect. It's great not just as an A1 political thriller but as a reminder of what a genuinely good actor Frank Sinatra could be-and how white-hot Laurence Harvey was in his day, sort of a Jude Law for the late 50s/early 60s.
The plot is quite simple, however the storytelling and dialogue is occasionally a challenge, but one you want to get your teeth into: In the Korean War, a US platoon is kidnapped by the Chinese and the Russians. They are brainwashed, and returned home. Raymond Shaw (Harvey), the leader of the pack, returns to a hero's welcome and his overbearing mother, who in turn is now married to an obnoxious senator. Ben Marco (Sinatra), one of Shaw's men, is plagued by terrifying nightmares though, ones that could unlock murders, treason and a massive political plot. It's top class, full of twists and turns.
Janet Leigh and Angela Lansbury are awesome too. 9/10.
The plot is quite simple, however the storytelling and dialogue is occasionally a challenge, but one you want to get your teeth into: In the Korean War, a US platoon is kidnapped by the Chinese and the Russians. They are brainwashed, and returned home. Raymond Shaw (Harvey), the leader of the pack, returns to a hero's welcome and his overbearing mother, who in turn is now married to an obnoxious senator. Ben Marco (Sinatra), one of Shaw's men, is plagued by terrifying nightmares though, ones that could unlock murders, treason and a massive political plot. It's top class, full of twists and turns.
Janet Leigh and Angela Lansbury are awesome too. 9/10.
This was an absolutely brilliant show, first piloted by the UK's Channel 4 in 1992, and then becoming a six-part series in 1994.
It's weird, but this series has only been re-run once since then, and has never made it to video or DVD-which is pretty strange as Frank has gone onto become one of British TV's biggest and funniest stars.
Anyway, Frank here plays Frank Sandford, a likeable Birmingham lad who's in a useless amateur band called 'Blue Heaven', alongside his Irish friend Roache. He chases unreachable women, he argues with his common parents, he gets confused bits of philosophy from an elderly Asian chap who follows him about-it's a meandering but realistic and fun show, very unfairly neglected by Channel 4 over the years.
As they say down the Carson Club-"It's A Cracker"
It's weird, but this series has only been re-run once since then, and has never made it to video or DVD-which is pretty strange as Frank has gone onto become one of British TV's biggest and funniest stars.
Anyway, Frank here plays Frank Sandford, a likeable Birmingham lad who's in a useless amateur band called 'Blue Heaven', alongside his Irish friend Roache. He chases unreachable women, he argues with his common parents, he gets confused bits of philosophy from an elderly Asian chap who follows him about-it's a meandering but realistic and fun show, very unfairly neglected by Channel 4 over the years.
As they say down the Carson Club-"It's A Cracker"
"Bedazzled", mainly because it's not available on DVD (and even VHS in the UK), has become something of a cult in recent years. This is also due to the simple fact that its a very good film, a very mannered and well-crafted high concept flick.
Dudley Moore and Peter Cook were still friends in 1967. They were two of British TV's most feted stars, and had also enthusiastically appeared together in a few ensemble comedy films. They were no slouches when it came to their first feature either. Stanley Donen was brought in a director, Cook toiled over the witty script, Moore did the perky score.
"Bedazzled" is slightly dated and is quite an uncommercial product overall, but its still a clever and interesting film. It doesnt deliver bellylaughs, but it is pretty thought-provoking and intelligent. There's funny one-liners ("Yes, Irving Moses-the fruitier etc), totally original ideas (the animated fly sequence, Raquel Welsh as Lust), slapstick stuff and a top pop parody with Cook as the indifferent "Drimble Wedge".
The pathos and sadness underpinning the movie is perhaps best summed up with the conned old lady's "Goodbye" as the Eyewash men leave. "Bedazzled" is very British and very 60s, but it still a well-made and well-acted fantasy, much better than the silly 2000 remake.
Dudley Moore and Peter Cook were still friends in 1967. They were two of British TV's most feted stars, and had also enthusiastically appeared together in a few ensemble comedy films. They were no slouches when it came to their first feature either. Stanley Donen was brought in a director, Cook toiled over the witty script, Moore did the perky score.
"Bedazzled" is slightly dated and is quite an uncommercial product overall, but its still a clever and interesting film. It doesnt deliver bellylaughs, but it is pretty thought-provoking and intelligent. There's funny one-liners ("Yes, Irving Moses-the fruitier etc), totally original ideas (the animated fly sequence, Raquel Welsh as Lust), slapstick stuff and a top pop parody with Cook as the indifferent "Drimble Wedge".
The pathos and sadness underpinning the movie is perhaps best summed up with the conned old lady's "Goodbye" as the Eyewash men leave. "Bedazzled" is very British and very 60s, but it still a well-made and well-acted fantasy, much better than the silly 2000 remake.