This Giallo is practically unknown, and that's a real shame as Puzzle is an outstanding example of the genre. Director Duccio Tessari made the excellent Giallo 'The Bloodstained Butterfly' three years before this film, and the two share the same keenness to buck as many plotting trends as possible; as while this film firmly fits into the Giallo in terms of style, the plot takes the focus away from common Giallo elements such as sex and murder and puts it more on the characters and an intriguing plot involving amnesia. The film is also known as 'Man Without Memory', and that is down the fact that the central character, Peter, has lost his memory. He's being treated in a hospital, and it's not long before a mysterious stranger turns up and accuses Peter of double-crossing him. We later learn that peter is really Edward, and he's married to the beautiful Sara. He finds out about his wife and travels to Italy in order to meet up with her; although she has chiselled out a new life for herself which involves a male friend named Reinhardt, and a young kid with a crush on her...

Director Duccio Tessari uses the first half of the film to get the plot basics in place, and as a consequence it's not always exciting. However, the director manages to hold the audience's attention long enough for the film to begin revealing itself in the second act. Puzzle was scripted by Giallo luminary Ernesto Gastaldi, and the film represents one of his best works, which says a lot considering the other films he penned. While the plot does take a while to get going, once it does the film becomes a real thrill ride, and this both offsets the sombre tone of the first half and is hugely entertaining. The main influence would appear to be the American classic 'Wait Until Dark', although the film doesn't take too much from the Audrey Hepburn film. The acting is above average, with Senta Berger, Luc Merenda and Umberto Orsini delivering fine performances in the central roles. The ending is superb and ensures that the film ends on a high, as a chainsaw revs into action and the film makes up for its lack of bloodshed. Overall, I really hope that Puzzle gets a wide release soon as this is a film that really deserves to be more seen!


This fine Giallo tells an unusual story in an unusual way, and even though not much happens in the first half of the film, director Tessari manages to grip the viewer's attention from the beginning through stylish directing and really thrilling and creepy moments. In the second half, as the plot thickens and the parts of the puzzle begin to fit into a whole (i.e. as the main character starts to remember more and more of his past), there are also some fairly violent scenes, e.g. as a villain falls over a cliff or beautiful female lead Senta Berger swings a chainsaw. But, most importantly, even though the plot is a quite complicated net of strings that has to be lead together to the climax, the story remains plausible until the end, which isn't always the case in films of this genre.

Apart from the convincing performance by Berger, Luc Merenda is also well casted in the title role, as is Umberto Orsini in the main supporting role. Look out for Giallo regular Anita Strindberg in a small but crucial role. The lush sound track is also very cool and adds to the viewing pleasure. The only shame is that, as with too many other Italian films of the 1970s, this memorable Giallo is quite rare and hard to get. Rating: 8 out of 10.


I was just amazed when I finished watching this Italian thriller. Inspired in quite a few American and European movies of this kind, it gets you intrigued from the start till the end. Strange events, mysterious characters, (including the main one who is an amnesic man who doesn´t know who he is or why someone is trying to kill him), the right rhythm and really thrilling moments make this movie one of the best Italian thrillers I´ve ever seen. Absolutely recommended.


Duccio Tessari's "L'Uomo Senza Memoria" (aka. "The Man Without Memory" / "Puzzle") of 1974 is not (yet) a very well-known Giallo, but it sure is a great film worthy of more attention. For the great Giallo-genre, especially in the mid-70s, this film bares very few murders and little bloodshed, but that does in no way lessen its value as a terrific Thriller that no Giallo-buff, or even suspense-fan in general should miss. Especially to those who set the main value on the mystery aspect of a Giallo, this is an essential film. The title "The Man Without Memory" fits the film perfectly, of course, as the central character (superbly played by Luc Merenda) is a man who suffers from amnesia. Yet the aka. title "Puzzle" fits the film just as well, as this is indeed a highly compelling and intelligent puzzle, which is capable of stunning the viewer from the first minute.

Edward (Luc Merenda) has lost his memory. Without knowing why, he is being followed by people, who insist that he owes them something. He finds out that he has a wife in Italy, who turns out to be the beautiful Sara (Senta Berger). This is only the first step into his mysterious past, however... I do not want to give away too much about the plot, since this is an ingenious puzzle that all fellow Giallo-buffs should experience entirely for themselves. The film is excellent and stunning in its mystery and suspense, beautifully shot and accompanied by a great score. The performances are superb. Luc Merenda, star of Poliziotteschi such as "The Violent Professionals", was the perfect choice to play the lead here, and beautiful Senta Berger is sexy, lovable and great in the role of Sara. The cast furthermore includes the wonderful Anita Strindberg, who was part of many memorable Gialli, such as "The Scorpion's Tail", "Lizard In A Woman's Skin", "Who Saw Her Die", and, most notably in Sergio Martino's Poe-inspired masterpiece "Your Vice Is A Locked Room And Only I Have The Key", which is a strong contender for my personal all-time favorite Giallo. Strindberg only has a small role here, but she is doubtlessly great in it. The cast furthermore includes Umberto Orsini ("Violent City") and Genre-regular Bruno Corazzari ("The Strange Vice Of Mrs Wardh", "Seven Blood-Stained Orchids",...). "The Man Without Memory" is a very intelligent and enthralling film that deserves more attention, and that no Giallo-lover can afford to miss! Highly recommended!


Duccio Tessari really ought to be applauded for this truly proficient but sadly still neglected Giallo-achievement! I sincerely hope this film receives a properly legit and worldwide DVD-release soon, because avid fans of the genre are guaranteed to get a kick out of it. "Puzzle" is already available in France (or at least in the French speaking part of Belgium; where I got it), even though the transfer to disc is fairly rudimentary and inconspicuous. "Puzzle" embraces all the regular elements Giallo-devotees anticipate, like convoluted plot twists and a couple of bloody murders, but truly remarkable is the high number of nail-biting suspense moments. Tessari invokes a nearly indescribably nerve-racking ambiance from the start of the film and gradually builds up the edginess towards a masterful climax. Even some of the widely acclaimed directors in the genre, like Dario Argento or Sergio Martino, never managed to include this much genuine tension in their masterpieces. And yet, the basic plot outline of this film isn't *that* original or revolutionary. In fact, the plot largely exists of typical and even clichéd themes, like a protagonist suffering from amnesia, the involvement of beautiful women and a large scaled drug-smuggling crime network, but somehow Ernesto Gastaldi's screenplay continuously feels refreshing. The fairly complex structure and unexpected plot twists also always stay several steps ahead of you ... indeed, like a hard-to-solve puzzle. I wouldn't even think of elaborating on the plot too much, as it's really convoluted and twisted and I don't want to be the one spoiling it for you. I can briefly mention that the lead character, Edward, has been living in England for at least the past eight months and, as the result an accident, he remembers absolutely nothing of his past. He's lured to Italy, where he apparently also has a gorgeous wife, by a suspicious individual who repeatedly forces Edward to remember stuff. Who is this man and why does he so desperately want to bring Edward's memory back? What vicious affair was Edward involved in to begin with and is his lovely wife Sara honestly as innocent as she pretends? "Puzzle" is a non-stop challenging and solidly scripted Giallo highlight, and even if the plot contains some holes or improbabilities (which it probably did), I personally was too excited and entertained to make notice of them. The film surprisingly enough doesn't feature any sexual footage, but the soundtrack is wonderful and particularly the exterior filming locations are stunning. "Puzzle" also isn't as gory as most contemporary Giallo, but nonetheless there are some noteworthy peaks of brutality (the slaughter of a harmless little dog) and massive bloodshed (chainsaw-finale, anyone?). Supreme acting performances as well, with Poliziottesco-regular Luc Merenda ("The Violent Professionals", "The Kidnap Syndicate"), beauty queen Senta Berger, and a brief but important appearance by Giallo princess Anita Strindberg ("A Lizard in a Woman's Skin", "Who Saw Her Die?")  Oh, and Duilio Cruciani is probably my pick for the LEAST annoying child-actor ever. He's actually quite good and convincing. Highly recommended!


This little seen thriller is a solid entry into the giallo canon that was directed by Duccio Tessari (who did the equally good "The Bloodstained Butterfly") and written by Ernesto Gastaldi (who is the iconic writer of the giallo genre).

The narrative features an interesting narrative hook (a man can't remember who he is and now thugs are after him for something he hid... and he doesn't know where it is, let alone *what* it is). Unfortunately, the film doesn't utilize its intriguing plot premise to the fullest, with essentially the amnesia element pushed aside for most of the movie, and instead relies on more conventional means of telling the story. Fortunately, the writer manages to more successfully integrate the amnesia element towards the end which allow for a few plot twists, but not to the degree it could have achieved.

The direction is fine but nothing exemplary, and the performances are all solid but not particularly memorable. In other words, everything is competent and efficient, but it doesn't really standout from the majority of thrillers that saturate our viewing repertoire.

However, it certainly is an above average example of the giallo genre, with narrative that is better than most gialli and even has a terrific climax, but it's also certainly not a classic film in any respect.

Highly recommended for giallo fans, a solid recommendation to thriller aficionados, but others may wish to simply view a better example of the genre, such as "Deep Red".

Also, the film references Stanley Donan's film "Charade", see if you can catch it...


just secreted a copy of this from ebay (ka-ching) and the direction, heck, the everything, about this production of this american classic is (insert emphatic swear word here) divine...this is the only version i've seen that holds the humor, the madness, the horrifying irony involved in this story...it is just perfect!...Dennehy Rocks (duh!); Franz Rocks: the whole thing is just WOW!!! so good, man...beauty, art, life--showtime? believe it!!!


It's hard to get the full effect of how powerful this play is while sitting in one's living room. Death ... is an amazing story that really hits you in the theatre but loses its punch on the smaller screen. The performances are good, and the play speaks for itself however, Ms. Franz is the added bonus of seeing this version.


