Michael-Bay Movie Reviews

Having never been in Vietnam myself, but in the Army in the 70s, I explained offhand to a young 26 year old man how herion was a huge problem in Vietnam, how a lot of GIs came back hooked.
He understnadably could not understand how people got hooked on herion of all things in a combat zone.
I thought of the herion death scene in Platoon leader, and remebered by and large it was a terrific movie.Thats why I found it on Amazon and ordered it, mostly to show him our current troubles seem insignificant to the fatalities suffered then.
I havent seen the movie in gee, 15 years? Ive never forgotten it, tho.

A fine war picture which shows the struggles of a platoon in Vietnam. Their leader gets a wake up call on assignment sending him to the hospital and realizes the importance of life (sacred). Michael Dudikoff is once again a genius and this movie is not on DVD. What's with MGM? Please put all of the Cannon movies on DVD right now.

I survived on a Stag team with the 4-503 173 Airborne Brigade during 1969-1970 This movie portrayed our dailey lives.

Yes, misleading because of its black and white cover. When I saw this in the library, I picked it up because I was in the mood for an antique-type film. Total welcome shocker was that it was in vivid Technicolor! I mean, what absolutely beautiful photography--I couldn't get over the warm reds and oranges, and neither could my family. Then Marlene's got a fantastic wardrobe as well, so there's a lot to engage the eye here.

Why only three stars, then? Well, I wish it could be more, but the problem lies in something far more fundamental that should sadly have been fixed before shooting started. Basically, the script is just way too talky. Too many encounters of Marlene and Charles just talking at each other. They meet Basil Rathbone, and I thought, "Good, now there'll be some action because he's going to come between them somehow." But no, they just talk at him and he back to them. Besides the talkiness, the other problem with the plot is that we know all along what Boyer' problem is. They could have gotten a lot of mileage out of Guess the Secret. What a shocker it would have made if you found out with Marlene what the problem was! Odd that the studio didn't understand the importance of suspense as a script motivator.

Interesting premise, though. Recently bereaved, deeply religous Marlene has gone to Algiers to find Something in the Desert. The day she arrives, Charles Boyer has also popped up. What we know that she doesn't know, is that he's a runaway monk, of all things. So he's looking for the forbidden, while she's looking at him. The scene where he reveals the truth is the best in the movie, because it rings true when he speaks of his anguish upon discovering what he gave up by joining religious life too soon. In fact, I am surprised that such a film was allowed by the censors, because it presented a sexually sinning monk. But I think "Garden of Allah" should be shown to those thinking about the religous life, to encourage exploration of what people may not realize, like Boyer's character, they will have to forswear by taking their vows. I think in this way, the film is more true than the moviemakers understood when it was made, given the exodus of men and women from the orders after Vatican II, for just the kind of reasons Boyer gives Dietrich. I was also interested to see what the resolution of the problem would be, and found it appropriate enough.

So while disappointing to listen to, treat it as moving display of colors until that Great Scene of Boyer's, and you should be happy enough with "Garden of Allah".

Handsome movie, breathtakingly filmed in color, in fact, one of the first full length films in technicolor.
The image of the dvd edition, is so near perfection that it's difficult to believe that this picture was released in 1936!

The plot is for sure outdated, but nevertheless the story of the doomed love affair between convent-educated Domini Enfilden and russian Boris Androvsky, a tormented trappist monk, who's just fled from his monastery, set against the beautiful background scenery of the desert, is enjoyable due to its aforementioned technical qualities and the "continental"appeal of both stars, Marlene Dietrich and Charles Boyer.

Although Dietrich looks stylish and alluring as Domini Enfilden, I feel she never looked as good again, as in her early '30s black & white Paramount films, directed by Von Sternberg. Boyer is effective as the troubled monk, who wants a taste of the "outside world".

Excellent support by Basil Rathbone, Joseph Schildkraut and C. Aubrey Smith, plus a spectacular exotic arab dance sequence by then newcomer, Tilly Losch.

Marlene Dietrich and Charles Boyer star in THE GARDEN OF ALLAH, a tale of forbidden love and passion in the Algerian desert.

Domini Enfilden (Marlene Dietrich) has spent her life caring for her ailing father, and she now wants her own life back again. She finds it when she travels to Algeria, and she meets Boris Androvsky (Charles Boyer), who, unbeknowst to her, is a runaway Trappist monk who deserted the order after taking the vows.

They marry, and after a lengthy honeymoon in the Algerian desert, the truth comes out and she begs him to return to the order.

