The Magnificent Ambersons [Region 2]

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Greater than Citizen Kane, I Firmly Believe

The Truth

ORSON WELLES GREATEST FILM

88 minutes of magnificence

A butchered masterpiece--a hallmark of cinematography and good acting

The Magnificent Ambersons [Region 2]

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The Magnificent Ambersons

The Lady from Shanghai

Falstaff Chimes At Midnight [Import]

Touch of Evil (Restored to Orson Welles' Vision)

Orson Welles' Othello

ASIN: B00004T8EQ

Amazon.com essential video

Citizen Kane is considered by many to be Orson Welles's masterpiece, but more than a few prominent critics have argued that his second film, 1942's The Magnificent Ambersons, is an even greater artistic achievement. It's certainly the source of the most painful injustice of Welles's brief career in Hollywood, having been seized from the director's control, drastically cut from over two hours to merely 88 minutes, and reshot with a different, upbeat ending that Welles vehemently disapproved of. Adapted by Welles from the novel by Booth Tarkington, it remains a truncated masterpiece, as impressive for what remains as for the even greater film it might have been. The story is set during the late 19th century and follows the rise and fall of the wealthy Amberson family of Indianapolis, Indiana. Central to the drama is George Amberson Minafer (Tim Holt), who is snobbishly to the manor born, and whose petty jealousies and truculent pride compel him to prevent a wealthy inventor (Joseph Cotten) from marrying his widowed mother (Dolores Costello). This in part is the cause of the Ambersons' downfall, and ultimately leads to George's humbling "comeuppance" at the film's dramatic conclusion. It's an absorbing tale of fading traditions and changing times, and it's also a magnificent showcase for Welles's cinematic audacity, famous among film students for its long, fluid shots and ambitious compositions. Responding to the film's drastic cutting and re-editing, Welles justifiably complained that "they destroyed the heart of the film, really." And yet, the director's stamp of genius is evident throughout--the work of a young master (Welles was only 26 when the film was made) that still shines despite its unfortunate fate. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews:

Greater than Citizen Kane, I Firmly Believe.......2007-07-28

Although 99% of movie buffs, experts, etc., believe Citizen Kane to be Orson Welles' greatest film ever made, I beg to differ with them.

I will, however, grant them that Citizen Kane is his greatest complete film. It is such a shame that nobody has yet found any of the pieces recklessly cut from this, certainly, his greatest masterpiece.

Don't get me wrong, I dearly love Kane, and Macbeth, King Lear and The Stranger, amongst his others, but Magnificent Ambersons is a towering achievement. While we could all stand around and wring our hands, and say "but it's not complete, how can we get anything out of this?" and stuff like that, we should be thinking that we very likely would not have what we do, had he not put up as much of a fight as he did to save it, with, I assume, some hollywood supporters that he luckily did have.

The care, and effort put into this film, photographically, is mind stunning...the man was a genious, and he understood lighting, depth perception, and stuff like that, instinctively...if not, then very well learned. The very opening sequence from a photographic viewpoint is an absolute piece of genious. So many places throughout this film are simply mind-boggling as far as from a creative standpoint. The complete understanding of black and white photography, and what would and would not hold up cinemagraphically were all thoroughly explored and understood by this great "misunderstood" master. His core group of actors, all carefully chosen, and able to work together like clockwork, I have always felt was not completely fathomed by many also.

Of course, probably the grandest thing about this film, was the tracking rails laid throughout the house for filming this masterpiece, allowing the camera to roll from room to room, and around rooms. This had never been done before, and it was a major achievement for film-making, and would, later, be championed by Alfred Hitchcock, (in particular) among other great directors. Also, Welles was a master at "deep focus" photography, used extensively in Citizen Kane. Here, also many scenes demonstrate the powerful effects of great, large, scenes with everything in crystal-sharp focus throughout the image, from foreground to the deepest recesses of the background.

