WAR and PEACE (TV-Series) [ Import ]

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Price: $116.05   

Product Description

Russia released, NTSC (USA and Canada), ALL REGION 2 discs version, WIDESCREEN. AUDIO OPTIONS: Dolby Digital 2.0 ENGLISH (movie is completely in English) and Dolby Digital 2.0 RUSSIAN (voice-over). SYNOPSIS: Originally a European TV mini-series. Robert Dornhelm's latest work is an eight-hour recreation of Tolstoy's literary epic "War and Peace" and was presented in Cannes by the Alchemy Television Group. The eight-hour mini-series, which was produced by Italy's Lux Vide Studios, stars Brenda Blethyn, Malcolm McDowell and Clemence Poesy. The series' 11 week shoot on locations in Lithuania and Russia, is said to be the most expensive ever to have taken place in the Baltic region. This stunning production of "War and Peace", more than any other, explores the connections and parallels of characters, relationships and world events that shine a light on a changing world. From ballrooms and battlefields, from carriages and villas, from gowns and swords, "War and Peace" is a beautifully wrought mirror reflecting our own lives, loves, sorrows and conflicts.

WAR and PEACE (TV-Series) [ Import ] Review

I am a Tolstoy aficionado, have read War and Peace more than once. I say this in order to qualify my review. I have also seen all 4 of the major movie productions.

The first production with Audrey Hepburn was a US made piece and is sadly dated, also it is so short that everything is abbreviated.

The second production, by Bondarchuk, is a magnificent production, but I felt somewhat disappointed with it as to me Tolstoy balances the human and world events in such a profound way, and this production seems to focus mainly on the world events. However, some of the battle scenes are like great symphonies and bring deep emotions and tears to the eyes. There is little depth or development of the stories of the characters, however. Platon Karatayev, for example, is barely mentioned and is a pivotal part of the story of Pierre.

My favorite production to this day is the one produced by the BBC with Anthony Hopkins as Pierre. In this 12 hour series a number of very strong characters create an interwoven story which I have watched a number of times. The characters of Pierre, Natasha, Andrei, Princess Maria, The old Prince Bolkonsky, Helene and all the others are so memorable that I would recommend this production as the greatest thus far produced. Although they did not have the resources to produce the battle scenes, costumes and authentic sets, this is after all fiction. And some of the greatest plays are done with virtually nothing but a few props.

It was with great anticipation that I purchased this most recent production directed by Dornhelm, touted at costing 30,000,000.00 and supposedly involved with the personalities of the book.

I was appalled to see that the actual story has been raped and pillaged to abbreviate events leading to the engagement with Andre. I get the feeling that, typical of so many productions of the late 20th and early 21st century, that there was this big budget to be spent and huge resources to be managed, at the cost of a single artist putting together a cogent and cohesive work of art. Although I felt some disappointment at the rather shallow depictions of the characters in the Bondarchuk production, I feel utter anger and contempt that the characters in this present one are so uninteresting and lacking in any depth.

To have a Natasha running around with a schoolgirl crush on Andre, when in the story she only vaguely sees him, not to show the very difficult relationship between the Countess Rostov and her ward Sonia from the beginning, and the reason Sonia is unwanted as a daughter in law, due to the profligacy of the Rostovs financial decisions, good hearted as they are, all make me angry that so much could be wasted on such an insipid production.

This production has been compared to the one of Napoleon, which I have also watched several times, and I can't see any comparison as in that the characters are all riveting, strong actors. Even though it is involved with a lot of historical events and not even a novel, the characters themselves carry this magnificent production.

To me this latest production of War and Peace is like so much of what is wrong with the present era. Everything is superficial, there is no time to get to deep emotion or profundity, it is all frippery, clothes hung on totally forgettable actors and actresses, and visions of a past whose real glory lives only through great works of literature and great art.

I do not recommend wasting any money on this movie. Just read the book and check out the BBC production from your local library!