Poor photography, at least as seen on Showtime, and a rather coy use of close-ups are the only things that spoil this photographed stage presentation. It is faithful to the spirit and letter of Arthur Miller's original script, and it is acted with sincerity and feeling. Willy Loman as victim is presented in straight-forward manner with no attempt to excuse the "system" by hints of madness.


I remember this movie serial as a boy in the thirties,we would ask our mother's for a penny on a Wednesday after school,and line up at the local movie house along with hundreds of kids..mostly boys,it always promised fast action,the Mystery Squadron who had their hideout in a mountain cave,the Black Ace the leader always seemed as though he would never would be revealed,would provide the bad deeds,as the action heated up thousands of young feet would stomp on the balcony floor,it was a wonder that it never collapsed.it would build to a crescendo,THEN it would stop suddenly,everyone would hold their breath as the hero would be put in seemingly inescapable peril,NEXT WEEK...see the next thrilling chapter,we would pile outside still gripped in the spell and discus with actions what had taken place,we would then speculate as to how he was going to get out of this latest fix,Bob Steele,Tom Mix,Hoot Gibson,Buck Jones,Ken Maynard,our heroes,who never kissed a girl,in our games no one wanted to play the Black Ace.Happy innocent days.


I think it's hard for most to remember that women have had the right to vote for less then 100 years. If nothing else this movie may help to renew interest in an issue that most like to conveniently forget. Hillary Swank and Frances O' Connor give wonderful performances as Alice Paul and Lucy Burns. And Anjelica Huston is subtle and formidable as Carrie Chapman Catt. And I loved that Inez Millholland was included-she was an important part of the movement and Julia Ormond is fabulous. This movie is beautifully shot and masterfully edited. It also has a modern soundtrack with great remixs by Sarah McLachlan, Mandalay and Lauren Hill. One criticism though-they didn't do a very good job of showing a true representation of the time and effort it took to achieve the 20th amendment. They made it seem like a few women staged a hunger strike and BAM...votes. So many women gave their health, lives and blood for the movement...they deserve more. There are ways to show time progression, they didn't choose to. More time was given over to the relationship between the suffragettes but it is very well done.


Excellent movie with a few flaws ( music from a different time period, romance that wasn't necessary to the plot). It shows how the fight for the right for women to vote in the USA was a very tough one. People like to talk about "God given rights" but often rights have to won in a "war" by people that are willing to put everything on the line. These brave souls make life better for everybody. It seems obvious that women should have the same right to vote as men, but in the times represented by this film it was only obvious to a few. Hillary Swank and the others in the cast showed the gritty determination that it took to fight for voting rights. Rights aren't given to us. Let's not forget that!


I happened to think this was a great movie based on true events. It reminded me of how hard our fore-mothers had to work in order to win the equal vote.

Hilary Swank did a fabulous job of playing the determined Alice Paul and Frances O'Conner was great as her effervescent sidekick Lucy. The only part I thought was unnecessary was the "relationship" between Hilary and Patrick Dempsey. Such a lame attempt at romance in the middle of an already interesting film. Angelica Houston was also a strong force in this movie as the venomous Ms. Catt. I really dug how it was filmed, the scenery, costumes, and the type of music used. I totally enjoyed this movie for its ability to be educational and moving and yet integrate light-hearted vignettes. Of course there is the happy ending that everyone knew was coming! I would recommend this movie to any person interested or curious about woman's sufferage or just wants to watch a great movie. GO VOTE LADIES!!! IT WOULD MAKE THESE WOMEN PROUD!!!


"Iron Jawed Angels" is an HBO historical biopic/docudrama which turns the lens on Swank who delivers a sterling performance as Quaker, suffragist, and women's right activist Alice Paul during her campaign to secure the 19th Constitutional amendment. Director Katja von Garnier, who gave us the wonderfully hip girl-power cult flick "Bandits", takes on the daunting task of delivering an entertaining film about a somewhat dry, esoteric subject and a relatively unknown character (as history goes) and succeeds. Sometimes whimsical, sometimes intense, spritzed with humor and drama, and packed with zingers and maxims, "Iron Jawed Angels" may be a chick flick but no man can deny nor should fail to appreciate the grace and beauty is delivers. (B+)


Very entertaining and affecting story of women's struggle for the vote. Rather than the period-piece drama one would get on a BBC show about the movement, this portrays very modern, very impassioned women. The director is determined to avoid any hint of stuffiness, and at times the gimmicky camera work seems there not to further the story but just to make sure this works for the MTV generation, but the result is a dynamic and entertaining movie. I've never heard much of anything about the women's suffrage movement and it is interesting to see how it played out and to learn a little about the movie's impassioned heroine Alice Paul and her struggle both with the patriarchy and with the more cautious suffragettes. She seems to have been a fascinating woman, and judging from her photographs, almost as cute as Hillary Swank.


This movie was amazing! I have never known much of the Women's Suffrage, other than there was some protesting and women finally got to vote sometime early 1900s. This movie changed all that...

The first time I saw it, I only saw the last 30 minutes and was completely engaged. Hilary Swank and Frances O'Connor were fabulous portraying Alice Paul and Lucy Burns. They portrayed so much passion and determination. I immediately checked out when the next showing was so I could see the whole thing.

The first while was a little slow, but sets the stage for the climax. The use of new age music with 1910s fashions were a nice contrast, bringing the attitudes and mood of that time into a present day reality.

The script was so well written. Not only was it easy to follow, but very accurate as much as I can determine. After viewing the movie, I rushed out to my public library and checked out several books on the suffrage. So far what I've read is congruent with the movie.

It's so awe-inspiring to think what these brave women went through to give us a vote. I can't wait until this becomes available on DVD-I will definitely be buying it as soon as that happens.


This film does an extraordinary job of portraying an important part of American history with a modern flair. The score, albeit anachronistic, worked superbly with the film's content. Congratulations to HBO for producing such a wonderful timepiece. I'm anxiously awaiting the release of a soundtrack.

Incidentally, I'm a heterosexual male...this is certainly not a "lesbian-only" film, as some have argued. Perhaps it'd be better labeled an "intellectuals-only" film. Appreciating a film like this requires not only the ability to appreciate and respect history, but also the ability to recognize the importance of sharing history with our children. Sometimes it takes a group of committed activists (i.e., "fringe elements") to affect change -- sometimes the majority is wrong in suppressing the rights of others. This movie's message is entirely appropriate in today's context...


In 1912, Alice Paul (Hillary Swank) and her close friend, Lucy (Frances O'Connor) have one matter on their minds, getting American women the right to vote. They are very familiar with the famous suffragettes who came before them, including Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton. Nevertheless, being younger than some of the feminists of their day, they have some new ideas and strategies. Their views do not often sit well with the older ladies of the struggle, including Carrie Chapman Catt (Anjelica Huston). When Alice finds it impossible to work out their disagreements, she starts her own group. Even a handsome newspaperman (Patrick Dempsey) can not sway her from her focus, although they remain friends. From staging D.C. parades to picketing the Wilson White House to being thrown in jail on false charges, Alice and Lucy mean business. Will they see their fondest dream come true? All women in American owe a great debt of thanks to these two brave women and their fellow suffragettes, one that can never be repaid, and this wonderful film tells their story with care and beauty. First, the cast is superlative, with Swank and O'Connor leading the way, followed by nice turns by such actresses as Vera Farminga, Julia Ormond, Molly Parker, Huston, and Brooke Smith, among others. No, the viewer is not always comfortable with Swank's character, Alice Paul, who is so committed to her cause that she shuts everything else out of her life. By contrast, O'Connor is a marvel, for her character is likewise dedicated but filled with regret for the husband and children she always wanted. The costumes are lovely and true, the scenery is beautiful and the entire production breathes classiness. Yet, it is the story that is a heart grabber and should send everyone to the library to learn more about the suffragettes trials. Wilson, a respected president in the annals of history, comes off as a stubborn man who resents the ladies' picket lines and allows them to be imprisoned, even when he knows they have not broken any laws. Once in jail, the conditions are dire and horrifying, to say the least, and any woman might wonder if she could endure the same for the right to vote. In such light, this wonderful movie is a must see for women everywhere and their partners. It was, after all, less than one hundred years ago that American women finally got that basic human right, suffrage, and, after a viewing, no female will ever take this matter nonchalantly again.


I would recommend this movie to everyone to see. As a future history teacher I plan on incorporating this movie into my classes. I have studied the women's movement, and I have found the movie accurate and well told. It clearly depicts the hardships that women went through. It is a good reminder that their work isn't done. It is a good reminder that we must not rest on our laurels, but continue to stand up and fight for what we believe in. This movie had me going through so many different emotions, which is a rare quality of today's movies.

As for the soundtrack, I thought it was appropriate for the movie. It helped bring even more emotion to the already eye-opening movie. It was a good choice of music.

Congrats to all the actors and director for making such a wonderful movie. I wish it was longer, but they did an excellent job of showing the important events in such a constrained amount of time. We need more movies like this one!!


I have studied the 20th century faces of women's history for quite some time, and have long adored the likes of Alice Paul and Inez Milholland Boissevain (despite her luxurious faults). This film revealed itself to me at the perfect time, as I prepare a presentation on the faces of woman suffrage, it is ever-present in my mind. I loved the film in it's entirety and highly recommend it to all women, their children and any man willing to sit through it. I would also advise rewinding it, and viewing it again, as my second time through was just as delightful and revealing as the first.

I cannot pick out a favourite scene, but the journey of Emily Leighton was poignant and inspirational... as she realized the importance of equality, and that she did, in fact, have "the head for" politics.


Strong, complex performances throughout, paint a startling picture of the extraordinary lengths to which women had to go to get the right to vote in the U.S. It simultaneously offered a glimpse into the politics of power, and the degree of commitment required to affect change in society. A haunting reminder of how much we take for granted in the freedom to choose that we, as women, now enjoy.


