Product Details

• Actors: Virginia McKenna, Peter Finch, Kenji Takaki, Tran Van Khe, Jean Anderson
• Directors: Jack Lee
• Writers: Nevil Shute, Richard Mason, W.P. Lipscomb
• Producers: Earl St. John, Joseph Janni
• Format: PAL
• Language: English (Mono)
• Region: Region 2 (Read more about DVD formats.)
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Studio: Rank Film Distributors of America
• Run Time: 117 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B00004CZVT
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #140,582 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• For more information about "A Town Like Alice: Special Edition [Region 2]" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

[NON-U.S. FORMAT (PAL) Region 2 U.K. Import - This will not play on U.S./Canada DVD players or those from most other countries outside of Europe. You would need a "multi-region" or "region-free" PAL compatible DVD player or computer.] REVIEW: Although made in 1956, A Town Like Alice has remained enduringly effective and affecting. Based on Nevil Shute's novel, the story revolves around a romance set against the unlikely backdrop of a forced march through the jungles of Malaysia by British prisoners - mostly women and children - captured by the invading forces of Japan. The title is a reference to the homesick yearnings of Australian soldier Joe Harman, played by Peter Finch. He forms a bond with one of the female prisoners, Jean Paget (Virginia McKenna), and their travails are depicted with a remarkable subtlety and commendable lack of corniness. It's a minor classic. DVD FEATURES: The black-and-white picture is presented in 4:3 format, with English subtitles if required. Extra features include a 25-minute "making of" documentary, a collection of behind-the-scenes photographs, potted biographies of the cast and crew, and the original trailer.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars 4 Stars for the B&W movie, 5000 Stars for the Aussie version!, December 30, 2005

By 

Quentin (NorthWest) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Profile of 'A Town Like Alice' (DVD)

This appears to be the old B&W movie with Virginia McKenna and Peter Finch. A very good but dated movie based on the wonderful Neville Shute book.

The Australian TV mini-series is light years better - in fact is one of the greatest movies ever made.

I hope some day it's released on DVD. Until then I still have my old VHS copy.

20 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars makes you want to kwai, March 26, 2006

By 

Pit O'Maley "Moon Man" (Alameda, Ca United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Town Like Alice: Special Edition [Region 2] (DVD)

A Msterpiece Theatre TV mini-series of the Nevil Shute story makes most war dramas since sloppy and unrealistic (U-571). This short novel send-up was the real deal, starring many fine actors, both Japanes and British. Told in flashback to Harry Andrews, the romantic leads are Helen Morse and a new-comer, Bryan Brown. What is missing today in any Hollywood love story is the struggle, sacrifice and testingt of potential partners dramatized throughout this series. The tension of the unselfish pair, builds to s surprise climax, but you would lose considerable enjoyment if you miss any of the realistic events that tested their resilience and courage, both the captors and the captives, when war intervenes. Well-rounded characters throughout this landscape of despair, suffering and hopefulness. A shame to be shelved this long not on DVD. Think of "Bridge on the River Kwai" with romance too.

11 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Above average Australian Mini-series..!!, November 27, 2005

By 

Seen Them All "Ace Movie Critic !!" (SoCal Desert) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Town Like Alice: Special Edition [Region 2] (DVD)

This is a very interesting and well written mini-series from Australia that tells the story of a group of Australian and British women and children who are captured by the Japanese at the outbreak of WW2. Separated from their husbands, they are forced to march many miles to the prison camp. Without food or medicine, they suffer many hardships. They run across a couple of Aussie POW's who give them some food. After the war one of the women goes back tho the hometown of one of the men. A not to be missed program. NOT for the faint of heart or for younger children. Stars Bryan Brown as one of the POW's.