MetroSpective

DVD REVIEWS

Universal's 'Legacy' series revamps classics

By Adam Goldstein
goldstea@mscd.edu

3 DVD reissues of cinematic staples range from the tragic to the sublime

To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)

This film stands as a benchmark in American cinema, a work that takes its place among staples for its iconographic and cultural significance.

Like Harper Lee's novel that inspired the film, "To Kill a Mockingbird," directed by Robert Mulligan ("Inside Daisy Clover," "The Man in the Moon"), works on many narrative levels. It is a coming-of-age story, a social documentary of American race relations during the 1950s and, finally, a parable that explores human appearances, substance and redemption.

Atticus Finch, played with a quiet dignity by Gregory Peck, is an Alabama lawyer who tackles controversial cases and fights fiercely for his ideological convictions. As a parent of two children, Scout (Mary Badham) and Jem (Philip Alford), Finch stands as an endearing and inspirational role model not only for his own children, but also for any attentive audience member. The impact of Peck's performance is clear in the fact that Atticus Finch has consistently been voted among the all-time favorite movie characters in the American Film Institute's survey.

What's more, Robert Duvall's silent portrayal of Boo Radley is an auspicious debut, as his moving performance conveys a host of emotions and sentiments. Although the pace of the film may seem sluggish to modern audiences, the quality of the content fits the pacing. Harper Lee's tale of human dignity and justice resonates in every frame of this classic and defining film.

The Legacy reissue serves more as a tribute to the late Gregory Peck than a comprehensive retrospective of the film itself. There are documentaries on the actor, a clip of his Oscar acceptance speech and even a written tribute to the actor by Harper Lee.

Although the DVD includes a package of miniature movie posters and production notes on the film, the 2-disc set is clearly a paean to Peck. For buffs seeking a more complete view, the focus on the actor may seem narrow in its orientation. Still, after exploring this set, it is impossible to deny the grace, dignity and conviction of the film's star.

The Deer Hunter (1978)

More a social and psychological condemnation of war than a factual account, "The Deer Hunter" illustrates the futility and horror of battle in its constant metaphors and character-driven narrative. Director Michael Cimino dwells on the social and psychological casualties of the war while commenting on the true nature of friendship and bravery.

The film follows the odyssey of three best friends from a small town in rural Pennsylvania, played by Robert DeNiro, Christopher Walken and John Savage. They enlist together to fight in Vietnam, and the horror they find in the jungle sets each onto a separate and express path to their own personal hell. Cimino's masterful use of repeated images and metaphors gives the film a stunning constancy, despite the stark contrast between settings and the grand scope of the film. For example, the deadly game of Russian roulette functions as its own entity in the film, recurring as a reminder of the film's underlying message. Winner of five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actor for Christopher Walken, this is more than a simple war movie. Over 25 years after its release, the insight and impact of "The Deer Hunter" is just as immediate, just as affecting.

Unfortunately, the Legacy DVD does not boast any spectacular bonus features. Though the commentary is insightful and the production notes informative, there is little to merit a second disc. The outtakes are centered mainly on one section of the film, the famous Russian roulette sequence. Although the extra footage is revealing, it pales in comparison to the take that made the final cut. Also included are original trailers and the Best Picture acceptance speech at the Oscar ceremony, which serve as footnotes to the intense impact of the film itself. Although the extra features are weak, the quality of the sound and picture on the film itself make the package worthwhile.

The Sting (1973)

One of the greatest accomplishments of "The Sting" is its masterful combination of two unlikely genres: the heist film and the period piece.

It functions effectively as both, as the tense and engaging crime story unfurls against the ambience of 1936 Chicago. Tapping into the chemistry that made "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" such a success, Robert Redford and Paul Newman play two savvy and scamming crooks on the prowl for the ultimate score.

Their chosen mark, brought to sleazy life by Robert Shaw ("Jaws"), is a criminal banker who controls a vast illegal network.

Not only does director George Roy Hill ("Slapshot," "The World According to Garp") weave an involved and engaging plot that manages to surprise until the last scene, but he also manages to infuse the story with a good deal of heart.

Newman and Redford play the ultimate anti-heroes, characters that capture the sympathies of the audience even as they cheat and dupe their way to fortune.

As an atmospheric aid, the soundtrack is composed entirely of Scott Joplin piano rags, music that does much to recreate the mood and feel of the 1930s. Winner of seven Academy Awards including Best Picture, "The Sting" is simultaneously a classic comedy, drama and crime flick.

The Legacy DVD release includes extensive commentaries and interviews with Robert Redford, Paul Newman, and other members of the cast. The interviews give a vivid portrait of the late director, George Roy Hill, who died in 2002.

The interviews are revealing, both for the background they give on the film itself and for their revelations about weaknesses of the studio in the early 1970s.

Production notes and original trailers round out the two-disc set.

