Max-von-Sydow Movie Reviews

I recently watched the Criterion edition release of this film, The Seventh Seal, with some friends. Although the film's techniques -- innovative and startling in 1957 -- are somewhat cliche today, the film still packs a powerful message, which is that although we cannot know if God exists, it is still possible for us to perform meaningful acts in the time allotted to us.

The story focuses on the story of a Swedish knight, Antonius Block, returning to Sweden from the Crusades -- played by the ageless Max von Sydow. The knight and his squire, Jons, are on the way home through a land ravaged by the Black Plague. On a lonely beach, the knight encounters Death, played with admirable restraint, and a good dose of dry humor, by Bengt Ekerot. Before Death claims Block's life, the knight challenges him to a game of chess -- if Block wins, he goes free; otherwise, when the game is over, Death will come for him. In that Death is busy, the game is renewed throughout the movie.

The movie also focuses on a troupe of actors who are traveling along the same road as the knight. Block knows that Death plans to come for the young actor and his family, and by prolonging his game with Death and thereby distracting him, he enables the young family to escape.

The movie, although obviously shot with a very small production budget and featuring a very minimalist approach (it could well be a stage play), is haunting -- one thinks about the movie's simple lessons for days afterward.

The film has often been parodied -- by Woody Allen in Love and Death, or in the recent "Bill and Ted's Bogus Journey" where Death is forced to play games such as Twister and Battleship with the film's heroes -- but it is still well worth watching.

The Criterion edition features both a Swedish and English-dubbed soundtrack, as well as a commentary track from a noted film critic.

I came into this film with possibly unrealistic expectations. I had heard so much about it, that I thought there was no way it could live up to the hype.

It did.

The Seventh Seal is an amazing movie. It concerns a disillusioned Swedish knight (von Sydow) who returns from the Crusades to find his home being ravaged by the plague. On the shore, he meets a masked robed figure who claims to be Death. Rather than running in terror, the world-weary knight challenges him to a game of chess. The game is played over several days, during which Bloc gets a look at how the townspeople are reacting in religious terror to the plague.

There are two parts of the film to be addressed. Bergman's writing is anything but subtle. It is the writing of a young artist just finding his voice. He is trying to answer question life, God and morality. The film asks how one can maintain faith when God is silent. In this respect, the film is powerful in its bluntness. Consider the masterful scene in which von Sydow confesses his questioning of faith to a man he thinks is a priest. How he manages to find life, hope and possibly meaning amidst the rubble of his home in the family of entertainers. The movie becomes a dark comedy in the late stages, including one of my favorite all-time movie lines as an actor begs for his life.
Bergman's directing is also excellent. The aforementioned confession scence is remarkable. The closing scene justifiably famous. This is one of those films where the black and white medium is perfect.

This movie is well worth your time, even with he hefty price tag.

Aside from being a profound meditation on mans place in the universe and all that, this movie is some kind of funny. No other movie has ever made such a macabre subject seem more hillarious. The scene where the troupe-director fakes his own suicide, only to climb up a tree which death soon cuts down, and others, have a sort of irony which you would be hard-pressed to find in literature, let alone movies. One of the sayings in my life that i've recited over and over again I got from The Seventh Seal: Whichever way you turn, your ass will always be behind you. The cinematography is truly lyrical, especially the opening scenes. At the end I felt a little jibbed because having seen Woody Allens parody of the Dance of Death I didn't get all the emotional power that scene had to offer. But it affected me nonetheless.
You must appreciate Bergman's courage for undertaking this project. How many other directors would have the temerity to do make a movie about the futility of life so directly and so unreservedly? Of course, if anyone else tried it it probably would have turned out indulgent and juvenille.

