Kidnapped - The Complete Series

Amazon.com

Full of drama, suspense, and action, Kidnapped has all the makings of a taut whodunit. When the teenage son of a wealthy family is kidnapped, Conrad (Timothy Hutton, Ordinary People) and Ellie (Dana Delaney, China Beach) Cain hire a renegade investigator named Knapp (Jeremy Sisto, Six Feet Under) to get their child back. Knapp is abrasive and not at all concerned with breaking the law as long as he is able to save the victim. Still, he could work on his people skills. As one old woman asks, as he bullies his way into her house, "What kind of name is Knapp?" She's got a point. Unless you're famous, announcing yourself simply by your last name is pretty pretentious. All 13 episodes of this NBC series--which aired during the 2006-2007 season--are included on this three-disc DVD set. And unlike many shows that are canceled within a year, Kidnapped offers viewers closure and a finite ending.

While the first few episodes dealing with the kidnapping are gripping, the show layers on some subplots that fail. Is Ellie having an affair with a prominent politician? Did Conrad kill his ex-mistress? Neither character is particularly likeable, so the viewer doesn't really care. Hutton, who is superb in so many other projects, never rings true here. Speaking in a tough guy accent (when he remembers), his character is never convincing as a boy from the wrong side of the tracks who made good. And Delaney is never quite believable as an uptown girl who doesn't get particularly flustered when she has to protect herself from an assailant. (Explaining her ease handling weapons, Ellie says, "I know how to shoot a gun. My father's a Republican.")Other characters get to delivery clunky lines as well. When FBI agent Latimer King (Delroy Lindo, Get Shorty) is asked if he thinks there's a leak in the office, he knowingly says, "If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck..." Like ABC's Murder One, Kidnapped asks a lot of its viewers to have patience and watch a drama unfold over a series of several months. The problem is that unlike Murder One--which was also low rated--the plot here isn't nearly convincing enough to be warrant the wait. --Jae-Ha Kim

Customer Reviews:

Yes, the rest of "Kidnapped" turned out to be as good as we thought.......2007-08-18

NBC set up "Kidnapped" for success last summer, making the pilot for both the show and "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip" available on a special DVD through Netflix last summer (the pilot was also available on line). But when the show premiered it had only 7.5 million viewers for week one and then down to 6.3 million for week two. With a continuing storyline the networks know that if your ratings go down they are never going to go up, so NBC announced the series would only run 13 episodes instead of the usual 22 and be moved to the graveyard that is Saturday night network television. This move lasted for two more episodes and then NBC yanked the show from their schedule, posting the other eight episodes online. Ironically, while I was watching the complete series on DVD I discovered that NBC was actually airing the unseen episodes in the wee hours of the morning. But the main thing is that with this show, at least, we get to the end of the story (unlike "Threshold," "The Nine," and a whole bunch of other continuing series that ended shortly after they got us hooked).

In the "Pilot," Leopold Cain (Will Denton), the son of rich guy Conrad Cain (Timothy Hutton) and his wife Ellie (Dana Delany), is kidnapped by a group of extremely well organized criminals. The Cains hire Lucian Knapp (Jeremy Sisto) and his assistant Turner (Carmen Ejogo) to bring their son back alive, but it is not long before the FBI becomes involved. Running the case is by-the-book Agent Andy Archer (Linus Roach), but due deference is paid to Agent Latimer King (Delroy Lindo), who was going to retire but is not going to walk away from this case. Besides, Latimer and Knapp clearly have a history that comes into play. But really matters here is that whoever organized this kidnapping really knows what they are doing, providing multiple layers of insulation and a nasty habit of bumping off underlings once they have done their jobs. In short, this is no ordinary kidnapping but a contender for the best planned one in history.

We watched the five episodes that aired in prime time so for us watching the first of the three discs in this set was a recap to get us up to speed for the rest of the series. At that point I convinced that there was something significant about the fact that Leo's bodyguard, Virgil Hayes (Mykelti Williamson), had survived the kidnapping, and turns out to be the case but not in the way I expected ("Gone Fishin'"). A strength of this series are the twists, where they set up expectations (e.g., regarding Leopold's ability to hold his breath under water), but consistently take things in a different (and better) direction. Time and time again when you think you know what is going on, this series proves you wrong, and that becomes a big part of the fun.

Obviously one of the most impressive elements of the show is the casting. Getting Dana Delaney is enough to get me to check out a show, but when you can get Timothy Hutton and Mykelti Williamson to show up for the season, that is pretty impressive. It is not really until the final episode ("Resolution") that we understand why Sisto, Ejogo and Lindo get their names up top separate from the rest and how the show would have continued into the future that is never going to happen. Another thing I liked a lot about the show is that Knapp and King have different approaches to working the case but are willing to work together ("Burn, Baby, Burn"). The standard approach is to have the FBI give the free-lancer grief, but the show follows the Spenser for Hire approach where the ex-FBI guy is seen as being a help rather than a hindrance.