It's almost impossible to imagine that less than 100 years ago, our country's government did not allow its female citizens to vote, and what's sadder is, the men in charge at that time would NOT have amended the Constitution to include women if it hadn't been for relentlessly driven, fiercely intelligent and humblingly courageous people like Alice Paul, who was depicted in this show as being deeply conflicted about how far she knew she would have to go to push the envelope, but she did it anyway because it simply had to be done. In this day and age, all young girls (who take so much for granted) should be made to watch this film as a brutal lesson in history. Kudos to all concerned, particularly Hilary Swank who couldn't have been any more compelling as the heroic Alice Paul.


This film shows the enormous struggle that the suffrage movement faced and the amazing dedication that women such as Alice Paul and Lucy Burns used to finally win women the right to vote.

The movie features tremendous performances by Hillary Swank and Julia Ormond, as well as many others. A modern soundtrack and editing style make the film feel less like a far-removed historical piece and more like an inspirational story that mirrors the work of activists dedicated to their causes in any time period. As a volunteer with Rock the Vote I owe the women depicted in this film, as well as everyone involved in making the movie, a great debt.

Highly recommended!


This docu-drama provides a wonderful story of the right-to-vote movement early last century, but whoever selected the anachronistic music soundtrack has to be taken out and shot. The idea is to show what it was like in 1900-1920 period, and the production shots and camera work do a fine job; but why in the world do we need rock'n'roll music to offer a major distraction to the film? This really made watching the movie at times repugnant. And the director and editor decided to do some fancy, techno editing effects, which further removed the film from the proper time setting. But the fine acting by all major players, and the great story itself, save this film.


I knew when I saw the woman's naked back scrawled with Votes For Women in what appeared to be red lipstick that this would be yet another stinker from HBO. We know this network is capable of good efforts, such as Band of Brothers, but more often than not, they produce anachronistic potboilers masquerading as history. While some of these characters lived, others were created to suit the mawkish tendencies of the producer, writer and director. I could find no evidence of the Leightons in the history sources I consulted. I didn't do an exhaustive search, but their story also felt contrived. Suffragettes in general were single-minded, serious women, not pouty little twits who mooned about on swings with leaves swirling all over them while hip-hop blasted. What was up with that hideous soundtrack? I taught college for years, and my students often amazed me with their capacity to appreciate stories from other eras. Hip-hop has no place in a historical film. No wonder American students suffer from brain atrophy. If you never challenge people, then they cannot learn and grow. When I watched the brilliant Shoulder to Shoulder (the British tale of their suffrage movement) during the 70s, I never expected to hear Led Zeppelin or the Who in the soundtrack. I wouldn't have wanted to. Period music is necessary to create mood and tone. Likewise, those disgusting costumes, which were just plain wrong. The sets looked anachronistic, as well, no less as soundstagey as all get out. Whenever the characters went outside to stand in the cold, no condensation emerged with their breaths. I can't abide cheap, phony productions, and that is what we too often get in these American pieces. Many of the songs were rather lascivious, as were the gratuitous scenes of the homely Swank (she is a decent actress, but she is hardly attractive) masturbating in the bathtub, complete with too many shots of her over-collagened lips. Ben Weissman, the so-called cartoonist/love interest, was a fictional creation. This sort of fictionalized love story in the midst of a biopic seems nothing short of insulting to the viewers, as well as to the historical women who suffered greatly for their cause. With just a few exceptions, women were only just emerging as public femme-fatales at this point, but many of these songs had a slutty tone. In addition to these flaws, the film definitely dragged in many places. Watch Shoulder to Shoulder instead. American suffragettes deserve better treatment than this aimless mess.


This is an outstanding movie and should be required viewing for every woman in this country, together with any and all of her daughters. I had no idea that women suffered so much in their fight to obtain the right to vote. We take this right for granted today, without realizing the sacrifices that were made to give us this right. Hilary Swank gives an outstanding performance, with a superb supporting cast.


I was incredibly impressed with this film and it's ability to make a part of history very few are aware of accessible to the masses. It's an incredibly moving portrayal of the sacrifices these women endured from the lifestyles they chose to lead in the name of their cause to the humiliation they suffered to bring about change. Change I'm sure most women today take for granted. This movie is a wonderfully unique blend of historical dramatization and modern cinematography that had me rivoted. It's amazing the moments in history we think we understand only to be shown the lives expended to truly achieve them. This reveals exactly those true stories.

I noted a review in this area from someone who commented on this film as a "chick flick," clearly showing an ignorance to the story and facts being presented and not realizing how insulting their comments are given the subject matter.


I loved this movie! Not only was it entertaining, it was educational and inspiring. The soundtrack to the movie was awesome and the several montages set to music moved the movie along nicely. Those who say the movie was boring clearly neglect the fact that the process was slow, painful, and even dangerous. As for cabbleaddict's comments, I think it is sad to even say maybe it had a good ending. HELLO! Women get to vote! Is there a better ending?


I loved this movie. It shows what courageous women went through in order for all women to enjoy a right that was once thought to be only worthy of men. Discrimination and patronizing plagued their efforts, and all shows that not all women suffrage groups were on the same side when it came to voting. I think this movie is important because it shows the women of today how hard their ancestors fought to secure us a luxury that so few practice today and how important it is.


While I've read many a comment saying how "boring" this HBO film was, I'm happy to say that I disagree. In this day and age, when communicating to young people just how important voting is, it's important that media like Iron Jawed Angels is made available. For those out there that are either too young to remember or have not had the privilege of learning these stories in history classes, knowing how hard some people fought and how much they struggled to achieve a right that many current citizens take for granted is tantamount. These stories are just as important as any other story in American history that details struggle, suffering, and a fight against obstacles to overcome.

Kudos, also, to Hillary Swank and company for all-around superb performances! Most importantly, thanks to those responsible for bringing this film to the public. Thank You!!!


This film is well acted, very well directed, and well written. It shows, realistically, the indignities women suffered to gain their right to vote- one is shocked that the U.S. government would have the audacity to treat political prisoners in such a fashion (but then again, this is Woodrow Wilson, who led some of the U.S.'s greatest civil rights infractions)--especially in a fight that should never have had to happen. On the whole, this film is not only well worth watching, but essential for every citizen. Our country should not ignore its problems (past or present) simply because it makes us uncomfortable-- the movie is a lovely parallel for our times and this administration. I firmly believe the only reason men would not appreciate this film is because they do not want to recognize their gender's disgusting role in subjugating women (As seen in other reviews). It is a beautiful, uplifting movie, and I'm grateful to the cast and crew for finally telling our story.


I'm not normally into made-for-TV movies, but while I was visiting a friend tonight "Iron Jawed Angels" came on the television and within the first 10 minutes I was hooked. I kept meaning to go back to writing a paper for school, but I couldn't quite pull myself away from the movie.

"Iron Jawed Angels" doesn't exactly qualify as one of the best movies of all time, but for what it is I think those who made it did a good job. Before seeing it I'd heard it was very modernized (rock music in the background, etc.) and I expected it to be pretty lame in that regard. As it is, by using a modern filming style and adding in lots of jokes that no one would ever think women of that time period would use (though I'm sure they DID say some pretty crazy things when men were out of hearing range), the writers and director managed to make a forgotten part of history rather hip. If it had been released in theaters, I would have been horrified, but as a TV movie it was very entertaining and enlightening.

Strange as it is, my friend and I realized these women were some of the most important and influential people in American political/civil rights history, and yet I would bet that very few people alive today can even name them, let alone talk about how they went on hunger strike while in prison and gave up comfortable lives for a cause greater than themselves.

There is some hokey stuff in this movie (as there is in most "liberty or death" flicks), but that is far outweighed by the fact that it has the ability to teach young people today about women's suffrage without making them fall asleep. Be sure to watch it if you're a newcomer to civil rights. If nothing else, watch it because it's entertaining and will make you feel good.


I just saw a sneak preview in a movie theater, and my heart is still pounding. I cannot find the proper words to express how...incredible? amazing? powerful? majestic? surreal? this film was. I know I viewed it at a particularly poignant time in my life, as a young, hopeful female student in our nation's capital, but I feel confident that this story can affect any and all people fighting (or hoping) for rights, freedoms, or dreams they've yet to achieve. That's the beauty of this story. These passions, this reason, this extreme intelligence and eloquence, and die-hard persistence...it simply cannot be written off as feminist, or irrelevant, or history. No one can ignore this, and EVERYONE can be changed by it.


I am very glad that I have seen this great movie. I was touched by this film. It is fun and exciting. Maybe I am a woman, I feel like crying with the characters, sharing pain and happiness with them. It is the feeling I have never had while watching a movie. I also enjoy the music too. If you are a woman, go and watch it. If you have daughters, watch it with them.

I want to thank all actresses, actors, director and other people who were involved in it. I am very grateful that they brought us a deep insight into these woman hero's' battle for the freedom. We owe so much to them.


"Iron Jawed Angels" follows the true life stories of Alice Paul, Lucy Burns, and the other brave suffragettes who fought for a woman's right to be heard in the government. What a fabulous movie!! A topic that could have been boring was brought to life by director Katja von Garnier, as well as wonderful performances by Julia Ormond, Molly Parker, Vera Farmiga, and the amazing Hillary Swank, who brings chills with her powerful monologues. The soundtrack, despite not being from the 1910s or 1920s, is also a great listen.

An important piece of history brought to life that all women should see and appreciate.


The words are Emily Leighton's (Molly Parker), who defied her Senator husband and risked losing her daughters to fight for their right to be counted as citizens of the US. She, and many other women fought long and hard, and endured pain and suffering, to give women what was rightfully theirs.

Hillary Swank was magnificent, as was her sidekick played by Frances O'Connor. Swank was the top of a stellar cast and should have gotten more credit for her performance. Hollywood tends to pick favorites instead of the best, and they did so in this case.

This is an important film that should be seen by all to remind us that our country has had and still has a history of denying basic rights to it's citizens. The fight is not over for everyone, and sometimes it takes herculean efforts to get what should be everyone's rights in the first place.


