REDUX: EVERY MINUTE OF ADDED MATERIAL IS THERE FOR A REASON

A lot has been written about this extended version, particularly by comparing it with the original theatrical release, with some scenes - especially the meeting with French settlers - described as"out of step with the story". I believe that this criticism is completely missing the point. The inclusion of the"French" scene is one of the key elements of the film's philosophy, which is otherwise not easily perceived beyond the somewhat flatter original. Apocalypse Now Redux is also more than just a"story" - twenty years after its creation, this film has become an institution and a reference point, and can by no means be viewed any more as a mere movie.

The aforementioned is the only scene that explicitly voices the pointlessness of the American invasion, and war as a concept, which was to be one of the major ideological forces behind the film's ethos - this is Coppola's statement and the scene is just an instrument that perfectly transmits the idea. Also my impression - with regards to the other added scenes - is that Redux not only expands the philosophical and spiritual aspect of this epic but brings this Mother of all war films to the more mature, contemporary viewing. This, in relation to the present occupation of Iraq, makes it also a sinister prediction of things to come.

A pure film; relentless, unflinching and time approved masterpiece that hits hard but ultimately rewards any viewer prepared to accept its timeless message. Needless to say that, for a typical cinemagoer that in this day and age"enjoys" a contemporary diet of the Hollywood war, horror and gangstahh flicks, which often treat a viewer as an idiot, Apocalypse Now will be an incredible challenge, particularly given its surreal overtones. However given one large and VERY comfortable chair, a locked-up girlfriend/boyfriend, more than three continuous hours to spare, a minimum of diagonal 32" of flat plasma, powerful Surround and wide open eyes and mind, I guarantee that same viewer an unforgettable and illuminating experience!

Get Dalek overload with this little lot

Great package for a superb price, this is an absolute must for any Dr.Who fan, young or old. These films have a superior atmosphere than most stages of the TV series did. I'm not a massive fan myself, certainly of the post Tom Baker versions, but I did remember these films to be especially compelling, so I had to buy them (for a snip at this price), and I was quite impressed all over again, especially with the second film. The first movie did remind a lot of HG Wells' Time Machine, with those pasty looking passifists living underground and under the yoke of the cruel Daleks. It is quite Wellsian in its pseudo scientificness as well, and has a real feel of sc-fi about, unlike the increasingly fantasy based TV series of the 70s and beyond.

The second film shows a lot of development from the first and is a much more entertaining adventure. This is more War of the Worlds Wells in style and has a fair bit of Orwell about it too. It's beautifully British (and cheap) looking, and very sci-fi. Both movies have good visually based scenes with an atmosphere worthy of Hammer films, and some great music adding to the flavour. Cushing was also a great choice as a slighty doddering old eccentric with a passion for complex astro physics and of course, time travel. Great hokey stuff.

One magnificent Retell, Two pretty good, and one I felt failed.

---spoilers----

I'm never normally too keen on Shakespeare retells that use modern speech but some work very well and two of these plays are that good - Taming of the Shrew (No.1 for me on this disk) and Much Ago (No.2).

In Shrew there's terrific charisma between Rufus Sewell, who's one of my favourite actors anyway, and Shirley Henderson and their scenes are hilarious and charming magic. The wedding has to be seen to be believed! This is a superior adaptation by far to the old musical Kiss Me Kate which I found quite boring at times. Shrew is the first Shakespeare play I studied in school, unforgettable in the original, excellent in this version. I particularly liked how the modern writer managed to bring in Kate's obedience at the end in a very clever and modern way when she lectures her mother and sister on love and marriage. The last scenes - the snaps from"the future" are an absolute joy.

Much Ado is another of my favourite Shakespeare and again a splendid version. Was Damian Lewis meant to be a Branagh lookalike or is it just the hair colour happens to be the same? The Beatrice and Benedick romance is dealt with perfectly. Unfortunately, the secondary love story between Hero and her suitor was so changed from the Shakespeare version that the wedding scene goes completely over the top. This modern writer's decision to change the plot, have Hero seriously injured for real and any possible marriage obviously unlikely ruins this subplot completely. Wicked Don John is dealt with fairly well but being made into a lovesick rejected suitor instead of Hero's wicked uncle getting at the whole family takes the edge off that subplot.