When watching the complete series you will find yourself wondering if the show would have been as great if it had been stretched out to 22 episodes instead of 13. You can tell that some of the subplots, such as the ones with FBI Agent Vance ("Do Unto Others") and Aubrey Cain ("Special Delivery"), were cut off before they got to their payoffs or simply abandoned. The whole idea of the media covering the kidnapping ("Front Page"), which would have become a staple of the Nancy Graces of the world, is completely jettisoned: you see some stories on the news, but the Cains have no problem walking out of their apartment building any time they want. Plus, I find it hard to believe Benjamin Rand ("My Heart Belongs to Daddy") would only stick his finger in the pie once. However, for the most part these changes do not matter because it keeps the focus on finding Leopold and after what happened last season you have to wonder if less would have meant more for "24" as well, because "Kidnapped" is a lot more impressive than last's years bad day for Jack Bauer.

This is not to saw that "Kidnapped" is without flaws: The villain should know better than to use a fake name that would be a clue and since one of the heroes is smart enough to keep all of his weapons at a secure location then the villain should find a better place for their incriminating evidence than the basement of their home. But that could be what happens when the writers have to fast forward to the end. Besides, you have to admire the way the series ends, with a nice little coda that makes you wish this was not the end of the road and a parting shot at NBC that is as good as a wink that these people knew they were doing pretty solid here.

A case study in why network TV stinks at creating & maintaining great shows.......2007-08-14

Kidnapped is "Without A Trace" crossed with "24" with, IMO, better actors. Jeremy Sisto, Delroy Lindo (movie star caliber), Timothy Hutton (ditto), Mykelti Williamson (ditto again), and Dana Delaney (probably most famous for "China Beach") lead the cast.

If you like drama, if you like shows that don't wrap everything up in one episode, you will like "Kidnapped." The production values are high and the story grabs you in the very first episode. It's almost like a 10 hour movie thriller.

I do have to mention a few minor negatives. For one, the telling of the story (the plot and excellent actors) is better than the resolution. You'll know "who did it" by the second to last episode (if not possibly sooner) which takes some air out of the tires for the final hour or so. Secondly, the resolution is done adequately, but not with a slam dunk like they had in the very first episode with the kidnapping. Perhaps this is due to the fact that they knew at time of filming the final episode that the show was going to be canceled and they just needed to get the thing in the can and move on. But these are minor quibbles. If you the enjoy the ride more than the destination it makes the show worth your time.

So with such a great cast and story, we have to wonder why it was canceled.

"Kidnapped" came out after the unexpected success of "Lost" and "24." When ABC showed that you could create and keep a solid audience base with a story that took multiple episodes if not multiple seasons to resolve everyone tried to copy the format. There were probably at least ten such shows. Some of them just weren't that good in my opinion. Most of them certainly did not have the high tension and stellar cast of "Kidnapped."

I've complained about Fox canceling such programs as "Wonderfalls," "Firefly," and "Kitchen Confidential" because they were the type of show that didn't require a viewer to catch every episode to become a fan. If Fox had just had some patience those shows would have caught on and probably stayed on the air for several years.

But "Kidnapped" was different. You had to catch the very first episode to get hooked. People knew in advance that the show was going to require an investment of their time so many just didn't even bother watching. I know I didn't when it aired. I saw a few ads, but it didn't catch my attention enough for me to bother. Some of that is NBC's fault.

This is essentially a high tension mini-series drama, not a typical program like "Without a Trace" or "Cold Case." It needed to be marketed as such. NBC needed to put more effort in hyping the show and they really didn't. This was a show that needed that effort because it didn't have the fantasy/sci-fi hook that great shows like "Lost" and "Battlestar Galactica" have that set them so far apart from other programs. A kidnapped child, rich parents, a rogue private eye who uses illegal tactics, and the FBI . . . doesn't sound that interesting does it? Sounds cliche. But it worked on the screen because of the great actors, the plot was dense, and there was a real mystery behind who was behind the crime.

With that said, it wasn't all NBC's fault. This show was, for the most part, too good for network TV. It's called the lowest common denominator. That's why shows like "According to Jim" get created and stay on for years.

MUST BUY!!!.......2007-08-06

This series has been one of the best shows during the past season on NBC, so it is a shame that NBC had not the guts to keep this show on air! The acting is top with first class actors who are not the standard TV plastic actors so this could be a reason the general audience did not tune in to watch this show. Thank God we now have the DVD and this is a must buy for every fan of good shows with strong acting and storytelling! You won't be disappointed!

very entertaining and suspenseful.......2007-08-03

never saw the end of the series on TV and watching these episodes back to back was bettr than a movie!

What do you do with a show this good? CANCEL IT, OF COURSE!.......2007-07-30

My husband and I were RIVETED when this television program came on the air. It was edgy and suspenseful and we were totally invested right out of the starting gate. The cast in general is an exceptional one for network television: Dana Delany, Timothy Hutton, the ever-engaging Jeremy Sisto, but the standout is definitely Will Denton. I look forward to seeing how his career develops.

