The Sea Chase

Starring:John Wayne, Lana Turner, David Farrar, Lyle Bettger, Tab Hunter, James Arness, Richard Davalos, John Qualen, Paul Fix, Lowell Gilmore, Luis Van Rooten, Alan Hale Jr., Wilton Graff, Peter Whitney, Claude Akins, John Doucette, Alan Lee, Adam Williams, James O'Hara, Gavin Muir
Director: John Farrow
Studio: Warner Home Video
Product Type: DVD

Amazon.com

This mega-budget action epic flopped at the box office with a resounding thud, and it probably deserved that fate for not living up to its lavish potential. But Cutthroat Island has had a healthy shelf life on video, and digital video disc can only improve the film's potential as a spectacular guilty pleasure. Geena Davis plays Morgan, the swashbuckling daughter of an aging buccaneer who inherits one-third of a map to a secret pirate treasure. But the map is in Latin, and she needs a lowdown thief and scoundrel (and presumably a Latin scholar), played by Matthew Modine, to translate the map when they obtain the other two pieces. That's when the mayhem begins and the dashing duo race for the treasure against Morgan's scheming uncle (Frank Langella) and a hoard of greedy pirates. With wall-to-wall action ably handled by Davis's then-husband Renny Harlin, Cutthroat Island is more fun than its box-office performance would indicate. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews:

Good purchase.......2007-01-05

The movie itself was for someone else. It was delivered fast and had 2 versions on it. Normal and Wide screen which is what I wanted. I recommend buying from Amazon.

Wonderfully Cheesey.......2007-01-03

If you're looking for a serious pirate movie stop now. If you're like so many pirate movie fans and have come to realize that there is no such thing dig in and enjoy. These movie is wonderfully cheesy and yes overacted at points. But its a great beer and pizza movie. Something that can be watched several times and enjoyed.

Action, fun........2006-12-12

A thoroughly entertaining fun action pirate movie with a great female lead. Why wasn't it more well known?

Cutthroat Island.......2006-08-10

Received the DVD in good shape and in good time. Would buy more DVD at a later time. Great movie must see.

Excellent Period-Style Actioneer With Lavish Sets, Dashing Swordfights And A Devil Of A Soundtrack. Great Fun........2006-08-05

This 1995 16th century period-style pirate actioneer is a lot of fun. Geena Davis ("The Long Kiss Goodnight," "Stuart Little") is perfect as the dashing, and hunted, female pirate Morgan Adams. She pulled the role off very well, with all the spunk and fire neccessary for her character. Makes me want her as a companion. Matthew Modine ("Full Metal Jacket") fares equally well as her companion William Shaw. Frank Langella (1978's "Dracula") is terrifically venomous as her evil pirate uncle Dawg. Shame that it didn't do well at the box-office, considering the budget (over $60 million). A sequel (which the ending promised) should have been made. Renny Harlin ("Die Hard 2," "Cliffhanger," "The Long Kiss Goodnight") fares a lot better with this film than he did with "Die Hard 2." Morgan's scenes with Bowen should have been expanded. It was clear that she loved him as her own son, though her exciting life wouldn't have permitted her the luxury of children. It would have been nice to see more of the two of them together. Consistent with the period-style setting, there is no sexuality or nudity (an "R" rating would have been needed for that; I'm no prude, but unless the storyline calls for it, nudity isn't neccessary in a movie; "Bram Stoker's Dracula" and the equally well-made [but, like this film, maligned by stupid critics] "Mary Shelley's Frankenstein" being cases in point where nudity was needed; please see my reviews on both films). Rated PG for action-violence.

Average customer rating:

Orca Killer Whale
It's no "Jaws", but it's wonderfully entertaining just the same
orca
pew you , this turkey was bad then and it's bad now
Orca, the killing whale

Orca - The Killer Whale
Starring: Richard Harris , Charlotte Rampling , Will Sampson , Bo Derek , and Keenan Wynn
Director: Michael Anderson
Manufacturer: Paramount
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0002I832M
Release Date: 2004-09-14

Description

ORCA: THE KILLER WHALE stars Richard Harris and Bo Derek in her screen debut in an epic struggle between a strong and determined fisherman and an equally determined whale. When the whale's pregnant mate is killed, it goes on a rampage, seeking revenge on the man by smashing boats, collapsing buildings and causing extreme destruction by fire.

Customer Reviews:

Orca Killer Whale.......2007-06-11

Brilliant. One of the best sea / ocean horror movies of that time. Richard Harris is brilliant and the special effects are great. A must have if you loved the Jaws movies. XXXX

It's no "Jaws", but it's wonderfully entertaining just the same.......2007-06-10

The success of Spielberg's 1975 first to crack the 100 million mark landmark film Jaws spawned a whole series of "us against it" genre films of which several were water-based like the dreadful Tentacles and the rest were equally poor only taking place on land such as the campy Day of the Animals. However, a few were standouts and "Orca" was one of them.

Wonderfully and sensitively acted by the late great Richard Harris (A Man Called Horse and Camelot), the always convincing Charlotte Rampling (The Verdict), and the ever noble Will Sampson (One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest and Poltergeist II: The Other Side). It is also memorable as the first film for Bo (10) Derek who manages to actually keep her clothes on in this film.

The storyline is intelligent and believable. There are no memorable cliches or unimportant scenes. The film is compact and to the point at a brief 92 minutes. The direction and editing is sturdy and skillful. The photography is absolutely brilliant. Every shot is beautifully filmed. The music is, unfortunately, forgettable and uninspiring.

