Customer Reviews

Reivers [VHS]

5 star:		(31)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

William Faulkner was one of America's greatest authors. His Pulitzer Prize winning works are renowned for his ability to capture, with affection and fascination, the culture and people of Mississippi...Southerners of all color, class, and gender. Many of Faulkner's stories evoke a somber tone of Southern Gothic tragedy based on his observations of racial intolerance, and the decline of traditional Southern values before the forces of greed and modernization. In contrast to his more serious works, "The Reivers" is light-hearted, comic, and thoroughly entertaining.

The movie captures, with rich authenticity, the colorful characters of Faulkner's Mississippi. The cinematography and music evoke the sites and sounds of a picturesque South in 1905. The cast, including narration by Burgess Meredith, is impeccable. The movie centers on the joyriding adventures of 11-year old Lucius McCaslin, his cousin Boon Hogganback (Steve McQueen) and their black relation (Rupert Crosse). The story involves a stolen car, a 4-day odyssey from northern Mississippi to the `red light" district of Memphis, a horse race, and the life-changing experiences of young Lucius. Will Geer, as Lucius' grandfather "Boss," offers a memorable performance when he confronts the young boy with his misdeeds, proving again that the word is mightier than the hand. William Faulkner would be proud of this movie.

I don't know what to say that hasn't been said before, but this is one of the most well-made films of 1969. Period detail is well-presented, acting is excellent, wonderful Panavision widescreen makes this DVD a treasure. William Faulkner wasn't known for his lightness of heart, but this precious memoir shows love, spirit and excitement that sets this film aside. I won't blab away the plot, but Steve McQueen, at the height of his career, is having a ball in a fine performance. Sharon Farrell is so lovely; where did her career go? Mitch Vogel, as young Lucius, gives one of the best kid performances ever; I hate bad kid-actors. Where did his career go? And the most auspicious debut performance came from Oscar-nominated Rupert Crosse, knowing everything, wanting to be included, causing the most trouble, and, ultimately, saving the day. Best in the film! And where did his career go? There's also the great Juano Hernandez, and a really great performance by a horse. And it's always good to see Ruth White, the most reliable character actress since Jane Darwell. Non-obtrusive narration by Burgess Meredith is a plus. The odds seem insurmountable, but they all emerge victorious and young Lucius has life-affirming experiences; shocking, painful and ultimately exciting. And memorable. This film is nothing but fun, and I enjoy it a lot. 1969 brought about some magnificent films: Midnight Cowboy, Anne of the Thousand Days, They Shoot Horses Don't They, Butch Cassidy...and The Reivers is right up there with the best of 'em.

Based on William Faulkner's sweetest novel, THE REIVERS (Paramount) is set in Mississippi, circa 1905.

Steve McQueen is Boon Hogganback, a cousin and handyman to the McCaslin family. When grandfather "Boss" McCaslin buys a new car, a yellow Winton Flyer, Boon talks eleven year old Lucius, "Boss's" grandson, into his scheme to "borrow" the car for a quick trip to Memphis to visit a prostitute with whom he's in love.

When "Boss" leaves for the weekend, the two reivers -- an old fashioned word for "thieves" -- take off in the car. Unknown to them, a black relation has stowed away under a blanket in the back seat. The four day odyssey is a coming of age adventure for young Lucius. He spends the night in a brothel, has a knife fight over a prostitue's honor, and races a horse to win back the car.

Beautifully photographed with one of John William's best scores, this fine film adaptation would probably delight Faulkner himself. McQueen is memorable as a lovable scamp and he seems to be having fun in the role.

The narration, from the perspective of an adult Lucius, is by Burgess Meredith and the poetic, wise words are Faulner's.

This wonderful, mostly forgotten film is worth seeking out.

The Reivers is a purely entertaining film about a young boy who is introduced to an adult world at the turn of the century. Perfectly cast and well- written, this film is sure to delight all audiences. Steve McQueen is at his best, and Mitch Vogel will win your heart. Pure enjoyment!