As far as the big, bleeding, chunks that have been cut from it; well, one can only surmise what might or might not be missing. But, you can bet "a lot." So, for insight to what may have been removed, we must consult Booth Tarkington's book. From here, then, we must sort this out ourselves. We DO, however, know that we are missing 50 minutes, cut and thrown away, taking this 131 minute masterpiece to 88 minutes... I always wax sad, here, when thinking, and wish, and wonder, why we were not lucky enough to have had someone in hollywood, in Welles' later years, back the production of a reconstructed, refilmed version of the complete screenplay. Alas, this never happened.

But, again, we are extremely lucky to have the footage that we do. And, I personally am grateful every time I watch this great film (I have the Criterian LaserDisc S/E of it).

This Masterpiece desperately needs to be brought out on DVD, the public should be CLAMORING and SCREAMING; DEMANDING it's DVD release, and letting their voices be heard! ~operabruin

The Truth.......2007-06-09

After intense study I have changed my view of this film. I believe we are lucky to have this version of the movie. Welles had his chance to edit the film and came up with some very strange cuts. He reduced the "rough" cut of 131 minutes to 110 minutes. In doing so he left out some of the best scenes and also left out the emotional core of the film. When the film was previewed it was a disaster. For the second preview editor Robert Wise, who Welles had given complete authority while he was filming a documentary in South America, added back most of Welles' "big cut"(the elmination of everything from Isabel recieving Eugene's letter to the family gathered outside her room before her death) and cut other scenes that had not worked. This second edit was 117 minutes. The second preview did better but there were still problems. Wise and others associated with the film and who were all friends of Welles came up with a compromise plan. Welles accepted some of the cuts and additions. He even agreed to the reshuffling of scenes after the death of the Major. However, he still wanted his "big cut" of 13 minutes and 40 seconds. He wanted to preserve the ballroom scene, the montage sequences, and his revised ending. It was only at this point, after two and a half months of effort, that studio head George Schaefer told Wise to do what was necessary to fix the film. Schaefer's indulgence of Welles led to him losing his job shortly after this. After two more previews and more cuts and additions the film was released at 88 minutes. Post-production was compelted before the new studio head took over. So the film was finished by people who had a stake in the film and were friends of Welles. Wise did an outstanding job editing the film, as one would expect of the man who edited "Citizen Kane" and later would win two Oscars for best director. The only filmic element we lost was the "dancing camera" effect in the ballroom scene. The reason for the edits in this scene was bad acting and poor audience reaction. Small portions of the montage sequences were also cut. The audience was restless during these and the cuts tightened them up. Some of the scenes that were cut were unnecessary, long and boring dialogue sequences. The new and reshot scenes were unavoidable due to bad acting and poor audience reaction. It would have been better to have Welles do these sequences. However, that was impossible because he was in South America. We are very lucky to have as fine a film as we have. Welles was mostly upset about the new ending. However, he agreed with the rest of the film and he did not ask for his name to be taken off. I think he was mad that it turned out so well without his direct participation! At times it seemed as though he was trying to destroy his own film! I can now watch the film without thinking that we lost a masterpiece. If we ever find the "rough" cut, thats what we will have, a "rough" cut, not a finished film. If Welles would have had nine months to edit his "rough" cut I am sure we would have a masterpiece to rival "Citzen Kane." But given the circumstances that was not to be. I am glad we have what we have. It is a five star classic movie.

ORSON WELLES GREATEST FILM.......2007-01-24

This book on which the neglected second film by Welles is based, is one of the great novels about turn of the century. I would recommend a viewing of the Orson Welles film to set the characters in your mind. The actors are perfectly cast. I would give anything to see Welles' original concept in its entirety. However, what is left of that concept stays remarkably close to the original. Booth Tarkington is a master at describing the time. All in all an absorbing read and one you don't want to end.

