Genre: Thriller, Drama

Year: 1959

Country: UK

Rating:

Starring: Kenneth More, Taina Elg, Brenda De Banzie, Barry Jones, Reginald Beckwith

Director: Ralph Thomas

My Review: Another version of the story - 39 Steps is a movie based upon a novel (with same name) by John Buchan (1st Baron Tweedsmuir). The novel has been made into a movie at least five times. The best one, in my opinion is the 1935 Alfred Hitchcock version. This movie (the '59 version) was directed by Ralph Thomas. Screenplay co-written by John Buchan. Starring Kenneth More, Taina Elg, James Hayter, Barry Jones and other English actors. The story - Richard Hannay (played by Kenneth More) is a British diplomat, just returned from abroad when he becomes involved - by chance - in a rather dangerous espionage case. While out for a stroll he comes upon a nanny who refuses his attempts to help. Moments later she's almost run over, and Hanney discovers a pistol in place of a baby in the nanny's baby carriage. Intrigued, he hides the pistol, keeps her purse and follows up with a few inquiries. In no time he's accused of murder, on the run and searching for spies intent on stealing his nations nuclear secrets. Kenneth More was excellent as Richard Hannay, and he brought a light hearted feel to the movie. The Scottish highlands stand out in this color version of the classic tale, and the camera did a good job of highlighting that aspect. Taina Elg on the other hand (playing Ms. Fisher), was a wet noodle. Her performance was a poor match to his powerful persona. The movie felt rushed and little time was spent unraveling the clues of this mystery. Thankfully, I already knew who was who in this movie. If not, I can only imagine some confusion at first watching. I give this version a 3 out of 5.

Summary: Richard Hannay witnesses a hit-and-run involving a woman pushing a pram. Looking in the pram he sees a gun instead of a baby. He tracks the woman down and she reveals that she is a secret agent trying to stop foreign spies leaving the country with important military secrets. Later that night she is murdered in Hannay's flat. Hannay takes it on himself to thwart the enemy agents. This involves travelling to Scotland and keeping one step ahead of the police who are looking for him in connection with the murder of the woman.

Genre: Crime

Year: 1979

Country: USA

Rating:

Starring: Richard Jordan, Oliver Tobias, David Niven, Elke Sommer, Gloria Grahame

Director: Ralph Thomas

My Review: An odd film for my collection - This British movie was a direct to VHS release. I picked up my copy from the 'previously viewed' bin at a mom-and-pop video rental store (a long time ago). Starring David Niven, Richard Jordan and other British actors. Screenplay and original story by Guy Elmes. Based upon the true story of a Bank Heist in Mayfair/London during the late 70s. The movie was directed by Ralph Thomas (see 1959 version of 'The 39 Steps'). The story is excellent. Richard Jordan stars as 'Pinky', a two-bit minor league criminal who's released from prison with some skills and a desire to go straight. Unfortunately for Pinky, his 'friends' take interest in Pinky's new job at the 'Bank of America' in Mayfair, London. David Niven (as the sophisticated crime boss 'Ivan') quickly explains the consequences of not helping the gang pull off a bank caper. What follows is a fairly suspenseful bank heist flick with a British sense of humor and some pretty good London shots/cinematography. The editing was excellent and the true story aspects made it all the more interesting. Smashingly good entertainment. I give it a 3 out of 5.

Summary: Pinky is released from prison and has decided to go straight from now on, but accidentally getting himself a job as a maintenance man at a large bank, gives him a lot of undue attention from Ivan the Terrible, the local hoodlum. By using Pinky, Ivan hopes to rob the bank and Pinky starts to liken to the idea of going back to his old ways!

Genre: Drama

Year: 1931

Country: USA

Rating:

Starring: Fredric March, Miriam Hopkins, Rose Hobart, Holmes Herbert, Halliwell Hobbes

Director: Rouben Mamoulian

My Review: There are many versions of this movie, and I've seen a few. Here's one that I own. Starring Fredric March and Miriam Hopkins. The movie, as all of this type, is based on the Robert Louis Stevenson novel. It follows the typical Jekyll and Hyde plot. Dr. Jekyll quaffs his own concoction in an attempt to separate the evil and good halves of his soul. The acting by Fredric March was excellent, but the dubbing (into English) and sound work was pretty poor. Another thing that seemed odd was the lack of music. This movie was one of the early 'talkies' and as such, they had quite figured out the fact that music adds an entirely who new layer to the movie. The movie opened with an excellent score, but after that it was void of music. As I metntioned, the acting by Fredric March was excellent. He was utterly convincing in his role, and he made a truly despicable Hyde. He truly seemed to 'become' someone else. His physical mannerisms changed greatly, and the makeup was much better than that of the 1941 version. Hyde seemed to transform into a Neanderthal type character with a completely amoral character. Even the special effects in this movie, were better than those in the later version. Unlike the 1941 version, This version contained some glimpses of skin, but it never goes as far as I had imagined it might - given the early provocative scene where Dr. Hyde is in the bedchamber of Miriam Hopkins. This film also featured some very good camera/special effects (much better than the higher budget 1941 production). Unfortunately, it's evident that some scenes were cut from this VHS version. There's an early segment where Hyde transforms to Jekyll, and despite the fact that he dresses to go out, we never see the scenes where he leaves the lab. The film cuts back in after he returns from his outing. If only we could get an uncut version!

Summary: Dr. Jekyll faces horrible consequences when he lets his dark side run wild with a potion that changes him into the animalistic Mr. Hyde.

Genre: Drama

Year: 1989

Country: France, UK

Rating:

Starring: Richard Bohringer, Michael Gambon, Helen Mirren, Alan Howard, Tim Roth

Director: Peter Greenaway

My Review: Acclaimed by critics and art buffs as a wondrous triumph… This was one of the most vile, revolting, disgusting movies I've seen in many years. I really didn't do my homework on this movie, and I'm not sure what originally prompted me to put it in my queue. Released in 1989, this movie was written and directed by Peter Greenaway. Starring Richard Bohringer, Michael Gambon, Helen Mirren and Alan Howard. The film's plot? A crime boss owns a restaurant, and he treats everyone there (including his wife) like shit. His wife despises him (but hasn't left him), cheats on him at the restaurant, and the employees put up with his arrogant, threatening personality. The film progresses slowly at first. It doesn't really heat up until the patron's wife is found out; the bookish lover is murdered and the end game brings a suitable ending to the tyrants reign. The film is filled with putrid, violent, excess. The characters are thin, the motivations vaporous, and the nudity overshadowed by the vulgar, crude and senseless violence which permeates this movie. Profanity, sex, murder, torture, child abuse, cannibalism! The Netflix version (124 minutes) is the original 'unrated' release; now rated NC-17. While the cinematography was exceptional, the lighting was consistently 'dark' promoting a dark mood throughout the movie, bordering on annoying. The dark mood was enhanced by the soundtrack, but the sound was poorly managed and edited. The use of colors and costumes was notably well done. Unfortunately, the fine production and artful elements were completely overwhelmed by a film that was very difficult to watch. I barely finished the film and had to turn away at times. I cannot rate or condone a film that strives to make me ill or believes that this vile depiction of filth is somehow worthy of praise. I give this movie a 1 out of 5.

Summary: The wife of a barbaric crime boss engages in a secretive romance with a gentle bookseller between meals at her husband's restaurant. Food, colour coding, sex, murder, torture and cannibalism are the exotic fare in this beautifully filmed but brutally uncompromising modern fable which has been interpreted as an allegory for Thatcherism.