British Intelligence

Starring:Boris Karloff, Margaret Lindsay, Bruce Lester, Leonard Mudie, Holmes Herbert, Austin Fairman, Winifred Harris, Crauford Kent, Frederick Giermann, Lawrence Grant, Paul Panzer, Carlos De Valdez, Leonard Willey, Willy Kaufman, Hans Schumm, Morton Lowry, Henry Zynda, David Thursby, Jack Richardson, Arno Frey
Director: Terry O. Morse
Studio: Alpha Video
Product Type: DVD

Average customer rating:

..........Those Big Dark Almond Eyes........To Die For.......
A Masterful Adaption with Great Performances
Classic adaptation of a classic book
EXCELLENT BUT ANTI-AMERICAN AT HEART(* * * 1/2)
The Too Quiet American

The Quiet American
Starring: Michael Caine , Brendan Fraser , Rade Serbedzija , and Do Hai Yen
Director: Phillip Noyce
Manufacturer: Miramax Home Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B00005JLXB
Release Date: 2003-07-29

Amazon.com

The Quiet American proves that elegant and intelligent filmmaking can be emotionally powerful. Michael Caine plays Thomas Fowler, a British journalist in 1950s Vietnam with a lovely Vietnamese mistress named Phuong (Do Thi Hai Yen) and a jaded view of the political strife teeming around him. He befriends a seemingly innocuous American named Alden Pyle (Brendan Fraser), who falls in love with Phuong--and slowly, Pyle's real purpose in Vietnam becomes revealed. Fowler finds that, to hold on to the carefully balanced life he's created for himself, he must make choices he's long avoided. Caine and Fraser are both superb and give a human face to complicated politics; as a result, The Quiet American manages to be compelling as both history and a story about very specific people embroiled in a very personal conflict. An impressive film from director Philip Noyce (Rabbit-Proof Fence, Patriot Games). --Bret Fetzer

Description

The acclaimed performances of two-time Academy Award(R)-winner Michael Caine (Best Supporting Actor, THE CIDER HOUSE RULES, 1999; HANNAH AND HER SISTERS, 1986) and Brendan Fraser (THE MUMMY, GODS AND MONSTERS) power a stylish political thriller where love and war collide in Southeast Asia. Set in early 1950s Vietnam, a young American (Fraser) becomes entangled in a dangerous love triangle when he falls for the beautiful mistress of a British journalist (Caine). As war is waged around them, these three only sink deeper into a world of drugs, passion, and betrayal where nothing is as it seems. Based on the classic novel by Graham Greene -- you'll find yourself riveted by the fascinating intricacies and ever-developing intrigue of this outstanding motion picture.

Customer Reviews:

..........Those Big Dark Almond Eyes........To Die For..............2007-06-28

Michael Caine does it again as a English journalist in 1952 Vietnam when France was still in-charge of 'their' colony....Caine has a marvelous, tranquill lifestyle here, writing timely war encounters back to his London newspaper by day and by nite cohabitating with a simply gorgeous Vietnamise knockout, who thinks he is her King in all senses of hedonism and beyond...enter a seemingly unheralded USA doctor and both men become friends through thick an thin encounters along the way...I won't go into the plot any deeper...by doing such...you can emerge yourself into this engrossing/interesting film....but one thing is for sure...you won't dare take your eyes off Do Thi Hai Yen...WOW!!!...talk about heaven with her under heaven...'those big dark almond eyes to die for and then some'...enjoy a darn good movie for a change....SSGT CHRIS SARNO-USMC FMF

A Masterful Adaption with Great Performances.......2007-04-22

I've always loved Michael Caine from ALFIE to THE MAN WHO WOULD BE KING to DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS(!) to his Oscar-winning performances and he's always been great--whether the movie was any good or not. Watching him in this latest version of Graham Greene's novel, I had the feeling that Caine was firing on all pistons this time out. This is definitely one of his best roles.

