Customer Reviews

Bright Leaf

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

 

 

I agree whole-heartedly with the other reviewers who point to the fact that the Warner Archive edition of this outstanding film can be had for much less at the WB site and at the TCM site, which I believe is licensed to sell this series. On the TCM site, the WB archives films cost nearly $30 when they first come out, but fairly soon thereafter drop down to $17.99 plus s/h. Before the advent of the Warner Archives shut down the bootleggers, I had gotten myself a decent copy for only ten bucks, and I can't say that life was so bad under those conditions!

Cost sonsiderations aside, you should mostly get your hands on a copy of this movie because it is just so darned good! Cooper is a man obsessed with gaining power and exactling revenge for earlier humiliations that were visited upon him and his family by the arrogant and crotchety tobacco magnate, played to haughty perfection by Donald Crisp. Cooper's passions are caught between two alluring and powerful women: the slightly mad Patricia Neal, Crisp's diva-daughter who fights ferociously and subversively to hold onto daddy's plantation; and the cultured, highly-successful town prostitute, played as both sultry and sensitive by Lauren Bacall. Both Neal and Bacall are in their full bloom in this film, as both talents and as amazing objects of beauty. Jack Carson does a great job, ala as he did in Mildred Pierce, of playing the amiable sidekick-turned-predator, and at times the film pivots on his portrayal--which is saying a lot given the pendulous pedigree of this cast. I can't recall a roll where Cooper was this fervent and driven to the point of being a loose cannon, but even more critical is his blindness to the dark side of his own inner demons.

This film has a much-undeserved obscurity to modern viewers due to never having-been released on VHS or DVD prior to the WB archive edition. It was rarely shown on TV as well. But now you can have one of your own to roll, and if you are a fan of Gary Cooper and post-Civil War period-drama pieces, you will just love this movie and wonder where it has been all your life!

I had seen this movie on the french TV about 25 years ago, and always wanted to watch it again,it is now possible through the WB archive collection. It's quite a good film directed by the great Michael CURTIZ,with a striking performance by "COOP" as a bad guy for a change,and a beautiful score by Victor YOUNG. Though not remastered, the DVD image and sound are in good shape.Thank you again,AMAZON,as it's impossible to get a copy of this film in Europe otherwise.

This DVD is from the WBshop online where it is available for half the price. Purchase for resale of these archive DVDs is prohibited by Warner Brothers. Don't subsidize theft by paying twice the price for an illegal copy.

If you are a fan of Post Civil War Melodramas of the likes of Warner Brothers / "The Little Foxes" you are going to hold this film as one of your favorites!

The cast of Gary Cooper, Lauren Bacall, Patricia Neal, Jack Carson & Donald Crisp under Director Michael Curtiz deliver one of the best ensembles put together by Warner Brothers / Jack Warner!

I could elaborate on the plot but if anyone wonders what happen to characters like Vivian Leight from "Gone With The Wind" & Bette Davis from "Jezebel" on their next generations this ladies have nothing to envy Bette Davis character of "Regina" in "The Little Foxes"

Now, needless to say that the male characters, Gary Cooper, Jack Carson & Donald Crisp not only hold their own but even the rest of the supporting cast make this one of the most dynamic team of actors put together by one of the most underrated Directors ever to grace the Silver Screen, Mr. Michael Curtiz!

This film will hold its own in anyones price collection of period films, I highly recommend it!

A great story of love and wealth, loss and loathing, Gary Cooper is one of my favorites, and will always be so, he is immortal, he had such feeling, and in this it shows true. If you like Gary and his movies, or you like a real story, then see this one of his.