Sadly, in their infinite wisdom, the most poorly-managed television network in the industry cancelled this show after only four episodes. It was replaced with some moronic reality-show slop about ruining people's weddings. Way to go! However, I am extremely pleased that it appears the ENTIRE first season is now being shown on television again. Though I have little faith, COULD this bode well for the possibility of a second season? In my wildest dreams that same network would revisit that OTHER edgy and unique drama they killed after only THREE episodes, "The Black Donnellys".

Average customer rating:

Not bad, but not Stevenson
Great Version...
Totally good influence!
kidnapped
an excellent, engrossing film

Kidnapped
Starring: Armand Assante , Brian Blessed , Michael Kitchen , Patrick Malahide , and Brian McCardie
Director: Ivan Passer
Manufacturer: Allumination
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0002V7T6K
Release Date: 2004-08-17

Customer Reviews:

Not bad, but not Stevenson.......2007-08-05

"Kidnapped" by Robert Louis Stevenson is my favorite book of all time. I began reading it when I was a young lad and have probably read it hundreds of times since. I know most of the dialog by heart.

Needless to say, I have been consistently disappointed by the film versions, which deviate needlessly from the story. The only version that respects its source material is the Disney version, which I highly recommend.

The Armand Assante version was made for cable TV and shown over two nights. I missed it and was excited when it came out on VHS. But when I first viewed it, I was terribly disappointed; although it looked great, this version had the same fault as the others--namely, inserting all sorts of extraneous subplots that add nothing to Stevenson's story and actually weaken it.

Recently, however, I re-watched it, and I have to temper my original dislike. This version does have some excellent points in its favor. It's beautifully photographed, and the attention to detail in dress and setting is remarkable. The portions that do respect Stevenson's novel have never been done better, perhaps not even by the Disney version. However, its faults remain. Assante and McCardie are miscast physically as Alan Breck and David Balfour (although Assante does swashbuckle through the film with a vengeance, he looks nothing like Stevenson's description of him, which was based upon historical fact); the film was shot in Ireland, which does not look like Scotland (watch "Rob Roy" if you want to see what the Scottish Highlands really look like); the writers manufacture a love story for David Balfour, and this character does not fall in love until the Stevenson's sequel "Catriona," and then to a completely different girl; Alan visits Flora MacDonald, who lived on the Isle of Skye, not on the mainland; and worst of all, the writers introduce a completely unnecessary subplot centered around a British officer named Reid, who instigates the Appin murder in order to place blame on James Stewart. I could go on and on--there's plenty more--but you get the idea.

So yes, there's plenty in this version to enjoy, but please be aware--it is *not* Stevenson. For that you need to go to the Disney version. Still, compared to the utter abomination that appeared recently on PBS, this version is a masterpiece.

Great Version..........2007-07-14

I definantly like this version better than the Disney one. It is more realistic. It doesn't follow along with the book totally but is an enjoyable movie. It is long which doesn't bother me! Very good movie for the family.

Totally good influence!.......2007-05-20

What an amazing movie! My favorite character was Mary played by Antoine Byrne! She is the best actress I've ever seen! Mary was very brave, and fell in love with David [Brian McCardie] and Alan Breck Stewart [Armand Assante] was amazing. Catherine Byrne who played Flora was magnificent and I think is younger than Antoine. I don't know, anyway, I'd like to thank the whole cast for making this movie and espicially the Byrne family. Thanks!

kidnapped.......2007-05-15

Armand Assante is one of the best actors ever. He does not make a lot of movies but the ones that he chooses are all excellent. He did a marvelous remake of a marvelous classic. My husband loved it.

an excellent, engrossing film.......2007-01-29

I thought this was an excellent filmic version of one of my favourite childhood books--Kidnapped--and its sequel, Catriona(as the film covers both books). Kidnapped And Catriona were always much more than fantastic adventure stories, and the film brings out all those other aspects too--the tormented history of Scotland, the different currents in Scottish society, the moral ambiguity of a lot of the characters, the way in which ancient clan traditions(which are not universally good, of course) must bow before the new order of things(more civilised but less heroic, in some ways). But all these things are not allowed to get in the way of the action. Great acting, settings and atmosphere make this a quite enthralling experience.

Average customer rating:

The face says it all.
Great fun on PBS(I'm still in shock : )
British Romantic Revisionism
Not Bad-Could have been better
Aargh

Robert Louis Stevensons's: Kidnapped
Starring: Gregor Fisher , Iain Glen , Paul McGann , Adrian Dunbar , and James Anthony Pearson
Director: Brendan Maher
Manufacturer: WGBH BOSTON
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B000B5XPS8
Release Date: 2005-12-06

Description

Treachery. Romance. Rebellion. A classic adventure story for all ages.

Robert Louis Stevenson's coming-of-age adventure is back--and breathtaking--in this widely heralded Masterpiece Theatre presentation bursting with scoundrels, and scallywags, villains and heroines, and two memorable heroes who will stop at nothing in their quest for justice.

