The Great Chase

Starring:Lillian Gish, Douglas Fairbanks, William S. Hart, Buster Keaton, Richard Barthelmess, Noah Beery, Jetta Goudal, Rod La Rocque, Marion Mack, Ruth Roland, Pearl White, Frank Gallop, Mack Sennett
Studio: Image Entertainment
Product Type: DVD

Amazon.com essential video

David Lean's handsome adaptation of Charles Dickens's classic novel captures the warm humor and richness of character that so many filmmakers miss in their reverent recreations of Victorian England. From the nightmarish opening sequence on the windswept graveyard where young orphan Pip (Anthony Wager) meets the desperate escaped criminal Magwitch (Finlay Currie) to the shadowy, musty mansion of the widow Miss Haversham (Martita Hunt) where he first meets the impertinent young beauty Estella (Jean Simmons), Lean captures a childlike exaggeration of reality with his elegant expressionism. When Pip's sudden change in fortune sends him to London as a burgeoning gentleman in high society, Lean sketches a beautiful, bustling city. John Mills's performance as the adult Pip charts his change from the wide-eyed wonder and generous spirit of the child he was to the class snob transformed by money and social standing, an ugly flaw that Pip confronts when his mysterious benefactor is finally revealed. The outstanding cast also features Valerie Hobson as the grown-up Estella, now a beguiling enchantress, a bright young Alec Guinness in his film debut as Pip's jovial London roommate Herbert Pocket, and the imposing Francis L. Sullivan as the decidedly humorless lawyer Jaggers. Exquisitely photographed by Guy Green (who won an Oscar for his work). Lean and his collaborators effectively maintain the heart of Dickens's epic drama while cutting it to its essentials in this vivid, compelling film. --Sean Axmaker

Description

One of the great translations of literature into film, David Lean's Great Expectations brings Charles Dickens' masterpiece to robust onscreen life. Pip, Magwitch, Miss Havisham, and Estella populate Lean's magnificent miniature, beautifully photographed by Guy Green and designed by John Bryan.

Customer Reviews:

David Lean's Great Expectations.......2007-06-22

Perhaps the finest Dickens adaptation ever, this rich, fascinating film about chance encounters and changing fortunes begins with a nerve-rattling sequence in a graveyard that's one of the finest moments in British film. Both Mills and Guinness are a trifle old for their roles, but their virtuosity fully compensates. Guinness, in his first significant screen appearance, is particularly striking as pocket, giving us a tantalizing taste of things to come. A bona-fide classic.

Great Expectations - Criterion Collection.......2007-01-31

I usually love Criterion editions and am willing to pay the increased price to receive all the usual Criterion extras - commentary, interviews, etc.

Unfortunately, aside from the normal remastered print of the film (very well done indeed), the trailer and the inside notes, this edition had none of the features I have come to expect (and pay dear for). Therefore, I would not recommend this item (at its current high price) to anyone who already owns a good print of the movie.

JBF

An English Teacher's Review.......2006-12-19

I should mention first that this is the only film version of "Great Expectations" that I have ever seen. There may be better ones, but I'm only qualified to talk about this one.

My 10th graders were spellbound by this film. They saw it on a big screen from an Epson 720p projector with big stereo sound, which probably helped. However, their reaction to it really surprised me. From the first frame they were rapt, and it turned into one of their favorite experiences of the year.

David Lean's brilliant cinematography is partly responsible for this - the lighting and composition are absolutely stupendous. Many people talk about the "possibilities" of black and white, but David Lean delivers them. The film is visually stunning.

The film also does a decent, if not perfect, job of following the book; obviously some scenes needed to be shortened or left out entirely or this would have been a five hour film. It is not so accurate that you can read a chapter and then watch it, but it is accurate enough that it is certainly worth showing as a reward for finishing the book.

I withhold the fifth star only because the actresses who play young Estella and "grown woman" Estella are so jarringly different as to be almost impossible to accept as the same character. For instance, young Estella seems to have a nose from Sweden, while grown Estella's nose seems to hail from somewhere near Rome. The actresses just aren't similar enough to sustain even the most willing suspension of disbelief.

The actress who plays Miss Havisham, however, is utterly perfect, and her whole broken-hearted domain is reproduced exactly as I imagined it from the book, right down to the mouse-gnawed, spider-infested wedding cake. Her 25 year-long tantrum is shown as half-hilarious, half-horrifying, which is exactly as Dickens intended it in my opinion, and the actress captures the perfect blend of nuances in portraying this unique character as perfectly as she could be portrayed.

The rest of the characters are quite well done also, including the attorney, Pip's sister, Joe and the "pale young gentleman." Even the clerk with "The Aged" father is well played, although the tour of his castle-house from the book is absent. Pip himself is portrayed very appropriately by both the young and older actors, and never disappoints.

Along with the characters, the film provides an incredible amount of tantalizing 19th century detail, enough to keep even the sleepiest, most sullen student awake at 8:02 am on a cold winter morning. All in all, well worth the $35 asking price, especially because, like all Criterion titles in my experience, the DVD transfer looks and sounds absolutely beautiful.

Changed from the book but still worth seeing!.......2006-06-23

The characters of Charles Dickens's timeless tale come to life in spellbinding black and white that perfectly captures the book's tone. Both Estella and Miss Havisham's characters are vastly sweetened from the book. Estella has genuine affection for Pip instead of just seeing him as another person to manipulate. Miss Havisham is actually concerned when Estella and Pip fight instead of being happy that her master plan of having Estella break Pip's heart is succeeding. These changes allow for the overly saccharin ending that is greatly different in tone and plot from either of the two grim endings Dickens actually wrote for the book.

