Customer Reviews

All My Sons [VHS]

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is probably the most powerful and gripping drama I have ever seen. Arthur Miller's "Death of a Salesman" invariably tops the critics'list of his plays, but I feel "All My Sons" is even greater. Edward G.Robinson is just marvelous as the businessman/father who OK's the release of defective airplane engine cylinders to prevent him from losing the lucrative government war contract. He makes his immoral act even more heinous by blaming his partner for it and letting him go to prison. He justified his actions as doing something that 'any man would do for his family'. When his duplicity is revealed and the horrible consequences of it are fully realized, you see Robinson go from a man on the top of the world to a man completely destroyed. This was, in my opinion, his very finest performance. Maidy Christian, as his wife, and Burt Lancaster, as his son, also give stellar performances.This is one of America's finest plays given its full justice on the screen.

A word about this disc's manufacturer.
NOSTALGIA FAMILY VIDEO, formerly "Hollywood's Attic," is an unauthorized purveyor of classic era movies, vintage TV shows, serials, foreign films and more. A good portion of their catalog is public domain material.

SYNOPSIS--
Based on Arthur Miller's play, ALL MY SONS features Edward G. Robinson as an atypical villain: a machine shop owner who thinks that his illegalities were committed for his family's sake-- he's in total denial of all culpability. During WWII, Joe Keller (Robinson) knowingly sends out defective engine parts that ultimately cause the deaths of 21 American pilots. He allows his partner to take full blame, and the man is wrongly imprisoned.

Burt Lancaster plays son Chris, just returned from war, who can't (or won't) believe what his father has done. Louisa Horton is Ann Deever, daughter of Joe's jailed partner. Ann was engaged to Chris's brother, now presumed dead in battle. Mady Christians is the mother who steadfastly and irrationally refuses to accept the death of her son.

Chris and Ann bond, fall in love and become engaged, which angers Ann's brother George (Howard Duff), for he knows the truth about Joe Keller's crimes. When Chris visits Herbert Deever (Frank Conroy) in jail, Deever convinces Chris of his innocence. Next comes a dramatic showdown of words between Chris and his father.


Although not issued by the studio on DVD (as of 12/08), there are still limited numbers of VHS copies of ALL MY SONS available (at premium prices).

A year after this picture, Edward G. Robinson was given a "Best Actor" award at the Cannes Film Festival for the superb film noir, HOUSE OF STRANGERS. (VHS edition) (DVD edition)
Burt Lancaster's sole Oscar win was for the lead in ELMER GANTRY (1960) (VHS edition) (DVD edition)


Parenthetical number preceding title is a 1 to 10 viewer poll rating found at a film resource website.

(7.4) All My Sons (1948) - Edward G. Robinson/Burt Lancaster/Mady Christians/Louisa Hortins/Howard Duff/Frank Conroy/Arlene Francis/Harry Morgan

An underrated gem. Robinson's tour de force performance should have won him an Oscar. Lancaster as the "second son" elicits sympathy and admiration. The women in the cast make you hang on every word and facial expression. The whole ensemble is a jewelry box and Miller's script is impeccable. The story builds and culminates to a dramatic conclusion that leaves you feeling as if you are a member of this family in crisis.

Perfect casting and an all-time great classic that closely captures the essence of Arthur Miller's play.

Wow. Caught this, by chance, just surfing cable early one morning on Turner Classic Movies. Never heard of it. This films grabs you by the collar from frame one and doesn't let go. What is this film? Sneak away to the Net. Written by Arthur Miller who wrote Death of a Salesman. Script, direction, acting, black and white cinematography - all outstanding. I won't go into the plot synopsis, but a young Burt Lancaster is terrific in it, as are the recognizable women in the cast. But the stand-out here is the performance of Edward G. Robinson, who's simply perfect. Man - could that guy act. All My Sons is a powerful philosophic morality play that couldn't have been executed any better. Do yourself a favor and rent it, put it in your Netflix queue, or buy it here on Amazon. If anything, to remind yourself of the power of films in the age of lame comic book adaptations, sequels, and CGI dreck.

" You wanna know, ask Joe" is the phrase that Frank Conroy asks Lancaster in the jail visiting room. One of many riveting scenes in Arthur Miller,s masterpiece.

Edward G. Robinson,s talent is on display here and he is superb. What he can do with long dialogue pieces is truly amazing. A Fine cast includes , Howard Duff, Frank Conroy and Burt Lancaster produces fireworks..a must !!

Based on Arthur Miller's play, ALL MY SONS features Edward G. Robinson as an atypical villain: a machine shop owner who thinks that his illegalities were committed for his family's sake-- he's in total denial of all culpability. During WWII, Joe Keller (Robinson) knowingly sends out defective engine parts that ultimately cause the deaths of 21 American pilots. He allows his partner to take full blame, and the man is wrongly imprisoned.

Burt Lancaster plays son Chris, just returned from war, who can't (or won't) believe what his father has done. Louisa Horton is Ann Deever, daughter of Joe's jailed partner. Ann was engaged to Chris's brother, now presumed dead in battle. Mady Christians is the mother who steadfastly and irrationally refuses to accept the death of her son.

Chris and Ann bond, fall in love and become engaged, which angers Ann's brother George (Howard Duff), for he knows the truth about Joe Keller's crimes. When Chris visits Herbert Deever (Frank Conroy) in jail, Deever convinces Chris of his innocence. Next comes a dramatic showdown of words between Chris and his father.


As of 11/09, "All My Sons" was available on DVD (at very high prices) from an unauthorized 'gray market' dealer.

A year after this picture, Edward G. Robinson was given a "Best Actor" award at the Cannes Film Festival for the superb film noir, HOUSE OF STRANGERS. (VHS edition) (DVD edition)
Burt Lancaster's sole Oscar win was for the lead in ELMER GANTRY (1960) (VHS edition) (DVD edition)


Parenthetical number preceding title is a 1 to 10 imdb viewer poll rating.

(7.4) All My Sons (1948) - Edward G. Robinson/Burt Lancaster/Mady Christians/Louisa Hortins/Howard Duff/Frank Conroy/Arlene Francis/Harry Morgan

I got this movie for my mom. She loves Burt Lancaster. I'm glad moveies like this are still available. Thanks!

My mail order arrived open without the movie inside. I called MoviesUnlimited and they immediately sent me a replacement movie. All with no hassel, quick and pleasant conversation. I wish all my dealings were that easy.