Customer Reviews

The Grey Fox [VHS]

5 star:		(48)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I have been a fan of this film since its original big screen introduction in the early 1980s. In fact, while it was still on the big screen, I would drive great distances if I had to just to watch it again and again. Frankly, I have lost count of those joyous occasions. And with the recent death of Richard Farnsworth, The Grey Fox will remain as a great tribute to this wonderful film and its star. The dialogue is simple and authentic to the time. The cinematography is some of the best in modern filmdom. No special effects required here. Farnsworth does his own riding showing once again, that he was such a great and respected presence on the screen. The photography will simply blow you away. The scene where Bill Minor and his lover are dancing with the glow of the Canadian Rockies at dusk in the background may be one of the most beautiful scenes ever. Other great scenes include the steam locomotive traveling along a steep canyon with the shape of the river below mimicking the gleaming railroad bed and the trail of smoke from the train under a darkening and damp Canadian sky. I get chills every time I watch it. This true story from Francis Ford Coppala's Zoetrope Productions, is beautifully, intelligently and skillfully presented and should be the keystone of every video library. Until the studios re-release this classic, hunt it down at your local video store while you can.

This situation is a travesty. Richard Farnsworth, Hollywood stuntman for decades, advances his career through prominent character roles and finally is cast in the lead of the Grey Fox and the Straight Story and upon his death the copyright owners cannot see their way clear to release a DVD of the Grey Fox?
And this is the same film industry that vociferously defends its property rights against copyright pirates?
The breath-taking cinematography, a riveting storyline and the surging rhythm of The Chiefton's score mentioned in nearly all past reviews make this work an obvious candidate for anyone's Top 100 Films.
If you have not done so already, check the box at the top of the page and hopefully Amazon can convince the studio to release a DVD.

While Richard Farnsworth made a number of films in his career, this gem has got to be his "shining star." Sensitively acted, beautifully filmed, and so completely authentic, this true tale of a lifestyle long gone and then tragically replaced by one just as bad, is among a meager handful of films that truly deserve to be called a "keeper." And with few exceptions has a town been more beautifully portrayed than Kamloops. Incredibly beautiful and so deserving to be photographed, this Pacific Northwest locale was the perfect spot for the telling of outlaw Bill Minor's escape from and then gradual emergence back into society. Farnsworth and his costar, Jackie Burroughs, are a delight, and their slow and gradual courtship sequence is one of the most romantic to ever reach the screen. The rest of the excellent cast complement them very well, and the fantastic use of film-within-film is perfectly done! Farnsworth's large eyes and always bemused mustache steal every scene in which he appears, and the final scenes where he accepts the orange from the little boy are as real-to-life as it gets! This one ranks right up there alongside a precious special few, such as Jackie Gleason's "Gigot," Robert Duvall's "Tomorrow," Robert Redford's "Jeremiah Johnson," along with "Silent Running," "The French Connection," "A Little Romance," "Sophie's Choice," "Conagher," and "Dave," all outstanding films that deserve special recognition due to the intense, magnetic and all-out personal performances of their stars. This Richard Farnsworth vehicle is in outstanding company, worthy of repeat viewing through the years.

This should be required viewing for anyone who appreciates a wonderfully made film with a literate, intelligent screenplay.
Former Hollywood stunt man, Richard Farnsworth, gives a terrific performance as Bill Miner an outlaw of the Old West who emerges into the bewildering, early years of the 20th century after three decades in prison. He tries to resume his former "trade" but it is clear that those days are gone for ever.

Farnsworth is so believable in the role, which is studied and beautifully underplayed. He is supported by a flawless cast and the burgeoning romance between Miner and feminist Kate Flynn - another great performance, this time by Jackie Burroughs - is both tender and credible.

The wole thing is played out against the rugged splendour of the Canadian Rockies and is topped off with a jaunty score provided by the Chieftains. Listen out for the haunting melody played over the closing credits.

