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Reviews (2)
06 January 2007
The holy grail of western fanatics - this is THE film
2 of 2 found this helpful I have watched this film so many times - it has the lot. Superb acting,actors,fantastic backdrops,a wonderful string of soundtracks running throughout and most of all incredible producing - this film was made by a perfectionist director - Sergio Leone. A motion picture that portrays the cruel violence of those times. The aim was to impact with the movie goer - Leone had wanted to have Eastwood & Van Clef in the band of killers awaiting the films main hero (Charles Bronson) at the very beginning of the movie. Bronson arrives in a whirl of dust, a crescendo of noise and quickly despatches the waiting gunmen into eternity. Imagine a film where you kill off the greatest/most well known legends in spagetti western history in the first 5 minutes - they refused, but Leone wanted to do it !
My ultimate motivation to purchase a collectors edition on DVD was to add a sure classic to a personal set of movies,that provide quality entertainment. . Like a really good book, one can revisit the story many times, derive renewed pleasure on each occassion - yet surprisingly learn something new each time - and recapture ones mind.
In todays cinema world where the impossible appears as widescreen normality via the super-hyped blockbusters. The ability of sophisticated photographic and computer technology,virtual reality and special effects. The voyuer watches, carried along by wave after wave of incredible visual action - such things as a storyline or indeed any requirement for linked narratory
superflous - breathtaking scenarios are all that counts. A new generation of film goers find themselves lost in a world of make-believe. It may be a way of escaping the stresses of the modern world - but one thing it is not is - its not remotely believeable.
Experiences in life, the appreciation of quality ,class,skill,talent and intellectual stimulation fortunately gives us the ability to discriminate and make judgements. Hence a great book teaches us the value of good information, well presented and factual. We are the more likely to read that book many times to appreciate its overall quality and message. We pass this information on others, we want to share this knowledge. At the other end of the scale shallow and poorly presented information is easily filtered and discarded.
What I most like about this movie - there are so many aspects to talk about I could really go on and on. Personally as I grow older I also grow more attracted to quality and reality. In this film we have a cast of actors who are without doubt brilliant - brilliantly directed by Leone - who was well known for his love of actors - not something directors are often associated with. He was able to bring out the best from the best - this movie records his efforts to the full. The attention to detail and authenticity was quite marvelous. Films are produced via a series of many,many small sketches and then finally run together for the full version. I know from my investigations of the filming process - nothing was taken for granted, left to chance - scenes were worked and reworked until perfect - the mark of Leone.
His choice of location - the buffs and flat mountains of montana - the beautiful backdrops running along with fantastic theme music from Ennio Morricone all combined to make this classic western.
What did I dislike about this western - it may surprise the reader but in actual fact little really. It could have gone on longer - available characters left so few - so for now adios
06 May 2008
The Magnificent Bocelli
My musical tastes are varied, however a great singer in the true classical sense is a sure winner with me. Andrea Bocelli is just such a talent, an Italian Maestro, physically unsighted - but compensates with one of the worlds finest voices. My purchase of Sogno was acquired via e-bay along with many other CD or DVD's by Andrea. My appetite for great music is well served by e-bay - it allows me to find just what I need, when I need it.. and at a favourable price. I strongly advise anyone with an appreciation of unforgettable music and a voice to die for, listen to Bocelli, an experience rich in melody and sheer vocal range.