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Jennydavis131
Reviews
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)
an honest film
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington is a wonderful film about a man Jeff Smith (James Stewart) who believes that children are the future and should be able to enjoy the outdoors, while taking in knowledge of their great Country. When a senator dies in Smith's state, the governor is forced into an awkward position of electing the new senator. While the governor is sitting down to dinner, his young children propose the idea of Jeff Smith who is head of the Boy Rangers and prints a weekly newspaper for the local children. Mr. Smith is elected into office in the funniest way, a coin toss.
When Mr. Smith arrives in Washington with his colleague Mr. Pain, (Claude Rains) he is amazed by all the greatness that Washington possesses. After being sworn into the Senate Mr. Smith comes up with idea to propose a Bill that would let boys come together and enjoy the wilderness, and the perfect spot would be in his home town next to a creek. What he doesn't know is that his colleague Mr. Pain has his own plans with that same land. The film then releases the full fury of what corrupt politicians can do to a truthful man.
The plot of the film will grab the viewer within the first five minutes and will not let go until the astonishing end. Even though this type of thing is implausible it's still very funny and unique in its own way.
The acting was superb! James Stewart will always represent the good guy trying to make his way through life in an honorable way. Claude Rains character was perfect for him, a good man gone bad by the power of politics. Jean Arthur's character was something that isn't normally seen in the movies. She played an ambitious woman trying to get to the top without anyone's help, but is still the great old fashioned woman she was born to be. James Stewart and Jean Arthur were very charismatic together. There could not have been a better pair.
The lighting in the film was great in two scenes when Mr. Smith is at the Washington memorial the light shines on sentences of the constitution that added a lot to the emotion of the character and helped set the tone for the scene.
This is a classic film that should be recognized and cherished forever. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington is a great film for the whole family, the film is not only captivating and genuine but there is also a moral in the story. Definitely a ten out of ten, and should be part of your home video library.
The Godfather (1972)
undoubtedly the best mob movie ever!
The Godfather is the classic mob movie. The film is totally different from all the others in its genre. The way Francis Ford Coppola and Mario Puzo wrote this film so that the viewer actually sympathizes with the characters of the Italian mafia. Within the first scene the writers introduced all the main characters and all that's left to the film are twists, suspense, surprises and thrills.
The film also has many romantic scenes. Michael Corleone (Pacino) is in Sicily and walking through the open country when he and his two bodyguards stumble upon a beautiful young woman leading a school of children. Their eyes meet and it's love at first sight. Michael being brought up with the utmost respect went to the girls father and asked to meet her in the presence of their family. The viewer can't help but think `How sweet.' Fortunately the father approves and love blossoms into marriage.
The acting in the film is like no other and with so many big stars the viewer can't help but be excited to see so many great names in one film. Marlon Brando plays the role of the Godfather AKA Don Corleone, the leader of one out of five Italian mafias in the New York area. The way Brando developed his character was amazing and his famous voice in the film that has been mimicked for 30 years now sounds untouchable in it's originality. Al Pacino plays Brando's son Michael Corleone, who actually wasn't wanted for the part at the time but the studio cast him with the recommendation from the Director (Francis Coppola). Pacino actually sets the bar for himself when he took this role, and for all the future roles he would play in Mafia movies. His acting is compelling, and his looks are almost unrecognizable.
There are actually no innocent by-standers that get hurt or victimized in the film that you might see in other mafia movies. Infact everyone that ends up dead were people that were a part of one of the mafia families. The whole film is about respect and the closeness of family if you can see behind all the violence.
The film is quite long to sit through in one sitting but is totally worth it by the end. The film will grab you in an instant with curiosity to the underground world of the mob.
This is undoubtedly the best mob movie ever. This film is recommended for people that love mafia films. And for the people who don't really care for these types of movies this film will change your mind on organized crime movies.
The Godfather (1972)
undoubtedly the best mob movie ever!
