Tom Jones

Starring:Albert Finney, Susannah York, Hugh Griffith, Edith Evans, Joan Greenwood, Diane Cilento, George Devine, David Tomlinson, Rosalind Atkinson, Angela Baddeley, Avis Bunnage, Peter Bull, James Cairncross, George A. Cooper (II), Mark Dignam, Julian Glover, Freda Jackson, Rachel Kempson, Rosalind Knight, Wilfrid Lawson
Director: Tony Richardson
Studio: Hbo Home Video
Product Type: DVD

Amazon.com

While Ally McBeal garnered more attention, Picket Fences garnered more acclaim. It was justified. Set in Wisconsin, the Emmy-winning drama plays like The Andy Griffith Show by way of The Commish. The focus is on small-town life from a law and order perspective. The action revolves around Sheriff Jimmy Brock (Tom Skerritt), his physician wife Jill (Kathy Baker), and their children, Kimberly (Holly Marie Combs), Matthew (Justin Shenkarow), and Zack (Adam Wylie). Storylines alternate between personal issues, like puberty and pre-marital sex, and criminal cases. As Matthew quips, "Things happen around here." At city hall, Jimmy works with officers Kenny (Costas Mandylor) and Max (Lauren Holly), dispatcher Ginny (Zelda Rubinstein), and coroner Carter Pike (Kelly Connell), who likes to exclaim, "Let me exhume the body!" Judge Henry Bone (Ray Walston) and attorney Douglas Wambaugh (Fyvush Finkel) dominate the courthouse. Cases include such tragi-comic crimes as a serial bather ("Frank, the Potato Man") and a cupid killer ("Be My Valentine"), but serious issues also come into play, such as assisted suicide ("Sacred Hearts") and incest ("Nuclear Meltdowns"). Unlike Twin Peaks, to which it was sometimes compared, Picket Fences could be heavy-handed, but piety never trumped entertainment, and Baker, Skerritt, Walston, and Finkel all won Emmys for their work.

Notable guests are a hallmark of every David E. Kelley production, from Chicago Hope to Boston Legal (and beyond). The first season attracted Carnivále's Michael J. Anderson ("Mr. Dreeb Comes to Town"), Evening Shade's Michael Jeter ("Frog Man"), and Man of La Mancha's Richard Kiley ("Thanksgiving"). The series also features one of the last of the old-fashioned orchestral scores, Stewart Levin's distinctive piano theme. Picket Fences ran for four seasons on CBS (when Kelley left between seasons three and four, ratings took a nosedive). Afterwards, Combs joined Charmed, Baker joined Kelley's Boston Public, and Holly joined NCIS. --Kathleen C. Fennessy

Description

PICKET FENCES Season 1 is the first season of the critically acclaimed series from creator David E. Kelly ("Ally McBeal", "Boston Legal") starring Tom Skerrit and Kathy Baker, in the story of a sherriff and his family in Rome, Wisconsin, a town where things never seem to be business as usual. This long-awaited fan favorite is available on 6 discs.

Customer Reviews:

Looking Forward to Seasons Two, Three, and Four .......2007-07-04

Whew - I'd forgotten how good this show could be sometimes! A quirky show for its time, tackling alot of issues and willing to take a stand on the said issues, more or less allowing viewers to form their own ideas. I watched a good part of the first season but then started to lose track with the following seasons so I'm definitely looking forward to coming DVD releases - this DVD set does feature a short featurette, featured on the last DVD disc - interesting to see everyone at the present.

Ground Breaking Show (really).......2007-07-01

Many other reviewers have covered the various aspects of the main players. So I won't rehash them in my review.

I missed the majority of the first season, picking it up when whatever it was that ran against it went to reruns. I entered Rome WI without any idea of the towns history or the background of the characters.

Without this history, the story lines and characters seemed very odd, but also very entertaining. I stayed with Picket Fences when the other show returned and picked up the earlier shows over the summer.

What first fascinated me was the complexity of the characters and bold daringness of the topics the show addressed. Later, in his other shows, David Kelly's penchant for interesting quirks and humor have become standard fare. But 15 years ago, there were so few quality shows tackling sensitive issues without resorting to such black and white positions. David's risks were indeed groundbreaking.

I must state that I am a life long liberal, and like most people who accept a "label" my positions on a number of issues are black and white to me and I can't understand those whose views are counter to mine. However, David's writings and the actors hired to flesh out the characters did give me a greater understanding on such issues as anti-abortionists, proponents of hand guns, and other social issues. While they didn't change my view, they did take the vitriol out of my arguments and allow me to "hear" what the other side was saying. All the while providing an entertaining median.

If you're a recent David Kelley fan, or one who picked him up with Allie McBeal, Boston Public, The Practice, or Boston Legal, you should take a trip to Rome WI where you will see the seeds sown for his later shows. While I enjoyed all of the shows referenced in this paragraph, (and being a Bostonian, it kills me to say this) I'd prefer to be back in Rome, with Judge Bone, and the edgy fresh writing I discovered there.

One final thought. If you've not seen Picket Fences before, give it a chance into Season Two before you write the show off.

Almost as I remembered it..........2007-06-27

I was so pleased to see the release of "Picket Fences" on DVD. I have been waiting years for this release. I have tried to watch Kelly's "Boston Legal" and I see so many of the themes (and, sometimes, story lines) from "Picket Fences" being recycled. Yes, "Picket Fences" does play as an overdramatized version of 'The Andy Griffith Show' at times. The stories are strong. The acting, almost always, spot on. I've watched a few episodes I haven't seen since the show first aired... I'm happy to be returning to Rome, WI.

Rome and Boston - World's Apart.......2007-06-25

Being such a huge David E. Kelley/Boston Legal fan and seeing the extraordinarily high ranking Picket Fence held on the Amazon pre-order list, I thought that I was in for a huge treat.

Needless to say, although Mr. Kelley plays a predominant role in both shows, Picket Fences is definitely not his best work. Boston Legal is both hilarious and brilliant. He deftly weaves in an out of current issues while consistently making you laugh and, occasionally even shed a tear. Picket Fences, on the other hand, is rarely funny, is especially heavy handed with issues/preachy, and, although it may not have played this way at the time, compared to the hard hitting/off the wall shows of today, it comes off as incredibly quaint. Matlock quaint. Senior citizen quaint.

15 years is an epoch in TV land. There's not a lot of 15 year old TV that I'm running out to watch/buy. I may have loved/waited with baited breath to see certain shows then, but now, I'm off to bigger and better things.

