Michael-Wincott Movie Reviews

I never saw this originally in '94 because I dismissed it as A. a martial arts film (and I hate those) and B. adapted from a comic (and I just can't get into those) and C. aimed at a teen/goth/punk audience (and I am way too old for that). What a mistake! Finally almost ten years on, a friend heard me say I really liked Alex Proyas' DARK CITY -- a neat sci fi film with a very different story but the same kind of dark fantasy look -- and couldn't believe I had never seen THE CROW and made me watch it.

I have to say that I really think this is a fine, well made movie and none of my preconceptions were remotely correct. The art direction is brilliant, with a wonderful and creepy gothic fantasy look, almost but not quite black-and-white, set in a mysteriously surreal "Detroit" that is in some kind of alternate universe from the real Motown. Brandon Lee is really charismatic and haunting in the role of Eric Draven, and not merely because of the tragic incident surrounding the film. He was real star material and just totally inhabits this part.

After seeing the film, I did read the O'Barr comic, which is very sincere and heartfelt, but I think the filmakers -- in what is a pretty rare event -- IMPROVED the plot and characters while keeping all of the angst and atmosphere. They totally honored the character of Eric and the basic idea of the avenger, the memories of his beautiful girlfriend, and sense of overwhelming grief that inhabits the graphic novel. Where they impoved the storyline in cinematic terms is in the treatment of the minor characters and villians. They really fleshed them out, and it enriches the movie and balances the storyline well.

Bookending the film with quotes from Sarah (Rochelle Davis), the little girl who narrates and observes much of the story is an example of a good idea that doesn't really exist in the comic, where the little girl is called Sherri and only appears briefly. Even more so is the expansion of the character of Top Dollar, who again is a minor episode in the comic and more of a grubby hell's angel/drug dealer -- in the film he has been transformed into a complex and compelling crimelord. Michael Wincott is simply amazing in this part, playing Top Dollar as a kind of depraved, satanic, renaissance prince, and clearly having a great deal of fun with this role, especially some wonderful and very clever dialogue. The very, very sick but quite sincere love story between Top Dollar and his psychic half-sister is the reversed-mirror image of the pure and innocent love of Eric and his fiance, a clever idea.

Wonderful music, great visuals, terrific acting...The Crow should NOT be missed.

NOTE: I bought the "Collector's DVD". Don't bother. There is NOTHING worth looking at on the second DVD, some production sketches and posters, nothing special. The director's commentary (on the first disk) is interesting to listen to ONCE, but you can get that on the single disk DVD. There is a smattering of extra footage, but nothing you will miss. Save some bucks and just get the one disk wide screen version.

Highlights: Brandon Lee's doomed performance, resonating dread and malice; astounding sets that possibly rank amongst the best in comic book adaptations (except, perhaps, the original Batman and Alex Proyas' later Dark City), non-stop full-throttle energy.

Lowpoints: Over-dramatized bits; lack of decent dialogue.

Conclusion: The Crow, famous for its protagonist's death during the shoot, is a startlingly uncompromising visual experience that will be cherished by fans of dark comic books, such as Spawn, The Punisher and even Alien. Watch it for its groundbreaking special effects, efficient rock soundtrack and possibly the most agreeably gothic atmosphere ever created in a film.

SEE THIS IF YOU LIKED: Spawn, Batman I, II, Dark City, Aliens.
DON'T SEE THIS IF YOU LIKED: Daredevil, Spiderman, or any other PG-13 atrocity out there.

Sadly, this film was thrust into the stuff of legends first by the untimely demise of its star, Brandon Lee. Then by it's beautiful story. The story should have been enough, Lee should have lived to make other films. But that's just wishing in the wind.

The story of a murdered man's return one year after his death to exact vengeance on those who killed him and his wife is based on the popular comic book. The idea of love transcending the borders of Life/Death allow the violence to be overlooked, if not accepted as just. Filled with darkness and rage, Eric Draven (Lee) seeks out those who killed him and his wife, guided by a psychopomp crow. Brandon Lee's portrayal of the tortured spirit is nothing but masterful. Alex Proyas's direction is both superb and haunting. The script by John Shirley brilliant. Not only was The Crow one of the best and most memorable movies made in the 1990's but it did a wonderful thing in this age of teenage illiteracy, it prompted teens to seek out and read the source material. Even if it was just graphic novels, kids were reading. Interested in the written word. Because they had been shown that magic could be found on the page. A killer soundtrack didn't hurt either. A movie that will one day be hailed as a classic. To me it already is.

