The Magnificent Ambersons

Starring:Madeleine Stowe, Bruce Greenwood, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Gretchen Mol, Jennifer Tilly, William Hootkins, Dina Merrill, James Cromwell, Patrick Clarke, Jame Brennan, Fiona Glascott, Bosco Hogan, Darren Donoghue, David Gilliam, Richard Orr, Darren McHugh, Patrick Kennedy (VI), Anahthany Rojas, Ciaran O'Melia, Maura Kirzon Malone
Director: Alfonso Arau
Studio: A&E Home Video
Product Type: DVD

Amazon.com

Alfonso Arau's handsome The Magnificent Ambersons, based on Orson Welles's original screenplay, is a brave attempt to restore the dramatic scenes lost when RKO radically recut Welles's magnificent 1941 masterpiece, but it's less a remake than a new take on the material. Bruce Greenwood makes a gracious and sincere Eugene Morgan, the inventor who woos heiress Isabel Amberson (a vibrant Madeleine Stowe) and finds his rival is her spoiled, arrogant son, George (played with sneering, bug-eyed intensity by Jonathan Rhys Meyers). It hits a few sour notes (notably Meyers and a terribly miscast Jennifer Tilly as the jealous Aunt Fanny), but the "new" scenes explore the sprawl of the city, the falling fortunes of the Amberson dynasty, and the almost incestuous intimacy between mother and son only hinted at in Welles's compromised version. It may lack the grand design and cinematic grace of Welles, but it creates its own gentle take on Booth Tarkington's turbulent novel. --Sean Axmaker

Customer Reviews:

Not quite magnificent.......2007-04-17

I enjoyed this in some ways. The story is good. The themes are interesting -- the passing of an era with the coming of the motor car, class snobbery, etc.

The actors were mostly quite good and very watchable. I loved Bruce Greenwood, especially, from the first scene---he's handsome, charming, buoyant, jovial, and good-hearted-- a true romantic hero. Gretchen Mol, as his sunny, beautiful daughter appears to have grown up in the same family as her father, given her extremely happy personality. (When you're watching something as long as this is, it's vital to like the folks you're looking at!)

The photography is good. Some shots are a little overly arty for my taste but it didn't really bother me. I enjoyed the opening snowy scene with the horse-drawn carriages pulling up to the mansion--ah the good life--while it lasted! The ballroom scenes are fun, many of the indoor scenes are rich with interesting detail. (When you're watching something this long, it's important to like the stuff you're looking at...)

The one thing that bothered me enough to subtract two stars from my rating was the "phenomenon" of Jonathan Rhys-Meyers as George Minifer. I haven't seen Rhys-Meyers in any other films so I don't know if it was his fault or if it was that of the director...but I found him so unpleasant to watch that it soured the whole experience for me. I want to read the book to see how it was handled in the original. Here, there is no hint of any goodness in this horrible fellow, which makes his final "redemption" highly unlikely.

It's also really, really unbelievable that a young woman as beautiful, happy and bright as Lucy (and with such a good father!) could possibly fall for such a creep. I didn't find him in the least good looking, with his perpetual sneer and snobby voice. The fact that he was let to develop in such an extremely anti-social way didn't make sense among this family that seemed otherwise to be quite sensible.

I agree, too, that the erotic stuff between Georgie and Isabel seems gratuitous and rather creepy. Isabel didn't seem like a complete dummy so it was hard to understand her bad decisions about men.

If you can put up with the over-the-top noxious behavior of the centerpiece of this film (Rhys-Meyers as George) you may enjoy this more than I did.

Anything but Magnificent.......2005-05-10

Poor casting, poorer acting, difficult to swallow, with a forced conclusion (why did I bother watching it that long?).

