Women of Courage (If Tomorrow Comes/Becky Sharp/Rain /The Green Promise/Nurse Edith Cavell/Two Women/Smash Up/Three Came Home/The Southerner

Customer Reviews:

this one REALLY needs a restoration.......2007-04-07

generally regarded as a curiosity for being the first feature-length technicolor movie, this seriously abridged adaptation of thackerays "vanity fair" is actually a decent take on hollywoods translations in the 1930s of 19th century english novels. director rouben mamoulian tries not to pull his punches, tho of course, he has to. the glorious (and sadly forgotten) miriam hopokins has a grand old time in the title role, well supported by a coterie of period english character actors who will be familiar to fans of period movies. i have taken off one * because the sound quality is abysmal, and the film merits a restored version.

dismal video transfer.......2006-04-25

Becky Sharp was the first three-strip Technicolor feature - state of the art in 1935. In the original it was exquisite and original Technicolor dye transfer prints will be pristine in colour quality whether scratched and worn from use or not.

The DVD I received is clearly a transfer from video - and an extremely poor video at that. The sound is poor and the image quite appalling - to the point where we gave up after about 5 minutes viewing.

The way that colour elements break down and separate is nothing to do with the DVD, the age of the film, or the Technicolor release print process - the colour layers cannot separate - it is however a classic indication of poor quality video as an intermediate in the transfer process.

This DVD is an insult to any purist interested in seeing a milestone in movie production.

Technicolor can't steal the show away from Hopkins!.......2005-12-12

In this screen translation of the classic comedy of manners VANITY FAIR, Miriam Hopkins portrays William Makepeace Thackeray's heroine, a spunky, quick-witted mercenary who climbs the ladder of social success not giving a damn about whom her hoopskirts are knocking out of the way. Rouben Mamoulian may very well have directed the film's supporting cast, but it is clear that Hopkins directed herself, just as she usually did. With her crinkly blonde hair, her mischievous blue eyes, her nervous gestures and mannerisms, Miriam Hopkins was a vividly neurotic star; she almost always seemed to be racing - breathless and flustered - right on the edge of collapse. Her BECKY SHARP is especially extravagant. Sharp is more deliberate and calculating - and much stronger - than other Hopkins characters. As Becky, the perpetually scheming tart whose chief concern is her own precious skin, Hopkins unleashes such intensity and passion that you just might find yourself becoming frightened of her. She goes over the top, discovers higher peaks waiting, and shoots over them, too. It's extremely unlikely that a movie queen has ever gone this far before. Yes BECKY SHARP was the first Hollywood feature to be photographed in full Technicolor and yes the process certainly is nice, but it is Hopkins's performance that mesmerizes.

Faded public domain copy.......2005-08-13

This film is shown from time to time on TCM. They show a pristine UCLA Film Archives restored film.Worth taping or DVDing if you have a recorder.The Alpha video copy is ,well,viewable.

THE WOMAN EVERYONE LOVES TO HATE..........2005-08-07

This is a film that is taken from the play "Becky Sharp" by Langdon Mitchell, which is loosely adapted from William Makepeace Thackeray's novel, "Vanity Fair". The film is only eighty-four minutes long but manages to hit many of the main events in Thackeray's novel, albeit, at break neck speed. More importantly, the main character stays somewhat true to Thackeray's concept of her, unlike Mira Nair's "Vanity Fair", which basically eviscerates the life out of Becky Sharp, the literary character that everyone loves to hate.

In this brief film, the viewer sees a grasping, amoral, resourceful schemer who is not above trying on her best friend's husband for size and cheating on her own, as well, if expediency calls for it. We first see Becky leaving Miss Pinkerton's School for Young Ladies, where as an orphan she had labored, getting an education, as well as everyone's hand-me-downs. Tired of being looked upon as being less than all the others, Becky is not loathe to leave the school, especially as the wealthy Amelia Sedley has invited her to stay with her until she can find a position. So, after an insouciant departure from the school, Becky is unleashed upon an unsuspecting world.

When Amelia finds herself the object of affection of two childhood friends and gentleman soldiers, William Dobbin and George Osborne, she becomes engaged to George. Becky, having been unsuccessful in luring Amelia's hapless brother, Joseph, into marriage, leaves the Sedley household. She secures a post as governess in the household of Sir Pitt Crawley. There she meets Rawdon Crawley, Sir Pitt Crawley's second oldest son, and the man with whom she falls in love. He assists her in getting a post as a companion to his wealthy elderly aunt, and off she goes. She later marries Rawdon, who is a gentleman soldier and a gambler. They, along with the now married Amelia and George Osborne, find themselves in Belgium, where the Battle of Waterloo is fought. It is there that Becky carries on a flirtation with George. It is there that she also meets the Marquis de Steyne.