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The Birthday Party [Region 2]

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Price: $129.99   

The Birthday Party [Region 2] Review

I've nothing to add regarding H. Pinter's play as I'm not familiar with it. Therefore, I may only safely comment on the film adaptation. The film is structured so that the viewer is aware that terrible things have happened, are happening, and no doubt will happen quite soon. All the action takes place at a rooming house ran by Meg and Petey Bowels (Dandy Nichols and Moultrie Kelsall). Their only tenant is Stanley Weber, a former piano player that is perceived by most to be a "washout". His past is dubious and it is rather impossible to form a true picture of his character.Robert Shaw portrays Stanley as a hideous wreck of a man who is gradually transformed into something credible. Throughout he is bitter, defensive, and contrary to everything in the world he has adopted as his own. There is nothing he likes, nothing he takes pleasure in. He's just a nasty sort of person who seems destined to do something ill-conceived to get his head caned in. Then two men, McCann and Goldberg, appear and take a room for a couple of nights. They clearly know Stanley and proceed to rough him up a bit when they get him alone. Stanley acts as if he has been expecting these two for quite some time. His resignation to maltreatment at their hands is quite disturbing, but not entirely unsurprising. Patrick Magee, who played the Marquis de Sade in the film adaptation of "Marat Sade" is truly threatening as McCann. His sheer presence on screen is demonic. His eyes steel into you and you feel fixed in your place by his animal stare. There aren't many actors who do this bit as well as he. As Goldberg, Sydney Tafler is actually far more dangerous than McCann. His diabolism is shrouded in a hyper-friendly, articulate, obsessively well groomed mensch. He insists that Stanley celebrate his birthday with all his friends. The arrival of the dippy, highly impressionable Lulu (Helen Fraser) does nothing at first to calm Stanley's nerves. Eventually, however, she wakes him up into his Self, after a fashion. It is quite a shock seeing Lulu all tarted up amidst the sexless crowd at the party. More than anything else, she is the one who terrifies Stanley the most. Her lack of self-consciousness about her body further puts the spike in his neck.This is simply a great film for observing how daily routines can come to get at some people. Also, how being removed from your safety zone can sometimes shock you into behaving like an entirely different person provided the elements are all in place. It really is a horror film of the highest order. It demonstrates the sinister aspects of the every day quite wonderfully. A brilliant film. 5/5. Help other customers find the most helpful reviews Was this review helpful to you? Yes No Report abuse | PermalinkComment Comment

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Munto

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Price: $149.99   

Product Description

The flow of "akuto energy" that maintains the floating heavenly realm has dried up due to an imbalance with the Earth below, so Magical King Munto descends to find 13-year-old Yumemi, whose powers can save both their worlds. The filmmakers try to cram several hours' worth of story into this 45-minute OVA with little success. The characters of Munto and Yumemi remain little more than ciphers. Two side plots, one involving the evil Gunther's attack on the heavenly kingdom, the other centering on a friend of Yumemi's who thinks she's getting married, only impede the underdeveloped plot. The magical girl whose unsuspected powers can save two worlds is a standard element in countless anime stories, almost all of them more interesting than the fragmentary Munto. (Rated 13 and older: violence) --Charles Solomon

Munto Review

This movie was very good. I would recommend it to any anime fan. The artist could have added more to it, such as having th girl actually visit the world and such but it was still a great movie. It's about a girl who is able to see another world that floats above ours, but when that world is in perral they need her help. It's all about how she has to believe in herself and others, so she can save this world.

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Kilimanjaro - The Way It Is; Volume 1: The Western Breach

You looking to find the "Kilimanjaro - The Way It Is; Volume 1: The Western Breach" Good news! You can purchase Kilimanjaro - The Way It Is; Volume 1: The Western Breach with secure price and compare to view update price on this product. And deals on this product is available only for limited time.

   

Product Feature

• Learn all about preparing & climbing Africa's highest mountain!

Product Description

WINNER! 4 TELLY AWARDS! Kilimanjaro - The Way It Is, vividly details the complete Kilimanjaro experience in an unforgettable film documentary. Journey day by day with the spirited Kiliwarrior mountain team as they lead four climbers to the summit via the spectacular Western Breach route. - Take a look behind the scenes and see what it takes to organize a climb. - Visit the famous hotels, and lodges in the vicinity of Kilimanjaro. - Meet the guides and porters of Kilimanjaro. - Participate in a gear inspection session. - Get a cockpit view of the mountain from the air. - Drive to the entrance of Kilimanjaro N.P. - Watch the porters prepare for the climb. - Follow the climb for 9 days to the top of Kibo via the Western Breach, and down to Mweka Camp. Experience each day of the climb, from breakfast to dinner. Watch the porters show their superhuman strength as they fast pace up the mountain. Hear the guides encourage the climbers when the going gets tough. - Learn from an hour of briefings on topics such as packing, safety, health, nutrition, routes, etc. The breathtaking Western Breach of Kilimanjaro is the most talked-about and misunderstood route to the summit. This film shows the route like never before, enabling viewers to decide for themselves if this is the best route for them. Camping next to the disappearing Snows of Kilimanjaro (the retreating glaciers) is an experience not to be missed. Some say the glaciers will be gone in as little as 20 years! Do not climb Kilimanjaro without watching this film!