A pretty face does not a masterpiece make........2004-12-07

Being a period movie afficionado, I had great hopes for this movie. However, I regret to say...do not waste your money. Jonathan Rhys-Meyers has been excellent in other movies I have seen, but his acting in this is so overblown and forced it is painful to watch, and I am not using this wording frivolously. There were actually a couple of points during the movie where the acting was so pathetic I could not look at the screen...much like pretending to not notice when someone slips on the ice, just to save you both from the embarrassment. Rhys-Meyers' good looks did nothing to take my attention from his terrible performance.

Gretchen Mol's performance was a cardboard cutout version of her character, with a plastic smile plastered over her face during most of the movie. Madeline Stowe's performance was acceptable as Rhys-Meyers' mother, but not up to her usual standards. Jennifer Tilly gave her Aunt Fannie character a valiant try, but she is terribly miscast and could not seem to find it within herself to even produce tears during any of her apoplectic fits.

I am SO disappointed in this movie. Luckily, I rented it before buying it on Amazon and am thankful to have only lost the rental fee instead of purchasing it to sit unwatched on my DVD shelf until it turned to dust. It may have made a decent drink coaster, however...

Finally a coherent movie version of Tarkington.......2004-11-03

Let's face it; Orson Welles's movie of The Magnificent Ambersons is a magnificent mess through no fault of its highly regarded director. Cut and edited to pieces by studio hacks (Robert Wise!!!) with the excised material now lost, the movie exists as a mere torso rather than a whole experience. So much is missing, that the movie is hard to follow unless you've read the book. The movie is certainly not what Welles wanted and it is unrepairable; a great tragedy in film history.

The new version from A&E may not have Welles's unique directorial ability or atmospheric lighting in black and white, but it does tell Tarkington's story coherently and on the whole, quite successfully. Director Alfonso Arau has purposely avoided the look of the Welles film, opting for a rich, epic color palette. The art direction is beautiful and you really get a flavor of turn of the century midwest American life.

Many reviewers have complained of Jonathan Rhys-Meyers performance of George. Frankly it is a brave and quite accurate portrayal. Tim Holt in the Welles film was hopelessly too mature looking to play Tarkington's headstrong brat. Georgie is not a very sympathetic character in the book and Rhys-Meyers studiously avoids turning him into the bland leading man that Welles allowed Holt to portray. Those that take issue with Rhys-Meyers don't know the book. He is the right age and certainly the right look for this difficult character. He is a dynamic actor that isn't afraid to be true to a character's inate nature. He's not easy to take at times, but Georgie isn't either!

Many have also criticized Jennifer Tilly's Fanny as not being the equal of Agnes Moorehead. Again, Tilly is closer to the book. Fanny is a hapless character which Tilly invests with a wonderful degree of humanity coupled with her unique brand of eccentricity. Moorehead had not an ounce of charm and frankly was miscast. Madeleine Stowe, James Cromwell, and Bruce Greenwood are all excellent as are the supporting players.

Is this the ultimate version of this classic. Of course not. It is, however, a well made, BBC style television movie that is very true to Tarkington's novel and tells the story clearly, unapologetically and with some amount of panache. I give it an enthusiastic recommendation.

Not quite magnificent.......2004-09-20

Much ado is made about the dual ending of classic film "The Magnificent Ambersons," which was originally made by Orson Welles. The remake is more or less faithful to the original material, but some bad casting (Jennifer Tilly is the worst example), weird scripting, and a rather ambiguous tone scratch it up.

George (Jonathan Rhys-Meyers) is the youngest member of the rich Amberson family, including his grandfather, mother, uncle and aunt. He's been raised as a prince, and he acts like one too -- spoiled and imperious. He falls in love with the beautiful Lucy (Gretchen Mol), the daughter of automobile innovator Eugene (Bruce Greenwood). Unfortunately, Eugene has always been in love with George's mother Isabel (Madeleine Stowe).

Jealous and disapproving of the "new money" people, George sets out to wreck the budding relationship between his mother and Eugene. He succeeds -- but at the cost of his own relationship with Lucy. Still imperious, George continues on his way without knowing that the growing urban sprawl marks the decline of the Amberson family into poverty...