I never saw this originally in '94 because I dismissed it as A. a martial arts film (and I hate those) and B. adapted from a comic (and I just can't get into those) and C. aimed at a teen/goth/punk audience (and I am way too old for that). What a mistake! Finally almost ten years on, a friend heard me say I really liked Alex Proyas' DARK CITY -- a neat sci fi film with a very different story but the same kind of dark fantasy look -- and couldn't believe I had never seen THE CROW and made me watch it.

I have to say that I really think this is a fine, well made movie and none of my preconceptions were remotely correct. The art direction is brilliant, with a wonderful and creepy gothic fantasy look, almost but not quite black-and-white, set in a mysteriously surreal "Detroit" that is in some kind of alternate universe from the real Motown. Brandon Lee is really charismatic and haunting in the role of Eric Draven, and not merely because of the tragic incident surrounding the film. He was real star material and just totally inhabits this part.

After seeing the film, I did read the O'Barr comic, which is very sincere and heartfelt, but I think the filmakers -- in what is a pretty rare event -- IMPROVED the plot and characters while keeping all of the angst and atmosphere. They totally honored the character of Eric and the basic idea of the avenger, the memories of his beautiful girlfriend, and sense of overwhelming grief that inhabits the graphic novel. Where they impoved the storyline in cinematic terms is in the treatment of the minor characters and villians. They really fleshed them out, and it enriches the movie and balances the storyline well.

Bookending the film with quotes from Sarah (Rochelle Davis), the little girl who narrates and observes much of the story is an example of a good idea that doesn't really exist in the comic, where the little girl is called Sherri and only appears briefly. Even more so is the expansion of the character of Top Dollar, who again is a minor episode in the comic and more of a grubby hell's angel/drug dealer -- in the film he has been transformed into a complex and compelling crimelord. Michael Wincott is simply amazing in this part, playing Top Dollar as a kind of depraved, satanic, renaissance prince, and clearly having a great deal of fun with this role, especially some wonderful and very clever dialogue. The very, very sick but quite sincere love story between Top Dollar and his psychic half-sister is the reversed-mirror image of the pure and innocent love of Eric and his fiance, a clever idea.

Wonderful music, great visuals, terrific acting...The Crow should NOT be missed.

NOTE: I bought the "Collector's DVD". Don't bother. There is NOTHING worth looking at on the second DVD, some production sketches and posters, nothing special. The director's commentary (on the first disk) is interesting to listen to ONCE, but you can get that on the single disk DVD. There is a smattering of extra footage, but nothing you will miss. Save some bucks and just get the one disk wide screen version.

Highlights: Brandon Lee's doomed performance, resonating dread and malice; astounding sets that possibly rank amongst the best in comic book adaptations (except, perhaps, the original Batman and Alex Proyas' later Dark City), non-stop full-throttle energy.

Lowpoints: Over-dramatized bits; lack of decent dialogue.

Conclusion: The Crow, famous for its protagonist's death during the shoot, is a startlingly uncompromising visual experience that will be cherished by fans of dark comic books, such as Spawn, The Punisher and even Alien. Watch it for its groundbreaking special effects, efficient rock soundtrack and possibly the most agreeably gothic atmosphere ever created in a film.

SEE THIS IF YOU LIKED: Spawn, Batman I, II, Dark City, Aliens.
DON'T SEE THIS IF YOU LIKED: Daredevil, Spiderman, or any other PG-13 atrocity out there.

Sadly, this film was thrust into the stuff of legends first by the untimely demise of its star, Brandon Lee. Then by it's beautiful story. The story should have been enough, Lee should have lived to make other films. But that's just wishing in the wind.

