Winter Kills

Starring:Jeff Bridges, John Huston, Anthony Perkins, Eli Wallach, Sterling Hayden, Dorothy Malone, Tomas Milian, Belinda Bauer, Ralph Meeker, ToshirÃ´ Mifune, Richard Boone, David Spielberg, Brad Dexter, Michael Thoma, Ed Madsen, Irving Selbst, Chris Soldo, Robert Courtleigh, Peter Brandon, Joe Spinell
Director: William Richert
Studio: Anchor Bay
Product Type: DVD

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This exhilarating kaleidoscope of a movie, from a surreally layered novel by Richard Condon (The Manchurian Candidate), combines post-Watergate paranoia, gallows humor, political sci-fi, dazzling suspense set pieces, something we might call postmodern historical burlesque, and gonzo performances by a truly all-star cast. It's held together by Jeff Bridges as the surviving scion of a Kennedy-like dynasty who reluctantly sets out to solve his brother's assassination. John Huston's own dynastic credentials and rough-hewn aristocracy make him perfect casting as the family patriarch, a simultaneously genial and appalling American monster. Writer-director William Richert, a virtual unknown, somehow corraled an amazing ensemble, including an unbilled Liz Taylor, North by Northwest production designer Robert Boyle (who also contributes a delicious cameo), composer Maurice Jarre, and the great cinematographer Vilmos Zsigmond. The widescreen camerawork and zesty primary-color palette demand DVD, which may finally do right by this quintessential '70s film that the '70s just weren't ready for. --Richard T. Jameson

Customer Reviews:

Lack of focus undermines the overall satiric quality.......2007-06-29

The movie is described as being a "black comedy." Well --- I suppose so. At times the plot developments, such as they were, seemed so paranoid that the intended satirical effect gets buried. It also doesn't help that practically every conspiracy theory known to man gets vacuumed-packed into a film barely an hour and a half long, because the result is an unfocused film that is all over the place.

It shouldn't be taken as a comment on the Kennedy assassination & its aftermath...President Kegan and his family bear only slight resemblance to the Kennedys. I suppose the film was intended to lampoon, as much as anything, the subculture of conspiracy theories --- I guess. Between the meandering plot and some breathtaking scenery-chewing on the part of John Huston, Anthony Perkins, and Sterling Hayden, I found myself pretty lost.

All in all, I found myself somewhat disappointed by a film which promised a lot more than it ultimately delivered.

Another top notch Anchor Bay product!!! This 2-DVD "Winter Kills" set is awesome!!!.......2007-03-18

Great job again Anchor Bay!!! This rare classic gets the deluxe treatment it deserves with this 2-DVD set!!! Disc 1 has a great anamorphic widescreen tranfser of the film as well as a Audio Commentary from the director!!! Disc 2 has the extra goodies!!! A seventies cult classic with an all star cast!!! Two thumbs up!!! Five stars!!! A+

Controversial "cult" film.......2006-12-14

"Winter Kills" is far less interesting than the story behind its production (which makes the bonus features on this 2 disc set very worthwhile), but William Richert's adaptation of Richard Condon's novel is worthy of the cult status it has enjoyed since its brief release more than two decades ago.

In retrospect, "Winter Kills" almost looks like something of a warm-up for Oliver Stones' "JFK," a more ambitious conspiracy thriller made 12 years later. Some of the dialogue in "Winter Kills" seems to have been revived, almost word-for-word, in Stone's film. But while "JFK" is more of an altar promoting Kennedy worship, "Winter Kills" is downright contemptuous, and refreshingly so, of Camelot and of those who wield power in general.

Jeff Bridges stars as the half brother of an assassinated United States president, obviously patterned on John F. Kennedy, who learns, via Richard Boone, that a second gunman was involved. Spurred on by his powerful king-maker father (John Huston), Bridges sets out to expose the conspiracy.

"Winter Kills" is an eccentrically entertaining ride with a cast that can only be described as a movie lover's dream.

In addition to the always sincere Bridges and the unforgettable Huston, there's Sterling Hayden as a crazed war-mad defense contractor, and the magnificently larger-than-life Boone as a character who may or may not be worthy of the trust Bridges places in him. Ralph Meeker (the screen's best Mike Hammer), Toshiro Mifune, Eli Wallach, and even Elizabeth Taylor, all turn up in small but key roles, and there's Anthony Perkins as the head of the computer run information center that spies on Huston's enemies - and friends - while Perkins'wife, Berry Berenson, appears briefly as a morgue attendant. (She would later die in the terrorist attacks of 9/11.)

Kennedy lovers condemned "Winter Kills" during its brief controversial theatrical release, and its doubtful they'll warm to it now, but for those who look with skepticism on politics regardless of party, or simply appreciate perverse cinema, "Winter Kills" is worth a look.

Brian W. Fairbanks

Good Movie and Good Documentary.......2006-10-06

This was a really good movie. It was just loaded with old screen legends from the past in classic roles. Jeff Bridges is perfect as the role of the brother of the slain president of the United States. John Huston is excellent as Pa, his rich and powerful father. Sterling Hayden is also excellent. This movie is full of wild speculation and crazy, paranoid and zany characters.

The documentary about the making of the movie was just as compelling as the origional film. The things that they went thru to make it and getting it made were just the things that you would normally see on film. Gangsters, threats, porn producers, drugs, alcoholism and big money in paper bags were just some of the many things that went into the making of this movie.

VERY GOOD CYNICAL POLITICAL SATIRE.......2006-10-02

This film starring (Jeff Bridges) as the younger brother of an assassinated president is very good. It also has an all-star cast. The film had difficulty during its initial release, which is why so many people never had the opportunity to see the film. [Filmed in 1979, released in 1983]. The film follows the trail of witness's who supposedly knew of the assassinated president's death. The film opens with the death-bed confession of the assassin. He informs (Richard Boone) of his complicity in the murder. And more importantly, where the rifle is hidden.

As Jeff Bridges attempts to locate the rifle in the city where the assassination took place, the police and lawyers accompanying him are killed, and thus begins a suspenseful thriller of cat and mouse. With killers on his trail and witnesses being killed, he seeks his father's help. The father [John Huston] who play's the role of a rich financier with great believability, is also a very villainous character. The film is one paranoid film where no one can be trusted.

The film itself is obvious in its reference to JFK. With cuban mobsters, rogue CIA agents, and former military officers and political power-brokers part of this complex plot. Bridges father is himself a cynical man whose own connection to the plot are questioned. The film is a delightful watch, with a paranoia that reaches the highest levels of not only the government, but Bridges family itself. The film has commentary by Jeff Bridges, [not really that great]. One of the films highlight's is actor Toshiro Mifune. It was odd to see him in the film. [He has a minor role] However, Anthony Perkins role is very sinister. Highly recommended, the film has minor flaws, but they can be overlooked. [Stars: 4.5]

Average customer rating:

Lack of focus undermines the overall satiric quality
Another top notch Anchor Bay product!!! This 2-DVD "Winter Kills" set is awesome!!!
Controversial "cult" film
Good Movie and Good Documentary
VERY GOOD CYNICAL POLITICAL SATIRE

Winter Kills
Starring: Jeff Bridges , John Huston , Anthony Perkins , Eli Wallach , and Sterling Hayden
Director: William Richert
Manufacturer: Anchor Bay
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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