Pimpernel_Smith Reviews

Attack on the Iron Coast (1968)

Strange double-bill!

[7/10 · 4 March 2024]

I saw this movie as a double bill with Yellow Submarine as a treat with some friends for my 9th birthday, Summer 1968 in a cinema in north-eastern England. It was a very odd combination given the likely audience for The Beatles film.

My recollection of the film is very hazy, but the ending made a stronger long-lasting impact on me than the jolly Beatles romp, so I'm giving it a fairly high score. I've wondered ever since what the film was called but have just found a listing of the double-bill in the British Newspaper Archive. Now I'd like to track the film down to see what I think of it as an adult - other reviews are mixed so I hope I'm not too disappointed.

Black Jack (1979)

Completely unrealistic prices

[4/10 · 21 November 2023]

I haven't read the book, so don't know whether the fault lies with Garfield or Loach, but the over-inflated amounts of money bandied about completely ruined the otherwise reasonably convincing look and feel of the 1750s in this film. The few stars I've given are for the sets and costumes.

As an example, near the beginning, Jack is given over 3 POUNDS for helping to push a coach out of a pothole - not remotely feasible, given a farm labourer's wage around that time was in the order of 10 SHILLINGS per WEEK.

Similarly, the amounts demanded by the urchin Hatch are also off the scale. I found the credence given to him by the doctor and father equally unbelievable - I'd have thought they'd have been more likely to cart him off to the local constable or watch, or send him packing with a kick.

These anachronisms, and the amateurish acting in places, meant I gave up before the end of this movie. So disappointingly poor compared to Loach's Kes (1969). That film I saw as a child around the time it came out and it had a huge impact on me.

Hollywood (1980)

Brilliant Series on American Silent Films

[10/10 · 7 February 2023]

I can only agree with many other reviewers. I was absolutely riveted when this series first appeared on British TV. Each episode was a fascinating window into some aspect or genre of Hollywood silent cinema. I can still remember the joy of discovering how sophisticated many of the films were - prior to this I'd only really seen comedy shorts. I am so grateful to Kevin Brownlow for persuading so many artists from the silent era to be interviewed, helping to capture this almost lost world. And each week one of the films discussed in each episode was also shown in full.

Also, as many have said, it is shameful that this series is not available on DVD - I would love to see it in its full glory again and it would also give younger viewers the chance to explore the wonderful world of silent film.

The Suspect (2022)

Shame about the coppers

[6/10 · 20 September 2022]

Some aspects of this series are gripping, with generally good acting and plenty of twists and turns in the plot to keep us guessing. So I will be sticking with it to see how it turns out.

But the whole series is severely compromised by the way the two leading detectives are written. They are portrayed as completely blinkered so neither of them will even consider other possible scenarios. I find it totally unbelievable that they wouldn't at least discuss possible alternatives between the two of them but they are absolutely fixated on only one possible perpetrator. They also seem to ignore proper procedures whenever they feel like it. In the real world I'd hope they ended up facing a full investigation with the possibility of dismissal without pension.

I haven't read the book the series is based on so not sure whether the flaws are original or whether they crept in during the adaptation.

Ridley: The Numbered Days (2022) Season 1, Episode 4

Such a disappointment

[4/10 · 18 September 2022]

I had such hopes for this series - I thought Adrian Dunbar was great in other parts (from 'Hear my Song' and 'Ashes to Ashes' to 'Line of Duty'), the scenery looked dramatic and the jazz club on the side with the odd song was a bit different (though with slight shades of Wycliffe).

But sadly the whole series has got increasingly unbelievable to me as it has gone on. I'd already strained my belief to the limits accepting that a retired 'consultant' would have what seemed like unlimited access to all aspects of the cases and crime scenes, and that he was allowed to take the lead in interviews. And if his former boss hated him so much, as he seemed to do, why did he ever agree to him being taken on as a consultant? The final straw for me was when our (very) flawed hero first divulged confidential case notes, then stole evidence from a crime scene - I turned off at that point, half way through this fourth episode.

Do hope Mr Dunbar's next project will be more fitting of his talents.

Midsomer Murders: Scarecrow Murders (2021) Season 22, Episode 4

Too many nasty characters

[5/10 · 29 May 2022]

I've no problem with the Barnaby family, and I quite liked the whole scarecrow scenario. But there were far too many characters who were pretty obviously dishonest/nasty/cheating. I don't enjoy the episodes where this is the case.