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[an error occurred while processing this directive]	Volume 28, Issue 05, September 22, 2005 MetroSpective DVD REVIEWS Universal's 'Legacy' series revamps classics By Adam Goldstein goldstea@mscd.edu 3 DVD reissues of cinematic staples range from the tragic to the sublime To Kill a Mockingbird (1962) This film stands as a benchmark in American cinema, a work that takes its place among staples for its iconographic and cultural significance. Like Harper Lee's novel that inspired the film, "To Kill a Mockingbird," directed by Robert Mulligan ("Inside Daisy Clover," "The Man in the Moon"), works on many narrative levels. It is a coming-of-age story, a social documentary of American race relations during the 1950s and, finally, a parable that explores human appearances, substance and redemption. Atticus Finch, played with a quiet dignity by Gregory Peck, is an Alabama lawyer who tackles controversial cases and fights fiercely for his ideological convictions. As a parent of two children, Scout (Mary Badham) and Jem (Philip Alford), Finch stands as an endearing and inspirational role model not only for his own children, but also for any attentive audience member. The impact of Peck's performance is clear in the fact that Atticus Finch has consistently been voted among the all-time favorite movie characters in the American Film Institute's survey. What's more, Robert Duvall's silent portrayal of Boo Radley is an auspicious debut, as his moving performance conveys a host of emotions and sentiments. Although the pace of the film may seem sluggish to modern audiences, the quality of the content fits the pacing. Harper Lee's tale of human dignity and justice resonates in every frame of this classic and defining film. The Legacy reissue serves more as a tribute to the late Gregory Peck than a comprehensive retrospective of the film itself. There are documentaries on the actor, a clip of his Oscar acceptance speech and even a written tribute to the actor by Harper Lee. Although the DVD includes a package of miniature movie posters and production notes on the film, the 2-disc set is clearly a paean to Peck. For buffs seeking a more complete view, the focus on the actor may seem narrow in its orientation. Still, after exploring this set, it is impossible to deny the grace, dignity and conviction of the film's star. The Deer Hunter (1978) More a social and psychological condemnation of war than a factual account, "The Deer Hunter" illustrates the futility and horror of battle in its constant metaphors and character-driven narrative. Director Michael Cimino dwells on the social and psychological casualties of the war while commenting on the true nature of friendship and bravery. The film follows the odyssey of three best friends from a small town in rural Pennsylvania, played by Robert DeNiro, Christopher Walken and John Savage. They enlist together to fight in Vietnam, and the horror they find in the jungle sets each onto a separate and express path to their own personal hell. Cimino's masterful use of repeated images and metaphors gives the film a stunning constancy, despite the stark contrast between settings and the grand scope of the film. For example, the deadly game of Russian roulette functions as its own entity in the film, recurring as a reminder of the film's underlying message. Winner of five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actor for Christopher Walken, this is more than a simple war movie. Over 25 years after its release, the insight and impact of "The Deer Hunter" is just as immediate, just as affecting. Unfortunately, the Legacy DVD does not boast any spectacular bonus features. Though the commentary is insightful and the production notes informative, there is little to merit a second disc. The outtakes are centered mainly on one section of the film, the famous Russian roulette sequence. Although the extra footage is revealing, it pales in comparison to the take that made the final cut. Also included are original trailers and the Best Picture acceptance speech at the Oscar ceremony, which serve as footnotes to the intense impact of the film itself. Although the extra features are weak, the quality of the sound and picture on the film itself make the package worthwhile. The Sting (1973) One of the greatest accomplishments of "The Sting" is its masterful combination of two unlikely genres: the heist film and the period piece. It functions effectively as both, as the tense and engaging crime story unfurls against the ambience of 1936 Chicago. Tapping into the chemistry that made "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" such a success, Robert Redford and Paul Newman play two savvy and scamming crooks on the prowl for the ultimate score. Their chosen mark, brought to sleazy life by Robert Shaw ("Jaws"), is a criminal banker who controls a vast illegal network. Not only does director George Roy Hill ("Slapshot," "The World According to Garp") weave an involved and engaging plot that manages to surprise until the last scene, but he also manages to infuse the story with a good deal of heart. Newman and Redford play the ultimate anti-heroes, characters that capture the sympathies of the audience even as they cheat and dupe their way to fortune. As an atmospheric aid, the soundtrack is composed entirely of Scott Joplin piano rags, music that does much to recreate the mood and feel of the 1930s. Winner of seven Academy Awards including Best Picture, "The Sting" is simultaneously a classic comedy, drama and crime flick. The Legacy DVD release includes extensive commentaries and interviews with Robert Redford, Paul Newman, and other members of the cast. The interviews give a vivid portrait of the late director, George Roy Hill, who died in 2002. The interviews are revealing, both for the background they give on the film itself and for their revelations about weaknesses of the studio in the early 1970s. Production notes and original trailers round out the two-disc set.
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Volume 28, Issue 05, September 22, 2005