Iron Jawed Angels is a true story based on the life of radical suffragists who played a key role in winning the federal constitutional amendment that guaranteed women the right to vote. The film focuses on the years between 1912 and 1920, the last eight in a seventy-two year fight for women to claim the right to vote. Central to the story is Alice Stokes Paul (Hilary Swank,) feminist, suffragist and gifted political strategist, and her co-leader, Lucy Burns (Frances O'Connor.) The story of Paul and Burns, and the group of young, radical women who dedicate their lives to securing women the right to vote is, until now, one of the great-untold American stories of the century. I was moved by the drive of these brave women, inspired by their courage in the face of hatred and cruelty, compelled to join the ranks of these dauntless women whose influence helped give us the right to have a voice in our own government. Iron Jawed Angels is an exceptional film because it tells an important story in a fresh, engaging way.

Iron Jawed Angels has all of the elements of the best human drama: loyalty, disagreements, violence, personal sacrifice, and yes, triumph. It faithfully recreates the historical events that led to the ratification of the Nineteenth Constitutional Amendment, such as the memorable 1913 Suffrage Parade that was held during President Woodrow Wilson's inauguration, the nonviolent protest at the gates of the White House, arrests on trumped up charges that led to incarceration in a horrific work camp, and the violent force-feedings in response to the imprisoned suffragist's hunger strike.

Iron Jawed Angels is a film that delivers a message with well-written story lines, beautiful cinematography and intelligent, witty characterization. The acting in Iron Jawed Angels is superb. Hilary Swank gives a stunning, powerful performance as Alice Paul, the highly educated, brilliant political strategist with a Quaker background and fiery tongue. Frances O'Connor, who holds her ground next to the indomitable Alice, plays her cohort, Lucy Burns, equally well. The beautiful and articulate lawyer, Inez Milholland, played by Julia Ormond, delivers one of the most memorable scenes in the movie when she grandly leads the 1913 parade riding a regal white horse, holding herself with pride and dignity, wearing a resplendent white robe and magnificent angel wings suitably used to symbolize justice and liberty.

Anjelica Huston gives a phenomenal performance as the politically conservative, high-powered Carrie Chapman Catt; Huston won the 2004 Golden Globe Award as Best Actress for a Supporting Role in a TV Movie for her role. Catt was the leader of the "old guard," who disliked Paul and Burns' radical notions and methods. Even though the newcomers were initially half-heartedly allowed to participate in the long-standing National American Women's Suffrage Association, eventually they were forced out on their own. They then formed their own political platform, the National Women's Party. One of the triumphs of the film is how Catt rises above her dislike for Paul, wields her political clout and influences the fate of the imprisoned suffragists. As allies, they work together to defeat their opponents and win the right to vote.

Contrary to several writers who have criticized the mixture of modern and period music in this film, I enjoyed the musical soundtrack to this film. The majestic sound of the music and striking beats combined with lyrical vocals in Lauryn Hill's "Everything is Everything" track perfectly complemented the parade scene. Hill's lyrics uncannily replicate the film's theme; Hill herself is an outspoken advocate working for social justice in our own time; her music and reputation add credibility to the inherent message of the film.

I didn't know the remarkable story behind the ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment before I viewed "Iron Jawed Angels." The determined women who challenged the conventional thinking of the time inspired me. I easily identified with the complex, historical figures of the struggle behind the fight to win women's right to vote; I wanted to join their movement; I wanted to have a part in their crusade. The movie so moved me that I wanted to invite my sister and all of my women friends to share this amazing story with me, so that they, too, could experience the message behind the movie: no matter how entrenched or static a situation is, things can be changed with persistence and will; we really can make a difference.

Iron Jawed Angels tells a story that has largely been forgotten, save a few sentences in our high school history books. The story occurs at the birth of a century, the dawn of a new world. And yet, women still did not have the right to vote. Unbelievably, it took women being jailed in conditions that today would be in violation of our civil rights liberties and worldwide United Nations Human Right's Treaties to overcome the unjust laws of the time. These extraordinary women devoted their entire lives to the cause of women's rights. They were beaten up, jailed, insulted, spit on, force-fed through tubes shoved down their throats and noses, and even died, in order to win the right to vote.

The voting privilege is distressingly taken for granted by many American citizens today. However, it was not automatically extended to all citizens in our democratic society; it was a right that required a civil war for some and, for women, it required a brave group of iron jawed angels that put their lives on the line and made history. It should not be overlooked that in many other parts of the world it is a right that is still denied; for too many women it remains a distant hope. It is therefore incumbent upon those of us who already enjoy this right to exercise it faithfully. That will be a tribute to the incredible women who fought for the right to vote in America.


This is a moving and educational look into a period of U.S. history that has gone largely unrecognized by Hollywood in recent years. We all know the words 'suffragette' and about the 19th amendment. But herein we learn that our own U.S. citizens, 'guilty' of only exercising their 1st amendment rights, were treated so harshly that the U.S. would have been in violation of numerous articles of the Geneva Convention had it been in effect at that time. Human rights violations such this are are why the ACLU exists today. The same resistance tactics were used 25 years later by Gandhi, who liberated roughly the same number of people, and he is a household name. Why isn't Alice Paul equally recognized? This should be required viewing for every American, before they claim to understand what the words 'freedom' and 'liberty' truly mean.


I just finished watching this movie...and wow. It's very interesting, and it puts forth a different light on suffrage, one that I had never been privy to before. I never understood the depths that these women went to to give the right to vote for all. It's a beautiful movie, and is quite well done. The music makes it interesting as well, and there are plenty of emotional parts.

Its a great movie and it makes you feel that these women fought for so much, and that the least we can do is vote.

Great.


A beautifully acted and produced film about Women's sufferage during the Woodrow Wilson presidency. A great history lesson to all who would take the right to vote for granted.

The period was wonderfully portrayed and the cast was excellent. The only flaw I found in the production was the overexuberance of the "sound mixer" regarding the music volume levels during much of the dialogue.


If you ask me, it's the older games that are more fun. In 1990, Ron Gilbert released the first and best of the Monkey Island series, "The Secret of Monkey Island" Being a fan of Ron Gilbert/Lucasfilm Games (Maniac Mansion for example) I found this game extremely fun. Unlike most adventure games of today...you actually understand and find interest in the characters. You are Guybrush Threepwood, a young man who came to melee island anting to become a pirate. When the evil pirate Lechuck kidnaps the governor, Elaine Marley, you must get a crew and ship and sail to Monkey Island to rescue her. Now, form the sound of it this may not seem like a good game. Well believe me, it is. And one of the most important parts of the game is the humor. Just play it yourself. And see if you and Guybrush can discover "The Secret of Monkey Island."


A game rarely comes along that spawns many a fan and "successful" sequels. Monkey Island is at the top rank (When it comes to Computer games, that is). What you might think of as a rough, violent pirate game, totally turns away from it from the moment you enter the bar. (You'll see if you play). Laugh a minute and unpredictable, Monkey Island gets 11/10.


Join Guybrush Threepwood in a wonderful tale of fantasy, adventure, and mystery; the tale of "The Secret of Monkey Island".

The humor in this game is simply awesome. It's a particular sense of humor that makes Guybrush one of the most symphatetic heroes ever. The story is always interesting and you can't say that it isn't entertaining. I really enjoy this game. I play it every year as a tradition and I don't regret spending my time on it.

The ending always makes me feel nostalgic also. This is one of the games that will always stay with you. It makes you feel things that only a few games can.

Now, this is probably one of the best games ever produced. It should rank in the top 10 of all time along with "Mario 64" , "Zelda", "Sonic", "Mortal Kombat", etc.


This is one of the reasons I miss the pc games made on the beginning of the decade. There was an atmosphere that only those never too clear graphics and that pc speaker music could offer. And this game shows that atmosphere perfectly. It was passionating to play it, and even addictive, it provided hours of good fun and many thinking, even despair. At the end, it's completely satisfying, in the tradition of lucasarts' magnificent graphical adventures (like the spectacular Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis).


When I was a kid, I played games like Freddi Fish, Payama Sam and all the other games but never a game of LucasArts. When I grew 16, My brother went to the library and came home with a game magazine witch contained a demo with Sam and Max Season 1, ep. 6. I asked to my brother if he'd installed the demo, but he said that it was for little kids. He did it anyways and since then, I wanted to play adventures again.

A year later, I knew about the past of LucasArts, I've read that LucasArts would bring back Monkey Island in a special edition version. I never played it and I really wanted to play it. I've played it. It was the best adventure game yet I've ever played. The images were beautiful, the voice work was splendid, the humor was extremely hilarious and I've fell in love for the Monkey Island franchise. I hope that LucasArts'd bring back the other games in a special edition version.

Until now, I've only saw the second biggest monkey head yet.


Yes, I played this game on the sega cd video game console, however I do believe it was originally a computer game. This game was a bit different than the games I was used to playing as in this game you progressed through your quest with really no fear of dying. You just solved the puzzles and moved on in your quest. A nice change of pace to be sure in the days of lives and limited continues and many deaths by way of the mysterious pit. This game has you as a wannabe pirate named Guybrush Threepwood. The name is a bit funny is it not? Well the entire game is a rather funny ordeal as our pirate must navigate many obstacles on his quest to become a pirate and rescue the governor's daughter from the pirate ghost LeChuck. Basically all there is to it, you are constantly faced with puzzles to help you proceed such as getting yourself launched from a cannon, having to buy a boat from a dubious salesman, getting past the dreaded piranha poodles, getting caught again and again by natives on an island only to escape buy the same way as the natives keep putting on more high tech doors on your prison, and touching the most violent beast ever just to have a man join your crew of dangerous pirates. So for a fun and rather funny game this one was very good. For the most part the puzzles are not to hard to figure out, only the one involving the head and maze gave me trouble and it was a breeze once I figured out what to do.


The Secret of Monkey Island is game that has always been close to my heart. The game is a undoubted classic.

Graphically the game is not quite on par with its sequel but animation wise its on the top of its game, with the graphics enhancing the comedic feel. Also, the different graphic-style makes it stand out from its sequels. The classic soundtrack by Michael Land is easily one of the best in gaming history. Even with the limited MIDI technology of the day the game compensates with powerful drum-beats to create a steady world of sound for the game.

