Product Details

• Actors: Timothy Dalton, Anthony Edwards, Janet McTeer, Camille Coduri, Jill Bennett
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, NTSC
• Rated: R (Restricted)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Paramount
• VHS Release Date: April 19, 1990
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6301643402
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #197,171 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

This hidden treasure stars Timothy Dalton and Anthony Edwards as Bancroft and Decker, two patients in a terminal cancer ward in a British hospital. The feisty, deceptively antagonistic Bancroft coaxes Decker out of his self-pitying, suicidal mindset and convinces him to enjoy his remaining days rather than waste away in the cheerless hospital. Thus the duo steal an ambulance, flee England, and head for the brothels of Amsterdam. But their plans change when they encounter two British women (Janet McTeer and Camille Coduri) along the way, and the resulting amorous entanglements provide both romantic joy and pain for the men, who try to conceal their illness while one of the women hides a secret of her own. Hawks is a rare gem that balances humor and pathos and avoids maudlin sentimentality in handling a very serious issue. The chemistry between Dalton's bitter but lively intellectual and Edwards's cocky but vulnerable jock propels the film to great heights. And while they keep the humor coming, neither screenwriter Roy Clarke nor director Robert Ellis Miller ever forget the direction that Decker and Bancroft's lives will ultimately take. --Bryan Reesman

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Delightful Film, August 4, 2001

By 

Tiggah "the Anglophile" (Calgary, Alberta Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hawks [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Fans of British comedy will be familiar with Roy Clarke ("Keeping Up Appearances," "Open All Hours," and "The Last of the Summer Wine"), who wrote the screenplay. If you enjoy Clarke's distinctive, zany brand of British humour, you will enjoy this film. The actual storyline (and soundtrack) were written by Barry Gibb (The Bee Gees), but the humour is all Roy Clarke. Lest anyone be shocked or offended, however, I should mention that this is not the family entertainment one normally expects from Clarke. The film is restricted and frequent use is made of the "F" word. Also, there are a few sexual references and about 5 minutes of nudity as the "sights" of Amsterdam's red-light district are explored. It's actually quite tame really; one sees far worse on Masterpiece Theatre (except for the swearing). I did think it worth mentioning, however, just so one knows what to expect.

Briefly, the film is about an English solicitor (Timothy Dalton) and an American footballer (Anthony Edwards) who have terminal cancer and decide to spend their remission in the brothels of Amsterdam. The humour, being typically British, requires an extremely high level of competence in order to carry it off. Dalton and actress Janet McTeer have just such ability and do a superb job portraying their respective characters. McTeer is the real show-stealer--she's just hilarious. I was not, I must confess, impressed with Anthony Edwards' acting (which appeared, unfortunately, to be just that). Nevertheless, the other actors more than compensate, making this an enjoyable film all around.

All in all, the humour and poignancy (which is never mawkish) are skilfully interwoven, and the film is (for the most part) very well acted. The result is a delightful, entertaining film (with a running time of 105 minutes). Recommended to fans of British humour, and especially to fans of Roy Clarke.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the Best Films Most People Have Never Seen, December 22, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Hawks [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This is, as your first editorial reviewer said, an undiscovered gem. The story of two terminally ill men who decide to go on a last fling, it is touching, poignant and hilarious. Dalton gives one of his best performances ever (he can be such a wonderful actor when he wants to be)and Janet McTeer is, as usual, terrific. Their oddessy is one that cannot have a happy ending and yet it does in its own way. I highly recommend this film to anyone who loves discovering diamonds amidst the dross.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I too am a notoriously awkward bastard medically..., June 19, 2005

By 

Mr Shiny "Mick" (Sydney) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hawks [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This movie is awesome. I too fail to see how so much crap makes it to DVD but good movies like this don't seem to.
I watched it after I had neurosurgery and also a steroid psychosis from the medication I was on during the operation.The message really hit home.
Bancroft may be entertaining, but Decker is very important too.
Although it is a comedy about two terminal patients, it isn't really a black comedy. It has black moments, but it is very positive in the end.