After Waterloo, Becky and Rawdon find themselves back in England, as Rawdon survived Waterloo. George Osborne, however, did not. Together, Rawdon and Becky live far above their means. Her desire to rise in society takes some doing, and the Marquis de Steyne acts as her mentor. When Rawdon's gambling debts demand satisfaction, she turns to the Marquis as a last resort, having no other recourse. In return for the money that would ensure the salvaging of her husband's honor, she decides to give the Marquis that for which he has so patiently waited. Unfortunately, the best-laid plans often go awry, and Rawdon and Becky come to an unhappy parting of the ways. Becky's glittering social career comes crashing down upon her.

Becky, now down and out, finds herself on the skids, no longer the glittering society hostess. She tries singing in a music hall. After all, didn't the Marquis find her singing charming? Unfortunately, the paying customers of the music hall have higher standards, when it comes to their entertainment, and Becky bombs. With Becky on the verge of being taking to jail for non-payment of rent for her garret room, Amelia, hearing of her old friend's plight, comes swooping down like a guardian angel, together with her brother, Joseph, and her devoted friend and admirer, William Dobbin. She offers Becky an opportunity to come and live with her, which Becky gladly accepts. Then William objects, given what he knows of Becky, and basically gives Amelia an ultimatum in which she is to choose Becky or him. Amelia, true and loyal friend that she is, chooses Becky. In a redemptive moment, Becky tells Amelia, who has cherished George's memory and failed to see the love that William has for her, the truth about George, opening Amelia's eyes. She sends Amelia after William, while she ponders her future. Then, once again her eyes rest upon Joseph Sedley. So it begins, and so it ends.

Miriam Hopkins gives a somewhat histrionic, over the top performance as Becky, but somehow it works. Frances Dee is excellent in the role of Amelia. Nigel Bruce practically steals the show with his portrayal of the bumbling Joseph Sedley. Sir Cerdric Hardwicke, however, gives him a run for his money as the elegant and faintly sinister Marquis de Steyne. Alan Mowbray is very good in the role of Rawdon. G. P. Huntley satisfies the requirements of the reduced George Osborne role, while Colin Tapley turns in a strong performance as the stalwart William Dobbin. Billy Burke has a very small role as Lady Bareacres. If you blink, you will miss her.

As this was the first film produced in three strip Technicolor, one would think that more care and attention would have been paid to its release on DVD. Unfortunately, with this DVD one gets what one paid for. This bargain basement priced DVD provides the viewer with a grainy print with an occasional audio or visual blip. Moreover, if one is looking for bonus features, one must look elsewhere, as none are to be had on this low rent DVD.

This lack of attention to production values was extremely shortsighted of the studio charged with the release of this film, especially in light of the buzz generated by Mira Nair's release of "Vanity Fair". While the studio timed the release of this DVD just right, they missed the boat by deciding to be penny wise but pound foolish. I myself bought this film after having seen "Vanity Fair" and left wanting more. With the purchase of this DVD, I ended up getting less. The film itself rates about four stars, as I enjoyed it overall, being a vintage film junkie. The DVD itself, however, gets a scant two stars for its back to basics approach and its grainy, audio blighted print. This works out to the overall three star rating that I gave it.

Great Novels on Film: A Farewell to Arms/Snows of Kilimanjaro/Becky Sharp/Oliver Twist

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There Is a Better Alternative!

Great Novels on Film: A Farewell to Arms/Snows of Kilimanjaro/Becky Sharp/Oliver Twist
Starring: Great Novels on Film
Manufacturer: Bci / Eclipse
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

( G ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

All Deals | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

4-for-3 All DVDs | 4-for-3 DVD | Stores | DVD | Video
ASIN: B0000CDL75
Release Date: 2003-10-07

Customer Reviews:

There Is a Better Alternative!.......2005-10-06

BUY "CLASSIC LITERATURE ON FILM." You get ten films for $17.99.

CLASSIC LITERATURE ON-SCREEN: 10 FILMS
(Listed chronologically in the year the film was released.)

1. "Farewell to Arms" (1932. Frank Borzage)
-Gary Cooper. Helen Hayes. Adolph Menjou.
-Gorgeous black and white by cinematographer Jack Cardiff. (He won the Oscar for Best Cinematography for this film. Cardiff also did the cinematography for "Black Narcissus" and "The Red Shoes.")

