Film Reviews by Swambi

Yes,this is well filmed, but nevertheless I found it pretty depressing looking at over two hours of Japanese death and embalming rituals, which is what the film continually focuses on, without much else at all in the way of light relief.

This film is excellent in all respects, well filmed, with beautiful scenery and music, excellently acted, taking you right back in to the 60's in the American south. Very emotional. If you like humanity and 'real life' drama, hope and human interaction, you will enjoy this.

For me the problem with this film was that the time difference became progressively more confusing and illogical the longer the film went on, right up to the totally impossible conclusion. Apart from this the filming, romance, music and acting were reasonable (particularly if you are a fan of architecture) although the editing and acting could have been better. However, I found that the in your face implausibility of the film made it impossible to enjoy. However, if you can suspend your critical faculties, you may find this a pleasant and unusual romance.

This film is set on a cruise ship, and focuses on the story of Oscar and Mimi, told through flashbacks and reminiscences. Initially this develops as an intense love affair, which degenerates into extremes of emotional and physical cruelty. If you are happy with this, you will find the film fine.

Apart from the story line, the acting and cinematography are adequate, with the flashbacks providing the best element.

There seems to have been a lot of progress in film making since 1951! If you are nostalgic for a by-gone era of film making you may well enjoy this, and there are some good shots of jungle wildlife, but then if you are interested in wildlife, there are far better films.

By modern standards the acting, plot, effects and directing just don't stack up, to the point that most of the film is unintentionally ludicrous. The initial acting by the missionaries is very wooden, Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn just unconvincing, and whilst there was some fairly funny contrast between Rose and Charlie initially, this changed to excessive infatuation with unconvincing speed. The practicalities of the boat operating down massive rapids and surviving intensive gunfire, and then through a reed marsh, let alone the final scene are so completely unconvincing that I found it impossible to enjoy.

This film ultimately produces a quite a subtle and romantic comedy with complex interactions across the generations, and between different types of people, and provides some beautiful filming, working from the basis of what could have been a crude and unbelievable plot. There are some problems with the plot, but the acting and direction were adequate to largely suspend disbelief, and allow amusement from the misunderstandings. Frank and V act particularly well. Probably best enjoyed by adults who like a film with romance and children in it.

I rented this film because the idea for the plot sounded good - and was disappointed. The plot and acting are unconvincing, humour minimal, and filming average at best, so that that it is neither amusing nor believable. Overall it is not a film that I could recommend.

Mainly consists of fight scenes, with cameos of Nicole Kidman in various period costumes (no, not out of them) a sprinklng bit wild west, and plenty of Irish accents - otherwise not much of a plot or even a film.

This is a deceptively simple film, well acted and very believable. There is virtually no "action" but the undertatement of the characters, and the growing emotional involvement made it compelling viewing for me.

I found this heavy going. Old films just don't have the same standards as more modern ones. The scenery is much more static, and effects much more similar to a theatre.

There is an element of rather Biggles type British humour, antics between a very strange (black and white) version of heaven, with holes in the floor, and earth in technicolour. Otherwise there was nothing of note, or to engage the viewer, and no real reason to watch this, unless this genre (and vintage) of film is something you are really into.

A totally unique road movie, great (folk style) music, lovely filming, beautiful landscapes, gentle fun, believable, heartwarming and sad.

Technically this is a fairly well made film, but it failed to engage. It takes quite a simple story, and turns it into a confusing and complex film, with a lot of scenes and actions that don't necessaily make sense when you try to think them through (particularly when relying on sub-titles). This isn't helped by frequent cutting and interposing of scenes, just when action is becoming interesting of beginning to make sense.

The key elements become clear with time, and you might grasp more if you watched it a second time - but that could be too much of an ordeal! I was left with the impression that the film had intentionally tried to confuse the viewer by incorporate incomprehensible elements, leaving an "incomplete" feeling. However, if you are a fan of detective/mystery type films this may be just what you want!

The story of the perfect butler - and his mistakes. Fantastic filming, fantastic scenery, totally believable. It examines a lot of moral issues, and you get drawn progressively into the romantic involvement which is meticulously acted out.

The production is not quite up to modern standards, but definitely better than average for 1979, and is still enjoyable if you like films involving human interaction (rather than adventures, shooting etc) - and don't mind dated haircuts! There are a lot of scenes of subtle humour as Ted struggles to look after his son and cope at work on his own. There is also an unintentionally amuzing section where Ted runs his son to the hospital, involving far more risk of death and injury as he hurtles across moving traffic. There is an element of redemption, as he realises that there is more to life than work - even if he suffers for it.

However, I felt some key elements of the plot weren't developed. It was never clear why Joanna left so suddenly, nor why reconciliation never seemed to be on the cards - although I suppose this would have brought the whole matrimonial dispute to a stop, and given a shorter film!

I found this deeply depressing - but fine if that's what you want!

The film is quite brutal and language crude, and the two lead characters appear intent on destroying each other.

It is set almost entirely in a single room, and gives every appearance of being produced on a minimal budget. The characters and plot are inconsistent. The class aspects of the film appear to be delivering a political message, but are so over-done as to be difficult to stomach.