Humour has always been the main thing with Monkey Island and the classic laughs of the first game still work well. The game creates a nice illusion of a big adventure before its rather over-the-top ending.

The Secret of Monkey Island is both a classic and well-developed game altogether. It's main weaknesses are its slight datedness and length.


These games are AWESOME. If you have any way of obtaining a copy, I suggest you do. Not only are they fun and challenging (not too hard, though), but they also are filled with jokes! Guybrush Threepwood is my favorite computer character... and, if you're more into "modern tech.", then look up Escape From Monkey Island, the fourth in the series.


Spoilers! Don't read unless you've played the game!

This game is a bit old - it first appeared in 1990. But that doesn't stop it from being great!

This game was made by LucasArts (at the time they were known as LucasFilm.) This company is well-known for making great adventure games that are funny and easy to play. The Secret of Monkey Island is definitely no exception. It's made in three or four different parts, something I wasn't accustomed to until I played this series. It's virtually impossible to die and the games give a fresh new look on the whole adventure platform. The game is packed with great jokes and challenging puzzles. It's not the type of adventure game where you have to swordfight monsters every 2 seconds (although you do go through "swordfighting training" to learn some really funny insults) or listen while someone blabs on about how they're avenging the death of their great-grandfather's second cousin's sister's nephew's half-uncle once-removed, wasting your time with stories that don't have anything to do with the game.

In the Secret of Monkey Island, you are Guybrush Threepwood, an aspiring young man who wishes to become a pirate. You talk to some pirates in a bar and find out that there's three challenges you have to go through to actually become a pirate like them. Seems simple enough, but be warned...this isn't your average adventure game! You might find yourself with the strangest tools to do the job.

One feature I really liked was the challenges the game presents. You really have to think outside the box to solve these puzzles, and it makes the game really funny. I mean, in what other adventure game can you actually utilize a rubber chicken with a pulley in the middle? The stuff you pick up is totally weird and generally isn't used for what you'd expect.

The game was also full of great characters with all kinds of different personalities. These weren't over-stereotyped, blase cookie-cutter characters that all acted and looked alike. There's everyone from Carla, the island's cynical sword master, to Stan, the high-pressure ship salesman that will do anything for a sale. Even the Men of Low Moral Fiber (pirates) are unique. It makes for a great gaming experience.

In short, this is a great classic that should be played by everyone - especially someone looking for a fresh new perspective into the world of adventure games. I wish there was more games like the Monkey Island series. Hopefully they'll come out with a fifth one sometime in the near future. As it is, I'll be enjoying these Monkey Island games for a long time to come!


Talking bout this great game bring tears to my eyes. This game and its continuations are so cool, that it freeze to the bones. Great Jokes. Great playibility. Fun. fun. fun. fun... Please, i know its an old game, but play it.


I am well and truly amazed at this game, still. It's been twelve years almost, and I've played this game from time to time since before adolescence. Most other games I used to play then seem weak and childish (well, duh) when looked at now. I can only enjoy this game more as I come to fully understand the regular jokes and learn the in-jokes. This was the beginning of Monkey Island. The beginning of insult swordfighting, of Guybrush and LeChuck. And while it wouldn't be fair to say they've gone downhill since (I love CMI, especially), this has to be the best of the Monkey Island games.


A surprisingly well written and creative script, which was no simple plot: there are twists and turns, not by pushing or attention hogging actions  the film just flows from scene to scene, be it recounting or fantasizing or in the present. It's really a gem  well-cut and put together with facets reflecting, refracting and juxtaposed -- rich in story tone and colorful emotions (at times sensuous suggestions), and the happenings were all set in and around a leisurely paced San Francisco (in a cafe or a studio, for instance).

How attractive and alluring is this picture? Writer-director Alan Jacobs made spending time in a shoe store most interesting to follow, especially we are with Laura San Giacomo. Her pairing with Paul Rhys from Britain was more than suitably matched. In the end, it's absolutely fulfilling: the romance between the two key characters is imaginative and real. This film affirms that love can be wondrous and mysteriously romantic at the same time  you and your partner can be whoever, whenever, whatever you want to make it to be. Love and receive love. Be.

Laura San Giacomo was in Steven Soderbergh's 1989 `sex, lies and videotape' with James Spader, Andie MacDowell and Peter Gallagher, and in writer-director Simon Moore's 1992 `Under Suspicion' with Liam Neeson (a very good who dunnit with twists after twists and. . .more). Paul Rhys was in Robert Altman's 1990 "Vincent and Theo" with Tim Roth and Johanna Ter Steege (she was the disappearing wife in George Sluizer's 1988 Dutch film "The Vanishing".)


It is refreshing to see a movie about married life, that tells it like it is--this movie actually has a involving story! Furthermore, this movie is funny, interesting, well acted, and erotic. If you liked Laura in Quigley Down Under, and Pretty Woman, you'll love her here. Her sweet, vulnerable, yet strong and assertive personality shines as does her comedic ability. This is a terrific date movie--for married folks. Don't miss it.


With all due respect to the other reviewers here, I feel compelled to disagree completely & whole heartedly on their view of this movie. I'd also love to have some of whatever they were smoking which made this movie so stellar for them. I would point out to those considering watching it that the average is 5.3 stars and in my opinion, that is generous. The script is slow, the dialogue juvenile & tacky and, while the actors do their best with it, the performances are most definitely lacking.

If you want a "realistic" feeling movie about infidelity, try "Unfaithful" with Diane Lane and Olivier Martinez. Well written, spectacularly acted & far closer to real than "Nina Takes a Lover."


Though the movie was somewhat slow and Rhys never got a name- only the "photographer" this was a pleasant movie to watch on a weekend evening with a glass of sherry. San Giacomo is a very attractive woman and carried off the part nicely. Fisher Stevens added to the sleaze factor of it all. What I liked was the romance evolved and didn't go straight into sex scenes. A believable film about two people who are attracted to each other and because both spouses are gone- follow their hearts- though they are breaking vows.


'Torremolinos 73' is the proof that Spanish cinema is nowadays one of the best in the world, and that Almodovar is not the only one who makes it deserve this honor. Pablo Berger is the director and this is only his second film, but the work is of a mature creator, mastering the subject, with a deep understanding of the time the plot happens, with a strong hand in directing his actors, while leaving them enough space for creativity.

The plot happens in 1973, a moment before the fascist dictatorship in Spain fell, and Spain re-joined the family of democratic nations. A not so young couple anticipates in a way the cultural and economic revolution all Spain will go soon, by acting and producing porno movies for the Scandinavian market under the pretext of 'researching reproduction morals in different countries'. The film tells a lot about the process of transition between dictatorship and democracy and its moral risks, about the contrast between tradition and liberal morals, about the relation between pornography and art. All is done in good taste, even the soft core porno scenes are justified for a change. The actors are wonderful, they create empathy with the viewer, and they are credible as characters.

9 out of 10 on my personal scale.


I found this to be a captivating and entertaining movie - great pains were taken to reproduce that 70's look and feel and it is totally convincing. While seemingly limited in their ambitions, the main characters are nevertheless sympathetic and there are some quirky sidekicks whose characters are fleshed out enough to be entertaining as well - everyone from the landlady, the boss, to the friend who drives. I also found myself seriously enjoying the director's X-rated version of an Ingmar Bergman film over the actual film it self. The woman doesn't have much ambition aside from being "womanly" but it is based on a true incident and hey it was the 70's in Spain.


My wife is kinda obsessed with non-American filmography and she insists on watching every non-American movie on a theater near us. Well, I can't say I am a fan of Hollyweird myself - on the contrary - but I like the independents and on occasion I can even rent a blockbuster for a couple of popcorn hours at home.

So, she dragged me (almost literally) to said theater to watch "a Spanish comedy". She's an avid Almodovar fan (I am not) and so gets pretty much excited over Spanish films.

We went into the theater along with 15 (yes, fifteen) other spectators... not much of an atmosphere, huh? I was not fairly predisposed towards the film, to say the least.

After the two hours have passed, though, I was in love with this little gem! Torremolinos '73 is a very smart film, and has lots to give to any open-minded person, especially if said person has a decent knowledge of Bergman's films.

The first part is extremely funny. Especially the scenes with the couple shooting the ...educating movies, are hilarious. Irony is all over the place, subtle references to Frankist Spain are obvious to those who know what they should look about, but everything serves the purpose to have a good laugh, even if you have to actually think about the film to do so.

The second part is not as funny, but I almost wet myself while the aspiring director Bergman-wannabe shoots a number of scenes with his utterly talent-less wife, imitating every last cadre of a Bergman film! To sum this up: If you are not annoyed by ample nudity (I have to say this since IMDb is also accessed by... ahem... cultures not quite fond of nudity), you like witty (the Spanish way) humor and you are a bit of a Bergman-geek (does such an animal even exist???) you are going to adore Torremolinos '73, as I did.

Probably the best comedy (by far...) I watched this summer.


This Spanish film has recently had a limited UK theatrical release and has garnered lots of good local reviews. But despite being listed by the London Evening Standard as a Top Pick, my companion and I saw it in an otherwise empty cinema! Would the projectionist have gone home had we not been there, we wondered. No matter, we enjoyed this charming film, seemingly made by and for film buffs, from start to finish. Its charm is quite subtle, and I suspect a lot of people might not "get it". We liked the spot on period detail; the great locations (ever visited out-of-the way parts of Spain or Italy?), and the specially faded film colours are an excellent touch. The careful choice of Spanish pop music of the time adds to the atmosphere. And interestingly, there are enough knowing movie references to keep Super 8 fans and art-house buffs happy throughout (two examples being of course the low-budget Bergman remake, and less obviously, the deserted fairground sequence is pure "Carnival Of Souls").

Sure, the plot line might be a little flawed, and the ending does flag a little, as mentioned in other IMDb user reviews, but I really feel people are being harsh. After all, the whole premise of the film is highly unlikely if you want to pick holes. Definitely recommended.


