I didn’t pay enough attention to either of these movies to write a full review.
Masculin/Feminin Directed by Jean-Luc Godard Written by Jean-Luc Godard from stories by Guy de Maupassant 1966/France/Sweden Anouchka Films/Svensk Filmindustri/etc.
Repeat viewing/Netflix rental
One of 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die
Still don’t like Godard or his films. Sub-title is “The Children of Marx and Coca-Cola” which about sums up the conversation here.
The Ghost and Mr. Chicken Directed by Alan Rafkin Written by James Fritzell and Everett Greenbaum 1966/US Universal Pictures
First viewing/Netflix rental
Don Knotts generally cracks me up. Here he does his nervous schtick but it all seemed like a dated sitcom. I’ve discovered this is a beloved movie from childhood for a lot of people and your mileage may vary.
The Battle of Algiers (La battaglia di Algeri) Directed by Gillo Pontecorvo Written by Franco Salinas and Gillo Pontecorvo 1966/Italy/Algiers Casbah Film/Igor Film Repeat viewing/Netflix rental
One of 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die
[box] Journalist: M. Ben M’Hidi, don’t you think it’s a bit cowardly to use women’s baskets and handbags to carry explosive devices that kill so many innocent people?
Ben M’Hidi: And doesn’t it seem to you even more cowardly to drop napalm bombs on defenseless villages, so that there are a thousand times more innocent victims? Of course, if we had your airplanes it would be a lot easier for us. Give us your bombers, and you can have our baskets.[/box]
This amazing documentary-style re-enactment of terrorism and retaliation in Algeria’s struggle for independence is hard to take but more relevant than ever.
The story begins with the radicalization of Ali, an illiterate teenager living in the Casbah of Algiers. He is readily accepted into one of many terrorist cells in the city. We witness many brutal attacks, including a major strike in which the Air France office and two cafes frequented by French people are targeted. The retaliation is equally brutal.
The French call in the army and Col. Mathieu sets about to destroy the Casbah. We are told terrorism was wiped out in Algiers and the war moved to the mountains. In the end, independence is won, not by terrorism, but by a shift in French opinion and a mass uprising of the people.
I just watched in awe as I contemplated the gigantic task Pontecorvo set for himself. There are crowd scenes with hundreds of extras that look exactly like newsreel footage. The chaos of the upheaval is vividly captured. It’s a masterpiece but not anything I will pull out on a regular basis.
In 2003, the Pentagon famously screened this film for officers and civilian experts who were discussing the challenges faced by the US military forces in Iraq. The flier inviting guests to the screening read: “How to win a battle against terrorism and lose the war of ideas”. Folks didn’t seem to learn much.
The Battle of Algiers was nominated for Academy Awards in the categories of Best Foreign Language Film, Best Director, and Best Writing, Story and Screenplay – Written directly for the screen.
Seconds Directed by John Frankenheimer Written by Lewis John Carlino from a novel by David Ely 1966/USA Joel Productions/John Frankenheimer Productions Inc./Gibraltar Productions
First viewing/Amazon Instant
One of 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die
[box] Mr. Ruby: Isn’t it easier to go forward when you know you can’t go back?[/box]
Killer premise and cinematography are marred somewhat by over-arty directorial choices.
Arthur Hamilton is a disillusioned middle-aged banker. He is approached by his old friend Charlie who tells him he can have a new life. Problem is that Charlie is supposed to be dead. Eventually Arthur is introduced to representatives of an organization who persuade/coerce him to submit to a procedure that will grant him an entirely new identity, complete with new fingerprints. Catch is “Arthur” will be killed off to the world through a staged hotel fire.
Credits by Saul Bass
Arthur has what looks like agonizingly painful plastic surgery. He emerges from the bandages as Tony Wilson (Rock Hudson). Tony/Arthur finds his swinging new life style is not what he imagined. Then he discovers his deal with the firm did not come with an escape clause. With an excellent supporting cast including Murray Hamilton, Jeff Corey, and Will Geer.
I had really high expectations for this one and was disappointed in the end. It started out strong and then I got lost in the distractingly arty body horror that makes up about a third of the movie. I think the basic problem was the film didn’t make me care what happened to Arthur/Tony. A must-see? Not for me but others will differ.
Come Drink with Me Directed by King Hu Written by King Hu and Shan-Hsi Ting 1966/Hong Kong Shaw Brothers
First viewing/Amazon Instant
[box] Fan Ta-p’i: They call me Drunken Cat[/box]
Good early chop-socky movie was marred somewhat on my viewing by bad English dubbing.
Evil henchmen kidnap Golden Swallow’s brother, the Governor’s son, and hold him hostage in exchange for their imprisoned leader. The forces of good in the form of sister Golden Swallow (Pei-Pei Chen) and crafty beggar Drunken Cat battle all comers to save the day.
This is watchable for the many action sequences. Pei-Pei Chen is a revelation as the female warrior – her boy disguise is never convincing. The dubbing was of the type where it sounds like all the male characters are voiced by the same actor. But the plot is not the reason to watch any way. It’s a pretty fun time.