Kilimanjaro - The Way It Is; Volume 1: The Western Breach Review

I have gone up twice ... the second time with Kiliwarriors. The IMAX movie is instructional about the mountain but does NOT show the climb the "way it is". This DVD shows the routes clearly on maps and conditions to expect and food, tents, etc. Maybe more importantly it shows some of the often overlooked dangers. It will show you questions to ask a potential outfitter. It goes through a recommended guide for equipment to bring with you. Having gone with Kiliwarriors I now know they are the supreme caretakers of climbing companies bar none. I highly recommend the DVD and the company that made it.

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Stawka Wieksza Niz Zycie (More Than Life at Stake)

You looking to find the "Stawka Wieksza Niz Zycie (More Than Life at Stake)" Good news! You can purchase Stawka Wieksza Niz Zycie (More Than Life at Stake) with secure price and compare to view update price on this product. And deals on this product is available only for limited time.

Price: $88.78   

Product Feature

• - English subtitles
• - Deluxe Edition

Product Description

oland released, PAL/Region Free, 6 DVD DELUXE GIFT SET: it WILL NOT play on standard US DVD player. You need multi-region PAL/NTSC DVD player to view it in USA/Canada. Spoken LANGUAGE: POLISH Dolby Digital 5.1; SUBTITLES: ENGLISH; FULL SCREEN 1.33:1; SYNOPSIS: Stawka wieksza niz zycie (More Than Life at Stake) is a very successful Polish black and white TV series about the adventures of a Polish secret agent, Hans Kloss (real name, Stanislaw Kolicki, codename J-23), who acts as a double agent in Abwehr during Second World War in occupied Poland. The series was filmed since March 1967 to October 1968. It had 18 episodes, 9 of which were directed by Janusz Morgenstern and the other 9 by Andrzej Konic. It became popular also in other countries, especially in former Soviet Union and Czechoslovakia.

Stawka Wieksza Niz Zycie (More Than Life at Stake) Review

More than Life at Stake (Stawka wieksza niz zycie) is a Polish television series about a Polish spy deep in the ranks of Abwehr (German military intelligence) during World War II. The first episode sets the stage for this 18 episode series. After the Russians capture a German spy by the name of Hans Kloss, they spend a great deal of time interrogating him about the smallest details of his life. The German spy is replaced with a Polish look-a-like named Janek (Stanislaw Mikulski), and his "escape" is staged to have several German witnesses that will confirm his identity as a German officer. Hans Kloss provides intelligence and assistance to other spies he is aligned with and, more significantly, creates an environment in which the Germans are all suspecting each other of being a traitor, thus crushing their morale.

Hans Kloss gets himself into countless sticky situations, which nearly take a miracle to untangle from. Each episode has mystery and keeps one guessing how it will turn out until the very end. Although there is no major carryover in the storyline between each episode, there are more than a number of small details that find their way into the next installments.

The entire story takes place from 1943 to 1945, and we see Germany at its height of power to its gradual fall. The part that I found especially interesting are the final days of the war, when the tables were turned and the days of the Germany's power where numbered. The fear they inspired in others is now something they had to deal with themselves. I also found it interesting that it showed some of the German officers were positioning themselves to look favorable with the Americans hoping to find a haven with them (which has been confirmed a number of times with declassified information but isn't widely known).

More than Life at Stake is a classic Polish television show that has remained popular since its creation in 1967-1968 (and probably will for many years in the future). The episodes are alternately directed by Andrzej Konic or Janusz Morgenstern. Hans Kloss is a cultural icon that is probably just as popular as Czterej pancerni i pies, which was also made in the late 1960s. Furthermore, even though Stawka wieksza niz zycie was made during the period of Soviet occupation of Poland, there is less pro-communist sentiment than Czterej pancerni i pies and even portrays the AK favorably. More than Life at Stake is an exceptional WWII serial, particularly for those who like the espionage side to the story.

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