Pablo Berger, the director of "Torremolinos 73", takes us back to the Spain of the seventies when Franco was still around and where he sets the scene for this satire about the clandestine porno industry. Mr. Berger also wrote the screen play, that at times is mildly amusing by the situation he creates. If you haven't seen the movie, please stop reading here.

We first see Alfredo trying to sell books door to door without much success. His boss calls his staff and informs a new revamping in the business. He is going to start a series of experimental films about sex education that will be marketed abroad. The employees are shocked, and only Alfredo and his wife Carmen, and another man, agree to participate. Carmen wants to have children, which seems not to come to her and Alfredo.

Carmen becomes a favorite sight in the Scandinavian countries, and she is even as identified in a department store in Madrid by one of her fans. Since their Scandinavian instructors keep on quoting the great Ingmar Bergman, Alfredo decides to make his own film that parallels "The Seventh Seal". The shooting is in an empty hotel in Torremolinos where Alfredo and his crew are seen filming the movie in the artistic black and white, but suddenly Carlos, the money man, wants a bit of sex in the picture. Alfredo is shocked because since he is not participating, Carmen will have to perform with the leading man! Javier Camera, who was so good in "Talk to Her" plays Alfredo, the book peddler turned porno film director. Candela Peña makes a good suffering Carmen who is lured into the scheme because of necessity. Juan Diego is seen as Alfredo's boss.

The film has a faded look that blends well with the period its trying to reproduce. The film has some funny moments.


I think everyone is being a tad harsh on this film, there is no way they could have kept the pace of the first half of the film up it would have been exhausting.Seeing this film in a packed cinema @ cornerhouse certainly helped, seen Candela Pena in two films recently she shines in both.As for the second half of the film & the transition from comedy to drama the laughs didn't dry up they just were a bit more subtle i thought he bergman stuff especially carrying the sithe on the rollercoaster & playing chess on the pedolo was hilarious. An honourable debut for me it looked like the seventies, all brown & beige. The donkey bit was very funny, definitely not subtle.


Writer/director Pablo Berger's engaging sex comedy has been praised in some quarters as a Spanish Boogie Nights, but it's altogether a gentler, more romantic film.

Set in 1973 towards the end of the censorious Franco era, hapless door-to-door encyclopaedia salesman Alfredo (Javier Cámara) is given a blunt choice by his boss  accept redundancy or diversify into making 'sex education' home movies with his shy wife Carmen (Candela Peña) for the Danish porn industry.

After some hesitation, the couple set to with a passion and become increasingly bold in staging their fantasies for the camera  until Carmen unwittingly becomes something of an international sex symbol and Alfredo gets the chance to fulfil his dream of directing a feature film inspired by his cinematic idol Ingmar Bergman.

The leads weave a potent and convincing chemistry, both as lovers and as a long-married couple, while Berger lightly coaxes humour and an eccentric romance to the fore.


That movie is a piece of art, one of the best directions actually, an incredible screenplay, a very human story. Incredible actors and very very good direction. Excellent Candela Peña, very hard work to create the character, you can fall in love with her in the first scene. Probably it is not an example of life, talking about the characters, but if it could happened,it was in the 70s. A very intelligent movie, rare on Spain, Im sure that Ingmar Bergman couldn't directed it better. I smiled, cried and laughed with that movie. Im really proud to meet the director in person. And I have to say him: Pablo thanks for that movie, and thanks for how you are.


When I first watched this film in 2005, I loved it, although at the time I was perhaps ready to agree that the second half of the film stumbles in a lot. But having recently seen 'Camera Buff' by Krzysztof Kieslowski, I am absolutely convinced 'Torremolinos 73' was inspired by it, in one way or another. This is not to deny originality to Berger's creation, but the acquaintance with the Polish film can seriously help understand and evaluate 'Torremolinos'. It can let us appreciate some details (compare, for instance, a cameo appearance of another Polish filmmaker, Zanussi, in 'Camera Buff' to the ever-powerful presence of Bergman's loudspeaker in 'Torremolinos'), but, most importantly, it allows to see, what exactly the subject of the film is. If our understanding is not informed by 'Camera Buff', then 'Torremolinos' is a vinaigrette of politics, porn and art-house cinema. If it is, then the main topic is exactly the one that makes the film somewhat 'heavy' in its second part and which was one of the central topics in Kieslowski's film. Cinema becomes a wedge, which is hammered between the routine and creativity. Aspiration to make 'serious' films and the cherishing of a film as one's child violently confronted the parental responsibilities of Kieslowski's protagonist, who gave in to creative impulses. The conflict in 'Torremolinos' is slightly reversed in that cinema becomes a more complex agent: it is the reason for misunderstanding, but it also unveils the problem and in the end even helps to resolve it. It is nevertheless the importance of the choice and its connection to various problems concerning family life that bring a kind of dullness into the second part of 'Torremolinos'. In this case it might be useful to agree with those who call this part 'subtler' in comparison to the upbeat start. In particular, this second part contains an easily-unnoticed topic of how much insult the male pride can take, and whether or not it is worth being guarded when love is at stake.


i just saw this movie this Saturday. there was a Spanish film festival in one of the theaters here and i brought my friend along to watch.. the theater was packed, i'm telling you, even if i found that hard to believe, hahaha. the movie was funny, and yeah, charming too. i'm glad i got to watch it, and i hope to watch more in the future. i won't be telling anything more about torremolinos. the user comment was quite useful.. oh yeah, i liked the B&W shots in the carnival that alfredo shot for his movie "torremolinos 73." and one song there, i just can't get it off my mind... the one that goes "carmen, carmen, carmen.. te quiero y lo sabes." it's such a happy song, hahah.


This is about Spain in the 70s, with the falangists still in power. A salesman of dictionaries about the civil war is about to be fired. But his boss gives him another opportunity: Start making porno films together with your wife for my company.

They start doing so, but there are conflicts of course. This movie can't decide if it is a comedy or a wannabe tragedy and it ends in neither. This could have been mostly funny if the creators had done more of the 70s feeling, but they don't. And in the end you laugh more at the persons you ought to feel sorry about.

Not a must.


the plot is not enough to justify a 90 minutes movie but for a 20 minutes television sketch. The actress Candela peña does it very good, but actor camara doesn't fits with the fisic-du-role for a porno star. The funny situations are better achieved than the dramatic ones.

The first half you expect for a lot of possibilities the subject could be developed, but it never does. When the sign "the end" comes, you think that something is missing, it's not possible an ending like that, maybe the deadline are the only explanation for such a sudden end, when you're still waiting for something that justify the movie.

The recreation of the seventies atmosphere is achieved, and the music helps to that goal. You can see it, if you want a light comedy without many pretensions.


A little of those Spanish spicy movies from late 70's, a little of "Indecent Porposal", a little of comedy (if there's someone who really laughs watching' this), a little of drama... A little of everything to get to nowhere. The plot releases what we're gonna get through: a door-to-door salesman is forced to film some porn movies with his wife so he can keep his job (yeeeeha!!). Anyway, though the movie has some good points (a nice setting, good actors such as Diego or Cámara), the final product is too weak, neither the dramatic part nor the comic one are that good.

Basically unnecessary.

PS: "Torremolinos 73" won the prize for the Best Movie at Malaga's Festival (that's a lot significant)... I can't even imagine the quality of its rivals.

*My rate: 3/10


So it's 7am and I'm barely awake on a Monday morning and just flipping through the channels, minding my own business, when along comes this short that put me in the best frame of mind for the week. No spoilers, but I loved the turn-about on the old peep show theme. I was wondering how it would end and the surprise is definitely worth the nine minutes, but the entire short is hilarious. Check Cinemax listings for showing in August and September of 2000. Do not miss taping this one.


Just discovered this short on atom.com under the heading "Sexy Comedy". A young woman with her hair in a bow goes to a booth where she puts a dollar or more in a slot to hear a couple of men say what a woman like her wants to hear like one of them wanting to watch Enchanting April or another of them wanting to take her dancing. Every sensitive thing this woman hears gets her so aroused that she lets her hair down and goes into orgasmic ecstasy with every word especially when-after putting down $50 for the entire show-she hears both of the men say, "Have you lost weight?" The asides of the men-like when one of them mentions Enchanting April Showers starring Traci Lords-also provides some hilarity. Well worth seeing for anyone who likes comedy with a twist.


I saw this short film at the Telluride Film Festival. It was shown in a section with other short films and this was by far the audience favorite. The audience roared with laughter and gave a standing ovation at the end (the ending was really special; the story made sort of a crescendo to the end). It's amazing to me that the writer could tell such a funny story in 10 minutes. Bravo! The story is a very witty take on the age-old adult "peep show" places. The story should not be offensive at all, for men or women, but the humor is geared to adults who have some knowledge of these sorts of places. It's a very funny movie. If you are looking for a hearty laugh, I strongly recommend this one.


Well, it's hilarious, but... Thinking about all those relationships I might have saved had I seen it 20 years ago... Sad, sad...


Peep Show surprised me. I saw it on one of the cable channels, and it was better than most of the feature-length films. It's a different take on "what women want" and makes good-natured fun of commonly held views. I got laughs seeing a woman pay to hear men say things she wants to hear, like "I'd love to go to your niece's Christening." Of course the men utter their comments without a lick of sincerity, though they do a nice job of faking it. And she not only believes them, her arousal level climbs the more she hears.

I suppose some might consider this film women bashing but it's too light and too much fun to be taken seriously.

This is one of my favorite shorts. I hope it gets aired frequently.


Saw this at the 1999 Hamptons Film Festival. I wish I could get ahold of a copy to show to my girlfriend. It's such a sendup of gender stereotypes, executed with great wit. Worth every second of its nine minutes.


