Proteus

Starring:Proteus
Studio: Strand Releasing
Product Type: DVD

Description

As beautiful and lush as the flower after which it is named, PROTEUS is an exquisite, romantic period piece that skillfully explores the intersections of sex, race and politics. Set in South Africa in the eighteenth century and based on real events, the story concerns young livestock herder, Claas Blank, who is unjustly arrested and imprisoned for attempting to retrieve cattle taken by white colonizers. Sentenced to hard labor, Claas crosses paths with a Dutch sailor. Despite their vast cultural differences, Claas begins a tentative love affair with the sailor, setting in motion a course of events that brings tragic consequences for all. Directed by John Greyson (ZERO PATIENCE, LILIES), PROTEUS was a selection in the Toronto International Film Festival.

Customer Reviews:

A Movie For All Seasons.......2007-03-29

According to the radio interview the directors Jack Lewis and John Greyson gave that is included on the DVD, they shot PROTEUS in 18 days with not a lot of money. Although the film is a little rough around the edges and there is one shot too many of closeups of flowers, what these directors have produced is well worth seeing and has a scary but necessary message. History, if we are not careful, repeats itself. Racism and homophobia have been around for far, far too long. Those individuals who believe in diversity should be ever vigilant. Today's hard-won freedoms may be gone tomorrow.

Based on true events from 1735, a black man from South Africa and a white from the Netherlands meet in a prison camp and have a relationship for seventeen years although their affair is shortened to ten years in the movie. Their love for each other possesses them although they do not have a name for what they are experiencing. The officials know of their relationship almost from its beginning but look the other way for a number of years.

Although these events took place in the 18th century, when for a time parts of Holland appear to be as liberal today (the Homomonument honoring the gay people who died in the Holocaust is located in Amsterdam), we should never forget the strides that gay people had made in Germany just before the rise of Hitler nor the attitudes of the Religious Right in the United States today.

A movie well worth watching.

A Zealous Film maker Shoots for the Stars......................................2006-08-09

.......but lands about as high as a pothole in hell.

This movie could have been spectacular. The subject matter in itself is incredible; there was no need for abstract artistic embellishments. What results for the viewer is a cesspool of poorly filtered facts, annoying translations (and attempts at translations), basement-budget cinematography, and bizarre blendings of time and space. The lead actors are fairly good in their craft, but they're cast into a horrible retelling of a rather interesting historical event.

I wish that this movie could be remade with a less "artistically innovative" agenda. I'm pretty sure that very few people have ever known about this obscure incident in history, but it's a great story and definitely worthy of being told. However, the makers of this film lent no justice to the cause.

Since the plot has already been discussed in other reviews here, I don't see the need to address in mine. The eroticism is suttle and innocent, rather than blatant or objectionable. For those who are allured by erotic content and expect anything close to pornography, be advised that such content is extremely minimal, to the lowest degree. The nudity is PG-13 in only one scene and if you blink during the scene, you can reduce the rating of the whole film down to PG, because all that's left is simulated sensuality throughout the remainer of the movie. If you are not deterred by that fact, the movie is solid, except for absurd interludes that pop up here and there.

I was very excited by everything I had read about "Proteus" before I actually saw it. I'm still hoping that another talented filmmaker will pick up the gauntlet and give the proper recognition that this lesser known moment in history deserves.

Dissapointing.......2006-07-26

This movie stuggles under it's own weight and ends up coming accross as poorly executed. Good performances and an interesting story balance out the technical flaws though and make it a film worth seeing, but not worth owning.

My biggest problem is with the subtitles. They are tiny and white, making them very hard to read.

I also couldn't get past the digital video look of the production. The lack of texture seen with DV does no justice to Grayson's directing style, which is in fact quite lyrical.

Lastly, the intentional anachronism, rather than being effective in making any point comes off as merely affectation.

CAN I GIVE IT 0 out of 5 stars? .......2006-07-11

What were they thinking when they made this movie!!!!!!!!!!!!! All I can say is don't waist your time watching it.

BEAUTIFUL AND AMAZING.......2006-02-04

SO MANY ISSUES ARE TOUCHED IN THIS TRUE STORY
RACISM, SEPARATISM, HOMOPHOBIA, SOCIAL ISSUES, HISTORICAL ISUES.

NOT ALL ISUES CAN BE EXPLORED IN DETAIL, AS THIS FILM IS NOT A DOCUMENTARY. IT GIVES THE VIEWER A GOOD IDEA OF THE PROBLEMATICS OF THE ERA, THE LONGING FOR COMPANIONSHIP IN A PRISON.

