Crimes of the Heart

Starring:Diane Keaton, Jessica Lange, Sissy Spacek, Sam Shepard, Tess Harper, David Carpenter, Hurd Hatfield, Beeson Carroll, Jean Willard, Tom Mason, Annie McKnight, Gregory Eugene Travis, Eleanor Eagle, Jessica Ezzell, Natalie Anderson, Connie Adams, Robert J. Maxwell
Director: Bruce Beresford
Studio: Fox Home Entertainment
Product Type: DVD

Amazon.com

One of Hollywood's most striking films of World War II has very little war in it, yet it whips up a fearsome power. A U.S. bomber that took part in the Doolittle raid on Tokyo crash-lands in Japanese-occupied China afterward. Captured, the officers and crew are hauled before a Japanese court and tried for war crimes. The trial is illegal and stacked against the Americans from the outset. But that doesn't stop it from developing into a fierce duel of nerves and icy politesse, especially between the U.S. commander (Dana Andrews) and the Japanese general (Richard Loo), who is the chief architect of the strategy to break the Americans and learn how the raid was carried out.

The story for The Purple Heart was written by none other than 20th Century-Fox studio chief Darryl F. Zanuck, resurrecting one of his pseudonyms--Melville Crossman--from the days when he used to crank out gangster pictures and Rin Tin Tin movies for Warner Bros. Did it have any corollary in fact? Home front audiences in 1944 were ready to believe the worst, and what The Purple Heart asked them to believe was both terrible and inspiring. The film was directed, pungently, by Lewis Milestone, a two-time Oscar winner and Hollywood's most honored chronicler of the horrors of war (e.g., All Quiet on the Western Front); cinematographer Arthur Miller, Fox's master of black and white, worked wonders with the claustrophobic interiors. The solid cast also includes Richard Conte, Sam Levene, and Farley Granger. --Richard T. Jameson

Description

World War II American fighter pilots are shot down over China and tortured. Dana Andrews, Richard Conte and Farley Granger struggle against tyranny.

Customer Reviews:

Different WWII film that speaks to the war today.......2007-06-27

In my quest to see all of the great old films of WWII made in the 1940's, I bought this one and I'm glad I did!
It's very different from the "typical" battle-action films; this one is set mainly in Japan where American Army Air Corps pilots are put on trial for "war crimes."
In the course of their imprisonment, they are tortured to confess to crimes they didn't commit.
They have no real lawyers.
The Geneva Convention is never mentioned.
They go bravely and proudly to their deaths by execution.
All of it highlights not only the humane treatment we give enemy combatants now at Guantanamo Bay but also the fanatical aim of world domination of today's Islamofacist enemy in Iraq and Afghanistan is exactly like that of the Shinto/Bushido Japanese that we vanquished in WWII.
This movie is really a must see that acurately portrays the enemy in wartime as truly evil with none of the moral equivalence that we get from Hollywood and the Media these days.

Purple Heart.......2007-06-08

Fantastic movie, have enjoyed it for many years on my copy on a VCR tape that I made off of TV, and now I have a great DVD version of it. The best part of the movie is that it is in the Full Screen format and not as how most come. I wish that your organization could get more movies in the Full Screen format, and not as most company's use the Wide Screen or that stupid letter boxed. Keep up the good work!!

"WE WILL BLACKEN YOUR SKIES AND BURN YOUR CITIES TO THE GROUND AND WIPE YOUR DIRTY LITTLE EMPIRE OFF THE FACE OF THE EARTH".......2007-04-04