I wasn't entirely pleased with Midsummer Night's Dream because the hilarious and famous Pyramus and Thisbe play put on in the original with Bottom and Co. wasn't even attempted. I enjoyed this version up to then and I was expecting something splendid from the modern Bottom and Co. to round it off. In the original the whole point is that Bottom and Co. produce a loopy play in a loopy way - but it has the audience falling about. The attempt in this version to show that Bottom and Co. are still just as silly doesn't work because what they actually do for an entertainment isn't funny at all, it's just"nothing". Oberon's solution, to make the audience believe it was uproariously funny, really was the only option by this stage of a very poor final sequence. No complaints with the acting, though. Special accolades for Bill Patterson and Imelda Staunton. Plenty of magical dreams that you can almost believe in as in the original. Puck, Oberon and Titania - all so effectively played and more of them rather than the lovesick human quartet would have pleased me personally but I suppose would have been far too much of a change from the original that I couldn't quite approve my own wish!

I wasn't so keen on the Macbeth. When I first saw this version on TV I was bored. The original is about Kings and power, and the modern setting chosen didn't work for me at all. I'd have preferred a political theme. Second time around it's a bit better but I wish the Beeb had kept to either comedies or tragedies, not pushed in this one tragedy which seems completely anomalous alongside the others and although I want to buy this DVD set, I am annoyed that one of the plays is so far from interesting me. If only the Beeb had adapted Love's Labour Lost, The Merchant of Venice, Measure for Measure or my favourite Twelfth Night......

An incredible release.

Only April and already we have THE finest DVD release of the year (although Fremantle's"Absolutely Everything" box comes close!). Would/could any company other than the BFI lavish this kind of care and attention on such a wide range of rarely seen films? Painfully nostalgic and of immense social importance the films in this set are a history lesson in a box and the superb content is matched only by the packaging and book that is included with the release. A sturdy box houses a fold out digipack (please use thin-paks next time BFI) and it's accompanying book. Don't be fooled by descriptions of this as a"booklet", it is a substantial piece in it's own right - something anyone interested in the subject would be happy to pay £5+ for on it's own and for what you get the set as a whole is bargain-priced even at full RRP. Even the mighty Criterion would struggle to match the quality and assurance of this staggering release. Highly recommended (as is their"Free Cinema" release).

This is it! The definitive small screen Crusoe series.

For anyone looking for the definitive small screen version of Robinson Crusoe, this is it! Have no doubts, this is the real McCoy, never to be forgotten. I have seen many other adaptations in film and series, but nothing can touch the English version of Robert Hoffmans classic. It simply is captivating! Once you have seen this, all other attempts at recreating the Robinson Crusoe adventure on the small screen pale into complete insignificance. Not only are you left on the edge of your seat wondering what is going to happen next at the end of each episode, but the music, the story, the acting, the location, and even the fact that it is in black and white adds to its charm. You almost feel like you are there with Robinson! I would even hazard a guess too that it is just as popular today with kids as a series as it was with me when I was a young lad. Whenever anyone asks me about Robinson Crusoe, this series instantly pops up in my head! Heaven knows how it was almost lost forever at one time, because everyone I know who saw this series as a youngster absolutely loved it. It always brings back memories of my past youth when I watch it today, and is just as enjoyable as it was back then. I hope that everyone else who buys this DVD experiences the same feelings too. A true classic, and the very best!

2 episodes to few

The episode is decent, although catherine tate's character was a bit annoying to begin with she became tolerable towards the end. The baddie is brilliant, and we see the doctor in a new light when drowning the racnoss young. Tennant is excellent again.

As i said it is a decent episode but really not worth buying on a DVD on its own. Series 2 and 3 could easily have been combined with the Christmas specials on 4 DVD's and their insistence on stretching them to 5 is annoying. The extra on here isn't anything special by any means. This hour long episode costs around the same as Series 3 volume 2 which contains 4 full length episodes.

So this is one to avoid for anyone but the completists.

Best version I've seen so far of this entertaining play

I've only one minus really on this production, that this Oberon isn't quite as good as the Oberon in the Beeb's Shakespeare Retold set - that Oberon was quite wonderful although the production generally was mediocre. However, this Oberon is perfectly good in what's such a delightful version of the play. I enjoyed the setting and the bicycles and yet maintaining the Shakespearean ethos throughout.

