Ronald Neame's Tunes of Glory

Starring:Ronald Neame
Studio: Image Entertainment
Product Type: DVD

Average customer rating:

Tunes of Glory
Tunes of Glory
A Very Powerful Treatment of Popularity viz a viz Discipline in the Military
ALEC GUINNESS' STOLEN OSCAR...
A Fine Tune Indeed !!

Tunes of Glory - Criterion Collection
Starring: Alec Guinness , John Mills , Dennis Price , Kay Walsh , and John Fraser
Director: Ronald Neame
Manufacturer: Criterion
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00014K5YG
Release Date: 2004-02-17

Amazon.com

Venerable British actors Alec Guinness and John Mills give two of their finest performances in Tunes of Glory, a compelling, emotionally charged study of leadership in a peacetime Scottish battalion. In one of his most memorable roles, Guinness plays Jock Sinclair, the brash, red-haired colonel who temporarily commands his regiment of loyal, devoted soldiers. He's quick with a drink and hearty tales of military bravado, placing him in fun-loving contrast to his replacement, Col. Barrow (Mills), a hot-tempered martinet whose by-the-book style couldn't be more different, or less likable, than Sinclair's. In adapting his own novel for director Ronald Neame, James Kennaway keenly establishes the psychological opposition of these two stubborn men, demonstrating the equal merit of their military careers while exploring class distinctions and, ultimately, the inevitable tragedy of their failure to reach a mutual understanding. Ironically, Guinness was originally offered Mills's role, but suggested a switch to avoid comparison to his role in The Bridge on the River Kwai. It was an inspired decision, allowing each actor to shine in a timeless film that speaks volumes about military men and the winning (or losing) of hearts and minds. --Jeff Shannon

Description

In Ronald Neame's Tunes of Glory, the incomparable Alec Guinness inhabits the role of Jock Sinclair-a whiskey drinking, up-by-the-bootstraps commanding officer of a peacetime Scottish battalion. When Basil Barrow (John Mills)-an educated, by-the-book scion of a traditionally military family-enters the scene as Sinclair's replacement, the two men become locked in a fierce battle for control of the battalion and the hearts and minds of its men. Based on the novel by James Kennaway and featuring flawless performances by Guinness and Mills, Tunes of Glory uses the rigidly stratified hierarchy of military life as a jumping off point to examine the institutional contradictions and class divisions of English society, resulting in an unexpectedly moving drama. The DVD features new interviews with Ronald Neame and John Mills, the theatrical trailer, and more.

Customer Reviews:

Tunes of Glory.......2007-07-02

Ronald Neame's battle of wits is a perceptive reflection of the British class system, revealing the dire consequences when two men of opposing wills, backgrounds and character collide in competition for the loyalty of the soldiers they lead. Both Guinness and Mills match each other's high standard, each delivering stunning portrayals of two very different men. Don't miss the jaw-dropping conclusion. An unsung triumph.

Tunes of Glory.......2007-05-13

A fine piece of British cinema from the days of a film industry in it's heyday.

A Very Powerful Treatment of Popularity viz a viz Discipline in the Military.......2007-02-08

In an interview Sir Alec Guinness was asked how difficult it was for him to portray an individual whom he in actual life was the opposite to, Sir Alec responded as all great actors would, by saying that he felt it to be challenging, but enjoyed it once he got into it... and this is the Alec Guinness that one sees in Tunes of Glory. The tale of friction between two powerful figures, both with huge egos and both unwilling to bend to the circumstances of reality and their times. The ending of the movie has always broken me up and brought me to tears. for just as in the movie... "all my sons".. the
Major (Guiness) felt an afffinity and a kinship to all the men under him, growing to love them as (..."all my babies"...) he would his own sons.. there lies the irony in the ending... and his ultimate feelings for Col. Barrow (John Mills).....enuff said

ALEC GUINNESS' STOLEN OSCAR..........2006-07-15

Another reason why Academy Awards (or any competitive awards for art) can't be trusted is proven by Guinness' failure to win one for what must be one of his greatest performances...from the very first scene with him it's obvious that the right choice was made to cast him in the role of Col. Jock Sinclair instead of Col. Barrows. There's no denying that without the wonderful script (and novel) by James Kennaway this could've been a boring "soldiers in peacetime" stage play but with Guinness and Mills duking it out from the get-go you are riveted by their performances. The supporting cast couldn't be better. The final scene is heartbreaking and just goes to show what a versatile actor Sir Alec was. The only truly interesting extra on this Criterion release is director Ronald Neame's interview which directly relates to the film...Mills' voice-only interview is too short and not too illuminating and the interview with Sir Alec is way too long...I didn't really get into it as it covers too much territory and from the first 10 minutes seemed like it could have gone on for 3 hours. But a beautiful print and much deserving to the Criterion treatment. BOY OH BOY OH BOY!!! INDEED!

A Fine Tune Indeed !!.......2005-10-21

A great opportunity to see two of the worlds finest Actors toe to toe in this gritty drama about the Army in post war (1945) Britain. Mill's portrayal of Stiff Upper Lip Barrow and Guinness's 'Jock Sinclair' is a masterpiece. The resentment of the two officers to each other grows until the climax of the film.

SPOILER BELOW

The most saddest moment is Guinness at the end supported by some his his fellow officers after breaking down following his animated version of the Funeral procession that will take place.

Average customer rating:

Ronald Neame's Tunes Of Glory
Starring: Ronald Neame
Manufacturer: Image Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

( R ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

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