As I look at all the 5 star reviews that others have given this film I wonder if I am being foolhardy in daring to say something to the contrary. I am and have been for many years a Bergman fan. I eagerly saw most of his films as they were released. I love nearly all of them - this one being an exception.
Certainly the film is worth seeing - any Bergman film is. But this one is often cited as his best, and there I would strongly disagree. It is about an academic and although professor Borg has to face some of his demons, he comes out on top in then end. I understand why this film is so popular. Academics see themselves in professor Borg and academics have a lot of infulance on what is considered art and what isn't. Borg ends up looking good at the end of the film, and academics, although they have their faults like anyone else, like to think that they are worthy of respect that their position commands. In many cases they are and this is not a diatribe against academics. I just think that Bergman let this character off too easily, particulary when you compare the way he treats his other characters in movies like "The Hour of the Wolf", "The Silence", "Shame" and so on. He plumbs the depths of the soul and takes no prisoners. "Wild Strawberries" starts out that way, when the professor flashes back to the key points in his life where he turned away from love, life and reality in favor of academic honor. But ultimatly he backs down. The professor, having seen the errors of a lifetime in a few short hours, is shown to be wiser and a better man now as he receives his honory award. Bergman does not do this in his other films. For me this gives a certain falsity to "Wild Strawberries" that I don't see in "Persona" for example.
Well, everyone will probably disagree with me, - this is such an acclaimed film - but sometimes it is valuable to hear a contrarian opinion even when you don't agree with it.

I am not going to summarize the plot. Amazon.com's editors do a good job of that.

I watched this, Wild Strawberries, right after viewing of The Seventh Seal. Both films have extremely strong visuals and both deal with similar themes--Bergman remains convinced that there is nothing beyond death and hence his characters are symbolizations of the director's existential angst. However, while the characters in The Seventh Seal are archetypal and theatrical, Isaac Borg is extremely human. He is real and so are his emotions and sentiments (with which Bergman so passionately sympathizes). This makes the film touching and Borg's failures and triumphs become our own.

There is another review of this film by a customer (Brian Ridge), which claims that the reason he liked the film is because he is (or was) a film major, which makes it difficult for the rest of the "mainstream" to like this movie. He is mistaken, Bergman's films were very well recieved by the American "mainstream." Indeed, it was Bergman who pioneered the American foreign film market.

Secondly, the films which he names as being similar to this one are, quite frankly, just some movies by major international directors--Bunuel, Bergman, Kubrick, Allen, Scorsese, etc. These are all great directors but that does not make their cinema "similar." Each had their own cinematic concerns. The only similarity between these directors is that one does not need a film degree to appreciate them!

Bergman is one of my favorite director and for my money, this is his best movie. I love the way he tells the story with narration and great dream and nightmare sequences. The wonderful thing is, it's a serious and dramatic film but also entertaining at the same time. Sometimes it moves slow (like the main character, a 78 year old professor) and it also moves faster when younger people are involve in the story. The great Victor Sjostrom gives such a superb human performance that you feel everything he's feeling and I think this is why I love this movie so much, he takes you with him on an emotionnal journey that you don't forget. Other strong points: the beautiful and touching performance of the daughter in law (Ingrid Thulin), the energetic performance of the beautiful young girl (Bibi Anderson), great photography, wonderful screenplay and the score is perfect. I heard often that Bergman made depressing movies, maybe they're not like the musicals of the 50's but I've seen a lot of his work and I don't find it depressing at all, if you watch and listen closely you will always find a message of hope somewhere.
Like Kurosawa, Fellini and Carné to name a few, his movies are great art full of symbolism and humanity, almost inexistant today in cinema. This is a must buy if you like this movie cause the transfer by Criterion is great and they give us a 90 minutes interview with Bergman (very serious but fascinating if you want to know more about the man). Also an audio commentary by Peter Cowie (who also did one on the seventh seal) and photos of the production.

Despite the obvious knocks on some of the acting, which really isn't bad, and the Hollywood style presentation style of the film, "Victory" is most certainly the greatest soccer film ever, and a real classic.

An inspirational movie set in the late WWII era inside a POW camp, Max Von Sidow, a high-ranking Nazi commandeer, agrees to arrange a "football" match between the POW's and the German national team. This is a propaganda stunt, something which really isn't all that unrealistic considering the Nazi philosophy at the time.

