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27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Two Stones From Bethlehem, October 24, 2002
This review is from: The Best of Friends (DVD)
John Gielgud. Wendy Hiller. Patrick McGoohan. I could stop writing now, and feel that those three actors together in one film is all you need to know. But, I will continue. "The Best of Friends" is a television movie produced in 1991, which revolves around the correspondence of such towering figures as George Bernard Shaw, Syndey Cockerell, and Laurentia McLachlan, played by McGoohan, Gielgud, and Hiller, respectively. The three wrote letters to one another regularly, and even visited from time to time. This production culls its dialogue from the exquisite prose of those letters, nicely bringing to life these three interesting people. They discuss their ongoing lives, their opinions, their daily activies, their loves lives, but mostly their theological beliefs. Much of the story revolves around religion, faith, and devotion. Laurentia McLachlan is a nun, having devoted her entire life to the Lord. Shaw is also a man of faith, although he can sometimes be a tad more cavalier about it than his female friend, much to her dismay. Probably the most touching scene in the entire film involves Shaw's reminiscence of his trip to Bethlehem. McLachlan asked for him to take her there in spirit, which he did most admirably. She is quite visibly moved when he returns with two stones he picked up whilst in Bethlehem, one to put in the garden of her nunnery, the other.... for herself. It is important to note that Alvin Rakoff directed "The Best of Friends" as though it were a play. There is very little music, though the music that *is* provided by Sidney Sager is quite moving. There are maybe 4-5 sets used throughout the 80 minute production, and the actors walk freely between them, reciting their dialogue sometimes to each other, sometimes directly at the camera, and sometimes to no one in particular. This takes but a few minutes to get used to, and by that time you are drawn-in by the wonderful words of these three people, brought to life by these three treasured actors. "The Best of Friends" makes for quite an enriching viewing experience, and it is nice to see that it has been given a good DVD release.
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27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
This is the Masterpiece Theature play, NOT the TV show!!, June 15, 2002
This review is from: The Best of Friends (DVD)
This "The Best of Friends" has nothing to do with the TV series!! This is my favorite M.T. play ever. It is about three historally famous friends and the letters they wrote to each other to keep in contact. If you would like more info please click on the link at the bottom to see its entry in the IMDB. Actaully, its been forever since I last saw this (mabye 5 or 6 years ago?) I only saw it once and lets just say I have been waiting for this DVD for a long time. One of the stars of this show is Patrick McGoohan from "The Prisoner" and "Braveheart". I was clicking through channels when I saw him in this and decided to watch. I was COMPLETELY blown away. The acting is outstanding considering all they are doing is read the letters each one sent to each other out loud. Their is so much emotion and drama as we see the lives of these three characrets through each others eyes as read out loud only by their letters. Honestly I forgot most of the plot, but I do remember that it was very touching and even now more then 6 years later I still remember this show I saw. I mainly wanted to write this review to clear up that this DVD was NOT the TV series so that most people will not skip over it. If you're a fan of M.T or even a Patrick fan like me, then I highly recommend this show.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
EXCELLENT, September 23, 2008
This review is from: The Best of Friends (DVD)
Not for everyone. No action, no babes, no intrigue! As witty conversation between three diverse friends, as performed by three impeccable actors, John Gielgud, Patrick McGoohan, and Wendy Hiller, it is superb. If you like great acting, comedies of manners, and philosophy, this is a great DVD to own. In a sense, it is like having a copy (unfortunately never recorded) of Laurence Olivier and Alec Guinness as Toby Belch and Andrew Aguecheek in Twelfth Night. Everyone should know that John Gielgud was a consummate actor and that Wendy Hiller (have you ever seen her as Eliza in Pygmalion?) could hold her own and shine with the finest actresses of the 20th century. Patrick McGoohan is best remembered for Secret Agent and The Prisoner (and a few Disney features), but his real forte was stage work of the plays of Ibsen and Chekov. The voices are such that it would be nearly as good as a CD as a DVD. (As a matter of fact, that is where I first came across this work,) For those who love the spoken word for well written dialogue, this is a "must have."
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