88 minutes of magnificence.......2007-01-23

"Magnificent Ambersons"(1942) is a magnificent film even with its 88 min running time that was left after RKO took advantage of the director/writer/narrator Orson Welles absence by editing down the film from its original 131 minutes. Why or why did they have to cut it so mercilessly? The film still remains a brilliant and ironic portrait of a declining aristocratic 19th century family but the final part feels like a lot's been taken from there. At least, the unique end credits when Welles introduces the cast and all members of the crew were left alone. Still, it is an awesome film with every scene arranged and shot like a rare painting. The one which is imprinted in my mind is the scene when Eugene is leaving Isabelle's (the love of his life) house forever and Isabel's arrogant son George (who will finally get his come-uppance) is watching him through the window in his mother's room. I am also impressed by Welles's narration - he had a very nice voice.

A butchered masterpiece--a hallmark of cinematography and good acting.......2006-08-19

Most of you have already read the synopsis, so it won't be repeated here.

Many of the reviews have commented on the acting; I couldn't disagree more on this issue. Based on the personality of the characters, I believe the acting is exactly as it should be. Major Amberson and Uncle Jack, stoic characters in the book, would have acted exactly as they were portrayed by the actors. Aunt Fanny would have acted as hysterically as Agnes Moorehead portrayed her. Wilbur Minafer, ditto.

I agree that Lucy was portrayed as overly mature and unduly wise, but this could have been partly the director's fault. Tim Holt may have been miscast; somehow, his portrayal of George Minafer does seem a bit "off".

The first half of the film, cuts notwithstanding, still stands out as a masterpiece of cinematography. Catch the long takes of the ballroom sequence and the kitchen scene with George and Fanny. It makes you wist for what must have been; these scenes, as powerful as they are, were cut, blunting their already intense impact. Mention should be made of Stanley Cortez's camera work. The use of shadows, and complex lighting arrangements, give it an unforgettable look. The scene with Fanny at the boiler was filmed with Cortez and one other director. The different use of lighting is immediately obvious and jarring to the senses.

After reading the original cutting script of the movie, the much maligned cuts really do appear to have ruined the movie. Much character development was cut; important plot points concerning the decline of the Amberson's fortune are also gone. For those interested, the cutting script really does seem to have made a much better movie than the print RKO left us with.

The kitchen scene seems to be the turning point; after this scene, the movie as cut by the studio suffers very badly. It's a mish-mash of almost-disconnected scenes that makes almost no sense. Before-the-kitchen scene and after-the-kitchen scene almost play as two different movies. These cuts are obvious even to the casual observer; for example, quite suddenly, and for no apparent reason, George's character softens dramatically. In addition, scenes that aren't remotely connected to each other in content jar the senses due to their close proximity. The last half of the movie, simply put, is a mess.

It's because of the last half--and the much-discussed butchering of this movie by the studio--that I must give this movie a 4, rather than the 5 that it certainly would have gotten in the original form.

Z Channel - A Magnificent Obsession (2 Disc Collector's Set)

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Z Channel - A Magnificent Obsession (2 Disc Collector's Set)
Director: Alexandra Cassavetes
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Special Interests | Genres | DVD | Video
ASIN: B000UJMZZ4

Product Description

A documentary on the Z Channel, one of the first pay cable stations in the US, and its programming chief, Jerry Harvey. Debuting in 1974, the LA-based channel's eclectic slate of movies became a prime example of the untapped power of cable television.

The Magnificent Cuckold (Il Magnifico Cornuto) [Non-US Format, PAL Region 2]

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The Magnificent Cuckold (Il Magnifico Cornuto) [Non-US Format, PAL Region 2]
Director: Antonio Pietrangeli
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

PAL Region 2
No English language

ASIN: B000JOIV2Q

Citizen Kane - Remastered [Non-US Format, PAL, Region 2, Import]

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Citizen Kane - Remastered [Non-US Format, PAL, Region 2, Import]
Director: Orson Welles
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Product Description

