Tom Horn

Starring:Steve McQueen, Linda Evans, Richard Farnsworth, Billy Green Bush, Slim Pickens, Peter Canon, Elisha Cook Jr., Roy Jenson, James Kline, Geoffrey Lewis, Harry Northup, Steve Oliver, Bill Thurman, Bert Williams (II), Bobby Bass, Mickey Jones, B.J. Ward, Richard Brewer, Mel Novak, Tom Tarpey
Director: William Wiard
Studio: Warner Home Video
Product Type: DVD

Description

6 Steve McQueen classic movies are now available in one giftset -- THE ESSENTIAL STEVE McQUEEN COLLECTION! BULLITT TWO DISC-SPECIAL EDITION: Buckle up for gritty police procedure and a wild, trend-setting chase over Frisco's hills with THE GETAWAY DELUXE EDITION A heist gone wrong is dead-right in the hands of McQueen and director Sam Peckinpah. THE CINCINNATI KID McQueen and Edward G. Robinson ante up. Norman Jewison guides the big-time poker flick. NEVER SO FEW Commando action in World War II Burma! McQueen's first big-budget film. Frank Sinatra stars. PAPILLON Can McQueen and Dustin Hoffman escape Devil's Island? From the director of Patton. TOM HORN True to the cowboy way! McQueen rides tall in a star-packed elegy to a changing West. Titles also available separately.

Customer Reviews:

Steve McQueen Collection.......2007-01-15

Husband very pleased with Steve McQueen collection--very happy with his Christmas present

buy this set instead of the individual titles!.......2006-08-04

i bought it mainly for bullit and the getaway special editions (great extras) and papillon... i still haven't checked the other three movies... the bullit edition has a superb documentary on movie editing

Incomplete collection.......2005-12-21

Bullitt is a masterpiece, the greatest movie of its genre and McQueen's performance in it and in Papillon are among his greatest and that's saying a lot. But I would have thought that the folks who took the trouble to produce this collection would have included two others in which he proves he was more than a great charismatic star, he was also a great actor: The Sand Pebbles, in which he gives his greatest performance (and the only one nominated for an Oscar) and Love With the Proper Stranger, a glorious comedy in which he proved how truly brilliant he was by giving a comic performance which surprises and delights me every time I see it. Arthur Knight in the Saturday Review said at the time that McQueen's performance in this movie should be required viewing for acting students. He is as subtle as always -- you have to concentrate to discover all the wonders, as in all his work -- and the result is perfection. Can you imagine anyone else in any of his roles? Thanks, Steve. We'll love you forever.

Overall a nice assortment of McQueen's movies at a reasonable price........2005-08-26

Overall this is a highly recommended set of six different Steve McQueen movies. It's a "must-have" package for McQueen fans or someone who enjoys 1960's era action or adventure films. If you have even the slightest interest in buying any two or three of the six movies offered, then it well worth buying the box set and not the individual DVDs. Here are my reviews of the six DVDs included in this package:

BULLIT

The synopsis of this film revolves around a mobster named Johnny Ross who flees Chicago after embezzling $2 million from a crime syndicate and goes to San Francisco to testify for a power-driven politician named Walter Chalmers (Robert Vaughn). Police Lt. Frank Bullit (Steve McQueen) is assigned to protect Ross for several days prior to testifying. Two hitmen manage to shoot Ross and this sets up the remainder of the movie where Bullit has to not only find these killers but has to appease Chalmers and Bullit's bosses in the police department since he was accountable for Ross's protection.

The signature of this film is of course the wild and fast chase between Bullit's '68 Mustang and the killers' Dodge Charger through the hilly streets of San Francisco. By today's Hollywood standards it's a very ordinary chase, but in its day, it was clearly a revolutionary segment. There were obviously car chases in movies prior to this film, but this chase brought filmmaking to a much higher energy level. But the film has more to offer than just a memorable high-speed chase. First, the character of Bullit played by McQueen is arguably the first of many to follow of young, stylish, and radical cops that a young generation could identify with. It's the coolness of McQueen under fire, his style of fast cars, a sexy girlfriend and fashionable clothes that elevate him above the typical suit-and-tie, family man, and vocally brash movie cops of the past. The other strength of the movie is that it does have a clever twist in the plot about two-thirds through the film. Another enjoyable aspect of the movie is the setting of urban San Francisco in the late `60's. We don't see hippies per se, but we do see professional people in "mod" clothes. Probably the best example of this historic era of fashion disaster is in a scene where Bullit meets an informant name Eddy who has a custom trimmed beard, trendy glasses, and a loud suit.

As for the DVD, the color picture is sharp and pristine and the audio is excellent. There are plenty of bonuses including a short feature of the filming of Bullet, the history of editing and the best feature by far, a comprehensive film biography of McQueen entitled, "The Essence of Cool". There is also real-time commentary by director Peter Yates.

Movie: B+

DVD Quality: A

THE GETAWAY

The movie opens in a Texas prison where Doc McCoy (Steve McQueen) is doing time for armed robbery. He is denied parole and has to come to terms that the only way to get out early is to bribe a prison board member, Jack Beynon (Ben Johnson) by indulging him with sexual favors with McCoy's wife Carol (Ali McGraw). The dirty deed is done and McCoy is then paroled, but Beynon coerces Doc into doing one major bank job with a collection of other crooks that Beynon has assembled. This sets up a big heist with several twists and turns along the way for an action packed film.