Particular accolades to Kevin Kline. Brilliant performance. Worth having really just for him!

A Rock 'N' Roll Legend Compilation

This two-film set chronicles the life of a discontented, directionless youth, who somewhat aimlessly dreams of being a famous"Rock and Roll" star. It's gritty and realistic in atmosphere, as well as its depiction of the experiences that lead up to the young man's achievement of his dream. David Essex plays innocence, streetwise savvy and jaded overindulgence with equal conviction. The progression of his character is charming, seamless and convincing. Without giving anything away, this morality tale, when both films are seen in succession, is something wondrous to behold. In short I was very impressed, by the material, music and all the performances, which were uniformly excellent. Two thumbs up, as the critics would say...

The definative depiction of war in the air

This film is a winner on three counts. It brings together most of the best actors of a generation, it uses the real aircraft which took part and it was overseen from a historical perspective by pilots who flew in the battle, (Stanford Tuck, Douglas Bader and Adolph Galland amongst them).
It tells the story of the summer of 1940 with peerless aerial photography (no naff pearl habor CGI) and superbly well staged ground action such as the London Blitz and the airfield attack. I found all of the central characters thoroughly believable with the performances of Sir Larry as 'Stuffy' Dowding and Robert Shaw's Squadron leader being outstanding. This is a film I can drag out and watch every 18 months or so and it never fails to enthrall and move me. There should have been more Hurricanes than Spits and the Me 109's shouldn't have had Merlin engines, but what the hell. It's well directed, beautifully shot and above all it's FACTUAL!

Always, always a classic... BUT

...on this release I wish the commentary track had more Sheldon Hall and less Robert Porter, because although I respect Mr Porter and his technical acheivements greatly, some of his historical observations and comments are either incorrect or misleading (at least as far as I understand the facts), and Sheldon Hall seems to be too polite to correct him, which is a great shame.

But the film? Priceless, as always. Buy it.

Pure escapist elegance

Next time you have a rainy afternoon to spend with a box of chocs and a video, you can't do better than this. If you hanker for a time when everyone was elegant, witty and blessed with a honeyed voice, this is for you. The music is, of course, the main focus; but there's some brilliant acting going on here as well.

Smashing.

Wow!

I recently watched this in my English class. We are studying merchant of venice. I could get along with this film without getting confused. The topless women were pointless, and I pictured Salarino and Solanio different but never mind. Al Pacino-wow!!brilliant. my friends and i agreed that he was the best.you couldn't help but feel sorry for him when he found out Jessica had gone with his money, with the crying"jessica." We actually clapped when he finished the"Hath not a Jew eyes" speech. Very powerful. Brilliant film.

Surprise musical from the early 80s.

A surprise and elaborate musical to come out of the early eighties, which many deem as the female version of 'Oliver'. A good story and plot to this one, and anything but boring for its two hour length. Some very catchy tunes here, including one of the catchiest numbers to ever come out of a musical in 'Tomorrow'.

Despite Aileen Quinn's failure to capture hearts as the orphaned Annie until the final few scenes, (she could have been more loveable) she does pack some very mean punches when rescuing the dog Sandy from a cruel gang of boys - and anyone who saves a dog from cruelty in my opinion, is first-rate! This movie is packed with some good performances and some outstanding choreography for something so recent - including an unusual role for Albert Finney, but still looking fit and handsome for 1981 (despite the bald head!) Carol Burnett is hilarious in her award-winning performance as the Mistress of the orphanage. Despite her alcoholism and self-centeredness, the character does come out of the movie pretty well, and with some credibility at the end, as someone who does have a heart after all!

Well worth watching this one - especially for those of you like myself, who may feel that this was made too recently to appeal, and long after the traditional musical era was over. Watch, and be prepared to be pleasantly surprised!

Enjoy!

Surprisingly risque...

The fantasist Sally Bowles, played delectably by Liza, is superbly cast as the American tart-with-a-heart opposite the seemingly-wooden but similarly amoral Michael Yorke. Opening in 1931 Berlin and the Kit-Kat Club, the latter spawning louche displays of extravagance, while outside Hitler gears up to take control of Germany.