The story of a murdered man's return one year after his death to exact vengeance on those who killed him and his wife is based on the popular comic book. The idea of love transcending the borders of Life/Death allow the violence to be overlooked, if not accepted as just. Filled with darkness and rage, Eric Draven (Lee) seeks out those who killed him and his wife, guided by a psychopomp crow. Brandon Lee's portrayal of the tortured spirit is nothing but masterful. Alex Proyas's direction is both superb and haunting. The script by John Shirley brilliant. Not only was The Crow one of the best and most memorable movies made in the 1990's but it did a wonderful thing in this age of teenage illiteracy, it prompted teens to seek out and read the source material. Even if it was just graphic novels, kids were reading. Interested in the written word. Because they had been shown that magic could be found on the page. A killer soundtrack didn't hurt either. A movie that will one day be hailed as a classic. To me it already is.

A good made for television movie adaptation loosely based on Charles Dickens classic A Christmas Carol but in this adaptation instead of being set in 1843 Victorian era England it is set in Concord New Hampshire 1933 during the Depression and instead of being named Ebenezer Scrooge the main character is named Benedict Slade and has the miserly old grump repossessing the belongings of towns people but later on that night after being visited by the ghost of his old partner he is visited by three ghosts who show him the tragic and disastrous results of his actions of the past present and future and if he doesn't set things right his actions will hurt others and his soul will be doomed just like his deceased partner who made many mistakes in life and business and never set things right. Not as good as the Christmas Carol movies starring Alastair Sim, Patrick Stewart, Reginald Owen, George C. Scott, and Albert Finney but it's good, though I personally found that it started off kind of slow before getting better but Henry Winkler did give a good performance and made Slade's transformation believable and making it the best of the modernized versions of A Christmas Carol and anyone who grew up watching him play the Fonz on Happy Days should get a kick out of watching this movie. I have the DVD and the sound and picture are good but there are no extras and I'm disappointed that the DVD doesn't have Captions for people with impaired hearing, I think all DVD's should include that!

IT WAS 1979, CHRISTMAS JUST A COUPLE OF WEEKS AWAY FLICKING THROUGH THE CHANNELS, I STOPPED ON CITY TV, CHANNEL 79, AS IT WAS KNOWN AT THAT TIME. I STARTED WATCHING THIS MOVIE CALLED AN AMERICAN CHRISTMAS CAROL WITH HENRY WINKLER, EVER SINCE THAT NIGHT IN DECEMBER 1979. I HAVE ALWAYS TAKEN TIME WATCH THIS FANTASTIC MOVIE, I BOUGHT THE VIDEO, NOW I WILL BUY IT ON DVD. I THINK ITS THE BEST VERSION OF CHARLES DICKENS CHRISTMAS CLASSIC SCROOGE....

Awesome. If you like Christmas, then you'll like this movie. Just as the original by Dickens, it teaches us the true meaning of Christmas. I have been hooked since seeing this movie as a young adult and it still delivers. I enjoy the American twist on Dicken's story. You won't get a Victorian town in England, but you will get a simpler America and the American entrepreneurial spirit. Henry Winkler gives a commendable performance and the supporting cast works well. All in all, a must see for Christmas.

This movie has great similarity to the poem 'The Divine Comedy' by Dante as you see the main character William Blake assisted by an exiled man named Nobody as he seemingly travels through hell becoming a man his original self would never have recognized. This movie is a dark comedy that I believe everybody should see at least once in their life.

I'm not allowed to refer to another person's review here, but at the time of this writing, Amazon.com was posting a review of this movie that was clearly written by a person who was raised in Disneyland. This is one of the best movies ever made. Chicago Reader calls it an Acid Western and rates it "masterpiece". It compromises to no filmmaking convention. It's hardly possible to review it without giving away important aspects of the film the viewer should experience for her/himself. The movie is not a story, even though it's told through a story. The evolution of William Blake from innocent Cleveland accountant to a symbol (for English-educated Native American reject Nobody, played by Gary Farmer) for poetry itself; the tiny little worlds of late-19th-century white Western of-necessity survivalists, and the effects these little worlds had on Blake; the hilarious campfire scene with Iggy Pop and Billy Bob Thornton (and a third person -- can't find out who), and the dying beauty of the natives; the brutal innocence of the disenfranchised Nobody whose illusions (or were they?) propelled Blake to his -- future ... I was completely immersed. There is only one thing wrong with this movie. I love Neil Young, but, unless I'm missing some important symbolism, his score could have been more, well, varied. There are not many movies I want to own but this is one.