Attempting to claim his rightful inheritance from his eccentric Uncle Ebenezer, young Davie Balfour is kidnapped and imprisoned in the hold of a slave ship bound for the New World. Soon, Davie joins forces with exiled Highland hero Alan Breck and together, the unlikely pair of outlaw and innocent embark on a treacherous quest across Scotland that will bring them foes to numerous to count, as well as unexpected friends.

Newcomer James Anthony Pearson (Monarch of the Glen) delivers a transforming portrayal of lost innocence as the once-sheltered Davie, while Iain Glen (Beautiful Creatures) offers a triumphant performance as the notorious rebel Breck. Rounding out the impressive cast are Adrian Dunbar (The Crying Game, Richard III), Paul McGann (Horatio Hornblower, Dr. Who), Gregor Fisher (Love Actually), and Kirstin Coulter Smith (My Life So Far).

Kidnapped is an action-packed spectacular sure to swashbuckle its way into your heart.

Customer Reviews:

The face says it all........2007-01-12

-
The first adult novel I read was "Kidnapped," when I received it for my 9th birthday. I had a tough time with many of the words, but no one would help me; they would always say: "Look it up. That's how you learn."

Well, I did learn to love Stevenson's work and similar adventure tales; but, the reason I gave this adapted version of Stevenson's work four stars is the acting. I withhold one star for the deep changes to the original story that have already discussed here by other reviewers.

The entire cast did an excellent job, but the work of Iain Glen, and especially of James Anthony Pearson, is something to write home about.

Pearson's facial expressions alone are worth the price of admission, or, more accurately, the price of the DVD.

Take a look at the brief flash of realization on this young actors face, when he tells the weaver that he thought she was a witch, and then he realizes that it was the wrong thing to say.

Better still, watch Pearson/Davie's face in the background as Alan Breck and James-of-the-Glen have a heated discussion, which ends when James's daughter asks Pearson/Davie if he likes smelling like a goat.

This young Pearson, has that special acting talent which allows him to manipulate his face so that it speaks volumes, without a word being said. One is reminded of the remarkable eyebrows of Jack Nicholson and Christian Slater, among other great actors.

Great fun on PBS(I'm still in shock : ).......2006-11-10

Okay, okay. I admit it. I have never read Kidnapped. Thats probably why I enjoyed this so much. I thought the cast was fantastic, the locations were great, and the direction wasn't half bad. I did read the reviews and they are probably right, but since I didn't read Steven's book I wasn't bothered by anything left out or messed up(Obviously). So in conclusion if you want a good fun film from PBS buy this. IF you are a fan of the book you should probably burn this thing(Judging on the other reviews), or, like me, you could enjoy a good old adventure tale....

British Romantic Revisionism.......2006-07-16

Our local library purchased this item at my behest. I was naively hoping for something more authentic thinking the BBC would hold closer to the historical essence of this tale: both with regards to the Highland Clearances and toward Stevenson's rendition. Of course literary efforts focusing on the Scottish Romantic period surrounding the forty-five are usually just that, romanticized. Nevertheless, I found this screen play to be a subtle rewriting, attempting to place the British `system' of the time in a mendaciously better light.

Prominent British author G.A. Henty perhaps the premier exemplar in British Historical Fiction of the merit of valor and the triumph of the individual over the system, himself acknowledges the criminal excesses condoned by the House of Hanover by "Butcher Cumberland" the Duke of Cumberland. If William's excesses had limited themselves to revenge at Culloden Moor perhaps it could be forgotten, but the continuing blood run foisted upon the Highlands, only in part to suppress the rebellion, is central to the tale of Stevenson's visitation of the events following 1745.

It is one thing to take artistic license to show a broader more objectively modern understanding of a historical vision, quite another to produce a children's program continuing to proscribe the nature of a people's heart and soul.

But if it is one thing that the Scottish peoples bear witness to, it isn't a system that beats in the heart of men, directing them and guiding their destiny. Rather, it is the same individual, in triumph or defeat, maintaining valor and honor despite calls to the contrary.

This attempted retelling is a bastardization of the message Stevenson was trying to convey. Stevenson, named Balfour (and this a Sept of Clan MacGregor) hinted at a truth that even the culture of his time was unwilling to embrace, hidden until such a time as this. It is MacGregor Rising ; the story will be told.

One example of this divided perception of history, which continues to this day, is the name given to the lowly weed, Tansy Ragwort. This immigrant flower which here in Oregon is noted by the domestic animals it kills each year, and the target of a taciturn effort to stop its spread is named "Sweet William," after the Duke of Cumberland in England, but in Scotland is still known as stinking Willie or sour Billy.

I was further surprised by the BBC ignoring the recently revealed answer to the long asked question of who killed the Red Fox. This secret long held by Clan Stewart, and only now revealed should be reflected in any current retelling. Even a simple Google search would illuminate what was so glaringly ignored in the screen play.