And Brendan Fraser has really stepped up from the kind of movies everyone is used to seeing him in. Who knew that anyone associated with a Pauly Shore movie--ugh--could come so far. He was very good in GODS AND MONSTERS and I thought he was outstanding in BEDAZZLED (even if you weren't that wild about the movie, he was really funny and he really made it work). And he's the perfect Alden Pyle, the "quiet American" and Michael Caine's romantic rival in 1950s Vietnam.

I've recently read the novel and was blown away that Greene could write such a powerful, multi-layered story that predicted the whole Vietnam war mess for the USA--over ten years before we entered that war!

If you really want to appreciate how good this movie is, read Greene's original novel and then watch the film. There isn't an ounce of fat on the screen and this is really one of the best adaptions I've seen of a book-to-movie transition. You get that rare feeling that the filmmakers actually READ the book they're making a movie about.

Beautifully photographed, meticulously written, wonderfully acted--definitely check this out.

Classic adaptation of a classic book.......2007-01-04

This is a faithful adaptation of one of the English language's great books. Every scene is precise, Michael Caine fully earned his Academy Award nomination, and Brendan Frasier -- and unlikely casting, certainly -- shows that he's a real actor, not just a bland, pretty face. The photography is excellent and gives a good feel for Vietnam. One of my favorites.

EXCELLENT BUT ANTI-AMERICAN AT HEART(* * * 1/2).......2006-12-22

A huge Michael Caine fan, I admire his performance in THE QUIET AMERICAN as Thomas Fowler, a mature in years British correspondent in 1950's French Vietnam. Brendan Fraser does a solid job as Alden Pyle, a young American who falls in love with Fowler's Vietnamese girlfriend. (Mr. Fraser is excellent as the swashbuckling, romantic, funny male lead in THE MUMMY.) THE QUIET AMERICAN is a love triangle movie but it is also a political film and, unfortunately, it is at heart an anti-American film. The film basically condemns American efforts to organize native Vietnamese forces against the communists, which seems necessary since the French at the time were losing the war against the communists. I can't really say more about the political aspects of the movie without giving away the plot, except to say that the dramatic tone and emotional weight of THE QUIET AMERICAN make Americans the villians of the piece without little, if any, logical foundation. If you don't much like American proactive foreign policies, you will probably like this film a lot. If you are pro-American you may be disappointed at the bitter tone here. That aside, THE QUIET AMERICAN nevertheless is a beautifully filmed period piece with lots of authentic-feeling sets and excellent acting. It is a poetic movie in some ways and worth seeing for the excellent script and high production values. And for Michael Caine. The director, Philip Noyce, made PATRIOT GAMES, another well-made movie.

The Too Quiet American.......2006-11-10

This movie was/is touted as being one of the best, early era Vietnam movies of all time. Unfortunately, I found it to be very slow and drawn out. There was very little war related action, a shallow story line, and way too much relationship action between Michael Caine's and Brendan Fraser's characters vying for the attention of the heroine, Do Thi Hai Yen. Really - when would Michael Caine and Brendan Fraser EVER be in contention for the same woman?

Way too close to being an all out chick-flick for this viewer, but if you liked "The English Patient" (y-a-w-n) then you will probably like this movie. If you liked "Saving Private Ryan", you're probably going to sleep through this one.

Average customer rating:

Great movie
Accurate portrayal of the last days and the fall of Saigon.
Very poor movie with a weak plot and boring story line.

Saigon - Year of the Cat
Starring: Judi Dench , Chic Murray , Frederic Forrest , Yim Hoontrakul , and E.G. Marshall
Director: Stephen Frears
Manufacturer: Westlake Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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The Judi Dench Collection

ASIN: B0000B0JIN
Release Date: 2003-07-01

Description

Can love servive the fall of the nation!.

Customer Reviews:

Great movie.......2006-01-24

The movie takes place just before the complete fall of Saigon. Judi Dench plays a British bank employee having a sexual affair with a CIA employee from the American Embassy.
When this agent gets information from reliable sourses that the fall of Saigon is very near, The American ambassador does not listen to any advice, until the last moment when the evacutation of the embassy employees, the military personnel, and some Vietnamese become a horrific nightmare yet a reality. The movie shows the exact real panic in the Embassy, the city and its residents who helped the Americans through out the years, yet felt left behind in hostile hands.
The last American Helicopter leaves Saigon while some more Americans are still calling the Embassy personnel with no one on the other line, waiting in remote places in the city for the Helicopters to come to their rescue.
A very moving true story. I recommend this movie to all the history lovers.
The quality of the DVD is not perfect but very acceptable.