Sylvester Stallone is the star of the film, as the tough American who has an escape plan, but needs to be on the soccer team in order to carry it out. That is arranged through a classic scene in which the real goalkeeper's arm is broken purposely over two bed boards by Michael Cain, a co-star in the film. Cain, of course a Brit POW, is also in on the plan, along with the rest of the team.

A story of human courage and triumph, the inspirational play of the POW football team and the once inconceivable possibility that they can actually win the match against the Nazi's, proves irresistable for the POW's.

The contacts Stallone makes in his brief escape from the camp previously, sets up a half time breakout through the POW team's locker room. Of course when they arrive through the shattered floor of a huge tub via the underground sewer system, Stallone is the first to bail. But would the rest of the team? Will Stallone return to help defeat the Nazi's in a politically charged football match for the ages? You'll have to watch it to find out.

Ultimately this is a great film, the soundtrack is absolutely perfect, the actors and non-actors alike are all very entertaining and the uniquely inspiring storyline makes it an American classic.

Even if you are not a fan of football, this movie can be watched and enjoyed by people of any age. An underappreciated film, undeservingly so, but one that should be on every good American's list!

I highly recommend this film to anyone who enjoys sheer entertainment as well as some great, memorable actors along with what could be the only up-close look at the great Pele. For a $13 DVD price, it is your duty to own this one.

Victory is about a team of allied soldiers being made to play a Football match against the German National team during the Second World War.Leading the Allied team is Michael Caine and the players in his squad include none other than The Magnificent Pele and The Legendary Real Life England Captain Bobby Moore.Slyvester Stallone also plays an American who wants to escape using the game as cover but because he cant play Football they put him in goal(and break the real Keepers arm)
The Film is pretty poor and there are some very bad mistakes such as the French fans running on the pitch at the end wearing flares.But it is worth watching for a few reasons though.

1, Michael Caine and Slyvestor Stallone playing Football.

2, Two of the Greatest players ever to play the game(Bobby Moore and Pele)playing Football in a film.

3,Ossie Ardiles overhead flick in slow motion.

What a cast of characters. Pele, Stallone, Caine, van Sydow,and a number of other international football stars. Some of the soccer scenes are pure poetry along with some alright acting. But don't get it twisted, it's the final match that holds this film up as a football classic. The drama builds to a razors edge as the players forgo their one chance of escaping to finish the match of their lives knowing that the freedom they so desperately crave will be sacrificed if they do so. Anyone, and I mean anyone who plays soccer and needs some inspiration this is your flick. A must see!

At first glance, you may be tempted to skip over this title; it looks like one of those studio films which tries to throw together a "hot" American actor (Stallone was probably at the peak of his popularity at the time) with an English counterpart (Michael Caine). And you're right, that's what this film is doing. Most of the time these projects don't work. Surprisingly, though, this one is pretty good.
The acting can be a bit clunky, Stallone is not absolutely convincing in his portrayal of a Yank in a dominantly English POW camp & his attempt at a French accent is horrifying. All that aside,though, it is a riveting movie experience. Believe me, this is not a "train wreck" that you can't stop watching- there are genuinely good performances in this film. Caine is right on-the-mark as the coach (I ask you, when is he not great?), Stallone has a couple of scenes where his passion shows (especially in the tunnel under the stadium) & the pro soccer players as a whole turn in good, solid performances. Typically when you have pro athletes in a film, they're usually parodying themselves or a reasonable facsimile. These guys have to play POWs who happen to be soccer players & they're surprisingly good. The actual soccer scenes are terrific. Watching the game, you may appreciate more the skills of first-rate soccer players.
One aspect of this film which is hardly recognized is the musical score. I liked it & found it to be a rousing partner to those moments of triumph.
Granted, this movie isn't perfect (by no stretch of the imagination) but I believe it's worth a try. This may turn out to be one of "your" guilty pleasures.

What a cast of characters. Pele, Stallone, Caine, van Sydow,and a number of other international football stars. Some of the soccer scenes are pure poetry along with some alright acting. But don't get it twisted, it's the final match that holds this film up as a football classic. The drama builds to a razors edge as the players forgo their one chance of escaping to finish the match of their lives knowing that the freedom they so desperately crave will be sacrificed if they do so. Anyone, and I mean anyone who plays soccer and needs some inspiration this is your flick. A must see!