Grace: Dead Man's Footsteps (2022) Season 2, Episode 2

Some elements of story beyond belief

[6/10 · 9 May 2022]

After not particularly enjoying the very first episode last year (I didn't much take to the book either), I'd enjoyed the last couple of episodes more. And the central plot of this one I found engaging, but it was ruined by too many completely unbelievable moments:

1 - the girl in the flat has taken extreme security measures because she is scared of a particular person then doesn't ask a courier to remove his helmet to check before opening the door to him.

2 - a serving policeman has his house and garden searched with a warrant without any prior notification - presumably they broke in to do it.

3 - one of the team doing the search is moved from an active murder investigation to a cold case without asking his superior - daft. And that subordinate doesn't think to text his boss to check?

4 - the cliff-top denouement. Even if the girl, who has been portrayed as pretty security conscious (apart from the helmet) and quick thinking, doesn't think to park her car behind the caravan, Grace should have done so when he followed up. Then there was the 'how many people can we cram in a caravan moment' then the awful driving by the DS - spinning the wheels madly so they're bound to slip. Why didn't one of the other coppers on the scene find something to put under the wheels for grip.

I hadn't read this book, so these may have been down to the author rather than the adaptor. I'm a fan of both John Simm and Russell Lewis but I wish they'd found a different vehicle for their talents.

Grace: Looking Good Dead (2021) Season 1, Episode 2

Better than the first one for me

[7/10 · 24 April 2022]

I haven't read this book (read the first one before watching the pilot and didn't feel the urge to continue the series - don't like the medium guff). But I like John Simm so thought I'd give this second episode a try. On the whole I enjoyed it more than the first.

But it would have been better if well-known bent cop 'Dot' Cottan (Line of Duty) hadn't turned up as extra help. The casting people must be aware of the huge popularity of LoD with a similar audience. Surely there are plenty of other excellent actors out there.

Father Brown: The Rod of Asclepius (2016) Season 4, Episode 6

Credit due

[5/10 · 27 March 2022]

Quite agree with a couple of other reviewers that it is very surprising that there is no credit given in this episode since it is heavily inspired by the 1944 Christianna Brand crime novel 'Green for Danger' and the (wonderful) 1946 Sydney Gilliat directed film based on the book. But it's a far inferior version with a completely anachronistic scene at the end between the matron and one of the nurses - I've just taken a star off for that.

Murder on the Home Front (2013 TV Movie)

Gave up after 10 minutes

[1/10 · 18 October 2021]

I found the cliched opening scene where he picks up an unknown woman in a bar and tried to get off with her bad enough. But then, when he was called to examine a body, he left at least 2 lights on and the electric fire burning when he left his flat - just so completely anachronistic and unbelievable that I was struggling. Quickly followed by another lame device of the girl reporter (presumably) managing to barge into the murder scene. I switched off at that point - too inaccurate and irritating for me I'm afraid.

The Beloved Rogue (1927)

Actors ahoy!

[9/10 · 30 September 2006]

And nothing wrong in that! Heartily endorse the comments of boblipton and Snow Leopard.

I'm thrilled to find this movie is available on US DVD - I've only ever seen it through once - I persuaded the Goethe Institute here in London to show it in their Conrad Veidt season some years ago - and long to see it again.

Barrymore is resplendent when engaged, as in this movie, possibly because of the prick of having a renowned German actor as a foil. And Veidt is such a wonderful scene stealer (doesn't he pick his nose at one point?) This is one of the seminal films to connect 'Dr Jekyll' with '20th Century', 'Grand Hotel' or 'Midnight'; and 'The Cabinet of Dr Caligari' or 'The Student of Prague' with 'The Spy in Bladk', 'Contraband' and 'Casablanca'.

See it!

'Pimpernel' Smith (1941)

Well I have to review this, don't I!? But beware other comments!

[10/10 · 30 September 2006]

I'm so pleased that this film has inspired so many people to write so effusively of it. I first saw it in my teens (a long time ago now, alas!) and was totally captivated. If you haven't seen it yet, I'd suggest you just get hold of a copy and enjoy it before you browse the other comments.

If you do look at other comments, a few points: This film is *funny* too! It was not Leslie Howard's last film - 49th Parallel was made later the same year, and First of the Few in 1942, then he subsequently directed 'The Gentle Sex' and 'The Lamp still Burns' in 1943.

