Reviews

This is a televised play/film based on the real transcripts of the inquest following the death of anti-apartheid South-African leader Steven Biko.Even for that reason only, it is a highly interesting piece, however,its value is enhanced by the powerful script and dialogue as well as the strong performances by the cast.Albert Finney directed this, his second (and last, up to now at least) directorial attempt after the scandalously underrated ''Charlie Bubbles'' in 1968.His job is a rather discreet one,as he lets the documents and the power of both truth and deception speak for themselves and, to those familiar with the real events, it will seem as an honest piece of work, without propagandistic sentimentalities. Richard Attenborough's film ''Cry freedom'', which shortly followed Finney's, narrates the events that led to Biko's arrest and subsequent death, it however takes many poetic licenses, a case not to be found in this one.It is powerful, at times shocking and I can only lament the fact that Finney has never seriously moved to the directorial seat before or since that.

The remake of the 1937 film was slaughtered both by critics and audience at the time it premiered and there was mainly one reason for it:the crazed fans of Albert Finney were absolutely shocked,as he daringly chose the role of the psychotic ''killer with the angelic face'', following his all-time favorite roles of ''Saturday night and Sunday morning''and, particularly, ''Tom Jones''.As many historians mention, the ''MGM wives'' who were few of the first to see the film, turned violently against the gifted director, Karel Reisz, shouting ''what have you done to that beautiful boy?''!But this is not a serious reason to dismiss an, overall, very good film, which, however, has some serious flaws.The use of music is exaggerated and some times irritating and, only in the first part of the film, Finney doesn't quite know how to tackle with his disturbed character. But the photography is great, Mona Washbourne gives a superb performance and Karel Reisz does a great job, not only updating the old text and bringing it within the ''realism'' of the British Free Cinema movement, but also with his masterful camera movements and his use of editing and abruptly cutting to different scenes, he creates an imposing psychological thriller, where what you don't see is more disturbing than what you do. Being one of the greatest actors EVER, Finney soon finds a convincing attitude for his character and the last part of the film is absolutely brilliant as a whole.It should be re-examined and re-appreciated, that's why it has to come out on VHS and DVD a.s.a.p.! 7.5/10

This is a highly interesting short documentary,not only because it is the first and probably most personal tv work of the unique Dennis Potter, but also because of its historical value.A youthful Potter revisits his homeland in the Forest of Dean and pays tribute to the place and its people,at the dawn of the great social change the 60's brought with them.Shot in the ''kitchen sink'' style of the British New Wave cinema for the BBC, it follows the well-structured, honest narration of Potter through the landscape and into the people's homes, now all altered by the new technologies, facing directly the dangers of social isolation,the new ''trend'' of consumerism and the generation gap,larger than ever before, while Potter himself, anxious about a future which might lose its sense of tradition and heritage,creates this film as a legacy for his -then-baby daughter and all the younger generations for the things past but not deserving to be forgotten.Bitter-sweet, nostalgic and sadly prophetic, this is a truly valuable piece of Potter's passion and genius.

This is an absolutely amazing, beautiful film.It was the most highly anticipated movie for me this year and it fulfilled my expectations to the fullest, although I prefer the ending of the D. Wallace novel better, as it is more liberating and open to everyone's imagination.Burton's direction is one of his best, so is the wonderful Pearl Jam song, Elfman's music and the cast's performances.MacGregor is a true star, Lange is absolutely lovely and the great Finney has little to do but it does it perfectly!I just hope the Academy and the rest of the lot will appreciate this fine film as well.