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Hopscotch [1980]


RRP: £15.99
Our Price: £4.99 (subject to change)

A satisfying spy caper where no-one gets hurt.
Review date: 2008-06-12 Rating: 10 out of 10

I saw the last 75% of this on TV and immediately knew I needed to buy it.
Being somewhat cautious of old films transferred to DVD, on delivery I set aside a few minutes to check the quality. Over two hours later, after also viewing the excellent 'making of' feature, I realised I had missed an important appointment. On ringing up to apologise and explain, ruffled feathers were instantly soothed when they knew it was Hopscotch that had distracted me.
It is light and warm, villans are suitably discomforted, but there is no violence, and almost no bad language either apart from the bad guy - Ned Beatty's 'Myerson', the CIA boss Matthau dislikes so much.
There are numerous subtle deft touches that one might miss on a first viewing; it is beautifully made, and superbly lit and composed.
The 'special feature' gives one a lot of background about making the film, and is well worth viewing.
If you have a wet afternoon to pass, and there is nothing on TV, and reading a book is too much like hard work, and you are feeling a little down, then there is nothing better to restore you than Hopscotch.
The sound is very good, albeit mono. The picture is excellent, 2.35:1 in 16:9 frame, and, after the first few minutes where there are some minor specks to reassure you it really is film, clean and steady. This 2008 UK edition is also a region 0 DVD.

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Reviews


Matthau at his best
Review date: 2008-04-14 Rating: 8 out of 10

This was Matthau and Jackson's second pairing in a comedy. Not as witty as their previous film together (House Calls) but they still strike sparks off each other. Matthau's CIA agent is about to quit and write an expose of the intelligence world. This really hacks off his boss (Beatty), British intelligence and even Lom's head of the KGB so the three co-operate in an attempt to silence him permanently. With the help of his girl friend (Jackson) he stays ahead of them all and even rents his boss's country house for a few days. Beatty's face when he sees what his gorillas have done to it is a real picture! The plot is a bit weak at times, which is why this review doesn't give the maximum score, but Matthau is at his comedic best given the material he has to work with. Of course Jackson is always good value for money with impeccable comic timing. Not the best concept, but plenty of laughs.

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Glenda Jackson
Walter Matthau
Sam Waterston
Herbert Lom
Ned Beatty

Creators:
Walter Matthau (Primary Contributor)
Glenda Jackson (Primary Contributor)

Director(s):

Recording label: Second Sight Films Ltd.
Manufacturer: Second Sight Films Ltd.
EAN: 5028836031376
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: PAL,
Release date: 2008-06-09
Audience rating: Suitable for 12 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 101 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1980

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