Reviews
The Magic Christian (1969)
Sellers's so great
Peter Sellers - a Grand performance! Him playing the harp, and with the hot dog-vendor... just to mention 2 scenes. One of the nuttiest and anti - establishment films I ever saw. (I know there should be an adjective instead of "establishment" but the guidelines do not accept it.) Observe the audience in the auditorium of the "Hamlet" theater. Ringo also makes fun of himself - the nose. It amazed me that Paul McCartney provided a song for it. Also I enjoyed the commentary by John Cleese. It must have been a fizzer when first launched in Britain. Does anybody know how the film was accepted by a German audience (see the arrest-scene of the businessman in the train)? I can recommend this movie to everybody!
Tom Sawyers und Huckleberry Finns Abenteuer (1968)
very human touch and natural acting
In Germany it was screened in four parts in the pre-Christmas season. I would not miss one minute of it. An excellent cooperation of the different TV-companies. The participation of actors from different European countries makes a good change from the US-productions. Even as a grown up I have video-taped it as a sweet memory for a close-to-the-book filming, convincing acting by the actors of Tom and Huck and the funny comments the narrator makes. Their acting was totally realistic, natural and not at all exaggerated, except for the part of Becky. They children-cast capture all what is important at such age in a small town. Worth watching for persons of all ages.
Mr. Rice's Secret (1999)
Learning how to discover the real important things in life
It shows how a person unbalanced and insecure by illness learns how to trust in himself again and gains a big portion of happiness and stability. Once again David Bowie pictures an obscure character but now for the good: acting as the sick boy's `god father` more or less.
Avanti! (1972)
Demasking the American way of life and pro Laissez-faire
The story you all know - the script (I am still dreaming that it really had happened somewhere for real) was perfect and the casting director did a superb job. Even the smallest chameos are well done and casted. It was one of the few movies which accompaigned me from the years of teenager to a women of forty. Can't get enough of it, either in German or in English. A true classic.
Die Schatzinsel (1966)
close to the book and not too brutal
Very realistic and not picturing the 2 opposite parties in black and white. Also good that the audience is led through the story by different characters and even by the young AND the old Jim Hawkins. Also the music helps a good deal to built up the tension. A pirate story for children and grown-ups.