This was a great movie. I bought it from a major department store last night and let me tell you that I have seen it at least 8 times. Yes it's low budget but the idea was great. So many people compare low budget and local artist to high, block buster, household name movies in which that isn't fair. If I had over a million dollars to create a movie then my movie would have the best graphics, story line, audio board, power house studio, and major name actors. Please give this movie and other low budget movies a chance. Another thing, these actors as well as production crew did a great job for the material they had to work with. The director also did a pretty good job. The only thing is using your time, budget, crew, and location wisely always play a major role in every movie. This comment is from an industry player who no's that the beginning is not the end for anyone. We all create greatness if we learn from past projects. To the crew, actors, and especially the director; keep up the great work..


Its very refreshing to see a urban comedy that you can see with your parents as well as with your kids that doesn't have the actors spewing the N-word or dropping the F-bombs every 5 minutes. I mean is that the only kind of comedy we can do ? Anyway I didn't realize that the movie was a musical. The story, an romantic comedy about a black college student whose love life is rocked by the antics of her famous musical family stars the very funny Reynaldo Rey and Shani Bayete (The fine sister from Nothing to Lose) I first heard about the film in April issue of Suede Magazine, as one of their video picks of the month. (Tyra Banks is on the cover) The very talented Bayete is Audrey Mathis. A former child member of a '70's funk band called the 'Neighborhood Gang'. She has been successfully juggling her hidden past, school, and a new boyfriend. That's until her estranged and outrageous family (Reynaldo Rey and Comedienne Retha Jones play her father and mother) arrive on campus for her graduation. Her brother, Damian is the current crown prince/mogul of rap, hip-hop and fashion played aptly by Tre Luv, and her younger sister, Tangie, is an outrageous combination of Lil' Kim (pre-conviction) :)!!! and Little Bow Wow, played by the very sexy Boobie Monroe. Audrey does'nt flow with the current music scene, but is heavy into the arts, culture and academia. She's had it with attitude, ego, arrogance and noise. She tries to hide her family from the new love of her life, who later, to her surprise, becomes the latest rap artist on her brother Damian's record label. Anna-Marie Horsford also makes a hilarious guest appearance as Mama Pearl. Some of music performances are really funny aka Reynaldo's lip-syncing. Junie Hoang, Jalene Mack and Jasmine Montesino round out a solid cast as Janet, Amber and Suzanne, Audrey's some-what neurotic sorority sisters who'll do anything to get into the music biz. Their rendition of Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star is really funny. The director does a great job of mixing the musical performances with the into the comedy storyline also. This is a good one. Check it out.


this movie is just some scene taped together with no story line (at least i could find it) the leading male with a monologue that made no sense how you looked at it the comedy in the movie was one cliché after another stuff we seen over a million times like white guy teaching black history(SEEN IT IN 'HOW HIGH')not funny and what is with the badly dubbed music scenes this a perfect example of go home and do it over also why is the leading male living in a crack house if hes loaded its a low budget movie there's no lieing in that but that doesn't mean that the movie it selve needs to be crap everything is cheap in this move including the script


Here is a movie that someone gave me that i thought might be funny based on the title. this movie turned out to be one of the worst movies that i witnessed. The only reason that i painfully set through this movie was i hoped to get a glimpse at maybe a fine woman or something. That wouldn't of even helped. i haven't even seen a home movie that was this bad. the movie looked like it was shot on the first take and it seemed like much of the audio of the movie was re-done in the studio with the editor forgetting to put back subtle audio effects like background sound effects for the environments etc. It may not sound like much but you would be surprised how much it makes a difference with the movie in missing it. None of the actors looked convincing at all and the scenes often did not make any scene. Some of the scenes were drawn out with no direction. Very low budget  but that is not what made it bad. It was a shame to see Reynaldo Rey and the other actress from the Wayne Brother's sit com in this movie. Not that they are top actors but just the fact of having this movie tied to their names is bad enough for 2 actors who actually are recognized. Some of the sound effects were the worst. This movie had no comedy, drama, suspense, horror, special effects or action. It is hard to categorize this movie. It should be a training video to show film makers what not to do. This movie is one my OPEN WATER list which is another awful movie. This movie made me become a member of this site just to warn everyone how bad it was. If you ever want to get rid of company or torture someone please get this movie and watch it. Other wise don't waist the hour ½ of your life trying to wait for it to get better like I did.


Even though I live in Florida I like to support the Independent Films coming from da west coast. But this movie wasn't what I expected, their was some pretty chicks and that's about it. I think I could have made a better film because it look like they were acting like actors instead of getting into their role. But the music that they were using was cool. There are some funny parts of this movie but you have to probably get buzzed in order to catch them. The freestyle battle was pretty cool I wish there was more battling then listening to MR. LAME spoken word guy. I would recommend watching it just for the hell of it just to see how lame it really is, but then again if you're lame it will fit you perfect.


Now, i have been watching B-movie horrors for sometime now and this film is by far the worst one i have ever watched but also the best. If your looking for good script, acting, story etc. then avoid this film like the plague however if you are looking for a cheap laughter filled night in with the lads, this is the one for you. With no where near believable characters and a largely endowed femme fa tale you know your in for at least some cheap laughs and nudity. The script while trying to be serious is just awful, thats all that can be said....awful, just bloody awful.The script is devoid of interesting plot turns and any real creativity, if you gave a monkey a type writer the script for aquanoids would quickly churn out.

I do however have a place in my heart for this film, even though the script was downright terrible, some moments in this film are just a must to commit to memory and are undeniably funny. The camera quality too adds to the hilarity, as a good friend whom i watched this with described its quality very well as "porno Cam".

to conclude, if you see this in a bargain bin, buy it just to see what I'm talking about but if you are not someone in persuasion of B-movie horror you best look somewhere else.


Next time you find a quid down the back of the sofa you could either stroll to the shops for a can of Coke or make Aquanoids 2, I strongly advise the former. Laurence Hobbs gives the kind of script-mangling performance that wouldn't be acceptable in Foggy Bottom Village Hall, never mind a film that people have to spend hard-earned to see. Laura Nativo is pretty, charming and oddly unembarrassed by it all and I can't decide whether Ike and Edwin are awful actors or playing for laughs, let me know guys. Jason Peri's score is far better than the film deserves and the fact that it took two people to write the script is a mystery of the modern age. Good grief. And then some.


AQUANOIDS with Eric Spudic www.ericspudic.com "Killers Of The Sci-Fi Sea, With gore & moreThat's a good movie."Lara Nativo is a really nice Scream Queen©.There is a lot of footage of Catalina Island,Kind of a travelogue for Gorehounds.There is some political stuff because of the tourism problem with so many deaths,Didn't we learn from the JAWS movie that danger BRINGS tourists.The AQUANOIDS(monsters) look like the Sleestak from TVland's LAND OF THE LOST.I liked the movie.Great fight scene between man and woman.The casting seems from a Soap Opera employment agency.Some of the acting seemed forced and other times roles could have been themselves.


Okay aside the video was pretty bad a number of other things is way wrong with this undersea Turkey. One, it's a complete rip off of other sea going monster movies, the creature design is almost total rip off of WAR-LORDS FROM THE DEEP, the basic premise is a rip of CREATURE OF THE BLACK LAGOON and near the end the creature changes his pattern and rapes the Mayor's daughter, that's HUMANOIDS FROM THE DEEP. Another thing that made no sense is why? Why did the Aquanoids stop for 16 years? Another thing is the Mayor, a corrupt Mayor wouldn't be running around shooting people, that's what Thugs are for. Plus, they kill the Aquanoids and the Mayor tries to kill them anyway, HELLO! The evidence went boom into a billion pieces, there was no need for that. Plus when the Deputy kills the Mayor saving Venessa's life, he's arrested. He's a deputy, the Mayor had a gun, he had the right to do it. This is just stupid and a waste of time! Don't bother, I give it the NOOSE!


First of all, let us examine the title. If a humanoid is "like a human" then is an aquanoid "like.....water?" Hmmm....

Anyway, this movie is so bad it will give you a headache. Not even kidding, the aspect ratio of the film is bad, so the screen contorts not only the video, but also your retina. And the acid-flashback you go on every time they show the aforementioned water-like creature doesn't help either. While it provides minor nudity, and some violence (like a man who stands helpless as his balls are crushed to a bloody pulp by a girl, a feeling you will share at the end of the movie) we only recommend this in cases of extreme desperation.


This little gem opens in 1987, where two people are killed and dragged off-screen by an aquanoid. Cut to around 2003-ish, where we meet are heroin Vanessa, daughter of one of said killed persons from 1987, who's convinced aquanoids are still out there.

Of course a new rash of killings begin, but its tourist season and two goofy-looking old guys decide not to let panic spread, so they decide to silence Vanessa. Of course, their plan fails.

In the mean time, there's a ghastly mortician who likes to dissect things (While eating his lunch) who confirms that the mutilated bodies are indeed the work of an aquanoid. The two goofy-looking old guys cover it up by saying it was the work of a boating accident (We know this because one of the said goofy-looking old guys goes up to the mortician and says to his face; "BOATING ACCIDENT!").

Vanessa and friends try to warn people of the imminent threat, but everyone thinks she's a nut job and completely ignores her warnings.

Any ways, a group of kids go off and get killed, one gets impregnated and later in the mortician's office gives birth (Apparently in addition to having a mortician's license, he's also qualified to deliver a baby) to a monster that looks like a cross between the Fiji Mermaid and a carrot.

The fiji-carrot thing gets dispatched of and the mortician is forced at gunpoint to tell a police officer what the hell's going on. Mortician tells him all, gets knocked out, police officer leaves, enter the two goofy-looking old guys. The girl who gave birth to the aquanoid is the daughter of one of the said goofy old guys, he's naturally disgruntled and the ghastly mortician once again gets interrogated at gunpoint. This time the mortician introduces the deceased baby fiji-carrot to them, saying; "Meet your new grandson!!!".

Mortician gets dispatched of via bullet to the brain, the two goofy old guys leave and have a shoot out with a cop (During an incredibly exciting split-screen action scene). One of said goofy old guys is killed, as is the police officer, leaving one goofy old guy to stop Vanessa.