Please note that this is a PAL, Region 2 DVD and requires PAL or multi-system capable DVD players. It will not play on standard North American DVD players. Please read the item technical description carefully. ----------------------------------- Synopsis: Orson Welles first feature film which he directed, produced, and co-wrote, as well as playing the title role proved to be his most important and influential work, a ground-breaking drama loosely based on the life of William Randolph Hearst which is frequently cited as the finest American film ever made. Aging newspaper magnate Charles Foster Kane (Orson Welles) dies in his sprawling Florida estate after uttering a single, enigmatic final word "Rosebud" and newsreel producer Rawlston (Phil Van Zandt) sends reporter Jerry Thompson (William Alland) out with the assignment of uncovering the meaning behind the great man's dying thought.

The Magnificent Ambersons [Non-US Format, PAL, Region 2, Import - France]

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The Magnificent Ambersons [Non-US Format, PAL, Region 2, Import - France]
Director: Orson Welles
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Region 2, PAL (Europe, Japan, South Africa and the Middle East including Egypt)
Requires multi-region DVD player for the US.

ASIN: 8324606750

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Not Academy award movie but entertaining
Brand New 7 Doing Their Number
Surprisingly Suspenseful!
The magnificent seven ride on DVD!
MGM has gone BAD!

The Magnificent Seven Ride! [Region 2]
Starring: Lee Van Cleef , Stefanie Powers , Michael Callan , Mariette Hartley , and Luke Askew
Director: George McCowan
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ASIN: B00005NFLP

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Not Academy award movie but entertaining.......2007-01-09

Follows along the original movie lines and provides good acting and plot while being entertaining.

Brand New 7 Doing Their Number .......2006-12-07

This is a brand new 7 doing their number or so the poster said. According to the United Artists Pressbook this is not a true sequel to the three preceding films. Instead it is a tale of a brand new Seven rooted to themes and traditions that the earlier films embraced. That same United Artists Pressbook also pointed out that this film contained a very original and innovative story while not abandoning the thematic idea of seven gunmen coming to the rescue of the downtrodden. Chris is the main character of this film and the entire story revolves around him rather than the seven as a cohesive force. Chris, portrayed by a very engaging Lee Van Cleef, is an ex-gunman turned town marshal and now married. Where all three previous films opened with a protracted conflict affecting the lives of poor Mexican farmers, this film has no apparent immediate danger that would draw Chris into and away from his current lifestyle. Needless to say, that changes dramatically. This film really caries no formula recognizable from THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN but approaches the conflict with a bandit hoard quite differently. The conflict, the motivations and the stakes are all different. This film lacks the grandeur or depth of its predecessors and plays out acts of violence for effect rather than substance. Elmer Bernstein apparently assembled a much smaller orchestra perhaps feeling a need to bid farewell to the Seven with a whimper rather than imply some majestic idealism as the sun was setting fast on day of the Western.

Surprisingly Suspenseful!.......2005-10-04

I can't say I was expecting much from the final Magnificent Seven movie, but with Lee Van Cleef in it, I had to check it out. Of course, nothing matches the first film, but this one is better than Return of the Seven, which I thought had a weak premise. "Ride", however, begins a bit weak, but once Chris gets on the trail, its an absorbing story that will leave some sweat on your palms. The usual "Seven" situation is given a twist by making it a village of women to be defended against further rapine and the way that Van Cleef must ensure the allegiance of his current allies. The current crew does not have the charisma of the original Seven except for Van Cleef, Michael Callan, and Luke Askew. Askew's character is fun to watch, since he is the ultimate test of Van Cleef's leadership. This makes the ending both appropriate and humorous. Van Cleef's method of tactical dispersal of the women is ingenious and helps give some definition to some of the characters. Overall, I was impressed by how small a budget it must have taken to make this film and yet it's an effective, enjoyable movie.

The magnificent seven ride on DVD!.......2004-07-09

All of the Seven movies had wonderful moments and Rides is no exception. This excellent fourth Seven film is a very entertaining Western. I'm so glad they put this great movie on DVD!