In 1969 I was introduced to a movie that changed me. I wasn't sure what I wanted to be when I grew up and at 16, having the imagery and music of the Reivers wash over me convinced me that I wanted to become a filmmaker.
The Narration of Burgess Meredith, the superb acting of Will Geer, the side of Steve McQueen that we hadn't seen often enough and the introduction of new young actor Mitch Vogel make this a well rounded movie experience. The supporting cast of Sharon Farrell, Michael Constantine and Oscar nominated Rupert Crosse give the characters and story true life. Add the souring yet folksy score of John Williams, the stunning cinematography of Richard Moore and you have the complete experience that takes you back to Mississippi in the early 1900s and reminds you why you go to the movies in the first place.

Very well casted. Cinematography is great and so is sound track. Strong performances from all actors. I especially liked Will Geer as the grandfather. The story is always engaging and never drags. Great entertainment for all ages.

First time I saw this movie was the spring of 1970 - in a theatre that I was the projectionist. We played this movie for a week. Right at first, I wasn't sure if I was either going to be bored with a movie and title that I never heard of, or might be surprised. It was the latter. I was massively impressed with Steve McQueen's performance as Boon Hoggenbeck, along with the narrative by Burgess Meredith (in which 10 yrs later on PBS stations. Meredith was in a concert of sorts and read the story of this same novel). The way the film was made - with the "Yellow Winton Flyer" as the basis of the movie, the way Boon made the boy lie to his grandpa - all of that what made this movie so memoriable. I managed to grab a copy of this movie when it broadcast on public tv on video, but a pretty sloppy copy to be had.. Now, just glad that it finally made it to DVD and in the WideScreen edition that it solely deserved to be viewed in. OH..one thing that I forgot..John Williams did the music for this and one can almost hear what would be coming from this composer in the coming years..

This Norman Rockwell snapshot of turn-of-the-century Mississippi has aged better than expected. I remember this being such a grand adventure on its theatrical release, now its more of a moderately paced nostalgic curio, but good wholesome family entertainment nonetheless.

Steve McQueen plays Boon Hogganbeck, an adopted stray that was taken in by the local Big Daddy played by the inimitable Will Geer known simply as "Boss." Boon is assigned to watch over the Boss' grandson Lucius, but Boon has been around the block a few times, and his testosterone goes into warp drive when the Boss has a spanking new Winton Flyer delivered on the inbound train.

While Boon is ardently watching over his new toy, another "family" member Ned who just happens to be a descendant of slaves AND Boss McCanlis' own grandaddy, takes off in the Winton Flyer causing general mayhem and destruction all over town before accidentally bringing this new horseless wagon to a stop. as punishment, Boss and the family leave town for a funeral, and consign 11 year old Lucius to the care of Boon, who has the Memphis city limits on his mind. Once safely out of town, Boon and Lucius concoct a story that is told to all the local family members assuring their safe gettaway, then off they go only to find later that lunatic Ned has stowed away in the back seat, setting the stage for a raucous adventure that had been largely forgotten over the past 30 years.

A terrific supporting cast with Michael Constantine as the owner of uh "The House", and Sharon Farrell as the...er object of Boon's affection. This movie is a delight for the family, and any serious DVD collector as the original brilliance of the sets and Mississippi Delta scenery has been fully restored with this beautiful widescreen transfer, and the 5.1 audio remastering is much better than the original release. All in all I would have to say this film classic deserves 5 Melons.

Probably the finest acting Steve McQueen ever did. Not his usaual roll, very different. He shows a wonderful flare for comedy and almost a shy sensitive side. The story romps thur one miss-deed to the next consequence. It's well told with humor and tenderness. You'll like this one; you'll watch it with the family and then tell a friend about it. It's honestly that good.

I agree with many of the other reviewers that this is a very well made film. It has one additional overlooked attribute -- it has a marvelous music soundtract and was the first film score written by John Williams, who went on to write scores for Star Wars and many more films.