Customer Reviews

Someone Behind The Door

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

 

 

I am writing this review mainly for someone who might be wondering if the quality of this DVD is good or not. Evidently, the quality of two other older Bronson films,specifically Honor Among Thieves and Cold Sweat, is very poor on DVD. This is not the case with Someone Behind the Door. The DVD quality is excellent and the packaging is top of the line with photos from the film itself on front and back of the DVD case. Someone put alot of work into this DVD and it is well worth purchasing. After a dismal experience with another seller, I ordered my copy from Amazon.com and received it within three days and in perfect condition. I hope this review helps you.

I actually originally picked up Someone Behind The Door on VHS for 99 cents. I was a huge Bronson fan and said "what the hell" and got it. The title and cover did not make the film too appealing, but I was actually taken by total surprise by the film. Fans of Bronson's action films, don't expect the same here. This is more of a thought provoking thriller. What got me the most is the great performances by Bronson, Perkins, and Bronson's then wife . The story centers on brain sergon Anthony Perkins finding amnesia victim Bronson. Perkins takes him in for care and somehow convices him to murder his wife. The ending is spactacular. Smartly written and moves at a brisk pace. Though this is one of Bronson's more obsecure films, it well worth for fans to check out. This one his rarities that he made while in Italy. The DVD itself is also of very high quality, which is a surprise for such a rare movie.

A NEUROSURGEON [THE LATE GREAT ANTHONY PERKINS] ALLOWS A POTENTIALLY MURDEROUS AMNESIAC [THE LATE GREAT CHARLES BRONSON] TO STAY IN HIS HOME. UNLIKE MANY OTHER CHARLES BRONSON MOVIES, IT MAKES YOU WANNA THINK. THE ACTING IS GREAT AND THE STORY IS INTRIGUING. IF YOU ONLY LIKE BRONSON MOVIES LIKE ''DEATH WISH'' OR ''ACT OF VENGEANCE'', THEN THIS MOVIE IS DEFINITELY NOT FOR YOU. BUT IF YOU LIKE PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLERS, THEN THIS IS A GREAT MOVIE FOR YOU TO WATCH.

The LionsGate version of this title is clearly labeled "16:9 Widescreen" in one location and also has a large logo on the the back of the cover which states - (16x9 WIDESCREEN 1.78:1 DVD SCREEN FORMAT). However, the actual dvd is presented in a letterboxed 1.85:1 format without anamorphic enhancement. The LionsGate version is still the only version of this film worth having on DVD but there is no excuse for the false advertising.

This review refers to the Front Row Entertainment VHS edition of "Someone Behind the Door"......

Bronson fans, don't get too excited about this one...It's a good mystery, with some great stars, but not one to be remembered as one of his best. It's almost like watching an old episode of "Columbo", only there's no brillant detective to solve the case.

Charles Bronson plays an amnesiac, who has been dropped off at an English hospital. A Psychiatrist there (Anthony Perkins) there takes an interest in him, and takes him home under the guise that he will help old Charlie. Right away we know there is something amiss as the good doctor has already lied about where the patient has gone.

The Doctor starts turning up clues as to poor Charlie's identity. His clothes, a picture of his "wife" and a letter from his wife's lover are among the evidence. Oh right... and then there's the matter of the dead women that turns up on the beach where our guy Bronson was found.

So here's the mystery...Is Bronson really this brutal killer or is the good Doc setting him up for some of his own sinister plans. After all he is having problems with his own beautiful wife as well(Jill Ireland). The story starts out rather slow with Bronson being the willing patient, but Bronson soon becomes the Bronson we all know and love as his character is convinced he is a murderer and is ready to explode! Can he unlock his past before there is another murder?
There are some very tense, chilling and some disturbing scenes. The ending is a bit of a let down and I'll leave it at that so as not to give it away.

It is a good thriller that will keep your attention. It's just not a real well made film and being a Bronson fan I expected..well...Bronson! Anthony Perkins is great at being creepy, and this film is no exceptions to that. Jill Ireland is always a nice addition to any film.

This particular VHS edition is at best a mediocre quality.Not a great picture, and it seemed a little choppy,like some parts had been edited out. This may be a contributing factor as to my opinion of this film. The sound was distinct and clear though. This is for the true Bronson fan, or if you just want to see something a little different in a mystery.

Well I'm off to watch the "Magnificent Seven" or "The Dirty Dozen" or maybe even "Death Wish" so I can remember why I Love Bronson so much!...Have fun...Laurie

I just watched Somebody Behind the Door for the second time. The first time was about 12 years ago. This movie has a good story and is worth seeing. It is a bit dated now. You can tell it was shot on a low budget. But it is an interesting concept. Anthony Perkins is his usual creepy self with a twist as he manipulates a mental patient under his "care". Jill Ireland is beautiful and Bronson is... well Bronson (menacing). This is a stretch for Bronson from his usual macho revenge rolls but he holds up well. Its worth a look.

Together with "Honor Among Thieves", this one is usually considered the weakest of his Euro-ones, but I like them both a lot. Bronson's good as the bewildered man falling into the hands of Perkins' scheming doctor. Now, Charlie's often been accused of sleepwalking through his movies, but that's certainly not the case here. -On the contrary; his character must have been a very interesting one for him to play, I'm sure. Perkins on the other hand looks bored. This is an oldfashioned, rather talky thriller, so don't expect much in the violent action department. -And that's partly why it's so good; more acting, less fighting. The whole film is pretty much set in one house; once they get there from the hospital they stay there. This is what makes it fun to be a Bronson fan; so many different movies and styles.

Wow! What an unusual and oftentimes disturbing film this is with excellent performances all around from Perkins, Bronson, and Ireland in this tale about a twisted neurologist (Perkins)whose wife's infidelity prompts him to manipulate an amenesiac (Bronson), into killing his wife and her lover.

Perkins is well-cast in this role as the doctor who takes Bronson both into his care and confidence later managing to convince him that Ireland is his wife and is having an affair with a French journalist. An unusual role for Bronson, typically regulated to B pictures and action roles, this film showcases his tremendous range where the director has successfully cast him against type. In this case, the victim.
Like "Lola" with Susan George filmed a year earlier and directed by Richard Donner, Bronson played a 38 year old author of "adult literature" who marries the 16 year old Susan George--a stretch for an actor of mostly B action pictures like "Death Wish" and "The Evil That Men Do."

This film shot on the southern coast of England, as did "Lola," captures another facet of this actor's gifts. This would be one of many pictures where he would collaborate with his wife, Jill Ireland.

Perkins is superb as the disturbed neurologist who finds solace in the opening bars of Dvorak's "New World Symphony" and toy puzzles. Perkins always brings a neurotic intensity to any role, and this is no exception. The ending is one that is shocking as well as unexpected.

The quality of this DVD is excellent for a film over 30 years old. The transfers from the 16mm print are remarkably clean, and the audio is remastered to Dolby standards. Beware of cheaper versions of this DVD that look like they were taken from a VHS tape.

I an a big Charles Bronson fan, but this was really not one of his better movies. His acting is very good, so I think it is the story itself that is not great.

A thriller that is a little different, also know as 2 Minds for a Murder, this is a different role for Mr.Bronson & he certainly shows his ability to show diversification.

The print is a nice wide screen copy, which does not show it's age or the fact that there are some pretty awful cheap versions of this movie out there. Go with this 1 you won't be disappointed