Product Details

• Actors: Elaine Collins, Julie Cox, Jessie Doyle, Richard E. Grant, Samantha Howarth
• Format: Black & White, Color, DVD, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Vanguard Cinema
• DVD Release Date: May 15, 2001
• Run Time: 84 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B00005ASP8
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #166,966 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• For more information about "Franz Kafka's It's a Wonderful Life" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

Stumbling over how to complete the first sentence of what was to be his masterpiece "Metamorphosis," Kafka writes: ...Gregor Samsa woke up one morning and found he had been transformed into a giant..." A giant what? A banana perhaps? A powerful sustained joke on both the perceived image of Franz Kafka and the powerful sentiment of Frank Capra's "It's a Wonderful Life." Also includes "Seven Gates" - Brothers David and Daryl travel home to their family farm for Christmas; "The Deal" - A clandestine meeting between the world's two most powerful businessmen who negotiate a deal so immense, so awe-inspiring, so "BIG." The meeting progresses from the enlightening to the bizarre; "Mr. McAllister's Cigarette Holder" - In 1961 Georgia, Mr. McAllister lives alone. His reality leaves little room for pride, except for a unique cigarette holder he has. On a trip to town with his albino girlfriend, a sacrificial gift saves his pride and allows him to retain his dignity.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Kafka - the way you've never seen him before!, September 14, 2003

By 

D. Roberts "Hadrian12" (Battle Creek, Michigan United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Franz Kafka's It's a Wonderful Life (DVD)

As most people will surmise, the very title of this DVD is a sardonic inside-joke. The term "wonderful life" goes along with Kafka about as well as tropical vacations in Antartica. When I first saw the title I knew I would not be able to resist buying this DVD - even if only out of curiousity.

The DVD is four short-stories set to film; only the 1st one relates to Kafka. In the title story there is an attempt to comically discern the nature of Kafka's inspiration for his famous short story, THE METAMORPHOSIS. It's kind of like what they did with Shakespeare in SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE, only this time it's in a twisted Kafkaesque sort of way.

Of the rest of the production, stories 2 and 4 are so-so. Story 3, however, called THE DEAL, is absolutely hilarious. It pokes fun at 2 pompous CEOs who get together and make asinine decisions while untold thousands of jobs hang in the balance. Anyone who has followed the scandals of ENRON, WORLDCOM, etc. will find this a refreshing satire.

I would recommend this DVD for all fans of Franz Kafka as well as people who like "different" sorts of short-stories. Be forewarned, however, it's not altogether done in good taste. If that does not bother you, then by all means put this one on your wish-list!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Mixed Bag, October 14, 2008

By 

tvtv3 "tvtv3" (Sorento, IL United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Franz Kafka's It's a Wonderful Life (DVD)

FRANZ KAFKA'S IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE AND OTHER STRANGE TALES is a DVD collection of four short films that were a part of Sundance in 1995. These films are a mixed bag of absurdity, drama, comedy, and poignancy.

The first film on the DVD is the title feature of the DVD, "FRANK KAFKA'S IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE". The writings of Kafka and the films of Frank Capra express two worldviews that are almost completely polar opposite of each other. This short film brings elements of both together to create an absurd little story that tells how Kafka was inspired to write his famous story, "The Metamorphosis". This short won the 1995 Oscar for Best Short Film, Live Action.

The next short is entitled "SEVEN GATES". Two brothers who live very different lives meet up together unexpectedly on the road home to their parent's for Christmas. The family's driveway is incredibly long and the brothers have to open up seven different gates across the driveway in order to pass through. Along the way they have a conversation.

The third short on the DVD is "THE DEAL". Two of the world's most powerful businessmen meet together to discuss a joint project that will make the two men THE most powerful men on the planet. A duel of witty banter becomes foreplay to the agreement that is ended by "testifying" to each other (if you know the origin of the word you'll understand). After watching the short, I saw in the credits that this short was written by Lewis Black, the obnoxious comedian. If you like his comedy, you will probably enjoy this short. It's the only short of the four that would have been rated PG-13 or R.

The last short on the DVD is "MR. McALLISTER'S CIGARETTE HOLDER". The film is based upon a short story by one of the lesser known writers of the American South, Mark Steadman. The story is filmed in black and white tones and follows one Mr. McAllister. Mr. McAllister finds a metal cigarette holder while working in the fields one day. It becomes his prized possession and seems a good luck charm that leads him to a beautiful albino girl, named Dora, that becomes his common law wife. On a birthday trip to the beach with Dora, Mr. McAllister discovers something that shakes him to his core and is shown what true love really is.

I enjoy watching short films, but I have to admit that I only enjoyed two of the four films, "FRANZ KAFKA'S IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE" and "MR. MCALLISTER'S CIGARETTE HOLDER". "SEVEN GATES" has some touching moments, but it didn't do much for me and while "THE DEAL" is humorous, it's really nothing more than an extended punch-line drug out for almost twenty-five minutes. This DVD isn't for everyone, but if you enjoy short films, you might want to check it out.

5.0 out of 5 stars Movies for the rest of us, February 18, 2008

By 

S. A. Cartwright "Stu Cartwright" (Wayland, MA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Franz Kafka's It's a Wonderful Life (DVD)

Terrific alternative entertainment. Four short film-festival favorites from Sundance 1995 that surely are worth more than anything at your local multi-plex. 84 minutes in total. Humor for grownups.

The eponymous first film, Franz Kafka's IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE, is absurdity upon absurdity, with terrific casting and acting. Follow Franz Kafka's metamorphosis into Jimmy Stewart. Sets the tone for the films to follow.

Of the four films, I found SEVEN GATES to be the best. An eye-watering, funny satirical look at family, notably brotherhood. I ran it several times just to see that sad-eyed hound dog Mr. Biggens watching the goosedown feathers float around the back of the car. Dave Conrades and Floyd Clooney are featured in an amusing soundtrack. If you enjoyed "Fargo", this short will hit your funnybone in the same spot.

THE DEAL spoofs egomaniac CEOs, and is just ridiculous. (Beware, it is not PG material.)

MR. McALLISTER'S CIGARETTE HOLDER doesn't really fit the humor of the first three, but makes for a watchable and creative short.