Historically, Picket Fences is well situated. Picket Fences fits in very comfortably with the shows of it's age. A little too comfortably, I think. In some ways it feels like an amalgamation of other shows from that period. Here's my best guess at how it breaks down.

10% Family Ties
50% Northern Exposure
30% Degrassi
10% Matlock

If you're yearning to wax nostalgic, give this set a shot. If, on the other hand, you're looking for entertainment that can stand up to the scrutiny of the present day, you might want to look elsewhere.

Picket Fences Season 1 DVD .......2007-06-25

Thank you David E Kelley for finally getting Picket Fences on DVD. If your a fan - this is a definite GOOD BUY.

Waiting for 2nd and future seasons to be released.

Average customer rating:

The Patriot (Extended Cut) [Blu-ray]
Starring: René Auberjonois , Adam Baldwin , Chris Cooper , Jason Isaacs , and Tchéky Karyo
Director: Roland Emmerich
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: Blu-ray

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King Arthur (Director's Cut) [Blu-ray]

ASIN: B000PAAJVA
Release Date: 2007-07-03

Amazon.com

Aimed directly at a mainstream audience, The Patriot qualifies as respectable entertainment, but anyone expecting a definitive drama about the American Revolution should look elsewhere. Rising above the blatant crowd pleasing of Stargate, Independence Day, and Godzilla, director Roland Emmerich crafts a marvelous re-creation of South Carolina in the late 1770s (aided immeasurably by cinematographer Caleb Deschanel), and Robert Rodat's screenplay offers the same balance of epic scale and emotional urgency that elevated his earlier script for Saving Private Ryan. Unfortunately, Emmerich embraces clichés and hackneyed melodrama that a more gifted director would have avoided. Instead of attempting a truly great film about the most pivotal years of American history, Emmerich settles for a standard revenge plot with the Revolutionary War as an incidental backdrop.

On those terms, the film is engrossing and sufficiently intelligent, especially when militia leader Benjamin Martin (Mel Gibson) cagily negotiates with British General Cornwallis (Tom Wilkinson) in one of the most rewarding scenes. For the most part, the story concerns Martin's anguished quest for revenge against ruthless redcoat Colonel Tavington (played with snide relish by Jason Isaacs), and the rise to manhood of Martin's eldest son, Gabriel (Heath Ledger), whose battlefield honor exceeds even that of his brutally volatile father. At its best, The Patriot conveys the horror of war among innocent civilians, and the epic battle scenes, while by no means masterful, are graphically intense and impressive. And although Ledger's love interest (Lisa Brenner) is too bland to register much emotion, the focus on family (which frequently relegates the war to background history) provides a suitable vehicle for Gibson, who matches his achievement in Braveheart with an effectively brooding performance. --Jeff Shannon

Product Description

In 1776 South Carolina, widower and legendary war hero Benjamin Martin (Mel Gibson) finds himself thrust into the midst of the American Revolutionary War as he helplessly watches his family torn apart by the savage forces of the British Redcoats. Unable to remain silent, he recruits a band of reluctant volunteers, including his idealistic patriot son, Gabriel (Heath Ledger), to take up arms against the British. Fighting to protect his family's freedom and his country's independence, Martin discovers the pain of betrayal, the redemption of revenge and the passion of love.

Average customer rating:

Darcy has got nothing on Edward Ferrars...
The best of Jane Austen
Very endearing movie!
Chick Flick
Anything by Jane

Sense & Sensibility (Special Edition)
Starring: James Fleet , Tom Wilkinson , Harriet Walter , Kate Winslet , and Emma Thompson
Director: Ang Lee
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Pride & Prejudice
Emma (A&E, 1997)

ASIN: 0800141660
Release Date: 1999-08-24

Amazon.com essential video

Emma Thompson scores a double bull's-eye with this marvelous adaptation of Jane Austen's novel. Not only does Thompson turn in a strong (and gently humorous) performance as one of the Dashwood sisters--the one with "sense"--she also wrote the witty, wise screenplay. Austen's tale of 19th-century manners and morals provides a large cast with a feast of possibilities, notably Kate Winslet, in her pre-Titanic flowering, as Thompson's deeply romantic sister. Winslet attracts the wooing of shy Alan Rickman (a nice change of pace from his bad-guy roles) and dashing Greg Wise, while Thompson must endure an incredibly roundabout courtship with Hugh Grant, here in fine and funny form. All of this is doled out with the usual eye-filling English countryside and handsome costumes, yet the film always seems to be about the careful interior lives of its characters. The director, an inspired choice, is Taiwan-born Ang Lee, who brings the same exquisite taste and discreet touch he displayed in his previous Asian films (such as Eat Drink Man Woman). Thompson's script won an Oscar, and 1995 was a fine year for Jane Austen all around: Persuasion was made into an excellent picture, and Emma became the spritzy high school comedy Clueless. --Robert Horton

Customer Reviews:

Darcy has got nothing on Edward Ferrars..........2007-07-03

Yes, yes, if you are an Austen fan Mr. Darcy is dashing and bold to be sure, but the quiet gentleness and honorable love of Edward Ferrars for Elinor Dashwood is a delight to partake in, in this adaptation of Jane Austen's "Sense and Sensibility." This film was quite faithful to the book, and the actors and actresses were suberbly chosen, as were the costumes, setting, and dialogue. It's such a lovely story with very good lessons to take to heart, as Emma Thompson (Elinor Dashwood) learns to hope that what is lost, is not lost forever, and Kate Winslet (Marianne Dashwood) learns how sensibility can prevent a broken heart. So, if you are craving the delightful romance, agony, humour, and hope of love in Jane Austen's England, this film will not disappoint.

The best of Jane Austen.......2007-06-30

Anyone watching this show can determine how hard it was for a woman to survive in the pre-industrial England.

I have a preference for 19th century movies and books. This movie did not disappoint me. The actors and actresses all fit so perfectly into their roles. It was like magic to see them perform.

The Dashwood women, Elinor, Marianne and Margaret with along with their mother are forced to leave a life of luxury when Mr. Dashwood dies and they move into a cottage in the country. (Women have no rights to inherit when a man dies.) The money usually is given to the eldest sons in the family. The women must find another means to survive unless the one who inherits is generous enough to allow them to stay on. In this case, the greed of the son's wife overrules the son and the women are pressed upon to leave very quickly.

The oldest daughter develops a romantic interest in her half brother's wife's brother-in-law, but the sister-in-law makes certain that they are separated so that nothing more can develop.

The younger of the two oldest daughters abandons sensible conduct and rushes headlong into folly with a rake.