Don't let the comparisons to "Jaws" scare you off. This film may not be in that ballpark, but its field is only a block or two away.

orca.......2007-03-20

i bought this film for my son as he saw it a long time ago and really loved it as it is to do with killer whales and he is addicted to them it is a really good film and it shows me that even mammels have feelings too

pew you , this turkey was bad then and it's bad now.......2006-03-24

like most people i saw orca after jaws and i though it was going to be a rip-off of that movie. it is not, it just stinks on it's own. richard harris over acts badly,ms. rampling acts not at all , and bo derak well she's bo and that's all. just a waste of time and not worth the price what ever it is.

Orca, the killing whale.......2006-03-13

I really enjoyed the movie. I thought the movie was a dolby digital and it says that it's a dolby gigital on the case. When playing the movie it was a 2-channel sound. that was a bit disappointing. There were no features about the movie. I believe such movies should have some features.

Average customer rating:

The other Bunuel
Surprisingly disappointing
Surprisingly Faithful Adaptation, highly recommended
Tongue-in-cheek stab at adventure film
Robinson Crusoe

Luis Bunuel's Robinson Crusoe
Starring: Dan O'Herlihy , Jaime Fernández (II) , Felipe de Alba , Chel López , and José Chávez
Director: Luis Buñuel
Manufacturer: Vci Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

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ASIN: B0002F6BJC
Release Date: 2004-09-14

Amazon.com

The most surreal aspect of this adaptation of Daniel Defoe's Robinson Crusoe is how faithful Surrealist director Luis Bunuel is to the original book! Which is not to say it's sluggish or literary--Bunuel recreates the story with lush scenery and vivid images, as if he himself were discovering the tropical island along with the Englishman shipwrecked in 1659. Crusoe (Daniel O'Herlihy, later to appear in RoboCop) spends 28 years building a home and struggling to maintain his sanity; only a friendship formed with a former cannibal whom he dubs Friday (Jaime Fernandez) breaks his isolation. Bunuel (Un Chien Andalou, Belle De Jour, That Obscure Object of Desire) hews scrupulously to even the most colonial aspects of the original material. Crusoe's original expedition set out to trade slaves, and when Crusoe first meets Friday, he introduces himself as "Master" and comments, "How pleasant it was once more to have a servant." But moments of puckish humor--such as a theological debate in which Friday questions the emotional stability of God--reveal that Bunuel was hardly blind to these issues. Bunuel's sharp eye results in a straightforward but superb version of the classic adventure story. The dvd has a small handful of extras, including an extensive audio interview with O'Herlihy (who was nominated for an Academy Award for his performance), in which he reminisces about Orson Welles and reveals that though the movie is in English, Bunuel never spoke it and O'Herlihy had to learn Spanish so he could take direction. --Bret Fetzer

Description

VCI is very proud to present this adventure classic from acclaimed director Luis BuÃ±uel, one of the most acclaimed directors in the history of film, in a new special edition. Virtually unseen in any medium for decades and even thought lost by some, VCI's release has been fully restored to its original glory in time for the 50th Anniversary of its U.S. theatrical release. The year is 1659. There is a shipwreck and the sole survivor Robinson Crusoe is washed ashore on a deserted tropical island. Suddenly faced with a hostile and unknown wilderness, he carves out a life for himself with his bare hands. And remarkably, he learns how to survive the maddening absence of human companionship and intense loneliness. Based on Daniel Defoe's immortal classic it is a story about the human spirit's ability to endure what seem insurmountable challenges. Bonus Features: Scene Selection|English & Spanish languages|English Subtitles Optional|Audio Interview with Dan O'Herlihy by Film Critic David Del Valle|Before & After Restoration Video|Excerpt Reproduction of Original Press Book|Short Biographies & Selected Filmographies|Photo Gallery. Specs: DVD9; Dolby Digital Mono; 90 minutes; Color; 1.33:1 Aspect Ratio; MPAA - NR; Year - 1952; SRP - $14.99.

Customer Reviews:

The other Bunuel.......2005-05-07

I'm not sure why this DVD has received lackluster reviews, but I suspect it's due to disappointment from fans of Bunuel's more surreal masterpieces at the two ends of his career (his collaborations with Dali c. 1930, and the last 9 or 10 films of his old age). Still, people shouldn't dismiss Robinson Crusoe. It has much in common stylistically with other movies of his Mexican period, notably Los Olvidados (1950) and Nazarin (1959) but especially his adaptation of Wuthering Heights made just before Robinson Crusoe. There's a directness and simplicity to these films that is deceiving -- and, like I said, disappointing to fans of Bunuel's more flamboyant stuff. I wouldn't call Robinson Crusoe a masterpiece along the lines of The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie or Belle de Jour, but it's interesting and entertaining. (For several interesting reviews, check out the ones on IMDb. On this page, I think "Laughing Gravy" and M. Lucas have hit the nail on the head.)

If you're not a Bunuel fan, then the movie stands on its own pretty well -- mainly because of its surprising faithfulness to Defoe's novel. Huge chunks of Defoe's prose are preserved intact as narration, which I never found annoying. This DVD would make a wonderful teaching aid for high school English classes. (In fact, Bunuel would probably have found it amusing that one of his films can be found in the Family Entertainment section of many video stores.) And O'Herlihy, who has to carry the movie single-handedly for about half the running time, is quite good. His Oscar nomination was well-deserved.

As others have said, VCI's presentation is very nice. There are several minor instances of "ghosting" (mild blurriness caused by the transfer to DVD). Considering that the original negative no longer exists and that Pathe Color was a cheap alternative to Technicolor, I'd say they've done as good a job on the restoration as they could. The long audio interview with the late Dan O'Herlihy is a solid extra.

