Knight at HOME at the Movies
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Four More Classic Favorites
Four highly anticipated special versions of four bona fide classics - one new to DVD - in this edition of DVD Recommendations.
Four highly anticipated special versions of four bona fide classics - one new to DVD - in this edition of DVD Recommendations.
An Affair to Remember – From 20th Century Fox. I was thrilled to open the package
with this 50th Anniversary edition of one of my favorite weepies and Fox has given the
movie (from 1957) the deluxe 2-disc treatment. Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr star in this
story of two ill-fated lovers who find each other when neither expects it only to lose each
other when Fate steps in. But perhaps Destiny will also play a part in the interrupted
romance of our two comely love birds. For those not familiar with this much adored classic
(and there may be a few of you), I don't want to say more about the story except to add
that it retains its aura as one of the premiere Chick Flicks thanks mainly due to the
wonderful performances of Grant and Kerr, that gorgeous theme song, Leo McCarey's
assured direction, and partially in part to Nora Ephron's very funny homage to the movie
in her Sleepless in Seattle (not so surprising to learn that Ephron's parents wrote the script
for An Affair to Remember). Fox's edition details this and much else in their 2nd disc of
special features (an episode of their "Back Story" AMC TV program is included). This was
included on the movie's previous release but Fox has four new featurettes this time out
that include the spouses of the late Grant and Kerr that are quite interesting. A featurette
on director Leo McCarey (remaking his earlier version of the movie) is also very welcome.
El Cid – From the Miriam Collection comes this eagerly anticipated DVD release. Charlton
Heston and Sophia Loren star in the epic tale of Spain's great knight (the title role) who
tries to defend his country from invading Moors and his lady love who's loyalty to El Cid is
severely tested. Epic producer Samuel Bronstein spared no expense and this lavish,
spectacular 1961 3-hour movie shows it. This was one of the first of those "international
epics," shot not on the back lot but on foreign locations and audiences thrilled at the
visual spectacle (there were many more of these to come). There are battle scenes and
action here to rival those in Spartacus interspersed throughout this old school historical
pageant (they were aptly named "road shows" back in the day). There's also real heat in
the love scenes between Loren (who was ravishing) and Heston (also easy on the eyes).
Miklos Rozsa, who penned the score for Ben Hur, does the same honors here and its also
a beaut. This premiere release is a 2-disc version of a newly restored print that is terrific
(the sound is good, too). Special features on the second disc include a new introduction
by Martin Scorsese, a champion of the film and more than two hours of documentary
featurettes while the first disc also includes some vintage radio promos. The movie is
available in this 2-disc version or a limited edition collector's edition that contains the
movie and bonus feature disc, a reproduction of the original road show program (a 38-
page booklet crammed with photos and background information - I LOVED THIS special
bonus), a postcard set, and more - all packaged in a gift box and a bargain at around
$25. This is a must for fans of the film and classic film collectors alike. A great film to
watch with your dad!
In the Heat of the Night – From United Artists. This is the 40th Anniversary Collection
of director Norman Jewison's 1967 classic. Sidney Poitier plays a big city police detective
who is at first arrested for a murder in a small southern Mississippi town presided over by
a viscous and openly racist sheriff (Rod Steiger in an Oscar winning performance) who
eventually turns to him for help with the case. A good murder mystery is enlivened by the
overriding theme of race relations between the no-nonsense, arrogant Poitier and the
small minded Steiger and the townspeople. Gradually, tolerance turns to respect. Both
actors are marvelous (as is Lee Grant in an Oscar nominated supporting role) and the film
also features a terrific score by Quincy Jones (with Ray Charles singing the title theme).
Many of the attitudes are a tad overheated by today's conventions but the intensity of the
actors makes the film compelling to watch. Poitier reached the apex of his film popularity
in 1967 between this, To Sir with Love and Guess Who's Coming to Dinner? (also coming
soon in a 40th anniversary edition). Ironically, his three amazing performances cancelled
each other out and he wasn't Oscar nominated for ANY of them. This edition includes
three new featurettes (one on Jones' music) and a commentary track that includes
Jewison, Grant, Steiger, and Wexler. But sadly, though it's reportedly his favorite film,
Poitier is nowhere to be found on the disc.
The Val Lewton Horror Collection UPDATED EDITION – From Warner Home
Video. This is an updated version of the 2005 release of this collection of psychological
horror classics from producer Val Lewton with one great addition: the Martin Scorsese
presentation of the new feature length documentary about Lewton, Man in the Shadows
(which Scorsese also narrates). If you haven't picked up the set - do so! Along with the
new doc (which is screening on Turner Classics) it contains all the great Lewton classics -
Cat People, Curse of the Cat People, Bedlam, The Seventh Victim, Isle of the Dead, The Body
Snatchers, I Walked with a Zombie, The Leopard Man, Shadows in the Dark, and The Ghost Ship.
