Reviews Written by mike t
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July 18, 2003
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July 18, 2003
cynical political film
1 of 1 Yahoo! Users found this review helpful set in imaginary caribean island of early 1800s, show how political and military manipulation by powerful outsiders (represented by Brando) subvert and overthrow a government using symbols (freedom, independence), local puppet governments and post colonial violence. An obvious comment on the conduct of the US in the banana republics.
very well made in a no-frills fashion ... -
January 18, 2003
lovely paula makes the film
0 of 1 Yahoo! Users found this review helpful never mind the totally foolish script of this B comedy and the stodgy Hudson, it was the early 60s anyway and this looks like a generational transition movie. It is the ravishing Paula Prentiss, her lovely natural acting, and her dazzling smile that make this movie ... -
October 23, 2002
admitedly a bit inferior to original
and more obvious debt to the stage. The subject unfortunately will not go away, as long as a fanatic minority strives to enforce public prayers and creationism rubbish as science. this film (or preferably the 1960 original) should be shown in every school in the country as an antidote and let people think a bit. ... -
October 23, 2002
superlative film
1 of 1 Yahoo! Users found this review helpful unfortunately, the US has made little social progress since the original monkey trial in 1926 exposed the state of Tennessee to worldwide ridicule. the unrelenting obsession of a fanatic minority attempting to enforce public prayers and "creationism" as a science on everyone is alive and well. All schools should have this monumental film in every class as an antidote to religious fanaticism.
the recent remake was just as good. ... -
October 7, 2002
goofy but endearing satire
deserved a bit more credit than it got, like its companion film "love at first bite". at least it got "gay blade" in the popular vocabulary. -
October 7, 2002
period mystery action film
in pre revolution France. Obvious flaw: vietnamese-looking actor to play "iroquois" blood brother and do oriental martial arts? ridiculous. This apart, outstanding mystery, character and lots of action. deserves more recognition than it got in the USA, probably because no helicopters, explosions or obscenities that are standard Hollywood staples. ... -
September 23, 2002
rinjiro seconds previous review
indeed pessimistic product of late 60s, kept from oblivion by superb music, especially title song popularized by Nilsson -
September 23, 2002
regretfully disagree with previous revie
this was a film so badly made, so woodenly uninteresting and incomprehensible that it was stopped and rewound less than half way. -
September 17, 2002
on recovering lost honor
excellent film adaptation of Josef Conrad short story about young British Merchant Navy officer (O'Toole): guilty of momentary cowardice during a storm, he seeks redemption and a new life by going native with a Malay tribe. Eventually helps his new tribe fight back against vicious pirates (lead by Mason), even if at cost of his life. Beautiful exteriors, action, quality acting. Thoughtful, profound story. ...
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another political film
1 of 2 Yahoo! Users found this review helpful made as the US involvement in vietnam was building up, it describes what actually came to pass in frightening prescient detail. The new ambassador (Brando) to a fictional SE Asian country meets an old friend who is now a political leader. The Ambassador's narrow dogmatism does not let him see that his friend and his people have legitimate grievances and a desire for real independence but rather sees everything in terms of "either ours or a commie", a mentality that has not changed 40 years later (for commie use terrorist). the inevitable clash leads to full scale war. the final scene, in which the ambassador comes to realize his error, and appeals for better understanding on TV, only to be turned off by an uncaring Joe Doe is as topical now as ever.The dialog is very early 60s and this may be tiresome today, but still an outstanding film, far ahead of its time. It should have been required viewing at all levels of
US government and military, perhaps this would have avoided the US invasion and devastation of SE Asia. ...