It's always interesting to see how society changed in the past, as it does here and "The Forsyte Saga." And that's actually the most interesting part of "Magnificent Ambersons," not the family saga. Unfortunately, we only get an occasional glimpse of this. The rest of the time, it's merely more of George's tedious tantrums, and his family worrying about money and relationships.

Alfonso Arau seems to have been sleeping during the production of this -- he adds a sparkling grandeur to the early scenes. But the color fades quickly; pretty soon it's just a slow decline, with little to hold your interest. The only thing he adds to the production is an emphasis on the incestuous feelings between Isabel and George. It's icky, and feels like it was just pasted in.

Jonathan Rhys-Meyers is a good actor, but only in the last eighth of the movie do we develop any liking or understanding of his character. Greenwood is fairly good, and Stowe is a convincing wilting lily, although she doesn't do much else. Gretchen Mol brightens every scene she's in, and William Hootkins (as hearty Uncle George) is a lovable teddy, but Jennifer Tilly ruins every scene she's in with a screechy, over-the-top performance.

It's interesting to see the decline of the old-money dynasties in favor of the "riffraff." But the hit-and-miss casting and lackluster direction makes "The Magnificent Ambersons" almost as tedious as Rhys-Meyers' tantrums.

Average customer rating:

This is a wonderful film.

Magnificent Ambersons - Soberba

Manufacturer: Continental
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Classics | Genres | DVD | Video

Falstaff Chimes At Midnight [Import]
F for Fake - Criterion Collection
Macbeth (Fully Restored Version)
Touch of Evil (Restored to Orson Welles' Vision)
It's All True

ASIN: B00031DDDW

Product Description

Import Version - Audio Is English - Artwork Portuguese

Customer Reviews:

This is a wonderful film........2007-02-13

One of the greatest movies of Orson Welles. Here is the synopsis: Orson Welles' followup to Citizen Kane (1941) was utterly different from Kane in style and texture, but just as brilliant in its own way. Welles does not appear on camera, but his voiceover narration superbly sets the stage for the movie's action, which fades in valentine fashion on Amberson Mansion, the most ostentatious dwelling in all of turn-of-century Indianapolis. Its mistress is the haughtily beautiful Isabel Amberson (Dolores Costello). When Isabel's beau, erstwhile inventor Eugene Morgan (Joseph Cotten), inadvertently humiliates her in public, she breaks off the relationship and marries colorless Wilbur Minafer. The neighbors are certain that, since Isabel can't possibly love Wilbur, she will spoil her children rotten. As it turns out, she has one child, George Minafer (Tim Holt), and that one is enough as far as the rest of Indianapolis is concerned. There are those who live for the day that the arrogant, insufferable George will get his comeuppance. When George returns home from college, his mother and grandfather (Richard Bennett) hold a gala reception in his honor. After the death of Wilbur Minafer, the widowed Eugene feels emboldened enough to propose to Isabel again. This time she is willing, but the obstreperous George refuses to allow his mother to see Eugene. His imperious bullheadedness will lead to tragedy for all concerned--and, at long last, a chastened George Minafer will indeed receive his comeuppance. The film's real villain is not George but that old intangible bugaboo called "Progress." As the automobile age comes to fruition, the elegant, cloistered lifestyle of the Ambersons fades from view, finally disappearing altogether.