The Godfather is the classic mob movie. The film is totally different from all the others in its genre. The way Francis Ford Coppola and Mario Puzo wrote this film so that the viewer actually sympathizes with the characters of the Italian mafia. Within the first scene the writers introduced all the main characters and all that's left to the film are twists, suspense, surprises and thrills.
The film also has many romantic scenes. Michael Corleone (Pacino) is in Sicily and walking through the open country when he and his two bodyguards stumble upon a beautiful young woman leading a school of children. Their eyes meet and it's love at first sight. Michael being brought up with the utmost respect went to the girls father and asked to meet her in the presence of their family. The viewer can't help but think `How sweet.' Fortunately the father approves and love blossoms into marriage.
The acting in the film is like no other and with so many big stars the viewer can't help but be excited to see so many great names in one film. Marlon Brando plays the role of the Godfather AKA Don Corleone, the leader of one out of five Italian mafias in the New York area. The way Brando developed his character was amazing and his famous voice in the film that has been mimicked for 30 years now sounds untouchable in it's originality. Al Pacino plays Brando's son Michael Corleone, who actually wasn't wanted for the part at the time but the studio cast him with the recommendation from the Director (Francis Coppola). Pacino actually sets the bar for himself when he took this role, and for all the future roles he would play in Mafia movies. His acting is compelling, and his looks are almost unrecognizable.
There are actually no innocent by-standers that get hurt or victimized in the film that you might see in other mafia movies. Infact everyone that ends up dead were people that were a part of one of the mafia families. The whole film is about respect and the closeness of family if you can see behind all the violence.
The film is quite long to sit through in one sitting but is totally worth it by the end. The film will grab you in an instant with curiosity to the underground world of the mob.
This is undoubtedly the best mob movie ever. This film is recommended for people that love mafia films. And for the people who don't really care for these types of movies this film will change your mind on organized crime movies.
Casablanca (1942)
a great classic film
Love, passion, corruption, lies and murder are only a few things that are contained in Casablanca's story line. Made in 1942 it remains a great film that people still talk about today. Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart) is a man bitter about love, and doesn't stick his neck out for no one. He lives in the city of Casablanca in Morocco and owns his own American café which is more like a saloon than a good place to sip coffee. A long love Ilsa (Ingrid Bergman) revisits Rick unexpectedly and leads to a lengthy flash back to better days in France.
As the Germans are trying to take over the world during WWII people flee to Casablanca to try and get to America for a free and safe life. The plot speeds up as a customer of Rick's asks him to hold on to papers that will lead anyone out of Casablanca and into America with no questions asked. When the man gets killed by the corrupt police, Rick is stuck with something he doesn't want and does not know what to do with it.
Casablanca is one of the most emotional movies the viewer will ever see, from love and lust to murder and deception you're always on the edge for your seat and wanting to know more.
The actors could not have done better. Humphrey Bogart's detached emotion adds a lot of comedy to the film, but when he loosens up sentimentally you can't help but to cheer. Ingrid Bergman is a great actress who can love you one second then pretend to hate you the next. Claude Rains who plays Capt. Louis Renault is a man who gets what he wants when he wants it even if it costs other peoples lives, but some his cold heart unthaws.
The dialog in the film is lengthy and somewhat confusing at points, but normal for those classic films that try to be sophisticated.
Casablanca is a film to watch over and over again without it getting old or boring, and can still connect to its audience 60 years later. So here's looking at you kid.
Some Like It Hot (1959)
great fun
Set in 1929, prohibition and alcohol is definitely one of many undertones to this film. Two men, Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon are musicians with very bad luck and who can't seem to make ends meet. In the middle of winter in New York City the two men witness a mob whacking and now have criminals chasing after them. Their luck seems to change when they pose as women to play in an all girl band headed for Florida. As they meet their train for the job, they are dressed as women, and you can't help to think `those are two ugly chicks'. This film being made in the 1950's, is about cross dressers and a little hint of homosexuality, with Marilyn Monroe seducing her audience with her good looks, its hard to believe that people would stomach this film as a family movie while Leave it to Beaver is playing on the television at home.