Gloriously filmed in Technicolor, this David O'Selznick epic is one of the finer films in Dietrich's early career.

I read about alain delon, he said about himself, "a pretty boy with beautiful face". I was watching this movie and I have a 20/10 vision and I still couldn't figure out, why he said that, his little face with little piggy eyes. The only thing that is really going for him is his shoes. All his movies, how do I put it softly, [I do not like]. He don't even understand what he is doing in the movie as long as camera is rolling, again Alain Delon said that he feels miserable when camera stops rolling and director screams cut, I think he said that because he is afraid that one day director will say cut and you fired, get this untalanted [guy] out, I'll have a better luck doing serious movie with Robin Williams.

« Un Flic » is the latest film of Jean-Pierre Melville, the famous French director of the 50s and 60s. It's the last but not the least. This film shows particularily well the style of the master which is very sensitive to the nights and gangsters'atmosphere. As it was the case for The Samuraï and for The Red Circle or The Army of Shadows, the story is brilliant and the thrill upon the characters is so high that the viewer feels in. Alain Delon is excellent as usual, Catherine Deneuve and Richard Crenna appears in mysterious roles. You won't regret to buy this VHS because Melville is now considered as a master for directors like John Woo, Quentin Tarantino, or even Martin Scorcese.

Another great film of Melville. « Un Flic » is the latest film of Jean-Pierre Melville, the famous French director of the 50s and 60s. It's the last but not the least. This film shows particularily well the style of the master which is very sensitive to the nights and gangsters'atmosphere. As it was the case for The Samuraï and for The Red Circle or The Army of Shadows, the story is brilliant and the thrill upon the characters is so high that the viewer feels in. Alain Delon is excellent as usual, Catherine Deneuve and Richard Crenna appears in mysterious roles. You won't regret to buy this VHS because Melville is now considered as a master for directors like John Woo, Quentin Tarantino, or even Martin Scorcese.

I bought this on DVD and expected a professional package I expect of any DVD package. Here's the news...terrible packaging, no extra features, no cinemascope so you can't even read the credits, the poorest quality I have seen and overall unwatchable product. I feel as if I was robbed of my money. The people that made this product wanted to sell you something but you will never buy anything else. I say wait for someone who cares to release these great serials.

"Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe" was the third and best of the serials starring Buster Grabbe. This 12-part serial finds Alex Raymond's science-fiction hero battling Ming the Merciless (Charles Middleton). Flash has to save the earth from a mysterious plague known as the Purple Death. When Dr. Zarkov (Frank Shannon) finds one a spaceship from planet Mongo seeding the atmosphere it is clear that Ming the Merciless is back to his old tricks. Flash is aided by old friend Prince Barin of Arboria (Roland Drew) as they head to Frigia, where our heroes will find polarite, the antidote to the plague, and some really interesting locking rock people. Of course, Ming is going to go out of his way to stop Flash and his friends. My only real complaints are that the costumes look like leftovers from "Robin Hood" and that Carol Hughes replaced Jean Rogers as Dale Arden. Oh, well, life is full of disappointments. This DVD not only includes an interview with Crabbe, but footage of him winning the 1932 Olympic Gold Medal in the 400 meter swim event and three of his later TV commercials. Ideally you want to watch the three Flash Gordon serials in order, but if you start with this one you will certainly be able to follow the fun without any problems.

At the time of writing there are two versions of 'Flash Gordon Conquers The Universe' available on DVD. This review concerns Image Entertainment's version - a single sided, no frills DVD. I purchased Image Entertainment's version because I'd been very impressed by their previous two Flash Gordon serials and didn't want the hassle of this serial spread over two discs. Having bought the other two Image Entertainment DVDs, this one also nicely completes the set. Like 'Space Soldiers' and 'Flash Gordon's Trip To Mars' the sound and picture quality are superb. Whilst the storyline had taken a dip for 'Trip to Mars', Universal Pictures bounced right back to form with this serial and it certainly gives 'Space Soldiers' a run for its money for being the best of the trio. The story is full of good old-fashioned excitement and you can easily sit down to watch 4 or 5 episodes at a time. I was sorry to see Jean Rogers relinquish the part of Dale Arden, but her role is expertly filled by Carol Hughes and the rest of the cast are also on good form. Like I said, you have the choice of two DVDs for this serial. I am very happy with this version, but like they say, you pays your money and you takes your choice.