In summation, I'd say that, if you're interested in this title, it's worth a purchase, especially at it's reasonable listing price. (Even if you end up hating it, you can always donate your copy to a school.) O'Herlihy's performance and the script's faithfulness to the source make this movie respectable entertainment; the presence of Bunuel as director adds an extra layer for viewers searching for "more." And VCI serves everything up with class.

Surprisingly disappointing .......2005-04-06

Sadly, disappointment is the only word for Bunuel's lifeless and seemingly endless 'Robinson Crusoe,' which is less minimalist than it is totally disinterested, for the most part a radio reading of the novel with accompanying and not very impressive pictures. Most of the film tells you what the castaway has done rather than shows you until Friday and the cannibals arrive. It briefly perks up here, dealing well with Crusoe's patronising relationship with Friday and their initial distrust, but it's still just skirting the moderately interesting rather than the genuinely engaging. Daniel O'Herlihy's one note performance is a liability too - there's not much to this Crusoe, and certainly not enough to spend 90 minutes with him.

True, the film was made under immensely difficult conditions, but my problem was that only the limitations were visible - in the restored 90-minute version I saw there was precious little imagination or ability either, which I found particularly surprising from Bunuel: a flat and lifeless b-movie programmer was the last thing I would have expected from him. This felt more like one of Louis Heyward's worst efforts, only without the sporadic entertainment value. Only the fate of Crusoe's dog and the sound of its bark as he left the island really resonated.

Aside from a surprisingly inept dream sequence and a brief theological discussion, there's little to show that this is a Bunuel film (at times its perilously close to Ed Wood's print the first take approach, being shot almost entirely in bland tight medium shots), marking it as a failure as a Bunuel film, a literary adaptation and an adventure. A shame.

The VCi R1 DVD is an impressive package, offering both Spanish and English language tracks and a long audio interview with O'Herlihy.

Surprisingly Faithful Adaptation, highly recommended.......2004-10-18

Luis Buñuel (1900-1983) is celebrated today as "the father of cinematic Surrealism" for creating subversive classics from the beginning of his career, L' Âge d'or (1930), until the end, That Obscure Object of Desire (1977). What a shock to discover, then, that his only English-language film, the once all-but-lost Robinson Crusoe (1954), is a straightforward adventure tale with all of the fun and social comment of the timeless Daniel Defoe novel but with nary a sliced eyeball to be found.

I'm certain ya'll know the story, and the film is faithful: Rob is shipwrecked on a tropical island, saves what he can from the ship before it goes down, and spends most of the rest of the 17th century dodging wild animals, cannibals, and pirates before hooking up with his man Friday.

In the early sequences, we see that Crusoe is all but helpless, not even able to build a fire with no servants to help him. Over the years, he not only perseveres, but triumphs over his environment, building a quite satisfactory fortress of solitude. The loneliness gets to him, though, particularly once his dog dies - "I learned to master everything on my island - except myself!" he ruminates. In a masterful scene, he dreams of his father, who chides him for going off to sea; in another, he feeds some small ants to some big ones, which means something, but don't ask me what. Once he rescues Friday from the cannibals, he gains - not a friend, but a servant, and when his suspicions of Friday get the best of him, Crusoe clamps him in leg irons he rescued from the wreck (he was on a slaving mission, although why he'd want to carry heavy chains from the sinking ship is anybody's guess). Eventually, he comes to recognize Friday as an equal, albeit a lesser one, which leads to a delightful argument about God and the devil between Crusoe and Friday, and if Hitchcock made Psycho just so he could film the shower scene, I can see Buñuel (product of a strict religious upbringing) making Crusoe just for this scene.

A major feather in the proverbial cap for VCI Entertainment, Robinson Crusoe is treated to a brilliant restoration and even includes a few worthwhile extras: the trailer, a poster gallery, an audio interview with Crusoe star Dan O'Herlihy (an Oscar nominee in the role; he lost to Brando in On The Waterfront), and an insert copy of the pressbook. There's also a "before and after" restoration featurette, so you can appreciate how much work went into the digitally remastered edition. Highly recommended.

Tongue-in-cheek stab at adventure film.......2004-10-08

First, VCI deserves a lot of credit for restoring and releasing this obscure work from the Spanish master. This appears to be a tape transfer with a pretty decent restoration. Largely considered lost by many, and filmed on a cheap film stock to begin with, this is about the best anyone could have hoped for. Colors are a bright but muddy, and shift at odd times -- some times with deep blues, then with a murky greens. Whatever the case, a pretty nice film to look at, and the audio is pretty good.

The film itself is pretty bizarre. Its a bit odd that Bunuel would attempt a straight adaptation of Defoe's famous adventure novel into a clean genre film. The great fun of this film is that its a very cheeky bit of self-mockery. The whole style of the film is a deliberate aping of the illustrations found in children's books, and contrasting this puerile and silly style is Bunuel subtle, often hilarious, jabs at the doubtful morality of Crusoe and his story.

I read it as a bit of an anti-colonialist satire. Bunuel's adventure begins with Crusoe defying his strict father and setting out "...bound to Africa to find slaves." From the very get-go, Bunuel's concern is the paternal master/slave relationship. Early in the film, Crusoe has a haunting and perverse dream about his tyrannical Puritan father refusing him water, which is by far the most "Bunuelesque" scene of the film. Crusoe eventually does adapt to his situation on the island, after discovering the Bible and finding a new father figure, God. He piously devotes his attentions to honoring God, yelling scriptures on the hilltops and noting the Sabbath by notching it on a wood plank. With the help of his new master, Crusoe restores order to his chaotic new life.