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Accurate portrayal of the last days and the fall of Saigon........1999-07-29

I purchased this movie because I am a Judi Dench fan. She plays a British bank employee named Barbara Dean. Barbara is a strong, independent, smart, sexy, caring woman. She and an American CIA employee at the American embassy fall in love. There is an immediate connection between these two. As their love affair develops, the political situation goes from bad to worse. The American ambassador arrives in Saigon, but refuses to believe that things will not improve. He does not listen to advice from anyone and waits until the last possible moment to make decisions involving the evacutation of both embassy employees, American military personnel, and Vietnamese. Papers must be shreaded and lives must be saved. I just saw this bit of history shown on Peter Jennings' The Century on the History channel.The movie shows almost exactly the same panic of people trying to get on some of the last helicopters to leave Saigon, the crowds at the front of the embassy, the shreaded documents, and the indecision of the American ambassador that I saw on The Century. Kissinger spoke about the ambassador on the Century. E.G.Marshall portrayed him accurately. This movie told it like it really was. I especially enjoyed Judi Dench's subtle, yet passionate relationship with Frederic Forrest. Her character showed great compassion for her Vietnamese co-workers. I would recommend this movie to all those who enjoy Judi Dench and to those who would like to know more about this period in history. If you have seen Mrs. Brown and Shakespeare In Love and would like to see Judi Dench in a modern role, this is it.

Very poor movie with a weak plot and boring story line........1999-07-05

I was an extra in this movie but hadn't seen it until I received the video as a gift. Big disappointment.

This is a movie about a love affair between the characters of Frederic Forrest and Judi Dench that occurs in the final days of the Vietnam conflict.

There seemed to be so much action in this movie when it was being filmed but that doesn't come through in the final product. The pace of the movie is extremely slow and the atmosphere of most of the scenes tend to induce sleep rather than the excitement of that era. Further, there are good people in the cast--as can be seen in E.G. Marshall and Judi Dent--yet this is one of the slowest, least interesting movies I've ever viewed. Even the two characters that are supposed to be in love show no real chemistry.

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful guff.......2006-10-02

The main enjoyment this little film offers can be found in setting it in its 1940 context. Lots of messages went out to the British at this time about Keeping Mum, and Careless Talk Costs Lives. This film is designed for the same purpose, as well as to re-assure the nation that the Intelligence Service was really intelligent. Several points are worth comment. Female spies of the time were intensely beautiful, and spent nearly all of their time shimmering around in white silks and satins. This one is a real peach, and far too delicious to be a baddie. Similarly, Boris Karloff is just not the heroic British type. So this means that the mystery of the double-bluffs is doomed from the start. Never mind, it's quite fun seeing how it pans out. There are a number of interesting touches. Warner Brothers, being great supporters of FDR, make it plain that the Yanks will be Coming, even at this early date; although it took Pearl Harbour to bring about the final decision. There is a quick shot of a Zeppelin bomb being dropped on a shop called Patrick J.Ryan. Strange name. The fact that the cabinet minister's home and office both appear to be totally riddled with German spies does not inspire a lot of confidence. Still, the public knew it was hokum. It is a little disturbing, however, to learn that friendly factories and munitions dumps have to be blown up in order to fool the enemy into thinking the bloodhounds are not on to them.

Many Spies, Many Twists In This Well-Done, Clever B-Movie.......2005-11-21

British Intelligence has more betrayals than a faculty tenure meeting, more twists and turns than a lobbyist testifying before Congress. It takes place in London in 1917. World War I seems an endless conflict, with British secrets making their way to the Germans and the British determined to catch the master German spy, Franz Strendler. This is a great example of a solid B movie, carefully crafted, that packs more complex adventure into 61 minutes than you might believe.

