The Balcony
Starring:Shelley Winters, Peter Falk, Lee Grant, Peter Brocco, Joyce Jameson, Jeff Corey, Arnette Jens, Ruby Dee, Leonard Nimoy, Kent Smith
Director: Joseph Strick
Studio: Image Entertainment
Product Type: DVD
Editorial Review:
Description
In a very special brothel known as "The Balcony," the customers live out their wildest dreams, oblivious to a revolution that is going on outside. Directed by the award-winning Joseph Strick and based on acclaimed French avant-garde dramatist Jean Genet's play, this star-packed film features Shelley Winters as the brothel's madam and Peter Falk as her occasional lover, who enlists her help in halting the revolution. A young Leonard Nimoy heads the rebels, and Lee Grant is the madam's executive assistant who longs to return to her former role as just "one of the girls." With its insightfulness and delightfully fresh sense of humor, "The Balcony" continues to provide a great view of the world's ironies.
Average customer rating:
- Under our clothes we are all naked.
- A Great Piece of Theatre-TV
- disgusting at best
- Hideous
- and....score by Stravinsky
|
The Balcony
Starring: Shelley Winters , Peter Falk , Lee Grant , Peter Brocco , and Joyce Jameson
Director: Joseph Strick
Manufacturer: Image Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD
 General
| Comedy
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Satire
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Brocco, Peter
| ( B )
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Corey, Jeff
| ( C )
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Dee, Ruby
| ( D )
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Falk, Peter
| ( F )
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Grant, Lee
| ( G )
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Jameson, Joyce
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Nimoy, Leonard
| ( N )
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Smith, Kent
| ( S )
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Winters, Shelley
| ( W )
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Strick, Joseph
| ( S )
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( B )
| Titles
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Similar Items:
- The Maids
- The Heiress (Universal Cinema Classics)
- Rhinoceros
- The Arrangement
- A Double Life
ASIN: 6305942978
Release Date: 2000-08-01 |
Description
In a very special brothel known as "The Balcony," the customers live out their wildest dreams, oblivious to a revolution that is going on outside. Directed by the award-winning Joseph Strick and based on acclaimed French avant-garde dramatist Jean Genet's play, this star-packed film features Shelley Winters as the brothel's madam and Peter Falk as her occasional lover, who enlists her help in halting the revolution. A young Leonard Nimoy heads the rebels, and Lee Grant is the madam's executive assistant who longs to return to her former role as just "one of the girls." With its insightfulness and delightfully fresh sense of humor, "The Balcony" continues to provide a great view of the world's ironies.
Customer Reviews:
Under our clothes we are all naked........2004-09-24
The Balcony is not just an ordinary extension to your house ... in this film it is a place where mortal men go to live out their fantasies. It is a modern day dream castle, where men can escape from the hardships of the real world and act out lives of important people that they may never have the opportunity of becoming. I use the word men for a reason in this review, because the "Balcony" is a brothel. It is a place where men go to fulfill not just their sexual fantasies, but also their dreams. If one wants to become the Bishop; he can go to the "Balcony" and demand that women tell him their sins. If one wants to become the strongest General in the English army with a trusty steed by his side all that he needs to do is go to the "Balcony" and a woman will become his sidekick. There is even a place for men to become Justices of the Supreme Court; carrying out sentences to the women that they hire. Rooted with deep political and sexual undertones, this black comedy digs deep into your soul and your mind. Adapted by the play by Jean Genet, we watch as three men live out their fantasies as their troubled country is rocked right outside the doors by a gang of rebels.
With the revolution happening outside, the business has been tough, but the ladies seem to be surviving. Everyone is happy, until Peter Falk enters the scene. He plays the police chief who is trying to bring the rebels outside to justice. He is also the man who is dating the owner of the brothel played by Shelly Winters. He does not know how to bring the rebels to justice and keep the moral of the people and troops together when the Bishop, General, and Justice have all been murdered. Then he finds his answer in the least of places. He gets the women of the brothel to ask the three men to become stand-ins for the actual leaders of the country. After much persuasion, they say "yes" and begin their voyage outside into the "real world" wearing the masks of their fantasies. At first they succeed, but soon the power reaches even these imposters as they begin to change the rules in their positions. As relations begin to heat up again, a surprise twist shows us that role-play can happen in the most common places.
