Customer Reviews

The Bell Jar

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

 

 

I've been looking for this title on video/DVD for more than a decade, and was very surprised to suddenly see it listed here at Amazon. Unfortunately, upon placing the disc in my player, my anticipation turned to extreme disappointment.

This "digitally remastered" DVD looks like it was transferred to the medium from a really old, faded and probably moldy VHS tape. The image is blurry, and the colors are washed out. The sound is quite tinny, as well.

Under no circumstances should you consider buying this title. It's practically unwatchable, and would be a waste of money.

Another reviewer has also said it, the video quality is truly bad, and makes the DVD nearly unwatchable. If you have not seen the film before, you will miss a great deal simply because of the poor video, the story will be very hard to follow.

...spare yourself this movie. I was so excited when I found out there was a movie, that I tracked down the VHS online. It was *really* disappointing. The acting was bland to bad, and it had almost none of the feel that made the book so enjoyable. The movie "Girl, Interrupted", while also a flawed translation, is a much better purchase if you're interested in this genre.

I loved the book "The Bell Jar" and the movie would have been great as well, but the DVD was one of the worst transfers I've ever seen. The DVD looked like a vhs tape that had been played well beyond its usefull life. Some of the images were so unclear that you couldn't see facial expressions. Please realese a transfer that isn't one big blur.

Marilyn Hassett portrayed Esther with depth & turned out a winning performance as a poetess who gradually descends on the brink of sanity. Julie Harris as her mom & Anne Jackson as her shrink gave magnificent performances as well. Not to mention, Donna Mitchell, as Joan, Esther's best friend. The quality of the DVD may not have been excellent, but it wasn't too grainy at all & very watchable.

There are three reasons to see this very moving, if not book-faithful adaptation:

1) Julie Harris

2) Marilyn Hassett

3) Because you love 70's Films about Mental Institutions ("I Never Promised You a Rose Garden" and "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" to name but two).

The movie was delivered in a timely manner, and was exactly what I expected. I look forward to dealing with you in the future. Thank You!