Customer Reviews

Carrie [VHS]

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

First of all, be warned - this is a downer and not a film to be recommended to anyone who is suffering from depression or low self esteem.

Theodore Dreiser's novel, "Sister Carrie," first published in 1900, had its share of controversy and initial sales were poor. Today it is viewed as a major American classic. Dreiser's characters are victims of chance and circumstance and their motivations are fueled by their desires without serious thought to the consequences of their actions. Readers were especially shocked that the heroine's "sinful" ways would be rewarded in the end.

"Carrie" was filmed in 1950 but it sat on the shelf for two years before being released in 1952. The studio felt that the political climate at the time wasn't right for the film. In fact, this dvd version contains a scene that wasn't included in the American release but was in prints for the foreign markets. A note at the beginning of the film alludes to the politics of the time but really it just raises more questions than answers. This is a film begging for a commentary but unfortunately there isn't one.

With no extras provided, we only have the film to enjoy but what an excellent film this is. The technical aspects are top notch with William Wyler's skillful direction making this one of his best films, Victor Milner's sharp and unsentimental black and white photography and David Raskin's lovely score. But what really shines are the actors. Jennifer Jones, certainly one of the most beautiful actresses to ever work in Hollywood, is perfect as Carrie - naive and innocent in the beginning but learning the ways of the world too late, Eddie Albert as the charming but oily Drouet and Miriam Hopkins as the icy and shrewd Julia Hurstwood. The stand out performance, however, has to be Laurence Olivier, as George Hurstwood, the man whose obsession for Carrie eventually leads to his downfall. This is arguably his best screen performance but one that is often overlooked.

"Carrie" is a mature and sensitive film and one that makes a stark contrast to Hollywood's usual romantised fare. It is an unfogettable film but certainly not for everyone.

Movie: ***** DVD Quality: *** DVD Extras: N/A

A tour de force performance by Laurence Olivier distinguishes this screen adaptation of Theodore Dreiser's novel "Sister Carrie". Under William Wyler's sure-handed direction, Olivier portrays a middle aged man whose comfortable, but unhappy, life tragically unravels when he persues the love of a young woman in a desperate last attempt at personal happiness. Sabotaged by fate, circumstance, and his own compromised morality, Olivier's descent into poverty, isolation, and despair is harrowing to witness. As the object of his passion, Jennifer Jones is very good indeed in the title role. Certainly, she has never appeared more lovely than she does in this film; it is critical that the audience believe that Olivier's character would risk everything for her, and sure enough, one can easily understand why Olivier is captivated by her charm and grace. Equally effective in key supporting roles are Miriam Hopkins in the role of Olivier's controlling shrew of a wife and Eddie Albert as a smooth-talking salesman who also loves Jones in his own opportunistic way.

The Paramount DVD edition of this neglected jewel is a mixed bag quality-wise. On the one hand, it includes a long-censored and important sequence showing Olivier's character at his lowest, sick and disheveled and destitute, spending the night in a filthy flophouse. On the other hand, the transfer quality is uniformly substandard, featuring gainy video that is sometimes plagued by vertical lines running through the picture, and often muddy audio. Regrettably, the DVD does not include any extras whatsoever, not even a package insert with liner notes. Despite these annoying flaws and omissions, this DVD is still very much worth a look just to see one of the greatest actors of the 20th century in what arguably may be his finest screen performance.

I notice many of the other reviewers lamenting that this film adaptation of Dreiser's novel is not as good as the book itself. Of course it isn't, but that doesn't mean there isn't considerable merit in this film. Naturally there are considerable differences between the book and the movie, but that is inevitable in any screen translation.

The performances are uniformly good. Jennifer Jones was hardly considered an outstanding actress, but she's well cast here in the role of a passive, timid and one-dimensional Carrie. The ambitious side of Carrie in the novel is muted a bit for the screen. Olivier is exceptional in the lead character and his disintegration from rich restaurant manager to skid row bum is masterful. Perhaps the most overlooked performance is that of Eddie Albert, cast as Carrie's first lover. Albert is exceptional and most resembles the original character in Dreiser's book.

The ending will have you reaching for your handkerchief's, so be forewarned. For anyone who has not read Dreiser's novel, you will be prompted to lay hands on the book as soon as this film is concluded. Recommended viewing.