The two sisters are then taken into London for a season, and the truth is known about both men on their lives. One is already secretly engaged (entrapped is more like it)and the other has proposed to a wealthy woman because of his own bad debts.

Everything works out for the best and everyone gets what they deserve in the end. Life doesn't always look like it works that way, but it probably does. At least this movie inspires me to believe it.

The music in it is outstanding along with all of the beautiful panoramic scenery of England's countryside.

Very endearing movie!.......2007-06-30

I have a preference for 19th century movies and books. This movie did not disappoint me. The actors and actresses all fit so perfectly into their roles. It was like magic to see them perform.

The Dashwood women, Elinor, Marianne and Margaret with along with their mother are forced to leave a life of luxury when Mr. Dashwood dies and they move into a cottage in the country. (Women have no rights to inherit when a man dies.) The money usually is given to the eldest sons in the family. The women must find another means to survive unless the one who inherits is generous enough to allow them to stay on. In this case, the greed of the son's wife overrules the son and the women are pressed upon to leave very quickly.

The oldest daughter develops a romantic interest in her half brother's wife's brother-in-law, but the sister-in-law makes certain that they are separated so that nothing more can develop.

The younger of the two oldest daughters abandons sensible conduct and rushes headlong into folly with a rake.

The two sisters are then taken into London for a season, and the truth is known about both men on their lives. One is already secretly engaged (entrapped is more like it)and the other has proposed to a wealthy woman because of his own bad debts.

Everything works out for the best and everyone gets what they deserve in the end. Life doesn't always look like it works that way, but it probably does. At least this movie inspires me to believe it.

The music in it is outstanding along with all of the beautiful panoramic scenery of England's countryside.

Chick Flick.......2007-06-08

This adaptation of Jane Austen's Sense & Sensibility was an exceptional one. With the starring cast who could hardly go wrong. Enjoy!!

Anything by Jane.......2007-06-04

My favorite movie of ALL TIME!! Anything by Jane Austin is wonderful and Emma Thompson did a wonderful adaptation of this story.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Two-Disc Special Edition) (Harry Potter 2)

Average customer rating:

My favorite movie!
If You Liked The Book, See The Film!
Despite Warnings, Harry Returns to Hogwarts
Pretty Cool!
Liked The First One Better

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Two-Disc Special Edition) (Harry Potter 2)
Starring: Daniel Radcliffe , Rupert Grint , Emma Watson (II) , Richard Griffiths , and Fiona Shaw
Director: Chris Columbus
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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The Chronicles of Narnia - The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (Widescreen Edition)

ASIN: B00008DDXC
Release Date: 2003-04-11

Product Description

The next installment in the Harry Potter series finds young wizard Harry Potter (DANIEL RADCLIFFE) and his friends Ron Weasley (RUPERT GRINT) and Hermione Granger (EMMA WATSON) facing new challenges during their second year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry as they try to uncover a dark force that is terrorizing the school.
Running Time: 161 min.

Format: DVD MOVIE

Amazon.com

First sequels are the true test of an enduring movie franchise, and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets passes with flying colors. Expanding upon the lavish sets, special effects, and grand adventure of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Harry's second year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry involves a darker, more malevolent tale (parents with younger children beware), beginning with the petrified bodies of several Hogwarts students and magical clues leading Harry (Daniel Radcliffe), Ron (Rupert Grint), and Hermione (Emma Watson) to a 50-year-old mystery in the monster-laden Chamber of Secrets. House elves, squealing mandrakes, giant spiders, and venomous serpents populate this loyal adaptation (by Sorcerer's Stone director Chris Columbus and screenwriter Steve Kloves), and Kenneth Branagh delightfully tops the supreme supporting cast as the vainglorious charlatan Gilderoy Lockhart (be sure to view past the credits for a visual punchline at Lockhart's expense). At 161 minutes, the film suffers from lack of depth and uneven pacing, and John Williams' score mostly reprises established themes. The young, fast-growing cast offers ample compensation, however, as does the late Richard Harris in his final screen appearance as Professor Albus Dumbledore. Brimming with cleverness, wonderment, and big-budget splendor, Chamber honors the legacy of J.K. Rowling's novels. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews:

My favorite movie!.......2007-06-30

This is my favorite movie and whenever I get to pick the movie for movie night, I pick this one. This is the best movie I have ever seen and the acting is truly amazing. You don't have to wait forever for it to get to the plot (like most movies), and the the director definatley didn't have a budget when it came to special effects. I recommend this to any Harry Potter fan!

If You Liked The Book, See The Film!.......2007-06-27

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Book 2) is probably MY favorite book in the series (besides Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Book 3) because, in my opinion, they are both equally fantastic). However, I have to admit that this movie is an amazing interpretation of the book. Usually, I dislike the idea of books being brought on to the big screen because most of the time, the book gets ruined with a horrible interpretation. Well, it's not so with this book/movie! Every single deatail from the Dursleys to Dobby to Gilderoy Lockhart to The Flying Car to Moaning Myrtle to Tom Riddle's Diary to Aragog to The Basilik are completly amazing and just how I pictured them when I read the book. I have to say that watching this film will get you the same as reading the book because every page from J.K. Rowling's great work is portrayed incredibly without a single detailed spared (almost)! Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Book 2) is one of the best books I ever read, and this movie is one of the best that I've ever seen! It gets you hooked instatly. I highly recommend buying this, whether or not you've read the book. This is GREAT for mystery lovers. ***Oh, yeah! The plot: Harry Potter is a young wizard who goes to a school called Hogwarts that helps him develop his magical abilities. During his second year there, someone has opened The Chamber Of Secrets, and has released a great evil that is turning the students to stone!

Despite Warnings, Harry Returns to Hogwarts.......2007-06-26

All that is keeping Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) going through the summer is the thought of returning to school. Once again, his relatives are treating him poorly. And now that he knows he's a wizard, Hogwarts is the only place he feels at home.

But he almost doesn't make it back. First an elf appears and warns him to stay away. Then the entrance to the train platform is sealed to him.

Things quickly turn serious once he does show up at Hogwarts. Harry keeps hearing voices in the walls that no one else can hear. And then there is the warning written on the wall in blood. What is the chamber of secrets? Why can only Harry hear the voices? Are the students safe?

As with the first movie, this one brings Harry's world to life beautifully. And once again, the movie sticks very closely to the book. Since I liked this book better then the first one, I like this movie better, too. The cast from the first movie returns and hits all the right notes with their characters. Joining the cast this time is Kenneth Branagh as the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, and he's a riot in the comic relief role. Unfortunately, this is Richard Harris' last performance as Dumbledore. I loved his grandfatherly take on the character.