Average customer rating:

The Truth
ORSON WELLES GREATEST FILM
88 minutes of magnificence
A butchered masterpiece--a hallmark of cinematography and good acting
On sale on Amazon's French site

The Magnificent Ambersons [Region 2]

ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

( M ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Amazon.com essential video

Citizen Kane is considered by many to be Orson Welles's masterpiece, but more than a few prominent critics have argued that his second film, 1942's The Magnificent Ambersons, is an even greater artistic achievement. It's certainly the source of the most painful injustice of Welles's brief career in Hollywood, having been seized from the director's control, drastically cut from over two hours to merely 88 minutes, and reshot with a different, upbeat ending that Welles vehemently disapproved of. Adapted by Welles from the novel by Booth Tarkington, it remains a truncated masterpiece, as impressive for what remains as for the even greater film it might have been. The story is set during the late 19th century and follows the rise and fall of the wealthy Amberson family of Indianapolis, Indiana. Central to the drama is George Amberson Minafer (Tim Holt), who is snobbishly to the manor born, and whose petty jealousies and truculent pride compel him to prevent a wealthy inventor (Joseph Cotten) from marrying his widowed mother (Dolores Costello). This in part is the cause of the Ambersons' downfall, and ultimately leads to George's humbling "comeuppance" at the film's dramatic conclusion. It's an absorbing tale of fading traditions and changing times, and it's also a magnificent showcase for Welles's cinematic audacity, famous among film students for its long, fluid shots and ambitious compositions. Responding to the film's drastic cutting and re-editing, Welles justifiably complained that "they destroyed the heart of the film, really." And yet, the director's stamp of genius is evident throughout--the work of a young master (Welles was only 26 when the film was made) that still shines despite its unfortunate fate. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews:

The Truth.......2007-06-09

After intense study I have changed my view of this film. I believe we are lucky to have this version of the movie. Welles had his chance to edit the film and came up with some very strange cuts. He reduced the "rough" cut of 131 minutes to 110 minutes. In doing so he left out some of the best scenes and also left out the emotional core of the film. When the film was previewed it was a disaster. For the second preview editor Robert Wise, who Welles had given complete authority while he was filming a documentary in South America, added back most of Welles' "big cut"(the elmination of everything from Isabel recieving Eugene's letter to the family gathered outside her room before her death) and cut other scenes that had not worked. This second edit was 117 minutes. The second preview did better but there were still problems. Wise and others associated with the film and who were all friends of Welles came up with a compromise plan. Welles accepted some of the cuts and additions. He even agreed to the reshuffling of scenes after the death of the Major. However, he still wanted his "big cut" of 13 minutes and 40 seconds. He wanted to preserve the ballroom scene, the montage sequences, and his revised ending. It was only at this point, after two and a half months of effort, that studio head George Schaefer told Wise to do what was necessary to fix the film. Schaefer's indulgence of Welles led to him losing his job shortly after this. After two more previews and more cuts and additions the film was released at 88 minutes. Post-production was compelted before the new studio head took over. So the film was finished by people who had a stake in the film and were friends of Welles. Wise did an outstanding job editing the film, as one would expect of the man who edited "Citizen Kane" and later would win two Oscars for best director. The only filmic element we lost was the "dancing camera" effect in the ballroom scene. The reason for the edits in this scene was bad acting and poor audience reaction. Small portions of the montage sequences were also cut. The audience was restless during these and the cuts tightened them up. Some of the scenes that were cut were unnecessary, long and boring dialogue sequences. The new and reshot scenes were unavoidable due to bad acting and poor audience reaction. It would have been better to have Welles do these sequences. However, that was impossible because he was in South America. We are very lucky to have as fine a film as we have. Welles was mostly upset about the new ending. However, he agreed with the rest of the film and he did not ask for his name to be taken off. I think he was mad that it turned out so well without his direct participation! At times it seemed as though he was trying to destroy his own film! I can now watch the film without thinking that we lost a masterpiece. If we ever find the "rough" cut, thats what we will have, a "rough" cut, not a finished film. If Welles would have had nine months to edit his "rough" cut I am sure we would have a masterpiece to rival "Citzen Kane." But given the circumstances that was not to be. I am glad we have what we have. It is a five star classic movie.

ORSON WELLES GREATEST FILM.......2007-01-24

This book on which the neglected second film by Welles is based, is one of the great novels about turn of the century. I would recommend a viewing of the Orson Welles film to set the characters in your mind. The actors are perfectly cast. I would give anything to see Welles' original concept in its entirety. However, what is left of that concept stays remarkably close to the original. Booth Tarkington is a master at describing the time. All in all an absorbing read and one you don't want to end.