Full of subtle observations, wry humor and with gloriously satisfying gunplay, this is the only Western that I truly love.
The cast is huge and all the characters in the movie are genuinely funny.
This is a considerably bleaker West than the one we are accustomed to. Only more so as the movie is in black and white. While this might be a put off at first, it becomes soon difficult to visualize director Jim Jarmusch's west in any other way. It is also so profoundly anti-american that even the hotshot critics seem to pan it.
Johnny Depp's character is somehow similar to that in Sleepy Hollow, despite being in extremely different situations. This film is also the better of the two.
The story is : Accountant travels from Cleveland to Machine,Far West - finds position already taken - puts up with Girl - meets with Girl's Fiance, who shoots, killing girl + fatally injuring Accountant, is killed by Acountant - escapes on a Pinto, wakes up to see Fat Red-Indian standing over him - three bounty hunters despatched to get Accountant - by Girl's Fiance's Father = Accountant's Employer.
Memorable characters. Memorable dialogue. Memorable screenplay.
Great Movie. Watch.

This movie has great similarity to the poem 'The Divine Comedy' by Dante as you see the main character William Blake assisted by an exiled man named Nobody as he seemingly travels through hell becoming a man his original self would never have recognized. This movie is a dark comedy that I believe everybody should see at least once in their life.

I'm not allowed to refer to another person's review here, but at the time of this writing, Amazon.com was posting a review of this movie that was clearly written by a person who was raised in Disneyland. This is one of the best movies ever made. Chicago Reader calls it an Acid Western and rates it "masterpiece". It compromises to no filmmaking convention. It's hardly possible to review it without giving away important aspects of the film the viewer should experience for her/himself. The movie is not a story, even though it's told through a story. The evolution of William Blake from innocent Cleveland accountant to a symbol (for English-educated Native American reject Nobody, played by Gary Farmer) for poetry itself; the tiny little worlds of late-19th-century white Western of-necessity survivalists, and the effects these little worlds had on Blake; the hilarious campfire scene with Iggy Pop and Billy Bob Thornton (and a third person -- can't find out who), and the dying beauty of the natives; the brutal innocence of the disenfranchised Nobody whose illusions (or were they?) propelled Blake to his -- future ... I was completely immersed. There is only one thing wrong with this movie. I love Neil Young, but, unless I'm missing some important symbolism, his score could have been more, well, varied. There are not many movies I want to own but this is one.

Full of subtle observations, wry humor and with gloriously satisfying gunplay, this is the only Western that I truly love.
The cast is huge and all the characters in the movie are genuinely funny.
This is a considerably bleaker West than the one we are accustomed to. Only more so as the movie is in black and white. While this might be a put off at first, it becomes soon difficult to visualize director Jim Jarmusch's west in any other way. It is also so profoundly anti-american that even the hotshot critics seem to pan it.
Johnny Depp's character is somehow similar to that in Sleepy Hollow, despite being in extremely different situations. This film is also the better of the two.
The story is : Accountant travels from Cleveland to Machine,Far West - finds position already taken - puts up with Girl - meets with Girl's Fiance, who shoots, killing girl + fatally injuring Accountant, is killed by Acountant - escapes on a Pinto, wakes up to see Fat Red-Indian standing over him - three bounty hunters despatched to get Accountant - by Girl's Fiance's Father = Accountant's Employer.
Memorable characters. Memorable dialogue. Memorable screenplay.
Great Movie. Watch.

