Product Details

• Actors: Burt Lancaster, Kirk Douglas, Laurence Olivier, Janette Scott, Eva Le Gallienne
• Format: Black & White, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: MGM (Video & DVD)
• VHS Release Date: September 1, 1998
• Run Time: 83 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6302605008
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #59,672 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Devil Gets His Own, May 6, 2003

By 

Roger Kennedy (USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Devil's Disciple [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This classy film mixes fact and fiction. Bernard Shaw's take on the American Revolution has all the smart touches that we associate with his plays with some scant reference to history thrown in. What makes this movie a hit are the three great actors who are all in their prime here. Laurence Oliver's John Bourgoyne (Gentlemanly Johnny) is simply brilliant. His acid wit makes for a most stunning portrait of this famed general. Shaw was probably inspired to write a play on this subject because Bourgoyne was something of an ametuer playwright himself in the 1770s. The film losely depicts his 1777 campaign from Canada to divide the northern colonies. The plan envisioned Bourgoyne's 9,000 (British, Hessian and Loyalists, with a few Indians) to combine with a drive up from New York under general Sir William Howe's main army. Berry St.Leger was to come down from Oswego with a smaller force. All three were to meet in Albany to divide and conquer the colonies.

Bourgoyne's plan, while elegant on paper did not reflect the logistical reality as far as 18th century armies were concerned. The events were to show that great miscalculations were made. The movie is based losely on the campaign. The towns and locales shown, as well as the characters of Lancaster and Douglas are purely fictional. But the clever plot and role reversal, plus the way these characters evolve in response to events illustrates how the Revolution must have seemed to many not directly involved in it.

The British were fighting a war for the hearts and minds of the Americans (sounds familar in Iraq now). The movie shows this quite well. While a little slow in the beginning, this short film quickly gains speed while its trio of lengendary actors unfold their magic on screen. Its interesting that the production was B&W as the color of the period and the unifroms would have come out better in color. The production value of the movie is quite good with correct period detail, unifroms, military bands, and artillery. While the emphasis of the movie may not be on the Revolution per se, it provides excellent period details all the same.

This sophisticated look at the American Revolution may appear too wordy for some, but it runs circles around such films as the "The Patriot". Whether you are a fan of the great actors shown here, love wity dialogue, or are seeking an unusual period movie, "The Devil's Disciple" has it all.

23 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An excellent cast and an excellent movie, July 20, 2001

By 

Peter Ingemi (Worcester County, Massachusetts United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Devil's Disciple [VHS] (VHS Tape)

From the "poof" of the muskets to the attitudes of the common soldier this movies portrays, in my opinion well one little corner of the american revolution. Lancaster and Douglas as always make each other look great while Olivier and the supporting cast shine as they peel away layers of the human psyche.

As for the plot many people seem to make the mistake of thinking of this as a revolutionary war movie, that is a very simple conclusion. This movie isn't so much about the revolution as it is about people serving their own ends. The writing and dircecting makes its points with the help of all the characters. You'll use more gray matter than you expected on this picture, but it will be well used

17 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The 18th Century, 50's Style, July 6, 2004

By 

Deborah E. O'Connor (Philadelphia, PA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Devil's Disciple [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This is one of my favorite movies. Burt Lancaster and Kirk Douglas are in thier prime, both sexy and studley. If they really had ministers like Lancaster, I'd never miss church. The story, adapted from a play is a bit stagey, but it's very enjoyable. I liked the black and white photography as well. The best part of this picture is Lawrence Olivier as General Burgoyne. He is just so fantastic. He steals every scene he's in and the wordplay between him and Kirk Douglas is really entertaining.
Also the score is very good. It's a nice movie and I can remember seeing this in the movies with my grandmother when I was 8. It still brings back great memories.