*** A bit of a spoiler, the package makes this look like a glossy romance, and it is much deeper and darker.***
This movie really should have been called "George,"as it is the story of a man (Laurence Oliver) who ruins his life for love. Olivier is essentially different here, a humble man who suffers silently, simply wonderful, and shows here in his youth moments of the great acting of his last years (important, because he was aged up for this role). It is a simply brilliant film for him.
Jennifer Jones, playing Carrie, also gives one of her best performances, and their chemistry is fantastic. She was in her 30s and still looks 18, which helps a film where she ages from about 18 to 36.
I did not know anything of this "girl comes to the big city, gets compromised, and rises above" story. It is far more than this trite outline. This wonderful script dips and turns with the complexities of life relationships, legal relationships, and the things we don't tell each other.
Miriam Hopkins, even in her perky youth, was always rather arch and tart. This is used to fantastic advantage here in a very dislikable role. Eddie Albert is also used to best advantage as a flirty traveling salesman and lady killer.
In black and white, the story is about the divisions of poverty and wealth, and how life can take us through levels. Edith Head's magnificent costuming takes the leads from highs to lows, tenements to townhouses to the glamour of the stage in the early 1900s.
The score is by David Raksin, who did such memorable scores as WHIRLPOOL, THE BIG COMBO, FALLEN ANGEL, and PAT AND MIKE. While heavy handed by today's standards, it is musically complex and eloquent, and truly augments the emotional journey of the action. It is some of the best of it's time, evocative of the dissonant soundtracks of ON THE WATERFRONT, and REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE.
The realeased film had a section removed set in poverty row/homeless men's housing. This section has been restored on the DVD, which reinstates yet another level of complexity, the mixture of poverty, humiliation and pride.
All this makes this film wrenching, memorable and complete. Do not miss this one, it is highly regarded for all the right reasons.

Laurence Olivier and Jennifer Jones (not to mention Eddie Albert) give brilliant performances in director William Wyler's film version of Theodore Dreiser's "Sister Carrie" (the title of the film was shortened to "Carrie" so audiences wouldn't think they were going to see a movie about nuns!). A young, turn-of-the-century woman moves from a small Midwestern town to the big city of Chicago. There, she becomes entangled with two men: a slick and irresponsible traveling salesmen and a discontented (and married) restauranteur. Her involvement with the latter leads them both into tragedy.

Jones has been criticized over the years for her "passive" performance in the title role. But passivity is exactly Carrie's tragedy: she is too weak-willed and aimless to take control of her life, until it's too late. And Jones makes Carrie into a vivid--and bewitchingly beautiful--character. Olivier never had much to say "on the record" about his performance here, but it surely ranks among his greatest film work. The slow yet inexorable fall of his character, George Hurstwood, is among the most painful studies of failure on film.

Wyler's direction is tightly controlled with a briliant eye for the telling detail (although the second half of the film has a somewhat jumpy continuity, perhaps due to pre-release editing). And David Raksin's musical score is haunting; listen to his sad and beautiful waltz theme when Carrie first enters Hurstwood's restaurant.

Carrie initially sat on the shelf for two years after filming was completed; it was feared that the film's implicit criticism of capitalistic values would brand it as Communistic. These fears were unfounded, but the film has never received the attention it deserves. See for yourself one of Hollywood's all-time-best literary adaptations: Carrie.

another great classic from 3 time oscar-winner, William Wyler. this time it's a provacative and risque film at the time of its release (1952). based on the Theodore Dreiser novel 'Sister Carrie' this film tells the story of a tragic romance between a wealthy but married restauranteur and common lower-class working girl. the film never attempts to glorify or even condone on any level the actions portrayed by the principle actors. instead, the film merely suggests the inevitable tragedies that could befall such behavior between consenting adults. however, it never really condemns or condones, it jusr simply tells a tragic story. a must see.

as for the DVD, some artifacts are present but overall the transfer is good and the sound is also good for a film of this age.

CARRIE (1952) Starring Jennifer Jones, Lawrence Olivier, Eddie Albert and Miriam Hopkins. And no...this is not related in any way to the Stephen King "Carrie" film of the same name.

This was an amazing film. With Jennifer Jones I've found that I either really really like her, or am really really annoyed by her. There doesn't seem to be any in-between for me regarding her performances. Carrie is one that I really "really" liked. This has to be one of Jennifer Jones best performances. Lawrence Olivier also gives a stand out performance here. In fact, I'm shocked that he didn't even get a nomination for best actor because he is brilliant in this.

Jennifer Jones plays the title character "Carrie" who leaves her small town to go to the "Windy City". Jones older sister has already moved to the city and Jones, inspired by her sisters letters and how she is "seemingly" doing so well, also wants to make it big in the city. On the train to Chicago she meets overly friendly salesman Eddie Albert. Jones is shocked and a little uncomfortable by Alberts "friendliness" but ends up opening up to him. When they arrive, Albert gives Jones his business card.