I've seen just about all of McQueen's movies and this is my favorite. First, I like the opening scenes in a real Texas prison. The guards and other prisoners aren't actors - they are the real deal. This rest of the movie is shot in Texas also. I don't recall seeing a single scene that appeared to be made in a Hollywood backlot. The plot of this movie is original. It's more than just a bank robbery and car chases. There are a series of interesting confrontations and slick double-crosses that add a lot of pizzazz to the film. The street-smart character of Doc McCoy played by McQueen is what sets this apart from most action films. His uncanny knack of figuring out what's going on and eluding his advisories is what makes it an extra special movie. Ali McGraw is beautiful, but her acting is suspect at times. Sally Struthers gives a wonderful performance as a ditzy, yet too sympathetic hostage. Slim Pickens also does a stellar job as an older, but very spirited cowboy.

As for the DVD, the widescreen color presentation is near pristine. The stereo audio quality is excellent. There are plenty of commentary features on this DVD.

Movie: A-

DVD Quality: A-

PAPILLON

The movie Papillon opens in France in the early 20th century. The main character is a safecracking Frenchman named Henri 'Papillon' Charriere who was convicted of killing a pimp - a crime Papillon insists he was wrongfully accused of. He is sentenced for life in prison in French Guiana. During his voyage from France to South America, Papillon befriends another prisoner named Louis Dega (Dustin Hoffman) who smuggled a small fortune of money with him. Upon arriving in French Guiana, they find the conditions and the climate of prison camp extremely arduous and learn that many inmates die within the first year of imprisonment. Together, Papillon and Dega combine their skills and resources for an escape from this prison colony.

The film is visually moving with many scenes showing the convicts in extremely hostile conditions. The remote locations used were impressive - especially in this widescreen color format. Steve McQueen gives the best performance of this career playing a prisoner who is subjected to near-death treatment is several parts of the film. While his verbal communication is decent in this film, it's his physical presence that is absolutely remarkable. Dustin Hoffman's performance is good, but nothing extra special. But overall, it's an extremely good adventure movie that should be about 130 minutes long instead of 2-1/2 hours. All in all, it's an intriguing film, but I wasn't blown away by it.

As for the DVD, although the widescreen color and clarity are impressive, the film transfer did pickup some tiny blemishes throughout the movie. For a 1973 film, it would have been nice to see a fully restored presentation of this picture. The stereo audio quality is excellent. There are only a few short bonus features.

Movie: B+

DVD Quality: B+

TOM HORN

The movie is based on a true story. Western cowboy Tom Horn (Steve McQueen) has a well-known reputation as fearless fighter for just causes. The setting is circa 1901 in Wyoming and Horn rides into a small town. After displaying his toughness in several confrontations, a local rancher named John Coble (Richard Farnsworth) hires Horn to stop a cattle-rustling problem that has been plaguing his ranch for sometime. Horn agrees to work for him and carries out justice in his own way. He does a great job for Coble - almost too good and then Horn is faced with a different set of problems.

The first hour of the movie is terrific with plenty of action and excitement. It's a stunning visual presentation of Steve McQueen in a beautiful Western setting, playing a character who enforces the law his way with excitement and skill. But then the last 35 minutes of the film is sedated and ambiguous when the story goes in a completely different direction. Furthermore in this last segment, the character Tom Horn appears punchless and apathetic. Since it is based on a true story, he may have really behaved this way, and that's fine, but that part of the story should have been condensed down to 3 or 5 minutes and stayed with the prior theme for a longer duration. The film has plenty of merits, but the screen writing for the last part was poorly done and cripples the mood of the entire movie.

As for the DVD, it's a sharp and pristine widescreen color presentation. The audio is excellent. Only two bonuses: the trailer and a `Wanted Dead or Alive' promotion.

Movie: B-

DVD Quality: A

THE CINCINNATI KID

The setting is during the Depression in New Orleans, mostly in the French Quarter. Eric Stoner also known as "The Cincinnati Kid" (Steve McQueen) is a very formidable stud poker player. He has a girlfriend named Christian (Tuesday Weld) and a longtime buddy named Shooter (Karl Malden). Shooter has a very attractive girlfriend named Melba Nile (Ann-Margaret). The movie is setup for a big showdown with poker legend Lancy Howard (Edward G. Robinson), who comes to New Orleans to play the "The Kid". Stoner's relationships with Christian, Shooter and Melba add a dynamic to the film that makes it more than just a "pure" poker movie.

There's a lot to like about this film. The color cinematography is superb and the props and setting for the French Quarter are a feast for the eyes (one major gaff however was a shot of a diesel train engine). In a fantastic opening scene, we see a Dixieland band playing a funeral march and then quickly changing the music to an upbeat jazz song with plenty of street dancing. The movie itself was masterfully crafted and the characters were unique and original. There are quite a few strong performances including great acting by Edward G. Robinson, Karl Malden and Rip Torn. I think the thing the made this movie work is that it was not about winning or losing for the sake of money. The central issues were winning for prestige and notoriety and making someone lose to destroy their ego. The ending is gutsy and I'll just leave it at that. My only critical comment of the film is that the onscreen relationship between McQueen and Weld lacked chemistry. But overall it's an extremely entertaining movie.

As for the DVD, it's a beautiful and flawless widescreen color presentation. The audio is excellent. There are a few worthwhile bonuses including commentary by director Norman Jewison and scene-specific analysis by poker commentators Phil Gordon and Dave Foley.

Movie: A-

DVD Quality: A

NEVER SO FEW

Frank Sinatra stars as Tom Reynolds, an American Army Captain who leads a group of allied forces combined with the native tribesmen in Burma to fight the Japanese in WWII. The movie is mix of war situations in the Burmese jungles coupled with a romance involving a foreign woman (Gina Lollobrigida) he meets while on leave in India. There are some good things about this movie and some bad things. By far the best thing is some nice color footage of remote areas in Southeast Asia. There are only a few battle scenes but they work effectively in this story. There are also some notable (and young) actors in this film including Steve McQueen, Charles Bronson, Dean Jones and Peter Lawford.

