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Amazon.co.uk Review
Writer Ernest Thompson, who came up with the original stage play of On Golden Pond and adapted it for film, is lucky to have two giants of the screen give dignity and breadth to his sometimes trite dialogue. Henry Fonda, in his last role, plays a prickly English professor at the disagreeable age of 80. Visiting his summer house by a Maine lake with his wife (Katharine Hepburn), the old man forges an unlikely bond with a lonely boy, comes to terms with his daughter (Jane Fonda) and suffers disorienting effects of mild dementia. Even playing a tired old man, Fonda is an absolute lion of a movie star, and Hepburn brings her special spirit to the part of his worried bride. The onscreen relationship between Henry and Jane Fonda naturally makes one think about their much-discussed difficulties off screen, but that's a side benefit in a movie that is really just a celebration of simple human decency. Directed by Mark Rydell (Harry and Walter Go to New York). --Tom Keogh
Special Features
1.85 Wide Screen
DVD 5
English
English
Region 2
Dolby Digital Mono English
Dolby Digital Mono
Interactive Menus
Scene Access
DVD 5
English
English
Region 2
Dolby Digital Mono English
Dolby Digital Mono
Interactive Menus
Scene Access
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
21 of 21 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
In this delightfully heartwarming film two cinema legend's ,Katherine Hepburn and Henry Fonda, are matched up for the first time ,with spectacular results .Hepburn and Fonda play an elderly,bickering married couple coming to terms with age .They are celebrating his 80th birthday when their estranged daughter (played by Henry's real life daughter Jane) turns up out of the blue with a new fiancee' and his 12 year old son in tow . The daughter and her dentist boyfreind plan to go on vacation to Europe and leave the 12 year old boy with the old couple .First off the boy is rude and unappreactive of the efforts of Katherine Hepburns character to welcome him ,but towards the end he slowly warms to them and by the end doesn't want to leave .In between this time there are some worrying sequences dealing with senile dementia and some funny sequences that will have you laughing . So sit back with some popcorn and enjoy the oscar winning performances of the leads and laugh at the subtle humour .Overall a brilliant feelgood movie complete with sparkling perfomances by all involved .Enjoy .
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
It's many years since I last watched 'On Golden Pond', and what a treat I've been missing. The brilliant acting of a simple (but very common) story is enhanced by the fabulous cinematography - something that my memory had completely overlooked. Many of us can relate to the parental disconnect; whereby parents from a different age were brought up to help their children 'achieve', but totally ignored the obvious need for love and 'approval' - just to know that they have (in some way) satisfied their parents' hopes for them is a driving force that, for many of us, remains an unfulfilled frustration. The Golden Age of storytelling has rarely been bettered than in this film, which is full of the genius of great film-makers. A delight to which I will keep returning - albeit with sadness for my own relationships, and hope that 'it can happen'.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I saw this when it first came out and remembered almost exclusively the negative side of the old man, as expertly acted by Fonda. He was so hard on his daughter, who came to him as a wounded girl in spite of her life working elsewhere, far away from the vacation home in New England. In a way, it mirrored the way I have felt about my own father, also a difficult if warmhearted man. I identified completely with their daughter, who is struggling with his putdowns, remembering slights and criticism far too long and unable to move on. So I didn't want to watch it again, that is, until I heard Jane Fonda talk about reconciliation and what making the film meant to her. We had had it for at least 5 years, never played.
I am happy to admit that my memories of the film were completely skewed. The most powerful thing in the film that I noticed this time, as a much older man in a 20-year marriage that is essentially good, is the chemistry and effort that the old couple makes to keep things together. It is beautiful, touching, and completely believable in the balance they must strike. There is also the playful humor of the old curmugeon, with his faults, vulnerabilities and fears as he tries so hard to make his way with dignity while knowing that his body is failing him and that death will come soon. I do not think that I have ever seen Fonda or Hepburn better, acting more naturalistically and spontaneously than the heavily stylized stuff that came out of the hollywood of their era. Indeed, they reveal entire new sides to their talent.
