Customer Reviews

Hanover Street [VHS]

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

When Harrison Ford saw an advance cut of the original STAR WARS movie he realized the powerful impact the movie made. In subsequent interviews Ford said that it was at that point that he realized that he needed to get to work in a variety of projects so he could avoid being stereotyped by the role of Han Solo. Of the three leads of that movie that shook the world in 1977 he was the most active in the years immediately following, and the strategy appears to have worked as now, almost 30 years later, he is the only one who is considered a megastar.
One of the movies Ford chose was the World War II romantic drama HANOVER STREET in the role of American bomber pilot David Halloran who falls for married English nurse Margaret Sellinger. The Halloran role was originally to be played by Kris Kristofferson, but it is a testament to Fords personality and acting that it is hard to imagine the movie as it was originally cast.
Viewed today the movie has an impressive cast, but at that time Ford was perhaps the least known of the three leads.
Playing Sellinger is the amazing and impossibly beautiful Lesley-Anne Down who was well known to British television audiences (in UPSTAIRS DOWNSTAIRS) and in addition to an appearance in 1976s THE PINK PANTHER STRIKES AGAIN had, a year previously, appeared opposite Sean Connery and Donald Sutherland in THE GREAT TRAIN ROBBERY.
Down would go on to make other movies such as ROUGH CUT (with Burt Reynolds) and my personal-favorite SPHINX (with Sir John Gielgud and John Rhys-Davies). But here she plays a nurse caught in a love triangle between the hotshot flier (Ford) and her British intelligence husband Paul (played by screen great Christopher Plummer).
The movie really picks up the pace when David and Paul have to work together behind enemy lines. There is dramatic tension there as Halloran is initially unaware of the connection he shares with Paul and yet, the success of the mission depends on them cooperating. This is not an action movie by any means, but when there is action on the screen it is handled well in a nice understated manner.
It seems that the transfer on this DVD has come in for some criticism, but I found it serviceable. I think the movie is actually quite beautiful at times.
The direction by Peter Hyams is steady and he keeps the movie focused on the human drama unfolding before you. He also supplies an audio commentary for this DVD release that is amiable and light.
On a trivia note, the young Sellinger's daughter Sarah is portrayed by the actress (and singer for the group Eighth Wonder) Patsy Kensit, who ten years later would appear opposite Mel Gibson in the action movie LETHAL WEAPON 2.
Three trailers round out the special features.

an exceptional movie set in london during the war staring a very young harrison ford and lesley ann down. everything about this movie is perfect. although mostly a bittersweet love story, the entire movie is a delightful surprise full of wartime suspense and the sacrifices made in the name of friendship.you will love the ending, even though it will hard to see through the tears.this movie was made before harrison ford became a star .what a treasure!

That sounds like a crass statement to make, to be sure, but in the case of HANOVER STREET, it is, unfortunately, true. The first 75 minutes is taken up with Harrison Ford as an American flyboy who falls in love with upper-crust British nurse Lesley-Anne Down, who happens to be married to poor Christopher Plummer. He seems to be a pretty good guy, but apparently isn't "exciting" enough for her, so she hops in the sack with Ford. The last 45 minutes is much better, as Ford and Plummer find themselves stuck behind enemy lines in Occupied France together, and must work together to get out. It's only here in which the film really picks up -- too bad the movie didn't focus on this aspect rather than the mush.

The DVD itself has a transfer that's been criticized a bit, but I didn't think it was too bad. David Watkin's cinematography comes out nicely, although there is a fair bit of haloing surrounding the light sources in indoor scenes. The audio nicely features John Barry's lush romantic score (really, the only good thing about the romantic part of the film).

The extras are few: an audio commentary by director Peter Hyams, which is listenable, but not essential, and three trailers. All in all, an average DVD presentation of an average film.

The film: 3 stars.
The extras: 3 stars.

I had seen this movie years ago, but had little recollection of it, so I was looking forward to seeing it again.

Unfortunately, second time around it was a real disappointment, particularly the character played by Harrison Ford. He was woody and unbelievable. In particular, the aerial combat scenes, with their attempts at sardonic humour, did not work for me.

The action scenes stretched credulity somewhat, but, as in "The Great Escape", that didn't bother me all that much. You expect a bit of that in films like this, and it's even a bit endearing.

The film was rescued to some extent by Christopher Plummer's character, which was for me, the best thing about the film. Lesley-Anne Down also does a reasonable job, but it's not Harrison Ford's finest hour, unfortunately. The story is pleasant enough, but Ford's charactter lets it down.

Hanover Street portrays young Harrison Ford at his romantic best. As a fearless fighter pilot in WWII stationed in England he meets and falls in love with a gorgeous Leslie-Ann Down who tries to hide the fact that she is married to Spy Master Christopher Plummer. Harrison loses his edge in flying fearlessly as he gains his affection for Down. He is assigned to take an England officer into Germany to uncover the identity of a double-spy. The plane crashes and the two end up escaping the French countryside together. That union is fateful, funny and touching. This movie is for the romantic at heart. I've seen it several times!

I've always loved this movie. Yes, the plot is a little over-used, but you can't beat it for early Harrison Ford. The bedroom scenes are done with the taste lacking in many of today's movies. Richard Masur is very funny as the nervous bomb spotter. Two thumbs and two big toes up!

I first saw this movie about ten years ago, late at night, on my own and was pleasantly surprised. I had never even heard of it before. It is set during the 1940s during wartime - Harrison Ford and Lesley Anne Down meet accidently on - yes you've guessed it Hanover Street! - and of course they fall in love. There is only one problem Lesley Anne is married, but they both can't resist each other and even though you know it's naughty you just want them to go for it! I'll not say any more about the plot because I don't want to give too much away - but the ending is sad - so get those tissues handy! The chemistry between the two lead actors is superb and the photography and action scenes are good too. A brilliant little "Sunday afternoon" film.

This is another of Harrison Ford's movies that my husband and I watch at least once a week! Since we are from the "greatest generation" - to coin the phrase from Tom Brokaw's book - this brings back memories of the "great war" and things that happened so fast in those days.. A beautiful story about two beautiful people. P.S. It does have its funny parts, too.

One of Harrison Ford's underrated best. Set during WWII, when Ford meet Leslie Ann Down the two can't help but fall in love because the sparks fly. The problem? She is married and truly loves her husband (Christopher Plummer) but can't help but be attacted to the dashing Ford who is a dare-devil ace bomber pilot. The stronger the attraction grows, the more cautious Ford gets in flying his missions. When fate send him on a mission with her husband, you can't help but not know who to root for. A really beautiful, bitter-sweet love story with enough action to keep the guys interested. Ladies - get out the tissue for this one. It is great!!!

I'd like to second the reviewer below that the score in this film may be one of Barry's most underrated, possibly even his most touchingly Romantic. The movie itself has a killer ending that brought tears to my eyes. Plummer is also so touching as the older husband, who is just an ordinary man, but wants so much to impress his wife that he takes the greatest gamble. All in all, a gem hidden from view.