Customer Reviews

Navy Blue & Gold [VHS]

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

 

 

A great movie for USNA grads and Army/Navy football fans. This movie gives a unique view of college football's greastest rivalry. Plus, a young Jimmy Stewart is a bonus.

As for the "praying to a statue" scene mentioned by the other reviewer, it really happens. Visit the Yard during Army Week and you might just see this for yourself. As a 1995 graduate of USNA, I repeated "that scene" every year to do my part to ensure a Navy victory.

Maybe you have to be a former middie to get it, but this is a great movie. Highly recommended.

I had lost hope of ever finding this video though I had taped a very poor version off the TV years ago. I was so excitied to find a video available and it was in excellent condition and actually was delivered ahead of the promised time. I had watched this movie as a little boy and dreamed about going to the Naval Academy. Now, as a Naval Academy grad with two sons going there this movie was extra special to watch with them this Holiday season. They thought it was corny -- but liked it just the same. Highly recommend for any true Navy fan. Liked it so much I bought two other copies. A true classic. Beat Army!

I caught the part where a young (no pun intended!)Robert Young
avenged his roomate's(Dick played by Tom Brown) tormenters, a few years ago. I bought the movie, watched the whole thing and I was not disappointed!! The three midshipmen meeting Skinny (played by Lionel Barrymore)and wins his admiration, is one event out of several, that I enjoyed.Truck (James Stewart)taking a risk to clear his father's name adds the family value to the movie.The scene at the Gates Christmas time is touching. Last but
definitly not least is Graves. At the Gate's estate and at the
football game. He is the true meaning of the term, gentleman's
gentleman!

This film, along with "A Yank at Oxford" and "A Yank at Eton," is an excellent example of the heart warming, patriotic films that became so popular in the Depression-WWII era. Centering on three buddies at a Naval academy, the film fosters the ideals of loyalty both to one's friends and one's country. The three main characters are all likable: Robert Young as the confident, amiable athlete, James Stewart in the type of role he made his own: the shy, working class everyman, and Samuel Hinds as a naive, unaffected young man of wealth. Though they seemingly have no similarties, they are bonded together by virtue of being freshmen and together, they ward off the practical jokes the upper classmen try to set up for them. Especially enjoyable are not only the scenes at the Naval academy but at the lovely society home of Samuel Hine's character. The scene between James Stewart and Samuel's sister in the film is particularly sweet. James Stewart gives his classic "Ah, shucks" type of performance, which makes him even more endearing to the girl who's sweet on him. James Stewart, all in all, is the scene stealer in this film. He's especially effective in a rousing scene when he defends his father, who was dishonorably discharged from the Navy. His speech is like a foreshadowing of the type of power he would later bring to the filibuster scene in "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington." The supporting cast is delightful in the film as well. Lionel Barrymore as a football coach and the lovely and always hilarious Billie Burke as Samuel Hind's flighty mother round out a satisfying, pleasant picture that takes viewers back to a proud and sincere America.

Let's start with the good stuff. The charactor development of the three main guys in this is solid. Jimmy Stewart and Robert Young give strong performances with what they have been given, and the story line is basically good. The relationships are nicely brought along, and Lionel Barrymore is completely wasted! The giant talents of Mr. Barrymore are treated as if he were some kind of newcomer! The scene where he's praying to a statue is a hoot. I guess it's not a bad movie, but rent this and save your money for someting more worthwhile.