Customer Reviews

The Great Impostor [VHS]

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

 

 

Nearly everyone has at one time or another wished to be other than who they are. The reaching out to be more than one is has often formed the staple of Hollywood. The result is humorous more often than not. In THE GREAT IMPOSTER, director Robert Mulligan provides a darkly comical aspect of a subject that, in this film at least, is only a hairsbreath away from tragedy. Tony Curtis plays Ferdinand Waldo Demarra, a young man who from early childhood cannot make his own mark on the world and determines to make a series of marks by stealing the identities of more qualified others. In a series of vignettes whose only link is to show that Demarra's quest for recognition by using the names of others whom he deems as more worthy than himself is each time an exercise in futility. It does not matter whether he impersonates a physician, a warden, or even a police officer. In each case, he performs flawlessly to such an extent that he is the victim of his own celebrity and talent. When he is exposed, he moves on, shedding his previous identity before assuming a new one. The irony is that Demarra refuses to believe the sincerity of the accolades that he truly earns. The more his peers praise him, the more he cannot accept that praise at face value. Nowhere in the film does he provide a meaningful rationale for his futile gropings for self-esteem. His deficient ego is simply there, daring both himself and the audience to wonder what drives on a man who has such limitless talent at improvisation but such limited belief in his own identity as Demarra. By the movie's end, he has gone full circle. He has learned nothing about what fuels his desire to be someone else, and when the audience sees that he has been hired to catch himself, the humor of this irony covers a mystery that may never be revealed.

You will rarely see this film mentioned in books on cinema history, or on lists of "top video faves", but it is a highly enjoyable minor gem which provides an excellent role for the young Tony Curtis. It is the (mostly) true story of Ferdinand Demara Jr., and his amazing career of successfully posing as a U.S. Army officer, a Navy dental surgeon, a prison warden, and several other things which he was not. Solid support is provided by several fine character actors (Edmund O'Brien, Arthur O'Connell, Larry Gates, Raymond Massey, Karl Malden). Slightly overlong, but well worth seeing. The final shot is very funny.

Adapted from the novel by Robert Crichton, Tony Curtis portrays the depression era character, Fred Demara. Shortly after graduating from high school Demara flees the poverty stricken streets of Lawrence, Massachusetts and embarks on a thirty five year journey that would not be believable but for the fact that it's true. At the time this film was shot (1960), Curtis was the number one box office attraction in the country. A must see for the historical as well as the entertainment value.

Tony Curtis portrays "Ferdinand Waldo Demara Jr.," who faked being a doctor, warden, monk and teacher. When I saw this at the theater almost 50 years ago, I thought it was fascinating. Much older and seeing it on tape about 10-15 years ago, it wasn't as interesting as I had remembered. I guess when you're a kid, everything on the big screen is impressive.

Humor helped in this movie, giving it some life here and there as it's a bit slow-moving. However, I've usually found Curtis entertaining to watch, a man who played a lot of interesting characters. I still think he is/was an underrated actor, too.

It was nice seeing the main character, although being a fake, still asking for God's help in certain situations, inside knowing he was not doing the right thing. Those parts would be edited out if the film was re-made today. Also, faking being a surgeon is not something to be laughed at, especially if he was doing his operating on you or me!

Ferdinand Waldo Demara was busy deceiving people six years before Frank Abagnale was even born. Who's Frank Abagnale, you ask? You might remember: He's the guy "Catch Me If You Can" was based on. So if you liked that movie, then you're almost sure to enjoy this lighthearted biopic on Demara. That's assuming you like classic movies, of course. I wouldn't say this film is one of the all-time greats, but I easily give it five stars because it's an underrated, one-of-a-kind piece of entertainment that will hold your attention from beginning to end.

Okay, okay, it didn't win any big awards. But that's not why it will always be remembered. Tony Curtis has never been better, and the supporting cast is Hollywood's best. It's a true story, but who cares? Tony Curtis shows all of the charm, magnetism, and charisma that made him one of the most popular Hollywood stars of his generation. Hollywood has never been about acting. It has always been about pretty pictures. And Tony Curtis made one of the prettiest. On top of that, when he is on the screen, you can't take your eyes off him. Compare that to today's films. The movie is the star and the actors are furniture. And that sense of pure joy! You just get the feeling he's laughing because, Hey folks, I can't believe a guy like me is making a movie! Tony Curtis died yesterday at age 85. Enjoy his movies for how they make you feel ... happy.

WHATS THE HOLD UP ON THE DVD RELEASE OF THE GREAT IMPOSTER AND THE RAT RACE.THEY SHOULD BE RELEASED AS DOUBLE MOVIE ON ONE DISC.

It is one of my favorite movies, very entertaining, and I had it it on VHS for years. I could not resist to get it on DVD. Important: get a DVD player which plays PAL and all regions.

I always liked this movie by Tony Curtis.
Based on a true story. Condition of tape was excellent
and I enjoyed it.

I would love to review this item, but the vendor used Amazon as a front and ripped me off for about 25 dollars. Apparently he did the same with a number of other people. I was going to use the video for a reading class that I was teaching, but that went out the window, with my money. I'm hoping Amazon can get me a refund, but the real crime is someone using a reputable company like Amazon (I've never had a problem in the past), to "steal" (that's the only word that comes to mind) from trusting people. There's a name for people like that, but I'm too polite to use it - you can fill in whatever you like.

I hope Amazon tracks this "person" (too nice of a word) down, sues their "rear end" and shuts them down.

Thanks, Amazon, for your normally good service - I know it's impossible to know every vendor. I guess in the future, I'll just order the products that you provide and shy away from outside vendors - that's a shame because I'm sure most of them are decent business people. I just don't feel like losing anymore money or disappointing my students.