Customer Reviews

Burn! [VHS]

5 star:		(29)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

This is a great movie, but if the previous reviewer is correct that it is being released in fullscreen (rather than its original 1.85:1 widescreen aspect ratio), then the DVD cannot be recommended. Worse, "Burn!" is the 112 min. truncated version of the 132 min. original version "Queimada", which was recently restored and shown commercially. There is no excuse for not having both versions. This would be a second reason to avoid this DVD.

[star rating above is for DVD only; movie itself = *****] director Gillo Pontecorvo's 'The Battle Of Algiers' has already been released by The Criterion Collection in an exemplary 3-disc edition - as mentioned by another reviewer, 'Queimada' (Burn!) [...] was also previously released as a Criterion laserdisc.

Given that the transfer here is non-anamorphic 1.66:1, and that the film presented is English-language 112-minute version - not the 132-minute Italian-language director's cut which was screened selectively in the U.S. last year - let's all wait for BOTH the English and original Italian versions to be released as a Criterion edition (as they did with Visconti's Il Gattopardo - The Leopard, on 3 discs).

Please send Sony/Columbia/Tristar/MGM (whoever the ^@~& they are this week) a clear message by not purchasing this disc.

Burn! was one of the most discussed films amongst progressive film critics and revolutionary activists of the 1970s and was considered by many  one of the most important anti-colonial films made. After "Battle of Algiers" (1966) left the world with a thirst for more of Pontecorvo's brilliance, Burn! carried his art to a higher level. In this panoramic film of rebellion in an 18th century Caribbean setting, the lives of the Black masses and the development of revolutionary anti-colonialism are portrayed directly and honestly. Brando plays with flair as the brilliant opportunist hired by the British military to "provoke" struggle against the Portuguese on the island, and it is clear that he took the role with political relish. Burn! remains one of the most beautiful and wrenching dramatizations of the struggle of an oppressed people in the so-called New World and its original impact is not diminished; anyone interested in fine film and issues of social justice should not miss this last work of Pontecorvo. See it and think about our world today.

The full, restored version of this film, which I saw theatrically last year, is a brilliant piece of political filmmaking and very, very exciting -- one of the very few films Pontecorvo directed, and probably the biggest in scope (THE BATTLE OF ALGIERS and THE WIDE BLUE ROAD are two others, and also worth seeing). The film deals with colonialism -- it could have been written by Fanon, for how radical it is. It's also presented in Italian, with Brando's part dubbed (but not as badly as you would expect) into that language. If this version were released on DVD, I would buy it promptly. A truncated, dubbed, pan and scan version? What the hell do these people think DVD buffs are ABOUT, anyhow? MGM can go shove, until they get serious.

AVOID AT ALL COSTS! I bought this for a little over $15 at another store and returned it within a week...Horrible transfer (if it were ALPHA video i wouldn't care, but come on...this is a major DVD company we're talking about, SONY!!!!!). Aspect ratio isnt the theatrical format, but rather PAN AND SCAN cropped sides bulls#it. Plus its missing like 20 minutes! I wouldn't recommend this for anyone. Just the thought of this release makes me angry (to the point of inarticulate). AVOID AVOID AVOID! and write a letter to your congressman (ha!)...or perhaps SONY/MGM. This release is inexcusable.

This is a historical drama about empires fighting over colonies. It is an especially effective portrayal of the colonial enterprise as it shows quite clearly and unsentimentally large empire nations taking advantage of underdeveloped nations for their own economic advantage. The historical dimension alone is fascinating but the film is also the study of one particular Englishman who is placed on an island colony that is currently in the hands of the Portugese. It is that Englishmans task to undermine Portugese authority and set the stage for the English to aquire the colony for herself. That Englishman is played by a long blonde haired Brando and it is one of the most complex characters he has ever played. The Englishmans expertise is creating revolutions. To create a succesful revolution he must first find the right man to lead it because of course the English cannot be seen to be involved in any way. So there are many fascinating scenes showing Brando the professional creator of revolutions, a mercenary hired by a government that just happens to be his own, going about the business of creating a revolution from scratch. From his first arrival on ship to his final departure after the task has been accomplished you cannot take your eyes off of him and you want to hear every word he says beacause he says some very interesting things which reveal much about the true nature of colonial enterprises and also reveal much about the sort of man who gets involved in such practices. He has a special insight, certainly a unique perspective, and an engaging and peculiar philosophical bent. But the changes he brings about effect him personally in ways he had not foreseen. A great story and character. Joseph Conrad would have recognized and enjoyed this character.
If this had been given the Lawrence of Arabia treatment it would be a world famous film. But perhaps the low budget was a blessing, as less money sometimes means more freedom. I think the film says exactly what it wants to. If you are willing to forgive a few low budget shenanigans you will find the film one of those rare and engaging ones that do not simplify complex issues and thus do not insult the film goers. A film made before it was assumed readers and filmgoers were mutually exclusive groups.

"Burn" has all the marks of a great movie. Its' characters are real. They each have their own strenghts and flaws. These characteres blend in with the story. The story changes characters from allies to adversaries as events shape their lives. Visually, it is well above average. The acting, directing, and cinemaphotography all excel. The musical score is fitting. The dialogue in this movie is sophisticated in character, yet clear and direct.It benefits from historical realism, yet is bigger than life. The voice-over is noticable, but done as well as any other movie of that time.

The two key actors do an excelent job of potraying their characters. Brando does well as William Walker as the complex and cycnical British agent. Evaristo Marquez is his perfect counter part as Jose Delorez, the simple but idealistic revolutionary.

Burn is worth watching more than once, as all but the most astute viewer will overlook some of its' intricaces the first time around.

Is it possible to craft a mirror of life on film?

Pontecorvo(director)transports us back to the 18th century, to participate in the struggle for economic, political and social power over a Carribean sugar colony. The genius of this film is in the questions it raises in our own minds, and there are many.

This film does not storm the senses but plays gently to the mind the eye and the ear. Brando gives us a rogueish,taciturn yet tragic hero, while Morricone weaves a rich musical blanket which is both enigmatic and beautiful and which comforts us through the varied scenes. We are methodically taken through the processes of revolution and insurrection by Pontecorvo yet the film ultimately leaves us stunned with the profound irony of how man relates to fellow man.

I saw this film at the University of Illinois Chicago Circle during a limited on-campus screening when it first came out during the VietNam War. What was portrayed in the movie as having occurred in history was too close to what was happening in reality at that time. It had extremely limited distribution on first release and, as I remember, was banned in many theaters. As I also remember, it had no support from the studio that made it nor the distributors of the film, and there were internal disputes between producer, director and actors. Actually, an excellent anti-war, or anti-colonialization, film. I enjoyed it then, and again, recently, some 30 plus years later. I believe it one of Brando's great performances. The music by Ennio Morricone is haunting and is worth the cost of the movie alone.

Since we know there is another version of "Burn" out there,i would suggest you wait for it and check rotten tomatoes.com and get an idea of its quality.You can not judge the quality of this film by the pan and scan,poorly coordinated color transfer that sony has issued.Brando told larry king it was his favorite film;not if he saw this package.