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Renaissance Man [VHS]
 
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Renaissance Man [VHS] (1994)

Starring: Danny DeVito, Gregory Hines Director: Penny Marshall Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested) Format: VHS Tape
4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (60 customer reviews)


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DVD $14.99 $11.49 51 used & new from $3.50

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Product Details

  • Actors: Danny DeVito, Gregory Hines, James Remar, Ed Begley Jr., Lillo Brancato
  • Directors: Penny Marshall
  • Format: Closed-captioned, Color, NTSC
  • Language: English
  • Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
  • Number of tapes: 1
  • Studio: Walt Disney Video
  • VHS Release Date: August 11, 1995
  • Run Time: 128 minutes
  • Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (60 customer reviews)
  • ASIN: 6303326811
  • Amazon.com Sales Rank: #8,534 in Video (See Bestsellers in Video)

    Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

    #3 in  Video > Comedy > Comedy Directors > Penny Marshall
    #42 in  Video > Comedy > Military & War

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Penny Marshall directed this well-intentioned drama-comedy about a middle-aged advertising executive (Danny DeVito) whose heart has never been in his work. Fired for incompetence, DeVito's character is on the skids; but then comes an unusual job offer: Teach a bunch of boot-camp army recruits to read and think. The first-time teacher leads the uniformed men and women to an appreciation of Shakespeare, but he still has to grapple with his own problems with commitment and responsibility. Watching this film is like staring at a pool of broken eggs that never quite becomes an omelet. The story's promise is always there, but the satisfaction never quite comes. Still, there are some nice moments, and the whole thing works better on video than it did in the theaters. --Tom Keogh

Product Description
Expect big, big laughs when funnyman Danny DeVito (TWINS, RUTHLESS PEOPLE) joins forces with talened director Penny Marshall (A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN, BIG) to deliver a lively five-star comedy you're going to love! DeVito plays a down-on-his-luck businessman who desperately takes the only job offered -- a teaching position in the U.S. Army. His mission: keep a ragtag bunch of underachieving misfits from flunking out of basic training! Be on alert for laughter as this unlikely new teacher and his underdog class unexpectedly inspire one another to be all that they can be!

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Customer Reviews

60 Reviews
5 star:
 (44)
4 star:
 (10)
3 star:
 (4)
2 star:    (0)
1 star:
 (2)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.6 out of 5 stars (60 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Almost all it could be..., August 23, 2000
By Bill Lincicome (Aviano Air Base, Italy) - See all my reviews
which really isn't a bad thing at all. "Renaissance Man" does a pretty good job of depicting military basic training with a few laugh-out-loud scenes along the way -- especially the "sniff-n-git" approach to chow time (what great memories!). I especially liked Gregory Hines' character (Drill Sergeant Cass) emphasizing the daunting task of transforming civilians into soldiers capable of saving lives in combat. Sergeant Cass and Bill Rago may come from entirely different perspectives, but, like one of the primary goals of military basic training, the two men realize they're on the same team and gradually develop a respect for each other's duty.

I also liked the scene where Private Benitez, who does a dead-on Jake LaMotta impression throughout the movie, presents a moving soliloquy from Henry V during his company's bivouac ("on St. Crispin's Day"). Mark Wahlberg (who I suppose graduated basic training and moved on to "Three Kings"!), the lovely Stacey Dash (who isn't given enough to do) and the wonderfully restrained Richard T. Jones (Private Jackson Leroy) round out a solid cast. A few minor things prevent this from being a 5-star movie (I actually give it 4 1/2 stars):

1) I felt sorry for the soldier (Private Hobbs) who was busted for his past history of selling drugs -- but hey, he didn't seem too sorry about it when he got caught, did he? At least he was trying to better himself in the slammer... 2) The "white boys ain't got no rhythm" crack is pretty played out (even if it is true). 3) I was disappointed not to find "United", the track played during the closing credits, on the soundtrack. Great song!

Last item -- they way the movie ended, it sort of left the door open for a follow-up of some sort. Was there a TV series made of this (I've been overseas for a LONG time!) Hope someone can answer this in a future review.

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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Renaissance Man in the Classroom, June 1, 2003
By Eileen Cunningham (Wichita, KS United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)      
This review is from: Renaissance Man (DVD)
Believe it or not, I've used *Renaissance Man* in the classroom for a couple of reasons. When we study the Renaissance in World History, our text makes reference to Leon Battista Alberti, the scholar and architect who, from a standing start and with his feet together, could leap over a man's head. The DeVito character, in his efforts to get his students interested in Shakespeare, makes reference to Alberti in one scene in the movie, so I couldn't resist showing that clip in my class. Then, since I taught the same students (high school freshmen) in English, I also showed all the clips related to the teaching of *Hamlet*. I've been patiently waiting for the DVD to come out so I won't have to do the slow "fast forwarding" and can just leap to the clips I want. The students usually get caught up in the characters as well, which is pure serendipity for me!
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars An all-time favorite, July 7, 2001
By tzefirah "tzefirah" (Media, PA United States) - See all my reviews
I am not in the habit of buying videos to keep, but I had to buy this one. I'm sure I've seen it 10 times by now. Whoever said that Shakespeare is hard to read is not remembering that Shakespeare started out as drama for the masses, not for the literati of his day.

This movie has been overlooked, which is a real shame. Definitely what you would call a sleeper. I never get tired of seeing it.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Makes ya think
This is a must see for teachers, especially, who deal with the lower level student. A reminder that just because they don't test well, there is so much more there. Read more
Published 15 days ago by Lynnda R. Butler

5.0 out of 5 stars Great flick
This is my first copy on DVD, however I have gone thru 4 copies on VHS
Published 1 month ago by Bobbi

5.0 out of 5 stars Renaissance Man DVD
I've lived on Ft Jackson in SC where this movie was filmed. Very comical, great story and Danny Devito gives an excellent performance!
Published 1 month ago by N. D. Nobbs

5.0 out of 5 stars No such thing as too dumb!
Renaissance Man is one of the best movies I've seen. Other than some language that was offensive, this has a great message. Read more
Published 3 months ago by C. E. Henderson

5.0 out of 5 stars great entertainment
Danny Devito plays the part of a "drafted" teacher to a group of disinterested GIs. The interactions of the GIs and the teacher are very real and personal. Read more
Published 4 months ago by John J. Rienzo

5.0 out of 5 stars Great movie!
One of my favorites. Great concept, and filled with heart-breaking touch :) My Danny de Vito's favorite!
Published 7 months ago by Leksi Bauer Asturias

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun With Shakespeare
I happen to love this movie - I found Danny DeVito enjoyable and loved the interaction between him and the students of the Army interesting. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Aislinge Kellogg

4.0 out of 5 stars What Fun and Instructive
I'm not a huge fan of comedies, nor do I particularly care to watch Danny DeVito movies, but Renaissance Man is really good. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Up The Stairs

5.0 out of 5 stars renaissance man
i loved renaissance man it was funny and heartwarming i bought the movie yesterday and its my second favortie army/military movie ive ever scene sgt bilko is my first favorite... Read more
Published 16 months ago by matt dasaro

5.0 out of 5 stars Doesn't Get Any Better
They couldn't have picked a better cast if they tried in this movie. Danny DeVito should have won every award known to movies on this one. Read more
Published 18 months ago by K. DeWinter

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