88 minutes of magnificence.......2007-01-23

"Magnificent Ambersons"(1942) is a magnificent film even with its 88 min running time that was left after RKO took advantage of the director/writer/narrator Orson Welles absence by editing down the film from its original 131 minutes. Why or why did they have to cut it so mercilessly? The film still remains a brilliant and ironic portrait of a declining aristocratic 19th century family but the final part feels like a lot's been taken from there. At least, the unique end credits when Welles introduces the cast and all members of the crew were left alone. Still, it is an awesome film with every scene arranged and shot like a rare painting. The one which is imprinted in my mind is the scene when Eugene is leaving Isabelle's (the love of his life) house forever and Isabel's arrogant son George (who will finally get his come-uppance) is watching him through the window in his mother's room. I am also impressed by Welles's narration - he had a very nice voice.

A butchered masterpiece--a hallmark of cinematography and good acting.......2006-08-19

Most of you have already read the synopsis, so it won't be repeated here.

Many of the reviews have commented on the acting; I couldn't disagree more on this issue. Based on the personality of the characters, I believe the acting is exactly as it should be. Major Amberson and Uncle Jack, stoic characters in the book, would have acted exactly as they were portrayed by the actors. Aunt Fanny would have acted as hysterically as Agnes Moorehead portrayed her. Wilbur Minafer, ditto.

I agree that Lucy was portrayed as overly mature and unduly wise, but this could have been partly the director's fault. Tim Holt may have been miscast; somehow, his portrayal of George Minafer does seem a bit "off".

The first half of the film, cuts notwithstanding, still stands out as a masterpiece of cinematography. Catch the long takes of the ballroom sequence and the kitchen scene with George and Fanny. It makes you wist for what must have been; these scenes, as powerful as they are, were cut, blunting their already intense impact. Mention should be made of Stanley Cortez's camera work. The use of shadows, and complex lighting arrangements, give it an unforgettable look. The scene with Fanny at the boiler was filmed with Cortez and one other director. The different use of lighting is immediately obvious and jarring to the senses.

After reading the original cutting script of the movie, the much maligned cuts really do appear to have ruined the movie. Much character development was cut; important plot points concerning the decline of the Amberson's fortune are also gone. For those interested, the cutting script really does seem to have made a much better movie than the print RKO left us with.

The kitchen scene seems to be the turning point; after this scene, the movie as cut by the studio suffers very badly. It's a mish-mash of almost-disconnected scenes that makes almost no sense. Before-the-kitchen scene and after-the-kitchen scene almost play as two different movies. These cuts are obvious even to the casual observer; for example, quite suddenly, and for no apparent reason, George's character softens dramatically. In addition, scenes that aren't remotely connected to each other in content jar the senses due to their close proximity. The last half of the movie, simply put, is a mess.

It's because of the last half--and the much-discussed butchering of this movie by the studio--that I must give this movie a 4, rather than the 5 that it certainly would have gotten in the original form.

On sale on Amazon's French site.......2006-07-20

FYI, there's an official release of Ambersons on DVD that's available from amazon's French site: amazon.fr. Do a search. There are a few versions. Get the one released in Sept. 2004. I purchased it in Paris while on vacation in France, and the quality is quite good. It has the original English soundtrack. Subtitles are French, and can be turned off. One caveat: you need a multi-region player. With US exchange, it work out to a little over $20 plus shipping.