Some like it hot ironically portrays Monroe's real life where alcohol is her first and only resort, and her trouble with men and love. Her role is the stupid blonde that can't really think or do for herself, and that women are just gold diggers. Even though her role is stereotypical she is a very convincing actress.
Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon are great actors and a great pair for this film. Totally hilarious is an understatement as two men posed as women are fighting for affection of the same girl. The scene where they break their feminine characters are great.
The music is great from hot Jazz to smooth classical, the right music is in the right scene at just the right time, which adds to the emotion of the characters.
There is also some great action scenes in some like it hot. The most impressive is in the beginning as the cops are chasing a car full of mobsters, gunfire and car crashes fill the screen. Even though it's a 50's film it was just as effective as today.
Some like it hot is a great family film, in which you will have fun just watching it. This film is highly recommended and a great piece to add to your home video library.
Rebel Without a Cause (1955)
a great movie
Rebel without a cause is a film about a boy whose mother always wants to run from her problems and a father that can't stand up for himself, along with Love and friendship. Rebel without a cause is a great film that explores the teenage psyche, the alienation and confusion that kids go through. The first scene sets the tone of film, and the miserableness that Jim stark (James Dean) is going through.
Jim Stark has just moved to a new city and it's his first day of school. Accidentally he walks on the school emblem and gets bullied for it, at this point he's has not even entered the school and you already feel sorry for the poor fella.
When Jim actually reaches the school, he finds out that all the juniors and seniors are going to the local planetarium for a field trip. After the spectacular show of how the world will end, Jim makes a comment to the tough crowd of the school which gets him in big trouble, and thus arises the drama of the film
The great thing about this film is that the writer introduced the main characters within the first scene of the film, right off the bat you're wondering what can these people have in common? Throughout the whole movie you wonder what is going to happen next. Rebel without a cause is not just an action packed film full of teenage drama but it's romantic and very hilarious.
The actors and actresses were great in all their roles, James Dean who plays Jim Stark does a great job with making the audience feel his emotions in every scene. Natalie Wood who plays Judy, Jim Stark's love interest, really pulls off that bitch personality who you just grow to love as her character grows in the film. The best role of all was Plato played by Sal Mineo who maybe just a little mentally ill and just wants to feel needed.
There was not much music in the film. The only scene with music, which the reviewer can remember is when Jim Stark has his radio on which played popular music of that time.
This is a film for the whole family to enjoy and is recommended for your home video library. This reviewer rated the film 8/10
Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)
the strangest movie i have ever seen
Dr. Strangelove is probably the strangest film the reviewer has ever seen but yet probably the most creative. This film can be viewed as a satire about war movies or war itself, and it is a black comedy. The movie is directed by Stanley Kubrick and stars Peter Sellers and George C. Scott.
This film is about a general, ironically named Jack Ripper played by Sterling Hayden, who orders nuclear bombs to drop on Russia. When the President finds what has happened he finds out that there is no way to get a hold of Ripper and stop all the madness. Once Russia finds out what's going on, the U.S. is informed of a `doomsday machine' that would destroy the whole world.
There is so much hilarity in this film it's amazing. There is one particular scene that stands out from all the rest and that is when a pilot of one of the planes, goes through a check of his crews survival kits. The pilot goes over the intercom and reads off the items. They include 9 packs of chewing gum, a miniature bible, and various medications such as vitamins, sleeping pills, pep pills, and tranquilizers. It also includes prophylactics, and womens nylons. At the end of the checklist the pilot says to himself `Shoot! A fella could have a pretty good weekend in Vegas with all this stuff.
