Monday, January 29, 2007

Missing DVD titles

"I have complained to the Emperor, I have complained to all the crowned heads of Europe, I have complained to God"

Doesn't help though, certain titles are still not available on DVD.

Now I'm sure you have your own wish list, and these are probably not on it, and neither is this my complete list. These three do kind of fit together though.

First.

Samson and Delilah 1949

pose

Cecil B. DeMille. Victor Mature. Hedy Lamarr! Could you ask for more? You could? Ok, Angela Lansbury. Angela Lansbury impaled on a spear!

That got ya.

This is arguably the first of the mid century cycle of Biblical Epics (other would cite the next film for this honour), which ends with "The Bible" in 1966. It's pure DeMille, silent movie acting style with dialog, sin, decadence and a great finish.

Second.

Quo Vadis 1951

fiddle

Yes, Robert Taylor and Deborah Kerr are, shall we say, wooden. It's still in fullscreen, and it's all overlit, and the middle act is *really* preachy..but..but..Peter Ustinov as Nero!

He's worth seeing the movie for. No question.

and Third

Becket 1964

fiddle

Not a biblical epic, but also dealing with faith and power. Of the three, I am most surprised by it's unavailability on DVD. Richard Burton overacts only slightly and Peter O'Toole is wonderful.

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