The Last Valley

Starring:Michael Caine, Omar Sharif, Florinda Bolkan, Nigel Davenport, Per Oscarsson, Arthur O'Connell, Madeleine Hinde, Yorgo Voyagis, Miguel Alejandro, Christian Roberts, Brian Blessed, Ian Hogg, Michael Gothard, George Innes, Larry Taylor, Ralph Arliss, Vladek Sheybal, Holly du Marreck, Mark Edwards, Dave Crowley
Director: James Clavell
Studio: MGM (Video & DVD)
Product Type: DVD

Amazon.com

James Clavell's heartfelt film of paradise found and lost in the midst of the bloody Thirty Years War, a senseless religious conflict long since degenerated into a rabble of looters preying on peasants, is a triumph of passion over style. Michael Caine stars as the Captain, a happily tolerant leader whose army of mercenaries, a mix of Protestants and Catholics, murders, pillages, and rapes side by side for whatever faction is paying more this month. Omar Sharif is Vogel, a lone refugee whose flight from the marauding band leads them all to a beautiful village in the mountains. The Captain and Vogel make an unlikely pair, the shrewd mercenary with the dream of peace, and the philosopher peasant hanging on to his own life in the face of certain death, and their alliance to preserve this Eden and her people stands in contrast to the soldiers who soon become splintered by greed, lust, and religious zealotry. Clavell isn't exactly subtle, but his sense of irony is biting: one Christian soldier is ready to lead an mob in righteous battle after a perceived blasphemer, and in the next scene attacks and rapes an innocent Christian maiden he's sworn to protect. The film falters in clumsy battle scenes and awkward dramatic staging, but Caine's complex characterization of the guarded Captain and Sharif's haunted performance keep the story alive, and the beautiful photography sets the film like a jewel into its setting. --Sean Axmaker

Description

From acclaimed writer James Clavell (Shogun) comes this stirring war epic starring OscarÂ(r) winner* Michael Caine as a soldier who knows nothing but battle until he rediscovers the possibility of love. Co-starring Omar Sharif, this powerful film is both a magnificent spectacle and an intensely personal story of love, friendship and loss. The Thirty Years' War rages through 17th-century Germany, and a fierce captain (Caine) lays waste to any village his army encounters. But when he arrives in an undisturbed valley where he meets a beautiful peasant girl, long-dead memories of peace and happiness are reawakened. Inevitably, though, the war is closing in. Will he heed its call or fight for the new life he has found? *Supporting Actor: The Cider House Rules (1999); Hannah and Her Sisters (1986)

Customer Reviews:

A Great Period Film Well Made.......2006-11-24

The Last Valley, written and directed by the historical novel writer James Clavell. It is co-written by J. B. Pick, whose only other claim to fame is being the screenwriter of the Dean Martin, Matt Helm movie, The Wrecking Crew. That aside this is a well made film with a great story. Filmed on location in the Tyrol area of Italy, these natural and scenic backdrops add historical credibility to this film, as well as providing breathtaking views.

The story is about a Captain, played brilliantly by Michael Caine, in charge of a group of multi-national mercineries during the 17th Century Thirty Years War. It is also about a wanderer, seeker, and a man escaping from the ravages of war, Vogel, played by Omar Sharif. There is also a large international supporting cast, who all do their part, most notable being Nigel Davenport as the Village elder, Per Oscarsson as the village priest, and Arthur O'Connell, most known for his part on the 70's TV show, Chico and the Man.

What started out as Religious Wars, mainly in what is present day Germany, and Alpine Valleys quickly turned into political jocking by petty German Princes, the Holy Roman Emporer, the Kings of France, Sweden, and Denmark. Added to all this war destruction were outbreaks of the plague. The film does a wonderful job with reconstructing this historical backdrop, even with minor details, like when the village priest asks one of the soldiers "Are you a Lutheran Protestant, a Calvin Protestant, or God forbid a heretical Anabaptist or Satan worshiper." While the Catholics and Protestants, throughout the 17th century, had a love-hate relationship, to put it mildly, the both agreed on their disdain for all things Anabaptist (present day Mennonites, Amish and Hutterites.)