The acting was just great, all the characters where unbelievably well thought out. The reviewer's favorite character was General Buck Turgidson played by George C. Scott. His character is outrageous and in your face. He also has an obsession with chewing gum. There could not be a better cast for this film.
The set, costume and props were all great. They looked so realistic and not so 1964. There are many scenes in the film where a plane is flying around scenery, it does not look as fake as it could have been, it was impressive for a 1960's film.
The music adds a lot of comedy to the movie as well. During a scene that is supposed to be serious they always seem to have music for enlightenment.
This movie is the funniest war movie ever. The reviewer highly recommends it to people that love and hate war movies and love comedy as well. The reviewer would rate this film 9/10.
Psycho (1960)
a chilling thriller
Psycho was the movie that put Alfred Hitchcock on the map and leads to his great career. Psycho is an all time thriller and suspense movie for all people. Ten minutes into the film you're on the edge of your seat asking yourself what's going to happen next. Hitchcock was great with developing his characters and the plot. As you sit and watch the film you are amazed by the genius of Hitchcock on the way that he not only shoots the film but also the lighting and music. The lighting helps make everything seem eerie, and the music puts chills down your spin. The plot twists will keep your head spinning and is mind blowing. Through all this suspense you may even find some humor. As you meet the characters one by one you hope that you will never be in their situation. The reviewer would highly recommend this film to everyone, even if you don't like scary movies. The reviewer would rate this film 10/10.
Rear Window (1954)
slow but good
This film is one of Alfred Hitchcock's most popular movies. The movie seems to start out slow and doesn't really pickup the pace until the concluding end. The film is about a man L.B. `Jeff' Jeffries played by James Stewart. Jeff has a broken leg and sits in a wheelchair, spending his time spying on his neighbors through a courtyard. When Jeff starts to suspect that one of his neighbors may have killed his wife, he asks his girlfriend Lisa, played by Grace Kelly, what he should do. At first Lisa thinks he might be going mad until she starts to get into the courtyard drama herself. As Jeff's curiosity grows toward his neighbor's abnormal behavior, the suspense starts and you're on the edge of your seat.
The only great thing in this film is the acting. Since Stewart can't move much, he uses facial expressions. Those expressions seem to say it all, it adds a lot to his characters behavior. Grace Kelly's performance is also good, as she plays the concerned girlfriend and detective at the same time.
The reviewer noticed the most peculiar thing about the music in the film. There was no actual background music placed in the movie, all the music that is heard comes from the neighbor's piano or someone's radio/record player. The reviewer has never seen this before in a movie.
This is actually a good film if you can sit through the first hour and a half. The reviewer would recommend this film to people who love Hitchcock , and or old thrillers.
A Christmas Story (1983)
Family holiday fun
A Christmas story is a classic holiday film that is very funny and entertaining. This is a movie that should be viewed by everyone, and can been seen on television during thanksgiving and Christmas time. In most families, this film is already a tradition to watch every year and that's because it has a wonderful plot, great characters and believable actors.
A Christmas Story is about an average middle class family living in a small town in the 1940's. The film contains an average family of a regular husband and wife relationship and two young boys. The eldest of the boys is named Ralphie (Peter Billingsley) who is the star of the film. All that Ralphie wants is to have a perfect Christmas containing the perfect gift, a Red Ryder carbon action BB gun. This is all that Ralphie can think about day and night. When Ralphie has to write a Theme about what he wants for Christmas, his teacher replies to him `you'll shoot your eye out' which seems to be the only reply to him throughout the whole film.
What makes this film so great is the ability to relate to Ralphie with his problems throughout the movie, such as wanting that one gift that everyone thinks that you're too young to have and are unable to get. The acting is very convincing and makes you think that this could even be you in the movie.
There are some very hilarious parts in this film that also make it very good. This particular scene also contains some very cheesy acting which also makes it funny. Ralphie has a dream about getting his Red Ryder BB gun and saving his family from a bunch of evil villains. In this scene Ralphie is wearing the white sparkly cowboy suit and he shoots down the evil villains and saves the day with his gun in a very unrealistic way.