MGM has gone BAD!.......2004-06-15

MGM is now releasing all their movies in widescreen ( which is good )but they are not ANIMORPHIC (Enhanched for widescreen T.V.'s.) Previous releases were animorphic so this doesn't make any sense. I can only assume there is a new guy at MGM and he is an idiot! The president is completely unaware of what's going on which makes him the same. Other recent DVD's are "Follow That Dream" and "Shalako". If this is unacceptable send MGM an email.

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The Magnificent Seven 1960 (Special Edition)
beautifully done classic
Classic
The myth, the pattern, the archetype
Points To Ponder

The Magnificent Seven [Region 2]
Starring: Yul Brynner , Eli Wallach , Steve McQueen , Charles Bronson , and Robert Vaughn
Director: John Sturges
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Westerns | Genres | DVD | Video

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ASIN: B00005M1SH

Amazon.com essential video

Akira Kurosawa's rousing Seven Samurai was a natural for an American remake--after all, the codes and conventions of ancient Japan and the Wild West (at least the mythical movie West) are not so very far apart. Thus The Magnificent Seven effortlessly turns samurai into cowboys (the same trick worked more than once: Kurosawa's Yojimbo became Sergio Leone's A Fistful of Dollars). The beleaguered denizens of a Mexican village, weary of attacks by banditos, hire seven gunslingers to repel the invaders once and for all. The gunmen are cool and capable, with most of the actors playing them just on the cusp of '60s stardom: Steve McQueen, James Coburn, Charles Bronson, Robert Vaughn. The man who brings these warriors together is Yul Brynner, the baddest bald man in the West. There's nothing especially stylish about the approach of veteran director John Sturges (The Great Escape), but the storytelling is clear and strong, and the charisma of the young guns fairly flies off the screen. If that isn't enough to awaken the 12-year-old kid inside anyone, the unforgettable Elmer Bernstein music will do it: bum-bum-ba-bum, bum-ba-bum-ba-bum.... Followed by three inferior sequels, Return of the Seven, Guns of the Magnificent Seven, and The Magnificent Seven Ride! --Robert Horton

Customer Reviews:

The Magnificent Seven 1960 (Special Edition).......2007-08-31

* Genuinely Magnificent . The Very Finest of the Genre ever made ! * Spetacular gun battles , epic-sized heroes and an-all star cast includes Yul Brynner (1915-1985 James Coburn (1928-2002) , together with Eli Wallach (1915 -) , Steve McQueen (1930-1980) and Charles Bronson (1921-2003) , make THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN a legend among Westerns . Spawning three sequels and succesful television series and featuring Elmer Bernstein (1922-2004) score , this stunning remake of THE SEVEN SAMURAI (1954) is a hard-pounding adventure . Merciless Cavera (Wallach) and his band of ruthless outlaws are terrorizing a poor Mexaican village , and even the bravest lawmen can't stop them . Desperate , the locals hire Chris Adams (Brynner) and six other gunfighters to defend them . With time running out before Calvera's next raid , the heroic seven must prepare the village for battle and help find out the courage to take back their town ... or die trying ! . High Quality Transfer . Highly Recommended

beautifully done classic.......2007-08-09

I've always been the kind of gal to choose "Sleepless in Seattle" or "Six Days, Seven Nights" or "Pretty Woman over movies like "Young Guns", "Tombstone", or "The Magnificent Seven". The idea of guys shooting at each other for no blatantly apparant reason never really appealed to me. To be completely honest, I've fallen asleep through every single "Western" I've ever watched. I've decided that it was definately time to change that.
On the recommendation of my boyfriend, I decided to give "The Magnificent Seven" one last shot (haha) before I swore off these types of movies for good. I'm shocked to admit that I actually enjoyed it and found myself silently cheering for the "good guys". The way the villagers found strength in themselves to fight against Calvera was beautiful. I caught myself mourning the death of Charles Bronson's character right along side the children from the village who idolized him.
So the dialog is forced and sounds ever so scripted. It got to the point where I didn't care and found myself lost in the idea of companionship and unity over a common goal. Whether or not this genre is your normal cup of tea, I highly recommend the movie as a classic that everyone should see.