After a number of years searching, I recently managed to get hold of an ex-rental video of the film The quality is not too good, but it will do for the moment.

This gem of a movie is crying out for DVD release - NOW!

There is a ton of old obscure crap that studios are more than happy to release on DVD, yet true classics like this must sit on their shelf. I saw this movie when I was 15 and it was such a moving experience that I've been making people watch it ever since. This film has so much heart and realism and it's a crime that we must suffer watching old VHS copies. Release it on DVD to honor the memory of Mr. Farnsworth.

On VHS this is available on two different labels: #1 MEDIA and #2 Video Treasures. If picture, sound and general quality are at all important to you AVOID the VIDEO TREASURES label. I learned this the hard way! MEDIA is the only one worth buying. I rented the Media version(recorded in higher quality SP mode) and then bought the Video Treasures version(an EP mode cheapie) - night and day difference. I was so disappointed. Finally found one on MEDIA and its just like I remember. IF THE AMAZON.COM ITEM DESCRIPTION LISTING DOESN'T MENTION WHICH VERSION THEY'RE OFFERING, EMAIL THEM BEFORE YOU BUY IT(and always check the seller's feedback too). I've seen more films than I care to mention and this one outshines almost every one of them. Hope this helps.

I've been a Richard Farnsworth fan ever since seeing this film back in the early 80s. I have to confess that my husband and I gasped at some of the shots as they appeared across the big screen. It is a cinematography masterwork, and the actors, especially Farnsworth, gave subtle, compelling performances. I have to send a "shout-out" to the studios responsible to PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE re-release this film so that everyone can enjoy it and see what a gentle and lovely actor Farnsworth was. Also, check out "The Straight Story" for one of the best, truly human dramas in recent years.

Richard Farnsworth as a character actor was underrated. It was only in his later days when his talents were showcased in movies like the Straight Story and The Grey Fox. The Grey Fox is a warm moving updated western with dignity and charm. The most beautiful scenery accompanies this lovely story. I am not a typical western movie fan, but Richard Farnsworth makes this movie exceptional.

Like other viewers, I wish it would be released in DVD. It is something that I will continue to watch over and over.

What's not to like about Richard Farnsworth? He was one of the few actors that received nothing but compliments during his acting days, an extremely likable "old man." Hey, few people every remember seeing this guy as anything but old, since he spent his younger days as a stuntman, rather than as an actor.

So, he was a very good choice to portray a likable thief: Bill Miner, the last of the stagecoach and train robbers. "The Gentleman Bandit," I believe, was his label. This is a nice low-key adventure, with almost no bad language and the British Columbia and Washington state scenery is absolutely gorgeous. It would look great on widescreen DVD. What's the holdup? (pun intended)

The only bad news of this tale is the usual filmmakers' twisted message to root for a man who simply was a crook, nothing else. The film also - especially to get the younger audience - needs more action. It will be too slow for them, but I liked it, if for no other reason that I can listen to Farnsworth's voice all night. What a "cool" guy he was, and it''s always a pleasure to see him on screen.

After serving 33 years in San Quentin Prison for robbing stagecoaches, Bill Minor is released in 1901 to a world that has left behind that out-dated means of transportation for the locomotive. With no useful skills, and at an age where manual labor would drastically reduce his last remaining "twilight" years, he falls back on the only think he knows. Robbing. A blundered train robbery attempt, however, sends him fleeing across the U.S. - Canadian border to a small town where he can remain anonymous until the "heat" dies down. It is here that he meets a middle aged independent woman and falls in love. Here he befriends the local Police authority. Here where he reinvents himself as George Edwards, a new man with no past - just a future. But the past refuses to forget and when a persistent Pinkerton Detective agent arrives in town, past and future become inseparable and the "Grey Fox" must flee the chicken coup once again. Beautifully photographed in the rugged Pacific Northwest, this is a reflective piece of work that is graced with a touching and very sympathetic performance from Richard Farnsworth