There really wasn't much music that can be commented on in this movie, just that it was the orchestral type of music that was out in the time period of the 40's. The costumes where great and convincing. I also liked how real they made the 40's look. You actually think it might have been made in that time period which makes the film very authentic.
I would recommend this film to anyone who wants some holiday laughs and some great family time together. I would rate this film a 9 out of ten because it's so memorable.
Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
heart warming
Miracle on 34th street is a great holiday film for the whole family, young and old. It's fun, dramatic and romantic. This film raises the issue of whether or not there really is a Santa Claus. The movie stars Natalie Wood, Maureen O' Hara, John Payne, and Edmund Gwenn.
The beginning scenes introduce the characters and already give the viewer the plot of the film. The first scene has Edmund Gwenn (Kris Kringle) walking the streets of New York City as he window shops. As he is doing so, he comes to a shop were a man in putting out a reindeer display. Kris tells the man that he has all the reindeer out of order. The man in the shop gives Kris a weird look and says thank you for the help. This scene is to help create the image that there really is a Santa Claus. Kris comes to a crowd and sees that it's the Macy's parade and the Santa on one of the floats is drunk. Kris proceeds to tell Doris Walker (Maureen O' Hara) the parade director, of the problem.
The next scene really sets the theme of the plot. A little girl named Susan (Natalie Wood, and Doris Walker's daughter) is sitting in her neighbors' apartment watching the parade go by and talking to her neighbor Mr. Gailey (John Payne). They have a conversation about fairy tales and little Susan replies that she doesn't believe in fairy tales.
Throughout the whole movie, the viewer is being persuaded to believe in Santa Claus. The sanity of Mr. Kringle is questioned and taken to the New York Supreme Court to prove that Mr. Kringle is the real Santa.
The costumes in this film were very realistic and believable especially the Santa costume and all the other costumes that are shown in the parade scene. The attire of the rest of the characters are very plain and normal. There was not much music in the film but holiday jingles such as Jingle Bells and simple back round music that the viewer doesn't really notice.
This is a great heart warming film, that I would highly recommend to someone seeking a family holiday movie. And well after the film, the viewer is still wondering whether there is or is not a real Santa Claus out there.
Planes, Trains & Automobiles (1987)
A hilarious movie
Planes, Trains and Automobiles is an all time favorite holiday film, that no matter how many times you've seen the film you still laugh at the same hilarious parts. This film was released in 1986 and today is still holding its ground and being played on television every Thanksgiving.
Planes, Trains and Automobiles stars Steve Martin as Neil Page and John Candy as Dell Griffith. Immediately you get the impression that Neil (Martin) is a working stiff that likes everything to be in order. Dell
(Candy) on the other hand is an annoying sales man, who doesn't know when to shut up. This odd couple creates hilarious comedy.
The plot of this film is a working man named (Martin) is trying to get from New York to go home to Chicago for thanksgiving with his family. Things immediately go wrong when Neil leaves his office and runs into a man (Candy) who steals his cab and they become unwilling travel partners.
There are a lot of unique shots in this film that complement it very well. After Dell steals Neil's cab, they end up sitting across from each other at the airport. They both stare at each other until Dell says `do I know you?' Then all of a sudden a cab door appears in front of Dells face and Neil replies `you stole my cab!' Another scene is where Neil and Dell are traveling in a rental car (still trying to get home) and they unknowingly end up on the wrong side of the road until they see two semi trucks heading right for them and the camera shows both men looking at each other, as they reach the trucks sparks are flying and Neil and Dell turn into skeletons. Then the camera turns to Dell again and he's in a devil suite laughing. This scene leaves the viewer wondering what the heck just happened but also leaves the viewer laughing.