Unfortunately, the film is marred by a number of problems. First, the Sinatra character, Tom Reynolds, is a renegade leader and does things like shoot his own wounded soldier to put him out of his misery and later does a multitude things worthy for court marshal. In addition, Reynolds consistently shows blatant disrespect with every superior officer he comes in contact with. But in a very heavy-handed way near the end of the movie, Reynold's actions along with his arrogant and condescending attitude are dealt with in a way that wasn't at all believable and at the same time very disturbing. If you are someone like me who respects the military and appreciates and understands the reason for rules and protocol, and know that rebellious people have no place in the armed forces, then you will certainly be bothered with the outcome of the movie. The other problem is this romance between Sinatra and Gina Lollobrigida. Without a doubt it, there was clearly too much time devoted to this relationship which was positively boring. The final problem was the dialogue among the soldiers. Most of it seemed to be just poor attempts at witty conversations. Overall, if you are a WWII film buff, you may find some redeeming qualities in this movie, but other than that, there just isn't that much there.

As for the DVD, the widescreen color presentation is very good but there are some tiny spots of film deterioration throughout the film. The audio is very good. The only DVD bonus is a trailer.

Movie: C-

DVD Quality: B

Top notch collection of McQueen classics.......2005-06-05

You could call him the quiet one. McQueen had a talent for portraying quite a lot with minimal dialog and that's the way he liked it. He has maybe 75 lines off dialog in "The Magnificent Seven" yet his presence is equal to that of star Yul Brynner. You'd be forgiven for being confused about which Steve McQueen boxed set to purchase. MGM has recently released "The Steve McQueen Collection" which features four McQueen classics that have previously been available on DVD; "The Thomas Crown Affair", "The Magnificent Seven", "Junior Bonner" and "The Great Escape".

"The Essential Steve McQueen Collection" is a different beast entirely; it does feature 1 title that is no different than the previously issued version -"Papillon". All the rest have either never been issued or, in the case of "Bullitt", are now in two disc deluxe editions that make this set a worthwhile addition to any collection.

The crown jewel of this set is the new deluxe edition of "Bullitt". McQueen plays San Francisco detective Frank Bullitt. He's been assigned to protect a witness for a major trial. The witness, though, is murdered. Before the post-mortem has begun, Bullitt hunts for the killers and plans on nailing them. Featuring an amazing high speed chase through the streets of San Francisco and shot entirely on location, "Bullitt" was Peter Yates' first major US film and it crackles with energy.

"Papillon" tells the story of a thief nick-named Papillon for the large butterfly tattooed on his chest. (McQueen) framed for murder in France and sent to Devil's Island for life. From the moment he steps on the boat headed to the prison he's planning his escape. He agrees to protect a financial thief Louis Dega (Dustin Hoffman). Schaffner's film portrays Papillon's attempt to survive on Devil's Island until he can figure out an escape plan. Although this isn't Schaffner's best film, it has a number of powerful moments that equal his classic films "Patton", "Planet of the Apes" and "The War Lord". McQueen more than holds his own with method actor Hoffman.

"The Cincinnati Kid" features McQueen as Eric Stoner a poke playing ace who challenges the best gambler around "the Man" Lancey Howard (Edward G. Robinson). A terrific performance by Edward G. Robinson allows Robinson to almost steal the picture under McQueen's nose. With a terrific supporting cast, "The Cincinnati Kid" would be one of the most memorable films about gambling until "Rounders" three decades later.

"Never So Few" features McQueen in the third billed role of Bill Ringa a member of the O.S.S. fighting the Japanese during World War II in Burma. Ringa and his Captain Tom Reynolds (Frank Sinatra) are in Burma to train the Kachin natives in how to fight the Japanese. Reynolds fights dirty when Chinese rebels cross over to Burma to kill and loot the American soldiers stationed there. Although it's not one of director John Sturges ("The Magnificent Seven". "Ice Station Zebra") best films, "Never So Few" provides McQueen with a role that continued his breakthrough as a actor. It also inspired Sturges to cast McQueen in "The Magnificent Seven".

"The Getaway" almost got away without being made. Originally Peter Bogdanovich was to direct with his girlfriend actress Cybil Shepherd in the lead. When she dropped out so did Bogdanovich. Luckily director Sam Peckinpah stepped in and the rewritten script by Walter Hill was tooled for McQueen. Scandal broke out on the set when McQueen became involved with his co-star Ali McGraw (who was then married to Paramount head Robert Evans). McQueen plays thief Doc McCoy who has been paroled. The only problem is that Sheriff Beynon (Ben Johnson) expects him to do a big robbery for him. He plans on killing McCoy afterward but things don't quite work out the way that Beynon intended.

"Tom Horn" (McQueen) a tracker and "enforcer" who dispensed justice in the old west takes a job to stop cattle thieves. When things get messy and Horn has to kill some of the rustlers, the ranchers who hired him want Horn stopped. He's put on trial for the murder of a 15 year old boy. The next to last film McQueen made before he died in 1980, is a surprisingly powerful and great western. The screenplay by novelist/screenwriter Thomas McGuane ("The Missouri Breaks", "92 in the Shade", "Rancho Deluxe") and Bub Shrake ("Nightwing", "J.W. Coop", "Songwriter") portrays a character out of time; Horn's style of dispensing justice faces the gray world of corruption and politics. McQueen gives one of his best nuanced performances in a film that didn't do all that well at the box office. It's a pity as it's a great movie that deserves a wider audience. Luckily, for those who buy the boxed set they'll finally get a chance to see this classic western.

