Product Details

• Actors: Kathy Bates, Jessica Tandy, Mary Stuart Masterson, Mary-Louise Parker, Cicely Tyson
• Directors: Jon Avnet
• Writers: Carol Sobieski, Fannie Flagg
• Producers: Jon Avnet, Andrew Meyer, Anne Marie Gillen, Jordan Kerner, Lisa Lindstrom
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Original recording remastered, Special Edition, NTSC
• Rated: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Universal Studios
• VHS Release Date: May 11, 1999
• Run Time: 130 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (238 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 0783230893
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #180,416 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com essential video

Kathy Bates stars as an unhappy wife trying to get her husband's attention in this amusing and moving 1991 screen adaptation of Fannie Flagg's novel Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe. After befriending a lonely old woman (Jessica Tandy), Bates hears the story of a lifelong friendship between two other women (Mary Stuary Masterson and Mary-Louise Parker, seen in flashback) who once ran a cafe in town against many personal odds. The tale inspires Bates to take further command over her life, and there director Jon Avnet (Up Close and Personal), in his first feature, has fun with the film. Bates develops a real attitude toward her thickheaded spouse at home and some uppity girls in a parking lot, but dignity is generally the key to Avnet's approach with the story's crucial relationships. Tandy is a joy and clearly loves the element of mystery attached to her character, and Masterson and Parker are excellent in the historical sequences. --Tom Keogh

Amazon.com

Kathy Bates stars as an unhappy wife trying to get her husband's attention in this amusing and moving 1991 screen adaptation of Fannie Flagg's novel Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe. After befriending a lonely old woman (Jessica Tandy), Bates hears the story of a lifelong friendship between two other women (Mary Stuary Masterson and Mary-Louise Parker, seen in flashback) who once ran a cafe in town against many personal odds. The tale inspires Bates to take further command over her life, and there director Jon Avnet (Up Close and Personal), in his first feature, has fun with the film. Bates develops a real attitude toward her thickheaded spouse at home and some uppity girls in a parking lot, but dignity is generally the key to Avnet's approach with the story's crucial relationships. Tandy is a joy and clearly loves the element of mystery attached to her character, and Masterson and Parker are excellent in the historical sequences. --Tom Keogh

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

73 of 75 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fantastic edition for this 15th Anniversary!, June 14, 2006

By 

Cubist (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fried Green Tomatoes (Extended Anniversary Edition) (DVD)

Every decade has its chick flicks that define those years and feature a who's who of up-and-coming actresses mixed with veterans. In the 1980s, it was Steel Magnolias and in the 1990s it was Fried Green Tomatoes, a southern folktale based on the novel by Fannie Flagg (who also co-wrote the screenplay).

Fried Green Tomatoes is a beautiful shot film that really evokes the rich, lush setting of the Deep South. Director Jon Avnet also uses warm colours to create an inviting atmosphere that draws the audience in. There is real artistic integrity to the camerawork which gives the film a Classic Hollywood vibe.

Fried Green Tomatoes is the perfect lazy Sunday summer afternoon movie that evokes simpler times. The film makes us appreciate taking the time out of our busy lives to stop and smell the roses as it were. The film espouses a simple yet important message of tolerance and compassion towards one another but not in a preachy way. It is a message that is certainly applicable today (maybe even more so) making Fried Green Tomatoes even more relevant.

There are a collection of "Deleted Scenes" that are really just little bits of added footage tagged on at the end of or in-between scenes. There is nothing too memorable here.

Also included, is an amusing collection of "Outtakes," featuring flubs and blown lines.

"Moments of Discovery: The Making of Fried Green Tomatoes" is an engaging, endearing retrospective documentary that runs just over an hour. Good news for fans is that Mary Stuart Masterson and Mary-Louise Parker contribute new interviews and warmly recall filming anecdotes, including working in the intense Georgian heat, how Masterson really handled all those bees and Parker's run-in with some nasty leeches. This is a must-watch for any fan of this movie.

"Sipsey's Recipes" include actual recipes for over 15 dishes that are taken from Flagg's book and that allow you to recreate the Whistle Stop Café's cuisine. This is a really nice touch.

"Jon Avnet's Director's Notes" includes script excerpts with specific directions he used as a guide when making the movie.

There are "Production Photographs" that include behind-the-scenes pics of the delicious food and also the movie crew at work.

"Poster Campaign" features various poster designs for the movie, including some really nice hand-drawn ones that are quite artistic in nature.

Finally, there is an audio commentary by director Jon Avnet. He takes us through his filmmaking process switching back and forth between talking about the themes of the film and production anecdotes.

91 of 97 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome Movie!, October 16, 2005

By 

Katie "book worm" (PA , USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Fried Green Tomatoes (Extended Collector's Edition) (DVD)

My husband had been asking me to watch this movie with him for years - it was one of his favorites (from before we met), even though he continually called it a "chick flick"... I was hesitant to watch it because I had the idea that it would be a sad movie - and I just don't like movies that leave me blubbering & saddened for the rest of the day.

However, last weekend we finally sat down and watched it together, and I was pleasantly surprised! Although there was 1 or 2 parts that led me to cry, it was not what I would categorize as a "sad" movie - in fact, when I really think about it, it was quite uplifting...

"Fried Green Tomatoes" weaves the life experiences of 3 very different women - 2 of them lived their youth about 50 or 60 years ago, and one is currently 40 something years old.

The story revolves around an "old" woman who is sharing her & her friends life experiences with the younger, 40-something woman. This younger woman is quite depressed, feeling like a weakling who doesn't really matter. She gains strength and a will to really LIVE through the stories shared with her. Spending time with the "old woman" becomes an important, life changing event for her - helping her to step-up and be the woman she truly wants to be.

This movie shows the importance of being willing to listen & learn from others - as well as the wealth of knowledge & experience that our elderly population has - if only we would take the time to engage them in discussion & listen to what they have to offer.

Overall, I give this movie "2 thumbs up"! If you're at all interested in human growth, and the "good old days", then this movie's for you!

57 of 62 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fine Adaptation, July 23, 2004

By 

Jay (Tallahassee, FL, United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Fried Green Tomatoes (Special Edition) [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I love this movie. I watched it and fell in love with Idgie and Ruth, both wonderfully quirky and southern. I'd marry either in a heartbeat and count my blessings.

The rendering is faithful in many ways to Flagg's book: Whistle Stop teems with life in all its contradictions, the actors portrayals are flawless (especially Masterson's of Idgie), the screenplay is spot-on (probably because Flagg assisted), and the artistry is close to that of the book's (anecdotal flashbacks). That the directors found a town in Georgia and not Alabama doesn't matter. We are transported to a special and endearing place in time, and we want to stay.

Everything about this movie works. Watch it and enjoy.