Persona Directed by Ingmar Bergman Written by Ingmar Bergman 1966/Sweden Aurora/Svensk Filmindustri
First viewing/Amazon Instant
One of 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die
[box] Sister Alma: If she won’t speak or move because she decides not to, which it must be if she isn’t ill, then it shows that she is mentally very strong. I might not be equal to it.[/box]
Ingmar Bergman’s best film? Gorgeous, haunting, and baffling.
Nurse Sister Alma (Bibi Andersson) is assigned to care for famous actress Elisabet Vogler (Liv Ullman). Elisabet has stopped talking or moving. According to her doctor, she is in perfect physical and mental health. The two get acquainted at the hospital. The story picks up speed when the doctor offers the two her beachside summer place.
The setting and the mood is blissful. Alma finds an apparently very willing listener in Elisabet and starts to pour out her heart. Then the silence begins to wear on Alma and things begin to fall apart.
I watched this twice in one day trying to wrap my head around it. Probably it is impossible to get to the bottom of this one. Everyone concerned was running on all cylinders and you don’t have to understand the film to be awestruck by the beauty and the great acting. I’ve been wondering if Bergman is (among other things) doing a commentary on acting and filmmaking. It is a wondrous thing to watch the two personae meld into one.
The Shop on Main Street (Obchod na korze) Directed by Jan Kadar and Elmar Klos Written by Ladislav Grosman, Jan Kadar and Elmar Klos 1965/Czechoslovakia Filmove studio Barrandov
First viewing/Netflix rental
One of 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die
[box] Antonin Brtko: I’m your Aryan and you’re my Jewess . . . understand?[/box]
I didn’t expect so much whimsy in the sad story of the fates of an elderly Jewish shop owner and her hapless Aryan handler. The whole thing works amazingly well.
Tono Brtko (Josef Kroner) is a humble uneducated carpenter. Czechoslovakia has been occupied. He has a greedy wife who is the sister of a member of what looks to be the equivalent of the Slovak Fascist Party SS. Tono is apolitical but hates his brother-in-law.
Laws have been made that Jews can no longer own businesses. All Jewish businesses are assigned an “Aryan Controller”. Through his family connections Josef is given the sewing notions shop owned by an adorable, very hard-of-hearing old lady named Rozalia (Ida Kaminska). The idea is evidently that when the Jews are deported the controller will take over completely. Plus, Josef’s wife firmly believes that all Jews have a secret stash of gold buried on the premises.
Problem is the old lady is a charity case. She thinks that Josef has come to assist her and is very kind to him. Josef can do nothing to save either of them.
Czechs can’t seem to help telling even the most tragic tale with an off-kilter world view and wit that can only be described as charming. According to me, this movie is practically perfect. It is my final film for 1965 and will go immediately on to my Top Ten Favorite New-to-Me Films of 2018 list, coming soon.
The Shop on Main Street won the Academy Award for Best Foreign-Language Picture. Ida Kaminska was nominated for Best Actress.
Repulsion Directed by Roman Polanski Written by Roman Polanski, Gerard Brach and David Stone 1965/UK Compton Films/Tekli British Productions
First viewing/Netflix Rental
One of 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die
[box] Landlord: There’s no need to be alone, you know. Poor little girl. All by herself. All shaking like a little frightened animal.[/box]
Paranoia and sexual obsession build to deadly consequences.
Carol (Catherine Deneuve) is a virginal young woman who works as a manacurist in London and lives with her older sister. The sister has a boyfriend that frequently overnights at the appartment. The sounds of their lovemaking permeate the walls and disturb not only Carol’s sleep but her fragile mind.
The sister goes with the boyfriend on a trip to Italy. Carol stays home all day in the appartment alone. The line between fantasy and reality blurs. As Carol becomes increasingly paranoid, she begins to receive visitors. But are they really there?
This is a unique and stunningly shot film. I really had not expected a horror film but that’s its essence. Polanski manipulates the scares masterfully. It’s something that will stick with me. Recommended.
Gimme Shelter Directed by Albert Maysles, David Maysles, and Charlotte Zwerin 1970/USA Maysles Films/Penforta
Repeat viewing/FilmStruck
Sonny Barger: I didn’t go there to police nuthin’, man! I ain’t no cop! I ain’t never pretended to be a cop and this Mick Jagger, like, put it all on the Angels, man. Like, he used us for dupes, man. And as far as I’m concerned, we were the biggest suckers for that idiot that I can ever see. And, you know what, they told me, if I could sit on the edge of the stage so nobody climbed over me, you know, I could drink beer until the show was over. And that’s what I went there to do.
I love the Maysles Brothers documentaries. This is a great one.
The film makers chronicle the Rolling Stones’ 1969 tour of the U.S. That tour culminated in a free concert to be held near San Francisco – sort of a West Coast answer to Woodstock, which had been held the same year. We see footage from various dates on the tour and the planning process for the free concert. A couple of different plans fell through and set up could not begin until the day of the event. But the nail in the coffin of the event was the decision to hire the Hells Angels motorcycle club for “security”. The Stones teams experience with bikers extended only to those in the UK. Anyone in California could have told them that Angles = Trouble. The film concludes with the concert and all its attendant violence.