A Great Movie From A Great Novel, And Perfectly Cast.......2005-12-25

If a movie ever captured better the look in your head of a book you've read than David Lean's Great Expectations, I don't know what it would be. From the moment young Pip is seen running along the marsh road to the deserted cemetery and his encounter with the escaped convict, Magwitch (scaring Pip as well as us half to death) to Pip the young man ripping down the dust-laden, moldering drapes in Miss Havisham's decaying mansion and letting the daylight in, we see what we imagined, and it's just about perfect.

Great Expectations is one of Charles Dickens' greatest novels, and the movie, in my opinion, is David Lean's greatest accomplishment as a director. You'd have to be a cynic not to be captured by this story of a young, poor boy, an orphan raised in a blacksmith's home by his sister and her husband, who unexpectedly becomes a young gentleman of great expectations.

Lean chose actors who bring the characters vividly to life. Pip (John Mills) is a young man who has become self-satisfied with the mysterious funds he receives that have enabled him to become a gentleman. In time, however, he realizes "that in becoming a gentleman, I had only succeeded in becoming a snob." But Pip's innate honesty and humanity come through as he accepts the debt he owes to his benefactor and faces the love he has for Estella. Jean Simmons as young Estella and Valerie Hobson as Estella the woman are beautiful and cruel, as Estella was raised to be by Miss Havisham. Francis L. Sullivan is perfect as the large, shrewd lawyer, Mr. Jaggers, who knows all the secrets. Miss Havisham is played by Martita Hunt. Miss Havisham was abandoned on her wedding day years before. She has retreated into bitterness, living within her mansion as if time at stopped, the draperies closed, still wearing her wedding dress, cobwebs festooning the rooms and the banquet table still fully set, bearing what remains of the bride's cake. She will see to it that men, through Estella, will suffer as she suffered. Finlay Currie is Magwitch, the tough, hulking convict who was unexpectedly touched by young Pip bringing him food. Alec Guinness is Herbert Pocket, good natured, energetic and a true friend.

At the end of the story, Pip and Estella realize they will have great expectations together. There is sadness, happiness, redemption, regret and love. Most off all, there are these marvelous characters in a great story.

The Criterion DVD looks fine. There are no significant extras. An insert contains an informative essay about the film and Lean by Adrian Turner, a British film critic.

Average customer rating:

Childhood memories...
Great Film for history buffs
Excellent Movie, Questionable Disney
Classic filmmaking based on a true story
Review of Disney May 2002 release

The Great Locomotive Chase
Starring: Fess Parker , Jeffrey Hunter , Jeff York , John Lupton , and Eddie Firestone
Director: Francis D. Lyon
Manufacturer: Walt Disney Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0000DZTNF
Release Date: 2004-05-04

Amazon.com

Disney's Great Locomotive Chase relates a true Civil War story about the Andrews Raiders, a team of 22 Union spies. In 1862 they snatched a train out from under the normally watchful eyes of Confederate troops based near Atlanta in a daredevil attempt to wreck the track and bridges of the Western & Atlantic Railroad. It was a high-stakes operation with a huge payoff. If they succeeded, they would effectively win the war; if they were caught, they were sure to be hanged. This 1956 feature shores up the suspense of the scheme masterfully. We watch, transfixed, as the relentless Confederate train conductor, William Fuller (played by the all-business Jeffrey Hunter) roars through a bevy of Southern stations hot on the heels of his hijacked locomotive. Will James Andrews (Fess Parker), leader of the Raiders, outrun him? History buffs won't need to keep watching for long, but they'll want to anyway--the portrayal of the Raiders' gumption and against-all-odds heroics pushes the basest, most human of audience buttons. It's not that The Great Locomotive Chase is a simple but well-done film about good vs. evil. Instead, it explores both sides' motives and draws gentle conclusions about honor, and it does so at an invigoratingly high clip. In that way, it's a movie worth sharing with kids 8 and older--there's no blood and only a sprinkling of violence here, but as with all war stories, tragedy plays a prominent role. --Tammy La Gorce

Description

After commandeering a Confederate locomotive, heroic Yankee soldiers known as the Andrews Raiders try to bring about an early end to the Civil War by crippling the Southern railroad network. But their efforts are hampered by the unrelenting bravery of a single Rebel patriot.

Customer Reviews:

Childhood memories..........2007-01-01

I just watched this movie for the first time in probably 15 or 20 years. Although I am far too young to have seen this in its initial release in theatres, this was one of the very first movies that I saw when I was a child. I really did not remember much from the movie--except that it had given me thrills as a kid. I was excited to watch this again with my brother and father.

My father is a Noth Carolina native who moved up north, and that makes me a North Dakota native. This is important because we both tend to lean on opposite sides of the "Civil War fence." Well, this movie is great because it shows respect to both sides. The main premise is that some Northern spies steal a train from the South with the intentions of destroying tracks and bridges. One determined Southern railroad conductor takes personal offense at his train being stolen and follows it doggedly--first on foot and slowly upgrading from there.

You can't really describe the movie beyond the premise without ruining it. However, this is based on a true story--and one that potentially would have impacted the war in a BIG way. This is given colorful Disney treatment, and it is very enjoyable. As mentioned already, you are able to watch this from either perspective and enjoy it because both sides are given equal treatment. Also, it is not just the story of a locomotive chase as it also outlines the beginning of the Medal of Honor.