Classic.......2007-08-09

One of the original ensemble cast westerns. Pre Silverado/Tombstone but very well done. Still stands up after all these years.

The myth, the pattern, the archetype.......2007-07-14

One of these western films that was competing with young TV only by the size of the screen and the color. That will not last forever. So the rhythm is still slow and the picture is often centered on the faces and the general attitudes or postures of the characters. The story is simple though: the good suffering and submissive Mexicans or Indians who work hard, the banditos who exploit these farmers and the Yankee mercenaries who are going around fighting for the good cause of work and freedom. They are seven and only three will survive and two come back. They risk their lives for nearly nothing, twenty dollars, but for the sake of adventure and to prove they are the best shots, the best human beings, the best planners. The twist in this film is that they are successful first, then defeated and then successful again. That proves the point. They are ready to die to defend human decency, human freedom, justice, and to teach with their death how to fight, resist and conquer one's own freedom. A very light touch of romance is added, just enough to prove the point that man loves freedom and justice more than anything else. But let's say that four dead out of seven, fifty seven per cent casualties, that is poor productivity, even in the wild wild west.

Dr Jacques COULARDEAU, University Paris Dauphine & University Paris 1 Pantheon Sorbonne

Points To Ponder.......2007-04-24

First-rate film, it easily makes my list of the Top 10 westerns. Here are a few points to ponder:

"The Magnificent Seven's" score by Elmer Bernstein received a 1960 Oscar nomination but the award that year went to "Exodus"; which "featured" something called "The Exodus Song" (with lyrics by Pat Boone!!). 45+ years later there is not even a CD release of "Exodus" while the score from "The Magnificent Seven" is one of the most recognized pieces of music ever written. If anyone needs proof of the staggering lameness of academy voting this is the most obvious of countless examples.

The score was further popularized in the late 1960's as the theme for Marlboro cigarettes. An odd bit of irony given that Yul Brynner, Steve McQueen, and Jorge Martinez de Hoyos all died of lung cancer; Horst Buchholz and Charles Bronson of pneumonia, and Brad Dexter of emphysema.

In the film, only two (Brynner and McQueen) of the seven leave the village alive (Buchholz survives but stays behind). In real life these two actors were the first to die, preceding the others by about 20 years.

The other four deaths (only Robert Vaughn is still alive) occurred over just a nine-month period (James Coburn in Nov 02, Brad Dexter in Dec 02, Horst Buchholz in March 03, and Charles Bronson in Aug 03).

Then again, what do I know? I'm only a child.

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Why Don Bluth Should Stay Away From Sequels
Not as good as Antasia
Well-written and Very Colorful
Life after receiving Bartok
Why Bartok's story is something special.

Bartok the Magnificent [Region 2]
Starring: Hank Azaria , Kelsey Grammer , Andrea Martin , Catherine O'Hara , and Tim Curry
Director: Gary Goldman , and Don Bluth
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Family Films | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Animation | Genres | DVD | Video
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ASIN: B00009W36B

Amazon.com

It's no secret that the popular animated feature release Anastasia played fast and loose with Russian Imperialist history. Never mind that the movie's debut coincided with DNA proof--provided by Britain's Prince Phillip, no less--that Anna Andersen was not Tsar Nicholas II's daughter Anastasia, and that Russian-discovered bones were indeed that of the Tsar and his brutally murdered family.

