Customer Reviews

All My Sons [VHS]

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

When I saw the name 'Aidan Quinn' on the cover of this movie, I rented it instantly. However, by the end of the film I was so taken aback by the shocking ending that I would recommend "All My Sons" to even people that are not familiar with Mr. Quinn. James Whitmore is outstanding as the WW II father who finally realizes how much his mistakes cost his family. Aidan Quinn and Michael Learned are memorable as the son and wife who remain in-the-dark to Whitmore's deeds up until the end when Whitmore's conscience begins to overwhelm him. The ending blew me away, and I am sure it will do the same to anyone who sees the film.

This is the performance of All My Sons to own since the play is done in its entirety, unlike the watered down 1948 film version where the role of Kate Keller is reduced to tatters. Here the play takes on full dimensions buoyed no doubt by the extraordinary performances of a cast consumed by their work. Special note must be given to Michael Learned who brings such power and intensity to the mother, she transcends her own mastery. And as the son of Steve Deever, the former partner of Joe Keller who is still serving prison time, Zselko Ivanek's George is a small gem. The vhs may be pricey but worth every penny. This is a production Arthur Miller would have cheered for.

I rented this movie basically on a whim, and I was schocked by how good it was in all aspects. The play, Miller's first hit, is not just the sign of a young playwright's beginning as a true artist, it is a typical example of his psychologically probing work. This would be the crowning acheivement of many lesser playwrights careers. This is a play about comming to terms with the past, and how difficult that becomes as time passes. It is also a play about the role of the family and one's responsability to it. (Sounds like Death of a Salesman, but it ain't.) The performances are strong in all accounts, illustrating the many facits and layers of Miller's play. No one performer can really be singled out because they were all amazing. The direction and technical aspects or the production are up to par with the rest of the "movie." This is a gem of American theatre, and should the genre.

I haven't seen this work since it first came out, yet its impression has been burned into my memory. I will disagree with the other review only that individual performances CAN indeed be singled out. James Whitmore brings all of his charisma to the father's exterior. It is his performance that is the most demanding of all, yet the most sensitively underplayed. Michael Learned was astounding and electric with energy and neurosis... And very, very young, just out of diapers performances by Aidan Quinn and Joan Allen show just how much talent they had right from the start. This is a definitive production of Miller's most visceral work. Worth every penny of the (sadly) inflated price!

I have been looking for this for years. When will they release it on dvd? The vhs versions sold on amazon are much too high.