Customer Reviews

The Brothers Karamazov (1958) [VHS]

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Interesting how one of the greatest novels of all time can play like a pretty good episode of General Hospital on the big screen, when placed in the right(?) hands. See it for YB, God rest his soul, and some interesting family intrigue. You will be entertained, but if you want more than that, READ the book!

It practically goes without saying that this Hollywood production is inadequate as an adaptation of a monumental novel. On the other hand, even when judged as an adaptation, "Brothers Karamazov" strikes me as superior to efforts to film similar weighty Russian novels such as "War and Peace" and "Dr. Zhivago." The elder Karamazov (Lee J. Cobb) and his four sons, including Yul Brynner, Richard Basehart, and William Shattner, are so sharply realized they have remained vivid in my memory for over four decades. The same goes for Maria Schell (whose alluring, enigmatic magnetism must have had the same effect on me as Garbo's persona is said to have had on audiences in the '30's) and Claire Bloom, the two women vying for Brynner's affections. Finally, credit the evocative score of Bronislaw Kaper ("On Green Dolphin Street") and the efficient yet imaginative direction of Richard Brooks (responsible for the equally underrated "Looking for Mr. Goodbar").

Were it not for this movie, I would never have nursed a life-long crush on Maria Schell (the vital and resonant Grushenka) or become devoted to Dostoesky's fiction. Worse, I might never have met the Grand Inquisitor and become engaged in a theological quest that continues unabated.

This was fair as a movie, but an extremely poor adaptation of one of the finest novels ever written. It would be comparable to a cartoon version of Hamlet. Cobb is outstanding as Fyodor and Brynner is quite good as Dmitri, but they are hamstrung by a phenomenally flat script. Shatner is a disaster as Alyosha and the other characters are not particularly memorable. If you have not read the book, this is a decently enjoyable film. The original story is pared down and the ending changed, but still OK for a light viewing. If you have read the novel, however, this film will be neither entertaining not elucidating.

An object lesson illustrating the absolute difference between good and evil. A father and four sons, one illegitimate, come to terms with their differing characters. The point of Dostoyevsky's simple, almost biblically profound story is not lost, as all too often happens when Hollywood adapts a classic to the screen. A movie that will broaden your horizons. You won't want to miss it!

A tremendous adaption of Dostoyevsky's novel of father and son relationships. A parable of good and evil. All the right elements, superb acting, color, scenery, music. Yul Brynner's greatest role.

THE BROTHERS KARAMAZOV is a movie about a dysfunctional nineteenth century Russian family headed by a domineering father (Lee J. Cobb). He and his strong-willed son (Yul Brynner) compete for the same woman (Maria Schell). The family which also has three other sons is torn apart by excesses of every description and some of the characters seem much larger than life - especially Brynner and Cobb. The thoroughly competent supporting cast includes Claire Bloom, Richard Basehart and William Shatner.

The film was based on a novel by Feodor Dostoevsky. It received one Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor (Lee J. Cobb). The main competition for Oscars in 1958 came from GIGI.

Richard Brooks also directed ELMER GANTRY.

One of my all-time favorite novels, and now one of my favorite videos. Of course the book is better. A movie could never approach the philosophical breadth that Dostoyevsky does in his classic novel, nor could it develop the characters as fully and as masterfully. Lament that the "Grand Inquisitor" does not make an appearance in the film, and that the character of Father Zossima (a very significant figure in the novel) is not developed at all. But, for a movie, it's quite well done and worth the watch. Even my kids enjoyed it (my 10 yr-old daughter figured out the murder mystery before it was revealed). Yul Brynner is very concvincing and, I'm no "trekie," but Shatner rules! I liked it.

Yul Brynner was a great actor and this movie shows a more sensitive side of his charactor than his cowboy flicks. It also contemplates the issues of God, conscience, good and evil. I didn't read the book,I'm judging this movie on it's own merit. It is one of my favorite "old movies", you see multi-dimensional sides of the charactors as they deal with love, greed,family conflicts and jealousies. I think the actors play their parts well and you can relate to why the charactors respond in their ways to each other. I don't think Yul got as much acclaim as an actor and leading man as was deserved. He was the first man to make bald, sexy!

I saw this movie many years ago when I was little and liked it right away. It's a classic and I've been searching for a good German and English DVD for years but I found out it's obviously not available on DVD yet which I personally do think is a pity.

A very interesting movie if you don't want to relate it to the book. However, if you have read the book prior to watching this movie you will know the obvious flaws. Movie emphasizes on Grushenka and Demitri, and the struggle between them and the father Karamazov. The book takes more philosophical approach and fulfills a purposeful debate about the existence of God. If I had to chose between the book and the movie- I would chose the book without thinking twice. I recommend the viewer to read the book before watching the book. This will help him see the shortcomings of the movie.