This modern British romantic revisionism, not even filmed in Scotland, directs my attention elsewhere. Perhaps it was Francis Ford Coppola's 1995 television version whch provoked the BBC reactionary attempt. Coppala is my next view....

...After further reflection I feel that some in Britain have a deep confusion over their own history. Perhaps this is a result of shame. One example of this is the current Prince of Wales claiming Stewart lineage, showing at best that he is a little confused on the concept.

Not Bad-Could have been better.......2006-03-22

Having read the reviews of this movie, we were prepared to watch an awful movie. However, it is not as bad as the reviews say. I would not recommend purchasing it, but to rent it once is not bad. The problems were 1) Davie: he was played by a kid that looked like he was mentally ill; 2)The Depiction of the Highlanders: The movie depicted the highland outlaws as long haired, punks. They had hair down to their feet and did not exhibit much intelligence: and 3) it is taken from a book in which the kid was stupid, and the plot was impossibly fantastic. It is not bad for a single viewing, but especially at the end it becomes too fantastic to believe.

Aargh.......2006-01-13

I understand the urge to tweak things in an a adaptation but I have to say that they seem to have set out to change things gratuitously in this version and to mind it spoils it. It's no longer Robert Louis Stevenson! As other reviewers point out they change many many plot details, even the casting spoils some things (Davie is supposed to be a foot taller than Alan Breck Stewart). The tension between the lowland Whig Davie (the head) and the Highland Alan (the heart) isn't apparent and ultimately in this "adaptation" of a "coming of age" book by RLS, Davie doesn't grow up in any sense.

Average customer rating:

Well, maybe 4.5 stars ...
Mario Bava's lost masterpiece
Kidnapped aka Rabid Dogs
Mario Bava's "lost" masterpiece
The old Lucertola DVD is available again

Kidnapped (A.K.A. Rabid Dogs)
Starring: Riccardo Cucciolla , Lea Lander , Maurice Poli , George Eastman , and Don Backy
Director: Mario Bava , and Lamberto Bava
Manufacturer: Starz / Anchor Bay
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B000MV8AB8
Release Date: 2007-04-03

Amazon.com

Kidnapped (aka Rabid Dogs), unreleased for over twenty years except in limited quantities during the '90s, clearly inspired Quentin Tarantino's Reservoir Dogs among other American gangster films. Three thugs hijack a car following their robbery, as the viewer discovers that the car's original drivers, Riccardo (Riccardo Cucciolla) and Maria (Lea Leander), have also just kidnapped a baby, held hostage in the backseat. While the nervous couple fights for the child's life, the thugs feud violently about how to handle upcoming run-ins with the law. Set entirely in the car, the film exudes claustrophobic anxiety. On the tail of the renowned Italian director's major boxset re-release, The Mario Bava Collection: Volume 1, Kidnapped) offers a filmic digression into reality from the Bava's beloved forays into fantasy and horror. Though not as cinematically imaginative, the suspense-building close-ups in Kidnapped) rival chiaroscuro moments in Black Sunday for amped up tension. As an experiment, Kidnapped feels like what has come to be known as classic Bava, though his vintage horror and fantasy films are more visually engaging. —Trinie Dalton

Description

Contains Two Versions Of Bava's Restored Crime Classic Plus An All-New Featurette

For Master Of The Macabre Mario Bava (BLACK SUNDAY), it was to be the most startling film of his entire career: After a botched payroll heist, a trio of vicious criminals take hostages in a desperate getaway that explodes with cruelty, degradation and shocking violence. But when the film's financier was killed during the last stages of production, his entire estate - including the sole unfinished work print of RABID DOGS - was seized and impounded by an Italian court. Mario Bava's final masterpiece - and one of the most intense EuroCrime thrillers of all time - would remain locked away for nearly 23 years.

Anchor Bay's presentation of RABID DOGS includes both Bava's original film - now with newly created opening and end credit sequences - as well the version known as KIDNAPPED featuring footage shot by producer Alfredo Leone and Mario's son and longtime assistant Lamberto Bava. Features:Widescreen Presentation enhanced for 16x9 TVs Audio Commentary with Author Tim Lucas End Of The Road: Making RABID DOGS and KIDNAPPED Italian with optional English subtitles Mario Bava Bio

Customer Reviews:

Well, maybe 4.5 stars ..........2007-09-07

I liked the movie pretty much. It got a little ham-handed at moments, but in general it was about as tight as the original short story on which it was based: Man and Boy (in the April, 1971, issue of Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine).

A couple of characters were introduced that weren't in the original, but they did the job of increasing the tension and justifying the full length movie.

I must admit to being a little bit biased. You see, I wrote the story and then during the years the film sat waiting to be finished and released, it appears my name was lost. Given that not just the story, but essentially the substance of the dialogue "created" by the screenwriters (who did get credit) was my own, I feel a certain degree of neglect. Nonetheless, I do appreciate the rendering of the movie. Now, when will there be an American version?