Director Joseph Strick takes on quite a daunting task with his film adaptation. The Balcony is very racy at times and definitely pushes the envelope, but it is the film's subtle humor that keeps it from becoming all too serious. The wild fantasies played out inside the Balcony are turned into something that can put an end to the violent revolution. While the film is mainly comedic, there are metaphors abound. The brothel itself becomes the main symbol of an unruly, but acceptable, community where morals and standards are nowhere to be found.
The violence outside its doors mirrors the activity in the brothel. It seemingly tells us that without standards anything can happen and be accepted. The brothel may even come out on top, as the madam says, "We don't allow death in here." I felt as I watched it that I was watching a film that had been made this year. The dark themes, the powerful images, and even the switching ending are all issues that Hollywood uses in everyday film today. It is not something that you see in 1963 (when this film was made). I applaud this film for taking chances, and while it isn't the greatest film out there, it should gain respect with the deeply rooted symbolism that it carries. I especially loved the ending. Look to see an interesting "side" of Nimoy and Falk. This film also explores the issue that we may carry the clothes of power, but without them ... without anything on our backs ... we are just the same as the next man or woman. We are all human.
I also enjoyed the idea of throwing standards to the wayside. That is the major theme of this film. Without standards, you have the violence that happened outside of the "Balcony" ... without standards you have people imagining worlds that do not exist, living lives that they have not earned, and not caring about consequences just people's reaction to themselves. This is obvious when the three unknowns head out onto the city to bring peace, God, and justice to the unknowing people. They do not care that they do not have the training for this power, all they care about being able to feel like they have the power if only for just one moment.
Overall, this film was a scary and interesting when you begin to think about it on a different level than just a comedy. This movie will rank as one of the oddest films I have ever watched in my film career, but one that will remain in my mind forever.
Grade: **** out of *****
A Great Piece of Theatre-TV.......2002-08-16
This is an arty-entertainment film. If you like NIGHT OF THE HUNTER, THE WICKER MAN, POWELL & PRESSBURGER FILMS, DENNIS POTTER TV, THEATRICAL PERFORMANCES ON TV -- and anything else that is different with an arty dramatic drive, you'll love this unique piece. Probably the closest that the USA has come to getting a European piece of theatre right. I'm not into arty rubbish, but into entertainment. If you have nothing against a made for TV theatre piece that is very poetic, and at times surrealistic, then give this a try. It was shown on European TV several years ago, and I found it wonderful, and have longed for its release. The best performance I have seen from Peter Falk, and Leonard Nimoy was very virile and un-Vulkan. The women in the brothel are also INCREDIBLY sexy !!!!!
disgusting at best.......2002-02-18
This has got to be the most disgusting movie I've seen (ever). At least I got this at the library, I thank my lucky stars that I didn't buy this, or I'd be fuming. It is just weird and frankly no entertainment whatsoever. For anyone to give this a higher rating than one, I'd hate to see that person (and wouldn't want my kids around that person!) I want to give this movie a minus 5. SAVE your money! I have only seen the first half hour of this movie, 'cause that was enough of my time wasted on garbage.
Hideous.......2002-02-18
This is an awful movie. Avoid at all costs. This makes Moulin Rouge look like Cliffhanger.
"Lick the point of my shoe!"
I couldn't even sit through this to see Leonard Nimoy's part, which was the reason why I was going to watch it. This is the most boring, stupidest movie ever made. No effort was made whatsoever. Just despicable.
Peter "Columbo" Falk should be ashamed. Shelley Winters is an embarrasment to anyone with a SAG card.
and....score by Stravinsky.......2001-09-28
On of the most memorable features of this film (besides the combo of Shelley Winters, Peter Falk and pre-spock Leonard Nimoy) is the sound track. The score is all Igor Stravinsky and features L'histoire de soldat and his octet for woodwinds.
I enjoyed this film immensely in 1963 when I was in my late teens and I enjoyed it again last year when I rented the tape.
Amusing and entertaining.
![The Balcony [Region 2]](http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/210Z41Z9BKL.jpg)
Average customer rating:
- Under our clothes we are all naked.