As for the DVD release, I don't mind that there are not extras. The picture is good, and the movie is what I bought it for--not the extras! Thanks for an excellent film on DVD!

Great Film for history buffs.......2005-10-01

When I was 10 years old ( in 1962 ), I had the good fortune to
ride on a train pulled by the "General." This was back during the Civil War Centennial celebration and believe me, nothing
could have brought the past alive more than this trip!
The movie certainly brings to life this amazing event without
today's graphic violence and gore. In the tradition of Disney
productions, high quality and great excitement are pervasive
throughout. Growing up with Disney on screen and television
made watching this movie a trip down "memory lane." I would highly recommend this wonderful film to anyone interested in
the Civil War or to train buffs.

Excellent Movie, Questionable Disney.......2005-04-22

The movie is outstanding. Fess Parker and the rest turn in excellent performances. This exciting story is based on the true to life incident that took place during the Civil War. From what I have heard there were only a couple minor changes in the recreation of the story. Walt Disney made wonderful movies during the Fifties and Sixties that were great for the whole family to enjoy together. I am ecstatic they are now releasing these movies to DVD. My only complaint is that there seems to be an issue with quantity instead of quality. They seem more interested in releasing a great number of movies than worrying about the condition of them. Now I'm am as anxious as the next person to get all their live action movies out but I hope they start taking the time to realize they need to monitor the quality control. I don't need the extras on this first release. Once they have released all the movies they use to run on "The Wonderful World of Disney" then they can go back and do Platinum Editions. I will be satisfied with just the movie since there are so many more they need to release like "Dr. Syn, alias Scarecrow" and "The Swamp Fox" that I can be satisfied with just the basics but I want the movie to have sharp picture and sound quality. Some of the recent live action movies have been great quality (e.g. Three Lives of Thomasina) and some have been poor (e.g. "The Journey of Natty Gann). I hope someone from Disney is paying attention to Amazons reviews because if they don't they may find their DVDs aren't selling so well. Fortunately this DVD picture and sound quality are nicely restored. There are no extra features.

Classic filmmaking based on a true story.......2005-02-28

It's a real treat to see live-action Disney movies in all their glory, (back when movies actually meant something) unlike the special effects-ridden garbage of today. Of the meager number of films dealing with the Andrews Raid, I find this to be the most realistic portrayal by a long shot.

Review of Disney May 2002 release.......2004-06-05

After two previous releases by Anchor Bay, one would assume this release by the movie producer, Disney, would be the ultimate issue of this film. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Besides having zero....none, nyet....bonus features....not even a trailer, this release is riddled with problems. While the menu and FBI warnings are anamorphic, the movie itself is not. If the transfer had been halfway decent, this would be somewhat forgiveable. However, the transfer is grainy, the color pulses, and edge enhancement is frequent throughout. Certain portions of the movie even appear to be in the wrong ratio....as if the screen were squeezed top to bottom.

Another problem I encountered....and basically the last straw....was the random appearance of foreign subtitles as I watched the movie. Whether this is a problem with all DVD players, I do not know [mine is a Toshiba]....but on a quality product, this should never be a problem on any player.

While the movie is somewhat enjoyable [typical 50's Disney-style drama], I'd avoid this DVD [wish I HAD] based purely on the lack of effort Disney put out in assembling it.

Customer Reviews:

Plays well in SLC; others beware.......2007-05-15

If you factor in a one million dollar budget (the equivalent of paying $3.82 for a new car), and if you sufficiently lower your expectations accordingly, then this movie is easy enough way to pass the time. The battle scenes are fairly well done, although relying heavily on the Saving Private Ryan/Gladiator style jerky cinematography. I have to admit that seeing the M1 Garand in full throat is always stirring to me, even if the rest of a movie is sort of cheesy.

And that's what this movie is. Other reviewers (the ones who may not be Romney supporters) have noted the cornball dialogue. It's really shameful, and it's difficult to see why even with a million-dollar budget, that the film-makers couldn't have provided a better script. I just about turned the movie off when Deacon was reunited with an old Sunday School chum. Give me a freakin' break!

For a more potent, more ambiguous, and less preachy vision of religion in war, readers are encouraged to check out To End All Wars. Or for that matter, Sergeant York with Gary Cooper!

Excellent work of recreating a little-heard of piece of history........2007-03-07

I have to admit, I had never heard of the events this movie is based on until I watched the movie. However, this made the movie even more interesting to me. After watching the commentary in the special features, I do not think this movie could have been made much better. To begin with, the movie recreates a true story, thus limiting the liberties the producers could take with the story. Then to make this movie on a small budget and still make it look as good as it did, I am impressed.
This movie is not without its faults, however. There were such things as German soldiers walking only yards away the footprints of the American soldiers in the snow without seeing those footprints. Maybe something similar happened in the actual event, but the movie could have been a little more realistic and simply not have had the German soldiers walk so close to the Americans' hideout.
Even so, I found the movie to be rather intriguing. The main character is quickly shown to be a Christian haunted by memories from. A good portion of the movie is a sort of gradual revealing of exactly what it is that haunts him. One thing that I found really meaningful was how the ending played out. As a Christian myself, I found it a little easier to understand the main character (yes, I have forgotten his name!) and I was able to see the ending in a different light than a non-Christian might. The best way to explain this without giving away too many details is by saying that it shows the literal explanation of the Bible verse that says, "No greater love is this, that a man should lay down his life for his friend."

