Customer Reviews

Pride & The Passion [VHS]

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1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is not a review of the movie, but a criticism of the MGM DVD release. The Pride and the Passion DVD as first released is a pressing using old unrestored film stock, complete with scratches, dust marks, overall magenta color, poor film and sound track registration. This movie deserves a complete restoration to it's original condition. If you haven't seen the movie, buy it. If you're a film collector, be satisfied with a VHS tape as this DVD is no improvement.

A much maligned film that still manages to really impress for one major reason -- it is a true SPECTACLE, with that monstrous CANNON dominating every scene, whether it is actually onscreen or not!

Made during the decade of good old-fashioned, honest film epics, The Pride and the Passion manages to transcend its obvious flaws. It's amazing to watch this immense gun pushed and pulled by hundreds of Spanish freedom fighters across the actual terrain where the story takes place. The film is structured around several very impressive action sequences: 1.) the initial destruction and the raising of the gun 2.) the near-disaster of floating the gun on the river 3.) the attack on the French camp, complete with roaring fire-balls rolling down the hills 4.) the destruction of the French pontoon bridge 5.) the treacherous mountain pass 6.) the grueling ascent/descent over the mountain, with those incredible shots of the cannon "on-the-loose", shearing off trees as it zooms downhill (!) 7.) the Holy week procession (with the cannon disguised as a gigantic religious float, 8.) the final battle at Avila, as the gun is used to blow apart the city's walls.

In between, we are treated to the Frank's big impassioned speech in the bullring, the knife fight where the bullying Jose Nieto and Cary Grant mix it up under the windmills, and lots of heated verbal exchanges between Frank and Cary (fueled, of course by their mutual "hots" for Sophia Loren, who always manages to smooth things over).

The script has its problems, but it still manages to convey the nearly fanatical dedication of the Spanish fighters, keenly contrasted with the technical, objective expertise of the British military officer (Grant). When Cary finally steps forward to admonish the Bishop for his refusal to allow the desperate Spaniards to repair the cannon inside of the cathedral, we see that "cold" Cary actually has been swept up by the emotions of the Spaniard's cause, as he so eloquently pleads on their behalf.

And the script does contain one REALLY COOL line, as the cruel, jaded French General (Theodore Bikel), just before the big final battle, asks his aide why the Spaniards seem so INTENT on dying, on "soaking the land with their blood".....and the aide calmly replies: "perhaps because it is THEIR land......."

And the MUSIC by the unique, eccentric George Antheil, the "Bad Boy of Music" as he was called (try to locate a copy of his 1945 autobiography of the same name...what a nut!). Antheil seemed indeed to have found his true calling writing in a flashy, grandly-romantic, visceral Spanish idiom. The hauntingly beautiful "Juana's Prayer" as she prays in the cathedral and lights candles, and the following Holy week Processional, one of the true glories of all film music (which owes more than a little to the "bell-tolling" music of Mussorgsky's "Boris Goudonov") are but two of the highlights.

Yeah, Frank seems hopelessly miscast, even though he does a very convincing job of underplaying his role (he HATED making the film, as he was desperate to get back to Hollywood and wallow in misery over Ava Gardner). Question: if we DIDN'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT FRANK SINATRA outside of this film, what would we think of his performance? The problem is that we DO know everything about Frank's life and career, and it was a mistake for Kramer to cast him for that very reason. I've never understood why many people don't like Cary Grant in the film; he seems to be exactly what's needed in the role. And Sophia Loren does her best with a very predictable role.

But it's the sense of overhwelming grandeur -- the instinctive need of the human spirit to defy tyranny and fight to the bitter end---symbolized by the film's EPIC SCALE -- the masses of humanity, travelling across the magnificent, foreboding terrain...and that massive, monolithic CANNON, representing the last hope of the Spanish people in their heroic struggle against Napoleon---all carried along by the blazing music of Mr Antheil....that makes this film, despite all of its flaws, a truly memorable cinematic experience.

PS. In contrast to one of the other reviewers, I find the visual and audio quality of the DVD release very fine, with the exception of a little speck that shows up occasionally on the right side of the screen. Overall volume could have been boosted a bit; otherwise- excellent.

It is 1810... The French legions of Napoleon smash across Spain...

Captain Anthony Trumbull (Cary Grant) is ordered to retrieve a giant seven tons cannon, abandoned by the crushed and bleeding Spanish army in their retreat in one of the darkest page of nation's history...