I bought this on DVD and expected a professional package I expect of any DVD package. Here's the news...terrible packaging, no extra features, no cinemascope so you can't even read the credits, the poorest quality I have seen and overall unwatchable product. I feel as if I was robbed of my money. The people that made this product wanted to sell you something but you will never buy anything else. I say wait for someone who cares to release these great serials.

"Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe" was the third and best of the serials starring Buster Grabbe. This 12-part serial finds Alex Raymond's science-fiction hero battling Ming the Merciless (Charles Middleton). Flash has to save the earth from a mysterious plague known as the Purple Death. When Dr. Zarkov (Frank Shannon) finds one a spaceship from planet Mongo seeding the atmosphere it is clear that Ming the Merciless is back to his old tricks. Flash is aided by old friend Prince Barin of Arboria (Roland Drew) as they head to Frigia, where our heroes will find polarite, the antidote to the plague, and some really interesting locking rock people. Of course, Ming is going to go out of his way to stop Flash and his friends. My only real complaints are that the costumes look like leftovers from "Robin Hood" and that Carol Hughes replaced Jean Rogers as Dale Arden. Oh, well, life is full of disappointments. This DVD not only includes an interview with Crabbe, but footage of him winning the 1932 Olympic Gold Medal in the 400 meter swim event and three of his later TV commercials. Ideally you want to watch the three Flash Gordon serials in order, but if you start with this one you will certainly be able to follow the fun without any problems.

At the time of writing there are two versions of 'Flash Gordon Conquers The Universe' available on DVD. This review concerns Image Entertainment's version - a single sided, no frills DVD. I purchased Image Entertainment's version because I'd been very impressed by their previous two Flash Gordon serials and didn't want the hassle of this serial spread over two discs. Having bought the other two Image Entertainment DVDs, this one also nicely completes the set. Like 'Space Soldiers' and 'Flash Gordon's Trip To Mars' the sound and picture quality are superb. Whilst the storyline had taken a dip for 'Trip to Mars', Universal Pictures bounced right back to form with this serial and it certainly gives 'Space Soldiers' a run for its money for being the best of the trio. The story is full of good old-fashioned excitement and you can easily sit down to watch 4 or 5 episodes at a time. I was sorry to see Jean Rogers relinquish the part of Dale Arden, but her role is expertly filled by Carol Hughes and the rest of the cast are also on good form. Like I said, you have the choice of two DVDs for this serial. I am very happy with this version, but like they say, you pays your money and you takes your choice.

My 22 month old son loves the Thomas series. In all we have The Best of Thomas, The Best of James and this one. Although my son doesn't seem to mind the narrator's voice, I find Alec Baldwin's narration horrible. The narrator in the Best of Thomas video is much better. Alec Baldwin narrates the Best of James video as well, and that is my son's favorite one of the three. So, he doesn't seem to mind. I can also understand those parents who are concerned about the rude comments, despite things working out in the end. I find the same in the Best of James video as well. (I don't much care for James.) However, my son loves it nonetheless, and I don't think he is learning bad habits as a result. Quite the opposite--I think he wants to watch to see how things resolve in the end.

this is my son's favorite thomas tape (he has 7 of them!), and it would be mine as well if alec baldwin was not the narrator. i find it offensive and annoying that he chooses to verbalize james as an over-the-top, effeminate, gay character and he does so in a very mocking way. james' exultations of "oh puhleeze!" and "oh heyulp (help)" and numerous inferred eye rolls are ridiculous. i find this akin to his portraying the chinese dragon as saying "ah so, me so solly...." i so wish they would rerelease this video without mr. baldwin's narration, not only because it is annoying and offensive but because it is a well-written script with interesting situations for little kids that would otherwise be valuable.

This Thomas video will make you happy. My mom got
this video when I was at school. The story teller is Alex Baldwin. When he tells the story it makes the characters sound newer. This is better than any other video, I am such a big fan of it. I do think James is a little bit bossy but I like it anyway.

