Customer Reviews

4 Horsemen of the Apocalypse [VHS]

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

In the opinion of this reviewer, this is far and away THE most underrated, underappreciated, and under-deserved film ever made.

No, Glenn Ford is not Valentino. But he brings his own personal brand of warmth, feeling, refinement, and particularly his trademark, unparalleled elegance to the role of the otherwise disreputable, antiheroic Julio, who eventually becomes, yes, every bit as heroic as Rick Blaine in "Casablanca."

Ingrid Thulin matches Mr. Ford in elegance and refinement, as well as gracing the screen with an enduring, radiant beauty, and, if that's Angela Lansbury's voice emanating from her lips, more power to it; its tones are a perfect fit for the exquisite creature with whose lips it is precisely synchronized.

Paul Henreid recreates an almost identical version of Victor Laszlo, except that he doesn't make it to the plane this time. Charles Boyer and Paul Lucas are, as always, superb as the respective fathers of the French and German strains of the Argentine protagonist family. And Karl Boehm essays the definitive SS officer, as do the character actors who portray the remaining Nazi brass with whom he and his cousin, Julio, covort in the smoke filled dens of wartime Paris.

But the film essentially belongs to Lee J. Cobb, whose character dies in the first 20 minutes, but whose farewell premonition and curse upon the "seed of my seed" cannot help but bring the iciest of chills to the very marrow of anyone with otherwise warm blood coursing through his or her veins.

That this movie lost six million dollars at the box office and has been pilloried by many self-described experts, including the reviewer for the "All Movie Guide," is no more than a testament to the aphorism that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. It is difficult to divine a reason why any viewer would not bask in the breathtaking performances, rich storyline, exquisite color, and high drama of this uniquely compelling film.

It will tear at the essence of your soul, and, if your heart beats but faintly, you will be unable to prevent yourself from crying aloud during its more poignant moments, particularly the revelation of Chi Chi's death at the hands of Nazi interrogators, and the final denouement, including the line selected as the title of this review.

No, this film does not have the wealth of memorable lines, or the hilarious ensemble of second tier performers who filled the screen with parenthetical wit and charm in "Casablanca." No one expresses "shock" that gambling is going on, and there is no "fat hypocrite" who takes pride in being "respected" as the "leader of all illegal activities" in the city of its setting.

But, for the sheer mesmerizing effect of a heartwrenching story, coupled with a vivid, eternally topical reminder of the unimaginable sacrifices that were made by our parents and grandparents to defeat the essence of pure, unadorned evil that was Nazism and Fascism, this film is every bit as timeless and special, and belongs right along side the greatest of our cinematic pantheon of postcards to that ghastly and hopefully never-to-be relived era of unprecedented bravery and self-sacrifice.

"THE FOUR HORSEMEN OF THE APOCALYPSE." This spectacular film is a world-renowned classic of love and war. It was released in Cinemascope by MGM in 1961. A Julian Blaustein Production, Directed by Vincente Minnellii, that features an international cast of actors spanning two continents. Starring: Glenn Ford, Ingrid Thulin, Charles Boyer, Lee J. Cobb and Paul Heinreid, Co-starring: Paul Lucas, Yvette Mimeux and Kael Boehm. Screenplay by Robert Ardrey and John Gay. Based on the novel by Vicente Blasco Ibañez.

The story starts in 1938 at a large state in Argentina just when the world is poised on the brink of WWII. It brings together three generations of a wealthy family of French and German ancestry at a bash reunion to celebrate the birthday of its multi-millionaire absolute ruler and patriarch.

It's a searing drama in which the Nazi monster sets brother against brother, while following this family's destructive linkup to the siniester horrors of Nazi Germany in Europe.

A perfect match for another very profitable Warner Brothers's DVD released dealing with this Nazi subject matter: The legendary Luchino Visconti's "THE DAMNED."

This fascinating Hollywood's feature film, whose copyrights are now owned by TIME-WARNER INC. through their "MGM/UA Turner Film Library" is unfortunately still sitting idle at this studio "Classic Films Vault." Been regrettably neglected by the company executives without any official date for its anamorphic widescreen restoration released on DVD.

A tragic case of a terrible oversight and abadom, particularly when the lessons presented by this movie plot, can be very apropos for the times we live. Please TIME -WARNER hear the cries from this reviewer and made a resounding success DVD from this pre-vietnam era feature film. THANKS!!!!

Glenn Ford portrayed Julio..a 'neutral' man..a high-living Franco-Argentinian, madly in love with a married woman..

Awakened to his duty to France, after the death of his sister..and after hearing his father..he couldn't be 'independent' anymore..Suddenly he felt that it is 'his' war now..

In an occupied France..in a Nazi World..he had to take sides not matter what the reason was..He was an enormous help for the French Resistance..

Ingrid Thulin played Marguerite..an attractive sensitive woman in love with Julio..but she couldn't leave Paris with him..The Germans have taken her country and a little of her self-respect..She choose to stay..

Charles Boyer was Marcelo Desnoyers..the French Man who loved life with less passion..A man who ran away..

Crying the lost of his daughter, he implored Julio : 'No man really love life and is unwilling to die for it..I beg you to act Julio..Do what I never did!..'

Lee J.Cobb played Madariaga..one of the early victims of the Nazis..A primitive old man..a pure Argentine..with an obsession that 'life was meant for the joy of living..'

Paul Lukas was Karl von Harhott who lost two sons - one burned up in the sky - 'They kill my children', he shouted to Marcelo..'I lose two children..you lose one..and you come crying!'

Yvette Mimieux played Chi Chi..a nice pretty young French girl..' a very small voice in Paris of very little importance'..but with enough courage to fight the Nazis and die for her country..