Average customer rating:

Chimes At Midnight
Director: Orson Welles
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Collectibles | Categories |
Product Features:

Interactive Menus
Trailers
Filmographies
Scene Access
Interviews

ASIN: B000NELAK2

Product Description

This is one of the great Shakespearean adaptations and a true 'lost classic'. It's also the last masterpiece that Orson Welles directed in his lifetime, and with 'Citizen Kane,' 'Magnificent Ambersons' and 'Touch of Evil' comprises a quartet of major cinematic works that he accomplished. The film is an inventive re-editing and condensation of Shakespeare's plays, spanning from the end of Richard II to the beginning of Henry V. The film focuses on the character of Jack Falstaff, played by Welles himself in a virtuoso performance. Falstaff's relationship with young Prince Hal (later Henry V) is explored, and uncannily parallels Welles' own experience with the young talents of Hollywood.

The Magnificent Ambersons [Non-US Format, PAL, Region 2, Import - France]

Average customer rating:

The Magnificent Ambersons [Non-US Format, PAL, Region 2, Import - France]
Director: Orson Welles
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Region 2, PAL (Europe, Japan, South Africa and the Middle East including Egypt)
Requires multi-region DVD player for the US.

ASIN: 8324606750

Average customer rating:

The Truth
ORSON WELLES GREATEST FILM
88 minutes of magnificence
A butchered masterpiece--a hallmark of cinematography and good acting
On sale on Amazon's French site

The Magnificent Ambersons
Starring: Georgia Backus , Anne Baxter , Richard Bennett , William Blees , and Ray Collins
Director: Orson Welles
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

( M ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
ASIN: B00005JKGX

Amazon.com essential video

Customer Reviews:

The Truth.......2007-06-09

ORSON WELLES GREATEST FILM.......2007-01-24

88 minutes of magnificence.......2007-01-23

A butchered masterpiece--a hallmark of cinematography and good acting.......2006-08-19

On sale on Amazon's French site.......2006-07-20

Average customer rating:

The Magnificent Ambersons
Director: Orson Welles
Manufacturer: Manga Films
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Classics | Genres | DVD | Video

The Complete Mr. Arkadin (aka Confidential Report) - Criterion Collection

ASIN: B000ACRDNK

Product Description

Spain released, PAL/Region 2 DVD: it WILL NOT play on standard US DVD player. You need multi-region PAL/NTSC DVD player to view it in USA/Canada. Languages: o Spanish (subtitles) o English (Mono) o Spanish (Mono) Synopsis: Orson Welles' followup to Citizen Kane (1941) was utterly different from Kane in style and texture, but just as brilliant in its own way. Welles does not appear on camera, but his voiceover narration superbly sets the stage for the movie's action, which fades in valentine fashion on Amberson Mansion, the most ostentatious dwelling in all of turn-of-century Indianapolis. Its mistress is the haughtily beautiful Isabel Amberson (Dolores Costello). When Isabel's beau, erstwhile inventor Eugene Morgan (Joseph Cotten), inadvertently humiliates her in public, she breaks off the relationship and marries colorless Wilbur Minafer. The neighbors are certain that, since Isabel can't possibly love Wilbur, she will spoil her children rotten. As it turns out, she has one child, George Minafer (Tim Holt), and that one is enough as far as the rest of Indianapolis is concerned. There are those who live for the day that the arrogant, insufferable George will get his comeuppance. When George returns home from college, his mother and grandfather (Richard Bennett) hold a gala reception in his honor. After the death of Wilbur Minafer, the widowed Eugene feels emboldened enough to propose to Isabel again. This time she is willing, but the obstreperous George refuses to allow his mother to see Eugene. His imperious bullheadedness will lead to tragedy for all concerned--and, at long last, a chastened George Minafer will indeed receive his comeuppance. The film's real villain is not George but that old intangible bugaboo called "Progress." As the automobile age comes to fruition, the elegant, cloistered lifestyle of the Ambersons fades from view, finally disappearing altogether. Special Features: o Filmographies o Interactive Menu o Scene Access o Trailer(s)

DVD:

DVD

DVD

DVD

Escape from L.A.

Imperio de la Fortuna

Homicide: Life on the Street - The Complete Third Season [6

DVD: It Happened at the World's Fair

Harte Jungs