Over the course of this movie, Harry faces a family of giant spiders and a giant serpent. These scenes are a little scary and could frighten small children. If your kids scare easily, you might want to view the film first.

Fans of the books will be delighted with this film. It perfectly captures the book on which it is based.

Pretty Cool!.......2007-06-13

I liked this movie a lot. I watched it in class. It was good, other than the violence. Dobi was pretty funny. He was the alien creature that appeared in Harry's room. I watched this in class, too. It was funny when there was a shadowy girl floating in the bathroom! It was a fun movie.

NOTE: Rated PG. Parental Guidance Suggested--Some Material may not be suitable for Children.

Rated PG for scary images, mild creature violence and some brief mild language. May not be appropriate for young children under age 8.

Liked The First One Better.......2007-05-25

I liked the first one better, probably because everything was new. But this one is really good too. You need to read the book though, that's why I'm really posting this, to tell people to read the book. It has so much more.

Average customer rating:

Harrison Ford and Tommy Lee Jones deliver towering performances in this gripping thriller
Nice job!
Let the Chase Begin...
An interesting and entertaining adaptation
One Of The Best Thrillers Ever Made.

The Fugitive
Starring: Harrison Ford , Tommy Lee Jones , Sela Ward , Julianne Moore , and Joe Pantoliano
Director: Andrew Davis
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00005ATZT
Release Date: 2001-06-05

Amazon.com essential video

Do you know anyone who hasn't seen this movie? A box-office smash when released in 1993, this spectacular update of the popular 1960s TV series stars Harrison Ford as a surgeon wrongly accused of the murder of his wife. He escapes from a prison transport bus (in one of the most spectacular stunt-action sequences ever filmed) and embarks on a frantic quest for the true killer's identity, while a tenacious U.S. marshal (Tommy Lee Jones, in an Oscar-winning role) remains hot on his trail. Director Andrew Davis hit the big time with this expert display of polished style and escalating suspense, but it's the antagonistic chemistry between Jones and Ford that keeps this thriller cooking to the very end. In roles that seem custom-fit to their screen personas, the two stars maintain a sharply human focus to the grand-scale manhunt, and the intelligent screenplay never resorts to convenient escapes or narrative shortcuts. Equally effective as a thriller and a character study, this is a Hollywood blockbuster that truly deserves its ongoing popularity. --Jeff Shannon

Description

Catch him if you can. The Fugitive is on the run! Harrison Ford and Tommy Lee Jones race through the breathless manhunt movie based on the classic TV series. Ford is prison escapee Dr. Richard Kimble, a Chicago surgeon falsely convicted of killing his wife and determined to prove his innocence by leading his pursuers to the one-armed man who actually committed the crime. Jones (1993 Academy Award and Golden Globe winner as Best Supporting Actor) is Sam Gerard, an unrelenting bloodhound of a U.S. Marshal. They are hunted and hunter. And as directed by Andrew Davis (Under Siege), their nonstop chase has one exhilarating speed: all-out. So catch him if you can. And catch an 11-on-a-scale-of-10 train wreck (yes, the train is real), a plunge down a waterfall, a cat-and-mouse jaunt through a Chicago St. Patrick's Day parade and much more. Better hurry. Kimble doesn't stay in one place very long!

Customer Reviews:

Harrison Ford and Tommy Lee Jones deliver towering performances in this gripping thriller.......2007-06-18

Harrison Ford and Tommy Lee Jones deliver towering performances in this gripping thriller.

PLOT SYNOPSIS

Dr. Kimble (Harrison Ford) arrived home one night to find his wife Helen on the verge of death after being brutally attacked by a one armed maniac. Before she died, she was able to make a desperate call to 9-11, so the police arrive shortly after the incident, just in time to find Helen dead. The police notice that Kimble is all scratched up, as though he had just been in a fight or had just murdered his wife himself. Despite Kimble's description of the true culprit, the police arrest him and charge him of his wife's murder. The trial goes badly and Kimble is sentenced to death by execution.

On a prison bus, on his way to the facility that housed the chamber that would eventually kill him, some other convicts attempt to pull off an escape. There is a violent uprising inside of the bus and the lumbering vehicle tumbles down a hill and stops on a railroad track. The oncoming train collides with the bus and creates one of the most spectacular train wreck scenes to ever appear on film. By chance, Kimble, and another convict, make it out of the crash alive and set out on foot to escape the law enforcement personnel who are sure to appear once they learn about the disaster.

Unfortunately for Kimble, the federal marshal who is put in charge of the operation is none other than Sam Gerard (Tommy Lee Jones), who is completely determined, quick-thinking, and efficient. He is unbendingly bound to his duty and will stop at nothing to catch his man. This is revealed in the famous tunnel scene, when Kimble points a gun at him and says "I did not kill my wife," Gerard retort is the cold "I don't care."

Since Kimble has already been convicted and sentenced to death, his chances of resurrecting any kind of life are exceedingly grim. He can either hide out for the rest of his life, or try to lead law enforcement to the real culprit. In order to accomplish the second option, Kimble would have to investigate himself, and somehow, based on the scant evidence at his disposal, somehow find the criminal. But can he do it before the brilliant Gerard closes in on him?

ACTING

Tommy Lee Jones' performance is one of those performances that won, and actually did deserve to win the Oscar. Every second of Jones' performance is absolutely convincing. It is rare that an individual's character can be developed so fully in a two hour film. He is more than the stereotypical, "success at all costs" law enforcement office. From his persuasive scowls when he hears of Kimble's successes, to the tone of his voice when he barks orders and makes observations, his performance alone is enough to watch this movie several times.

Harrison Ford logs in another solid performance. Over the course of the last 30 years, Ford has been one of the most consistent actors of all time. The Fugitive is actually one of his better roles. He plays the part of Richard Kimble to near perfection.

It is not uncommon to see two huge stars on one film at the same time, but it is uncommon that they perfectly fit the characters that they are asked to portray, and it is nothing short of a rarity that they interact in such a memorable fashion as they did in the fugitive.

The more minor actors are nothing special, but they are not bad either. Jerome Krabbe played a respectable Dr. Charles Nichols,, with his hair parted neatly to the side and his somewhat nerdy smile, he represented what most Americans picture when they imagine a highly educated doctor. Joe Pantoliano played Cosmo, Gerard's assistant. We get a lot of sarcasm in a high pitched voice, and that is what Pantoliano is known for. It added some extra entertainment and made the mechanical law enforcement machine slightly more human-like.