Vanessa and friends go to the beach to kill the aquanoid (Apperantly there's only one), armed with all sorts of illegal weapons, go diving for said aquanoid, think they have it trapped and try to blow it up, resulting in an impressive CG explosion. Well, it's not dead, almost kills one of the said friends-of-Vanessa, gets blown up again, this time for good.

HOWEVER, the one remaining goofy old guy is still out to get Vanessa, tries to shoot her with a sniper rifle, but gets dispatched of via harpoon-to-the-face by a police officer.

The end.

Wow. I thought I'd seen it all, until I saw Aquanoids. Everything about this film is top-notch, from the polished cinematography to the stunning camera work to the grade-A performances. The scene where Vanessa's friend admits he's her father was incredibly touching and powerful. It's a scene that will go down in film history for sure. The special effects were simply stunning. The cmaera work, well, is the most visually impressive I've ever seen, frankly.

The screenplay is intelligent and thought-provoking and the direction is both awe-inspiring and mesmerizing. A great movie, and if you liked this I also recommend films like "Rodentz", "Puppet Master vs. Demonic Toys" and "The Creeping Terror", which are also flawlessly excellent cinematic masterpieces.

This film has truly changed my life, it's the most thought-provoking and emotionally devastating epic of the last century. It made me rethink my life, question who I am and what is real, and it will do the same for you.

10/10


If u watch it and replay it a few times, they add things into there slapstick comity that takes a lot of intellect to decipher. When there car cut in half, when he was about to hit the mound of TNT, yes very "kid" slapstick, he turns around and says " isn't this a bit contrite." funny to most adults, no kid would pick that up. like when the Peter predecessor asked the Brian Predecessor, if he was OK after thrown into the wall, he brought tragedy which i do not know how to spell or even get a hold of how to spell it. although it was Child based it given a lot of adult humor. Summarizing, although it was made for kids, i find the dry and hidden humor quite funny. it is probably more comedic than family guy its successor in the fact that Family Guy is more, Here is the joke every one will understand it, while this is more, lets be discrete.


Before Seth MacFarlane got to where he is now with adult comedies like Family Guy and American Dad, he actually had a job doing kids shows and worked on titles like Johnny Bravo and Dexter's Lab. But in the case of this short, this was a remake of an old short he did years back, which was essentially Family Guy with these two characters, Larry & Steve. So he tried again, but his target audience wasn't adults, it was kids. He took two characters, Larry( essentially Peter, except he's older and not fat) and Steve( essentially Brian, except he's taller and doesn't have any of the adult dilemmas that Brian faces, could mention them but you know what I mean).

This was about how Larry met Steve, or by this short's opening, Steve's perspective. Steve is in the dog pound and if he doesn't get taken soon, he'll be put to sleep. Nobody can understand him until a dimwit named Larry comes along and purchases him. Larry takes Steve to his apartment and shows him his room, so far the room has everything Steve could want; light, television, and a bed. Then they break down and it's off to the store, where they try out a lot of high tech stuff that causes a lot of destruction.

Out of all the shorts on Cartoon Network's What A Cartoon?! this was one of my personal favorites. Wish they did make a show out of this, although it does seem that MacFarlane was more of a hit with his adult cartoons. Shame, this was pretty good. But don't blame Seth, blame Cartoon Network( I guess...).


This had to become a show. they fund crappy cartoons to be crappy shows with boring story lines, and they didn't fund this or what is the problem? this is a hilarious show. I offer you the formula for this show.

The slapstick kind of comedy of Tom and Jerry + The sarcastic humor of Family Guy = Larry and steve.

Larry and Steve is a short animated comedy that depicts a dog, steve (Voiced by Seth Macfarlane) and his idiotic owner Larry( again voiced by Macfarlane himself) the chemistry of those two characters is just hysterical.

i have seen the short comedy macfarlane made in 95, the life of larry. but larry and steve is even funnier. larry and steve is mainly focused on physical humor where ourrageous explosions and car crashes occur in every 20 seconds.

if i was seth macfarlane, i would consider making this as a sitcom, there is no doubt that it'll be successful.


but it was still pretty good. It wasn't quite as good as 'The Life of Larry', but then again, it had to be a bit more child-friendly to be on Cartoon Network. It was worth the half hour download time (My computer is VERY slow) for the one or two laugh-out-loud moments, but any longer than that, and there's not really much point. It's not hard to see who Steve later evolved into (a more famous cartoon by Seth Macfarlane) but unlike 'The Life of Larry', none of the jokes are reused in 'Family Guy'. One of the only bad points I can make about it was the classic cartoon scream, where the characters eyes go wider than their head. When this is used on Steve, it's cringe worthy.


This is actually the precursor to Family Guy. The similarities between Brian (the Dog) and Steve (the dog) are virtually identical as are between Larry and Peter. It would seem that Seth McFarland's main characters are mostly moronic even when compared to Homer Simpson (cf. Johnny Bravo, Chicken from Cow and Chicken, Dee-Dee and the father from Dexter's Lab). I have no difficulties with low intelligence characters, but it would be nice to see another creation from Seth that did not employ this over used technique. I remember this show from WAC show as it aired with the excellent Chicken from outer space episode of Courage. I think it was better when courage didn't speak. I'm not sure if Seth had any input into this one as well, and if he did I commend him for it.


This was a hilarious cartoon short on the What a Cartoon Show. I particularly liked Willie the Xenophobic Scotsman. While it was not eventually made into a series, you can see it sort of set the stage for Family Guy later on.


This is one of another What a Cartoon short movies that was shown at Cartoon Network.But, unlike Hillbilly Blue and Gramps, this cartoon is really a bad thing. This cartoon tells about a little documentary made by a talking dog saying about his new pathetic life with a bald dumb called Larry.After buying him, Larry goes to a department store in downtown to buy some new furniture.But the old guy makes many stupidities like putting a nuclear globe in a common lamp and then destroying part of the store, or when he puts his dog in a little SPA bed but Larry adjust to a killing(And not relaxing) speed. Afteralls, my vote is simply 1.I can't give 0, and I can't give more than one, because this is a crap!


While this is not as good as Seth Macfarlane's other work, LARRY AND STEVE is still pretty funny. I especially like Steve. He was hilarious. I didn't like Larry that much though. This is one of the best cartoons I have ever seen on the WHAT A CARTOON SHOW!!! Too bad it wasn't turned into a series.


Gee, I guess I should be embarrassed, but I liked this movie. It's sort of an ultra-lightweight comic version of François Truffaut's "Wild Child"...the adults are appropriately silly, the boy is a charmer, the girl is cute, the climb of the Eiffel Tower is pretty spectacular and the movie ends well for everyone. The Russian bad-guys and some of the treatment of animals (birds!) make the movie a little heavy for young kids, but overall the film is far more effective than the Disney remake, where the boy is too old and the adults don't really make much sense, even for a comedy.


I have watched this film over and over again, it makes my whole family laugh everytime. You have to know something of the way the Parisians live and be able to understand French pretty well to 'get' most of the jokes. The Americans tried to make a copy - Jungle to Jungle' and like so many other copies of French films it was terrible.

Learn French - watch this movie - Laugh loudly.


I was born in the Swedish capital. When I was two years old, I was taken out to the Swedish country side. I grew up there, and didn't give a *beep* about the school, my friends or my family. I spent all the time in the forests and around the rivers and lakes. My best friend was my Border Collie, given to me when I was three. I was literarely raised by dogs. When I was thirteen I had to learn to live in a city when my Dad got himself a better job. When I was fourteen I watched this film on the Centrumbions 50th anniversary. The audience laughed. I cried. People looked at me and laughed even more, because a fourteen years old crying at a comedy for kids isn't a common sight. I cried because this wasn't a comedy to me, this is dead serious. Now, six years later, I still cry when I watch this film. Because it reminds of myself. But I've also learned something throughout the years. And that is to laugh. This is one of the greatest movies ever.


Until recently I had never heard of this film. After seeing some reviews on Amazon.com, I had to see it. Well, all I can say is why isn't this film known as a classic Christmas film like Miracle on 34th Street. What a delightful movie! This is perfect family fare- This is the kind of movie I only wish they would make today. Jimmy Durante is as usual the lovable looser! He is perfect for the role of Terry Moore's father. The original title of this film was 'The Great Rupert', Rupert being a magical squirrel  The use of a puppet type squirrel was very innovative in 1950, but of course is very campy by today's standards. It would be interesting to see what they could do with today's technology. All in all this is a fun family film that is a must for all to see- Now that it is available on DVD maybe more people will get the opportunity to see it. If you have not yet gone over to DVD, be aware that this film is also available on VHS. Take a chance; I think you will enjoy it!


"The Great Ruppert" (renamed "The Christmas Promise") was made in the late 1940s. It is one of the few movies that Jimmy Durante ever appeared in where he was the main star (his work with Buster Keaton was as a comedy team; some later musicals like "Jumbo" give him leading parts, but not the starring role).

Durante and Queenie Smith are the Amendolas. They rent an apartment from Frank Orth (Mr. Dingle), a tightwad who hoards his money in the wall of his bedroom. The plot is how a talented dancing squirrel named Rupert (the squirrel, who likes cigarettes too, is the creation of George Pal - and is very cute). Rupert's master, Jimmy Conlin (best recalled from the Preston Sturgis movies) has released the squirrel for a few weeks until they get rehired by the circus. Rupert finds a hole in the wall between the Amendolas apartment and Dingle's bedroom.

Once a week Orth puts $1,500.00 into the hole (from a check from his gold mine stock). The squirrel drops it on Durante and his wife. Orth has refused to assist anyone of his neighbors, but he is a harsh landlord. Durante uses the money to help the neighborhood businesses thrive.

The story takes place around Christmas (so it is being shown right now)and has some traces of Scrooge in Orth's skinflint (except he is married and has a son). But it has a pleasant, goofy sweetness due to Durante and Rupert. When a fire breaks out at one point, for instance, Durante reminds the family to save the radio or they'll miss the Jimmy Durante show. While perhaps a trifle dated, it is amusing and worth watching at this holiday season.