IT DOES HAVE THE ROMANTIC ELEMENT, REPRESSED LOVE, NEEDY LOVE, SELFISH LOVE. THE CHARACTERS CREATE A BOND, A LOYALTY, THROUGH THE YEARS, AND THEIR LIVES HAVE NO MEANING WITHOUT EACH OTHER.
DONT EXPECT A ROMANTIC COMEDY, OR GREAT LOVE AND DRAMATIC MANIFESTATIONS. IN THIS FILM, LOVE IS SHOWN SEXUALLY, WITH ACTIONS, AND ATTITUDES, IN A AN UNSOPHISTICATED WAY.

X-Men - Sanctuary Parts 1 & 2 / Weapon X, Lies and Videotape / Proteus Parts 1 & 2

Average customer rating:

Original X-Men Rules!
Buy the Phoenix Saga as well......
A1 show!
Get All the episodes @ http://shop.1asecure.com/
Cool Series, but bad representation

X-Men - Sanctuary Parts 1 & 2 / Weapon X, Lies and Videotape / Proteus Parts 1 & 2
Starring: Alison Sealy-Smith , Chris Potter , and Tony Daniels
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Animation | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

10-12 Years | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

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

X-Men - Reunion Parts 1 & 2 / Out of the Past Parts 1 & 2 / No Mutant is an Island
X-Men - The Phoenix Saga
X-Men - The Legend of Wolverine
The Spider-Man Collection (Special 3-Disc Collector's Set)
Spider-Man - The Venom Saga (Animated Series)

ASIN: B00005BJE2
Release Date: 2001-06-05

Customer Reviews:

Original X-Men Rules!.......2004-11-02

This X-Men Animated Series DVD is a collection of five animated episodes from the X-Men TV show from the early nineties. The episodes included are Parts 1 & 2 of Sanctuary, Parts 1 & 2 of Proteus, and Weapon X, Lies & Videotape.

"Sanctuary"
Magneto has built a peaceful haven for mutants - an asteroid in space, titled Asteroid M - and has decided to relocate any and every mutant willing to go. His plan is entirely peaceful, but the governments of the world see only hostile intent when they learn that Magneto has 250 missiles at his disposal, something he claims is only for defense. Professor X, Gambit, and Beast all volunteer to accompany Magneto to Asteroid M in order to prove his peaceful intentions to the world. But one of Magneto's followers, Fabien Cortez, has a different plan, a plan of destroying humankind with the missiles, and unless the X-Men can stop him, the world will declare war on Asteroid M.

"Proteus"
Moira MacTaggert's son Kevin is Proteus, a fact that she's hid very well from Professor X. Her ex-husband left both Moira and Kevin when he was born to avoid the stigma of having a mutant for a son. Kevin has lived in isolation from the world for 17 years, and when he busts out, he wants nothing more than to find his father, and discover why he was abandoned. His father, who is now running for political re-election, wants nothing to do with Kevin. The X-Men are contacted and brought in to find and capture Proteus before anyone is hurt, but in the process, can Professor X help Kevin overcome his rage and anger, before it consumes him?

"Weapon X, Lies & Videotape"
Wolverine, who is suffering from painful memories of his past, sets off to the Weapon X lab in Canada to try and uncover the truth behind them. Upon his arrival, he is greeted by his other Weapon X companions - Silver Fox, Maverick, and Sabretooth - and the four of them discover that some of their memories are false. In their quest for the truth, they activate Tallos, a failsafe program whose mission is their destruction.

I loved the X-Men series as a kid and seeing the Phoenix Saga on DVD last year really brought back some memories. I really enjoyed seeing Weapon X, Lies and Videotape again; it's a great episode that is partly based on Wolverine #50 and X-Men #'s 4&5 (all great comics too!). The box art, however, has nothing to do with any of the episodes included, as it has a picture of the Hulk fighting the Juggernaut. Why it was chosen, and why it looks so cheesy is anyone's guess.

Picture:
The X-Men episodes are presented in 1.33:1 full frame, as it appeared on TV. The animation is quite good for a mid-nineties American cartoon with vibrant colors and solid blacks. The picture does have a few specks, some grain, and some visible edge enhancement, but it looks terrific compared to what I remember seeing on TV.

Sound:
The X-Men episodes are presented in Dolby 2.0 Stereo Surround in English. Dialogue is crisp and clear throughout the five episodes with active surrounds as well. Optional English Captions and French or Spanish subtitles are also available.

Extras:
No extras.

Summary:
Both this and the other X-Men Animated Series DVD come recommended for fans of the X-Men comics and especially for fans of the series. Recommended.