Let's see...there's Boris Karloff as Valdar, a French refugee serving as a butler in the household of Arthur Bennett (Holmes Herbert), a British cabinet minister. Or is Valdar really a German spy, Karl Schiller? Wait, is he a British spy after all? There's Margaret Lindsay...is she an English nurse near the front lines or is she a German spy, Helene Von Lorbeer? Or is she a refugee, Frances Hautry? Or perhaps she's one of the best spies the British have. And hidden from them all is the mysterious, ruthless German, Franz Strendler. "He has no soul, no conscience," one character says. "He'd kill you or me...for duty." It all comes together one night when the British cabinet comes to Arthur Bennett's home for a secret meeting. Overhead, German zeppelins begin a bombing attack on a darkened London. With explosives tearing the night apart, Strendler shows his hand with a bomb designed to obliterate the cabinet members. Colonel James Yates (Leonard Mudie), head of British Intelligence, leads a well-planned countermove that reveals who really are the German spies. Strendler almost succeeds...but almost isn't good enough.

British Intelligence was designed to explain the stakes of the new conflict to American audiences and to demonstrate the unshakeable resolve of the British. One Prussian officer wearing a spiked helmet has this to say at the start of the movie: "Victory must be ours! We have but one objective...to win the war even if we have to fight the entire world! No nation, no group of nations can stop our advance...the advance of German culture! We are destined to conquer the world!"

But Colonel Yates of British Intelligence has the last word. "We fight wars," he says, "only because we crave peace so ardently, and we pray that each war will be the last. But always in the strange scheme of things some maniac with a lust for power arises and in one moment destroys the peace and tranquility we've created through the ages. We hate war. We despise it. But when war comes, we must and will fight on and on and on..."

As I say, it's a B movie but well crafted. Boris Karloff does a fine job, whether staring at a person with icy eyes or obsequiously shuffling away with a limp and a bowed head. This Alpha Video DVD looks surprisingly good. The picture is soft but clean, barely faded and easy to look at. There are no extras.

Good movie, Good price!!.......2003-12-19

Made in 1940 but set in WWI, Boris Karloff plays a master spy working as a butler for a British war official. Enter double agent Helen Von Lorder and the fun begins with twists, turns, and double-crosses. This is a good movie! Even though it is a 60 minute "B" movie, it's got class. It was made by Warner Brothers and is very well done. The special FX are great (for the time and budget) though you might recognize one or two stock explosions from gangster pics. BUT THIS IS WHAT YOU REALLY WANT TO KNOW: The Alpha DVD has quite good quality picture and sound. A couple of minor hiccups along the way but all in all, one of their better transfers. Still looks like a VHS but it's a cheapie and you get what you pay for... probably a litle more in this instance. Definitely watchable and highly recommended if you're into this kind of thing.

British, German, and Double Agents.......2003-02-15

Set during the last part of World War I, this spy thriller begins with the frustrations of the British military over the way the Germans seem to know their next move before they even do. It's obvious there is a spy or leak somewhere that needs to be stopped if they are to have any success in the War. Boris Karloff and Margaret Lindsay enter into the picture. Individually or together, they could be British agents, German agents, or double agents, and the true identity of each is revealed at the climax. The two spies test each other throughout the film as a plot to kill the British cabinet begins to unfold. The film moves along briskly, with a running time of around an hour. I have to admit that I was occasionally confused by the plot, although by the film's final moments I had figured it all out. Karloff, limping and with a scar, is good as the more sinister (naturally) of the two agents, while Lindsay does a competent job as his female counterpart. The last few minutes are devoted to rallying the public at the outset of World War Two when this was produced, with a poorly concealed speech about Hitler. It's definitely heavy handed, yet it is fun to watch as a sign of the time. Judging by the running time, the cast involved, and the production, this film was obviously intended as a 'B' picture, and as a modest little programmer, it succeeds fairly well. Those expecting a bigger scale production will be disappointed.

Fun Espionage Thriller.......2000-08-11

It's no classic, but Karloff fans will like this "B" picture full of twists and turns as you try to figure out just who's the good guy and who's the bad guy.