Mario Bava's lost masterpiece .......2007-07-28

To all you Quentin Tarantino fans out there, WATCH THIS MOVIE. First off let me start by saying this is not a horror movie, it is however very extreme and violent. This is a film Mario Bava made in 1973 that never surfaced due to legal issues, and is an absolute shame. This is more like a crime/action/thriller movie, and VERY different for Bava. While I wouldn't say Tarantino ripped it off, I would say however that he drew A LOT of inspiration from it, especially for Reservoir Dogs.
The story is about four gangsters and a heist that goes wrong, have a run in with the cops, and take some hostages. All I could think when I watched this movie was RESERVOIR DOGS, the style of it is very (for lack of a better word) Tarantino-like. The acting was pretty impressive and stars George Eastman from Anthropopagus, if your a fan.
The most exciting parts for me were the beginning and the ending, I won't go into much detail here, but will say there are a couple of twists throughout the movie. I won't say which kind of twists though, you just have to watch it and find out.

Kidnapped aka Rabid Dogs.......2007-04-29

I'll admit that I've never seen films by Mario Bava. I've only recently gotten into Italian Cinema with the films of Dario Argento and other Giallo taken up my interest. Until now I had never tried any Bava. So hearing of this film and being intrigued with the premise I picked up the DVD.
The premise of the film is four criminals rob a pharmaceutical companies payroll during which the getaway driver is killed. The three remaining killers flee to a parking lot taking hostages, one of which they kill in order to escape. Afterwards in order not to be spotted by police in a familiar car they pull off and take more hostages this time a middle aged man and a sick child. At this point the films been a violent crime film. When it gets in the car the film is basically centered on the drive of the criminals and their hostages. Whats good in the film despite minor flaws is that even in its form (neither Rabid Dogs or the re-edited Kidnapped was completed with Bava's support due to circumstances which earned its "lost" status until recently) its a really well assembled suspense thriller building its tension slowly. As tensions in the car rise and victims plead for their lives even the criminals begin to turn against each other. One wants to rape the woman hostage, while another goes along with what ever happens while the leader is more concerned with just getting to their destination. There are moments in the film that to me were great in a transgressive way that newer films couldn't even come close to topping. And in the end, I don't want to ruin it but if you get into the plot as much I did it will definitely suprise you. I was totally blown away by the film. One thing also is the feeling of anger that seeps from every frame. This is a brutal film to watch at times with its portrayl of a world that is vain arrogant and rather brutal in considering the plight of the hostages (especially the child). To me its a film that in tone could almost compare to one of my favorites, Kurosawa's Ran.
Unfortunately I've only viewed the Rabid Dogs cut on the new Anchor Bay disc. It also contains Lamberto Bava's edit Kidnapped more in line with his fathers intentions which I will watch in the future but was turned off for the synthesizer score (I just love the harpsichord and organs blaring in Rabid Dogs even though admittedly the score is incesant) and didn't want to watch the film so soon after seeing it. Still this a definite recommend from me, worth viewing.

Mario Bava's "lost" masterpiece.......2006-08-19

Being a huge Bava fan, I was eagerly awaiting this departure from horror and fantasy. It was the master's attempt at making a film about the real world and the people in it. After viewing, I think Bava nearly succeeded. Probably the best acting I've seen in a Bava film, this could be due to the fact that it wasn't dubbed. Also, the film shocked me with some incredibly brutal scenes, especially when one kidnapper forces a woman to urinate in front of him, and she DOES!!!. The twist ending was incredible and unexpected. The only real problem I had with the film are all of the little cliches that make me so irritated. For example, the kidnappers are about to fill up the gas tank to their captured car. They're about to get away and then, out of nowhere, a hitch hiker appears desperately needing a ride. And they give her one!!!
All in all, if you can handle the annoyances, and the ultra-small subtitles, I think you'll enjoy this "lost" treasure.

The old Lucertola DVD is available again.......2006-02-19

While this is an impressive film in terms of Bava doing very respectable work in a genre that he wasn't really known for, I wouldn't go so far as to call it a masterpiece. I think that the rarity of this picture has caused it to swell a bit in people's estimation. And Lucertola's restoration is a bit rough around the edges. Still, it's nice to have this available in any form. It's still a treat.

There is another cut out there, supervised by Lamberto Bava, under the title "Kidnapped," and I can't understand why that hasn't surfaced on DVD by now. I don't remember how different Stelvio Cipriani's score is on that later restoration - it was supposed to be re-scored. But the music is quite good on the Lucertola version - although the sound quality isn't the best. The major difference between the two versions is the handling of some brief material peripheral to the main action. I don't want to say too much about it, but it really is done better in the later restoration.

Some of the performances are actually very good, and I can see why Lea Lander(who was in "Blood and Black Lace" more than a decade earlier, but looks no older here) would have taken a personal interest in bringing this film to light. Riccardo Cucciolla also does a respectable job, playing things very close to his chest for the whole movie. It's too bad about the woman they pick up at the gas station, though. The part is so badly overacted that it's more than a bit distracting. Fortunately, she doesn't last long.

