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Editorial Reviews
Montgomery Clift, Paul Douglas. An American pilot falls in love with a beautiful German woman in Berlin during the post-war airlift. 1950/b&w/108 min/NR/fullscreen.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
36 of 38 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
One thing overlooked in other reviews, which I am in agreement with over the quality of this film, is that the military people in this film are actually the people serving in the hosting Airforce Unit in Germany at the time. When I first saw it on late night television, I noticed the very real radio chatter that went on in the aircraft and most of all Clift's commanding officer, who had such an un-hollywood demeanor that I wondered where they got this guy and/or who was the genius directing this that created this take on this character. Then when the credits came, I saw that he was the serving commanding officer of the Airforce outfit: he was just being himself (and his "performance" will surprise many who only know the "cartoon version" of military people). And he's not the only one: they show all the "actors" one at a time in formation at the end (the military folks). Good stuff (and as a former military man myself, I found it very refreshing to see this sort of non-cartoonish depiction of military characters in this film).
This film is a great product of it's time, the era which gave us "Third Man" and a few other of the great "Cold War" Noir films (some day "Night People" with Gregory Peck and Buddy Ebsen will come out on Dvd, too!).
This film is a great product of it's time, the era which gave us "Third Man" and a few other of the great "Cold War" Noir films (some day "Night People" with Gregory Peck and Buddy Ebsen will come out on Dvd, too!).
You can't go wrong.
31 of 33 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
I got into Montgomery Clift movies during my teen years, ever since being "forced" to sit through "From Here to Eternity" at my aunt and uncle's house on Thanksgiving Day (I lost out at the video store when all of my relatives disagreed with my selection of "Ghostbusters 2"...pathetic, I know, but I was only 14). Needless to say I was awed by "Eternity" and over the years have seen just about every film in which Monty Clift appeared. Sure, everybody likes "A Place in the Sun" and "The Heiress", but most of his movies, in my opinion, were underrated. "I Confess" (directed by Hitchcock), "Wild River" (directed by Elia Kazan, but unfortunately not yet on videotape), and "The Young Lions" (with Brando) are well worth seeing. One of Monty's earliest films, "The Search" is also a gem and quite similar in style and theme to "The Big Lift". The latter film is part of my video collection and one which I enjoy watching every year or so (and I'm not saying that just because I'm now in the Air Force! ). Monty is at his best in this film and he plays the type of role at which he was most exceptional: the low-key guy with a heart of gold, the kind of guy you'd want for a friend, a co-worker, or as a date for your little sister. :) It pains me to think that Monty's career died out in the early 1960s and that the actor himself perished in 1966 as a result of years of substance abuse. I believe that had he lived, he would have made a comeback, perhaps on television in a "Dynasty"-type show (that, however, is a scary thought). So, in a nutshell, "The Big Lift" is an excellent film, a good choice for film buffs, and an absolute must for Montgomery Clift fans. Incidentally, it is much preferrable to view this movie on videotape rather than on a television network --- I sat through it once on American Movie Classics and it was a frustrating experience: the film quality was grainy, very dark, and "jumpy". BUY IT INSTEAD.
21 of 22 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
Putting aside the love story at its center, this film provides a timely view of the Berlin Airlift. Film was shot on location in Germany during or shortly after the Berlin Airlift (June '48-Jul '49). The film accurately documents Airlift operations, including the hazards crews faced (harressment from Soviet fighters, bad weather), and innovations (such as Precision Approach Radar) employed to make the airlift successful. Having lived in Germany, I think the film also presents a revealing and truthful insight into the human side of the airlift, to include living conditions and beliefs in post-war Berlin. The attitudes and philosophies expressed by the four main characters and their associates are representative of the era. Overall, this film has good flying scenes and a good human interest plot.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
big lift
I own thousands of DVDs. This is the worst transfer of them all. Big Lots has many three dollar titles; none are close to being this bad. Shame. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Trying To Help
A historical masterpiece unmatched!
Sure this movie was made over fifty years ago, but when you get it right there's no comparison. Montgomery Clift was dead a couple of years before I was born and I remember my... Read more
Published 2 months ago by David Lucero
Historical
I ordered "The Big Lift" after viewing it on Turner Classic Movies. Having served in Europe in the 1950's, even though this
takes place in the 1940s, I can attest that the... Read more
takes place in the 1940s, I can attest that the... Read more
Published 8 months ago by Jon A. Boka
Great PUBLIC DOMAIN movie...
It's a great snapshot of the Soviet blockade of Berlin after World War 2. The communists were rapidly sucking up Eastern Europe, and they didn't want to give up their stake in... Read more
Published 9 months ago by Katy Lake
The Big Lift
A fascinating look at immediately post war Germany, filmed on location. Monty Clift, not a fan I'm afraid, is decent in this. Read more
Published 17 months ago by Haunted Ice
The Big Lift
The Big Lift is a period piece about the erecting of the Berlin Wall and how Berlin is kept alive by air lifting supplies. Read more
Published 19 months ago by Paul Arro
ROAN EDITION!!!!!
No problems with the Roan edition of this film. Has all titles and looks good.
Published 19 months ago by larryj1
Not your typical war film!!
I think this movie is most likely much the way it was in Post-war Germany. The process of healing and de-programing took some time on all sides. Read more
Published 24 months ago by Darren
The first battle of the Cold War
A unique film. This movie takes place during the Berlin Airlift, the heroic effort by the western allies to keep Berlin supplied from the air after the Soviets closed down all... Read more
Published on May 16, 2010 by James D. Crabtree
Brilliant
A wonderful portrayal of air traffic during WWII. It is full of love triangles, deceit, and mystery.
The quality of this version is the best I have been able to find. Read more
The quality of this version is the best I have been able to find. Read more
Published on May 7, 2010 by J. Smith
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