Anastasia's made-for-video sequel, Bartok the Magnificent, doesn't let historical fact get in its way either. Still, the animated adventure, which features Bartok the excitable albino bat (voiced again by Hank Azaria), is cute and funny, thanks to clever writing and great voice work. Bartok and his sidekick bear friend (an excellent Kelsey Grammer, who voiced Vlad in the original) have become street performers and become embroiled in the evil Ludmilla's plot to get rid of the next heir, a prince. While it's not a particularly fresh tale, Bartok the Magnificent is kept alive through Azaria and Grammer's well-timed and -executed voiceovers. --N.F. Mendoza

Customer Reviews:

Why Don Bluth Should Stay Away From Sequels.......2007-07-10

Between "Anastasia" and "Titan A.E.", Don Bluth and Gary Goldman decided to apply their magic of animation to (1) their first-ever spin-off film and (2) their first-ever straight-to-video film.
Soon after "Bartok the Magnificent" was produced, 20th Century FOX decided to shut down FOX Animation Studios.
Decide for yourself whether there's a connection, here.

Yes, there are worse animated films - much worse - than "Bartok the Magnificent", a film which does have its merits, but having a merely-average film come from the saviour of the animation industry, Don Bluth himself, is truly something to worry about.

The story is fairly simple, and ravages the history of the Russian monarchy even more than "Anastasia" accomplished: Rasputin's lackey, the albino bat Bartok, is making his living as a dishonest street performer in association with buddy Zozi the bear (whether or not this happens before or after Rasputin's initial downfall is never mentioned), when a young Prince Ivan Romanov, watched over by evil mistress Ludmilla, is presumed to be kidnapped by the evil witch of Russian folklore, Baba Yaga. Bartok is singled out to rescue the prince.

I can't help but point out, however, that the tsar-to-be, Prince Ivan, neither survived the assassination proceeding the Russian revolution (unlike Anastasia, there's no dispute over this), nor, during his life, was ever left out of the sight of his mother or a royal ensemble (Prince, Ivan, see, was haemophilic, and was always under constant supervision)...so, without spoiling the foreseeable twist of the film, the prince being kidnapped or never seeing any other member of the royal family involved in the case is near to impossible to imagine.

Still, this is a fantasy film, where intelligence in bats is obvious to everybody (not just an insane Rasputin), so we can't judge on historical accuracy.
In all fairness, Bartok is my undisputed favorite character of "Anastasia"; Hank Azaria was and still is laudable in his voicework, making the little guy as adorable as a litter of puppies. Bartok, needless to say, was the reason that I bought this film. He manages to carry the film with his unendingly delightful dialogue while he's onscreen, but once he's off...

Let's say that Don Bluth cuts back on his standards. This film is what Bluth would show on Saturday morning television. Much of the animation exists only through interlacing (a cheap production technique) and the engaging shading and colors, obvious for their quality in other Bluthian films, is noticeably saturated in "Bartok."
None of the songs are exceptionally outstanding, either: the jazzy "Who's In My House" is easily the best, followed by the silly title song. Everything else is largely filler for uncalled-for musical numbers.

Still, it's the voicework that keeps the film afloat: Hank Azaria, of course, is delightful, and Kelsey Grammer as Zozi, Andrea Martin as Baba Yaga, Jennifer Tilly as Piloff, and Tim Curry as the talking skull are reasonably colorful; the cast makes up for the decreased quality of animation, mediocre music, and silly storyline, and manages to make this a decent film for anybody who enjoys a good animation.

I'm glad that Don Bluth got back into shape before going on to perfect "Titan A.E."; I'm sure that he has many regrets regarding this one.

Not as good as Antasia.......2005-11-02

In 1999 Bartok the bat once a Minion for the evil Rapspution in Antasai stared in his own movie. This movie has good music but not a lot of action until the very end. It has some good leasons like how to treat others fairly and not judge people by there apperance. Through most of the movie Bartop is performing tasks for Baba Yaga the witch to get a potion made that will make him stronger. Unfortunately the potion falls into the hands of the evil queen who turns into a dragon and terrorize mossocow. This movie I rented even though my father incurged me not to. If you like this see him in Antasia. FYI Bartok is not evil in this movie like he originally was.