Karl Boehm portrayed the aspired Colonel Heinrich von Harhott..member of the S.S...For him, killing members of the French Resistance was not an act of murder..simply an execution..He once envied his cousin's independence..

Paul Henried played Etienne Laurier..the man who 'withstood the Gestapo and survived'..Betrayed by lies..he said to his wife after listening to her confession : 'What fine distinction you draw around dishonor'..

George Dolenz was the military Commander of Paris General Von Kleig who wished fervently to charm Madame Laurier 'abusing' dignity of his fatherland in his private interest..

The 1921 Silent Version of "The Four Horsemen of The Apocalypse" created an instant star of Rudolph Valentino..The "Tango" sequence with Helena Domingues made history..

The 1961 Version based on Vicente Blasco Ibañez novel..and filmed in CinemaScope and Technicolor was not a great motion picture..but not so bad.

Like the great 'Bridges at Toko-Ri', 'The Four Horsemen of theApocalypse' seems a movie out of its time frame. The war in Europeagainst Germany and the Nazis is not shown in the usual uptempo, patriotic style of some other films made around the same time. The ending is bleak. A wide screen technicolor treat with special effects by the master, A. Arnold Gillespie, and a great score.

Glenn Ford portrayed Julio..a 'neutral' man..a high-living Franco-Argentinian, madly in love with a married woman..

Awakened to his duty to France, after the death of his sister..and after hearing his father..he couldn't be 'independent' anymore..Suddenly he felt that it is 'his' war now..

In an occupied France..in a Nazi World..he had to take sides not matter what the reason was..He was an enormous help for the French Resistance..

Ingrid Thulin played Marguerite..an attractive sensitive woman in love with Julio..but she couldn't leave Paris with him..The Germans have taken her country and a little of her self-respect..She choose to stay..

Charles Boyer was Marcelo Desnoyers..the French Man who loved life with less passion..A man who ran away..

Crying the lost of his daughter, he implored Julio : 'No man really love life and is unwilling to die for it..I beg you to act Julio..Do what I never did!..'

Lee J.Cobb played Madariaga..one of the early victims of the Nazis..A primitive old man..a pure Argentine..with an obsession that 'life was meant for the joy of living..'

Paul Lukas was Karl von Harhott who lost two sons - one burned up in the sky - 'They kill my children', he shouted to Marcelo..'I lose two children..you lose one..and you come crying!'

Yvette Mimieux played Chi Chi..a nice pretty young French girl..' a very small voice in Paris of very little importance'..but with enough courage to fight the Nazis and die for her country..

Karl Boehm portrayed the aspired Colonel Heinrich von Harhott..member of the S.S...For him, killing members of the French Resistance was not an act of murder..simply an execution..He once envied his cousin's independence..

Paul Henried played Etienne Laurier..the man who 'withstood the Gestapo and survived'..Betrayed by lies..he said to his wife after listening to her confession : 'What fine distinction you draw around dishonor'..

George Dolenz was the military Commander of Paris General Von Kleig who wished fervently to charm Madame Laurier 'abusing' dignity of his fatherland in his private interest..

The 1921 Silent Version of "The Four Horsemen of The Apocalypse" created an instant star of Rudolph Valentino..The "Tango" sequence with Helena Domingues made history..

The 1961 Version based on Vicente Blasco Ibañez novel..and filmed in CinemaScope and Technicolor was not a great motion picture..but not so bad.

This compelling drama is less known but superior to An American in Paris or The Band Wagon. It's about engagement, about accepting to fight for one's ideas, even if it's not heroic.

THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFULL MOVIES ONE CAN SEE.IT IS ABOUT A FAMILY LIKE YOU AND I WOULD HAVE BUT BECAUSE OF CONFLICTS , THEY END UP BLOWING EACH OTHER TO BITS INSPITE OF THEIR OBVIOUS LOVE AND RESPECT FOR EACH OTHER

Even tho this is one of George Dolenz's last films before his death in 1963. This movie had a bit of a chill on what was it like during the war. I think (since I run a site on George) he should've been seen more in it than in the mid point, then at the very end...but still casted. I don't know what was up with that.

If you are a fan of movies that were made around this time that take place in another war, this has to be one of your films then. But Glenn Ford did a marvelous job in this film, this would have to go on your list if you are a fan of his. But I enjoyed this movie, wouldn't be in my top 10 list it would maybe be in my top 20 of films of the Dolenzes.

Those people with five stars for this must betongue-in-cheek.

I was going along with this movie for the first twenty minutes. I was rolling over laughing. The film's title is reinforced periodically throughout the two and a half hours with these horsemen-in-the-clouds images. But this is not really the bad part of the movie.

Some of the marginal characters might have been interesting, but the central character is Julio. Julio is a gutless, selfish, unimaginative playboy. Glenn Ford so convicingly played Julio as oblivious to the surrounding circumstances that I found it very difficult to remember that he's not supposed to be an actor in 1961. Nevertheless, I got the impression that the viewer is supposed to sympathise with him. And the melodramatic music, never subtle, always seems to follow his self-absorbed emotions. Personally, I was begging for any character in the movie to punch this guy in the face, knock him down, and let's look for somebody worthwhile to follow around Paris.

With the plot following Julio, it never lives up to the passion of the grandfather's stormy kickoff. We mostly watch Julio's attempts at romancing Marguerite get interrupted by what to him are the annoyances of war. The juxtaposition of the two cousins, Julio and Heinrich, is never given much depth since Heinrich is simply a dead-set Nazi from beginning to end, and Julio doesn't believe in anything or care about anyone from beginning to end. (And no similarity to Rick in Casablanca.) Unlike some movies which add depth to their subject, this one just really hangs on war for what drama it can steal from it. Two stars, just for the scenery, nothing terribly offensive, and the first twenty minutes with the grandfather in Argentina. END