Most Helpful Customer Reviews
20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
re: treasure, June 7, 2003
By A Customer
some things you don't want to share with the world, you want to keep them hidden for yourself, alone. this is one of those things. this is my favorite george c. scott movie, subtle and complex and always powerful. the scene as he watches his son's hands bleed while trying to land the big fish and has to conceal his own dismay always moves me deeply. the island culture, the outdoor sculpting, david hemmings' portrayal as the lonely alcoholic, eddie, the awkardness of the relationships between the father and sons, all combined to make a beautiful and sad movie. as a bonus, the rich and haunting score by jerry goldsmith is one of my favorites (as well as his). i think that i'll listen to it right now.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Haunting, Beautifully Filmed Hemingway Vision, September 5, 2000
Ernest Hemingway was the all time master of tales about real men who go down fighting. The twist, however, is that so many of his heroes recognize the futility of their struggle, and in writing them this way Hemingway taps into something ancient, something epic on the level of Greek Tragedy. George C. Scott's performance in this film is perhaps his greatest, and while the film does lose continuity in its final 3rd, probably due to overzealous editing, this is a film that is more about the journey/tale than about the destination/conclusion. My only regret is that it isn't yet available on DVD, to put its tropic vision and hauntingly surreal quality on full display. Islands In the Stream does an especially good job of capturing the air of general anxiety and uncertainty that America felt during the time leading up to World War II, and the story parallels this impending tragedy by building a growing sense of all that is lost as a family, nation and world reel toward war. In this sense, the movie can be compared to the novel "Alas Babylon" in its ability to capture an apocalyptic danger held ever closely and uncertainly at hand. Deeply moving.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Nearly perfect film of Hemingway novel, July 17, 2005
Set against the backdrop of the second World War, "Islands in the Stream" tells the story of painter Thomas Hudson (George C. Scott in a terrific performance) who has escaped to the Bahamas in hopes of isolating himself from the world. The world still finds him in the form of the storm clouds of war and the visit of his sons from his two marriages. Hudson tries to reconnect with his young sons in particularly his middle boy who habors anger towards being adandoned by his father. The late David Hemmings gives a terrific supporting turn as Eddy a British ex-patriot who works for Hudson and is his closest friend. The veteran and young cast do a terrific job with the economical screenplay by Denne Bart Petitclerc (creator of the old TV show "Then Came Bronson")based on Ernest Hemingway's posthumously published novel.
Director Franklin J. Schaffner ("Patton", "Papillion", "Planet of the Apes" and "The War Lord")was made to direct this material. His lyrical direction helps the cast give transcendant and powerful performances. Scott as usual puts his all into his portrayal of Hudson. The print used here looks exceptionally good.
Paramount has done a exceptionally nice job in transferring this classic film to DVD. While not a perfect transfer, the bright vivid colors and crisp, sharp clear images perfectly capture the lazy ambience of the Bahamas. Although the source material isn't the best novel Hemingway ever wrote it was, perhaps, his most honest. One can detect more than a whiff of autobiography in Hemingway's Hudson and that element is strengthened by Scott's performance.
The film comes sans extras which is a pity (I wish that Paramount would look at the terrific job Warner Home Video has done with some of their smaller cult classics and follow suit)but it does feature a beautiful widescreen transfer of the film. Highly recommended.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
|
