18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Actually, Better Than I Thought It Would Be!, May 26, 2002
This review is from: Diane [VHS] (VHS Tape)
Years ago, my friend David had a book about history as told thru Hollywood movies, and that was how I first learned of the movie, "Diane". Seemed a silly movie, advertised by a dueling shot of French prince Roger Moore matching his epee with courtesan Lana Turner in her sixteenth-century Tudor style wimple. Fast forward to 2002, and put us in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where that venerable institution decides that a good movie to link to its current tapestry exhibit would be--yep--"Diane", of all things. The week before, it had been "A Man for All Seasons". Well, I just had to check this out; I mean, I've NEVER even seen it listed in a tv guide. Saw it with Edith just last night.
Not bad! Not a classic, but not bad.
For one thing, the costumes are just wonderful, the creations of Walter Plunkett of "Gone with the Wind" fame. No, they're not authentic, but this was a Lana Turner movie, you know, not a BBC documentary. So, if you like gorgeous women in velvet and pearls, this is an appropriate flick for you. Lana is appealing and I didn't really mind Roger Moore, although another reviewer found him wooden. The real Henri II was a weakling--that why he was controlled by his mistress--so that a stronger performance would not really have made sense.
It is in the supporting performances that we have our best people. Sir Cedric Hardwicke is a Nostradamus-kind of astrologer who tells Henri's wife Catherine de Medici to dry her tears over her husband's lack of sexual interest and concentrate on her destiny as future Queen of France. Henry Daniell does a great job as Catherine's advisor who keeps those intrigues coming--always a joy to watch him. The actor playing King Francis I had a lot of bravado and some set of choppers. I liked him a lot. And the woman playing Catherine was excellent, and actually there is where the film comes off the hinge for me.
Because ultimately, her Catherine wins the sympathy of the viewer away from Lana Turner's Diane. After all, she is the new King's lawful wife, and seems young and inexperienced. Might also be that there was so much publicity years gone by about the Prince Charles-Princess Diana-Camilla Parker-Bowes triangle that viewers of our generation would identify Catherine with the maritally neglected Princess Di. I was glad to see Catherine pounce on her newfound power once the King got mortally wounded, and assert herself finally.
Upshot of the whole experience: "Diane" is NOT a silly movie, by no means. You'll get a taste of French monarchal history (albeit a rather small one) that often Americans know nothing about, and see some really outstanding dresses for glamour queen Turner.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
some of the msot beautiful music ever composed........, June 5, 2007
This review is from: Diane [VHS] (VHS Tape)
The most unforgettable element in this average costumer is the extraordinary score by Miklos Rozsa, which ranks among his most magnificent compositions. The central theme, a lilting melody, is presented with varying segments of the orchestra. This score reduces the rest of this adequate film to cinders, but such is often the case with this seminal film composer. A comprehensive two-disc set of the essential score with extensive liner notes is available from Film Score Monthly. For film score fans, it is frankly a must-own.
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8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great Drama Movie in Epic Style of the 1950's, June 8, 2003
This review is from: Diane [VHS] (VHS Tape)
I watched this excellent drama movie on TV, having never heard of it. As other reviewers have done an excellent job of summarizing the content, I will merely state my reaction.
I'm not a James Bond fan, but I quite liked Roger Moore's performance and character here. Lana Turner was likeable and glamorous. I was caught up in the story from the first moment, and watched it rivited, until the end. This was a period and place in history that I previously knew nothing about. It was an emotional movie with a very satisfying ending.
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