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DVD Description
Main Stars: Sam Claflin (Pirates of the Caribbean 4 – On Sytranger Tides, Pillars of the Earth), Matthew Macfadyen (Robin Hood, Pride & Prejudice), Jim Broadbent (Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince), Kim Cattrall (Sex and the City), Hayley Atwell (The Brideshead Revisited), Gillian Anderson (The X Files), Tom Hollander (Elizabeth – The Golden Age, Pirates of the Caribbean – At Worlds End)
An adaptation of William Boyd’s best-selling novel, Any Human Heart tells the story of Logan Mountstuart’s long and rackety life, one which spans every decade of the twentieth century, in all its fantastic and humdrum, dangerous and tranquil, tragic and humorous aspects.
The four films follow Logan from his time in Oxford; through literary market success with the publication of his ‘racy’ novel ‘The Girl Factory’; through numerous affairs and two marriages; one tragic true love; adventures as a spy behind enemy lines; flirtations with Wallis Simpson; encounters with Ernest Hemingway, Ian Fleming, sexual scandal in the New York art scene; destitution in Pimlico; unlikely heroism to a final and perhaps even contented death. Although it would appear to the outside that his life has been defined by a combination of random quantities of good and bad luck for Logan, if he really looked closely, it has probably been more accurately defined by sex.
While it is compelling, pacy, witty, sexy, emotional and clever it is also a brilliant and innovative charting of the history of the 20th Century. Logan has the habit of popping up, Zelig-like, at pivotal moments in 20th Century history and teetering on the brink of immortality before, inevitably, plunging back into obscurity. Logan’s journey touches on key moments and movements that still shape our times in the 21st Century: the pre-war emergence of the working class power and the end of establishment complacency; the rise of European Fascism; the last global conflict that was World War 2; the zenith of American hegemony in the 1950s and 60s; the emergence of political terrorism (the Baader-Meinhof Gang); the squalor and degradation of urban poverty; the long shadow of the 2nd World War; and finally the serenity and wisdom that a long, fully-lived life can provide.
Special Features:
An adaptation of William Boyd’s best-selling novel, Any Human Heart tells the story of Logan Mountstuart’s long and rackety life, one which spans every decade of the twentieth century, in all its fantastic and humdrum, dangerous and tranquil, tragic and humorous aspects.
The four films follow Logan from his time in Oxford; through literary market success with the publication of his ‘racy’ novel ‘The Girl Factory’; through numerous affairs and two marriages; one tragic true love; adventures as a spy behind enemy lines; flirtations with Wallis Simpson; encounters with Ernest Hemingway, Ian Fleming, sexual scandal in the New York art scene; destitution in Pimlico; unlikely heroism to a final and perhaps even contented death. Although it would appear to the outside that his life has been defined by a combination of random quantities of good and bad luck for Logan, if he really looked closely, it has probably been more accurately defined by sex.
While it is compelling, pacy, witty, sexy, emotional and clever it is also a brilliant and innovative charting of the history of the 20th Century. Logan has the habit of popping up, Zelig-like, at pivotal moments in 20th Century history and teetering on the brink of immortality before, inevitably, plunging back into obscurity. Logan’s journey touches on key moments and movements that still shape our times in the 21st Century: the pre-war emergence of the working class power and the end of establishment complacency; the rise of European Fascism; the last global conflict that was World War 2; the zenith of American hegemony in the 1950s and 60s; the emergence of political terrorism (the Baader-Meinhof Gang); the squalor and degradation of urban poverty; the long shadow of the 2nd World War; and finally the serenity and wisdom that a long, fully-lived life can provide.
