Simpy one of the best, so where were the Oscars?

Rating: 10/10 (26 June 2011)

I rarely give ten but this film is one of the best that I am ever likely to see. So much praise already so I only have this to say.It shows how very foolish are the members of the Academy for not lavishing this movie with a batch of Oscars. Thecast were so well balanced. Julie Ormond was perfect in this role,sadly we don't see much of her now. She has a fragility on the screen which other actresses don't have. A young Brad Pitt is a revelation in this film and as always Aidan Quinn totally reliable. Hopkins is perfectly cast as the gruff father who adores his sons but cannot hold onto his wife. The total futility of war is more than proved in this movie. It is Samuel who sets off a terrible chain of events by going to fight the Hun ( as they were referred to). A once loving family are torn to pieces and the dreadful irony was that it all could have been prevented. Suzanna loved Samuel but Tristan sent her wild and poor Alfred the serious older brother who adores her also, has to wait patiently in the background. The real tragedy is Susanna's infertility juxtaposed with Isabel Twos fertility. The narration of One Stab was a masterstroke, especially as he never spoke English when addressing the characters. A great story that is very easy on the eye with wonderful cinematography. Look out for the 1080p blu-ray version.