My 22 month old son loves the Thomas series. In all we have The Best of Thomas, The Best of James and this one. Although my son doesn't seem to mind the narrator's voice, I find Alec Baldwin's narration horrible. The narrator in the Best of Thomas video is much better. Alec Baldwin narrates the Best of James video as well, and that is my son's favorite one of the three. So, he doesn't seem to mind. I can also understand those parents who are concerned about the rude comments, despite things working out in the end. I find the same in the Best of James video as well. (I don't much care for James.) However, my son loves it nonetheless, and I don't think he is learning bad habits as a result. Quite the opposite--I think he wants to watch to see how things resolve in the end.

this is my son's favorite thomas tape (he has 7 of them!), and it would be mine as well if alec baldwin was not the narrator. i find it offensive and annoying that he chooses to verbalize james as an over-the-top, effeminate, gay character and he does so in a very mocking way. james' exultations of "oh puhleeze!" and "oh heyulp (help)" and numerous inferred eye rolls are ridiculous. i find this akin to his portraying the chinese dragon as saying "ah so, me so solly...." i so wish they would rerelease this video without mr. baldwin's narration, not only because it is annoying and offensive but because it is a well-written script with interesting situations for little kids that would otherwise be valuable.

This Thomas video will make you happy. My mom got
this video when I was at school. The story teller is Alex Baldwin. When he tells the story it makes the characters sound newer. This is better than any other video, I am such a big fan of it. I do think James is a little bit bossy but I like it anyway.

I liked this tape even though I had seen every tape on it at least a hundred times. These episodes are mainly focused on the works of George Carlin even though The Best of line of tapes were realesed with some Ringo Starr episodes redone by George Carlin. Frankly Ringo Starr was the best but I respect George Carlin too. This tape takes the best episodes thoughout George Carlin's career as narrartor. Buying this tape is a good way to get the best of the George Carlin episodes even though I could suggest some better ones.

This is the 2nd tape we purchased for our son (3) and he watches it frequently, to say the least. We have purchased mostly VHS, because he has learned to operate the VCR (the DVD is still too tough for him!). Two year-old loves it, too.

This is one of the best Thomas videos my 6 year old son has ever seen. The Strausburg pieces are actually very good and we should know.. we go there twice a year. All in all, well worth the money.

If you want to sell softcore porn to a "sophisticated" audience, including button-down critics, what do you do? Why, class up the joint by sticking a bunch of stage actors in tuxedos and evening gowns and making them talk in those nasally, affected British accents, of course. Oh, and it'll help if you base the story on a true event and tell it in an ironic, tragic sort of way. That's about what "Scandal" does, though not with particular style or grist. Purporting to delve into the so-called Profumo Affair in the 1950s that led to mayhem for the British government, it's more about skin than politics, titillation than character. Joanne Whalley stars as a cat-faced party girl and professional homewrecker, not above any kink or good time with her crowd of over-the-hill frat boys (including Sir Ian McKellan, looking rather ridiculous with a partially shaved head, and a kooky John Hurt). She cruises the fast-track to success by bedding every London politico in sight until predictably, inevitably, things go wrong. It isn't that "Scandal" doesn't at times grab the viewer's attention; it's that it uses exactly the same T & A as the cheapest of cable TV softcore to do so. The stuff in between seems just a sham to add the faintest air of respectability to it all . . . just like the cheapest of cable TV softcore. Controversial when it was made in the late 1980s--(Gasp!) this white vixen even sleeps with black men!--the film's sexuality will seem somewhat quaint today. If you want to see reasonably attractive people get naked or pretend to have a threesome, then "Scandal" is for you. If you want something more, keep looking.

Based on a true event of 1963, the "Profumo" affair scandal is one the classic sex scandals of British political history, of which, as you would know, there are many.

The story is one of great intrigue showing how one man's weakness and lust for the seedier side of the fairer sex, and another man's weakness, his desire to mix with the higher echelons of society, embroils them both into a downward spiral of self destruction, which in itself is indeed quite a story. But when it also compromises and in fact instigates the downfall of an entire government, and a British CONSERVATIVE Government at that; now add to it a complex web of vices including sex, drugs, alcohol, debauchery, infidelity, betrayal and treason! well you have the makings of a simply excellent movie. John Hurt's acting as "scapegoat" Dr. Stephen Ward is first class, as are the roles of Ian Mckellan as the ill-fated John Profumo and Leslie Phillips as the aloof Lord Astor. Joanne Whalley-Kilmer, Bridget Fonda, Britt Ekland give superb performances depicting precisely the trends and fashions of England's mid 60s. The theme music "Scandal", sung by the timlessly talented Dusty Springfield, was released as a single and made the charts without hesitation.

Add to the story a high ranking Russian, a snipit of the "highly respected" British Aristocracy, some excellent shots of London life and a stately mansion deep in England's green and pleasant land, and you have a highly entertaining, "no holds barred" account of a real piece of British political history, the kind that britons would rather you didn't know about!