The music in the film is also very unique; because it plays a wide variety of background music. In one scene, there is up beat islander music playing as Dell is trying to sell shower curtain rings to women as earrings. After Neil gets to the airport to pick up his rental car and finds out that it has been stolen, he goes ballistic and 80's techno music is playing very loudly. Then, in another scene, Dell is driving and has the radio playing loudly as he's singing along to `Do the mess around'.
There is not much to the costumes in this movie, its mainly normal people wearing normal clothing. But throughout almost the whole film, Dell is wearing a blue parka that looks very funny on him. The only real costume that was used in this film was the devil costume that Dell wore in the car scene, which was very funny but not realistic because neither Dell nor John Candy is Satan.
Not only are the scenes funny but the facial and physical comedy adds a lot of spice to the film. But most of all, it's all the one liners that both of the characters say that makes this such a good film and a classic comedy that can be watched over and over again every year.
Hannah and Her Sisters (1986)
a hilarious movie
Hannah and her sister is a movie centering around the lives of three women and the obstacles they come face to face with in their romantic relationships, within the time of three Thanksgiving over three years. Never seeing a Woody Allen film, I wasn't sure what to expect. After watching the film, the results were very favorable. The film stars Michael Caine as Elliot and Mia Ferrow as Hannah who are husband and wife in the film. The film starts out on Thanksgiving Day with Elliot (Caine) thinking about how beautiful his wife's sister Lee is, played by Barbara Hershey. As the film goes on, Elliot tells Lee how he really feels about her and that he loves her, which causes a huge conflict between Elliot and his wife.
Being that this film came out in 1986, its costumes are quite unique and hilarious which adds a touch to the film. The acting was excellent. Michael Caine is a very good actor and he played his character well. I had never seen any of the other actors and actresses in films but I thought they were also good and played their characters very well especially Holly, one of Hannah's sisters (Dianne Wiest) who played a struggling actress and a coke addict which added a lot of flavor to the film. The movie was filmed in New York City which is typical Woody Allen and adds a lot of great scenery in almost all the scenes.
Woody Allen played Hannah's ex-husband who a hypochondriac and also thinks something is wrong with him. When he thinks he's losing his hearing in one ear, he goes to the doctor to find out that he might have brain cancer. He totally freaks out and loses his faith in God. Allen then quits his job and starts searching for a religion. When he tells his parents that he was thinking about being Catholic they freak out because he was raised as a Jew which becomes very funny.
This films uniqueness drew me in even more. I had never seen a film that every time it changed a scene it had some sort of comment before it started. Example (at the beginning of the scene where Allen thinks he going to die, the screen shows the word hypochondriac) this technique had me glued to the movie because I would wonder who's the hypochondriac.
This film is very unique in a good way and in its own way. Woody Allen is a great Director and actor in the film, as well as all the other stars. The plot and the conflicts keep you on edge and are very realistic, and the wit keeps you laughing. This would be one movie to add to your home video library. I would rate this film a 9 out of 10.
Citizen Kane (1941)
A really good movie!
When Charles Foster Kane was a boy, his mother sent him away from his home in Colorado to live with a banker in New York. His mother was the owner of the Colorado gold mine and wanted her son to grow up somewhere nice. As a young man, Charles was kicked out of almost every prestigious college, including Harvard. When Charles turned twenty one, his mother had orders that he would take full ownership of his mother's fortune. When he got full ownership of his wealth, he bought the New York Inquirer newspaper. He turned it into the most unique paper of its time and he began taking over many other papers in other states until he had the most circulation.
Many people think that this is the story of William Randolph Hurst who ran the New York journal at the same time when the movie was in production. There are many similarities between William Randolph Hurst and Charles Foster Kane, but the truth is this is a fictional story of a fictional character.
