Customer Reviews

Hollywood Classics Collectors Edition - The Big Lift [VHS]

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

One thing overlooked in other reviews, which I am in agreement with over the quality of this film, is that the military people in this film are actually the people serving in the hosting Airforce Unit in Germany at the time. When I first saw it on late night television, I noticed the very real radio chatter that went on in the aircraft and most of all Clift's commanding officer, who had such an un-hollywood demeanor that I wondered where they got this guy and/or who was the genius directing this that created this take on this character. Then when the credits came, I saw that he was the serving commanding officer of the Airforce outfit: he was just being himself (and his "performance" will surprise many who only know the "cartoon version" of military people). And he's not the only one: they show all the "actors" one at a time in formation at the end (the military folks). Good stuff (and as a former military man myself, I found it very refreshing to see this sort of non-cartoonish depiction of military characters in this film).
This film is a great product of it's time, the era which gave us "Third Man" and a few other of the great "Cold War" Noir films (some day "Night People" with Gregory Peck and Buddy Ebsen will come out on Dvd, too!).

You can't go wrong.

I got into Montgomery Clift movies during my teen years, ever since being "forced" to sit through "From Here to Eternity" at my aunt and uncle's house on Thanksgiving Day (I lost out at the video store when all of my relatives disagreed with my selection of "Ghostbusters 2"...pathetic, I know, but I was only 14). Needless to say I was awed by "Eternity" and over the years have seen just about every film in which Monty Clift appeared. Sure, everybody likes "A Place in the Sun" and "The Heiress", but most of his movies, in my opinion, were underrated. "I Confess" (directed by Hitchcock), "Wild River" (directed by Elia Kazan, but unfortunately not yet on videotape), and "The Young Lions" (with Brando) are well worth seeing. One of Monty's earliest films, "The Search" is also a gem and quite similar in style and theme to "The Big Lift". The latter film is part of my video collection and one which I enjoy watching every year or so (and I'm not saying that just because I'm now in the Air Force! ). Monty is at his best in this film and he plays the type of role at which he was most exceptional: the low-key guy with a heart of gold, the kind of guy you'd want for a friend, a co-worker, or as a date for your little sister. :) It pains me to think that Monty's career died out in the early 1960s and that the actor himself perished in 1966 as a result of years of substance abuse. I believe that had he lived, he would have made a comeback, perhaps on television in a "Dynasty"-type show (that, however, is a scary thought). So, in a nutshell, "The Big Lift" is an excellent film, a good choice for film buffs, and an absolute must for Montgomery Clift fans. Incidentally, it is much preferrable to view this movie on videotape rather than on a television network --- I sat through it once on American Movie Classics and it was a frustrating experience: the film quality was grainy, very dark, and "jumpy". BUY IT INSTEAD.

Putting aside the love story at its center, this film provides a timely view of the Berlin Airlift. Film was shot on location in Germany during or shortly after the Berlin Airlift (June '48-Jul '49). The film accurately documents Airlift operations, including the hazards crews faced (harressment from Soviet fighters, bad weather), and innovations (such as Precision Approach Radar) employed to make the airlift successful. Having lived in Germany, I think the film also presents a revealing and truthful insight into the human side of the airlift, to include living conditions and beliefs in post-war Berlin. The attitudes and philosophies expressed by the four main characters and their associates are representative of the era. Overall, this film has good flying scenes and a good human interest plot.

The 'Big Lift' is about the famous post-war Berlin Airlift. It is photographed quite nicely with dramatic shots of the landing aircraft skimming over apartment houses as they land. Montgomery Clift is terrific as a sensitive American Pilot dealing with life and his love for a beautiful, scheming German woman in post-war devastated Germany. Paul Douglas as a gruff, Technical Sargeant who wants nothing to do with the Germans is excellent. He has a fairly interesting running dialogue with his German girlfriend about "what this democracy business is all about." Cornell Borchers is quite fetching as the object of Clift's attention. Saw this movie on AMC the other morning and I was shocked by how good it was, I had never heard of 'The Big Lift', and I pride myself on knowing a lot about films.-------Besides the fine script and acting, what is riviting about this film is the setting. This film was shot in Germany (mainly Berlin) in 1949. It is really something to see the destruction of this great city from ground level, it's a interesting film just to watch the background scenery. Much like 'The Third Man' is made a better movie by filming in the real post-war Vienna, this film as well is made much more intesting by its location. Truly an undiscovered gem.

This classic black and white film is an intriguingly original and often humorous love story about an American pilot who falls in love with an eloquent German woman during the Berlin airlift. The pilot's cynical buddy, who suffered greatly at the hands of the Nazis in WWII, tries to dissuade his friend from falling for this "Kraut" but to no avail. The film contains many insightful and thought provoking comments on the nature of WWII, the USA, democracy, the Germans, and love itself. Although not a 5 star flick of the calibre of "The Third Man" this film has many similar flickers of genius and a clever twist.

Edward Deskur

Paul Douglas, Montgomery Clift, and the beautiful Bruni Lobel are all outstanding in this realistic and true life drama of the heroic but dangerous and critical Air Force transport lifeline which sustained post war West Berlin during the attempt by the Soviets to isolate and strangle it. Airmen noncoms Douglas and Clift exhibit genuinely different attitudes based on their previous war experiences, but both carry on and still manage to become involved along the way with attractive frauleins albeit with very different and intriguing results. This movie is well worth the investment.

The most interesting aspect of this little-known film is that it is a time capsule of the actual events surrounding the American Post War effort to assist war torn Germans. Clift delivers a top notch and earnest performance, with Paul Douglas turning in an energetic supporting part. A corny and overlong soap opera plot interweaves real news footage and utilizes real locations. Real military personnel appear in the bit parts. It is Clift's deft work, amid the true-to-life presentations that make this a noteworthy and watchable movie for history buffs. A special feature would have been nice to further explore this period in US history.

A fascinating look at immediately post war Germany, filmed on location. Monty Clift, not a fan I'm afraid, is decent in this. But the great performance is from Paul Douglas - wonderful as always - as a soldier badly scarred from his wartime experiences. His journey back is believable and affecting. Bravo!

No problems with the Roan edition of this film. Has all titles and looks good.

A unique film. This movie takes place during the Berlin Airlift, the heroic effort by the western allies to keep Berlin supplied from the air after the Soviets closed down all ground access to the city. In this film an American airman learns to love and forgive in the ruins of Germany. Filmed in postwar Germany and featuring many actual servicemen this movie may not have the glitz or the special effects or the outdoor sets or big budgets but that makes it even more accurate film as far as I can tell. Germany was still in ruins from the bombing of the Western Allies and the ground fighting that took place in Berlin itself. This makes it more real than Hollywood.