Customer Reviews

Foreign Field [VHS]

5 star:		(27)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

It is truly a shame that this movie is largely unknown, because it is one of the finer movies I have ever watched. The acting is amazing, and the characters play off of each other brilliantly. I have told others about the movie, and have to warn them that if they are looking for lots of explosions, blood, and guts, that this is not the movie for them. Unfortunately, we have come to expect and even crave that in a war movie. What makes A Foreign Field so great is the fact that the noise and bloodshed are long over, and the movie focuses instead on the memories and core emotions that veterans and their loved ones feel when reflecting on a different time. It is a great movie to watch on Veteran's Day or Memorial Day every year.

I knew nothing about "A Foreign Field" until I saw a bio of Sir Alec Guinness. Growing up lucky enough to be exposed to Sir Alec's Ealing comedies, I felt I should try to score this. Not to mention the fact that the movie co-starred the late, great Leo McKern. I found a used copy via Amazon, & though the ex-rental tape doesn't track well, I'm not disappointed in the least. Sir Alec & McKern portray old comrades returning to Normandy. McKern is right out front, as an irascible, less than charming Rumpolesque figure. Sir Alec's character, Amos, is "retarded", but though we suspect war wounds, we don't get any info along this line until late in the film. The rest of the ensemble cast works amazingly well, even Geraldine Chaplin, who has grated on me in everything since Dr. Zhivago. FDR, excuse me, Edward Herrman, is very good, as are Lauren Bacall, Jeanne Moreau, and John Randolph. The moving look at the return of old soldiers to "a foreign field" behind Sword or Juno beach is reminiscent of ex-private James Ryan visiting Capt James Miller's gravesite in "Saving Private Ryan". I don't know, but I think Sir Alec Guinness was very ill when this was filmed. He says very few words, but his subdued, almost delicate Amos says volumes without verbalizing. This is one that must be brought out on DVD, and just to keep things unanimous, I give "A Foreign Field" 5 stars.

Was fortunate enough to have taped this when it was shown on PBS' Masterpiece theatre and have anxiously awaited for it to be released on dvd.
truly one of the best to watch over and over again...there are a few light-hearted moments but get your hankies or kleenex out.
the entire cast is simply superb.

A masterful work. The personalities, like spokes in some wheel of poetic prose, converge at the end into a turning hub -- which unites them all. This is a film which finds humanity in every aspect and levels the playing field in a way we all can understand. The UK-US counterpoint (and comedy!) was superb. The remembrance of ALL dead at Normandy inspired tears, no matter what language we speak. There we ALL are: almost jaybird-naked in ourselves! As a retired naval officer, I can only praise the makers of this fine film. Every generation viewing it may find great value in the visual experience. The WW2 heros (all of them) who see it will find comfort in the faithful completion of duty. Regardless of the white slab which commemorates participants in D-Day, "A Foreign Field" speaks for all.

This film was made to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the Normandy landings, and tells of a chance meeting between several people who have returned to Normandy to visit graves of friends and a brother. A French woman joins their quest, after two of the people (who had more than a passing interest in her in the war), find her in an old peoples home. The story is touching and in no way glorifies war, but equally it does not denigrate the people who were part of it. The casting is perfection. It is a very funny film, but you need your tissues because it is also very moving and quite sad. One of the very best.

Foreign Field is a very moving film for those who were veterans and also for those who were not. An American man, his daughter and son-in-law are visiting France to see Omaha Beach, where the father landed in 1944 Randolph, Chaplin and Herrmann). Two British men are also visiting the same area (McKern and Guinness) one who is severely handicapped and mutters Briggsy throughout the film. What developes when these two groups meet is both funny and moving. The British and American veterans remember a French girl who tended them when they were wounded during the fighting in Normandy. When they find that it is the same woman and she now lives in a nursing home the reality of aging sinks in. The casting of this film was superb. On the British side, Leo McKern and Sir Alec Guinnes are outstanding. The American casting is no less thoughtful, John Randolph as the American vet, Geraldine Chaplin as his cranky and rather bitchy daughter, Edward Herrmann as the befuddled son-in-law cast in the role of peacemaker. Lauren Bacall as a single woman, recently widowed, visiting Normandy for her own reasons gives the film a bit of mystery.Jeanne Moreau as the French woman who as a girl was the angel of mercy to both the wounded men is a key piece of casting. There are a number of memorable scenes in this film; the whole group huddled in one car as Leo McKern describes how his best friend died after crawling over a landmine in the hedgerows, Lauren Bacall taking them to her brother's grave, John Randolph visiting his friends grave off of Omaha Beach, Edward Herrmann getting an early christmas present from his now more reachable wife. The most moving scene is purely visual and leaves the greatest impression, I think. It is the vast row of crosses and stars of david that cover the American cemetery behind Omaha Beach, it is breathtaking and emotionally charged at the same time. This is a finely crafted film that has had little market exposure, but should be a must see for anyone interested in World War II and the aftermath.

A sleeper. I fortunately saw Foreign Field on TV several years ago and remembered it. With the current interest in WW II Europe, this movie provides a different viewpoint than the tremendous violence of combat. No mud, no blood and the sun is shining. Wryly humorous at the start, it segues into an emotional end. Not a dry eye in the house.

WAT A FILM. SAW IT FIRST MANY YEARS AGO ON PBS AND WHILE SEARCHING LAUREN BACALL FILMS, CAME ACROSS IT AND ORDERED IT IMMEDIATELY.

THIS BRILLANT STORY GRABS YOU AND HOLDS YOU TIL THE VERY END. FINE, FINE ACTORS MIX WELL AND TELL A RIVETING STORY OF SOLDIERS WITH GUILT, A SISTEN TRYING TO REMEMBER HER BROTHERS FACE, A WWII "LADY OF THE EVENING", A DAUGHTER AND SON IN LAW WITH A STORY OF THEIR OWN, UNFOLDING AND MIXING BACK TOGETHER. EVERYONE LEARNS FROM ONE ANOTHER IN THIS FILM. SIR ALEC IS AT HIS BEST WITH THE LEAST AMOUNT OF WORDS TO BE SPOKEN HIS FACIAL EXPRESSIONS MANAGE TO CONVEY HIS OWN STORY

DO NOT MISS THIS FILM - IT SHOULD BE SHOWN TO EVERY MAN, WOMAN, AND CHILD, ESPECIALLY SCHOOL AGED CHILDREN. WHAT A LESS THEY COULD LEARN!

WATCH THIS FILM ... I DO, AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN!

This is my alltime favorite film, ever since it came out. The combination of fabulous actors, every one of them, a great story, and a completely moving moral element. Anyone who wants to see any of these actors at their best, or see characters develop increasing sensitivity, subtlety, sense of responsibility and love toward each other, you would appreciate this film.

The thing that impressed me the most was the crafting of the film to build to the touching climax at the grave of Lauren Bacall's brother. The movie begins with the Brit and the American at odds and moves forward as they realize they shared a common experience on D-Day with both contributing to the Allied victory. At the film's end they come to know that that experience was also shared by the enemy, who were also just soldiers doing their duty and likewise deserve respect. After 50 years, a common ground is reached and all are reconciled to the past.