Howard was certainly on the Nazi's blacklist, but his death may have been an accident. He was returning from a 'lecture tour' (which was certainly propaganda and may well have had intelligence connotations) via Portugal, and the civilian plane he was on was shot down over the bay of Biscay. It's still not clear if this was an accident or a deliberate target, but if the latter, it's as likely that Howard's accountant, who bore a strong resemblance to Churchill, may have been the target.

Also, look out Violette Cunningham, the assistant in the cosmetic shop. She was Howard's last love - despite still being married to Ruth, he fell for Violette (who also appears in the German dinner scene in 'The First of the Few'). It broke his heart when she died, of cerebral meningitis, in 1942.

Roxie Hart (1942)

Seen 'Chicago'? Enjoy the original.

[8/10 · 30 September 2006]

It's a wonderful irony that the non-singing original Roxie Hart, so familiar from the stage show and movie of 'Chicago' was played by one of the top musical stars of the '30s - Ginger Rogers.

And how she sells it - she could so have topped Renee, good as she is, had the musical have been available then.

But the 'straight' play is well worth a look. Adolphe Menjou never disappoints, and gives the tastier Richard Gere a lesson in character acting.

Another in the wonderful, scathing films of my Hollywood at its best, satirising itself and the media, along with 'His Girl Friday', 'The Stand-in', and, in more serious vein, 'Citizen Kane'.

Random Harvest (1942)

Get your hankies ready!

[9/10 · 30 September 2006]

The weepie to end all weepies! The two leads are perfect, the plot twists and turns, and Hollywood 'England' has never looked more lovely.

I'm also fascinated by the opening, given that Coleman had been through WWI, and must have known people with bad shell-shock, even if he escaped it himself. (For a modern take, try Pat Barker's 'Regeneration' trilogy.)

I think one of the reasons this sort of film is so appealing, is because of it's now-dated attitudes to commitment and relationships - you just can't imagine this story (or for that matter Brief Encounter) working nowadays - the protagonists would have taken shortcuts.

But here's to the days when this was the way one behaved!

The Talk of the Town (1942)

Three stars at their peak

[9/10 · 30 September 2006]

I love this film - the three leads, Ronald Colman, Jean Arthur and Cary Grant are on tip-top form and strike sparks off each other. And the supporting cast, from mother, lawyer and butler to borscht-seller, local magnate and floozie are wonderfully characterised by familiar supporting actors.

There's just something about Jean Arthur, that girl next door with the squeaky voice, who turns out to be quite something (cf Mr Deeds Goes to Town).

Ronald Colman has always been a favourite, and it's interesting to see him up against another Hollywood heavyweight in Cary Grant - he'd been there before in the even more excellent Bringing up Baby and Philadelphia Story, but Colman did rather like to hog the limelight, on one side only :-) Definitely one to sit back and enjoy - though for my money, she makes the wrong decision in the end.

Stand-In (1937)

Hollywood spoofs Hollywood

[8/10 · 30 September 2006]

Worth it for the boarding house and its inmates alone, this is a glorious satire on '30s Hollywood. Leslie Howard is at his comic best (see also 'It's Love I'm After'), vague and unworldly. The supporting cast is excellent. Joan Blondell is gorgeous and *funny*. Humphrey Bogart, Howard's good mate and progege - Howard insisted that Bogart got the convict role in Petrified Forest in the film, having appreciated acting with him in the play, and that was his big break in films. And Bogart acknowledged the friendship by calling his first child Lesley (she was a girl). Alan Mowbray and Jack Conway also add to the fun.

A sharp commentary on the wonderful world of B movies!

The Triplets of Belleville (2003)

Wonderfully eccentric!

[9/10 · 30 September 2006]

Got this film free with 'The Times' the other week. It's brilliant. Gloriously observed, quirky, fantastic animation and music. Mind you, I'd not have thought it would appeal to children particularly, as suggested on the cover blurb. But as a cartoon for grown-ups, it's quite something. Gosh, this is my first comment, didn't realise I had to write 10 lines - there was me trying to be pithy! (Wonder if returns count.)

Well, if you'd like some more - guest appearances by Josephine Baker and Fred Astaire.

Just like the minimalism of the story, little explanation, you just have to work it out for yourself. So rare to find a film that seems to actively seeks your contribution.

If you liked Delicatessen, you'll like this.