TotalTelly.co.uk

Devoted to Popular, Cult and Retro TV

Rumble Fish [1983]


RRP: £15.99
Our Price: £2.83 (subject to change)

Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review

The second of Francis Ford Coppola's films based on the popular juvenile novels of S.E. Hinton (the first being The Outsiders), Rumble Fish split critics into opposite camps: those who admired the film for its heavily stylised indulgence, and those who hated it for the very same reason. Whatever the response, it's clearly the work of a maverick director who isn't afraid to push the limits of his innovative talent. Filmed almost entirely in black and white with an occasional dash of color for symbolic effect, this tale of alienated youth centers on gang leader Rusty James (Matt Dillon) and his band of punk pals. Rusty's got a girlfriend (Diane Lane), an older brother named Motorcycle Boy (Mickey Rourke), and a drunken father (Dennis Hopper) who've all given up trying to straighten him out. He's best at making trouble, and he pursues that skill with an enthusiastic flair that eventually catches up with him. But it's not the whacked-out story here that matters--it's the uninhibited verve of Coppola's visual approach, which includes everything from time-lapse clouds to the kind of smoky streets and alleyways that could only exist in the movies. The supporting cast includes a host of fresh faces who went on to thriving careers, including Nicolas Cage, Christopher Penn, Vincent Spano, Laurence Fishburne, and musician Tom Waits. --Jeff Shannon


Fantastic cinematography
Review date: 2008-08-29 Rating: 10 out of 10

Rumble Fish is something of an undiscovered gem (not often shown on TV, but loved by those that have seen it)

The story isn't terribly original and follows similar lines to 50s teen movies such as Rebel Without A Cause (think alienated youths, alcoholic parents, knife fights, seedy pool halls, biker gangs etc)

But what makes this film special is the incredible cinematography. Almost every frame could be frozen and put on your wall (it really is amazing)

Add to that some very good acting, plus a real sense of atmosphere and style and you have a very good film, that you can watch over & over again.

The film is almost entirely shot in B&W (but there are just a few brief splashes of colour) This is partly, to evoke a 1950s feel, but also because Rourke's character is colour blind.

The picture has a very slight grain & mild green hue, but this again is intentional. Overall the picture quality is good, with solid black levels and no dirt or scratches.

The soundtrack also dips in out & out, to show how Rourke's character hears things (he's partially deaf as well) But overall sound quality is very good (no hiss or crackles)

The 5.1 mix doesn't have a great deal happening in the rear speakers, but there is some left/right action and a good deep bass. The music is effective and adds to the atmosphere.

If you have never seen this & enjoy 50s style films (or films that are a little different) then I strongly recommend giving this a try.






Similar Products

Reviews


A cinematic experience
Review date: 2008-05-04 Rating: 10 out of 10

Mickey Rourke, Dennis Hopper, Matt Dillon and Nic Cage all play there part in making this one of the coolest films i have ever seen. All the actors, although Rourke is curiously compelling, are over shadowed by Francis Ford Coppella's direction. Black and white, time-lapse skies and superbly crafted scenes make this film unforgettable and avidly watchable. The music score is also brilliant, unique and equally unforgetable. Watch it, buy it and enjoy...

Heavily medicated
Review date: 2008-03-14 Rating: 8 out of 10

This peculiar 1983 Coppola black and white movie was a box office flop but has it has come to develop a cult following over the years.
This `art film for kids' is as pretentious as it is pretty. Rumble Pish is a mediation about family ties, and brother worship between Rusty James (Dillion) and Motorcycle Boy (Mickey Rourke).
It consists of gorgeous scenes, some strange angels, muggy sounds, and loaded with references to `On the Waterfront' and `Rebel without a Cause'.

The problem here is the clunky script which is weighed down by heavy metaphors like the red and blue fighting fish of the title, spoiled the cinematography, and the acting is so hammy that bacon sandwiches should sue.

However, Tom Waits is a revelation as the mumbling Café owner/soothsayer. The soundtrack by Stewart Copeland is great. I'd recommend this movie if you are heavy medicated.



Love Rumblefish
Review date: 2007-08-14 Rating: 10 out of 10

Beautiful film. I disagree about the last reviewer (Jay); the film is about style and substance; you have to see past the style to see the real substance in it.

Raw talents of Dillon, Fishburne and Cage exposed in this film
Review date: 2007-05-30 Rating: 8 out of 10

The complexity of Rumble Fish comes from all of the symbolism. The plot is actually quite simple, but the way it is played out is extraordinarily unique. Most amazing is the cast. This was essentially Nicholas Cage's first film, showing that Francis Coppola once again had the eye to pick out young talent. There are also amazing performances by Dennis Hopper and Lawrence Fishburne in the film. Hopper plays the washed up father and Fishburne is a guardian angel of sorts for Rusty.

The film is nearly entirely in black and white, aside from a few sequences of color. There is also an amazing scene in which the two brothers examine rumble fish in a pet store, and although everything else is in black and white, the fish are vibrant colors. This is not a new technique, but at the time it was impressive and innovative.

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Diana Scarwid
Diane Lane
Matt Dillon
Dennis Hopper
Mickey Rourke

Creators:
Matt Dillon (Primary Contributor)
Mickey Rourke (Primary Contributor)
Francis Ford Coppola (Producer)
Francis Ford Coppola (Writer)
Doug Claybourne (Producer)
Fred Roos (Producer)
Gian-Carlo Coppola (Producer)
Roman Coppola (Producer)
S.E. Hinton (Writer)

Director(s):

Recording label: Universal Pictures UK
Manufacturer: Universal Pictures UK
EAN: 0325919024191
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: Black & White, Colour, PAL,
Release date: 2003-07-07
Universal product code (UPC): 325919024191
Number of discs: 1
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Audience rating: Suitable for 18 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 90 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1983-10-21
Language: English (Original Language)
Language: English (Unknown)
Language: German (Subtitled)
Language: English (Subtitled)
Language: French (Subtitled)
Language: Italian (Subtitled)
Language: Spanish (Subtitled)
Language: Portuguese (Subtitled)
Language: Norwegian (Subtitled)
Language: Danish (Subtitled)
Language: Finnish (Subtitled)
Language: Turkish (Subtitled)
Language: Dutch (Subtitled)
Language: Romanian (Subtitled)
Language: Arabic (Subtitled)
Language: Hebrew (Subtitled)

Add to Cart

© 2006 Darren Hester, DesignsByDarren.com, Some Rights Reserved.
Valid XHTML 1.0 Transitional