Special Features:
- In Oxford with Sam Caflin
- Matthew MacFayden on location in Spain
- Interview with Jim Broadbent
- Kim Cattrall on 'Gloria'
- Gillian Anderson and Tom Hollander on playing the Duke and Duchess of Windsor
- Hayley Atwell on 'Freya'
- On the set of Any Human Heart
- From paper to screen - William Boyd discusses Any Human Heart
Product Description
United Kingdom released, Blu-Ray/Region B DVD: LANGUAGES: English ( Dolby Digital 5.1 ), English ( Dolby DTS-HD Master Audio ), English ( Subtitles ), WIDESCREEN (1.78:1), SPECIAL FEATURES: 2-DVD Set, Cast/Crew Interview(s), Deleted Scenes, Interactive Menu, Scene Access, SYNOPSIS: An adaptation of William Boyd's best-selling novel, Any Human Heart tells the story of Logan Mountstuart's long and rackety life, one which spans every decade of the twentieth century, in all its fantastic and humdrum, dangerous and tranquil, tragic and humorous aspects. The four films follow Logan from his time in Oxford; through literary market success with the publication of his 'racy' novel 'The Girl Factory'; through numerous affairs and two marriages; one tragic true love; adventures as a spy behind enemy lines; flirtations with Wallis Simpson; encounters with Ernest Hemingway, Ian Fleming, sexual scandal in the New York art scene; destitution in Pimlico; unlikely heroism to a final and perhaps even contented death. Although it would appear to the outside that his life has been defined by a combination of random quantities of good and bad luck for Logan, if he really looked closely, it has probably been more accurately defined by sex. While it is compelling, pacy, witty, sexy, emotional and clever it is also a brilliant and innovative charting of the history of the 20th Century. Logan has the habit of popping up, Zelig-like, at pivotal moments in 20th Century history and teetering on the brink of immortality before, inevitably, plunging back into obscurity. Logan's journey touches on key moments and movements that still shape our times in the 21st Century: the pre-war emergence of the working class power and the end of establishment complacency; the rise of European Fascism; the last global conflict that was World War 2; the zenith of Ame...Any Human Heart (2010) - Series 1 - 2 - Disc Set ( Any Human Heart - Series One ) (Blu-Ray)
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
34 of 35 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I have just finished watching the last episode of Any Human Heart. Like the previous reviewer, I am ordering the book, and can't wait to read it - if William Boyd's screenplay is anything to go by, the book will be astonishing.
This drama, although slow-moving, is utterly captivating. The themes of loss and regret are expertly, effortlessly woven throughout it, and the acting subtle, but moving. Jim Broadbent steals the show; in the first three episodes he hasn't even got a line but still manages to deliver a heartfelt, seamless performance. I will devour the book greedily, and when the DVD arrives I will savour it a second time.
This drama, although slow-moving, is utterly captivating. The themes of loss and regret are expertly, effortlessly woven throughout it, and the acting subtle, but moving. Jim Broadbent steals the show; in the first three episodes he hasn't even got a line but still manages to deliver a heartfelt, seamless performance. I will devour the book greedily, and when the DVD arrives I will savour it a second time.
33 of 34 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
To be honest I have never read anything by William Boyd before and when this was first advertised as coming on our screens I wondered what it was going to be like. After the first episode I went out and bought the bookAny Human Heart which I haven't touched as I didn't want to know what I would be seeing on the tv, now it is finished I can relax with the book at any time.
The story centres around Logan Mountstuart, who is a novelist and some time journalist. Ranging from about 1906-1991 we are given an entry into Mountstuart's life. His affairs, his friends all appear as we are shown occasions throughout his long life. Flashing between his old age and his younger self we get the feeling of Mountstuart looking back on his life, with regrets but also with happiness. With his old age, and like your average old person his health isn't the best it could be, we are also shown a very poignant sight. My gran recently died and she was the oldest of all her brothers and sisters, only leaving the very youngest one now alive, and this shows in a way what that is like. As relatives and friends die before you you kind of get a feeling of loneliness, and thoughts of will I be next.
All in all this was brilliant, from the script to the acting, and like all lives this doesn't show all doom and gloom, but those happy moments, those times when you wished you had done more and those times that are humourous, though sometimes this humour is quite black.
The story centres around Logan Mountstuart, who is a novelist and some time journalist. Ranging from about 1906-1991 we are given an entry into Mountstuart's life. His affairs, his friends all appear as we are shown occasions throughout his long life. Flashing between his old age and his younger self we get the feeling of Mountstuart looking back on his life, with regrets but also with happiness. With his old age, and like your average old person his health isn't the best it could be, we are also shown a very poignant sight. My gran recently died and she was the oldest of all her brothers and sisters, only leaving the very youngest one now alive, and this shows in a way what that is like. As relatives and friends die before you you kind of get a feeling of loneliness, and thoughts of will I be next.
All in all this was brilliant, from the script to the acting, and like all lives this doesn't show all doom and gloom, but those happy moments, those times when you wished you had done more and those times that are humourous, though sometimes this humour is quite black.
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Blu-ray
I was a bit worried about this adaptation. Any Human Heart is a wonderful book, one of my favourite ever. But I always thought filming it would be too hard. Making films of novels always involves cutting out more than you leave in and this novel has so much going on all the time that it was impossible to imagine how it could be dramatised and stay intact.