So fans of Bava and/or seventies Italo-crime pictures should definitely get this. Just don't listen too much to the hype, because this really is a far more modest picture than you might think from some of what's been written - as is the case with a lot of Bava's work.

If the "Kidnapped" version ever becomes available, the rating might go up a notch - but it's a long time ago that I saw it. Hopefully I'll get a chance to reevaluate that cut soon.

In the meantime, let's hope that some of Bava's other works get revisited in the DVD format. While its nice to have so many of those films available, the presentation hasn't always been optimal - often far from it. (I'm talking about YOU, Image and VCI.)

NOTE: When I ordered this recently it wasn't available through Amazon directly but through the marketplace - Amazon is now listing it at about 36 bucks. I paid $15.50, and if you hit "new and used" and go to the marketplace you can get it at that price too. Tsk Tsk, Amazon.

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Kidnapped
Starring: Peter Finch , James MacArthur , and Bernard Lee
Director: Robert Stevenson
Manufacturer: Walt Disney Pictures
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

All Disney Titles | Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment | Stores | DVD | Video
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ASIN: B000MP7RGI

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Courageous

Against A Crooked Sky
Starring: Richard Boone; Stewart Peterson; Geoffrey Land; Jewel Blanch; Henry Wilcoxon; Clint Ritchie
Director: Earl Bellamy
Manufacturer: Reel Enterprises
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Westerns | Genres | DVD | Video

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ASIN: B000KJTBUG
Release Date: 2006-11-13

Description

The oldest daughter of a pioneer family is kidnapped by an Indian tribe. Her brother pursues the tribe, and convinces an old drunken prospector to come with him. They finally find the tribe, but the boy must undergo dangerous tests of courage and stamina in order to regain custody of his sister.

Customer Reviews:

Courageous.......2007-03-08

this movie is pretty old, but it has a true meaning about love, courage and the determination that he brother went through to save his sister. Richard Boone played an excellent drunk in this film, too.

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EXPLOITATION DOUBLE FEATURE!! WILD
PULP THAT PURRS!
Bad b-movie trash.

Hitch Hike to Hell/Kidnapped Coed
Starring: Jim Blankinship , Elizabeth Allan Burger , Jack Canon , Marvin G. Crosland , and Larry Drake
Manufacturer: Image Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

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ASIN: B0000633SP
Release Date: 2002-04-02

Description

Hitchhike to Hell (1968, 87 min.) - Teenage runaways Hitchhike to Hell when they accept a ride from Howard, an innocent-looking mama's boy who loves giving rides to pretty young gals. Unfortunately, he also loves killing them. Like a big bad wolf in a red delivery van, Howard searches the highway for sexy hitchhikers despite the efforts of police Captain Shaw (Russell Johnson, the Professor on "Gilligan's Island") to stop him. "Kidnapped Coed" (1978, 75 min.) - Rich girl Sandra Morley becomes a Kidnapped Coed when she's held for ransom by Eddie Mattlock, yet another mama's boy gone bad. After they're attacked by two sleazy psychos at a seedy hotel, the couple take to the back roads of the Carolinas, encounter an extremely odd assortment of humanity. Remember, kids: There's No Such Thing as a Free Ride!

Customer Reviews:

EXPLOITATION DOUBLE FEATURE!! WILD.......2003-02-06

Something weird has put two really strange films together here. The first is Hitch Hike To Hell in which a deranged man in a dry cleaning delivery van kidnaps women who are hitchhiking and then proceeds to rape and kill them. There is a shocking murder of a child (it isn't seen on screen) that really has an impact. Russell Johnson (Professor on Gilligan's Island) is a policeman assigned to the case. Very odd, but well made film.
The second film is Kidnapped Coed, and this is a film about a kidnapped girl who falls in love with her captor, and he with her. They go on a crime spree together. A great twist ending to this one. The extras are good on this disc, but the highlight is a tour thru Harry Novac's Boxoffice International studios. That is a great 30 minutes. All in all a great disc well worth the money.

PULP THAT PURRS!.......2002-07-18

One of the best discs yet released by SWV, this little beauty sports two awesome features and a slew of even better extras. "Hitchhike to Hell" is undoubtedly the weaker of the two features, but is nonetheless a laugh riot. The lead actor veers from one extreme to another with such scenery-chewing abandon as to be a marvel unto himself. Half the time he's acting like Lenny from an "Of Mice and Men" production staged by a particularly talentless community theater. The other half of the running time finds him screaming and going as psycho as Norman Bates would have had "Psycho" really sucked. "Kidnapped Coed" is a much better film. The acting (particularly from Friedle regular Jack Cannon) is solid. The story manages to be fairly compelling in its own pulpy way and some of the scenes are actually quite remarkable. Though pacey and far from perfect, it is a solid piece of work from an underappreciated director. As for the extras, I must crown the animated short "The Cautious Twins" as King of School Scare Cinema. This rhyme-narrated little ditty follows the titular twins as they play in the park, attend a movie and walk the streets in what has to qualify as the most depraved town in America. These poor kids can't go two feet without confronting yet another touch-feely stranger offering candy or a free ride. Hilarious!