Description

This double-feature disc features Boris Karloff in a pair of performances that will certainly please fans and also enlighten those cineastes who would only know the talented british-born Hollywood actor from his career-making role as the Frankenstein Monster. The Ape, a Monogram low-budget smash hit in 1940, showcases Karloff as a mad doctor donning the pelt of slain circus apes as he kills his neighbors for their spinal fluid in hopes of creating a polio-vaccine. Then, in the popular 1940 espionage potboiler British Intelligence--Boris Karloff plays Valdar, a butler working for a British cabinet minister during WW1, and who may just be a spy. He tangles with alluring secret agent Lindsay--who may just be a double agent. Remake of "Three Faces East".

Average customer rating:

NO DOG IN MARENGO'S KENNEL
NEWLY REMASTERED

Kennel Murder Case/British Intelligence
Starring: Kennel Murder Case , and British Intelligence
Manufacturer: Marengo Films
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000IJ7AHE
Release Date: 2006-11-21

Description

Kennel Murder Case: Powell, playing detective Philo Vance, finds himself embroiled in the mystery of a wealthy mans suicide. Vance soon discovers that this case clearly is no suicide but murder. The usual suspects, bumbling cops, and a myriad of clues surround our hero as he attempts to solve the case. British Intelligence: Set in the middle of World War I British forces on the front line are being slaughtered because of a German spy ring operating in London. It turns out that the British Government itself has been infiltrated and the British Secret Service is on the case.

Customer Reviews:

NO DOG IN MARENGO'S KENNEL.......2007-02-28

In fact, quite the opposite. Bravo to MARENGO for a stunning transfer of THE KENNEL MURDER CASE, the best of the William Powell / Philo Vance murder mysteries. It is the equal of the ROAN GROUP version in sharpness but superior in the audio track. MARENGO has done a marvelous job of remastering, and the crisp, clear soundtrack will blow you away. Highly recommended indeed!

NEWLY REMASTERED.......2006-12-13

Marengo Films is proud to announce the issue of these two fine films. Our company put both masters through a complete sound design and color correcton. We guarantee these are the finest prints of these movies on the market.

Average customer rating:

British Intelligence
Starring: Boris KArloff; Margaret Lindsay; Holmes Herbert; Bruce LEster; Leonard Mudie
Director: Terry O. Morse
Manufacturer: Passion Productions/PMC
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

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ASIN: B0002O01VC
Release Date: 2001-09-17

Product Description

From back cover, "During WWI, pretty German master spy Helene von Lorbeer is sent undercover to London to live with the family of a high-placed British official, where she is to rendezvous with the butler Valdar, also a spy, and help him to transmit secret war plans back to Germany."

Average customer rating:

British Intelligence

Manufacturer: Synergy Ent
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

DVDs Under $9.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

amazon.com

During WWI pretty German master spy Helene von Lorbeer is sent undercover to London to live with the family of a high-placed British official where she is to rendezvous with the butler Valdar, also a spy, and help him transmit secret war plans back to Germany.

Charlie Rose with Emyr Jones Parry; Nicholas Kristof (October 20, 2003)

Average customer rating:

Charlie Rose with Emyr Jones Parry; Nicholas Kristof (October 20, 2003)

Manufacturer: Charlie Rose, Inc.
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Description

Emyr Jones Parry, Great Britain's Ambassador to the United Nations, weighs in on his nation's role in the Iraq war following the recent, unanimous vote in the UN for increases internationalization of the reconstruction effort. Nicholas Kristof, author and columnist for The New York Times, then evaluates America's progress in Iraq.

Average customer rating:

The Last Englisman. The perfect 'little' film.

The Last Englishman
Starring: Jim Broadbent , Tony Haygarth , Matthew Ashforde , James Warrior , and David McAllister
Director: John Henderson
Manufacturer: Bfs Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00005LE39
Release Date: 2001-07-01

Customer Reviews:

The Last Englisman. The perfect 'little' film........2000-09-19

There is much in this film to be admired and enjoyed. It delights the soul and tweaks the heart. Well done and well acted. The music is wonderful. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys history as well as the English 'starch'.

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