IF you like suspense, action, a good plot, this is it! Gary Oldman is superb, playing a cop who has many obssesions, and gets caught between a rock and a hard place( Lena Olin). I like this movie, it has all the elements that make a movie good:suspense, drama, action, Anabella Ciorra, and a good jazz score by Incognito.In this movie, the score is sort of a onmiscient guide that takes us from happiness to sorrow, to desperation and back. Lena Olin is perfect as the hit woman who goes after Olman, gun in hand.Rarely do we see women being portrayed as strong characters who are not afraid of anything or anybody,independent and able to take action as they see fit. Needless to say I bought this movie, I keep it next to TO LIVE AND DIE IN L.A., which is another movie that has a similar tone. In Romeo is bleeding , Roy Scheider is the mob boss who tells Olman " you know the difference between good and bad... you just don't care"right before he gives his ultimatum. You won't find, senseless shootings, or hour long car chases(there is one scene were a car races down an alley for a reason,but no chase). A good movie overall, you should see it too.

This movie is absolutely captivating! The characters are seedy, but the plot is excellent. Lena Olin is one best actresses I have seen in a long time who can truly play a super wicked part. She is so increadably convincing & excellent. This movie will end making you say "wow". It wasn't a very popular movie, but it is a good one. Gary Oldman is excellent too. He plays a good corrupted cop who eventually ends up alone. Anyone who hasn't seen this movie should make a point to . There is a lot of violence, but that is part of the story I recommend this movie highly!

Plenty of action, violence, sex and a very twisted storyline. I consider it to be one of the cherries in my collection. Not a date film, by ANY stetch of the imagination!

The moment I saw the preview for this at the June release of Lilo and Stitch I was completely smitten. I finally read Treasure Island over this summer, and found out how much I had missed before I became a teen! This was a faithful (if somewhat unorthodox) adaptation of the classic by Robert Louis Stevenson. Fans of the Final Fantasy game series (forget the movie; THAT should be thrown off the face of the earth) will like the "flying ships" and Jim Hawkins, the main character, who is vaguely reminiscent of Squall from Final Fantasy 8. The animation is spectacular, and Long John Silver's Swiss Army Knife cyborg "appendages" are pretty neat. The music is perfect: James Newton Howard, as usual, does a wonderful job with his adventure themes that remind us of the early 90's movie Shipwrecked and such high seas adventure. Johnny Rzeznik, of the Goo Goo Dolls, wrote two songs for the movie; "I'm Still Here" and "Always Know Where You Are" (the latter performed by BBMak). They give a feeling of the teen in Hawkins and accentuate Howard's score perfectly. For the parents out there looking for some moral redemptive factor in this movie: Treasure Planet brings out the pain of having a broken family, and viewers will be touched by the bond that forms between Hawkins and Silver. Some of the aliens are a little bit scary, and there's a few explosions, etc., but it's generally a kid-safe film. Overall, this movie was a classic adventure movie, perfect for young and old alike, and one that I will watch more than a few times. Way to go Disney!

As you know, the premise of "Treasure Planet" is a revamping of the old Robert Louis Stevenson tale "Treasure Island". Jim Hawkings (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) has aspirations bigger than the modest inn his mother (played by Laurie Metcalf) owns and operates. His dreams come true when a dying pirate lands drops in front of him and asks him to keep his golden orb safe from a cyborg who's coming after him. With the aid of his mother's friend Dr. Doppler (David Hyde Pierce), Jim discovers the orb is actually a treasure map. He enlists the help of Captain Amelia (Emma Thompson) and her crew to track down this treasure. But the ships cook John Silver (Brian Murray), a cyborg, has other plans for their adventures...

This futuristic telling of a timeless tale is fun, and the animation is cool. I'll be honest- this film is best seen on the big screen (especially IMAX theater version), but the DVD is still pretty impressive. Extras feature alternate endings, deleted scenes, and a treasure hunt game that rewards you with a deleted scene that was cute, but in my opinion not worth the effort to see. Still, this DVD is worth the money and should be a Disney staple in your collection.

Who says this movie's flawed? Watch it yourself,you'll see
what I mean. Not even Lion King or Finding nemo or not
even spirited away can come close to this!