But Bunuel continues to stab at Crusoe -- when making a scarecrow, he dresses up a wooden cross in a woman's dress. Bunuel holds on Crusoe as, sinning in his heart, he looks back amorously at the dressed-up cross. Later, when Crusoe finds an uncivilized barbarian, "Friday," he Anglicizes him by finicking over Friday's physical appearance: cutting his hair, giving him a gold necklace, etc. However, when Friday puts on a woman's dress, his "Master" Crusoe is immediately uncomfortable, and become inexplicably angry. The point is hard to miss.

Not to be overlooked, also, is the humanity of the film. When it's not being so cruel, it does provide a little bit of the familiar Defoe pathos. Crusoe is, after all, a lonely and confused man trying to make sense of an alien environment. Its difficult to tell how much of this existential angst is Bunuel, and how much of it is Defoe, but it is present.

If you catch on to the humor, then this film will be very amusing for any Bunuel fan. And, without a doubt, Bunuel's hand is all over this film. Shots of bugs, irreverent and dry humor, unflattering portraits of warped characters -- it may not be the Discreet Charm, but this "lost" Opus should delight any fan. For those who don't know who Bunuel is, it'll just be a fun B-grade adaption of Defoe. Everyone wins.

Robinson Crusoe.......2004-10-03

The long awaited "Adventures of Robinson Crusoe" has finally arrived on home video on DVD by VCI. This DVD entitled "Robinson Crusoe" purports to be a "restoration." The original film had two things going for it - a fine performance by Dan O'Herlihy and vivid color. VCI got one out of two. The so-called restoration's color is sub-par, although they managed to get a lot of dirt and scratches out, the color is not close to being vivid. It didn't help that it was filmed in bargain basement Pathecolor. The sound track has on and off thumping noises that are most annoying. Only if you are a fan of this film is it worth seeing or even buying. This restoration looks like it was one of those digital jobs. VCI should leave the restorations to Criterion and Robert A. Harris. I was really looking forward to this DVD but ended up being badly disappointed.

Average customer rating:

Two Unusual John Wayne Adventures of the 1950s...

Blood Alley / Sea Chase
Starring: War Double Feature
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Hondo (Special Collector's Edition)

ASIN: B000BPL2FG
Release Date: 2006-01-31

Description

"Powder your nose, Baby, we're coming into Hong Kong!" John Wayne, joined by fellow screen icon Lauren Bacall, braves dangerous waters and pursuing soldiers as he steers Chinese refugees to freedom's shore in Blood Alley. William A. Wellman (The Story of G.I. Joe) directs. Another femme movie legend - Lana Turner - teams with Wayne in the search-and-destroy adventure The Sea Chase, directed by John Farrow (The Big Clock). Wayne plays naval officer Karl Ehrlich, renegade commander of a German freighter trapped in perilous circumstances at the outbreak of World War II. Catch him if you can!

Customer Reviews:

Two Unusual John Wayne Adventures of the 1950s..........2006-01-19

Both only recently released on DVD, 1955's "Blood Alley" and "The Sea Chase" are now available together in a single package, at a very affordable price. Each film offers a view of John Wayne's film work away from the western genre, and are interesting, if not entirely successful, 'period' adventure tales.

The older of the pair, "The Sea Chase", has a novelty value uniquely its own, as the Duke plays a GERMAN sea captain, at the start of WWII! A decorated veteran of WWI, Wayne hates Hitler and the Nazis, but when ordered to return his freighter and crew to home port, he feels honor-bound to comply, despite a British mandate to 'stand down'. Joined prior to departure by a mysterious spy (Lana Turner, in her only teaming with the Duke), Wayne gets his aged ship out of the harbor, and is quickly pursued by a British force, headed by his old friend, Commander Jeff Napier (David Farrar). The story becomes a cat-and-mouse tale, as the freighter attempts to elude British sea power, and reach Germany, safely.

Produced and directed by John Farrow (who had directed Wayne in 1953's "Hondo"), "The Sea Chase", despite earnest performances, never really builds much suspense, and there is a marked lack of chemistry between Wayne and Turner, which sabotages their romantic scenes. Still, the cast includes young Tab Hunter, and many lifelong Wayne friends (including James Arness and Paul Fix), that helps establish an air of camaraderie. Wayne, suffering from a severe ear infection throughout the shoot, makes no effort to adopt a German accent or persona, which gives the film a somewhat surreal 'feel'.

All in all, "The Sea Chase" is, at best, an interesting misfire!

Far more entertaining and successful, "Blood Alley", director 'Wild Bill' Wellman's final collaboration with Wayne (preceded by "Island in the Sky" and "The High and the Mighty"), is not only a rip-roaring 'sea chase' adventure, but another of Wayne's many films endorsing his conservative political ideology. Produced by Wayne, himself (who'd initially hoped to get Robert Mitchum or Humphrey Bogart for the lead), this tale of a sea captain, rescued from the Communist Chinese to transport an entire Chinese village to safety on a broken-down steam ship, never drags.

The film has many 'pluses'; leading lady Lauren Bacall, both beautiful and tough, has terrific chemistry with the Duke (and became a lifelong friend, co-starring in his last film, "The Shootist", over 20 years, later); Wayne's character, 'Tom Wilder', has equal shares of bravura and madness (he talks, frequently, to an imaginary girlfriend, created to help him withstand being tortured), and the Duke obviously enjoyed the role; longtime friend Paul Fix, in Oriental make up, gives one of his better film performances, as a kindly old doctor; and the film is extremely well paced, with tension building as the Communists relentlessly pursue the tiny ship. On the negative side, the politics are stridently right-wing, some of the Chinese characters are stereotypes, and several definitely non-Oriental actors have key 'Chinese' roles (including Mike Mazurki, and an unrecognizable but certainly not Chinese Anita Ekberg). Nonetheless, after fifty years, the film continues to 'hold up' as a very entertaining adventure!