SO DOES IT THRILL?

How does the fugitive stack up against other thrillers? Most thrillers, even some successful ones, have a small amount of tension causing elements. The movie-makers work with a somewhat limited script, and get as much thrill as they can on two or three suspense-provoking fundamentals. Sometimes these movies do an excellent job at thrilling us, and leave us satisfied. The producers, directors, and actors of the fugitive did not need to stretch out every possible element for cheap thrills, the script, which took years and million dollars in development, thrills the audience on multiple levels. Even mediocre actors would have turned this script into a nail-biting experience, the super performances by Jones and Ford only make it even better.

This one is definitely a classic in its genre. If you still haven't seen it, do yourself a favor and check it out.

Nice job!.......2007-05-10

I rec'd the dvd in a timely manner and in good condition. Thanks!

Let the Chase Begin..........2007-05-03

Movies based on television shows are frustrating for the creative team behind the adaptation and often prove to be somewhat hit and miss. The reason is because in a TV show the writer/director gets to spread his/her story over the course of multiple episodes or even an entire season. In a movie you only get an average of 2 hours to get your story out, which can cause problems when adapting a television series, whether it be a long-running or short lived show, for theaters because you just don't have the luxury of time. There have been some successful adaptations, "Starsky & Hutch", `Star Trek', `Mission: Impossible', and even `Charlie's Angels' (though I didn't care for either incarnation of the franchise), along with the success there have been those that failed "The Avengers" was lackluster, and "The Dukes of Hazzard" was the most recent, and possibly the worst adaptation I have seen in a long while. In 1993, Warner Brothers felt the calling to try their collective hand at an adaptation, and their choice was the hit TV series "The Fugitive". To assist in the success of their endeavor the WB enlisted top-notch, veteran acting talents Harrison Ford and Tommy Lee Jones, and hired director Andrew Davis hot off his highly successful submarine action film, "Under Siege".

"The Fugitive" tells the story of Dr. Richard Kimble (Harrison Ford), who after a charity event arrives home to find an intruder in his house and his wife murdered. After fighting off the intruder, Kimble alerts the police, and upon their arrival Kimble is surprised by the fact that he is arrested for the murder of his own wife. After being found guilty at his trial and sentenced to prison, the prison bus Kimble is being transported by crashes in front of an oncoming train. After being freed by a correctional officer to assist with the other prisoners, Dr. Kimble flees in hopes of tracking down the one-armed murderer and proving his innocence. However, hot on Richard's trail is a relentless U.S. Marshal, Sam Gerard (Tommy Lee Jones), and his team of deputies, who will stop at nothing until their man is caught. Let the chase begin!

Clearly the executives at Warner Brothers made an excellent decision to make this adaptation, and managed to find the perfect cast, writer, and director to pull it off. The cast, led by Harrison Ford (an actor that delivers a terrific performance every time) and Tommy Lee Jones (who was great in this role and was rewarded with the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor), all give excellent performances, fleshing out each individual character and making the movie believable and real to the audience. The story by David Twohy ("Pitch Black" and "The Chronicles of Riddick") is full of twists and turns, with riveting drama and action along with bits of comedy sprinkled about to lighten things up just a bit. The direction of Andrew Davis, though not flashy by any means, delivers a very tight, well-paced manhunt movie that keeps the audience fully engrossed from start to finish, even though they already have a pretty good guess what the outcome will be, based on the source material.

As I stated earlier some adaptations of TV shows to movies work out well and some don't, and the reasons generally stem from what I pointed out in the beginning of this review, but sometimes the results may vary depending on how committed to the project the cast/crew and the studio are. It's nice to see that for "The Fugitive" all parties involved in the making of this picture gave their best, and the fruits of the labor paid off big time, making this movie one of the best TV series adaptations to ever be made.

"The Fugitive" is rated PG-13 for violence and language.

An interesting and entertaining adaptation.......2007-04-15

Hollywood has welcomed several great crime drama films over the years,and one of those films happens to be,by far,"The Fugitive". An interesting and entertaining adaptation of one America's most successful televsion shows,it is always great to see good television shows being adopted into the films--something that this film proves quite well.

Based off a 1960's television series,this film is based in Chicago. Here,Harrison Ford plays Richard Kimble,a man who happens to be very fortunate:he is a successful and respected surgeon,with a large amount of money,good friends,and a beautiful wife whom he has a wonderful marriage with,Helen(Sela Ward). For Richard Kimble,things could not be any better,and Kimble himself is happy with the way that life is working out for him.

But,one night,things change for Richard Kimble and his life--in a negative way. After Richard Kimble comes home one night,he discovers that his wife is being murdered by a one-armed man. And,despite the fact that Richard Kimble is able to put up a good battle against this one-armed man,he is not able to win. Bad turns to worse when "certain evidence" falsely shows that Richard Kimble is responsible for the murder of his wife,and leads to Kimble facing execution on death row.

However,all of a sudden,things change. Once the bus that is carrying Richard Kimble and his former prisoners to the Death Row that they are going to be executed at crashes and ends up on a train track,Richard Kimble is able to escape. Fortunately enough for Kimble,he is able to return to Chicago. From here,Richard Kimble takes advantage of the opportunities that he has to find the evidence that he needs in order to learn more detail about his wife's murder,and to prove his innocence to the United States Marshals and the Chicago Police. But,will Richard Kimble be able to succeed in this,especially with the tight watch that the Chicago Police and the United States Marshals have over Kimble,and an intelligent and obcessed U.S. Marshal named Samuel Gerard (Tommy Lee Jones)leading the investigation to find Kimble?? Only time will tell!!!!