It's been more years than I care to remember since I went to the "flicks" to see this movie, I truly can not wait to put this video into my machine, get a couple of cans, get my feet up and enjoy it all over again. Buy it! you won't be disappointed.

The film, "Scandal" is based on the true story of the Profumo affair. John Profumo was the Secretary of State for War in the early 60s when he met teenaged Christine Keeler through a London osteopath, Dr Stephen Ward. Profumo and Keeler had an affair, and the ensuing scandal, which erupted a few years later, caused Profumo (after many strenous denials) to eventually resign. The Profumo affair was a notorious event in the 60s and remains a blight on the history of British politics. The film "Scandal" is the story of the affair between Profumo and Keeler, but the focus is on the relationship between Dr Ward and Christine Keeler.

Christine Keeler (played by Joanne Whalley) was only 16 years old when she met Ward (John Hurt). She was working in a burlesque show in London. Ward--who is clearly a hedonist--is immediately struck by Christine and says she "moves like a racehorse." Ward, a bachelor, seeks out Christine and begins to cultivate their relationship. While visiting a cottage on Lord Astor's Clivedon estate (pronounced 'clifton'), Christine meets Profumo--and also an man who was allegedly a Russian spy.

The film's focus on the relationship between Ward and Keeler was sheer artistic brilliance on the part of the director, Michael Caton-Jones. It would have been all too easy and sensationalistic to emphasize the Profumo-Keeler connection--with all the necessary sleazy connotations, but instead Caton-Jones chose to focus on the mystery of Ward and Keeler. A beautiful, poignant film is produced as a result. There are a few orgy scenes in the film, but they are relatively tame. These events took place in the 60s, and the story does concern individuals who were engaged in some rather unsavoury, sexually unacceptable behaviour, but the film certainly doesn't titillate or linger on the fouler aspects of the subject.

Joanne Whalley as Christine Keeler does an amazing job. She looks incredibly like Keeler, and if you don't know what Keeler looked like in the 60s, do a search on the internet, and you'll see what I mean. The photograph of Whalley on cover of the DVD box is an exact replica of a photograph of Keeler. Whalley plays Christine Keeler with just the right combination of the contrasting characteristics of toughness, fragility, confusion, and confidence. John Hurt as the intelligent and fascinating Stephen Ward remains a cipher. John Hurt is a marvellous actor, and he plays his role here with worldliness, good humour, and a certain naked hope of belonging to the upper classes--in whatever capacity is necessary. Ian McKellen--another great actor, plays Profumo with the perfect amount of ridigity and stuffiness, and he is very believable as the politician who is at first very proud of himself for bedding Christine, but then denies the evidence against himself until he can no longer do so. Bridget Fonda plays Mandy Rice-Davies, the resilient, rather naughty friend of both Keeler and Ward. Her somewhat brazen enjoyment of the court proceedings is in direct contrast to Christine's horror at the witch hunt against Ward. This film dissects several aspects of human nature and social behaviour--greed, ambition, class, lust, power, wealth, ego, and reputation. I love this film. I am fascinated by the relationship between Keeler and Ward as it defies all definitions and was based on factors that cannot easily be deciphered--displacedhuman.

If you want to sell softcore porn to a "sophisticated" audience, including button-down critics, what do you do? Why, class up the joint by sticking a bunch of stage actors in tuxedos and evening gowns and making them talk in those nasally, affected British accents, of course. Oh, and it'll help if you base the story on a true event and tell it in an ironic, tragic sort of way. That's about what "Scandal" does, though not with particular style or grist. Purporting to delve into the so-called Profumo Affair in the 1950s that led to mayhem for the British government, it's more about skin than politics, titillation than character. Joanne Whalley stars as a cat-faced party girl and professional homewrecker, not above any kink or good time with her crowd of over-the-hill frat boys (including Sir Ian McKellan, looking rather ridiculous with a partially shaved head, and a kooky John Hurt). She cruises the fast-track to success by bedding every London politico in sight until predictably, inevitably, things go wrong. It isn't that "Scandal" doesn't at times grab the viewer's attention; it's that it uses exactly the same T & A as the cheapest of cable TV softcore to do so. The stuff in between seems just a sham to add the faintest air of respectability to it all . . . just like the cheapest of cable TV softcore. Controversial when it was made in the late 1980s--(Gasp!) this white vixen even sleeps with black men!--the film's sexuality will seem somewhat quaint today. If you want to see reasonably attractive people get naked or pretend to have a threesome, then "Scandal" is for you. If you want something more, keep looking.

