066 Henry V

Synopsis: Henry V asserts himself, wins at Agincourt, and marries French princess

Director: Laurence Olivier

Actors: Laurence Olivier, Leslie Banks, Felix Aylmer, Robert Newton, George Cole, John Laurie

Date: 1944

How viewed: Lovefilm rental

Rating: 3/5

David Meyer says:

Olivier plays dress-up in a glistening, happy, artificial universe, making himself more heroic by his accessibility, and giving his audience a genuine escape from the dreary wartime reality waiting outside the theatre.

I say: 

As someone unfamiliar with the play, this comes across as very inconsistent. It's probably not fair to criticise the film which is nearly 70 years old (!) and pretty faithfully follows Shakespeare's text, but the impressive sections (the quiet contemplations the night before the battle at Agincourt, and especially the recreation of the battle itself) are somewhat overshadowed by the ropy sets in most other scenes, the comedy Scotsman, Irishman and Welshman (and vicar!), and the fact that Katherine is the only French person who doesn't speak impeccable English! The film was made during the war and acted as propaganda - the English win at Agincourt against impossible odds by playing by the rules, and then being magnanimous in victory. Quite a hard film to follow, one needs to be more of a Shakespeare buff to get the subtleties, though one's ears automatically prick up when the famous speeches occur ('Once more unto the breech..' and 'We few, we happy few, we band of brothers..'), but lots of famous faces to look out for: Robert Newton (the definitive Long John Silver), George Cole (aka Arthur Daley), and John Laurie (from Dad's Army). 

065 - Straight time

Synopsis: On release from jail, small time criminal gets himself deeper and deeper into trouble

Director: Ulu Grosbard

Actors: Dustin Hoffman, Harry Dean Stanton, Gary Busey, Theresa Russell, M Emmet Walsh, Kathy Bates

Date: 1978

How viewed: Bought DVD

Rating: 3/5

David Meyer says:

Hoffman presents a once-whole man fractured into pieces. His portrayal of a convict is a Chinese puzzle box of hidden emotions and undiscussed intents.

I say:

Small time criminal (Dustin Hoffman) is released from jail, and tries to make it back into society - finds somewhere to stay, finds a job, finds a girlfriend, generally tries to stay away from old friends - but then falls foul of his parole officer, and suddenly turns manic - contacts his fellow convicts, gets a gun, steals cars, robs grocery stores, borrows money, robs bank, shoot people, and, inevitably, against the advice of his wiser colleague (Harry Dean Stanton) pushes his luck and loses it all. I liked the first half - there was a quietness about it, and you felt sympathy for Hoffman trying to go straight. Then he just seemed to turn from gentle mild mannered Dr Bruce Banner into The Hulk, and it all got really annoying. Having said that the cast was stellar - though all looking a little young! - and it hasn't aged too badly. I was just really upset that his girlfriend, who apparently had just started a very minor post in an employment agency, had a pale blue convertible Mustang - how did she do that!

064 - Paths of Glory

Synopsis: 1st world war tale of 'lions led by donkeys'

Director: Stanley Kubrick

Actors: Kirk Douglas, Adolphe Menjou, George Macready, Wayne Morris, Richard Anderson, Ralph Meeker, Timothy Carey

Date: 1957

How viewed: Lovefilm rental

Rating: 5/5

David Meyer says:

Kubrick sought to make a Big Theme picture and he succeeds where so many others have failed.

I say

Rightly lauded as one of the greatest anti-war films, even though this is set in the trenches of the 1st World War, the story resonates today, in the way it depicts the disregard for the fate of fellow humans by those who find themselves in positions of power. In this case, it's 1917, and in the French/German conflict there have been 2 years of trench warfare with no gain on either side (but enormous cost of life). The officers remain in their sumptuous chateau, enjoying the good life while the troops on the ground suffer appalling hardships. A French general (possibly under pressure from the media, public and his superiors) orders an impossible assault by his troops on a small hill held by the Germans. The assault inevitably fails, but to save his own skin (and promotion), innocent scapegoats (2 privates and a corporal), are found and court martialed. Kirk Douglas plays the only officer with a shred of decency who stands by his principles and for his men. This is not an easy film to watch, it's a desperately depressing commentary on the human condition, although the final (rather obtuse) scene offers some hope. Nevertheless it is essential viewing.