At a 'budget' price, this double feature is certainly worth including in your 'John Wayne' collection!

Average customer rating:

Shame on Lionsgate!
Letterboxed Again-Not an Anamorphic Transfer

Cutthroat Island
Starring: Christopher Adamson , Ken Bones , Roger Booth , Carl Chase , and Maury Chaykin
Director: Renny Harlin
Manufacturer: Lionsgate
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

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ASIN: B000NQRR1G
Release Date: 2007-05-22

Description

Geena Davis (THELMA & LOUISE, BEETLEJUICE) and Matthew Modine (MARRIED TO THE MOB, FULL METAL JACKET) deliver a tidal wave of nonstop action and adventure in this swashbuckling saga of ruthless pirates, buried treasure and bloodthirsty betrayal.

Customer Reviews:

Shame on Lionsgate!.......2007-06-07

What is the deal lately with the studios repackaging the old stuff, but making sound like it's new and improved!! I did the same thing, put down new money on the same version I already owned. The funny thing about this one is that the slip cover said widescreen and the case said widescreen and fullscreen which was not the case. I don't get it, somebody help me!!!!!

Letterboxed Again-Not an Anamorphic Transfer.......2007-05-30

This review is for the DVD only, not the film. I already owned the original bare bones Letterbox edition of this film. When I saw that Lion's Gate was re-releasing it on DVD, I rather stupidly assumed that it would be an Anamorphic transfer. When I put the new DVD in my player and saw the postage stamp size picture on my 16X9 television, I was sorely disappointed in Lion's Gate for releasing the EXACT same version. The only difference is the cardboard slipcase.

John Wayne Legendary Heroes Collection (Blood Alley / McQ / The Sea Chase / Tall in the Saddle / The Train Robbers)

Average customer rating:

McQ
John Wayne Legnndary Collection
It's good, but not great.
TALL IN THE SADDLE Stands Out
Problems with Blood Alley

John Wayne Legendary Heroes Collection (Blood Alley / McQ / The Sea Chase / Tall in the Saddle / The Train Robbers)
Starring: John Wayne
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

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John Wayne DVD Gift Set (The Shootist/ The Sons of Katie Elder/ True Grit/ El Dorado/ The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance)

ASIN: B0007P0XDC
Release Date: 2005-05-03

Description

The John Wayne Legendary Heroes Collection features five classic films from the larger-than-life American hero, including Blood Alley, McQ, The Sea Chase, Tall in the Saddle and The Train Robbers, all available on DVD for the first time.

Born Marion Robert Morrison in Winterset, Iowa, John Wayne first worked in the film business as a laborer on the Fox lot during summer vacations from U.S.C., which he attended on a football scholarship. He met and was befriended by John Ford, a young director who was beginning to make a name for himself in action films, comedies and dramas. It was Ford who recommended Wayne to director Raoul Walsh for the male lead in the 1930 epic Western The Big Trail, and, although it was a box office failure, the movie showed Wayne's potential. For the next nine years, Wayne worked in a multitude of B-Westerns and serials in between bit parts in larger features. Wayne's big break came in 1939, when Ford cast him as the Ringo Kid in the adventure Stagecoach. Wayne nearly stole the picture from his more seasoned co-stars, and his career as a box-office superstar began. During his 50 year film career, Wayne played the lead in 142 movies, an as yet unsurpassed record, and was nominated for three Academy Awards., winning the Best Actor award in 1970 for his performance in True Grit. Blood Alley (1955) - An American seafarer patrolling the South Seas is asked by the daughter of a missionary doctor killed by the Communists to help transport the citizens of a small Chinese town to freedom in Hong Kong. This action-adventure based on A. S. Fleischman's novel, marks the first on-screen pairing of movie legends John Wayne and Lauren Bacall. DVD special features include: Newsreel footage (The Hollywood Foreign Press Honors John Wayne, Crusade for Freedom, John Wayne and The Legion Poppy Sale (silent clip), Air Force Honors the Cast of Blood Alley), 1955 Promos on Blood Alley (Wayne discusses how he made it into the movies; "the monster" of movie land; the Mitchell BNC camera and his use of his home movie camera to capture scenes while on Blood Alley), John Wayne trailer gallery

McQ (1974) - John Wayne forcefully enforces the law in this high-velocity thriller that's a revenge western set in the big city. Police Lieutenant Lon McQ (Wayne) investigates the killing of his best friend and uncovers corrupt elements of the police department dealing in confiscated drugs. Directed by John Sturges (Ice Station Zebra, The Magnificent Seven), McQ also stars Eddie Albert (Roman Holiday) and Colleen Dewhurst (Annie Hall, Dying Young).

The Sea Chase (1955) -John Wayne and Lana Turner are a formidable romantic team in this harrowing adventure directed by Academy Award-nominee John Farrow (Wake Island). Sea captain Kal Erhlich (Wayne) is an anti-Nazi German freighter captain at the outset of World War II attempting to sail his ship from Australia to the North Sea rather than risk internment. Both Allied and German ships follow in pursuit, while Erhlich battles storms, sharks, and romances.