Well-written and Very Colorful.......2003-10-11

Get this movie for kids and adults. It's very funny and charming. The animation has the quality of a feature, not a direct-to-video. The cast is first rate: Hank Azaria, Kelsey Grammer, Andrea Martin, Catherine O'Hara.

Life after receiving Bartok.......2002-08-03

My 4 year old just LOVES this tape! The songs are wonderful, and there is a nice story as well. It is a spin off from Anastasia - which is also a wonderful video. My 7 year old nephew likes it too! I highly recomend this for your video collection! again ***** 5 stars! I even like to sit down and watch it too!

Why Bartok's story is something special........2001-08-21

I would never have expected, even with family sequels so prevalent nowadays, that anyone would think of making a movie to track the life of Rasputin's tiny sidekick in Anastasia. I guess I'm not alone in what character traits appeal to me, however. Interestingly enough, some days before I saw Anastasia I woke from a dream in which the villain and sidekick from Disney's Aladdin, Jafar and the parrot Iago, were floating on an abandoned raft during a nighttime lightning storm and lamenting their mistakes together. It seemed foolish when I woke, because those characters were nothing like what my dream made them to be... but when I saw Anastasia, I was amazed at how well Rasputin and Bartok fit the bill. I didn't think anyone else would be so charmed at how the helpful bat-like creature offered sensible advice to his evil liege even while dragging back his fallen-off body parts and displaying a general sort of affection. What a great little guy, I thought, and what a pity he's fallen into such bad company. It was heartwarming to see him turn to the aid of good at the end. All that is why Bartok the Magnificent charmed me so much. It's certainly not a sequel to Anastasia, and I'm sorry the previous reviewer was expecting it to be. It's a spin-off, rather, for anyone curious whether that little whitebat managed to make anything of his life after abandoning his master. What fun to see that he's pursued the life of street showman, which seems oddly appropriate. This movie is casual and makes little effort to establish a setting, which groups it with other sequels/spin-offs and is why I give it only four stars, not five. Chronologically, the characters shown on the Russian throne make no sense and beg the question of what happened to Princess Anastasia. Yet, when we view this Moscow as something of an unreliable fairytale land (and the movie does follow certain tenets of fairy-tales), it seems quite believable. Bartok is obviously the hero of his movie, and he lives up to the role well. He is immodest, an unusual trait among genuine heroes, but it works on him. Of especial note is the fact that while his integrity is questioned at times, hardly anyone ever points out that Bartok is quite small--so how could he make anything of himself? Naturally, this issue itself has been explored time and again in children's movies and books, and is properly treated as a sidenote here. For his part, Bartok is all the more inspiring by how he resourcefully makes use of the physique he has. He is never shown doing anything unrealistic for his size or strength, and neither is there much of the inordinate luck small characters in movies like this often have in besting those larger than them. In my opinion, that implicit honesty makes this movie a real treasure. Bartok is more than just an amusing voice and more than just another unlikely hero--he is an inspiration for those who must confront tasks they know appear far beyond their means to carry out. The tools at hand are determination, perseverance, and ingenuity, all of which are put fully to the test in Bartok the Magnificent, and all of which succeed.

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The Magnificent Seven 1960 (Special Edition)
beautifully done classic
Classic
The myth, the pattern, the archetype
Points To Ponder

The Magnificent Seven [Region 2]
Starring: Yul Brynner , Eli Wallach , Steve McQueen , Charles Bronson , and Robert Vaughn
Director: John Sturges
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Westerns | Genres | DVD | Video

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Customer Reviews:

The Magnificent Seven 1960 (Special Edition).......2007-08-31

beautifully done classic.......2007-08-09

Classic.......2007-08-09

One of the original ensemble cast westerns. Pre Silverado/Tombstone but very well done. Still stands up after all these years.

The myth, the pattern, the archetype.......2007-07-14

Points To Ponder.......2007-04-24

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The Magnificent Two [Region 2]
Starring: Eric Morecambe , Ernie Wise , Margit Saad , Virgilio Teixeira , and Cecil Parker
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