The all-knowing, omnipresent master of ceremonies and the light fantasy of the club contrast poignantly with the slow-burning deepening of the relationships between the protagonists, including an intriguing three-wayer.

Cabaret is a metaphor for life: we'd like it to be a Cabaret, but the reality is often quite different. As Jonathan Swift wrote: 'Happiness is the art of being well-deceived' and its a moot point as to whether or not Sally or Brian are ever happy, or indeed Max. As for the master of ceremonies, played by a man with one of the most enduring faces in cinema, he sings Sally and us through a world which is gone forever but is paradoxically still with us. The final cymbal clash, and the resulting silence leave much food for thought.

A Bob Fosse musical, but its enduring popularity has much to do with its deeper side. Very much worth watching and the 30th anniversary disc does give you some useful extras for a few pence more.

Second to none

This movie which I went to see at the cinema on its original release in 1980 (possibly 1981), was for me a great film then and its a great film now. Sure its a little dated in parts but thats when you look at the technology and the clothing. There was no Internet, no CD's no walkmans, no ipods but disco was still about and rap music wasn't around so yeah it was different time but the energy from the film allows you to ignore all that and just breath in all the talent on show within the film. Looking at the film again you pick up on some of the background characters in the film but the best bit in the film has to be the hot lunch jam session and I know they don't really do that in the cafeteria at music school but I wish they did. Do todays kids have the same talent as those in the film I am not so sure as they have way too many other distractions. Fame is the best.

You have got to own this DVD!

First on this disc, the not-so-good"Fear Her", with quite a boring storyline and a cheap monster, a drawing on the wall. But as for the series finale"Army Of Ghosts"+"Doomsday" they are FANTASTIC! The Cybermen AND the Daleks in one episode, FIGHTING EACH OTHER! WOW! And Rose and the Doctor get seperated, sad, bless, boo-hoo! A brilliant selection of episodes!

Saw the film when it was first released

As a young man I was converted to Shakespeare by seeing this film directed by Franco Zeferelli. The magic for me was that instead of actors declaiming lines I felt I was involved with real people, places and circumstances.

Yesterday the film was shown on ITV3 and had 28 minutes of advertisements added to the 2hr 11 minutes running time.

Editing the film at fast speed made me appreciate the balletic movements of the cast location filming

Alas after editing I found the original recording from satellite had no sound on it.

Even although it was now a silent movie I was delighted to see again the beauty of the costumes, use of colour and the exquisite and careful composition. So pleased to find I could purchase a commercial DVD version at the low price of £5.97

Zeferelli's version of La Traviata could be a moving experience for those who say they don't like or understand opera

imagine 1 good Doctor Who episode, then imagine it x 4!

This volume of Doctor Who contains 4 of the best Doctor Who epuisodes of all Time! Including:

DALEKS IN MANHATTEN: The Doctor (David Tennant)and Martha (Freema Agyeman) arrive in New York in 1930 only to find that great evil lurks the streets.

EVOLUTION OF THE DALEKS: The Same as DALEKS IN MANHATTEN only the exciting conclusion.

THE LAZARUS EXPERIMENT: Always wanted to stay young and beautiful then if you watch this, don't get any ideas!

42: The Doctor and Martha arrive on a spaceship that is out of control and heading for the SUN!

If i were u I'd buy it! (From AMAZON! maybe)

Gritty, funny and witty

Plenty as been said about this film, but sometimes the humour is overlooked.

Some of the scenes in the school, with the kids filmed naturally talking the way they do, and improvising, and of course the classic football sequence, all add to the depth and fun of this classic.

All the themes stand the test of time and are always relevant: the battle between the individual and the needs of society, and the tragic neglect of talent brought about by dogmatic and unimaginative thinking.

One of the best

My favourite film of all time. Even those who aren't into war films will get a lot out of it and find a lump in their throat at the end. Fans of RAF/war films will find plenty of period/procedural detail (and if you're like me, plenty of phrases with which to drive one's family mad!) Not a blood and guts film, and all the better and more profound for that.
As is often the case with older movies, there are no 'deleted scenes' or 'directors' commentary'. However, whilst some background might have been interesting, the film stands tall on its own and doesn't need any hype. Definitely one you'll watch over and over.
Just buy it!