Tall in the Saddle (1944) - In this fast-paced entertaining western, John Wayne stars as Rocklin, a cowboy who upon arriving at a ranch to work as a cowhand finds his employer was just murdered. Although he has no friends, and no money, Rocklin stays in town, intent on tracking the killers and uncovering a plan to inherit the dead employer's riches.

The Train Robbers (1973) - The action never stops in this western starring John Wayne, Ann-Margret and Ricardo Montalban. A gunhand named Lane (Wayne) is hired by a widow, Mrs. Lowe (Ann-Margret), to find gold stolen by her husband so that she may return it and start fresh. However, once they cross the border into Mexico to recover the loot, they discover two very different pursuers: a large group of bandidos and a lone horseman (Montalban), both of whom know their every move. DVD special features include: Two featurettes (Working with a Western Legend - an inside look at Wayne with stuntmen Jerry Gatlin, Dean Smith and Terry Leonard; The Wayne Train), John Wayne trailer gallery

Customer Reviews:

McQ.......2005-08-18

Excuse me but I don't speak english and I buy yours DVD only , when are subtitles in french. For this reason,I talk about McQ in french. C'est un excellent film policier réalisé par un director de talent, John Sturges dont j'apprécie toujours les films (The Magnificent Seven, Bad Day at Black Rock, Backlash, Gunfight at the OK Corral etc.) Il est aussi brillant dans les westerns que dans ses autres films d'action comme celui-ci. John Wayne qui a démissionné de la police, est embauché par un ami détective privé. Il va se lancer dans une passionnante enquête sur un trafic de drogue dont les commanditaires ne sont pas ceux que l'on croyait Malgrè l'âge et la maladie, John Wayne a beaucoup de présence dans ce film qui comporte une scène de poursuite très réussie

John Wayne Legnndary Collection.......2005-07-20

What can you say about movies with the Duke?
I love the Duke's movies.
I now have more than 75 Titeles in my DVD collection, Plus some colerized copies taken from TCM And AMC. I have edited the commercials out and burned them to DVD. I also have many of these on VHS tape.

It's good, but not great. .......2005-06-30

John Wayne, a legendary hero. This box set has some good movies, I really liked the Westerns, but the rest of the movies I didn't care for. Unless you're really into John Wayne this might be one Box Set you may want to rent rather than buy.

TALL IN THE SADDLE Stands Out.......2005-06-01

After "Stagecoach", it seems Duke finally started getting some decent scripts. "Tall in the Saddle" was written by his friend, Paul Fix who appeared in a lot of Westerns but is probably best remembered for TV's "The Rifleman" in the 50s and early 60s. "Tall in the Saddle" is a stand-out movie for the 1940s or for today. There is a real plot and lots of atmosphere with an eye-catching performance by Ella Raines. The other movies are only for John Wayne fans who will watch anything he is in. Of the others, I saw them all (except "The Sea Chase") when they were first released; I was always underwhelmed and remain so these years later. "Tall in the Saddle" is often on cable and can be taped; if you can manage to do that, you can save buying these other mediocre films.

Problems with Blood Alley.......2005-05-23

This is a great set. However, I've gone through four sets which were purchased/returned at Sam's Club!! Blood Alley is defective as it keeps on freezing or skipping. I've tried all four on three different machines. Has anybody had this problem? If the set from Amazon is alright, I'll buy it here.
Thanks!

Average customer rating:

John Wayne at Sea
As a naval melodrama, the film is good entertainment!
Enthralling WWII Maritime Adventure
john wayne a "GERMAN" sea captian at the outbreak of world war II tring to get home
A diferent kind of review

The Sea Chase
Starring: John Wayne , Lana Turner , David Farrar , Lyle Bettger , and Tab Hunter
Director: John Farrow
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

Classics | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

Adventure | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

Action & Combat | Military & War | Genres | DVD | Video

All Titles | John Wayne Store | Stores | DVD | Video

1950s | John Wayne Store | Stores | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $14.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video
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Blood Alley
Island In The Sky (Special Collector's Edition)
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The Train Robbers

ASIN: B000O599ZI
Release Date: 2007-05-22

Description

Adventure, drama and romance of an outlaw ship and the people aboard her. Based on Andrew Geer's novel.

Customer Reviews:

John Wayne at Sea.......2007-05-14

As usual, John Wayne plays the strong type with a sense of duty to his country if not it's cause. Even though Wayne is not a Nazi, he feels duty bound to get his German steamer home. The characters are rich and the story line is good. A must see for any Wayne fan or action fan.

As a naval melodrama, the film is good entertainment!.......2007-01-13

The film's plot, as the titles points out, used one of the most powerful standby of a motion picture medium - the chase...

Wayne plays an anti-Nazi German sea captain, opposed to the new regime, but as a loyal citizen he feels he must save his ship from destruction...

At the outbreak of World War II, just before news reaches Australia that the Nazi armies have moved into Poland, Wayne slips his steamer - a rusty old 5,000-ton freighter named the Ergenstrasse - out of Sydney harbor back to Valparaiso... To his bad luck, a British warship (The H.M.S. Rockhampton) sails in his pursuit...

From that foggy night, it takes all of Wayne's ability to keep the ship from falling into the hands of the British... Adding to his problems are both the Ergenstrasse's shortage of fuel and provisions, and the presence of a mysterious lady, a beautiful German spy (Lana Turner) with an unseemly past who had been forced to take along by official orders...

With a look suggesting intimacy, wearing a terrific white gown and a mink coat to lie back upon, and holding an elegant cigarette case and displaying a bracelet of diamonds, this consummate blonde, was once Wayne's mistress, and is now engaged to David Farrar, who just happens to be in command of the pursuing Rockhampton...

