Reviews
Dialogues des Carmélites (1999)
Moving opera based on historical incident
Although I am a fan of musicals I am only so/so on opera. Too much of opera seems to me to be people sing-songing to each other, with someone occasionally saying "pardon me while I do my big aria" and then stepping forward to belt out the equivalent of "There's No Business Like Show Business." The irony of course is that I have exactly the same problem with opera as people who don't like musicals have with musicals. This is not the case with "Dialogue of the Carmelites." The music is quite beautiful and underlies and develops the story, it does not intrude into it. This opera has deservedly been called one of best operas of the second half of the twentieth century. I would just like to clarify a couple of points about the story. First, the previous reviewer was bothered by the fact that the bad guy wore anachronistic leather coats. However, this refers back to the opening sequences of pictures from Bosnia or elsewhere in the former Yugoslavia. The obvious point was that bullies who persecute others for their religious beliefs were not confined to Revolutionary France. "Possible Spoilers." Second, in the story we first see the nuns forced from the convent, and shortly thereafter in prison. It looks like the Revolutionary council double crossed the nuns, releasing them only to arrest them again. In in historical event on which the opera is based, the arrest of the ex-nuns occurred a few years after the destruction of the convent, and because the nuns were again living in community. So the arrest of the nun was due to their deliberate actions, not to the treachery of the council. Finally, near the end of the opera we see Mother Mary visit and talk to Blanche, and then she disappears from the story. This again reflects the historical event. Mother Mary happened to be traveling when the other nuns were re-arrested and thus did not share their fate. Fortunately for us this also meant she was able to write the story of the event, which became the basis of the play and the opera.
The Extra Day (1956)
Pleasant '50's British comedy
A movie company truck loses a can of film containing the final scene of a just completed feature. The film's director insists that the scene be re-shot immediately and sends Richard Basehart to round up the scene's "extras". This pleasant British comedy focuses on the stories of these extras (note clever title), and on Basehart's efforts to locate them. Best episode is about the extra who is also a prizefighter: Basehart must make sure that he doesn't get punched in the face because visible marks would delay the new shooting. There is also a nice light romance between a very young George Baker and Simone Simon. As always the charming Simon is a pleasure to watch. Viewers who enjoy her in this movie will also want to see her in "The Devil and Daniel Webster" where her considerable sex appeal is effectively used to enhance the emotional impact of that film.
I wanted to give this film a 6.5 out of 10, but since IMDB does not allow this I give it a 7.
The Box of Delights (1984)
Enchanting!
How could you not like a story where the villain - and an evil and odious villain he is - is a Methodist Bishop? Where little boys turn into mice and run through the walls to spy on the bad guys?
This is a thoroughly charming Christmas fantasy, wonderfully made by the BBC in the mid-80's, based on a children's book by John Masefield. Set in England in the 1930's, it tells the adventures of Kay Hawker as he returns home from school for Christmas. On the train he meets a mysterious but kindly old man who gives him the Box of Delights, a magical box which gives the holder the powers of flight, physical transformation, and the ability to travel through time. Of course, the forces of evil, led by the aforementioned Bishop, are out to steal the Box, and its up to Kay and his friends to stop them.
This is an absolutely first rate BBC production. Patrick Troughton of Dr. Who fame is the mysterious old man and Robert Stephens is the Bishop. The story, the visual effects, and the music are all enthralling.
Actually, its somewhat of a fluke that I have seen this program since it has - to my knowledge - never been shown in the United States. In the mid-80's I was living in Cleveland, Ohio, and we could pick up Canadian TV from across the Lake. One day I happened to turn on the television and this was on; I was instantly captivated. Ever since then I have tried to find tapes of this show but, unfortunately, they are not available in the U.S.
Genevieve (1953)
a totally wonderful film
One of my favorites of all time. A fresh, whimsical, gentle and wonderful comedy. Every time I think of it I smile and long to be in a roadster in England of the early 50's. Contains one of the greatest - if not the greatest - transition scenes in all movies. Watch for it near the beginning, when suddenly you hear a voice over saying "not that long ago what you are about to see would be illegal." Absolutely brilliant.
The Angel with the Trumpet (1950)
Sentimental, moving film about a family in Vienna
The story of a wealthy family in Vienna from the end of the Austrian Empire through the Nazi's and WWII. Somewhat old fashioned and it starts a little slowly, but wonderfully made and very moving. Cast is mostly British but includes some real Austrians such as Maria Schell and Oskar Werner. Perhaps I am somewhat biased because I have always been interested in "old Vienna" but I found it fascinating.
The Searching Wind (1946)
Talky and dated melodrama.
American diplomat Robert Young is married to wealthy Ann Richards but loves reporter Sylvia Sidney. The three react differently to the rise of fascism in Italy and Germany. Sidney opposes it, Richards is indifferent, and Young is torn between his dislike for it and his fear that opposition will involve America in war. A talky and dated melodrama.