BOOK - "A Farewell to Arms" by Ernest Hemingway

2. "The Snows of Kilimanjaro" (1952. Henry King)
-Gregory Peck. Susan Hayward. Ava Gardner.
-Color.
-The takeaway is Ava Gardner, but she's wasted here.

BOOK - "The Snows of Kilimanjaro" Ernest Hemingway

3. "Becky Sharp" (1935. Rouben Mamoulian)
-Miriam Hopkins. Frances Dee. Cedric Hardwicke. Billie Burke.
-Color.
-The first feature length film to be entirely shot in color. (You can tell...they still had to work on the kinks...the color in "Becky Sharp" is bad, which completely distracts you from the great acting by Miriam Hopkins...she's fascinating.) By 1939, the process of Technicolor would be perfected by the films of "The Wizard of Oz" and "Gone With the Wind."

BOOK - "Vanity Fair" by William Makepeace Thackeray

4. "Oliver Twist" (1933. William J. Cohen)
-Dickie Moore, Irving Pachel, Doris Lloyd, et. al
-Black and white.
-The first Hollywood sound version of "Oliver Twist."

BOOK - "Oliver Twist" by Charles Dickens

5. "Of Human Bondage" (1934. John Cromwell)
-Bette Davis. Leslie Howard.
-Black and white.
The takeaway is Bette Davis' performance...which shot her to acclaim. This is one of the best performances I've ever seen of an actress.

BOOK - "Of Human Bondage" by W. Somerset Maugham

6. "Whistle Stop" (1946. Léonide Moguy)
-George Raft. Ava Gardner. Victor McLaglen.
-Black and White.
It's a film noir. Very great actors.

BOOK - Whistle Stop" by Maritta M. Wolff

7. "Cyrano de Bergerac" (1950. Michael Gordon)
-José Ferrer and Mala Powers
If you're new to literary/play adaptations, start with this film.
-The takeaway is José Ferrer, who won the Oscar for his performance of Cyrano de Bergerac. People rave about his brilliant performance. You might recognize him as the painter, Toulouse-Lautrec in "Moulin Rouge." (Another amazing performance.)

PLAY - Cyrano de Bergerac" by Edmond Rostand

8. "Studs Lonigan" (1960. Irving Lerner)
-Christopher Knight, Frank Gorshin, Jack Nicholson, et. al
-Black and White.
-The takeaway is the cast and cinematography by Haskell Wexler.

BOOK - "Studs Lonigan" by James T. Farrell

9. "Jane Eyre" (1970. Delbert Mann)
Made for television
-George C. Scott. Susannah York.
-Color.
-The takeaway is George C. Scott. He's simply fascinating as Edward Rochester. (He was in "Dr. Strangelove" and "Patton.")

BOOK - "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë

10. "F. Scott Fitzgerald and The Last of the Belles" (1974. George Schaefer)
Made for television.
-Richard Chamberlain, Blythe Danner, Susan Surandon, et. al
-Color.
-This is a semi-fictional biopic on how F. Scott met Zelda.
-Interesting piece to include in this set.

SHORT STORY - "Last of the Belles" by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Drama Movie Marathon Volume 7: 8 Movie Pack

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Drama Movie Marathon Volume 7: 8 Movie Pack

Manufacturer: RightNow Disc
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video
Product Features:

BONUS: Each movie comes with a portable-media friendly version that can be downloaded to your Apple iPod!
Eight feature films on four DVDs
The Capture;A Star is Born;The Last Mile;Eagle in a Cage;Killing Heat;Little Men;Becky Sharp;The Man with Two Lives;

ASIN: B000GW390K

Product Description

The legends of Drama are gathered here for you in this definitive DVD collection of some of the greatest Drama classics to ever come out of Hollywood. This 8 DVD collection is sure to provide you with countless hours of entertainment. Drama Movie Marathon Volume 7: 8 Movie Pack includes: The Capture directed by John Sturges and starring Lew Ayres; A Star is Born directed by William Wellman and starring Janet Gaynor; The Last Mile directed by Samuel Bischoff and starring Preston Foster; Eagle in a Cage directed by Fielder Cook and starring Sir John Gielgud; Killing Heat directed by Michael Raeburn and starring Karen Black; Little Men directed by Norman Z. McLeod and starring Jack Oakie; Becky Sharp directed by Rouben Mamoulian and starring Cedric Hardwicke; The Man with Two Lives directed by Phil Rosen and starring Edward Norris;

DVD:

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