The previous DVD edition of "Bullitt" looked quite good but can't compare to the newly digitally remastered transfer here. Image clarity, color and detail for "Bullitt" is superb. The sound is surprisingly spry with a nice 5.1 remix that doesn't quite use the format to its best advantage but that's not a surprise given that the film is nearly 40 years old. "Papillon" comes with the same transfer as it received in 2000. Image quality is good but the negative could use restoration and/or digital filtering to clean up the print/improve it. It does feature a recent 5.1 remix (which wasn't advertised on the box of the previous release and I don't recall if it had it or not on the 1999 release but I suspect not).The colors aren't bright and vibrant but they fit the general atmosphere of the film and are fairly true to the original theatrical exhibition if a bit faded. "The Getaway" looks terrific again considering the age of the movie. The blacks are rock solid and the colors as vivid and bright as they've ever been. There's the occasionally soft image but, on the whole, "The Getaway" looks marvelous. "Never So Few" also looks quite good particularly when you consider the age of the negative. It receives a solid transfer with bright colors and nice image clarity. "The Cincinnati Kid" also looks exceptionally good with nice color reproduction and image quality. It's clear that some digital restoration was done to the most recent releases here and "Kid" does benefit from it. "Tom Horn" looks extremely good with sharp images, bright and vivid colors. Although a tad grainy (like most of the films here) that has more to do with the stock used to shoot the films and the condition of the negative than the transfer. In most cases, the graininess adds to the character of the films. All six films feature 2.0 Dolby Digital Surround soundtracks (in addition to the 5.1 remasters for "Papillon"). All sound crisp with nice clarity to the dialog and music.

"Bullitt" gets the most attention here. Featuring two fine documentaries on the film and McQueen, we also get the original vintage featurette on the film. "The Cutting Edge" examines the the art of movie editing with a glimpse into other films during the editing process as well. "Steve McQueen: The Essence of Cool" is a terrific biography on McQueen that provides a lot of information previously unknown about the actor. There's also the original theatrical trailer included as well. "The Getaway" features the original theatrical trailer only. "Papillon" has the original promotional featurette produced for the film as part of the extras as well as the trailer. "The Cincinnati Kid", "Never So Few" and "Tom Horn" all have only the original theatrical trailer for the respective films. It's a pity that Warner chose not to do a documentary or at the very least a featurette on "Tom Horn". Since it's about a real historical figure and making the film was a passion for McQueen, it would have been appropriate and provided much needed information on the historical figure and the production of this fine overlooked film.

"Bullitt" comes with an excellent commentary by director Peter Yates. "The Getaway" features a "virtual" commentary culled from interviews of McQueen, Peckinpah and McGraw as well as a commentary by Peckinpah biographers/documentarians Nick Redman, Paul Seydor, Garner Simmons and David Weddle. "The Cincinnati Kid" has a marvelous trivia filled commentary track by director Norman Jewison.

Between this release and "The Steve McQueen Collection", McQueen fans will have most of his essential films. Although there are a few gems missing from these collections (due to contractual issues no doubt), most of the films here are among the best McQueen made. "The Getaway" and "Bullitt" receive most of the attention here with terrific commentary tracks and extras. "Papillon" probably could have used a face lift with a new digital transfer and a commentary track by a film historian (or Dustin Hoffman) but it looks like we'll have to wait for this minor classic to get its due another time. The other missed opportunity in this superb set is the lack of extras for "Tom Horn" One of McQueen's finest later films and a terrific western that presaged films like "The Unforgiven", "Open Range" and "Wyatt Earp", it's a perfect period piece about the transition of the old west into civilization and those who were lost along the way.

Average customer rating:

Funny- if you have nothing better to do
Every bit as funny as I remembered!
God Awful piece of junk. Avoid at all costs.
Stuart is the best!
I AM REBORN IN THIS FILM'S GENIUS. I SAW GOD AND HE SAID "YOU ARE A WONDROUS CREATION"

Stuart Saves His Family
Starring: Al Franken , Laura San Giacomo , Vincent D'Onofrio , Shirley Knight , and Harris Yulin
Director: Harold Ramis
Manufacturer: Paramount
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Amazon.com

Though it seems like a one-joke premise, this spinoff of Al Franken's Saturday Night Live character, self-help nerd Stuart Smalley, actually has some substance. And, in fact, it offers a message that wouldn't be out of place at an Al-Anon meeting (although with the laughs). Stuart, fired from his cable TV self-help show, goes home to resolve a family crisis. Dad (Harris Yulin) is an abusive drunk, Mom (Shirley Knight) is an enabler, Sis is an over-eater, and Brother has a problem with his temper. The film turns serious, but Franken actually makes the drama interesting, using humor to leaven it. And he brings a certain sympathy and resolve to the lisping, cross-eyed Stuart. To be sure, it's not your typical SNL movie. --Marshall Fine

Customer Reviews:

Funny- if you have nothing better to do.......2007-02-01

This was a funny movie. Probably not one of the funniest SNL movies, but better than SUPERSTAR. It would have been even better if Al Franken had not become AL FRANKEN since it came out. Even with his real life aside, it still made me laugh and I applaud his performance.

Every bit as funny as I remembered!.......2007-01-06

This movie deserves to be a comedy cult classic. The Smalley family is as familiar as, well, your own, and the way the movie reveals their dysfunction is pitch perfect. Team up lively writing, a great cast, and the right balance of heartwarming and sarcastic humor, and you have Stuart Saves His Family.