This documentary has everything – great music, high drama, and fantastic cinematography and editing that evokes the place and time perfectly. Highly recommended.
A word on FilmStruck. Not only was I able to watch the film but also a commentary by the directors and the complete radio interview with Hells Angel Sunny Barger, explaining the Angel’s side of things. Which is basically that the 300,000 stoned concert goers should have known that anyone that touches an Angel or his bike will get hurt. I can’t stand that we are losing the ability to get these extras without buying or renting the physical DVD!
Juliet of the Spirits (Giulieta degli spiriti) Directed by Federico Fellini Written by Federico Fellini, Tullio Pinelli, Ennio Flaiano and Brunello Rondi 1965/Italy/France Rizzoli Film/Francoriz Production Repeat viewing/Netflix rental
One of 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die
Giulietta Boldrini: I don’t care about the clemency you offer me but the salvation of my soul.
Fellini seems to have been born to make movies in color. Lavish production values outshine other aspects o the film.
Juliet (Giulieta Masina, Fellini’s real-life wife) is a middle-aged upper-middle-class housewife who suspects her husband is having an affair with another woman. Her mother and sisters are fashion plates who look down on her.
Juliet then meets her liberated neighbor Suzy (Sandra Milo, Fellini’s real life mistress), who introduces her to the wild side of life and helps her get to the bottom of her husband’s affair. Julieta eventually slips into a fantasy world. Will she be able to conquer her demons and leave the cad?
This film is a feast for the eyes and ears and Masina is wonderful, as usual. I find it strikingly reminiscent of 8 1/2 but lacking that film’s emotional depth. Here is where Fellini definitively steps into the self-indulgent “Fellini-esque”. His work is touch and go for me hereafter.
Juliet of the Spirits was nominated for Academy Awards in the categories of Best Costume Design, Color and Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, Color.
Doctor Zhivago Directed by David Lean Written by Robert Bolt from the novel by Boris Pasternak 1965/USA/Italy/UK Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer/Carlo Ponti Production/Sostar S.A.
Repeat viewing/Netflix rental
One of 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die
[box] Gromeko: [Aghast while reading newspaper] They’ve shot the Czar. And all his family.[crumples newspaper] Oh, that’s a savage deed. What’s it for?
Zhivago: It’s to show there’s no going back.[/box]
Snow never looked so beautiful.
The plot takes place\ in the period just prior to the Russian Revolution through the Revolution itself and the ensuing Civil War. The story follows the life Dr. Yuri Zhivago (Omar Sharif), an idealistic apolitical poet and physician, and his relationships with wife Tonya (Geraldine Chaplin) and mistress Lara (Julie Christie). As the film begins, Zhivago courts Tonya and Lara is engaged to Pasha (Tom Courtenay). Pasha is an idealistic reformer who turns ruthless Bolshevik Red Army commander when he is disfigured by police during a peaceful protest. At some point Lara marries Pasha and bears him a daughter. dbut he lives for his mission. While Pasha is away, Lara becomes the mistress of her moither’s lover, the unscrupulous businessman Kamirofsky (Rod Steiger).
Lara and Zhivago reunite as doctor and nurse on a WWI battlefield. They later become lovers and she becomes his muse. At the same time, he clearly cares for his wife and son. The story winds on for over three hours as the Revolution spares no one from suffering. With Ralph Richardson as Tonya’s father; Alec Guinness as Zhivago’s half brother; and Rita Tushingham as the possible daughter of Zhivago and Lara.
The film is very beautifully shot in the wide expanses of the Russian landscape and the acting is top shot. I felt the plot lacked some depth but it kept my interest throughout. Julie Christie has one of the great expressive faces in cinema. The score is justly iconic.
Doctor Zhivago won Academy Awards in the categories of: Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium; Best Cinematography, Color; Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, Color; Best Music-Score, Substantially Original. It was nominated in the categories of: Best Picture; Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Courtney); Best Director; Best Sound; and Best Film Editing.
I’ve been a classic movie fan for many years. My original mission was to see as many movies as I could get my hands on for every year from 1929 to 1970. I have completed that mission.
I then carried on with my chronological journey and and stopped midway through 1978. You can find my reviews of 1934-1978 films and “Top 10” lists for the 1929-1936 and 1944-77 films I saw here. For the past several months I have circled back to view the pre-Code films that were never reviewed here.
I’m a retired Foreign Service Officer living in Indio, California. When I’m not watching movies, I’m probably traveling, watching birds, knitting, or reading.
Photographs and videos found in this blog, unless indicated, are not owned by me and are here only for the purpose of education and discussion. Media found here are not intended for any commercial purpose. Copyright infringement is not intended.
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The sister goes with the boyfriend on a trip to Italy. Carol stays home all day in the appartment alone. The line between fantasy and reality blurs. As Carol becomes increasingly paranoid, she begins to receive visitors. But are they really there?