While the Ergenstrasse is being amply provisioned in Auckland island, Lyle Bettger, its ruthless chief officer, callously murders a group of shipwrecked fishermen, thereby causing dishonor on Wayne and his crew...

Eventually, the ship arrives at Pom Pom Galli (an island in the South Pacific Ocean) where is completely refueled, and sets sail for home... But the commander of Rockhampton, still in pursuit, learns of the massacred fishermen and determines, more than ever, to sink the German freighter...

In addition to its bizarre ending that left much to be desired, the film offers a storm at sea, an attack by sharks, a suicide and a near mutiny...

Wayne plays the courageous captain in his mild resolute way... Lana's performance is on a par with Wayne, handling the part with facile authority...

As a naval melodrama 'The Sea Chase' is good entertainment...

Enthralling WWII Maritime Adventure.......2006-06-02

I found this to be one of John Wayne's more interesting and complex roles. In fact the entire film is a complex vortex of emotions and loyalties. As unusual as it seems to have John Wayne playing Captain Karl Erlich of a German cargo ship escaping Australia at the outbreak of WWII, this film works convincingly and quite admirably. Wayne as Captain Erlich is not a Nazi but just a man wanting to return his ship and crew home safely to Germany. Playing his counterpart and conscience throughout is David Farrar as British Commander Napier. Once Wayne's friend, Farrar pursues the cargo ship in a race to cut her off from reaching homeport. David Farrar also serves as narrator of this tale and curiously brings the frustrations of conflicting friendships, duties and political loyalties to the forefront. We never truly accept Wayne as a German but he convincingly plays a worldly, seasoned and inelegant Captain whose honor, reputation and dedication to his crew and ship are beyond question. At the heart of this film is a great maritime adventure beautifully photographed by William Clothier and skillfully directed by John Farrow. The unheralded Roy Webb composed another effective score going above and beyond. The cast is quite impressive. Lana Turner provides the love interest while Tab Hunter, James Arness, Lyle Bettger, Paul Fix, Richard Davalos, Claude Akins and Alan Hale Jr. are prominently featured. This is a very colorful film and the directional stereo sound is outstanding. This is one of Wayne's better films and a little known gem.

john wayne a "GERMAN" sea captian at the outbreak of world war II tring to get home.......2006-04-30

i love john wayne and almost any movie he is in. i was suprised to find this movie as i didn't think it was avalible.
wayne plays a german sea captian in a british port at the beginning of world war II. while not a nazi lover,as we would always believe wayne to be, he loves germany and makes a mad dash home with a spy for the nazi's aboard.
this is a very different wayne movie and it really works well and the sight of wayne running under a german imperial battle flag is a little jaring. and his lack of a german accent which as much as i like him was something he wasn't able to do,works in the long run.
a wayne change of pace that is really good.

A diferent kind of review.......2006-04-02

This is a very good movie. all the actors handle their roles corrrectly. There is very little Hollywood type glamor nonsense except for Lana Turner being impeccably coiffed, made up and wearing unrumpled clothes. This would never occur in real life aboard a run down tramp ship.

The way the crew reacted to a lone woman was perfect. I've seen the same thing on construction sites and other places where everyone was male and a lone woman apears. The men all act as it they hadn't seen a woman in years.

I felt that John Wayne and Lana Turner should have been coached in German type accents and body language. Both are excellent actors and could have handled this easily.

Average customer rating:

A movie worth watching!
One of the Best
Nice angled shots of Navy ships, not much else.
Classic British WW2 Movie

Battle of the River Plate [Region 2]
Starring: John Gregson , Anthony Quayle , Ian Hunter , Jack Gwillim , and Bernard Lee
Director: Michael Powell , and Emeric Pressburger
Manufacturer: Carlton Ent.
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Drama | Military & War | Genres | DVD | Video

Drama | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

( B ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
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ASIN: B00008AWV8

Customer Reviews:

A movie worth watching!.......2006-06-29

Definitely a good movie, Battle of the River Plate, brings to the screen the story of the German pocket battleship Graf Spee and its encounter with the HMS Exeter, the HMS Achilles, and the HMS Ajax, off the coast of Uruguay in South America.
The setting is 1939. German and British naval forces are fighting it out across the world, and for the British finding the Graf Spee could make all the difference between survival and capitulation.
All the actors carry out their performances very well.
The only major setback is that Battle of the River Plate is a 1957 film and compared to modern films, or even epics of the time such as Guns of Navarone and other war movies, falls short of being a masterpiece.
Nevertheless, the film combines drama, action, and adventure, making it highly enjoyable.
The setting, the music and the costumes are all wonderful, though the dialogues could have been better.
History, Intrigue, Duty, and Honor, are all about.
Battle of the River Plate is a movie worth watching, especially for those with a soft spot for History!

One of the Best.......2006-03-24

This is one of the best World War II films ever made. Based on a real episode of the naval war in the Atlantic, it is an entirely accurate account of the battle between the German Battle Cruiser Graf Spee and her British pursuers. Filled with exciting naval action the movie uses actual film (not models) of the engagement. A first rate cast (including Anthony Quayle, John Gregson and Peter Finch) gives excellent performances all around.

Nice angled shots of Navy ships, not much else........2006-01-11

The movie makes up for its short comings for the great atmosphere and fantastic shots of warships. It has a good cast but they arent developed and are sanatized. Great for a military buff though.