God Awful piece of junk. Avoid at all costs........2006-05-12

This was one of the worst bad crappy movies I've seen. Al Franken falls flat on his face in this one. I found none of the jokes funny and it was one of those squeeze a buck out of a character SNL movies. Franken is funny on SNL and Stuart actually made me laugh on the show but this movie was travesty of the first rate. Like I said there is good crappy movies which I watch like Plan 9 from Outer Space, Flash Gordon, the Monster Squad, and the like that are bad films but pieces of art that make you laugh and entertain you. This movie was not one of them. If you think I'm some right wing red neck out to get Franken your dead wrong I'm far from it although I do find this up tight new air america Franken annoying though. The point is not his politics but this stupid waste of Hollywood money on this garbage that isn't funny or entertaining at all. In fact half way through it my ex girl friend had to wake me up because my head was starting hurt her shoulder. Forget this movie if you want a good crappy movie watch "Killer Klowns from Outer Space." Trust me its the best thing to do.

Stuart is the best!.......2006-03-17

This has to be one of the absolute best movies I have ever seen! Al Frankin is genious! I am so excited he is from Minnesota and I hope fulheartedly he intends on running for United States Senator from our state. He will not only have my vote but I will work on his campaign! Go, Al!

I AM REBORN IN THIS FILM'S GENIUS. I SAW GOD AND HE SAID "YOU ARE A WONDROUS CREATION".......2006-01-10

As brilliant as they come. Step aside Charleton Heston. A new dramatic king is in town and his name is Stuart!!!!!!!

Average customer rating:

Great movie, however..................
A fitting epitaph to McQueen's career
Interesting Film
Are my glasses all that dirty?
western classic

Tom Horn
Starring: Steve McQueen , Linda Evans , Richard Farnsworth , Billy Green Bush , and Slim Pickens
Director: William Wiard
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0008ENHUS
Release Date: 2005-05-31

Description

The saga of Tom Horn - a real-life "enforcer" of Old West days - held a particular fascination for another legend. Hollywood icon Steve McQueen starred in and executive-produced what would be his next-to-last movie, a gritty, exciting recreation of Horn's latter-day career in a turn-of-the-century West where gentler ways supplanted the law of the gun - and Horn would be an unwitting victim of that change. Linda Evans, Richard Farnsworth, Billy Green Bush and Slim Pickens head a strong cast in a film capturing the essence of a time when a man's word was only as good as his guns or fists. Shot on serenely beautiful Arizona locations, Tom Horn indelibly brings to life one of the West's truly unsung heroes.

Customer Reviews:

Great movie, however.........................2007-05-09

I loved this movie when it was released in the early eighties that I thought when I purchased this dvd, that is was going to be the same original, uncut movie I watched for the first time; not so! Don't get me wrong, I love Steve McQueen and have several of his movies on dvd, but Warner video cut out the fight scene at the start of the movie, as well as deleting other parts of the movie to make it more "family oriented" for the entire family to watch. That said, the rest of the movie is awesome, along with the beautiful photography which the film was shot in Wyoming. If you never watched this movie before, or don't remember the "details" of the movie when it was released, I highly recommend this second to the last movie Steve McQueen did prior to his premature departure from our lives!

A fitting epitaph to McQueen's career.......2007-05-06

Soldier, Indian tracker, lawman, outlaw, hired killer - there are about a half dozen movies that could be made about Tom Horn, so it's surprising that it wasn't until the Western was on its last legs that, aside from the odd fleeting appearance in B-movies, he finally made it to the big screen. In some ways it's amazing he made it at all. 1980's Tom Horn was a troubled picture, and that's putting it mildly. Sam Peckinpah was at one time tapped to direct, but he fell out with star and producer Steve McQueen before shooting started - possibly literally, since McQueen's alleged response to a furious argument they had in the car one evening led to McQueen insisting he get out without bothering to stop first. Neither Don Siegel nor Elliot Silverstein made it past pre-production. Electra Glide in Blue director James Guercio only lasted for the first three days of the shoot, and cinematographer John Alonzo and McQueen himself also had a hand in the finished film at one point or another, with credited director William Wiard apparently hired only to placate the Directors Guild when they wouldn't allow the star to direct himself. The screenplay went through many changes along the route as well, with Thomas McGuane's 450-page epic being constantly chipped away, Abraham Polonsky's rewrite being rejected and Bud Shrake's final script eventually alternating with McGuane's depending on which version the star felt like filming that day. And just to add to the good news, the picture suffered from major budget cuts due to studio politics and the threat of a William Goldman-scripted Robert Redford rival project (eventually made for TV with David Carradine as Mr Horn), shrinking from a three-hour $10m epic about the Indian tracker and interpreter's life to a $3m small-scale Western about its ignominious end.

Under such circumstances it would be wildly optimistic to expect the film to be even watchable, let alone great, but somehow it bucked the odds to come out as a bona fide forgotten classic. While there's no shortage of action in the first half of the movie - certainly enough for the studio to somewhat misleadingly sell it as an action movie - this is really a much more elegiac Western about the end of an era seen through the fate of a man out of his time and trapped by a reputation he cannot really live up to anymore. "If you really knew how dirty and raggedy-***ed the Old West was, you wouldn't want any part of it," he tells Linda Evans schoolteacher, and the ailing McQueen makes no attempt to disguise just how raggedy he looks himself. When we first meet Horn it's not long before he's on the losing end of a fight with champion boxer" Gentleman Jim" Corbett, and after a brief and all-too successful career disposing of rustlers for the local Cattlemen's Association, soon finds himself set up for an even bigger fall when his ruthless efficiency becomes something of a public relations disaster for them.

Taking its lead from Horn's own autobiography, dictated while on trial for murder, there is an element of print the legend to it: whereas the real Horn was undone by his own egotism (his claim to have captured Geronimo seems largely fantasy, though he was one of the trackers involved in the campaign), McQueen's Horn is a simple man, modest, inarticulate, awkward in social situations and only really good at killing, which he regards simply as his job. But there's a striking lack of vanity to the performance, with McQueen not afraid to look a shrunken figure long past his prime - even his futile escape attempt feels almost half-hearted, something he feels he's expected to do, and there's a sense of acceptance of his impending death as he makes his inevitable way to the water-triggered gallows that he springs himself because nobody else wants to pull the lever on him.