Based on a true event of 1963, the "Profumo" affair scandal is one the classic sex scandals of British political history, of which, as you would know, there are many.

The story is one of great intrigue showing how one man's weakness and lust for the seedier side of the fairer sex, and another man's weakness, his desire to mix with the higher echelons of society, embroils them both into a downward spiral of self destruction, which in itself is indeed quite a story. But when it also compromises and in fact instigates the downfall of an entire government, and a British CONSERVATIVE Government at that; now add to it a complex web of vices including sex, drugs, alcohol, debauchery, infidelity, betrayal and treason! well you have the makings of a simply excellent movie. John Hurt's acting as "scapegoat" Dr. Stephen Ward is first class, as are the roles of Ian Mckellan as the ill-fated John Profumo and Leslie Phillips as the aloof Lord Astor. Joanne Whalley-Kilmer, Bridget Fonda, Britt Ekland give superb performances depicting precisely the trends and fashions of England's mid 60s. The theme music "Scandal", sung by the timlessly talented Dusty Springfield, was released as a single and made the charts without hesitation.

Add to the story a high ranking Russian, a snipit of the "highly respected" British Aristocracy, some excellent shots of London life and a stately mansion deep in England's green and pleasant land, and you have a highly entertaining, "no holds barred" account of a real piece of British political history, the kind that britons would rather you didn't know about!

It's been more years than I care to remember since I went to the "flicks" to see this movie, I truly can not wait to put this video into my machine, get a couple of cans, get my feet up and enjoy it all over again. Buy it! you won't be disappointed.

The film, "Scandal" is based on the true story of the Profumo affair. John Profumo was the Secretary of State for War in the early 60s when he met teenaged Christine Keeler through a London osteopath, Dr Stephen Ward. Profumo and Keeler had an affair, and the ensuing scandal, which erupted a few years later, caused Profumo (after many strenous denials) to eventually resign. The Profumo affair was a notorious event in the 60s and remains a blight on the history of British politics. The film "Scandal" is the story of the affair between Profumo and Keeler, but the focus is on the relationship between Dr Ward and Christine Keeler.

Christine Keeler (played by Joanne Whalley) was only 16 years old when she met Ward (John Hurt). She was working in a burlesque show in London. Ward--who is clearly a hedonist--is immediately struck by Christine and says she "moves like a racehorse." Ward, a bachelor, seeks out Christine and begins to cultivate their relationship. While visiting a cottage on Lord Astor's Clivedon estate (pronounced 'clifton'), Christine meets Profumo--and also an man who was allegedly a Russian spy.

The film's focus on the relationship between Ward and Keeler was sheer artistic brilliance on the part of the director, Michael Caton-Jones. It would have been all too easy and sensationalistic to emphasize the Profumo-Keeler connection--with all the necessary sleazy connotations, but instead Caton-Jones chose to focus on the mystery of Ward and Keeler. A beautiful, poignant film is produced as a result. There are a few orgy scenes in the film, but they are relatively tame. These events took place in the 60s, and the story does concern individuals who were engaged in some rather unsavoury, sexually unacceptable behaviour, but the film certainly doesn't titillate or linger on the fouler aspects of the subject.

Joanne Whalley as Christine Keeler does an amazing job. She looks incredibly like Keeler, and if you don't know what Keeler looked like in the 60s, do a search on the internet, and you'll see what I mean. The photograph of Whalley on cover of the DVD box is an exact replica of a photograph of Keeler. Whalley plays Christine Keeler with just the right combination of the contrasting characteristics of toughness, fragility, confusion, and confidence. John Hurt as the intelligent and fascinating Stephen Ward remains a cipher. John Hurt is a marvellous actor, and he plays his role here with worldliness, good humour, and a certain naked hope of belonging to the upper classes--in whatever capacity is necessary. Ian McKellen--another great actor, plays Profumo with the perfect amount of ridigity and stuffiness, and he is very believable as the politician who is at first very proud of himself for bedding Christine, but then denies the evidence against himself until he can no longer do so. Bridget Fonda plays Mandy Rice-Davies, the resilient, rather naughty friend of both Keeler and Ward. Her somewhat brazen enjoyment of the court proceedings is in direct contrast to Christine's horror at the witch hunt against Ward. This film dissects several aspects of human nature and social behaviour--greed, ambition, class, lust, power, wealth, ego, and reputation. I love this film. I am fascinated by the relationship between Keeler and Ward as it defies all definitions and was based on factors that cannot easily be deciphered--displacedhuman.