Overall, I really enjoyed this movie and for several reasons. First, it was about WW2 history, specifically some WW2 history that I was previously unaware of. Second, there was plenty of action and surprises, regardless of what other reviewers might say. Third, although it is never stated or really even implied, I personally think that this is a Christian movie. In showing true history, the producers also showed the good side of true Christianity.
Once again, i really enjoyed this movie and I highly recommend it. If you do see it, I would suggest you also watch the following commentary. Enjoy.

Clashing Symbols.......2007-02-19

Saints and Soldiers is an excellent example of how one botched element can spell the difference between a home run and a routine out to deep center field. I was stunned to learn that this movie was made for a million dollars, on screen it looks like a full-budget feature film with plenty of production value. The sense of place is compelling; the snowy woods are beautiful and forbidding all at once. We feel tremendous empathy for this band of unfortunate soldiers at war with both the elements and the German soldiers who surround them.

A scroll at the movie's start states that the story is based on actual events. This increasingly commonplace technique does not add value. Indeed, it is true, to one extent or another, of all stories. Further, it is intended to add weight, drama, and validity to what we are about to see. Unless the story is literally accurate, this seems like a cheap device. In war there are a thousand stories like this, where ordinary people achieve extraordinary things as they find themselves in inconceivable situations. It is the responsibility of the story to generate its own drama.

The no-name cast does a very credible job and certainly deserve to get more work based on their performances here. The problem is with the ham-fisted symbolism of the script, and the really shabby dialogue. The symbolism is high school English stuff and revolves around the character of Deacon. Deacon was a missionary in Germany before the war, but is also the group's best marksman! Gosh, how ironic. Deacon's humanism transcends the goodies versus baddies mentality that drives everyone else - when he inevitably dies the director actually has the nerve to pose him on the ground ala Jesus on the cross. Starting with a great story and reducing it to blatant manipulation of this sort is the kind of twaddle we are used to in big budget pictures.

Worse still is the dialogue itself. The smallest amount of care would have eliminated many phrases that did not come into fashion for at least 30 years after the war ended. I fully expected Deacon to say, "Oh ma gawd, I am so totally sure, my rifle jammed, oh whatever, Heather!" This is sloppy at best. Also questionable was the stereotypical British paratrooper who would have been more comfortable on an episode of Fawlty Towers than in this film. Director Ryan Little would do well to remember that the British were fighting the Germans for many years before the Americans showed up.

A good film that missed being great. But then if your outfit only has one rifle, you have to make your shot count.

Deeply Moving.......2007-01-28

It takes a lot to move me and this movie did it. This movie really digs into the emotions of the heroes who served us and who to this day are suffering the physical and emotional scars so we could live such a great life in the greatest country on earth. I really connected with the characters and could not imagine anyone else playing their parts; especially Corbin Allred. His Staff Sgt. looked a lot like my grandfather who was in the China-Burma-India Theater in WW II. I served in the Marines in the mid-1980's and when I see a WW 2 vet nowadays, I always go up and speak to him and I have never met one that has not appreciated it. Please do the same. God bless our WW II heroes and thank you to the makers of this film.

Must have........2006-12-22

Good story. Audio and Video quality is excellent. I consider it one of the best in my collection.

Average customer rating:

Not Bad, But Not Good Either
A Dated, But Okay Effort For Norris' First Starring Role
Good for a Laugh
they don't make B-movie action films like this any more
Semi-Trucks, CB Radios, Frozen TV Dinners and Chuck Norris!!

Breaker, Breaker
Starring: Chuck Norris , George Murdock , Terry O'Connor , Don Gentry , and John Di Fusco
Director: Don Hulette
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00004ZBVH
Release Date: 2000-12-19

Amazon.com

Made in the heady days of movies like Convoy and Smokey and the Bandit, when CB radios were expected to create the kind of communication network the Internet has provided, Breaker! Breaker! tells the tale of J.D. Dawes (Chuck Norris of Good Guys Wear Black and TV's Walker, Texas Ranger), a trucker in tight jeans and a blonde shag. While J.D. is defending his arm-wrestling reputation in a truck stop poolroom, his younger brother Billy is being taken advantage of by the crooked cops of Texas City, California, a former ghost town turned would-be tourist trap, run by a corrupt judge named Joshua Trimmings. When the scam gets out of hand, Billy disappears--and J.D. comes to town to find him. There are many campy things to appreciate about Breaker! Breaker! (the sequined collar of the shirt Norris wears during a meditation teaching, or the glorious air-brushed eagle on Norris's van), and by contemporary Jackie Chan/The Matrix standards the fighting is slow and unspectacular--but ironically, this actually gives the action some grit and makes the blows feel more visceral than the wild flips and kicks of more recent movies. The chase scenes have surprising momentum, and there's some fine scenery-chewing by George Murdock as the wicked judge. And for a curious bit of trivia, Jack Nance--who must have been playing the lead in David Lynch's Eraserhead concurrent with Breaker! Breaker!--plays a trucker friend of Norris's. --Bret Fetzer

Description

Chuck Norris ("Walker, Texas Ranger") puts the pedal to the metal in this hard-driving action/adventure exploding with heart-pounding chases and slam-bang martial arts battles. As powerful as an 18-wheeler and as fast-moving as a lethal karate chop, Breaker! Breaker! pushes the throttle wideopen for nonstop excitement. When trucker Billy Dawes (Michael Augenstein) vanishes duringhis first solo run, his older brother, J.D. (Norris), sets out in search of answers. What J.D. finds, however, is a deadly conspiracy involving a corrupt small-town judge (George Murdock) and a ring of thieves who prey upon unsuspecting motorists. With help from a beautiful local woman (Terry O'Connor), J.D. searches for his brother and battles the criminals with his amazing karate skills, fighting all the way to an explosive final showdown that may just destroy the entire town!