Michael Caine, as the Captain, plays a freebooting leader of a religiously mixed group of mercenaries, who wreak havoc and destruction on any city, town, or village in their way. They have two rules, the Captain calls the shots, and they are not allowed to discuss religion. Omar Sharif plays Vogel, an educated wanderer, all too familiar with the ravages of this hypocritical war. He has been running from it for 20 years. Things are so bad, that even gold and silver, have lost their appeal. All people want is peace and the ability to farm their small part of the world. The film opens with an emaciated Vogel wandering into a small village trying to purchase food and shelter, not seconds later, rumbling down the moutains into the valley are the Captains soldiers, who burn, pillage, and rape with abandon, and some with a self-imposed blessing by God in their warrior pursuits. So, once again Vogel is forced to run, over mountains and valleys until he comes by a deserted, idyllic, little village in a naturally protected valley. But, his peace doesn't last long before the Captain arrives in the same place. They find the villagers hiding in the mountains. Vogel convinces the captain that this, little piece of paradise, would make a great place to winter over, and he being educated could act as the go-between soldier and peasants. I don't want to give more away, but against the backdrop of war, fanatical religion, lust, and a search for peace this story continues to unfold.

This is a great movie, running, 2 hours and 5 minutes. Michael Caine is brilliant as the pragmatic, unbelieving warrior. Omar Sharif, as a kind of naive 17th century, Parsifal, plays off of Caine's cynicism and hatred of all things religious and political. There is great inter-personal relationships in this film also.

This movie should be shown in all world history classes as it provides a great tool for what life was like during the Thirty Years War. 5 Stars Plus for this wonderful movie.

A Valley of Peace in the Midst of War.......2006-06-30

It may seem strange to see British actor Michael Caine and Egyptian actor Omar Sharrif play 17th Century Germans. But they do a stand out job of doing so. The Last Valley is a heart breaking story of the last, unmolested valley in Central Europe, ravaged by the 30 Years War, and how it affects a ruthless mercenary (Caine) and a gentle scholar (Sharrif.)

Thought Provoking.......2006-05-31

I really like John Barry's score for this film. It makes this film work so well. And this is a very good movie. In fact, it is extremely well done all around. The acting was very effective and convincing. I particularly liked the beautiful cinematography. Also, the script worked on many levels making it appealing to a wide audience. I found this film to be both entertaining and thought provoking.

A touching film.......2006-02-28

This is a movie where one can feel and breathe the atmosphere of the 17th century in "medieval" Europe during the Thirty Years War, with its ignorance and violence. How servile and oppressive to accept the delivery of some maids to the soldiers that occupy the "peaceful" valley!. It is impressive the role of the Captain played by Michael Caine as a professional warrior symbol, the role of Per Oscarsson as a fanatical priest is impressive too. Of course there is also some place for love in the film. The end is shocking and almost everybody is moved by this epic story.

"revolution for the hell of it".......2006-01-04

This picture shows a group of men who kill people simply because they are there. But even more scary is those people who torture others in the name of some fervently held beliefs. Perhaps there is more here for our time than most now suspect. As logic and science are forbidden to be taught in the schools and colleges of the fanatical left and of the religious right, any humanistic or reasoned restraint will be absent from the minds and hearts of future generations. The wars that are now being fought with words and books--could they eventually become battles of blood? It seems impossible, but I'm sure that the events of the Thirty Years War would have seemed preposterous to the people in the Renaissance.

Average customer rating:

A Great Period Film Well Made
A Valley of Peace in the Midst of War
Thought Provoking
A touching film
"revolution for the hell of it"

The Last Valley
Starring: Michael Caine , Omar Sharif , Florinda Bolkan , Nigel Davenport , and Per Oscarsson
Director: James Clavell
Manufacturer: Anchor Bay
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: 6305650535
Release Date: 1999-11-16

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

A Great Period Film Well Made.......2006-11-24

A Valley of Peace in the Midst of War.......2006-06-30

Thought Provoking.......2006-05-31

A touching film.......2006-02-28

"revolution for the hell of it".......2006-01-04

Average customer rating:

Last Valley/Too Late the Hero
Starring: Double Feature
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

( L ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
ASIN: B000M9BS46
Release Date: 2007-01-16

Average customer rating:

A Great Period Film Well Made
A Valley of Peace in the Midst of War
Thought Provoking
A touching film
"revolution for the hell of it"

The Last Valley [Region 2]
Starring: Michael Caine , Omar Sharif , Florinda Bolkan , Nigel Davenport , and Per Oscarsson
Director: James Clavell
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video