Bottom line: SEE THIS FOR YOURSELF RIGHT NOW

The moment I saw the preview for this at the June release of Lilo and Stitch I was completely smitten. I finally read Treasure Island over this summer, and found out how much I had missed before I became a teen! This was a faithful (if somewhat unorthodox) adaptation of the classic by Robert Louis Stevenson. Fans of the Final Fantasy game series (forget the movie; THAT should be thrown off the face of the earth) will like the "flying ships" and Jim Hawkins, the main character, who is vaguely reminiscent of Squall from Final Fantasy 8. The animation is spectacular, and Long John Silver's Swiss Army Knife cyborg "appendages" are pretty neat. The music is perfect: James Newton Howard, as usual, does a wonderful job with his adventure themes that remind us of the early 90's movie Shipwrecked and such high seas adventure. Johnny Rzeznik, of the Goo Goo Dolls, wrote two songs for the movie; "I'm Still Here" and "Always Know Where You Are" (the latter performed by BBMak). They give a feeling of the teen in Hawkins and accentuate Howard's score perfectly. For the parents out there looking for some moral redemptive factor in this movie: Treasure Planet brings out the pain of having a broken family, and viewers will be touched by the bond that forms between Hawkins and Silver. Some of the aliens are a little bit scary, and there's a few explosions, etc., but it's generally a kid-safe film. Overall, this movie was a classic adventure movie, perfect for young and old alike, and one that I will watch more than a few times. Way to go Disney!

As you know, the premise of "Treasure Planet" is a revamping of the old Robert Louis Stevenson tale "Treasure Island". Jim Hawkings (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) has aspirations bigger than the modest inn his mother (played by Laurie Metcalf) owns and operates. His dreams come true when a dying pirate lands drops in front of him and asks him to keep his golden orb safe from a cyborg who's coming after him. With the aid of his mother's friend Dr. Doppler (David Hyde Pierce), Jim discovers the orb is actually a treasure map. He enlists the help of Captain Amelia (Emma Thompson) and her crew to track down this treasure. But the ships cook John Silver (Brian Murray), a cyborg, has other plans for their adventures...

This futuristic telling of a timeless tale is fun, and the animation is cool. I'll be honest- this film is best seen on the big screen (especially IMAX theater version), but the DVD is still pretty impressive. Extras feature alternate endings, deleted scenes, and a treasure hunt game that rewards you with a deleted scene that was cute, but in my opinion not worth the effort to see. Still, this DVD is worth the money and should be a Disney staple in your collection.

Who says this movie's flawed? Watch it yourself,you'll see
what I mean. Not even Lion King or Finding nemo or not
even spirited away can come close to this!

Bottom line: SEE THIS FOR YOURSELF RIGHT NOW

I recently viewed Ridley Scott's masterpiece 1492:Conquest of Paradise, and I am very proud to say I share the same Italian nationality that Columbus did, and of course new found respect for the founder of the West.
This movie was so good because it highlights the details of 15th and 16th Century life and how the Europeans made something from nothing. The politics are also highlighted in this movie, but I think it's fairly done. I'm in total agreement that the savages of those lands had to be civilized in order for there to be peace and progress in those lands, but I can understand the fear held by those tribes against the European invaders. People may disagree about if the Europeans should've stayed and conquered those lands, but nations are won and lost by war, and once Columbus set foot in the West Indies, there's no logic in thinking that the routes to the West wouldn't explode with conquerers.
Ridley Scott creates the most beautiful scenes throughout this entire movie, one of my favorite is the ceremony held for Columbus in the cathedral upon returning from his first voyage of discovery.....stunning.
The acting is fantastic. If this movie was in French, Depardieu would've easily won Best Actor. That this movie was not nominated back in 1992 is high crime.
The music of the film adds to the drama of one of the most dramatic events in the history of the world.
Everybody should see 1492 Conquest of Paradise.

1492 is an amazing Ridley Scott film. Time to answer some questions a viewer here might want to ask. Is it slow paced? yes at times it is. Is it boring? no (depends if your interested in history). Is Gerard Depardieu terrible in the movie? No. He does a great job with the role and portrays Columbus as an artist, a man with lots of passion much like himself. Does he screw up some of his lines in the movie? Not really. Just sounds like it at times. But if you have subtitles you would fine he is pronouncing all his lines fairly accurately. 1492 flopped at the box office so is it really that bad and unprofessional? Box office results say nothing about the quality of a movie. 1492 is a stroke of cinematic genius. Is it historically accurate? In most parts but like all history movies it get's self indulgent and rewrites history a little in spots. Is it some of Ridley Scott's best work? Yes. Why isn't it on DVD yet in the USA? Good question.

