mrjcf Reviews

Murder She Said (1961)

Only the First of Four!

[10/10 · 26 May 2005]

I do like "good films" and I rate this as one of the best! Margaret Rutherford is not an ideal Miss Marple according to the books, but Agatha Christie did visit the set of this film and was a good friend of Margaret Rutherford. Apparently she also said to Joan Hickson that she would one day make a good Miss Marple... which she did indeed do in the BBC series! However, Margaret Rutheford brought Miss Marple to the public's attention, and despite rumours, she only played the role 4 times! Stringer Davies always played the role of Mr Stringer, in fact he was her real life husband! The theme music by Ron Goodwin is outstanding, and he should have been knighted for his contribution to cinema music, not just for this film, but for films like "Where Eagles Dare".(Tony Blair take note!) The themes to each of the 4 films were a slight variation: hence for "Murder Ahoy" it included tradition sea melodies.

I have the four disc DVD set released last year. It is a pity the makers MGM did not include "making of" material, or even locational information. MGM seem to have forgotten that they made many of their greatest films in Borehamwood in Hertfordshire, UK, and not in the USA!

Gladiator (2000)

What a pathetic film!

[1/10 · 26 May 2005]

I am far from an aficionado of film, but I had the unfortunate experience of seeing Russel Crowe in Gladiator tonight for the first time. I was bored senseless! Acting could have been better achieved by garden plants. The story? well.. the question is... is there a story? Special effects? They were certainly special!!! ... I have seen better on 40 year old episodes of "Thunderbirds"! A dire film that showed it's class by being Network Premiered on Channel 5 in the UK! The only person I would recommend this so called "film" to is Medusa... perhaps she could turn it to stone! While special effects usually add to a film... on this occasion they detracted from the plot... the crowd scenes... have seen better in Ben Hur! Petals falling ... seen better in Evita. A very disappointing film.

Witness for the Prosecution (1957)

Outstanding film

[10/10 · 28 April 2005]

Many years ago, I was a teacher, and I annually showed this film to my students stopping the film to take a vote as to whether Leonard Vole was Guilty or Not Guilty. The pupils entered into the spirit of the film and always gave out false scents to groups that had not yet seen segments. Although they all moaned when they saw it was in Black and White, that soon faded to silence as the pupils were absorbed by the plot(s). At the moment I am working on a Teacher's Pack to accompany the film.

The film has an outstanding cast, although I am aware that some people think that Tyrone Power's Vole is "hammy", but perhaps that was his character. Alas, we must also take into account he died soon after finishing the film. Dietrich's entry is one of the best ever in films! Laughton and real life wife Lanchester are superbly cast.

The ending is superb! If you have not seen the film, don't stop the tape before the credits roll! Outstanding! Final comment... why is this film not available on DVD in the UK?

The Scarlet and the Black (1983 TV Movie)

So potent a film on the day John Paul 11 is buried!

[10/10 · 8 April 2005]

I am not a Catholic myself, however, the story of Msgr Hugh O'Flaherty must be the most forgotten true story of the Second World War! It also gives us an inside view of the politics the Vatican faced in the 1940s and, presumably, today! The film reminds us all, that whatever the situation, there are always people who are prepared to help. O'Flaherty went beyond this. He hated the British, but saved many British (and American airman) from certain death. His actions saved the lives of thousands of Jews in Italy at not only great personal risk to himself, but to the others in his organisation.

There is talk today of making John Paul 11 a Saint. Surely somebody at the Vatican will remember this humble Monsignor who did (at the time) more to help mankind than anyone is such horrific circumstances. When I can afford it, I will visit this man's grave and say a silent prayer. I don't want a TV film crew there, but I want to say "Thank You" to a man who gave his all to save the free world! A certain telephone company ran a series of advertisements many years ago, asking who in History would you most like to talk to. For me... it would be Mons. Hugh O'Flaherty. At the moment in time, only this film, an area of trees and a gravestone honour this man. Surely he deserves more? An outstanding film, well cast, excellently photographed. Tension, intrigue, drama, even humour (dressing up as a Nun?) I say everyone should view this film. An inspiring, true life film.