Buy the Phoenix Saga as well.............2004-11-02

X-Men: The Phoenix Saga is a collection of five animated episodes from the X-Men TV show from the early nineties. The episodes included are parts I-V of the Phoenix Saga, originally titled: Sacrifice, Dark Shroud, Cry of the Banshee, Starjammers, and Child of Light.
Professor Xavier mentally receives a cry for help from the stars and a vision that something terrible will happen on the Eagle One Space Station to both the crew and Dr. Corbeau. He asks his X-Men to secretly board the space shuttle Star Core in order to prevent a disaster. Wolverine, Cyclops, Gambit, Beast, and Jean Grey all manage to get aboard with the help of Storm and Jubilee, who remain on Earth. At the Eagle One, Jean senses it is a trap, but too late, as Erik the Red, a Shi'ar emissary, knocks them out using gas. Erik reveals that the Shi'ar Emperor, D'Ken, has ordered him to capture his sister, Lilandra, and that using a wormhole, her path will cross in front of the space station. Lilandra has the M'Kraan crystal, a source of the greatest power in the universe, and is fleeing with it to keep it safe from D'Ken. The X-Men come to their senses, and manage to stop Erik. But because of the battle, the Eagle One is about to explode. The X-Men retreat back to their shuttle, which was damaged, and learn that their path home takes them through the energy trail of Lilandra's ship. Beast suggests that they will be safe from the radiation in the solar probe on board, but one of them must stay behind the try and pilot the ship. Jean volunteers, as her psychic shielding should protect her from most of the radiation. It proves too much for her, however, and the mysterious Phoenix Force overtakes her as she passes through the energy trail. The ship crash lands back on Earth, where Professor Xavier tells them of another vision of the crystal and Lilandra. The X-Men must then find Lilandra and the crystal first, prevent them both from being captured by D'Ken, unravel the mystery behind Jean and the Phoenix, and ultimately, save the galaxy.

X-Men: The Animated Series was one of my favorite cartoons as a younger teen, as I read comics and was familiar with all the characters. While I only vaguely remember seeing the Phoenix Saga originally on TV, this DVD collection gave me a chance to refresh my memory. The Phoenix Saga is quite the animated epic as it is interesting and portrays the X-Men in one of their most helpless and confused times. The series could've condensed everything a bit more though. Tons of guest stars from the Marvel universe make cameo appearances as well, which was neat. After seeing this, I can only hope that more episodes make their way to DVD. And as a side note, I'm not sure why Universal picked out the cover they did for this collection, as neither Magneto nor the Sentinels make any appearance in the episodes.

Picture:
X-Men: The Phoenix Saga is presented in 1.33:1 full frame, as it appeared on TV. The animation is quite good for a mid-nineties American cartoon with vibrant colors and solid blacks. The picture does have a few marks, but it looks terrific compared to what I remember seeing on TV.

Sound:
X-Men: The Phoenix Saga is presented in Dolby 2.0 Surround in English and Dolby 2.0 Mono in French. The dialogue is crisp and clear throughout the five episodes with active surrounds as well. Optional English Captions are also available.

A1 show!.......2004-10-26

I think it's really great how the original X-Men Animated Series is making its way onto DVD. This disc includes a bundle of high-quality episodes and is definitely worth the cash. If sales go well, hopefully more episodes will be released as well. :-)

Get All the episodes @ http://shop.1asecure.com/.......2004-10-15

You colud just get these 5 episodes for whatever they are selling or you can get every episode ever made buy going to

http://shop.1asecure.com/

you could get the whole show or just 5 episodes and you will also get 4 bouns episodes

seriouly think about it price less than $40 dollors for completeshow

Cool Series, but bad representation.......2004-02-29

The only thing i could possibly complain about this & other xmen dvds is the fact that first of all most tv series that end up on dvd, they get an entire album of episodes, unlike this where first of all its all out of order & the fact they only have 1 episode from the first season on dvd so far, second they havnt even bothered putting anything out for about 3 years with the original xmen series if i had the chance i would rather just copy each episode off the tv, but since i dont think they even bother showing the original series on tv. Anyways if u never seen the original xmen series, buy this dvd its pretty good.

Proteus [ NON-USA FORMAT, PAL, Reg.2 Import - France ]

Average customer rating:

Proteus [ NON-USA FORMAT, PAL, Reg.2 Import - France ]
Director: John Greyson
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Art House & International | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Foreign & International | Stores | DVD | Video
ASIN: B000FMJEJQ

Product Description

France 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: English (Dolby Digital 2.0), French (Subtitles), WIDESCREEN (1.85:1), SYNOPSIS: A recreation of the decade-long love affair in the 18th century in a Cape Town penal colony on Robin Island. The two lovers were a Dutch sailor imprisoned there for sodomy and a young Khoi herder. The Khoi were part of the Hottentot tribal group and as such were the untouchables of that time. The two were placed on trial and this love affair and the legal battles are the grist of Greyson and Lewis' film based partly on court transcripts from the time. In South Africa, during the 1700s, sodomy was a crime deemed worse than murder, and the fact that these two young men had indulged in it was also complicated by the fact that this was an interracial love affair. SPECIAL FEATURES: Scene Access, Interactive Menu,

DVD:

DVD

DVD

DVD

Black Eagle

Delibes: Coppelia -- Royal Ballet

Edge of Madness (REGION 1) (NTSC)

DVD: Policewomen

The West