For those who have the set, the documentary, which I wrote about in-depth HERE is
available separately.
with this 50th Anniversary edition of one of my favorite weepies and Fox has given the
movie (from 1957) the deluxe 2-disc treatment. Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr star in this
story of two ill-fated lovers who find each other when neither expects it only to lose each
other when Fate steps in. But perhaps Destiny will also play a part in the interrupted
romance of our two comely love birds. For those not familiar with this much adored classic
(and there may be a few of you), I don't want to say more about the story except to add
that it retains its aura as one of the premiere Chick Flicks thanks mainly due to the
wonderful performances of Grant and Kerr, that gorgeous theme song, Leo McCarey's
assured direction, and partially in part to Nora Ephron's very funny homage to the movie
in her Sleepless in Seattle (not so surprising to learn that Ephron's parents wrote the script
for An Affair to Remember). Fox's edition details this and much else in their 2nd disc of
special features (an episode of their "Back Story" AMC TV program is included). This was
included on the movie's previous release but Fox has four new featurettes this time out
that include the spouses of the late Grant and Kerr that are quite interesting. A featurette
on director Leo McCarey (remaking his earlier version of the movie) is also very welcome.
El Cid – From the Miriam Collection comes this eagerly anticipated DVD release. Charlton
Heston and Sophia Loren star in the epic tale of Spain's great knight (the title role) who
tries to defend his country from invading Moors and his lady love who's loyalty to El Cid is
severely tested. Epic producer Samuel Bronstein spared no expense and this lavish,
spectacular 1961 3-hour movie shows it. This was one of the first of those "international
epics," shot not on the back lot but on foreign locations and audiences thrilled at the
visual spectacle (there were many more of these to come). There are battle scenes and
action here to rival those in Spartacus interspersed throughout this old school historical
pageant (they were aptly named "road shows" back in the day). There's also real heat in
the love scenes between Loren (who was ravishing) and Heston (also easy on the eyes).
Miklos Rozsa, who penned the score for Ben Hur, does the same honors here and its also
a beaut. This premiere release is a 2-disc version of a newly restored print that is terrific
(the sound is good, too). Special features on the second disc include a new introduction
by Martin Scorsese, a champion of the film and more than two hours of documentary
featurettes while the first disc also includes some vintage radio promos. The movie is
available in this 2-disc version or a limited edition collector's edition that contains the
movie and bonus feature disc, a reproduction of the original road show program (a 38-
page booklet crammed with photos and background information - I LOVED THIS special
bonus), a postcard set, and more - all packaged in a gift box and a bargain at around
$25. This is a must for fans of the film and classic film collectors alike. A great film to
watch with your dad!
In the Heat of the Night – From United Artists. This is the 40th Anniversary Collection
of director Norman Jewison's 1967 classic. Sidney Poitier plays a big city police detective
who is at first arrested for a murder in a small southern Mississippi town presided over by
a viscous and openly racist sheriff (Rod Steiger in an Oscar winning performance) who
eventually turns to him for help with the case. A good murder mystery is enlivened by the
overriding theme of race relations between the no-nonsense, arrogant Poitier and the
small minded Steiger and the townspeople. Gradually, tolerance turns to respect. Both
actors are marvelous (as is Lee Grant in an Oscar nominated supporting role) and the film
also features a terrific score by Quincy Jones (with Ray Charles singing the title theme).
Many of the attitudes are a tad overheated by today's conventions but the intensity of the
actors makes the film compelling to watch. Poitier reached the apex of his film popularity
in 1967 between this, To Sir with Love and Guess Who's Coming to Dinner? (also coming
soon in a 40th anniversary edition). Ironically, his three amazing performances cancelled
each other out and he wasn't Oscar nominated for ANY of them. This edition includes
three new featurettes (one on Jones' music) and a commentary track that includes
Jewison, Grant, Steiger, and Wexler. But sadly, though it's reportedly his favorite film,
Poitier is nowhere to be found on the disc.
The Val Lewton Horror Collection UPDATED EDITION – From Warner Home
Video. This is an updated version of the 2005 release of this collection of psychological
horror classics from producer Val Lewton with one great addition: the Martin Scorsese
presentation of the new feature length documentary about Lewton, Man in the Shadows
(which Scorsese also narrates). If you haven't picked up the set - do so! Along with the
new doc (which is screening on Turner Classics) it contains all the great Lewton classics -
Cat People, Curse of the Cat People, Bedlam, The Seventh Victim, Isle of the Dead, The Body
Snatchers, I Walked with a Zombie, The Leopard Man, Shadows in the Dark, and The Ghost Ship.
For those who have the set, the documentary, which I wrote about in-depth HERE is
available separately.