(Curiously lawman Joe LeFors, whose dubious testimony sealed Horn's fate, is renamed LaSalle in the film, possibly because McQueen didn't want the audience to make any connections with Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, which was a one-time McQueen project that helped his rival Robert Redford become a superstar: McQueen certainly knew how to hold a grudge.)

The scars of the troubled production do sometimes show, not least in a flashback so abrupt everyone in the theatres thought they'd got the reels in the wrong order, but the strengths more than compensate, not least among them an effortlessly superb supporting performance from Richard Farnsworth, who manages to create a convincing onscreen bond with McQueen despite their off screen history (the young McQueen had got Farnsworth fired from Wanted: Dead or Alive when the veteran was still a stuntman). The cold, stark look of the film, it's town either muddy or snowbound, its ranges barren and desolate, and Ernest Gold's brooding score also catch the mood of impending death all too well. The Hunter may have been McQueen's last film, but in many ways this is the more fitting epitaph.

The only extras on Warners 2.35:1 widescreen transfer are the original theatrical trailer and a promo for Wanted: Dead or Alive.

Interesting Film.......2007-04-22

I was lucky enough to be an extra in this film as a national guardsman and as a townsperson. I was one of the guys who escorted McQueen to the gallows. Steve McQueen was an amazing man who handled the shooting and riding to the amazement of the stuntmen and cowboys on the film. I recall him shooting cans with a six shooter while chewing a big wad of tobacco and drinking Old Milwaukee on ice. (His favorite drink). He was a gentleman and Dick Farnsworth and Slim Pickens hung out with us all the time. Slim even came by my fraternity. Geoffrey Lewis was great in this movie. Not much of a review but I love the film for all its great memories!

Are my glasses all that dirty?.......2006-06-08

Others will write better reviews than mine, and my purpose is to compliment theirs, but I have one gripe, and that is why can't they produce a clearer transfer? The sound is also weak. I do not remember Steve McQueen looking so sickly when I saw it in the theater, but the sickness come through worse with the fuzzy reproduction.

western classic.......2006-04-13

This film, faithful to Horn's autobiography, is beautifully photographed.

As a last gasp tribute to a vanished America (both the frontier west *and* the liberalism of the '60's) it is virtually flawless.

McQueen, like Wayne, started in what were essentially B westerns except his medium was TV. His movie career, like Wayne's, econmpassed action roles in several genres. His macho image, like Wayne's, often overshawdowed his acting, and, finally, like Wayne in The Shootist, McQueen ended with this stunning performance.

Farnsworth is excellent as Coble, Evans is true to the character of Glendolene Myrtle Kimmel, who was Horn's great champion, and Pickens is Pickens. Billy Green Bush's portrayal of US Marshall Joe Belle is sufficiently slimey that of the central characters in this tragedy, the producers did not find it prudent to use the actual name of Deputy US Marshall Joe LeFors' who bragged the rest of his life that he "slickered Tom Horn" and of his exploits.

I'd say it was a must see.

The Concert for Bangladesh (Limited Deluxe Edition)

Average customer rating:

A Valuable Part of Music History
Still rocks after 30+ years
This concert is a reminder of kindness and good music
Musicians unite for the good of all
Jesse Ed Davis at Concert for Bangladesh

The Concert for Bangladesh (Limited Deluxe Edition)
Starring: George Harrison , Bob Dylan , Ravi Shankar , Ringo Starr , and Eric Clapton
Director: Saul Swimmer
Manufacturer: Rhino Records
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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The Concert for Bangladesh
Bob Dylan - No Direction Home
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ASIN: B000AYQJJ2
Release Date: 2005-10-25

Amazon.com

Before We Are the World, before the Amnesty International concerts, before Live Aid, Live 8, 46664, and all the other charitable and/or political events that have used popular music as their principal draw, there was George Harrison's 1971 Concert for Bangladesh, a stirring affair released here in a fine two-disc set. The cause--raising money for the beleaguered people of Bangladesh (formerly East Pakistan), who were ravaged by war, floods, and famine--was enough to attract the support of stars like the former Beatle, who had never fronted a band before, along with Bob Dylan and Eric Clapton, both of whom had been out of the limelight for some years due to various personal problems and choices. Given the little time that Harrison, whose help had been solicited by sitar master Ravi Shankar, had to organize the affair, the results are very impressive indeed: the enormous band, which also features Ringo Starr, Leon Russell, and Billy Preston, is tight, the music (spotlighting tunes from Harrison's All Things Must Pass, along with a few Beatle numbers) inspired, the musicians at the top of their games. (Only Clapton is sub-par; looking out of it and playing weakly, he's a far cry from the guy who, some 30 years later, would spearhead the magnificent Concert for George.) For some, the opportunity to see Dylan onstage with Harrison, Starr, and Russell (playing bass) will be the big attraction. Others will thrill to the remastered DVD sound and restored picture. Still others will revel in an entire disc of bonus material, including three previously-unreleased performances and a documentary featuring new interviews with many of the participants. 1971 was a bleak period in rock history; the Beatles had broken up, Hendrix, Joplin, and Morrison were dead, Woodstock was a distant memory. The Concert for Bangladesh shone like a beacon, a revelation of the better angels that reside within us all. And it still does. --Sam Graham

Description

The Concert for Bangladesh was the first benefit concert of its kind in that it brought together an extraordinary assemblage of major artists collaborating for a common humanitarian cause-setting the precedent that music could be used to serve a higher purpose. The concert sold out Madison Square Garden and has helped to generate millions for UNICEF and raised awareness for the organization around the world, as well as among other musicians and their fans. It is acknowledged as the inspiration and the forerunner to the major global fundraising events of recent years. To quote the United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan, "George and his friends were pioneers." All artists' royalties from the sales of the DVD will go to UNICEF.