- A Great Piece of Theatre-TV
- disgusting at best
- Hideous
- and....score by Stravinsky
|
The Balcony [Region 2]
Starring: Shelley Winters , Peter Falk , Lee Grant , Peter Brocco , and Joyce Jameson
Director: Joseph Strick
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD
General
| Drama
| Genres
| DVD
| Video
Brocco, Peter
| ( B )
| Actors & Actresses
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
Corey, Jeff
| ( C )
| Actors & Actresses
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| DVD
| Video
Dee, Ruby
| ( D )
| Actors & Actresses
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| DVD
| Video
Falk, Peter
| ( F )
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| DVD
| Video
Grant, Lee
| ( G )
| Actors & Actresses
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
Jameson, Joyce
| ( J )
| Actors & Actresses
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
Nimoy, Leonard
| ( N )
| Actors & Actresses
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
Smith, Kent
| ( S )
| Actors & Actresses
| Stores
| DVD
| Video
Winters, Shelley
| ( W )
| Actors & Actresses
| Stores
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Strick, Joseph
| ( S )
| Directors
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Used DVDs
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( B )
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Similar Items:
- The Maids
- The Heiress (Universal Cinema Classics)
- Rhinoceros
- The Arrangement
- A Double Life
ASIN: B0001GNJRY |
Customer Reviews:
Under our clothes we are all naked........2004-09-24
The Balcony is not just an ordinary extension to your house ... in this film it is a place where mortal men go to live out their fantasies. It is a modern day dream castle, where men can escape from the hardships of the real world and act out lives of important people that they may never have the opportunity of becoming. I use the word men for a reason in this review, because the "Balcony" is a brothel. It is a place where men go to fulfill not just their sexual fantasies, but also their dreams. If one wants to become the Bishop; he can go to the "Balcony" and demand that women tell him their sins. If one wants to become the strongest General in the English army with a trusty steed by his side all that he needs to do is go to the "Balcony" and a woman will become his sidekick. There is even a place for men to become Justices of the Supreme Court; carrying out sentences to the women that they hire. Rooted with deep political and sexual undertones, this black comedy digs deep into your soul and your mind. Adapted by the play by Jean Genet, we watch as three men live out their fantasies as their troubled country is rocked right outside the doors by a gang of rebels.
With the revolution happening outside, the business has been tough, but the ladies seem to be surviving. Everyone is happy, until Peter Falk enters the scene. He plays the police chief who is trying to bring the rebels outside to justice. He is also the man who is dating the owner of the brothel played by Shelly Winters. He does not know how to bring the rebels to justice and keep the moral of the people and troops together when the Bishop, General, and Justice have all been murdered. Then he finds his answer in the least of places. He gets the women of the brothel to ask the three men to become stand-ins for the actual leaders of the country. After much persuasion, they say "yes" and begin their voyage outside into the "real world" wearing the masks of their fantasies. At first they succeed, but soon the power reaches even these imposters as they begin to change the rules in their positions. As relations begin to heat up again, a surprise twist shows us that role-play can happen in the most common places.
Director Joseph Strick takes on quite a daunting task with his film adaptation. The Balcony is very racy at times and definitely pushes the envelope, but it is the film's subtle humor that keeps it from becoming all too serious. The wild fantasies played out inside the Balcony are turned into something that can put an end to the violent revolution. While the film is mainly comedic, there are metaphors abound. The brothel itself becomes the main symbol of an unruly, but acceptable, community where morals and standards are nowhere to be found.
The violence outside its doors mirrors the activity in the brothel. It seemingly tells us that without standards anything can happen and be accepted. The brothel may even come out on top, as the madam says, "We don't allow death in here." I felt as I watched it that I was watching a film that had been made this year. The dark themes, the powerful images, and even the switching ending are all issues that Hollywood uses in everyday film today. It is not something that you see in 1963 (when this film was made). I applaud this film for taking chances, and while it isn't the greatest film out there, it should gain respect with the deeply rooted symbolism that it carries. I especially loved the ending. Look to see an interesting "side" of Nimoy and Falk. This film also explores the issue that we may carry the clothes of power, but without them ... without anything on our backs ... we are just the same as the next man or woman. We are all human.
I also enjoyed the idea of throwing standards to the wayside. That is the major theme of this film. Without standards, you have the violence that happened outside of the "Balcony" ... without standards you have people imagining worlds that do not exist, living lives that they have not earned, and not caring about consequences just people's reaction to themselves. This is obvious when the three unknowns head out onto the city to bring peace, God, and justice to the unknowing people. They do not care that they do not have the training for this power, all they care about being able to feel like they have the power if only for just one moment.
Overall, this film was a scary and interesting when you begin to think about it on a different level than just a comedy. This movie will rank as one of the oddest films I have ever watched in my film career, but one that will remain in my mind forever.
