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Tom Brown's Schooldays
RRP: £9.99
Our Price: £5.95 (subject to change)
Childhood favourite returns in colour
Review date: 2007-10-09 Rating: 10 out of 10
To see my favourite film from my childhood in full colour is amazing. The original black and white version was very indistinct, being set mainly in the dark corridors of Rugby. Although the characters do suffer from green lips on occasion, the whole experience is much less dated.
If you love the book, I would recommend this film wholeheartedly as the version truest to the novel, and the only one which actually follows the story of Arthur rather than killing him off (2004) or simply deleting him (1971). East is brilliantly played, the best interpretation of the character ever, and Flashman, who looks about thirty, is sublimely horrible and a complete coward, as required. Tom is a great mixture of vulnerability and strength. Dr Arnold is a little uninspiring and stern. Nevertheless, you can't fault this film - it led me to read the novel, and read it again and again.
Similar Products
- Tom Brown's Schooldays [2004] [2005]
- Tom Brown's Schooldays [1971]
- Goodbye Mr Chips [1939]
- Oliver Twist -- Special Edition [1948]
- The Pickwick Papers
Reviews
Spiffing British Classic - but WHY a colourised version???
Review date: 2007-08-19 Rating: 8 out of 10
A fantastic film this, you can almost smell the musty wood lined corridors and baked potatos in a classic rendition of a young mans trials/tribulations at his new school. Packed full of the finest British character actors its a joy to watch from start to finish.
Why though did DD Home Entertainment choose to release the colourised version to dvd instead of the classic, original Black and White print? The film is so much more atmospheric in black and white, I can only presume that they couldnt find a black and white print that matched their high standards and thought this colourised version the best option despite it being colourised years and years ago hence the poor tones which make everyones faces look salmon pink.
Anyway, I tried turning the colour right down on my tv and it worked fine, a bit blurry because of the colourisation but still a cracking movie. The only thing that makes it hard for me to watch is the fact that the main boy actor playing Tom (he also played Oliver Twist in the David Lean film..um..."Oliver Twist" obviously) grew up to be in charge of Thames TV and it was his decision to sack Benny Hill and in such a callous offhand manner (a brief 5 minute "bye Benny" meeting after years of service and millions in revenue for the company), when you see young Tom being beaten up and roasted by Bully flashman you kind of enjoy it...if your a fan of the brilliant Benny Hill!
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Hermione Baddeley
John Howard Davies
Diana Wynyard
Michael Hordern
Robert Newton
Creators:
John Howard Davies (Primary Contributor)
Robert Newton (Primary Contributor)
Director(s):
Recording label: Simply Media
Manufacturer: Simply Media
EAN: 5019322228424
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: PAL,
Release date: 2006-02-20
Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
Audience rating: Universal, suitable for all
Region code: 2
Running time: 95 minutes
Language: English (Original Language)