The other subplots are also wonderfully successful. The daughter's boyfriend, so comically fearful of the outdoors, draws a very clear line beyond which he will not tolerate jibes from the father. Jane is also excellent, though her performance is perhaps the weakest of the film. Finally, there is adolescent boy whom they dump on the couple while they take a trip to Europe - the evolution of his relationship with the old man is difficult but fruitful, revealing an aspect to him that the daughter cannot quite see.
Alas, the ending was a bit too pat and schmaltzy for my taste - too much gets resolved, the feelings and breakthroughs appeared rushed to me - it is still a very moving film with as much psychological realism as hollywood can tolerate. It achieves the status of good art that one can perceive in wildly different ways at different times in one's life.
Warmly recommended.
I am happy to admit that my memories of the film were completely skewed. The most powerful thing in the film that I noticed this time, as a much older man in a 20-year marriage that is essentially good, is the chemistry and effort that the old couple makes to keep things together. It is beautiful, touching, and completely believable in the balance they must strike. There is also the playful humor of the old curmugeon, with his faults, vulnerabilities and fears as he tries so hard to make his way with dignity while knowing that his body is failing him and that death will come soon. I do not think that I have ever seen Fonda or Hepburn better, acting more naturalistically and spontaneously than the heavily stylized stuff that came out of the hollywood of their era. Indeed, they reveal entire new sides to their talent.
The other subplots are also wonderfully successful. The daughter's boyfriend, so comically fearful of the outdoors, draws a very clear line beyond which he will not tolerate jibes from the father. Jane is also excellent, though her performance is perhaps the weakest of the film. Finally, there is adolescent boy whom they dump on the couple while they take a trip to Europe - the evolution of his relationship with the old man is difficult but fruitful, revealing an aspect to him that the daughter cannot quite see.
Alas, the ending was a bit too pat and schmaltzy for my taste - too much gets resolved, the feelings and breakthroughs appeared rushed to me - it is still a very moving film with as much psychological realism as hollywood can tolerate. It achieves the status of good art that one can perceive in wildly different ways at different times in one's life.
Warmly recommended.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Masterpiece with master actors.
A beautiful drama of an old pair in their last years.
At the same time funny, touching and serious, with a bright ending.
Henry Fonda: grumpy, frail and lovable. Read more
At the same time funny, touching and serious, with a bright ending.
Henry Fonda: grumpy, frail and lovable. Read more
Published 2 months ago by aoj
The Perfect Movie
A great, but simply story; a small but truly talented cast, and a beautiful location...what more could you want from a movie? Read more
Published 3 months ago by R. L. Judd
Fantastic
On Golden Pond is one of the best dramas of the eighties, mainly down to the extremely strong performances from the perfectly selected cast. Read more
Published 5 months ago by BPR
ON GOLDEN POND
This has been one of my favourite films for so many years i cant remember,the story and acting in this film will make an impression on you that you never will forget,its about a... Read more
Published 6 months ago by STEVE FULLER
On the golden pond
I reckon, this is the best film I've ever seen. It makes you laugh and weep simultaneously, it is so true!
Published 11 months ago by Zeleboba
On Golden Pond
What can I say thats bad about this flim NOTHING! Been watching it on and off for years. Just had to upgrade from video to DVD so hence the purchase. Read more
Published 13 months ago by PJ
Outstanding
A movie which I proclaim you simply must watch. It will tug at your heart strings and cause you to remember the importance of family, forgiveness and reconcilliation. Read more
Published 16 months ago by AshleyA
Heartwarming
Having visited the Lakes region in the USA where this was filmed - I watched the film and absolutely loved it. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Susan
old film but a masterful performance by all actors
brilliant - I simply loved it. I had of course seen it before but wanted to keep it in my DVD collection.
Published on 24 April 2010 by pierre_en_angleterre
On golden pond DVD
One of my top twenty films - a classic - superbly acted by a wonderful cast
Published on 11 Oct 2009 by lilly rose
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