olarko

Don't look for derring-do, monsters, or any of the other usual trappings of the usual swashbuckler. This is not a usual film; rather, it's a very funny satire of the pirate movie and -- if you listen -- is very interesting! Sinbad is forever questioning his heritage until he reaches Dariabar; Shireen doesn't believe anything he says until she realizes that he really is Sinbad; she too has heard the legends of the fabulous sailor with whom she is truly in love. Melik and the Emir are interested only in gold -- as true villains are! The asides are hilarious; the dialogue is very well written. It's beautifully filmed -- the colors are wonderful as are the costumes and settings, and the acting is just right. I thoroughly recommend it!

You must understand the form of classical tragedy to appreciate truly this film. Then you will see that Cacoyannis does, his four major actresses do, and the rest of his cast do, right down to the boy who plays Redgrave's son.

The four actresses have tragic arias -- there is no better word for it -- that they play magnificently. One always knows what is going on in this film because the text is translated so perfectly; the direction is so clear; and the actors play directly to that text. All are brilliant.

Don't look for special effects; there are none. Greek tragedy needed none. There are no chariot chases, no blowing up of the Parthenon as two smart-assed "detectives" grin and compliment each other, no two heroines outwitting all the police in the district and end up driving their chariot into a handy canyon. Sorry, gang, the play's the thing here -- and what a play and how well it is produced and performed.

If you love classics -- text, acting, and production, don't miss this one for any reason!

This film, "The Children's Hour," stunned me when I first saw it in 1961. Now, 45 years later, it still has that power because of not only the superior performances of all involved but also the power of John Michael Hayes's screenplay, which is equally strong, and William Wyler's fantastic direction.

I am happy for Lillian Hellman's memory that the producers didn't make the same mistake that Paramount Pictures made when they originally filmed it -- a true sellout of an author and her excellent stage play -- as "These Three." Avoid that trinket at all costs!!

Audrey Hepburn is remarkable as she plays one of the most difficult roles of her career. Never has Shirley Maclaine controlled her performance as well as she does in this film. James Garner is superb as a powerless dupe, the kind of role that he never played! Especially applauded also should be Fay Bainter as the wealthy woman whose spoiled, lying granddaughter causes the trouble and who, because she is drawn into the lie, goes through hell as the result of her subsequent actions. The scenery-chewing performance usually given by Miriam Hopkins, who played MacLaine's role in "These Three" and now plays MacLaine's trouble-causing aunt, has been wonderfully curtailed and controlled by director William Wyler. Karen Balkin plays the lying child so completely; the role was created brilliantly in "These Three" by Bonita Granville; Balkin lives up to Granville's standard in this version.

"The Children's Hour" is a magnetic, totally absorbing powerhouse of a film. If you haven't seen it, don't miss it. If you have seen it, renew your acquaintance with it. You will never be disappointed by it.