Customer Reviews:

Not Bad, But Not Good Either.......2007-02-24

This picture was made back in 1977 and I don't remember where I saw it at. This was a very young and very blonde Chuck Norris who played the role of John David Dawes. Also George Murdock plays the role of Judge Trimmings and terry O'Conner plays the role of Arlene. When John returns home he goes to see his brother who's riding a dirt bike. John brother Billy wants to drive a big rig and take a load of something somewhere. So John agrees to let Billy take a load gets to a small town in Texas. Billy gets into trouble with a Joshua Trimmings who's a crooked Judge that runs the small town. When John fines out that Billy never made it, he heads towards Texas to fine him. Breaker, Breaker, wasn't the best movie but it wasn't that bad. I give this movie 7 weasel stars basically for its action.

A Dated, But Okay Effort For Norris' First Starring Role.......2007-01-11

During the CB (Citizen Band) radio craze of the 70's, Chuck Norris began his very successful leading man career by appearing in this film.

Norris plays a trucker whose brother gets caught up in a speed-trap town whose leaders don't mind killing to maintain control. Of course, truckers unite by using the CB radios, Norris kicks lots of butt, and a good reckneck time is had by all.

The CB focus, fashions and trends are very dated, and the movie isn't good enough to overcome these limitations. But it works as a cheap action flick and curio timepiece. Breaker, Breaker is far from Norris' best, but he has also done much, much worse.

Good for a Laugh.......2006-02-13

Chuck Norris's brother is hauling freight through a small Texas Town when the local sherif arrests him on a trumped up charge. The town confiscates the load, kidnaps his brother, and puts him in jail.
This causes chuck to go into the town and start opening a king sized can of whoop but. Bad acting, good fight seens, and a poor story line all combine for a pretty good movie. I'd buy this movie just to laugh at the out of date 1960-1970 fasions.
Rich

they don't make B-movie action films like this any more.......2005-03-07

and it's a shame, these days most direct to video b-movies are not all that great, but back then, they were fun, sure the acting and story are not the best, but it's fun, and really that's what you come for right? fun, good action with some funny scenes in there.

the action may not seem like much next to the jackie chan movies or the post-matrix world and that's a shame, Chucks action always seemed more real, down and dirty, his hits meant something, when he does his big kicks, you know that hurt.

the movie held up better than i thought it would, i saw it again for the first time in years just minutes ago, it has some 70's styles and look, but really it's more of a timeless western feel they have going on, chuck is the stanger coem to clean up "texas city" and save his brother, he faces down the locals, has a great fight or 20, gets the girl and walks off into the sunset.

Semi-Trucks, CB Radios, Frozen TV Dinners and Chuck Norris!!.......2005-02-02

This short (65 minutes) movie features Chuck Norris as a truck drivin' guy who just happens to be an expert in karate. Chuck is J.D. Dawes, a good name for a trucker if there ever was one, and he comes home to find his kid brother riding dirt bikes in the obligatory two-brothers-bonding scene. Well, before you know it, little brother is off on a haul, alone of course, gonna pick up some frozen TV dinners for delivery. Gee, I hope something doesn't happen to him along the way.

Meanwhile a group of ne'er-do-wells, led by corrupt judge Trimmings (George Murdock, actually pretty good to watch) have founded Texas City, California. Among Texas City's many fine civic industries are crooked cops, a corrupt judicial system, kidnapping, moonshine and selling pilfered automobiles for scrap metal. At the town meetings, they give reports on all the fine progress their new little town is making. All is well until they kidnap Chuck Norris' little brother using false charges. I reckon they're gonna get their tails whipped.

(Apparently the residents of Texas City had never seen a Chuck Norris film - too bad for them, eh? They messed with the wrong guy's little brother driving a semi-truck of frozen TV dinners).

The acting runs from decent to horrible, depending upon where you are in the film. The cinematography is OK, especially for a low-budget film like this one. In one scene, Chuck pulls up in the semi-truck with the set lights brightly reflecting off the grill/front of the truck. As he moves out of frame, you can actually see them dim the set lights, fading on the truck. Then, there's a bit of high school acting from a "concerned" lady who speaks with Chuck. Aye carumba.

John Di Fusco as Arney does a decent job as the slow-witted, Gomer-Pyle-lookin' brother of the owner of the auto repair station in Texas City. He becomes a pivotal character because of his good heart. Miranda Garrison is pretty good as the barmaid-floozy, whom the judge hangs out with when he's not busy stealing other people's money. She's kinda got a weirdo-nutty thing going on with her doll collection though. Unfortunately, some of the other extras must have taken some acting lessons from the dolls. Oh and there's a couple of guys who shoot at approaching cars just to keep 'em out. Real nice town, that Texas City, eh?. I'm surprised there wasn't a banjo and a guitar faintly dueling somewhere in the distance.