Grade: **** out of *****
A Great Piece of Theatre-TV.......2002-08-16
This is an arty-entertainment film. If you like NIGHT OF THE HUNTER, THE WICKER MAN, POWELL & PRESSBURGER FILMS, DENNIS POTTER TV, THEATRICAL PERFORMANCES ON TV -- and anything else that is different with an arty dramatic drive, you'll love this unique piece. Probably the closest that the USA has come to getting a European piece of theatre right. I'm not into arty rubbish, but into entertainment. If you have nothing against a made for TV theatre piece that is very poetic, and at times surrealistic, then give this a try. It was shown on European TV several years ago, and I found it wonderful, and have longed for its release. The best performance I have seen from Peter Falk, and Leonard Nimoy was very virile and un-Vulkan. The women in the brothel are also INCREDIBLY sexy !!!!!
disgusting at best.......2002-02-18
This has got to be the most disgusting movie I've seen (ever). At least I got this at the library, I thank my lucky stars that I didn't buy this, or I'd be fuming. It is just weird and frankly no entertainment whatsoever. For anyone to give this a higher rating than one, I'd hate to see that person (and wouldn't want my kids around that person!) I want to give this movie a minus 5. SAVE your money! I have only seen the first half hour of this movie, 'cause that was enough of my time wasted on garbage.
Hideous.......2002-02-18
This is an awful movie. Avoid at all costs. This makes Moulin Rouge look like Cliffhanger.
"Lick the point of my shoe!"
I couldn't even sit through this to see Leonard Nimoy's part, which was the reason why I was going to watch it. This is the most boring, stupidest movie ever made. No effort was made whatsoever. Just despicable.
Peter "Columbo" Falk should be ashamed. Shelley Winters is an embarrasment to anyone with a SAG card.
and....score by Stravinsky.......2001-09-28
On of the most memorable features of this film (besides the combo of Shelley Winters, Peter Falk and pre-spock Leonard Nimoy) is the sound track. The score is all Igor Stravinsky and features L'histoire de soldat and his octet for woodwinds.
I enjoyed this film immensely in 1963 when I was in my late teens and I enjoyed it again last year when I rented the tape.
Amusing and entertaining.
Average customer rating:
|
CBS Sunday Evening News (June 29, 2003)
Manufacturer: CBS
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD
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ASIN: B000JBX4CQ
Release Date: 2006-10-03 |
Description
PORCH COLLAPSE SURVIVOR NATALIE BROUGHAM A NEIGHBOR TALKS ABOUT THE ORDEAL WHO WAS ON THE PORCH WHEN IT GAVE WAY . . . ACTRESS KATHARINE HEPBURN DEAD AT THE AGE OF 96 . . . THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE MARCHED TODAY IN GAY PRIDE PARADES IN CITIES ACROSS AMERICA . . . LATE NIGHT PARTY ENDS IN DEATH OF 12 PEOPLE WHEN A PORCH GIVES WAY . . . OPERATION SIDEWINDER, US TROOPS RAIDED MORE THAN 20 TOWNS,HOPING TO CRUSH THE RESISTANCE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ATTACKS ON AMERICANS . . . HAMAS IS MOST POPULAR MOVEMENT IN PALESTINIAN TERRIROTY BECAUSE THROUGH THE ISLAMIC SOCIETY HAMAS PROVIDES EVERYTHING FROM FREE HEALTH CARE TO SCHOOLING TO FINANCE AID . . . AFTER THE SUPREME COURT RULING THAT STRUCK DOWN A TEXAS BAN ON GAY SEX,GAYS NEXT GOAL IS LEGALIZING GAY MARRIAGE . . . IN LOS ANGELES, SOME LUCKY CHILDREN ARE INTRODUCED TO SURFING IN SUMMER PROGRAM
Average customer rating:
|
The Journey to Golda's Balcony
Starring: Alec Baldwin , Tovah Feldshuh , and Golda Meir
Director: Yves Gérard Issembert
Manufacturer: Original Cast Record
ProductGroup: DVD
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Baldwin, Alec
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ASIN: B0002IQEZU
Release Date: 2004-07-13 |
DVD:
- More Dogs Than Bones
- East Side Kids: Ghosts on the Loose
- Platinum Comedy Series - Cedric the Entertainer - Starting Lineup
- Breaking In
- Drinking Games
- Rub & Tug
- My Brother the Pig
- Harry and Walter Go to New York
- Holla If I Kill Ya
- Lisa Picard is Famous
DVD
DVD
DVD
And 1 Mixtape, Vol. 7 (Street Basketball)
Out Of Africa
New York City Ballet Workout (REGION 1) (NTSC)
DVD: Scarecrow Gone Wild
Freddie Jackson - The Soulful Sounds of Freddie Jackson