This is an inspiring movie to ALL Americans at this stage of the war vs Japan...in reality, three [3] of the captured USAAF crew were beheaded, others tortured unmercifuly...3 survived at war's end...with the release of, "The Purple Heart" at Christmas time [1944] well after the Gen Doolittle raid in April 1942, it hit home and in our hearts to the heroics of our courageous United States Army Air Force and Naval Forces in harm's way...this movie depicts Japan for all of her quick grabs in the Pacific War; yet, Japan was wide open and vunerable to air attack...it helped lift our morale to perservere, sacrifice and no more surrenders, ultimately paving the way for Japan's unconditional surrender forevermore in Aug/1945...it was NOT a propaganda movie; conversely, a cornerstone film for total victory over Japan who was our most formidable and cunning enemy we ever faced on the sea and on the land...Dana Andrews stirring lecture to that Japanese judge rang true as the "USAAF will blackened your skies, day and nite we'll come to burn your cities to the ground and wipe your dirty little Empire off the face of the earth"...that was a TRUISM and justly so...sadly, today's liberal Americans can't relate or comprehend to just what a UNITED effort it took to bring the Japanese Militarists to extinction in Aug/1945...the Japanese got what they readily deserved with A-Bomb interest...this movie was a harbinger of what was to come to the home-islands of Japan...WW2 was a great American lesson to America's enemies...I loved this wartime 1944 film about wartime April/1942....SSGT CHRIS SARNO-USMC FMF

A must see.......2007-02-21

This is one of the all-time classic propaganda pieces of the war. Here we have the "typical" American unit made up of boys from Texas, Brooklyn, and Iowa, led by a steely officer (Dana Andrews)in a tribute to democracy. For my money, however, the scenery-chewing performance of Richard Loo as the Tojo-look-alike Japanese officer (complete with an appliance in his mouth to make his teeth look bigger...just like all of the print propaganda characatures of Japanese soldiers) steals the show. Loo's line "How many people will the white man sacrifice?" has become a cult classic with my colleagues and I and will likely remain so for some years. You've truly got to see this to believe it.

"We'll come by day and we'll come by night. Thousands of us........2005-09-20

One of the greatest WWII movies ever made.We need this on DVD. The best part is when Dana Andrews tells the court "We'll come by day and we'll come by night. Thousands of us and we won't stop coming till we wipe that dirty little empire off the face of the earth." What could be more inspiring. Please put this out on DVD as a collectors edition.

Average customer rating:

shazam! them southern gals sure is a caution, aint they?
Great Service, Great Product
Very entertaining!
Three Unlikely Sisters make Fun
Crime of the Heart

Crimes of the Heart
Starring: Diane Keaton , Jessica Lange , Sissy Spacek , Sam Shepard , and Tess Harper
Director: Bruce Beresford
Manufacturer: Fox Home Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Crimes of the Heart.
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ASIN: B00013RC6Q
Release Date: 2004-02-03

Amazon.com essential video

Three Oscar-winning actresses have a go at one of playwright Beth Henley's southern-fried comedies, and cook up an agreeable gumbo. In the town of Hazelhurst, Mississippi, Diane Keaton dithers her birthday away as one sister (Jessica Lange) returns from a flopped attempt at a singing career in Hollywood, and the other sister (Sissy Spacek) languishes in jail after shooting her abusive hubby. Truth be told, all three have been a little touched in the head ever since the long-past day when their mother hanged herself along with the family cat. Bruce Beresford provides the workmanlike direction, and Sam Shepard and Tess Harper contribute supporting turns. But this one's all about the three skillful stars, who eschew showboating and defer to each other with real grace--they have the rhythms of family conversation down pat, and they embody the glances and sighs of sisterhood, rather than acting them. --Robert Horton

Customer Reviews:

shazam! them southern gals sure is a caution, aint they?.......2007-05-12

ok, i dont wanna pick on jessica lange and sissy spacek, but why didnt they get sally field to play the third sister instead of diane keaton? huh? then we could have had all three of the country tragedy troika of a year before. instead we only get two, but together with diane they manage to star in one of the most oppressive adaptations of a play you will ever see. not that beth henleys play was much better (and she IS responsible for the screenplay as well), but at least at a play you can get out at intermission. i am soooo tired of southern women being portrayed as whining (yet oddly sophisticated) harpies. artificial dialogue, ugly to watch, i would rank this among the worst ive ever seen if not for the fact its too forgettable to make the list.

Great Service, Great Product.......2007-01-04

Although it has been a while since I made this purchase I do remember that I was well pleased with the prompt delivery and the excellent condition of the DVD upon its arrival.