While "The Fugitive" may be very hard to follow and requires close attention to be paid to it,it is still a really good film. The script for this film is as suspenseful as it is entertaining,and makes you wonder what will happen next,with good surprises coming along the way. This film also has a lot of creativity in it,and despite the fact that it is based off of a television show,does a good job at not recycling the show that it is based off of (it is worth noting that a large portion of the events in this film are different from the events that occured in the telvision show)and being original--but at the same,not too original. Also,let me add that Harrison Ford and Tommy Lee Jones do a perfect job at taking on the action in this film,in a manner that makes it entertaining and suitable,without pushing it a mile to being an action film. There is a lot of strong acting to be found here,as well. In Harrison Ford's performance of Richard Kimble,Ford portrays Kimble as a laid-back and intelligent man. He allows this film to have an appropriate amount of drama,balanced out by showing who Richard Kimble is as a person and Kimble's determination to prove his innoncence,while at the same time,bringing who needs to be brought to justice for his wife's murder. As for Tommy Lee Jones's performance of Samuel Gerard,Jones is brilliant in his performance. In his performance,Tommy Lee Jones provides the no-nonsence personality that he brought to the characters that he has portrayed in other films (the role of Agent K in the "Men in Black" films,the role of Travis Lehman in "Double Jeopardy",etc.),and allows this film to have suspense. At the same time,he allows this film's viewers to understand the current status of the both sides of the story that are depicted in this film. Those sides are the side of Richard Kimble,and the side of Samuel Gerard and the men who are assisting Gerard in the search for Kimble. Also,while you will not see Sela Ward throughout most of this film,Ward turns in a strong performance of Helen Kimble. In her scenes with Harrison Ford,Sela Ward provides a lot of compassion and chemistry. This is a contribution to this film being as good and interesting as it turned out to be. At the same time,it helps this film's viewers to take a walk in the mind of Richard Kimble,and know how Kimble feels as they watch Kimble solve the wife of his murder. All of this allows "The Fugitive" to fully come together as the good film that it is,and are good examples of why the film turned out to be as successful as it was.

The DVD for this film has a lot of good bonus features on it,as well. Here,you get a commentary that was conducted with Tommy Lee Jones and this film's director (Andew Davis),profiles of the lead actors in this film (Harrison Ford,Sela Ward,Tommy Lee Jones,Joe Pantoliano,Andreas Katsulas,and Jeroen Krabbe,as well as a profile of Andrew Davis),the list of the awards that found Tommy Lee Jones winning best supporting actor for his performance as Samuel Gerard in this film,as well as this film's theatrical trailer. These are all strong and worthwile bonus feautures. But,what really does justice for the bonus feautures here are these:"Introduction" (this finds Harrison Ford,Tommy Lee Jones,and Andrew Davis discussing the good memories that they have of making this film),"Derailed:Anatomy of a Train Wreck" (this discusses the scene in this film that feautures this film's famous train wreck scene,and how it was put together),and "On The Run With The Fugitive" (this discusses the making of this film,and provides a thorough behind-the-scenes look into the making of it). These are all excellent bonus feautures for any film that is represented on DVD,and give this film the recognition and respect that it deserves.

Overall,"The Fugitive" is an excellent film. If you enjoyed the television show that this film is based off of,and/or you are a large fan of crime drama films,"The Fugitive" is one film that you do not want to miss out on.

One Of The Best Thrillers Ever Made........2007-03-05

Few thrillers remain as consistantly thrilling and exciting as "The Fugitive", the 1993 cinematic adaption of the classic television series. Thanks to a fantastic script, excellent directing and two dynamic leads, "The Fugitive" is a masterpiece in every aspect.

Harrison Ford plays Dr. Richard Kimble (originally played by the late David Janssen in the tv series), a respected Chciago surgeon who comes home one night to find his wife (Seal Ward) bludgeoned to death, and him framed for her murder. Despite his best efforts, Kimball finds himself convicted for murder and facing wrongful punishment by the law.

Not willing to let his wife's murder escape jsutice, Kimball stages a daring escape from a train heading towards a state penitentiary (one of the greatest scenes ever), and becomes the most wanted man in the state.
Put in charge of apprehending him is no-nonsense U.S. Marshall Sam Gerard, who is determined to bring Kimball to justice.

This begins a tense game of cat and mouse that never lets up. Richard manages to evade remais one step ahead of the law and gets closer and closer to finding the true killer, but Gerard will not give up. This leads to one of the most thrillin climaxes in film history.

"The Fugitive" is moviemaking at its best, and belongs in all dvd collections.

Average customer rating:

one more person willing to love this film
Best movie ever.
TOP 100 MOVIES OF DANY LYNEN
"Harold and Maude, a Cerebral Love Affair"
Harold and Maude timeless, naughty and quirky...

Harold and Maude
Starring: Harvey Brumfield , Eric Christmas , Bud Cort , Cyril Cusack , and Gordon Devol
Manufacturer: Paramount Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
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Being There
King Of Hearts
The Graduate
Annie Hall
Tea for the Tillerman

ASIN: 6305882592
Release Date: 2000-06-27

Amazon.com essential video

Black comedies don't come much blacker than this cult favorite from 1972, and they don't come much funnier, either. It seemed that director Hal Ashby was the perfect choice to mine a mother lode of eccentricity from the original script by Colin Higgins, about the unlikely romance between a death-obsessed 19-year-old named Harold (Bud Cort) and a life-loving 79-year-old widow named Maude (Ruth Gordon). They meet at a funeral, and Maude finds something oddly appealing about Harold, urging him to "reach out" and grab life by the lapels as opposed to dwelling morbidly on mortality. Harold grows fond of the old gal--she's a lot more fun than the girls his mother desperately matches him up with--and together they make Harold & Maude one of the sweetest and most unconventional love stories ever made. Much of the earlier humor arises from Harold's outrageous suicide fantasies, played out as a kind of twisted parlor game to mortify his mother, who's grown immune to her strange son's antics. Gradually, however, the film's clever humor shifts to a brighter outlook and finally arrives at a point where Harold is truly happy to be alive. Featuring soundtrack songs by Cat Stevens, this comedy certainly won't appeal to all tastes (it was a box-office flop when first released), but if you're on its quirky wavelength, it might just strike you as one of the funniest movies you've ever seen. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews:

one more person willing to love this film.......2007-06-27

Ok, so like 272 people have had wonderful things to say about this film and what more could I possibly add to the discussion? This movie has over the years fed my soul and "reason to be". It is a beautiful reminder that after all the education and family and work stuff there are still other reasons to remain here. To choose to live. As imperfect as it all is. As sad as our mortality can make us. Life has an aspect to it that is so rich, so lovely, so enchanting, so alluring, that, provided we are capable to slowing down long enough to take a good look at it, can be loved and embraced and followed, like a moth following a candle. Finding yourself wasn't just a sixties slogan, it had to do with letting go of those things we think are important, so that we might truly begin to embrace those things that are essential to happines and to life. Harold and Maude is about all that and more. And as Forest Gump once said, "That's all I have to say about that."

Best movie ever........2007-06-24

The more I watch this film the better it gets, so many subtleties. I bought a copy for my brother to show it to his teenage kids.

TOP 100 MOVIES OF DANY LYNEN.......2007-06-23

THIS MOVIE IS HEART MOVING, AND TEACHES A VALUBLE LESSON IN THE GAME OF LIFE!