The handsome officer wants to transport it to the British lines, but when he meets Miguel (Frank Sinatra), the Spanish peasant leader of the Guerilla forces, Trumbull is forced to amend his ideas...

Miguel has more direct plans... He sees in the huge gun a chance for victory... He enlists the aid of the Spanish people in raising the tremendous cannon from a deep ravine, and moves it over hill, dale, river, and mud to the walled city of Avila...

During the arduous odyssey, Stolid Trumbull falls in love with Miguel's fiery mistress Juana (Sophia Loren). The desperate men were sacrificing everything for their love of country... Blood, sweat, tears and toil as they pushed, pulled, dragged, and strained the big gun halfway across Spain... But with the remarkable gun, the only symbol of resistance left in Spain, going on before them, made them feel no longer a mere band of Spanish irregulars, but a besieging army... They can fight now for what they believe, and break the French in the field...

With a certain dislike to the Englishman's guts, Miguel sees himself forced to accept Trumbull's instructions, being the only man around who knows how to fire the cannon... Trumbull makes all the necessary repairs to the awesome weapon, and blows up the walls of the fortress city...

Kramer's movie echoes Sam Wood's 'For Whom the Bells Tolls.' Although the characters in the film, made from Ernest Hemingway modern classic, were better drawn and motivated... 'The Pride and the Passion' is far superior visually...

Blended to the passionate sound of the guitars, the voice of a singer, and the rhythmic hand claps of the patriots, Sophia provides with grace and posture a spontaneous flamenco dance...

Epic in scope, with a cast of thousands, and with ocean of tents, stacked rifles, regimental banners, batteries of cannon, rows of cavalry horses and artillery mules, massed troops, "The Pride and the Passion," is an adventure spectacle in praise of will over all obstacles...

The film opens with a spectacular sequence of the Spanish army retreating in defeat, battle torn and dissolute...

This film is, in a word, beautiful. A grand epic in the traditional '50s Hollywood style. And what's wrong with that? Who cares how miscast certain actors may be? In spite of this they still do a great job (I don't know how long this film took to produce, but it must have been gruelling at times). Ol' Blue Eyes may not be everyone's conception of a fiery Spanish "guerrillero", but when you view the scene ("the sandals") in which he acknowledges to Juana (Loren) his awareness of her love for Trumbell (Grant), it will break your heart. The scope of this film is truly epic - staggering, monumental -, made so by the gigantic cannon hauled across Spain by the patriots and given glorious life by George Antheil's magnificent score. Personally I have never heard a more beautiful soundtrack. The highlight is the music for the Holy Week procession. It is transcendental, and is, in a way, the epitome of American culture and (deserved) greatness during the era in which this film was made. BTW, I am blessed to own two original copies of this soundtrack. Still, all the music is available on the VHS/DVD issues of this wonderful film, so nothing is really lost (the original recording is, unfortunately, somewhat abridged). If you like beauty, glory, patriotism and innocence, this film is a must.

The Pride And The Passion is one of those good old-fashioned 1950's Hollywood movies that had everything - a starry cast, a colorful location, a heroic story with generous helpings of romance, rousing music, widescreen spectacle, and a cast of thousands (well, hundreds anyway). This was made when movies were fighting to steal back their audiences from the novelty of television. And their plan was to provide what television could not - big stars on big screens in glorious color. It almost worked. But that era of bigger is best has left us with some remarkable films that, despite other faults, always succeeded in their primary objective of being entertaining. (Note to previous reviewer - If you want historical accuracy, read a book.)

The Pride And The Passion takes a simple storyline - Spanish peasants capture and move a huge cannon across half the country to use against Napoleonic invaders - and elevates it to epic proportions. One of the first Hollywood movies to take full advantage of location shooting - on the ancient earth of pre-tourist Spain - the film is always visually striking. The huge gun itself becomes both symbol and star - but the human stars never quite let it upstage them.

Cary Grant at first seems a laughable choice to play the stiff British naval officer with the critical knowledge of artillery. But he quickly becomes almost convincing in this non-typecast part. The same is not so true of Frank Sinatra as the illiterate peasant who is a natural leader of men with an unshakeable belief in his cause and the mission at hand. A better wig might have helped the illusion but at least in those days Sinatra was trying to be a character instead of simply playing himself. Sophia Loren, on the other hand, is perfect casting as Sinatra's fiery and passionate lover who, not surprisingly, sparks more than a little bit with Grant. These three stars together in one movie must have been a press agent's dream. And with such a volatile eternal triangle, the villain has to settle for little more than a bit part. He's played to the hilt by Theodore Bikel, a folk singer who also had a nice career as a character actor playing roles for which an accent was required.