But it was, and it did. It's a good thing that William Boyd wrote the script because anyone else would, I'm sure, have butchered it. But he has turned it into an elegant new thing - the same people, the same stories, but told in a new way which works on screen.
It's also a good thing it was done for TV. Four long episodes were barely enough, squeezing it into a two hour movie would have been impossible.
The acting, direction and cinematography are all superb and quite bold. This is a drama which creates its own style and atmosphere with occasionally unusual framing and focus. Perhaps not to everyone's taste (which might explain some of the critical sniping) but certainly to mine. The decision to use three actors for the main character works in part because we are constantly reminded that this is a memoir, an acting out of memories. The ensemble around them are also excellent and throw themselves fully into realising complex characters with, sometimes, little time and few lines before the plot moves on. Jim Broadbent in particular is moving and subtle, Gillian Anderson is a revelation for anyone who remembers Agent Scully.
Buy the DVD and luxuriate in it. It's a real indulgence to have this much time with the dramatisation of a single book, and a pleasure that it is also the work of the original author. This sort of thing normally goes horribly wrong (does anyone remember the film of "Bonfire of the Vanities"? Probably not, and be thankful). And if you haven't read it, buy the book. Perfect for bedtime.
But it was, and it did. It's a good thing that William Boyd wrote the script because anyone else would, I'm sure, have butchered it. But he has turned it into an elegant new thing - the same people, the same stories, but told in a new way which works on screen.
It's also a good thing it was done for TV. Four long episodes were barely enough, squeezing it into a two hour movie would have been impossible.
The acting, direction and cinematography are all superb and quite bold. This is a drama which creates its own style and atmosphere with occasionally unusual framing and focus. Perhaps not to everyone's taste (which might explain some of the critical sniping) but certainly to mine. The decision to use three actors for the main character works in part because we are constantly reminded that this is a memoir, an acting out of memories. The ensemble around them are also excellent and throw themselves fully into realising complex characters with, sometimes, little time and few lines before the plot moves on. Jim Broadbent in particular is moving and subtle, Gillian Anderson is a revelation for anyone who remembers Agent Scully.
Buy the DVD and luxuriate in it. It's a real indulgence to have this much time with the dramatisation of a single book, and a pleasure that it is also the work of the original author. This sort of thing normally goes horribly wrong (does anyone remember the film of "Bonfire of the Vanities"? Probably not, and be thankful). And if you haven't read it, buy the book. Perfect for bedtime.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Cliche
I had high hopes for this based on Amazon reviews and several friends but after painfully watching the 4 episodes, I don't get it. Read more
Published 1 month ago by G. Legon
Top notch adult drama
This unusual one-off mini-drama tells the story of one man's life, portrayed by three different actors. Logan Mountstuart is a likeable character. Read more
Published 2 months ago by NiteSprite
EXCELLENT VIEWING
I missed this when I it was on TV but spotted it in the Amazon sale. As Jim Broadbent was in it I thought it was worth a punt as he is such a superb actor! Read more
Published 3 months ago by Lesley Rose
Captivating
This book has recently been serialised on television and I usually don't watch anything twice but I could not resist purchasing the DVD (in fact I replaced my original purchase... Read more
Published 3 months ago by coffeetime
Brilliant
I loved this. Brilliant story backed up with a great script and wonderful acting and casting. I was sorry it finished and look forward to watching it again.
Published 4 months ago by Fran
A realistic and human drama brilliantly done
The story follows the life of one man (Logan) from undergraduate to old age, magnificently played by each of three characters, Sam Claflin, Matthew MacFadyen and Jim Broadbent. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Will Mac
"Never say you know the last word about any human heart..." (Henry...
Ginia Bellafante wrote in the New York Times on February 11, 2011 that "Any Human Heart" is a "Forrest Gump" for the literate. Read more
Published 5 months ago by janebbooks
why it didn't quite get there
The overall production was very good, the acting the same, the story , the theme and the continuity also hit the mark,,, so why did it not get there,? Read more
Published 5 months ago by David John Rash
Fantastic
Great actors, great story and it stays with you.
I am a very big Jim Broadbent fan, yet all the actors and actresses are fantastic. Read more
I am a very big Jim Broadbent fan, yet all the actors and actresses are fantastic. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Em
Wondrous drama
Saw this on tv originally and then recently read the book. The author did the screen play so although there are some minimal differences the series is faithful to the book. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Chuck Bosch
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