Like all good stories, what goes around comes around. The calvary is a little bit different this time, but effective nonetheless. And there's a little slow-mo fighting with martial arts (bet that caught ya by surprise) where the director uses a bit of artistic license. If you're a Chuck Norris fan, you'll probably find enough about this film to like and it's PG-13 for language. Other decent Chuck Norris films are "Good Guys Wear Black" and "The Hero and the Terror" and "Code of Silence" is pretty good, though being about Chicago mobsters makes it pretty rough in some spots.

And it must be said, the CB radio craze was in full swing when this movie was produced. Surprisingly, it's not overdone in this film. Bit of trivia: The art direction for "Breaker, Breaker" was done by Thomas Thomas (who also designed the van Chuck drives with a huge eagle on it). I just wondered if he was the guy who came up with the name for the movie.

Well, y'all have yourself an outstanding day, keep the greasy side down, watch out for them four-wheelers and Smokey Bear. We gone, bye-bye!

Average customer rating:

The Great Smokey Roadblock
Starring: Eileen Brennan , John Byner , Henry Fonda , Leigh French , and Dana House
Director: John Leone
Manufacturer: Trinity Home Ent
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Convoy
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ASIN: B00031V24O
Release Date: 2004-08-17

Description

Put the pedal to the metal and hang on tight, cause that high-ballin' bandit is rollin' tonight! Henry Fonda shines in his role as worn-out trucker Elegant John who has his 18-wheeler repossessed only months before his retirement. He's determined to do everything he can to make one last big haul before he says goodbye.

Average customer rating:

Outstanding Value
The Great Tarin Robbery
The first American Movie
Superb quality and great value

Great Train Robbery - 100th Anniversay
Starring: Morgan Jones , Tom London , Gilbert M. Anderson , A.C. Abadie , and George Barnes
Director: Edwin S. Porter
Manufacturer: Vci Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Westerns | Genres | DVD | Video

Outlaws | Westerns | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $14.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

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ASIN: B0000WN1JA
Release Date: 2003-12-16

Description

This Special Edition DVD contains two versions of the historically significant western, "The Great Train Robbery" (1903) and more classic silent westerns: "The Heart of Texas Ryan" (1916), "Tumbleweeds" (1925) and "The Battle of Elderbush Gulch" (1913) - all enhanced with music and effects tracks. Bonus Features: Video Prologues narrated by Will Hutchins (WB TV star "Sugarfoot")| Bonus Cowboy Poem by Will Hutchins| Movie Selection Menu| Western Previews| Bios| DVD Rom Content: Extended Bios| Weblinks to more information and biographical material. Specs: DVD9; Dolby Digital Mono; 184 minutes; B&W; 1.33:1 Aspect Ratio; MPAA - NR; Year - 2003 SRP - $19.99.

Customer Reviews:

Outstanding Value.......2007-03-09

Of course, everyone (?) knows the reputation of the Great Train Robbery. But the rest of the package contains some gems. Surprising DW Griffith Western, in "Battle...," in the sense that the cavalry does NOT arrive in the nick of time for most of the townspeople, though the stars are saved. The Tom Mix feature is really funny, showing a character who is quite anti-heroic, by Classic Western standards. But the real gem is William S. Hart's Tumbleweeds, which stages an incredible Oklahoma land run, and a stunning ride by 55-year-old Hart.

The Great Tarin Robbery.......2007-03-08

A classic of the start of motion pictures by Thomas Edison that has stould the test of time.

The first American Movie.......2005-01-24

Its hard to believe but this film was made more than 100 hundred years ago,it has to be considered to be a technical step forward for its time. The plot is basicilly a train robbery. It is also the first western. This was a stepping stone for what movies could be, D.W Griffth pushed even farther with the first epic with a Birth Of A Nation.

Superb quality and great value.......2004-02-01

Wasn't to sure what to expect quality wise but on viewing was absolutely delighted.
The DVD features four silent westerns (all classics) with excellent picture quality and suitable accompanying music with orchestra.
Tumbleweeds is the 1939 reissue and has W S HART speaking of his love of the west.
Battle of Elderbush Gulch is an exciting story by D W Griffith.
Heart of Texas Ryan stars Tom Mix.
Two versions of the title film are included.
All the films have short intros, history and bios.

Customer Reviews:

"Where'd you get this honky dynamite, man?".......2005-10-30

Seems many of the women who appear in a certain men's magazine have the same aspiration, to make it big as an actress in the movies...some have made the transition (to some degree), but for most, their dreams remain unfulfilled, most likely due to an actual lack of talent. As I said, some did manage to cross over, one in particular being Miss Claudia Jennings, Playmate of the year for 1970. She had a great many qualities, including and easygoing naturalness is front of the camera, attractive features, and a willingness to shed her clothes, this last one particularly handy given the roles offered to her in such exploitive B films like Deathsport (1978), Moonshine County Express (1977), 'Gator Bait (1974), Truck Stop Women (1974), Unholy Rollers (1972), and this film titled The Great Texas Dynamite Chase (1976) aka Dynamite Women. Sad thing is, right about the time when she seemed to be rising above her exploitive beginnings (and getting her life back under control from substance abuse issues), her career was cut short after she fell asleep behind the wheel of her car and an accident ensued. Directed by Michael Pressman (The Bad News Bears in Breaking Training, Doctor Detroit), the film stars, as I've mentioned, Claudia Jennings, along with Jocelyn Jones (The Other Side of the Mountain, Tourist Trap). Also appearing is former Mouseketeer Johnny Crawford ("The Rifleman", Village of the Giants), Christopher Pennock ("Dark Shadows", "General Hospital"), Tara Strohmeier (The Student Teachers, Candy Stripe Nurses), and Oliver Clark (A Star Is Born, Doctor Detroit, Ernest Saves Christmas).