"Harold and Maude, a Cerebral Love Affair" .......2007-06-11

This is a terrific movie and has been one of my favorites since I first saw it on VHS late last century. Now it is available upon DVD which means it has a very good quality picture reproduction from the celluloid original upon which it was originally recorded and the audio is as good as it was in the theatre. I just need to acquire the audio components upon which to listen to this movie so I can visually and aurally go back in time, also I can watch it over & over and not have to worry about tape degradation. Amazon.com made acquiring this movie a very good and most cost effective endeavor for me; I will be a customer for the rest of my life and encourage friends of mine to shop @ Amazon.com.

Harold and Maude timeless, naughty and quirky..........2007-05-28

Harold and Maude is a movie that brings to light an assortment of social and familial issues. Both actors do an outstanding job of portraying their characters in pure form. Love this movie!

Average customer rating:

My grandson's favorite
A Classic, lots of laughs!
A funny and classic baseball-worship kind of movie
Excellent movie for young baseball players
NOT A BASEBALL FAN, BUT GOOD MOVIE

The Sandlot
Starring: Brandon Quintin Adams , Karen Allen , Keith Campbell , Victor DiMattia , and Grant Gelt
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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The Sandlot 2
Rookie of the Year
The Goonies
Little Big League
Little Giants

ASIN: B00005RT3N
Release Date: 2002-01-29

Amazon.com

When egghead Scotty Smalls moves to town just before the summer vacation of 1962, his first priority is to make friends. He heads to the nearby sandlot only to humiliate himself before the local kids, but star player Benny "The Jet" Rodriguez befriends the awkward boy, teaches him the basics of baseball, and welcomes him to the team. It's a summer filled with camaraderie and fun until Smalls hits his first home run. Problem is, Smalls's home run sends his stepfather's "Babe Ruth" autographed baseball into a neighboring yard that's patrolled by a snarling, slobbering monster called "The Beast." Creativity reigns and hilarity ensues when the boys risk everything to retrieve the ball. A final heroic encounter with "The Beast" and his owner yields some very surprising results. Action, humor, and friendship permeate this 101-minute film appropriate for ages 5 and older. Rated PG due to name-calling and some pubescent behavior. --Tami Horiuchi

Description

It's the early 1960s and fifth-grader Scotty Smalls (Tom Guiry) has just moved into town with his folks (Karen Allen and Denis Leary). Kids call him a dork—he can't even throw a baseball! But that changes when the leader of the neighborhood gang recruits him to play on the nearby sandlot field. It's the beginning of a magical summer of baseball, wild adventures, first kisses, and fearsome confrontations with the dreaded Beast and its owner (James Earl Jones) who live behind the left field fence. Soon nine boys have become best friends, Scotty is part of a team, and their leader has become a local legend in this hilarious and warmhearted comedy.

Customer Reviews:

My grandson's favorite.......2007-05-22

He is 7. We watched it once awhile ago. He talked so much about that great movie with the big dog that I finally sent him one of his own!

A Classic, lots of laughs!.......2007-05-07

Great movie for a baseball lover or someone who loves to laugh!

I had this on VHS for a bit and was glad when it was releasedon DVD. Now it will last FOR-EV-ERR!

A funny and classic baseball-worship kind of movie.......2007-04-12

Scotty Smalls moves to Los Angeles in the early 60's just two weeks before the 5th grade school year ends, which isn't enough time to make friends before summer vacation. He's still getting used to his new step-father and doesn't know how to catch or throw a baseball, and to make matters worse doesn't even know who the "Great Bambino" is. Some of the neighborhood kids gather every day at "the sandlot," their own personal baseball kingdom, and he tries to casually join them. But it isn't until Bennie Rodriguez, the best and most ardent player of them all, asks him to join and gives him the confidence he needs to learn to play. It makes for the best summer of his life and lifelong friendships, especially when he unknowingly uses a baseball signed by Babe Ruth, and hits it over the fence into the yard of "The Beast," a huge baseball-eating dog.

This is one of those classic baseball-worship movies on a par with "Field of Dreams" and other favorites. Plus, it's a great family movie with few profanities - it's funny and the things the kids do and say resonate with everyone whether or not you grew up playing another sport or in another time period. My kids love to watch it regularly, and I'm impressed with how good some of the children actors are (James Earl Jones also has a bit part at the end). I especially like the scene where they play baseball against the "rich kids" on their real baseball field (mostly because it's the field where I played Little-League as a kid - which wasn't on the "rich" side of town and it's not really LA!), but my kids like the pool scene.

Excellent movie for young baseball players.......2007-03-31

Bought this for my 8 year old grandson for his birthday and although he never heard of it, he absolutely loved it and had to go out and buy the Sandlot 2 right away! Nice, clean, fun with a learning behind it (of course).

NOT A BASEBALL FAN, BUT GOOD MOVIE.......2007-03-26

IM NOT A BIG BASEBALL FAN SO TO ME THIS MOVIE WAS OK. THE ACTORS ARE REALLY GOOD AND THEY MAKE IT AN EXCITING MOVIE TO WATCH EVEN IF YOU ARE NOT A BASEBALL FAN! THE BEST PART IS THE "KISS"

Average customer rating:

A great actress
The best depiction of Elizabeth I yet
God save the Queen
Elizabeth I .
Helen Mirren Offers a Totally Compelling Portrait of Elizabeth I

Elizabeth I
Starring: Helen Mirren , Jeremy Irons , Patrick Malahide , Toby Jones , and Hugh Dancy
Director: Tom Hooper (II)
Manufacturer: Hbo Home Video
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The Queen
Babel
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Masterpiece Theatre: Elizabeth I - The Virgin Queen

ASIN: B000FO0AHO
Release Date: 2006-08-22

Amazon.com

Helen Mirren's Elizabeth I could almost be cousin to her Jane Tennison. Like the dedicated detective chief inspector, Queen Bess is not without a heart, but work comes first and any romantic entanglements are doomed to fail. Fortunately, she has her friendships. Directed by Tom Hooper (Prime Suspect 6), this two-part HBO/Channel 4 tele-film begins in 1579. The Virgin Queen has been on the throne for 20 years, but has not married. Her closest relationship is with Robert Dudley, the Earl of Leicester (Jeremy Irons), whom the council will not allow her to wed. Because Robert wishes to produce an heir, he marries another, garnering Elizabeth's disfavor (and nor is he all that thrilled about her dalliance with Henry, the Duke of Anjou). In time, he'll return to her good graces. As she explains, "Friendship outlasts love and is stronger than love." Then, as his health begins to fails, she'll turn to his stepson, the dashing, if duplicitous Robert Devereaux, the Earl of Essex (Hugh Dancy, the Hooper-directed Daniel Deronda). Meanwhile, Mary, Queen of Scots (Barbara Flynn) plots against her Protestant cousin. Even after Mary makes her exit, plenty of other powerful Catholics will stop at nothing to seize the crown. Marked as much by triumph as tragedy, the role of Elizabeth I has been catnip for many illustrious actresses, notably Bette Davis, Glenda Jackson, and Cate Blanchett. Mirren's multi-faceted portrayal of the queen's golden years is a worthy addition to that canon and Irons is a particularly formidable foil. --Kathleen C. Fennessy