Customer Reviews:

A Valuable Part of Music History .......2007-06-11

I was 12 years old when this was originally released on vinyl (which i still have in excellent condition), and loved the record as much today as i did then. when it was first issued on cd quite a few years ago i was waiting for the store to open to get a copy! now, years later the film is finally released on dvd! what joy it is to see what i've listened to for so many years.(i never saw the film in the theater). a great set from a cast of spectacular legends from the music industry. George Harrison, Ringo Starr, Billy Preston, Leon Russell, Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan and a host of others in a spectacular performance for charity, an event that actually started concerts for charity. DVD quality is decent considering this show was shot in 1971, sound is very good. there are 2 low points for me in this set, but neither to drop my 5 star rating. the first being nearly 17 minutes of Ravi's performance. (did they really have to play that long?) while the music was intresting, its hard to listen to for that long for me personally, and two, the ommision of Bob Dylan's Mr.Tamborine Man! this track was included on the cd and original vinyl versions. On the upside, a couple performances from the afternoon show and rehersals have been added, "If Not For You," "Come On In My Kitchen," and "Love Minus Zero/No Limit" on disc 2 of the set. Overall it is wonderful to finally be able to own a piece of history!

Still rocks after 30+ years.......2007-05-18

How ironic that you asked for a review today. Having owned the dvd for 1 month, I finally got a chance to watch the first half of it just last night. It rocks. I saw the movie in a theatre when it came out and I was expecting it to be just okay (a la Mad Dogs and Englishmen, which does not live up to the memories I had of it for 30 years). This, however, is really good stuff. I'm only half way through, but so far have been blown away by the Billy Preston and Leon Russell songs in particular. The Indian music section is also excellent, and George is very strong, singing and playing well while balancing the duties of musical director. Unfortunately, EC is in noticeably mediocre form, playing sloppily and sometimes out of key. (What a great ad for the Crossroads Clinic! Thank God he made it through.) Anyway, buy this DVD. It's great. Camera work, sound, and performaces are all good. While you're at it, get the Concert for George, too. That has a wonderful inventory of GH's songwriting, with excellent performances by EC as a bonus.

This concert is a reminder of kindness and good music.......2007-04-06

I bought this DVD and CD set because it is a demonstration of human kindness from people who really cared. Nowhere on this DVD can you see the ego of these music legends. They played for the love of music and also to help out people who were in need.

George Harrison made this concert happen because he genuinely wanted to help the people of Bangladesh. I was born many years after the concert but it struck me how kind people were in the 1970's to want to help a bunch of people who really had nothing.

I am also a Bengali and a high school teacher in the US. I use the concert in my classes to show examples of human kindness and a willingness of Westerners to give back to the poor. The cover of the DVD speaks volumes and really makes an impact on anyone who looks at it. I was sadden and heart broken that when George Harrison died the Bangladeshi government did not send a letter of condolence to George Harrison's family or that there were no steps taken to honor the fantastic work done by George Harrison for the Bangladeshi people. So on behalf of a grateful nation and Bengali's everywhere, thank you George for the fantastic concert, music and your love for a nation of people who needed it.

Musicians unite for the good of all.......2007-03-18

Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, Ravi Shankar, Ringo Starr, Leon Russell, and Billy Preston unite for the good of all. There have been many great efforts by those that are gifted with special talents to bring help to those in dire need of the basic necessities of life, but before efforts like "We Are the World," and other charitable events, George Harrison conducted a 1971 Concert for Bangladesh. By acquiring this DVD, you get the rare opportunity to witness this ground breaking great effort. The purpose for these musicians to come together was to raise money for the people of Bangladesh. The reason was that these people were living the dire consequences of war, floods, and famine. During the performance, we see the rare appearances of Bob Dylan and Eric Clapton who had been away for some time because of deep emotional challenges. Our favorite part is the bonus material, which provides the opportunity to see unreleased performances, as well as a documentary where the participants are interviewed. After seeing the performance, we researched and learned about the sitar and how it is constructed. Would highly recommend this DVD if you want to experience the outcome of a great effort transforming into a legacy of great music.

Jesse Ed Davis at Concert for Bangladesh.......2007-02-04

If you don't know who Jesse Ed Davis was...this DVD is the perfect historical record to introduce you to one of America's and rock's under rated and vastly ignored blues guitarists. Davis was a Kiowa/Comanche Indian from Oklahoma who rose from obscurity to standing on stage at this concert with Harrison, Dylan, Clapton, and Russell among others. Davis had backed up Russell, Taj Mahal, as well as releasing three solo albums.
I had the opportunity to speak with Davis in 78' at a benefit concert he performed at for the Denver Indian Center. He was a great guy, humble, and still an 'Indian' in his one on one meetings with other Indians.
Besides the great footage and music on this great DVD, take the opportunity to meet Jesse Ed Davis, even if it's hard to discern his playing and contributions to the concert.

