Customer Reviews

A Separate Peace [VHS]

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

This movie closely follows the novel, with few changes that cause very minor distractions. I do not recommend watching the movie prior to reading the novel. Gene's internal dialogue is lost on the screen, and therefore does not reveal his growing jealousy, anger, and guilt as successfully as the book. The story itself is a great portrayal of young men struggling to mature during World War II. Many of the negative reviews must come from 15 year old students who were forced to read the book - or others who are just too ignorant to pick up on the important themes.
Though the acting is second rate, the story remains timeless. I don't think they were trying to win any Oscars here.

I have read some reviews here from English teachers and how their students hated this movie, or mocked it, or did not think it a good representation of the novel. In such cases I wonder whether the teacher has failed the students by concentrating on everything but substance. Yes, the movie does feature a style of acting to which we are not accustomed today, but there are some very strong moments in the film. Also, consider that the actors were from Exeter (except for Stevenson) and inexperienced with Hollywood acting. Essentially, if you are a fan of the novel and find it compelling and moving all these years later, then you will be able to see past the flaws of the movie and see that it captures the spirit of the novel more than the 2004 movie or even the 1966 television movie. The fact that a better version of this film has not been made in 23 years is a testament to its value.

I was in this film, along with about 100 other preppies. It's pretty close to the book, with a few minor changes. Some parts will remind you of Owen Meany. The staircase will.
The trial scene is too long, but the Hampton Beach footage is beautifully done. I don't see any other way of filming it.

I think it's a good film,and a honest version of the Knowles' book.A simple and honest film.You can remember your childhood and
the begginings of your young life. I'ts a little like Julia with
Jane Fonda and Vanessa Redgrave, yes I've said "a little".
Gene and Finny had a great friendship and it passed, because nothing endures(?)Or everything endures? Your memories endures?
I'm Mexican and I can appreciate this little and rare Oeuvre d'art.

I read the book in English class and I was totally in love with it so I decided to rent the movie. I love it as well, it followed Mr. Knowles' novel very closely, and I'm surprised that so many people didn't like it.

Poor John Heyl. Whatever happened to him...? He played Phineas in this film and did so rather well, I thought. Parker Stevenson is a very unfortunate, one-dimensional, barely-able-to-convince-us-he's-a-real-character Gene; this is troublesome since the entire story behind "A Separate Peace" is really's Gene's own. The supporting cast did a fine job...the actor who played Leper was credible, and Brinker's role was filled very adeptly as well. What pleased me most was the firm adherence of the film to Knowles' novel, which is one of my favorite works of American literature. I'd like to see the 2003 made-for-TV version of the book but cannot locate it on VHS; the 1972 rendition is still, in my opinion, a tremendously commendable adaptation.

While this movie may not award winning, it closely follows the novel "A Separate Peace." I found it useful to use in my classroom after students read certain sections of the novel. They seemed to really like watching it.