Description

Helen Mirren and Jeremy Irons star in Elizabeth I, a two-part HBO Films miniseries event that explores the intersection of the private and public life of Elizabeth I (Mirren) in the latter half of her reign, offering a personal look at her allies, her enemies and her suitors as she struggles to survive in a male-dominated world. Part 1 explores Elizabeth's tempestuous relationship with the Earl of Leicester (Irons) as it survives a French suitor, war, treason, and illness. Part 2 follows Elizabeth through her later years, during which she had an equally passionate affair with the young, ambitious Earl of Essex (Hugh Dancy), who had been raised, ironically, by his stepfather Leicester. In the end, Elizabeth I sheds light on one of the most popular members of the monarchy who held absolute power over everything... except her heart.

Customer Reviews:

A great actress.......2007-07-04

Helen Mirren does a wonderful job of acting in this movie (as well as others). Movie was very interesting - focusing on this time in Elizabeth's life.

The best depiction of Elizabeth I yet.......2007-06-21

I've seen nearly every movie or mini series about Elizabeth I, including some of the classic oldies with Flora Robson and Betty Davis. This HBO production was outstanding. Helen Mirren and Jeremy Irons are riveting to watch. Much better than the recent PBS/BBC series and light years ahead of the movie with Cate Blanchard. And this production sticks closer to the historic records. Any deviation was actually believable. The fascinating life of this woman needs little embellishment. History has already done that. This production gives more insight into the woman herself as a woman coping in a male dominated world at its highest levels. Bravo. I've already recommended it to many others.

God save the Queen.......2007-05-30

This movie is so well done and probaly one of the most historically acurate that I have seen. I watched this after being captivated by Showtime's The Tudors. It was a great caveat to that show. There is not a lot of mention of Mary , Henry VIII's first child but Elizabeth shines. Helen Miren does an outstanding job as queen. I am not sure how accurate the temper tamptrums but after all she was still a woman, a woman that was queen!

Elizabeth I ........2007-05-29

Although I usually don't care too much for history, I really liked Elizabeth I. This movie brought history to life .
The acting was outstanding ! Hellen Mirren was even better in Elizabeth I than in The Queen .
I highly recommend Elizabeth I.

Helen Mirren Offers a Totally Compelling Portrait of Elizabeth I.......2007-05-22

This film is absolutely superb! Helen Mirren's portrayal of the great Renaissance queen is simply mesmerizing. She shows the multifaceted qualities of this fascinating historical figure. She offers a finely-nuanced performance, providing all the subtleties of characterization that make Elizabeth live and breathe in this film. I have seen all of Mirren's magical character work, but her powers here are simply beyond compare. This performance will go down in history as one of the best (if not, THE BEST) of our time. I recommend this wholeheartedly to everyone the world over. Mirren is surely the 21st century's finest actress.

Average customer rating:

Major Letdown
Brother Protects Brother!
The Sacketts
The Sacketts DVD
Western Movies

Louis L'Amour's The Sacketts
Starring: Sam Elliott , Tom Selleck , Jeff Osterhage , Glenn Ford , and Ben Johnson
Director: Robert Totten
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Westerns | Genres | DVD | Video

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Last Stand at Saber River
The Shadow Riders: Collector's Edition
Conagher
Crossfire Trail
You Know My Name

ASIN: B000EOTUSK
Release Date: 2006-05-30

Amazon.com

Louis L'Amour's easy voice with its gentle rhythm sets the tone and pace of the film in a spoken introduction to this loping, rambling three-hour-plus TV-movie adaptation of his novels The Daybreakers and Sackett. Sam Elliot stars as the elder Sackett, a nomad hunting and trapping in the mountains who happens upon an ancient treasure. Tom Selleck and Jeff Osterhage are his younger siblings, forced to leave home to avoid a Hatfield and McCoy situation. As the Sackett brothers wind their way across the Midwest prairies and mountains we join them on cattle drives and gold hunts, in gunfights and fistfights, and in a climactic showdown as they find their place in the world. This 1979 film rambles and meanders like a lazy river winding through a beautiful landscape of peaks and plains and forests, punctuated by the occasional gunfight and enlivened by a story that celebrates both the open range and the taming of the towns. Elliot looks almost young but flashes his savage eyes behind a thick black beard, while Selleck's easygoing manner is backed up with a stony-faced determination. The excellent cast includes a veritable who's who of Western character actors: Glenn Ford, Ben Johnson, Gilbert Roland, Gene Evans, Jack Elam, Slim Pickens, L.Q. Jones, Mercedes McCambridge, and Pat Buttram. Followed in 1982 by The Shadow Riders, which reunited the three stars and even a few members of the supporting cast in a tale of three different brothers. --Sean Axmaker

Description

Louis L'Amour's epic Western saga of brothers who blazed a name across the untamed post-Civil War New Mexico frontier.

Customer Reviews:

Major Letdown.......2007-06-16

This was not the complete series. Editing left a major hole in the story line. I would strongly suggest getting the full length version.

Brother Protects Brother!.......2007-05-30

This movie is so great because you would think that these men are really brothers! It has a family oriented theme. Each brother goes their separate way to do what they want. But through the trials of life they end up back together each one protecting the other. It shows that family is very important!

The Sacketts.......2007-05-07

Good Western with good actors and enjoyable storyline. If you like Westerns then this is one to have in your library!

The Sacketts DVD.......2007-03-09

I read all 16 of the Louie LaMour Sackett books. I am not a western reader. My brother-inlaw got me started and couldn't get enough so decided to see the DVD which the action is slower than the books, but, was very close to the story. They had Mr. LaMour speak about the movie. He was there during the making of the movie and wanted it to be like it was during that time period. Please read his series of Sacketts before viewing the DVD. aLSO, READ HIS BIOGRAPHY. He was a very speacial man. He died shortly after finishing the biography.

Western Movies.......2007-03-09

Probably the best