This particular movie is the most intriguing film that I have seen. The script was written for radio broadcast and soon became a motion picture and some of the dialog stayed the same. The way that the film starts out is unique because the main character dies then summarizes his life. The main plot is to figure out what the meaning of Charles Foster Kane's last word `rosebud', meant. What was also intriguing was the lighting, in some scenes there would be very bright light, and other scenes so dark you could barely see the characters face. The acting was surprisingly good because all the co-stars had never acted before in their lives.
The film was delightfully funny, sad, and dramatic. You could almost feel the characters emotions. Orson Welles was a genius when he put together this film that he stared in and also directed. It will probably be one of the greatest films that I will see in my life-time, and was one of the greatest films of its time.
The Searchers (1956)
This movie is one of the better westerns that i have seen
The title of the movie `The Searchers' has to do with John Wayne searching for his kidnapped niece. The film begins with Ethan Edwards (John Wayne) returning home to his brothers family after many years. His brother is played by Walter Coy (`The Young Guns'). Wayne finds out his family had adopted a boy, Martin (Jeffrey Hunter), who's a quarter Indian. Because of that, Ethan does not get along with Martin very well. One evening while Ethan was away, the family gets killed by Comanche Indians, but the littlest girl gets away, but is kidnapped by the Indian chief. Ethan and Martin set out on a quest to find his niece, Debbie, and rescue her from the `uncivilized' Indians. During the whole movie, Ethan is planning on killing Debbie as soon as he finds her, all because she was raised by Comanche's.
This Film was directed by John Ford who had made many great western movies. The settings were very realistic and shot on location in Utah, and Arizona. In my opinion, John Wayne's acting was not very good. In some scenes, he seemed very dull and his signature saying `That'll be the day' is in almost every scene and gets old quickly. Only in a few parts did I notice some sort of emotion that would contribute to his performance.
Racism was a big part of the old west and even the 1950's when the film was made. The director also captures this in a wide way. Wayne's character was very racist towards the Indian's. He shows this by mistreating Martin and cracking racist comments towards the Indian's by saying `blanket head' and implying that the Comanche are uncivilized and brutal people.
This movie is one of the better westerns that I have seen, but still did not completely capture my attention. The film seemed to start out slow then have a rising action then slow than rise and so on. I would recommend this film to anyone who has not seen a western and wants to experience it, but it's not a film to see twice. I would rate this film a 7 out of 10.
They Died with Their Boots On (1941)
a story about General George Custer
They died with their boots on, is fictional tale about the life of General George Armstrong Custer who is played by Errol Flynn. The film starts out with George's fist day at West point military academy, where he seems to not do so well and is always getting into trouble. While being punished for his latest shenanigan he meets his future wife Libbie who is played by Olivia DeHavilland. After the two get married, George is no longer in active duty for the army and hits the bottle pretty hard. Libbie, being the understanding wife she is, gets him back in the games but also leaves her fortune behind to stay with her husband at Fort Lincoln where he leads the seventh regiment. When they first arrive at Fort Lincoln, they meet Sioux Indians and their leader Crazy Horse, who they take captive. Crazy Horse gets rescued and soon Custer and he make a treaty that the Indians can have the Black hills, and there would be peace among the `white men' and the Indians. The treaty was broken by a conspiracy that there was a gold rush in the black hills. Custer died a hero when he fought the Sioux to save innocent settlers.
Although this is a fictional film, people seem to be getting fiction confused with facts. This movie portrays Custer as a war hero (which he was) and the Indians as people who got their land back (which they didn't). The acting in the film was excellent. Flynn and DeHavilland could not be a better couple, in almost every scene you get caught up in their romance and emotions. The costumes seemed to be very authentic and realistic.
I would rate this movie a 5 because it could have been a little bit more interesting, but it was still good for a western. The music was put off because throughout the whole movie there was music in every scene instead of just putting it in the exciting scenes and getting your attention. Instead there's music in every scene which put me to sleep. The acting was great, this really is a great cast of characters. Not only does this film include action and adventure but also a little bit of romance.