Category: 1967

Bonnie and Clyde (1967) Film Review

Rating 18
Length 1h51
Release 08.09.1967
Director Arthur Penn
About When Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow meet, they get attracted to each other. Together, they choose the path of crime to earn easy money. But they refuse to hurt people while going about their business.
Moon: no moon sighting
Where to Watch: BBC Player
Trailer:

The Good

I was hooked from the very start until that heart wrenching, yet inevitable, final scene. The chemistry between Dunaway and Beatty is undeniable and they do really bring the iconic Bonnie and Clyde to life.

Considering when was this was made, the film presents some ground breaking imagery and representation. The first murder on screen by Beatty’s Clyde, while tame by today’s movie standards, is quite vivid. There’s no edit between the firing of the gun and the sight of blood; it’s incredibly well filmed and would take any audience member by surprise.

The ending is on a par with Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969), or perhaps even the inspiration behind the highly stylised ending for the Redford and Newman fronted film.
Slow motion certainly is something that is overused today, but combined here with the alternative views and speeds, it. really is effective for representing the last moments of their lives.

The Bad

I’m sorry to say this, but how did Estelle Parsons win the Oscar for her support performance?! It’s all screaming and … well if you’ve seen The War of the Worlds (2005) and you remember Dakota Fanning’s scream-y performance. It’s like that, but so much more annoying.
Yes, the characterisation is a deliberate contrast to Dunaway’s Bonnie, but did it really have to go that far?

The Ugly

I’m certain that at the time of release, the original score would have been considered amazing. However, due to the potential over use of the banjo and it specifically being used to provide levity and a satirical tone, the music really clashes with the narrative.

Final Thoughts

A very well made film, with an excellent cast and It’s one of those that you have watch at least once in your life. Give it an updated score that you can listen to without smirking, and I’d agree with many that it is a masterpiece.

The Producers (1967) Film Review

Rating PG
Length 1h28
Release 09.10.1969
Director Mel Brooks
About A Broadway producer decides to get rich by creating the biggest flop of his career.
Moon: no moon sighting
Where to Watch: BBC IPlayer
Trailer:

The Good

Gene Wilder is incredible. From his opening hysterics to the closing captive audience, he’s outstanding with his comic timing.

It’s a lean 85 minutes and it’s technically not a musical. Having seen the 2005 outing first, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that the original is much lighter on the songs.

The Bad

The Nazi play within a film can be misinterpreted. What you have to remember is; this is created by Mel Brooks famous for two things. Mainly the satirical comedy, but the other is that he’s Jewish.
So while there are many at the time of release, and perhaps even now upon a first watch, who saw this film as offensive and missed the point it truly is an amazing feat to take a hated figure and reduce him to a punch line.

The Ugly

I don’t know what it was about the 60s, but it was way too comfortable with its misrepresentation of rape. The Knack … and How to Get It (1965) has a main character running around screaming rape, for anyone she comes across to laugh at her.
The Producers has one of the old broads ask for sex play with Bialystock that is the ‘rape of …’ someone or other. Thankfully, I Think we’ve done away with this trope, much like using asbestos in our buildings. However, it really threw me and I felt like being slapped. No one, and I mean no one, wants to be raped. In fact the phrase is non-sensical.

Final Thoughts

a

The Plank (1967) Film Review

Rating U
Length 57mins
Release 23.07.1967
Director Eric Sykes
About After someone uses the last floorboard for heating, two hapless carpenters have to buy a replacement. They return to the house with the plank on top of a Morris Eight, but the journey is fraught with unexpected and humorous difficulties.
Moon: None sighted
Where to Watch: BBC IPlayer
Trailer:

The Good

  • It’s very British, very charming and something for anyone who loves Carry On films.
  • I’ve always loved Tommy Cooper and he has such an iconic, larger that life, laugh. You can not help but laugh along with him and the problems he finds himself in.
  • Some of the physical comedy is so stupid, but you will still find it funny. Particularly one of the initial scenes that has them opening the windows even thought there’s no glass.
  • The story and the characters do perhaps seem to be what the Chuckle Brothers were inspired by. In fact, I’m certain they’ve done a homage to this.
  • Even for me, it was a. Whose who of British acting talent and it was a joy to see so many familiar faces.

The Bad

  • It was a little too short. I wasn’t ready to say goodbye when the credits came up.

The Ugly

  • A lot of dialogue seems to be dubbed, which for most people might not be a problem. However, as I often rely on lip reading it gave me a headache.

Final Thoughts

Just a charming piece of British comedy.