Bad b-movie trash........2002-06-21

Here is my take on the two films on this DVD:

HITCH HIKE TO HELL - The movie "Hitchhike To Hell" centers around a deranged laundry deliveryman named Howard. He uses his company van to pick up hitchhikers and kill them. The reason Howard does this is because six years ago his little sister ran away from home and never returned. It completely devastated their mother and Howard is determined to punish young people who want to run away from their mommies.

Not surprisingly, every single facet of this movie is atrocious. From the acting to the direction, from the cinematography to the worthless plot...this is one awful flick. Not a shred of humor is to be found in this macabre tale. It is simply a monotonous pattern of showing Howard picking up hitchhikers and killing them. Terrible!

KIDNAPPED COED - You would never guess that "The Kidnapped Coed" clocks in at a mere 76 minutes. At times, it seemed like an eternity.

I would like to state that I am definitely not someone who needs violent action or gratuitous nudity every few minutes in a movie. However, I do enjoy some dialogue every once in a while. The dramatic pauses in "Kidnapped Coed" are long enough that you could take a solid nap during one. It gets awfully boring sitting around for a full two minutes looking at the main characters and waiting for one of them to actually say something. With tighter editing, this film could have been cut down to about half an hour and none of the plot would have been lost.

"Kidnapped Coed" is about the following: Man kidnaps young woman. He holds her for ransom. Woman falls in love with kidnapper. They spend a lot of time doing absolutely nothing.

The only positive thing I can really say about this little flick is that it has surprisingly good cinematography. A couple of the shots were very nicely set up. Too bad the rest of the film lacked that quality.

DVD EXTRAS: As usual, Something Weird has a knack for including shorts that are more interesting than the movies. This one is no different. An arcade short, a cartoon short and an educational short are all included for your viewing pleasure.

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Point of Fear

Manufacturer: Customflix
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Horror | Genres | DVD | Video
General | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video
ASIN: B000P2A67K
Release Date: 2007-04-05

amazon.com

When Melissa, Parker, Mark, and Karen decide to take a summer vacation to the small town of Pleasant Point, they find that the town has much to offer... including a string of brutal murders. When Melissa is kidnapped by a crazed psychologist who thinks she is his late wife who has come back to him, her three friends must team up with the local police, find Melissa, bring down the killer, and escape before they are pushed past the point of fear. Special Features Include: DVD commentary (2 tracks) Deleted Scenes Extended Scenes Original Trailer Scene Selection Blooper Reel 2.35:1 Widescreen

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Dan Rather Reports: Border War

Manufacturer: HDNet
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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HDNet | Television | Genres | DVD | Video
ASIN: B000QXCP4A
Release Date: 2007-05-17

amazon.com

More Americans have been kidnapped in Mexican border towns than in Iraq. The drug CARTELS have all but taken over several of Mexico`s northern border cities. Dan Rather Reports looks at the growing violence that`s just next door.

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A great historical epic, very well reconstructed

Kidnapped [Region 2]
Starring: Michael Caine , Lawrence Douglas , Vivien Heilbron , Trevor Howard , and Jack Hawkins
Director: Delbert Mann
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

( K ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
ASIN: B0000C88LI

Customer Reviews:

A great historical epic, very well reconstructed.......2006-11-14

I spent two weeks this summer in Scotland, and went to all the places that figure prominently in this film: Culloden Moor, Edinburgh Castle, Ediburgh Old Town, saw the picturesque wild landscapes, and learnt about the story of the Jacobite rising of 1745 and of its defeat that is the setting for the film. Everything in the reconstruction is right, including the accents of the actors, the clothes, uniforms, weapons, as well as the atmosphere of the times, and these were sad and brutal times for Scotland.
The story, set in this background, is one of a young man, David Balfour, who comes to claim his inheritance from his uncle after his father's death. The uncle first tries to kill him and then sells him to the captain of a ship bound for America, the Carolinas more precisely, to be sold there as an indentured servant. Through a chance meeting with Alan Berk Stewart, a Jacobite gentleman fleeing from the defeat at Culloden, he manages to escape and land ashore. He then follows Berk as he tries to join other Jacobites who might help him to leave for France.
Our young hero, a very idealistic Scottish lowlander who fate decides should be friend of Jacobite rebels, finally manages to reclaim his inheritance and also to find love. All the while being caught in the middle of this Civil War. It is fought between the English red-coated army supported by Scottish lowlanders (most famous and ferocious amongst them being the Campbells) and the Highland clansmen. They support two different branches of the royal family claiming the combined thrones of England and Scotland, i.e. on the one hand the "legitimate" but absolutist Stewart heirs, of Scottish origin, or Jacobites ( after James II, expelled from the throne in 1688), against the Hanoverian or German princes chosen and backed by the English parliament.

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