Very entertaining!.......2006-07-20

Typically films that blend comedy and drama don't come off very well. They have a tendency to swing from one extreme to the other without establishing a happy medium. "Crimes of the Heart" is not like that at all. The blend of comedy and drama is smooth and effortless. Basically the premise is a look at the relationship between the quirky Magrath sisters in the small town of Hazlehurst Mississippi. Elder sister Lenny (Diane Keaton) is an aging spinster with little experience with men. Middle sister Meg (Jessica Lange) has had more than her fair share of men and scandals that result. Youngest sister Babe (Sissy Spacek) has just shot her abusive husband and is facing a lengthy prison term if convicted. It is this event that brings the sisters together where their idiosyncrasies and past resentments surface and set the stage for some amusing confrontations and revelations. To me this film is synonymous with a warm hug as the atmosphere is very welcoming and familiar and as viewers we can really feel like a part of the Magrath sister's world. The performances are terrific and very natural. There's no impression of upstaging or attention mongering. The three leads act with each other as opposed to acting "at" each other. Tess Harper and Sam Shepard complete the film with their supporting turns. This is a great film that gets better with additional viewings and interestingly enough becomes more compelling and entertaining. Lots of fun!

Three Unlikely Sisters make Fun.......2005-12-19

Crimes of the Heart is the screen adaptation of the hit Beth Henley play. The McGrath sisters are an unlikely a set of sister. Their family was once the pillar of society but now they have fallen from grace.

Lenny (Diane Keaton) is the oldest sister, Meg (Jessica Lange) is the middle sister and Babe (Sissy Spacek) is the baby sister. Each is very different. Lenny has become a spinster (well she was a spinster even before she was old.) Meg has always been a free spirit and has fled the small southern town (well, she left a under a cloud.) Babe had everything come easy to her and married a successful lawyer. Also, there is cousin Chick (Tess Harper) who married above her station and is quick to point out the sisters faults.

As the film starts Lenny is celebrating her birthday, alone. Babe returns to the family home after shooting, but not killing, her husband. Meg also returns for a reunion under these unpleasant circumstances. Of course, what follows is the sisters reopening old wounds. Meg also opens up one of her own old wounds by reuniting with her high school sweetheart, Doc (Sam Sheppard or Mr. Jessica Lange). But the big question is why did Babe shoot her husband (Beeson Carroll)? She won't even tell her own lawyer (David Carpenter).

This is a brilliant comedy with great performance by all. Sissy got the Oscar nomination but all three sisters were great. This is a great look at the early eighties mores from a small town point of view.

DVD EXTRAS: None

Crime of the Heart.......2005-12-13

This is the one of the funniest movies I have ever seen. If I didn't know better, I would say the author knows me and two of my sisters. In fact, I am sending each of my sisters this DVD for Christmas. (I have searched for years for this movie. The rental movie places do not carry it which is such a shame. Diane Keaton is one of my favorite actresses. Gosh, amazing talent in this movie. The lemonade scene is so much like my sister!!!!! I would recommend this movie to anyone. This movie will never be outdated!!!!!!!!! GPC Panama City Beach, Fl

Average customer rating:

Crimes of the Heart
Starring: David Carpenter , Beeson Carroll , Tess Harper , Hurd Hatfield , and Jessica Lange
Director: Bruce Beresford
Manufacturer: Trinity Home Ent
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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4-for-3 Comedy | 4-for-3 DVD | Stores | DVD | Video

4-for-3 Drama | 4-for-3 DVD | Stores | DVD | Video

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

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Release Date: 2006-11-07

Average customer rating:

shazam! them southern gals sure is a caution, aint they?
Great Service, Great Product
Very entertaining!
Three Unlikely Sisters make Fun
Crime of the Heart

Crimes of the Heart [Region 2]
Starring: Diane Keaton , Jessica Lange , Sissy Spacek , Sam Shepard , and Tess Harper
Director: Bruce Beresford
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

( C ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

Miss Firecracker
Crimes of the Heart.
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Frances
The Good Mother

ASIN: B0000AGVQ3

Amazon.com essential video

Customer Reviews:

shazam! them southern gals sure is a caution, aint they?.......2007-05-12

Great Service, Great Product.......2007-01-04

Although it has been a while since I made this purchase I do remember that I was well pleased with the prompt delivery and the excellent condition of the DVD upon its arrival.

Very entertaining!.......2006-07-20

Three Unlikely Sisters make Fun.......2005-12-19

Crime of the Heart.......2005-12-13

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