Jennings is Candy Morgan, a recent escapee from a Texas federal women's penitentiary, whose first act upon self parole is to rob a local bank by threatening to blow the place up with some dynamite (seems Candy learned how to use dynamite in a prison work/reform program, and subsequently used it to aide in her `early' release). After successfully liberating some funds, she passes the dough on to her family who were in peril of losing their dirt farm, and then takes it on the lam. Soon she runs into Ellie-Jo Turner (Jones), recently fired bank teller (the manager didn't like her modern i.e. loose lifestyle), the two become friends, and decide to team up and pull off more jobs together. After a botched robbery attempt and a brief stop at a nearby mining operation to get more boom boom sticks (giving Candy a chance to get her groove on with a strapping, shirtless workman), the girls take their show on the road. The begin hitting podunk banks all throughout southern Texas, eventually picking up a hostage named Slim (Crawford) who ends up throwing in the girls and the threesome continue on their merry way. By now their antics are widely known (they're labeled by the media as the `dynamite women'), and the authorities are mounting a full scale manhunt (or womanhunt, whichever you prefer), taking a `shoot first, shoot again, ask question later' attitude, so what does our thieving trio do? They get themselves a fancy white Rolls Royce...romance blooms between Ellie-Jo and Slim, the latter beginning to worry about the very likely possibility of getting shot dead, but the girls want to make one, last giant haul before heading south, that is if the Candy and Ellie-Jo can only manage to keep it in their pants long enough...

Originally released through Roger Corman's New Concorde company, the film has all his signature markings in that it's cheap, fast, and slightly sleazy. But that's not to say it isn't any fun, because it is...hey, any movie where I get to see two sets of bazooms in the first three minutes ain't all bad (one should set their expectations accordingly to the material). Corman may not have won any Oscars for his films, but few directors/producers knew their audiences better than he, and were able to give them what they wanted so consistently. The film is pure drive-in hokum, released at a time when there was no such thing as a home video market...there's a seemingly female empowerment quality to the story, but it was really just `faux' feminism perpetrated by the filmmakers to allow for the ladies to run around braless, pop their tops, and bed male characters at any given opportunity, as also seen in other films of the time like The Student Teachers (1973) and Candy Stripe Nurses (1974). The women audience members were supposed to identify with the strong female characters, while the male audience members got to gawk at jooblies...something for everyone. The story moves along at a pretty good clip and features some decent, but not stellar, car chase sequences, along with silly hi-jinks and what not...the movie's listed as a drama/thriller, but there's a comedic undertone throughout much of the story, a breezy attitude highlighted by a whole lot of twangy, good old boy music, whose repetitiveness got old as the movie progressed. Picture the Dukes of Hazzard with nekkidness and a bit more violence, with the main characters being women instead of men. It did seem very odd that the girls should go out and purchase a big, old, white Rolls with their ill gotten booty, as it was conspicuous as hell, but whatever...if you're looking for some slick, high quality action, stick to the recommended releases on the shelves of the local video store, but if you're looking for some cheap thrills, the kind produced exclusively for indiscriminate drive-in audiences, then you're in the right place.

The picture, presented in fullscreen, is decent, but does feature quite a few noticeable flaws. The DVD case claims to present a `digitally remastered' print, but I'm guessing that means using whatever copy they utilized in the past for VHS releases for the DVD release. It is watchable, and after awhile I tuned out all the little imperfections on the picture and enjoyed the film. I'm unsure what format the audio is in, but it does sound good and come through clearly. Special features include an original trailer, along with various bios. Also included are previews for other DVD releases like Caged Heat (1974), The Big Doll House (1971), The Big Bird Cage (1972), and The Arena (1974).

Cookieman108

the same guy who brought you TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES 2 .......2004-12-08

For some unknown reason I was expecting this to be SMOKEY & THE BANDIT with hot naked broads and lots of explosions. Instead I ended up with a forgettable low budget stinker about two sickly looking women who rob banks in semi deserted towns and then, much to my horror, take off their clothes! Agguh! Please. Nobody wants to see that.

Candy escapes (off-screen) from jail then robs a bank to pay off her pa's farm. Like nobody's gonna be curious as to how a broke dirt farmer was suddenly able to pay off his debts in cash. Anyway, Candy's now on the run and picks up Ellie-Jo hitchhiking. They quickly hit it off and next thing you know they're robbing every small town bank in Texas with nothing but a few sticks of dynamite. Why nobody doesn't just punch them in the face and extinguish the dynamite I have no idea.

Soon they have enough money to buy a white Rolls Royce (!) and kidnap a handsome young stud to act as their hostage over and over and over again. Yawn.

I'd be willing to suspend reality a little bit and even overlook the lame script if the action scenes were good enough, but with only 10 - 15 explosions total and nothing but cheap cars bumping into each other it's inexcusable. This movie is a dud on all levels.

The DVD is bare bones all the way. The only special feature is a trailer. Watch UNHOLY ROLLERS or SWITCHBLADE SISTERS instead.

