Last September I had the chance in co-organising a retrospective for Peter Sellers for Athens' international film Festival("Sinema" magazine)and amongst the material selected, top of the list to be exact, was "The Blockhouse". Clive Rees, the film's director, flew to Greece to attend the screening and brought with him his own version of the film. Well, anyone who has seen the VHS version that was distributed in the early 80s in the US, should better forget it! The director's cut was fantastic and what seemed "strange" in the other version(where, even a death was missing, along with some of the film's most beautiful scenes), now was complete and absolutely wonderful. The film is a drama, based on a true story of seven men captured in a German blockhouse, where all the exits are destroyed. They find there food, candles and wine and two of them survive until their (accidental)rescue, six years later. All performances are great(Peter Sellers, Charles Aznavour, Jeremy Kemp, Nicholas Jones, Per Oscarrson, Leon Lissek, Peter Vaughan)and Clive Rees has given us a film of strong emotions and unforgettable atmosphere. I strongly hope the film will find its way on DVD (and I hope it is the director's cut that would be chosen)! A great movie! But beware, despite Sellers' involvement in it, the film is not a comedy! It's is a drama... A great one!
Reviews
4 Reviews
The Blockhouse
(1973)
The Blockhouse-director's cut : FANTASTIC !!!
6 December 2000
Warning: Spoilers
A Show Called Fred
(1956)
Goons On TV !!!
5 December 2000
Well, this is a piece of history-and what history! Comedy would have never been the same, if it wasn't for the Goons! These "Fred" shows, were the attempts to pass the "Goonery" on TV and the result is hilarious! Spike Milligan and Peter Sellers, along with Graham Stark, Kenneth Connor, Valentine Dyall, Max Geldray and others, join forces with Dick Lester (the famous director, who did, amongst others the "Running, Jumping, Standing Still Film" and the Beatles' "A Hard day's Night")and create sheer magic! Sight gags, lines you wouldn't...believe, anarchy and chaotic humour of gigantic proportions! It's a shame TV in these days was at its first steps and even more shame these wonderful shows aren't available on VHS or DVD yet! I must also add here that "Python's" fans would adore "A Show Called Fred", which deeply inspired "Pythons" in creating " flying Circus" many years later. These shows were made for Associated Redifusion Television".
I Like Money
(1961)
Peter Sellers' forgotten film
5 December 2000
A few know that Peter Sellers once-apart from starring-directed a film! This was "Mr.Topaze" or "I Like money"(as it was screened by that name in the US). Actually, it is not a masterpiece, but not a poor film too, as the reviews of its time claimed. Peter plays a naive teacher, a man of spirit who is corrupted by money and power. What is very interesting is that the film has quite many "serious" moments and Peter depicts the teacher with accuracy. What's more, the film's finale isn't comic at all. Pity this film was never released on VHS on DVD(but it is never too late, is it?)!
The Blockhouse
(1973)
The great lost performance
12 October 1999
This film could have been a masterpiece as the cast was great and the story was moving.Peter Sellers gives an excellent performance, in one of his most dramatic roles, but the film was hampered by the bad sound (mostly).What's more, its direction didn't help much and it is sad that great performances of most of the actors, remained, for many years,lost and forgotten.
I guess its grade should be 3 stars.
I guess its grade should be 3 stars.
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