Exceptional actors, exceptional director, exceptional music, and exceptional script come together to make this a uniquely satisfying film. On the surface it may seem like a ludicrous concept, but with top notch actors like Max von Sydow and Michael Caine carrying the story, and legendary director John Huston at the helm, VICTORY couldn't help but be a highly enjoyable experience. The presence of world class soccer players playing the prisoners of war doesn't hurt, either.
What was supposed to be a small-time, "friendly" match between some POWs and the German army gets blown up--thanks to Nazi propagandists--into an Olympian spectacle with the POWs playing against the German NATIONAL team in Paris! The point is to use the expertise of the German team to mercilessly obliterate the POWs on the soccer field as a symbol of German superiority.
Unfortunately for the Nazis, the POWs proved to be much more of a challenge than they expected....

If any of you are looking to buy this movie, don't listen to Jonathan Taylor. First of all, he can't spell. Second, this movie is a cult classic. It paved the way for every modern day horror movie. I'll admit, the 'effects' are a little cheesy, but it was the 70's for pete's sake. Some of the scariest moments are those you only see for a split second. I watched this movie at a cast party, and we ended up pausing it on the face of 'the evil one.' The effects do not have to be computer-generated to be scary. There doesn't need to be all blood and gore. This religous freak-out more than makes up for any lack of effects. Buy, watch, scream.

There's a young girl who is possessed by the Devil. Well, the family is scared when the girl makes everything unholy. She has a strange look and her looks is terrible. Well, they need an exorcist to take away the demon from her. What they eventually have to do? Well, check it yourself! This is quite a scary movie but there's of course even scarier movies so don't expect too much. There's very scary scenes, like that one when the girl walks on the stairs...! Hahaahahhaa, watch out, the demon is coming to your living room...!!!

What can I say about this 1973 classic? The Exorcist is the most terrifying movie I've ever seen. I first saw it when I was 8 years old and it gave me nightmares. even 17 years later this movie still gives me spine-tingling sensations. Linda Blair (In her most known role) plays a 12 year old girl possessed by the devil himself. Her mother (Ellen Burstyn) takes her to every doctor imaginable and they have no prognosis on 12 year old reagan's condition. Believing that reagan is somehow possessed by a supernatural being she turns to father Damion Karros for an exorcism to release the demon from her 12 year old girl. This movie spawned two sequels but could never match the mystique or absolute horror of the original. The Exorcist is eerie, creepy and everything you've heard it to be. The Exorcist theme, Tubular Bells (Mike Oldfield), is just as eerie and mysterious as the movie. This is an ABSOLUTE MUST SEE!!!!

In 1983, Bob and Doug McKenzie (Rick Moranis and Dave Thomas -- but not the Dave Thomas from Wendy's) introduced the world to the mysterious land of Canada -- a place overflowing with beer and donuts. A place where everyone wears flannel and toques while they're playing hockey. A place where they use words like "hoser" and "eh."

When Bob and Doug try to scam the Elsinore brewery out of a free case of beer, they end up with jobs instead. There, they get stumble upon Brewmeister Smith (Max von Sydow), who's planning to take over the beer-drinking world with his mind-altering chemicals.

At the beginning of Strange Brew, the brothers announce that their movie was filmed in 3-B -- "Three beers and it looks good." I'd say that's pretty accurate. Strange Brew is a fabulously brainless movie -- full of bad jokes, bad acting, and bad effects. It's a must-see for any college student -- preferably after a long night of drinking. But if you're sober, be warned that it takes a special sense of humor to enjoy this one. Those with that special sense of humor, however (you know who you are), will love this one.

