Customer Reviews

Bernard and the Genie

5 star:		(37)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I was really excited to find this title available on DVD and it arrived on time for Christmas (most appropriate). The problem is that I have a high definition TV set and a pretty good sound system, which highlights the limitiations of this pressing. The picture is a bit fuzzy, but a definite improvement over my VHS copy. The sound quality is acceptable.

Yes, this is an official copy, not a bootleg (I'm adding this to my original review). The quality is much better than broadcast quality (i.e., VHS). The pressing, however, is not as good a copy as it could be. It obviously has not been enhanced for DVD and this stands out when you watch on a high definition Set.

My strong suspicion is that this is due to the fact that this was a made for TV film. The pressing's quality can be enhanced to meet the DVD medium, which it obviously hasn't.

I would have been much happier if the quality measured up to the DVD medium, which is why this gets four stars. Wham USA (the distributor) should either improve the quality or lower the price. That is the price is not really commensurate with the DVD's quality.

Of course, there are folks for whom this matters not, of which I count myself.

"Bernard and the Genie" is a delicious British confection, not unlike a box of Thornton chocolates. This is a delightfully humorous Christmas fable with wit and style. Allen Cumming is drolly funny as the mousy art dealer, Bernard. Lenny Henry is boisterously outrageous as the genie that Bernard unleashes after two thousand years of captivity. Rowan Atkinson, as usual, is hilariously slimy as Bernard's boss. Despite it's Christmas trappings your enjoyment of this film transcends the seasonal setting. Hop on your nylon magic carpet and see this film.

This is without a doubt a brilliant DVD, I first saw this film as a 9 yeat old and have loved it since forever!
I can't believe that this film isn't available to buy in the shops, if anyone reading this review fondly remembers Bernard and the Genie then i beg you, buy this DVD!!! its brilliant.

It seems that although Bernard and the Genie is available on DVD from Amazon, it's not an official version... and not wishing to pay nearly $30 and take pot luck, I can't say what the quality is like although I'd have thought it must have been imported from videotape...

However, after a bit of digging, I have discovered the company which owns the license for Brenard and the Genie is the Fremantle Media Group, based in London. So if, like me, you are dying to get hold of a fresh, new, official DVD, at a sensible price, please send them an email: <licensing@fremantlemedia.com>

The campaign starts here...
Steve.

"Bernard and the Genie" is everything a Christmas movie should be: heartwarming, poignant, tear-jerking and hilarious. By the end you should be cheering and crying, thoroughly touched by this marvelous film. If I didn't already have it on tape, I'd be paying $80 to whoever is selling it right now. One of my favorite movies, Christmas or no.

Horray....! Bernie and the Genie on DVD...!
I had this on VHS many years ago, however the tape got worn out through overuse.
I have been searching for this for years.

This does not come up on amazon.co.uk, surely it is going to be available in the country it was made...!
(Or is it only in the States because Alan Cummings is a huge Broadway star over there...?)

But none the less, I have it on order and my multi-region DVD player is ready and waiting...! Roll on the 28th...!

I was so happy to find this movie....saw it years ago on A&E and never forgot it. "Bernard" ranks right up there with "It's a Wonderful Life" (With which it shares something of a dark edge) and "Miracle on 34th St." (Another tale of the "true" meaning of Christmas). Lenny Henry is hysterical; Alan Cumming is terrific as the sweet sap whose life goes down the drain until he teams up with a magical genie. The bouncy musical score is a Brit-pop guilty pleasure. Charming enough for the whole family, though there are a couple of risque-humor moments. And you don't have to wait for Christmas to enjoy it _ Watch it anytime you're down and you'll be smiling two minutes into the film.

I came across this film accidently years ago on PBS. I had not even heard of Lenny Henry or the other actors before that, but they made a wonderfully talented cast. This is a great film, very touching and funny, a must see for our family every Holiday season. You'll love it.

I have had this film since Christmas of '92. Everyone should see this movie twice! Lenny Henry is at his best and the gags just do not stop! If you know of anyone who needs a good laugh and a Great holiday film - recommend this one to them! If you enjoy subtle humor and outrageous sight gags you will love this film!

This came up during a search for something unrelated. I've been waiting for a DVD release of Bernard & the Genie for years, though.

I urge Amazon to add links to DVD releases on corresponding VHS pages. They have links on some pages, but not all. There's a ton of VHS entries in my wish list which I check weekly to see if there's been a DVD release.

Also, some VHS pages have links to DVD pages which offer e-mail notification of release as well as voting for the release. Amazon, I've got a long list of films which I'd like to vote for DVD release. How about putting more of these links onto your VHS pages?

Five star movie. Great for the whole family. My kids still quote lines from it and break up.

Now why isn't Lenny Henry's "Chef" TV series on DVD? Just 20 episodes. Should sell as many copies as Fawlty Towers. Would you please create a page so that we may vote for such a DVD release?

Apologies to readers -- this is primarily a message to Amazon, not a review.