Actually, it's surprising this film isn't better known. Maybe it got lost among the competition. But it's good Saturday afternoon stuff with something to appeal to just about everybody, complete with schmaltzy ending. I suppose it looks a bit tame compared to today's effects-laden blockbusters. But there is a naive charm about these old Hollywood epics that is frequently irresistible.

The Pride and the Passion is the way movie epics used to be made: on location with thousands of extras. Director Stanley Kramer spent two years in Spain and used 9,400 extras to put his story of Spanish resistance to Napoleon on the screen. The story and setting is unlikely. Waterloo and Russia come to mind but the English campaign against the French is rarely portrayed. Probably to best is the television series on Richard Sharpe, the Sergeant promoted to Lieutenant by Wellington that starred Sean Bean.

The Pride and Passion was based on a story by C. S. Forster and has the kind of action that makes a good epic, centering on an enormous cannon, abandoned by Spanish troops, that both the French and English want. As other reviewers have pointed out the cannon assumed a major role in the film and perhaps the most exciting scene is when it is fired toward the end. I though that Cary Grant was well cast in the role of Captain Anthony Trumbrull. The part needed someone dashing and handsome. Cary Grant may have been a little old for the role but he gave a good performance. Another good choice for the part would have been Stewart Grainger. Sophia Loren was an excellent choice for Juana and she does quite well with the role. However, as has often been said about her performances in English, she does not completely connect with her character as much as her Italian films. Loren and Grant were romantically involved during the production but their love scenes don't quite have the spark of say, Burton and Taylor a few years later. Frank Sinatra was a good choice for Miguel based on his looks alone but he gives a very wooden performance. It is almost that he feels a bit miffed because he is not going to get the girl. The movie has its share of bad lines, like "Your face is dirty" that Cary Grant and Frank Sinatra exchange.

I first saw this film on television and it was a movie that I remembered. The real reason for seeing The Pride and the Passion is the spectacle of moving the large cannon to be used to take the city of Avila from the French. The trials that have to be met hold your interest. The score by George Antheil is superb. Mr. Antheil has an affinity for Spanish music (as his ballet Capitol of the World proves) and the music for The Pride and the Passion helps make the film. In the end, I liked this movie for the story and less for the performances. So I am recommending this movie as an old Hollywood epic that is stunning to see and with a story entertaining if a times the actors do not fill your complete expectations.

This movie is BIG. It was made back when a cast of ten thousand meant going out and hiring ten thousand people. And, that is just what Stanley Kramer did! I saw this movie in it's origional release in 1957 and loved it then. Today, compared to the blockbuster epics that followed in the 60's, it's still an exciting presentation. I've heard lots of complaints about Frank Sinatra's accent, but I don't know what kind of accent folks felt he should have used. Cary Grant is a bit stiff, but then his character IS described as a cold piece of English mutton, so I guess he WOULD be rather stiff. Sophia Loren in her first big-time English language movie was impressive, even if she probably didn't understand all of the English words she was required to speak. Theodore Bickel is one of the smoothest villians you'll ever see. The matter of fact way he goes about his paperwork while ten Spanards are being hanged outside his office window is chilling. And, this guy is no coward, either evidenced by his continuing to command in the final battle after being hit by scrapnel. The final scene is a knockout. One of the best movie scores of the era. Watch it with a beer in one hand and a tub of popcorn in the other. You'll love it.

What's not to like about a movie that has some good elements. Good Stars, (Stars from the past era, before everyone was a "Super Star"), Cary Grant, Sophia Loren, Frank Sinatra, A cast of Thousands,(really)and a monumental task for the heroes to do. I know a lot of people will say that it may not be the best plot, or in light of the current special effects the "coolest" CG., but it is very entertaining. I know movie critics of the time it was released did not care for it, but sometimes movie critics care more for you liking them and how they write then the movies they review. The story line is simple, War between Spain and France. Spain had a huge cannon that they made for the War and it is abandoned during a battle. France knows the cannon is somewhere and wants it, the British know there is a big cannon somewhere and they want it. The Spanish rebels know there is a big cannon, know where it is but don't care.