Jones eyes are opened pretty quickly to the realities of city life. Working a sewing machine in a grueling boot factory, Jones barely makes enough to pay rent to her sisters family. After injuring her finger sewing, she is quickly replaced on the sweat shop assembly line. Desperate, she seeks out Albert. Albert offers her 10 bucks to get by until she can find another job. Jones, a "good girl", feels awkward about taking his money. Jones is also chastised by her older sister for taking the money and threatens to kick her out and send her back to the country. Later, Jones meets Albert at a swanky restaurant. While waiting for Albert to show up and give him back his money, she bumps into restaurant manager Lawrence Olivier. Olivier is taken by her beauty and innocence immediately.

Albert, who's "intentions" become less and less innocent, offers Jones the use of his apartment for a few days until she can find a job and get her own place. Jones is hesitant, but wants to stay in the city and make something of herself. Since he is always away on business, she accepts the offer. However, Jones soon realizes that in spite of her continued "innocence" and best intentions...she has become, in the eyes of others, a "kept woman".

As Albert continues to put off marrying Jones, Jones again meets Olivier who truly loves her. Olivier is in a loveless marriage with the shrewish Miriam Hopkins. Olivier continues to romance Jones until Jones discovers that he is married. Olivier demands a divorce from Hopkins be she isn't having it. Even Olivier's employer, the restaurant owner is determined to keep Olivier from going off with the "home wrecking" Jones, going so far as to give his salary directly to Hopkins until he can "think more clearly".

Desperately in love with Jones and furious at Hopkins and his boss, Olivier commits a desperate act. He convinces Jones that he's through with Hopkins and they move to New York to get married. However, Olivier, as a result of his actions, becomes penniless. After a tragic series of miscommunications, Jones and Olivier become separated. Jones star rises, as Olivier's situation becomes more and more desperate.

This is a wonderful film. Jones and Olivier are excellent together in parts that I consider to be among their best performances. William Wyler produces AND directs and it shows because this movie is first rate all the way. From the production, the outstanding and simply beautiful cinematography to the musical score, this film is just superb. I actually have to knock down Madam Bovary down a notch and replace it with this film on my list of best Jennifer Jones films.

There are beautiful shots in this film. Olivier has several incredible scenes in this. One scene where he breaks down completely is very powerful. Another, after a bitter argument with Miriam Hopkins, he stands alone in his home...tall at first, then slumps weakly in total defeat, slowly climbing the stairs to his room, walking as if he were on death row. Jones character goes through some major character growth here as Carrie. In one scene she comes to a shocking revelation when she sees the tragic results of her seemingly good intentions. If you enjoyed Madame Bovary and Love Letters, then you will definately enjoy this. An amazing film on all levels and deserves the maximum amount of stars and a hearty recommendation by myself. Seek it out and enjoy!

I wasn't expecting such a dark and depressing movie when I bought this. Starring Lawrence Olivier, one would expect his representation of a successful entrepreneurial American George Hurstwood would brighten the film in every aspects. Indeed he is. He is a wealthy restaurant co-owner, forgoing all his wealth and estate, divorcing his wife for just one country girl Carrie (Jennifer Jones) and began his miserable story. The story itself is well developed, with every moment of highs and lows well positioned to catch the audience hearts and minds. In the end, although the dignity of George Hurstwood is kept until the end of the movie, the audience would be saddened by the fact that George could not return back to his golden age, even his love of Carrie is so intense and their love might be so compelling. A general indication of the hard economic times they were in, I suppose. Overall, a good movie shot in the '50s with a touch of realism current, but not for those who are light-hearted and looking for a happy-ending love story.

this is one of those brilliant films that has been overlooked. a truly timeless movie of forbidden love and obsession. oliver as usual is brilliant and jennifer jones does an admirable job as carrie. truly romantic and absorbing. ladies.... bring your tissues.....

This was lovely understated film by the great director William Wyler with a touching performance by Laurence Olivier and a truly memorable one by Jennifer Jones. I was thrilled to see it come to DVD, the only problem being that the print used is unrestored and only so-so in quality. In some scenes the striking black-and-white photography looks good, but in other scenes the contrast is cloudy and inconsistent. There are even a couple of shots that are marred by scratches. It's not that it's bad really -- if you can get this for a good price, buy it -- it's just that the quality is not very good. What would have been great for VHS looks below par on DVD. This film needed to be restored.