Classic British WW2 Movie.......2004-11-10

This is a fine film based on real events. Late in 1939, a few months after Britain's entry into the war, three small Royal Navy cruisers go after the Graf Spee, a powerdul Germany battle crusiers, in the South Atlantic. They are successful due to good tactics and peristence in the face of withering fire. The acting is excellent as are the characterizations. British and German naval officers are depicted in a human and balanced way, not always the case with mid-1950's war movies. Chivalry was not dead during this battle and the film makers respectfully acknowlege that.

Some of the battle scenes employing models may semm a bit shaky to those who are used to computer enhanced images. Also, as another reviewer has noted, the use of a U.S. cruiser, replete with national markings, as a stand in for the Graf Spee is a bit of stretch.

Average customer rating:

John Wayne at Sea
As a naval melodrama, the film is good entertainment!
Enthralling WWII Maritime Adventure
john wayne a "GERMAN" sea captian at the outbreak of world war II tring to get home
A diferent kind of review

The Sea Chase
Starring: John Wayne , Lana Turner , David Farrar , Lyle Bettger , and Tab Hunter
Director: John Farrow
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

Classics | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

Sea Adventure | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Adventure | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

Action & Combat | Military & War | Genres | DVD | Video

Drama | Military & War | Genres | DVD | Video

All Titles | John Wayne Store | Stores | DVD | Video

1950s | John Wayne Store | Stores | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $9.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( S ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
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Blood Alley
Island In The Sky (Special Collector's Edition)
The High and the Mighty (Two-Disc Collector's Edition)
Operation Pacific
The Train Robbers

ASIN: B0007P0XCS
Release Date: 2005-05-03

Description

Adventure, drama and romance of an outlaw ship and the = people aboard her. Based on Andrew Geer's novel.

Customer Reviews:

John Wayne at Sea.......2007-05-14

As a naval melodrama, the film is good entertainment!.......2007-01-13

Enthralling WWII Maritime Adventure.......2006-06-02

john wayne a "GERMAN" sea captian at the outbreak of world war II tring to get home.......2006-04-30

A diferent kind of review.......2006-04-02

Average customer rating:

All Star B-Movie !!!
Excellent Shark/Adventure Movie!!

Shark
Starring: Burt Reynolds , Arthur Kennedy , Carlos Barry , Silvia Pinal , and Manuel Alvarado
Director: Samuel Fuller
Manufacturer: TROMA ENTERTAINMENT INC.
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

Thrillers | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

Classics | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( S ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
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ASIN: B00027JYJE
Release Date: 2004-06-29

Amazon.com,

Troma Studios' 35th anniversary reissue of the 1969 Samuel Fuller film Shark highlights the raw materials that made Burt Reynolds a movie star. This movie is a treasure hunt/double-cross/adventure story set in Northern Africa. The sharks are both real (a stunt man was killed filming one of the underwater scenes) and metaphorical as evidenced by the behavior of Reynolds's character and his co-stars, Arthur Kennedy and Sylvia Pinal. Reynolds stars as Kane, a gun smuggler who loses his stash and goes on the take for a quick buck. Kennedy and Pinal share Reynolds's desperation as they have trouble rounding up locals to help with Kennedy's "research" after a shark attacks and kills a young local diver. The double-crosses lead up to a climactic underwater crescendo. Overall, the film is a basic adventure story that will appeal to Reynolds's current camp appeal. The DVD print quality is poor in most of the land scenes, though the water scenes are quite good. This version of the film includes a number of Troma extras such as interviews and typical self-promotional Troma Studio videos. --Brian Saltzman

Description

Burt Reynolds gives the most amazing performance of his young career in the role, which launched his sex symbol status. The combination of brilliant direction from Samuel Fuller and specialized, dangerous stunt dives (the shark infested waters claimed the life of one stunt man during filming, Life Magazine even ran pictures of Shark's tragedy!) make this film more frighteningly real and original than even Steven Spielberg's box office smash Jaws. Showcasing the rugged badlands of the Middle East and the exotic coastal cities of the Mediterranean Sea, Shark! focuses on a smooth-talking gunrunner who loses his shipment and gets stranded in a small Mediterranean port city. But this is no sleepy fishing village. There's treasure in the waters, and the hunt is on as the action heats up above and below the ocean surface. Shark combines the brilliant, edgy direction of Samuel Fuller with stunning and dangerous stunt-diving work that involved the use of a real life Great White shark.

DVD Features
- Disc includes in-depth interviews on the films of Samuel Fuller with Jerry Rudes, co-editor of Fuller's autobiography, and producer Eric Sherman.
- Shark! also includes an exclusive interview with legendary director Vincent Sherman on Hollywood Blacklisting, as well as film discussion with the Tromaville Film Society.
- Digitally mastered exclusive DVD debut of the highly successful 1969 theatrical release.
- Discussion from the Tromaville Film Society on the influence of Shark! in the world of independent film.
- Introduction by Lloyd Kaufman, Troma president and creator of the Toxic Avenger

Customer Reviews:

All Star B-Movie !!!.......2004-05-11

Burt Reynolds, Barry Sullivan, Silvia Pinal, Arthur Kennedy - WOW!!!! - What a cast ! I can really see why Mr. Reynolds was considered for the James Bond part (1969); after seeing him in this action flick. Although, Sam Fuller had problems finishing this low budget movie - he still got the job done. While the story is uneven at times; Arthur Kennedy is a total delight as a(n)alcoholic physician (with a heart of gold !). This movie can be purchased for a very small amount of change - It's well worth it. One of my favorites !

Excellent Shark/Adventure Movie!!.......2003-10-06

Burt Reynolds does an excellent job in this 1969 shark/adventure movie.It's a must see!!

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