Strange Brew follows the adventures of Bob & Doug McKenzie played by Rick Moranis and Dave Thomas respectively. The pair was created for the brilliant SCTV television show and the duo seamless took them to the big screen. The movie's plot revolves around an evil brewmeister (played deliciously by Max Von Sydow) who is concocting a potion that will allow him to control the minds of the people who drink it. The brothers unwittingly stumble onto the plan and with the help of the daughter of the late brewery owner and former hockey player, they foil the plans. Through it all Mr. Moranis and Mr. Thomas are absolutely hysterical. The film is actually the forerunner of such films like Wayne's World, The Coneheads and other Saturday Night Live films that took character sketches from the small screen to the movie screen. The big difference is that Strange Brew is well made, well written and still almost twenty years later, down right hilarious.

Ok eh, like first off this movie is great, eh. Like now these two have like shown up in the new Disney movie Brother Bear, beauty eh? Like they even make reference to thier love for beer in Brother Bear too eh (take off you hoser - no way eh, it's at the end of the movie you knob).

So like now I am ready for like a return of these guys to new movie eh. So if you think these guys are funny eh go see Brother Bear - beauty casting job eh - Moose are Loose!

In 1983, Bob and Doug McKenzie (Rick Moranis and Dave Thomas -- but not the Dave Thomas from Wendy's) introduced the world to the mysterious land of Canada -- a place overflowing with beer and donuts. A place where everyone wears flannel and toques while they're playing hockey. A place where they use words like "hoser" and "eh."

When Bob and Doug try to scam the Elsinore brewery out of a free case of beer, they end up with jobs instead. There, they get stumble upon Brewmeister Smith (Max von Sydow), who's planning to take over the beer-drinking world with his mind-altering chemicals.

At the beginning of Strange Brew, the brothers announce that their movie was filmed in 3-B -- "Three beers and it looks good." I'd say that's pretty accurate. Strange Brew is a fabulously brainless movie -- full of bad jokes, bad acting, and bad effects. It's a must-see for any college student -- preferably after a long night of drinking. But if you're sober, be warned that it takes a special sense of humor to enjoy this one. Those with that special sense of humor, however (you know who you are), will love this one.

Strange Brew follows the adventures of Bob & Doug McKenzie played by Rick Moranis and Dave Thomas respectively. The pair was created for the brilliant SCTV television show and the duo seamless took them to the big screen. The movie's plot revolves around an evil brewmeister (played deliciously by Max Von Sydow) who is concocting a potion that will allow him to control the minds of the people who drink it. The brothers unwittingly stumble onto the plan and with the help of the daughter of the late brewery owner and former hockey player, they foil the plans. Through it all Mr. Moranis and Mr. Thomas are absolutely hysterical. The film is actually the forerunner of such films like Wayne's World, The Coneheads and other Saturday Night Live films that took character sketches from the small screen to the movie screen. The big difference is that Strange Brew is well made, well written and still almost twenty years later, down right hilarious.

Ok eh, like first off this movie is great, eh. Like now these two have like shown up in the new Disney movie Brother Bear, beauty eh? Like they even make reference to thier love for beer in Brother Bear too eh (take off you hoser - no way eh, it's at the end of the movie you knob).

So like now I am ready for like a return of these guys to new movie eh. So if you think these guys are funny eh go see Brother Bear - beauty casting job eh - Moose are Loose!

In 1983, Bob and Doug McKenzie (Rick Moranis and Dave Thomas -- but not the Dave Thomas from Wendy's) introduced the world to the mysterious land of Canada -- a place overflowing with beer and donuts. A place where everyone wears flannel and toques while they're playing hockey. A place where they use words like "hoser" and "eh."

When Bob and Doug try to scam the Elsinore brewery out of a free case of beer, they end up with jobs instead. There, they get stumble upon Brewmeister Smith (Max von Sydow), who's planning to take over the beer-drinking world with his mind-altering chemicals.

At the beginning of Strange Brew, the brothers announce that their movie was filmed in 3-B -- "Three beers and it looks good." I'd say that's pretty accurate. Strange Brew is a fabulously brainless movie -- full of bad jokes, bad acting, and bad effects. It's a must-see for any college student -- preferably after a long night of drinking. But if you're sober, be warned that it takes a special sense of humor to enjoy this one. Those with that special sense of humor, however (you know who you are), will love this one.

