14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
A class act by Exeter Academy, September 28, 2004
This review is from: A Separate Peace [VHS] (VHS Tape)
The 1972 film version of John Knowles' modern masterpiece is a class act for the reason that Paramount Pictures went to Phillips Exeter Academy and filmed it on location with all student actors from Exeter with the exception of Parker Stevenson whom attended The Brooks School. Though the acting is a little amaturish at times, so what, it should be, for it is the drama society of Exeter and alumni putting on a Paramount film!
John Heyl, a former Exeter Student, was eighteen and son of the school doctor. John Heyl does a great job as Finny at the age sixteen, seventeen that Finny would have been in the novel.This was also Parker Stevenson, at eighteen, his first film and in my view his best role as Gene.
It is a good adaptation of the book but I would strongly suggest that you read the novel first for the tentions of love, hate, jealously, denial, sexual undertones and regret are pale compared to John Knowles' writing. It is a love story and the viewer decides if it is emotional and / or physical. What else could motivate ones "Best Pal" and roommate to do such a violent act as to attempt to maim him hense excorise him (Finny) from Genes life i.e. emotions that Gene could not deal with at sixteen.
I have recently viewed Showtime's 2004 version which was filmed at a college in Canada and has actors that are in there late twenties playing the parts of teenagers. No sorry - veto! John Heyl will always be Finny and Parker Stevenson will always be Gene. The 1972 Film version of A Separate Peace shot at Exeter is a true "PREPPY" classic.
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12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Michael Lane my acting debut., September 30, 2004
This review is from: A Separate Peace [VHS] (VHS Tape)
My rating of this film is very interesting, being that I was in
the film. I was nineteen years old and making my film debut.
For the information of everyone this film was made on a low budget of one million dollars. Paramount was making The Godfather
at that time and was pressed for money. Parker Stevenson and John Heil were students at Phillips Exeter Acedemy where the film was made. Most of the actors students on the campus of the school. Very few professional actors were used.A lot of times we drove the director crazy, because of our lack of experience.For all the pitfalls and problems I think the movie gave an accurate portrayal of life in the 40's.
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18 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
A Student Perspective, April 23, 2001
This review is from: A Separate Peace [VHS] (VHS Tape)
After reading the book in class, our teacher let us watch the movie. In my mind, the characters were way different that I had visualized. I found that there were many differences between the book and movie. Differences that changed it in a few ways. They did not change it drastically, it still had the same story line that Knowles has in the book. I would choose the book over the movie for the small descriptive details that Gene adds in his thoughts that are not expressed in the movie. Although, the movie is enjoyable to watch after you have read the book.
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