For some reason, Woody's movies never get the full DVD treatment, and here we receive no narratives, documentaries or interviews. The DVD menu is bland and cheaply done. We are not even offered Dolby sound, though I concede that the movie was originally recorded in mono. What we do get is the movie, dubbed in five languages (English, German, French, Spanish and Italian) and theatrical trailer.
Woody is an important figure in cinema but not huge box-office. That may explain why MGM lavishes so little attention on the DVDs of his work.

Woody at his most neurotic, hilarious and deeply perceptive
Review date: 2003-01-14 Rating: 10 out of 10

This has to be, undoubtedly, one of Woody Allen's masterpieces. One of the films in which he begins to break away from his usual style, Allen focuses both on his typical neurotic, quavering character and also on the lives of three sisters, one of which he was previously married to. The insight into their tangled and deceitful lives, the lies and games played around each other and, at the same time, their deep love, are shown both humourously and with incredible sensitivity. The film is beautifully shot and flits quickly from one instance to the next, weaving together a potentially bland story and making it a cinematic joy.

Allen plays Mickey Sachs, a troubled television producer struggling with the question of the meaning of life. A series of experiences lead him to try and find his 'higher truth,' in the same inimitable and hilarious style portrayed in so many of Allen's films. Artistic and philosophical anecdotes and queries are applied relevantly and humourously, making the viewer laugh as well as ponder.
Mickey's ex-wife Hannah is played brilliantly by Mia Farrow, and the cast is completed by a host of other great names including Michael Caine, Barbara Hershey, Dianne Wiest, Carrie Fisher and, one of Allen's favourites, Julie Kavner. The film focuses intently on the theme of reality: the lives of three ordinary sisters, the ones they love, and the lengths taken to keep the peace and help each other: but not without a few mishaps on the way. The integration of Allen's character and the sisters is brought together at the end in a way the viewer could never expect.

With a musical score including music by McCarthy-Monaco and Cahn-Styne, and references to artists and poets such as E.E Cummings cleverly applied, 'Hannah and her Sisters' really is Woody at his best.

A tender and poignant commentary on modern relationships
Review date: 2001-02-04 Rating: 10 out of 10

To my mind, only 'Annie Hall' has the beating of this excellent piece of drama. Mia Farrow, Dianne Wiest and Barbara Hershey are all wonderful as the three sisters and Woody himself is typically neurotic in his role as a hypochondriac comic writer. However, the best performance is from Michael Caine as the guilt-ridden husband who loves his wife (Farrow) but is infatuated with her beautiful and passionate sister (Hershey). Max von Sydow nearly steals the scene as Hershey's tempestuous artist lover and watch out for Carrie Fisher in a subsidary role. This is a beautiful film that is honest and yet uplifting in one motion, an absolute triumph in observational drama. If you're an Allen fan and do not yet own this film...well, what are you waiting for ? Buy it !

A Beautiful Woody Allen Tale
Review date: 2001-02-03 Rating: 10 out of 10

»Hannah And Her Sisters« is one of the very best Woody Allen films ever. It tells a New York story about the life and loves of three rather different sisters from a Jewish artist family. And it is beutifully done, in every detail!

The acting is breathtakingly intense, the structure of the film is professionally carried through to perfection, and the threads just fit together in a beautiful symphony of life!

It really is hard to describe something this well-done, so instead I will just recommend you to see this wonderful Woody Allen creation.

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