Strange Brew follows the adventures of Bob & Doug McKenzie played by Rick Moranis and Dave Thomas respectively. The pair was created for the brilliant SCTV television show and the duo seamless took them to the big screen. The movie's plot revolves around an evil brewmeister (played deliciously by Max Von Sydow) who is concocting a potion that will allow him to control the minds of the people who drink it. The brothers unwittingly stumble onto the plan and with the help of the daughter of the late brewery owner and former hockey player, they foil the plans. Through it all Mr. Moranis and Mr. Thomas are absolutely hysterical. The film is actually the forerunner of such films like Wayne's World, The Coneheads and other Saturday Night Live films that took character sketches from the small screen to the movie screen. The big difference is that Strange Brew is well made, well written and still almost twenty years later, down right hilarious.

Ok eh, like first off this movie is great, eh. Like now these two have like shown up in the new Disney movie Brother Bear, beauty eh? Like they even make reference to thier love for beer in Brother Bear too eh (take off you hoser - no way eh, it's at the end of the movie you knob).

So like now I am ready for like a return of these guys to new movie eh. So if you think these guys are funny eh go see Brother Bear - beauty casting job eh - Moose are Loose!

The film that made bodybuilder Arnold Schwarzenegger (Pumping Iron) a star worldwide. John Milius's Conan the Barbarian is a starkly realized, meticulosly detailed, and extravagently staged action spectacle. It remains unequalled in it's melancholic narrative, charismatic bloodshed, mythological melodrama, and powerhouse ensemble performances. Starring Arnold Schwarzenegger (Conan), James Earl Jones (Thulsa Doom), Max Von Sydow (King Osrik), Gerry Lopez (Subotai), and Sandahl Bergman (Valeria), Conan the Barbarian chronicles the life of Conan the Cimmerian as he quests for revenge against the mystical snake cult leader Thulsa Doom who executed Conan's mother and father whan Conan was only a child. Based on the novels of Robert E. Howard, Conan the Barbarian preserves the epic grandeur of William Wyler's Ben Hur or Cecil B. DeMille's the Ten Commandments. Yet it inserts adult knowledge of sexuality, carnage, amorality, and primitive humanity that utterly contrasts the civility of those previous films. Conan's abundant senusality and savagary blended with the film's superb Spainish locations gives Conan the Barbarian a raw primeval luster that complements the film's supposed prehistoric timeline. Now 18 years after it's theatrical release, Conan the Barbarian retains a somber and compelling sincerity that dignifies the story's crude plot and intentions into much more than the sum of it's initial parts. The film's gripping set-pieces, Basil Poledouris's pulsating musical juggernaut, John Milius's impeccable attention to specifics, and the commanding physical presence of Arnold Schwarzenegger all combine to create the indistinguishable primal mystique that has made Conan the Barbarian the pinnacle of film action. Despite some deficenies in campy acting, dialogue, and character motivations, Conan remains as close to perfection as a sword fighting saga can get. Fabulous DVD presentation filled with a stunning widescreen format, a John Milius and Arnold Schwarzenegger commentary track, a Making-Of-Conan Documentary, theatrical trailers, and fascinating storyboards load this DVD with many must-have options. MUST-BUY.

If you ever wondered how Arnold Schwarzenegger became the man he is today, it's this movie that did it. In 1982 Arnold would play Conan the Barbarian, the popular Robert Howard novel character and would make himself a movie star.

Conan the Barbarian tells the story of Conan of Cimmeria. His parents are Killed By Thulsa Doom(James Earl Jones)when he is just a child. His goal is vengance and he will get it.

Conan does get some companions along the way. He gets the warriores Valeria, a mongol companion and a wizard. They aid him in his quest for vengance.

Arnold is great in the movie. If any one was ever born for a role this was his role. He is in probaly the best shape that you see him in since he started acting. He kills plenty of guys and is very barbaric. A must see for Arnold fans.

There is plenty of blood and gore in the film. There is a lot of great sword play. There is nothing better than watching well choreoraphed sword fights. They are spectacular in Conan. The movie is rated R for bloody violence and some nudity.

I also like the music score to Conan. It's one of the better movie scores ever written and I think ranks up there with Star Wars, Indiana Jones, and The Godfather in that department.