Average customer rating:

A Valuable Part of Music History
Still rocks after 30+ years
This concert is a reminder of kindness and good music
Musicians unite for the good of all
Jesse Ed Davis at Concert for Bangladesh

Concert for Bangladesh (2pc)
Starring: George Harrison , Bob Dylan , Ravi Shankar , Ringo Starr , and Eric Clapton
Director: Saul Swimmer
Manufacturer: Rhino Records
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Music Video & Concerts | Genres | DVD | Video

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

Cream - Royal Albert Hall - London May 2-3-5-6 2005
The Concert for Bangladesh
Bob Dylan - No Direction Home
Neil Young - Heart of Gold
Born to Run: 30th Anniversary 3-Disc Set

ASIN: B000AYQJ3I
Release Date: 2005-10-25

Amazon.com

Description

Customer Reviews:

A Valuable Part of Music History .......2007-06-11

Still rocks after 30+ years.......2007-05-18

This concert is a reminder of kindness and good music.......2007-04-06

Musicians unite for the good of all.......2007-03-18

Jesse Ed Davis at Concert for Bangladesh.......2007-02-04

The Sid Caesar Collection - The Fan Favorites - 50th Anniversary Edition

Average customer rating:

Classic TV
Expensive
Sid Caesar collection-Fan Favourites
Re-packaging of previous box set ASIN: B00005Q65F
THIS WAS LIVE TV!

The Sid Caesar Collection - The Fan Favorites - 50th Anniversary Edition
Starring: Sid Caesar , Imogene Coca , Carl Reiner , Howard Morris , and Jack Russell (III)
Director: Nat Hiken , Max Liebman , and Clark Jones
Manufacturer: New Video Group
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00022FW86
Release Date: 2004-06-29

Product Description

One of the greatest comedians ever, Sid Caesar has been making America laugh since the 1950s, when he ruled airwaves with his Emmy® Award-winning "Your Show of Shows" and "Caesar s Hour." Now, for the first time ever, 20 of his fans all-time favorite sketches have been brought together in one hilarious DVD collection. Selected through an Internet poll, these skits represent some of the most beloved, admired, and side-splittingly funny moments of Sid s career. From his lunchtime gymnastics in "Big Business" to one of television s most famous ad-libs in "Gallipacci," this collection proves why generations of fans have come to love Sid Caesar, the original king of comedy. Turn back the clock to the golden age of comedy and join Sid for 20 of his fans favorite sketches as voted on by you, the fans.

SPECIAL FEATURES
Bonus Sketches: "Pantomine at Coney Island," "Continental Express," and "The Beauty Contest;" Interview Extras with Sid Caesar, Carl Reiner, and Nanette Fabray; Sid Caesar Audio Commentary on "Auto Smash Up," "Gallipacci," and "Break Your Brains;" Original Scripts of "Auto Smash Up," "Newspaper Movie," and "The Professor;" Photo Gallery; Cast and Writer Biographies; Interactive Menus; Scene Selection

System Requirements:

Running Time 277 Min

Format: DVD MOVIE

Amazon.com

When we worked together," reminisces Sid Caesar, "it was magic, and you don't question magic." So just enjoy this essential three-disc collection of vintage sketches from Your Show of Shows and Caesar's Hour. To work on these programs was to attend "the Harvard of Comedy," and this "great amalgamation of talents," which included Carl Reiner, Imogene Coca, Howard Morris, Nanette Fabray, Woody Allen, Mel Brooks, Larry Gelbart, and Neil and Danny Simon, were at the head of their class. "We did everything," Caesar notes at one point, and the proof is on these discs: domestic sketches ("Life Begins at 7:45"), game show parodies ("Break Your Brains"), spoofs of foreign films ("U-Bet-U"), opera ("Gallipacci"), and classical music (and a pantomime of "the 1812 Overture"). It is a testament to the knowledge, technique, and taste of those who created the show that these 50-year-old sketches hold up as well as they do. This was the golden age of live television, when anything could happen, and the cast would have to go with it. In "Gallipacci," Caesar's make-up pencil breaks when his character, a heartbroken clown, is applying make-up to his face. Without missing a beat, Caesar rises to the potentially disastrous occasion with one of the most inspired ad-libs in television history.

In between the sketches, the cast members and writers, a virtual Who's Who of comedy, affectionately recall working with each other, and creating these classic sketches. Each DVD includes bonus sketches. Caesar also provides illuminating commentary on selected sketches. More than a television time capsule that vividly re-creates a bygone era, this priceless collection is also a master class for aspiring comedy writers and performers. It is not a coincidence that one of Caesar's signature characters was called "the Professor." --Donald Liebenson

Customer Reviews:

Classic TV.......2007-05-13

What a nice DVD set. I received this DVD as a birthday gift and it really made my day.

Expensive.......2006-01-07

This is overpriced for 23 sketches and we didn't need the coments from the 11 comedians. The space should have been used for more sketches.

Sid Caesar collection-Fan Favourites.......2005-07-08

Even with the kinescope(?) reproduction, the quality of the collection given its early age, is quite satisfactory, and just as funny as it was when I first watched its original TV production.

Re-packaging of previous box set ASIN: B00005Q65F.......2005-07-04

This is GREAT LIVE TV. But beware, it is a re-packaged, re-issue of the previous "Sid Caesar Fan Favorites" box set by a different distributor ASIN: B00005Q65F.

If you already have that older Out-Of-Print box set there is no need to buy this one. BUT if you missed out on that one, then this is a MUST BUY DVD set!

THIS WAS LIVE TV!.......2004-12-01

GREAT!SUPERB! A PLEASURE TO REVISIT THESE ABOSLUTLY FUNNY SKITS.
THERE HAS NEVER BEEN ANYTHING LIKE SINCE.
SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE TRIES BUT MISSES THE CHARM.
BUY THIS DVD TODAY.
YOU WILL LAUGH UNTIL YOU CRY.

Average customer rating:

Superb Cast and Mesmerizing Performances
Broadway Songs
Love Songs?
By George, she's got it!
Best DVD I've ever purchased!

My Favorite Broadway - The Love Songs
Starring: Julie Andrews , Michael Crawford , Linda Eder , Peter Gallagher , and Robert Goulet
Director: David Horn , and Eve Adair
Manufacturer: Image Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Musicals & Performing Arts | Genres | DVD | Video

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Gallagher, Peter | ( G ) | Actors &am