D: Michael Pressman (TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES II: THE SECRET OF THE OOZE; DOCTOR DETROIT)

Candy Morgan - Claudia Jennings (UNHOLLY ROLLERS; GATOR BAIT)
Ellie-Jo Turner - Jocelyn Jones (TOURIST TRAP; NOWHERE TO RUN)

One of the Great Guilty Pleasures.......2004-04-11

Ever since my dogs ate my VHS copy, i have been looking for The Great Texas Dynamige Chase to be reissued on DVD. I was not disappointed. The picture is clear. GTDC is just a great cheesey movie. Yet it is totally enjoyable. Great action an nudity for a low budget Roger Corman flick. Suspend disbelief and enjoy.

Claudia Jennings Lives!.......2002-02-22

If anyone out there besides me watched "Thelma and Louise" and wondered why they had to drive off that stupid cliff at the end, and how exactly that denoted a "happy" and "satisfying" ending, you're gonna love this movie. Funny enough, "the Great Texas Dynamite Chase" got it just right about 15 or so years earlier.

Yes, yes - the title is quite ridiculous, but do not (I repeat, DO NOT) let this scare you away. Women robbing banks with nothing but dynamite? Genius. It's filled with the kind of... female empowerment that was strangely only tolerated in the context of a cheapie exploitation film. It's loaded with what I've dubbed "Charlie's Angels" feminism -- that is to say, the women may appear to be tantalizing packages, but try to unwrap them on anything less than their terms and KA-POW! Duck and cover baby! Besides, in this day of sexual taboos, it's pleasantly refreshing to see a movie that treats sex as fun and inconsequential. (Ahhh, those were the days, eh?) Plus, it stars underrated drive-in superstar Claudia Jennings, who gives a typically fever-pitched, ballsy performance despite suffering a back injury midway through filming.

It's high time this film was re-released after long being unavailable. Hey, Corman - how about following suit with "Unholy Rollers"?

Claudia Jennings should be remembered........2001-12-13

Claudia was so hot and had real star power. Most might remember her as the agent who wanted to sign Greg Brady as "johnny bravo". She was up for the role of Kate Jacksons replacement on Charlies Angels (the real one, not that lame movie). With this film you see how she might have become a real star but sadly she was killed before her time.

Average customer rating:

Childhood memories...
Great Film for history buffs
Excellent Movie, Questionable Disney
Classic filmmaking based on a true story
Review of Disney May 2002 release

The Great Locomotive Chase
Starring: Fess Parker , Jeffrey Hunter , Jeff York , John Lupton , and Eddie Firestone
Director: Francis D. Lyon
Manufacturer: Anchor Bay
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Crime | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

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ASIN: 630580804X
Release Date: 2000-04-25

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

Childhood memories..........2007-01-01

Great Film for history buffs.......2005-10-01

Excellent Movie, Questionable Disney.......2005-04-22

Classic filmmaking based on a true story.......2005-02-28

Review of Disney May 2002 release.......2004-06-05

After two previous releases by Anchor Bay, one would assume this release by the movie producer, Disney, would be the ultimate issue of this film. Nothing could be further from the truth.

While the movie is somewhat enjoyable [typical 50's Disney-style drama], I'd avoid this DVD [wish I HAD] based purely on the lack of effort Disney put out in assembling it.

Customer Reviews:

Roy Rogers in the Great Northwest.......2002-02-12

The friendly Oseka Indians clash with the crooked owners of a new cannery over fish conservation and supply. The ecology goes to pot, and the Indians are left starving. The conflict escalates to violence and murder. The Bureau of Indian Affairs sends agent Roy Rogers to smooth things over and prevent the outbreak of war along the Canadian border. Filmed in Trucolor, this B Western is a quick hit of Saturday matinee excitement. Both Dale Evans and Pat Brady are absent, but we see the origin of Bullet, Roy's trusty wolf dog that followed him into the '50s TV series. Bullet plays "Wolf." Great casting. Roy rescues him as a tiny pup from a hunter's trap. Noble Johnson plays the stony-faced Indian chief. Among other roles, he played the Nubian slave in 1932's "The Mummy" and the native chief in "King Kong." Some of the stock footage of salmon swimming upstream and commercial fishing methods looks like footage from a U. S. Dept. of Conservation public service film. Roy works with the trusty men of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Nope, we didn't see Sergeant Preston, but he was probably still up north in the Yukon. The action elements of this fast moving flick are bloodless enough to qualify as "G" rated. As usual, Roy Rogers is honest and true. He shoots straight, rides fast, and punches hard. The color photography looks a little odd at times because of peculiar tints of blue and green. There are 2 or 3 songs, but we are spared from elaborate musical production numbers. Nobody made B Westerns like Republic Studios. Fun for kids of all ages. ;-)

Rolie Polie Olie - Pack 1 (4pack) The Great Baby Chase/hypno Eyes/a Day At the Beach/an Easter Egg-stravaganza

Average customer rating:

Rolie Polie Olie - Pack 1 (4pack) The Great Baby Chase/hypno Eyes/a Day At the Beach/an Easter Egg-stravaganza

ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

3-6 Years | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

Rolie Polie Olie - Pack 3 (4pack) A Zoo Story/Polie Magic/Olie's Ice Hockey Adventure/Scavenger Hunt

ASIN: B000EXOPI6

Product Description

PACK 1: -The Great Baby Chase -Hypno Eyes -A Day at the Beach -An Easter Egg-Stravaganza

DVD:

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