In the morning we got under weigh, and I ordered the Pinta to steer east and southeast and the Nina south- southeast; proceeding myself to the southeast the other vessels I directed to keep on the courses prescribed till noon, and then to rejoin me. Within three hours we descried an island to the east toward which we directed our course, and arrived all three, before noon, at the northern extremity, where a rocky islet and reef extend toward the North, with another between them and the main island. The Indians on board the ships called this island Saomete. I named it Isabela. It lies westerly from the island of Fernandina, and the coast extends from the islet twelve leagues, west, to a cape which I called Cabo Hermoso, it being a beautiful, round headland with a bold shore free from shoals. Part of the shore is rocky, but the rest of it, like most of the coast here, a sandy beach. Here we anchored till morning.

This island is the most beautiful that I have yet seen, the trees in great number, flourishing and lofty; the land is higher than the other islands, and exhibits an eminence, which though it cannot be called a mountain, yet adds a beauty to its appearance, and gives an indication of streams of water in the interior. From this part toward the northeast is an extensive bay with many large and thick groves. I wished to anchor there, and land, that I might examine those delightful regions, but found the coast shoal, without a possibility of casting anchor except at a distance from the shore.

The wind being favorable, I came to the Cape, which I named Hermoso, where I anchored today. This is so beautiful a place, as well as the neighboring regions, that I know not in which course to proceed first; my eyes are never tired with viewing such delightful verdure, and of a species so new and dissimilar to that of our country, and I have no doubt there are trees and herbs here which would be of great value in Spain, as dyeing materials, medicine, spicery, etc., but I am mortified that I have no acquaintance with them.

Upon our arrival here we experienced the most sweet and delightful odor from the flowers or trees of the island. Tomorrow morning before we depart, I intend to land and see what can be found in the neighborhood. Here is no village, but farther within the island is one, where our Indians inform us we shall find the king, and that he has much gold. I shall penetrate so far as to reach the village and see or speak with the king, who, as they tell us, governs all these islands, and goes dressed, with a great deal of gold about him.

I do not, however, give much credit to these accounts, as I understand the natives but imperfectly, and perceive them to be so poor that a trifling quantity of gold appears to them a great amount. This island appears to me to be a separate one from that of Saomete, and I even think there may be others between them. I am not solicitous to examine particularly everything here, which indeed could not be done in fifty years, because my desire is to make all possible discoveries, and return to your Highnesses, if it please our Lord, in April. But in truth, should I meet with gold or spices in great quantity, I shall remain till I collect as much as possible, and for this purpose I am proceeding solely in quest of them (Christopher Columbus - Friday, 19 October 1492).

This film is amongst the most beautiful and adventurous of all films! I find Christopher Columbus (Cristobal Colón) to be one of the most interesting explorers of all time. "1492 - Conquest of Paradise" brings this amazing man back to life. Gerard Depardieu in his best performance! The soundtrack is simply amazing. Every aspect of this film is completely outstanding. If you want to learn more about Christopher Columbus, love history and adventure, you must own this video! Now can we please re-release this wonderful fantastic film on DVD?!!! Thank You (lezkis - Thursday, 6 November 2003).

I recently viewed Ridley Scott's masterpiece 1492:Conquest of Paradise, and I am very proud to say I share the same Italian nationality that Columbus did, and of course new found respect for the founder of the West.
This movie was so good because it highlights the details of 15th and 16th Century life and how the Europeans made something from nothing. The politics are also highlighted in this movie, but I think it's fairly done. I'm in total agreement that the savages of those lands had to be civilized in order for there to be peace and progress in those lands, but I can understand the fear held by those tribes against the European invaders. People may disagree about if the Europeans should've stayed and conquered those lands, but nations are won and lost by war, and once Columbus set foot in the West Indies, there's no logic in thinking that the routes to the West wouldn't explode with conquerers.
Ridley Scott creates the most beautiful scenes throughout this entire movie, one of my favorite is the ceremony held for Columbus in the cathedral upon returning from his first voyage of discovery.....stunning.
The acting is fantastic. If this movie was in French, Depardieu would've easily won Best Actor. That this movie was not nominated back in 1992 is high crime.
The music of the film adds to the drama of one of the most dramatic events in the history of the world.
Everybody should see 1492 Conquest of Paradise.