I love Conan the Barbarian. It's the movie that helped launch the sword and fantasy movies of the 1980's and it's probaly the best. This DVD is a must to any collection. Don't miss out on this movie. I promise you won't regret watching it.

This is the sort of DVD fans dream of. To begin with, there's the crisp, bold visual & audio transfer and the wide-screen format. These stand out even more after years of suffering through the murky, muddy video release with its dull colors and muted, blurred soundtrack --- further disfigured by the indignity of pan & scan presentation. Here Ron Cobb's gorgeous visual design and the epic boldness of the staging & cinematography are given full scope. And in this DVD, the dialogue is never lost, and one can even hear subtle sound effects. Basil Poledouris' magnificent score roars and sings, never distorted and never washing out the actors --- which is refreshing after the disappointing videotape version.

But wait, it gets even better. This version features extended scenes integrated into the feature (as well as deleted scenes in the fine Bonus Materials section, which features interviews with Schwarzenegger, Bergman, Jones, Lopez, Milius, Cobb, Von Sydow and others, as well as a marvelous gallery of production art, publicity materials, & production photos). This new footage includes an additional scene before the climactic Battle of the Mounds, and an extended use of the kidnapped Princess during Conan's final confrontation with Thulsa Doom. This footage (including alternate takes never before released) adds a weird note of eerie beauty and pathos to the dramatic final fight and Conan's ritualistic attempted suicide.

This is a gorgeous presentation of a powerfully dramatic film that obviously was a labor of love to all concerned in its making. CONAN THE BARBARIAN is what all DVD's should be.

Even if you've invested in a previous release of this film, don't pass up this version. Movie fans and Robert E. Howard admirers won't be disappointed.

"Flash Gordon" has more in common with 1968's "Barbarella" than the comic strip hero of the same name, but still manages to deliver many of the goods expected of campy adult fantasy. Sam Jones is a dopey version of Buster Crabbe's dashing serial hero--fittingly, an over-hormoned football star with a heart that works faster than his brain. Lovely Melody Anderson embodies Dale Arden as a spunky 1930's girl-next-door transplated into the plastic, "modern" 1980s, while sultry Ornella Muti, as Princess Aura, is every adolescent boy's imagining of sex. International stars Topol and Max Von Sydow chew up the scenery as astrophysicist Zarkhov and evil Emperor Ming, respectively, and Peter Wyngarde and ex-James Bond Timothy Dalton do dark turns in secondary roles. The story, laced with PG-rated violence and sexual innuendo, is a tongue-in-cheek rehash of the serials, as Ming ravages Earth until our intrepid heroes rocket to his kingdom to set things straight. This time, they find worlds created with the most elaborate visual effects of the day, some convincing, many not, but all strangely beautiful. If you liked the original, you'll see that most of the swipes are gentle and that as juvenile as the script is, the movie is really aimed at grown-ups. A spirited performance by British TV veteran Brian Blessed and a thumping soundtrack by rock supergroup Queen help make this one memorable.

This is one of the greatest early 80's flicks of all time. A real comic book fantasy come to life on the big screen. It's is filled with wonderful performances, from the energetic Sam J. Jones as Flash, the beautiful Melody Anderson as a very convincing Dale Arden, the young Timolthy Dalton (one of the James Bonds) as the Baron, and the unforgettable Max Von Sydow as the pure evil Ming the Merciless. The special effects, even in this day of computer animation, still blow me away. There is a wonderful score by Queen which keeps the movie in full motion. This movie is from my youth and my friends and I always seem to come up with some great quotes from this movie. "Klytus, I'm bored. What play thing can you offer me today?" "Prepare her for our pleasure! " One quick question: Why on earth did they pick Flash to be the quarterback of the NEW YORK JETS?

This is a totally goofball fun movie. There is no high dramatic moment such as "Luke I am your father". It needs to be available on DVD and not for the arm and a leg that some of the people are charging for their OOP copies. Please release this on DVD again THX or a Super-Bit Digital transfer would be nice and some features on cast and crew, Where are they now? kind of stuff.