They don't care, until Cary Grant shows up wanting the cannon for the British. Well Frank (the head of the Rebels) Knows where it is. Frank has another plan for the cannon...ah the plot thickens. Well Cary know how to fire it, and Frank wants it for his purpose. Sophia? well she is the glue between the characters and convices them to work together. Can't think of a better motovator! She has a cause, she has leaders ear, she...well she has Cary's attention! She looks so sexy and lovely that it is hard for Cary and us to not have our attention. So a deal is struck. Cary helps them, then they help him get the cannon to where he wants later. Cary Grant always looks great. No exception to the rule here. Handsome as ever, dashing even in his British uniform, and as usual some humor thrown in. He is always the "Hollywood Star" quality. Does not have to say anything sometimes, just is. Frank as a Spanish speaker...hummm not perfect, but who cares he makes you like the charater...tough guy...but has the heroic "cause", and as always his own sex appeal and star quality that is unmistakeable. Sophia what's not to like. She looks good, she is dripping with sexuality, but has a strong female charater...she makes the guys do what she wants, and makes them want her, and respect her...what not to like about the charater. She is the spark and the glue that drive them on and settles the quarrels. And as you guessed it's a love triangle. Find another movies that has those elements. We want them to succeed. We want them to all be together. We marvel at the "huge" cannon...will they fail, will the big gun perform (Adults add their own side story line), and will the guys get the girl...humm which guy gets her... hummm? The last element is "how the He... did they drag that big prop around the country side without killing the extras!! The box claims that this is the largest group of extras used on a film in a foreign contry...I'm not sure if that is true but it certainly looks like it. Whew! Great Cinemaphotography, great sound, restored picture. Entertaining. (some may find long but it is an epic story) I got so hooked the first time I saw this on the little screen, now I enjoyed it more on my HD LCD 32" screen so much more...still hooked me...who cares it's a tad long....longer looks at the great stars!

This is a handsome film that takes its time unfolding to a riveting climax. The production design is vividly and visually realistic adding a rare authenticity yet dramatic feel to the historical drama set in Spain during the Napoleonic Wars. This film had my full attention from beginning to end in part to the cohesiveness of the ensemble of actors (Cary Grant, Frank Sinata and Sophia Loren). The characters have much more depth than normally would have been expected in such a large production and this made the viewing of this film a delight to watch. Less intimate than other Stanley Kramer films up to this point in time it remaines a beautiful film set on a large cinematic canvas.

This MGM release is seriously compromised by being released in the 1:1.66 aspect ratio, which is not the OAR for VistaVision films, like this one.

VistaVision was a process used originally by Paramount as a way of producing anamorphially squeezed movies that would still retain some sharpness and color saturation, unlike early Cinemascope films, which, when "unsqueezed" by the projector, often were somewhat dull and grainy. The VistaVision camera used 35mm film, but it travelled horizontally through the camera, thus producing an image size that was two and a half times bigger than the usual 35mm image, and more than 5 times as dense as a standard anamorphic cinemascope image. When Paramount first introduced VistaVision, they said that they preferred theaters to project at 1.66:1; but they quickly realized that audiences preferred the wider 1.85 ratio, and, after the first few months, issued their VistaVision films with suggested projection apertures that went all the way from 1.66, through 1.85 to 2.1. And of course, directors of photography were issued with similar guidelines, and the 1.85 quickly prevailed, because it was what most of the rest of the industry was doing.

So we come to Stanley Kramer's fabulous "Pride and the Passion," which was shot in VistaVision, and which was released with a suggested projection aperture of 1.85:1. So why is this DVD in the 1.66 ratio? Because some nitwit at MGM went back to the archives and read a small bit of the available information, and said - this is the proper aspect ratio for VistaVision. But it never was anything more than a suggestion from Paramount to the theater owners; and in any case MGM, historically, never used VistaVision; and Stanley Kramer was an independent producer and director who marketed this particular film through United Artists. For all those reasons, the disc should be in the proper, 1.85:1 aspect ratio, and what's most disappointing about this disc (I got rid of my copy of it) is that compositions which work spectacularly in widescreen (the walls of the city in the final assault; numerous shots of the cannon itself; a line of soldiers crossing a wooden bridge just before they are blown up; don't work nearly so well in the 1.66 ratio because there is too much extraneous information at the bottom and top of the frame.

Do yourself a favour; rent this one, to see the story, but don't bother to buy until they issue a blu-ray (VistaVision is particularly well-suited to HD, because of the density of the original prints -- see "The Searchers" blu-ray for a good example of VistaVision at its best) in the correct aspect ratio.