1492 is an amazing Ridley Scott film. Time to answer some questions a viewer here might want to ask. Is it slow paced? yes at times it is. Is it boring? no (depends if your interested in history). Is Gerard Depardieu terrible in the movie? No. He does a great job with the role and portrays Columbus as an artist, a man with lots of passion much like himself. Does he screw up some of his lines in the movie? Not really. Just sounds like it at times. But if you have subtitles you would fine he is pronouncing all his lines fairly accurately. 1492 flopped at the box office so is it really that bad and unprofessional? Box office results say nothing about the quality of a movie. 1492 is a stroke of cinematic genius. Is it historically accurate? In most parts but like all history movies it get's self indulgent and rewrites history a little in spots. Is it some of Ridley Scott's best work? Yes. Why isn't it on DVD yet in the USA? Good question.

In the morning we got under weigh, and I ordered the Pinta to steer east and southeast and the Nina south- southeast; proceeding myself to the southeast the other vessels I directed to keep on the courses prescribed till noon, and then to rejoin me. Within three hours we descried an island to the east toward which we directed our course, and arrived all three, before noon, at the northern extremity, where a rocky islet and reef extend toward the North, with another between them and the main island. The Indians on board the ships called this island Saomete. I named it Isabela. It lies westerly from the island of Fernandina, and the coast extends from the islet twelve leagues, west, to a cape which I called Cabo Hermoso, it being a beautiful, round headland with a bold shore free from shoals. Part of the shore is rocky, but the rest of it, like most of the coast here, a sandy beach. Here we anchored till morning.

This island is the most beautiful that I have yet seen, the trees in great number, flourishing and lofty; the land is higher than the other islands, and exhibits an eminence, which though it cannot be called a mountain, yet adds a beauty to its appearance, and gives an indication of streams of water in the interior. From this part toward the northeast is an extensive bay with many large and thick groves. I wished to anchor there, and land, that I might examine those delightful regions, but found the coast shoal, without a possibility of casting anchor except at a distance from the shore.

The wind being favorable, I came to the Cape, which I named Hermoso, where I anchored today. This is so beautiful a place, as well as the neighboring regions, that I know not in which course to proceed first; my eyes are never tired with viewing such delightful verdure, and of a species so new and dissimilar to that of our country, and I have no doubt there are trees and herbs here which would be of great value in Spain, as dyeing materials, medicine, spicery, etc., but I am mortified that I have no acquaintance with them.

Upon our arrival here we experienced the most sweet and delightful odor from the flowers or trees of the island. Tomorrow morning before we depart, I intend to land and see what can be found in the neighborhood. Here is no village, but farther within the island is one, where our Indians inform us we shall find the king, and that he has much gold. I shall penetrate so far as to reach the village and see or speak with the king, who, as they tell us, governs all these islands, and goes dressed, with a great deal of gold about him.

I do not, however, give much credit to these accounts, as I understand the natives but imperfectly, and perceive them to be so poor that a trifling quantity of gold appears to them a great amount. This island appears to me to be a separate one from that of Saomete, and I even think there may be others between them. I am not solicitous to examine particularly everything here, which indeed could not be done in fifty years, because my desire is to make all possible discoveries, and return to your Highnesses, if it please our Lord, in April. But in truth, should I meet with gold or spices in great quantity, I shall remain till I collect as much as possible, and for this purpose I am proceeding solely in quest of them (Christopher Columbus - Friday, 19 October 1492).

This film is amongst the most beautiful and adventurous of all films! I find Christopher Columbus (Cristobal Colón) to be one of the most interesting explorers of all time. "1492 - Conquest of Paradise" brings this amazing man back to life. Gerard Depardieu in his best performance! The soundtrack is simply amazing. Every aspect of this film is completely outstanding. If you want to learn more about Christopher Columbus, love history and adventure, you must own this video! Now can we please re-release this wonderful fantastic film on DVD?!!! Thank You (lezkis - Thursday, 6 November 2003).