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34 of 34 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Warner has done a wonderful job of restoring this magnificent melodrama, and whatever you think of Crawford, she was rarely given such a marvellous opportunity nor surrounded by so many great talents. Chief among these is director Michael Curtiz who proves yet again why he was one of the great directors of the era. His trade mark roving camera style which made Rick's cafe in CASABLANCA seem a real place that one wants to revisit over and over again, here creates an almost voyeur's view of events in 1940s LA, especially at Monty Berrigan's Beach House, a superb stylised set by the unsung genius of Hollywood Art Directors - Anton Grot. Add to all this, Steiner's magnificent score, Ernest Hallers deep focus photography and a witty, laconic script by Ranald MacDougall which offers so many memorable lines, and you have a defining example of Holywood's most glamorous noir style. Ann Blyth was nominated as Best Supporting Actress and should have won for her stomach-churning daughter-from-hell - and why she never got better parts afterwards is a mystery. She lives today in retirement and never gives interviews - though I bet she would have plenty to say! Jack Carson is surprisingly effective as the oily Wally Fay [Carson was another wasted actor in Hollywood, rarely getting good roles), Eve Arden is sublime [she has so many great lines;e.g. as Jack Carson eyes her legs she says 'Leave SOMEthing on me!] and Zachary Scott is perfectly cast as the rich, slimy Monty Berrigan. Maybe it does water down the novel but it is so richly entertaining, who cares? Crawford seized this role (after arch-rival Bette Davis turned it down) and gives a superlative performance that is quintessential Crawford.
The DVD is nicely done.
... Read more ›42 of 43 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:VHS Tape
Mildred Pierce typifies the type of films 'they don't make anymore'. Can you imagine any of the supposed stars of today trying to carry off a remake? Joan Crawford made this film as her comeback to Hollywood and she shows in every scene why she went on to be labelled the greatest-ever movie star. Her charisma and sheer star quality simply blow you away.
She suffers, she endures but above all she survives!
Made in 1945 as WWII was ending the film must have shown millions of women how they didn't have to return to looking after their husbands but could have their own careers whilst retaining their femininity (check out the furs).
A great film then and a classic film today.
Reading the review below I wonder about the worth of teenagers studying film if they can't appreciate classic cinema. Maybe they should concentrate on more worthwhile subjects like spelling.
She suffers, she endures but above all she survives!
Made in 1945 as WWII was ending the film must have shown millions of women how they didn't have to return to looking after their husbands but could have their own careers whilst retaining their femininity (check out the furs).
A great film then and a classic film today.
Reading the review below I wonder about the worth of teenagers studying film if they can't appreciate classic cinema. Maybe they should concentrate on more worthwhile subjects like spelling.
31 of 32 people found the following review helpful
By DR
VINE™ VOICE
Format:DVD
Mildred Pierce features the best performance of Joan Crawford's career and it bagged her the Oscar for Best Actress in the process.
She stars as the title character, the doting Mother of two spoiled daughters, the young Kay and the vicious, money hungry Veda.
After Mildred Pierce (Joan Crawford) finds out that her husband (Bruce Bennett) has been unfaithful, the pair seperate and ultimately divorce. She is left completely dependent on herself and as a result, has to get a job waitressing to help pay the bills.
Veda - played brilliantly by Ann Blyth, who was nominated for Best Supporting Actress - soon becomes sick of the family's hard times and demands that her Mother provide her daughters with a better life. Mildred then seeks advice about opening up her own restaurant from realtor Wally Fay (Jack Carson) who introduces her to Monte Beragon (Zachary Scott), a property owner.
The film begins with Beragon's murder which Mildred admits to immediately and then progresses as she tells her story from the beginning. However, as she relates the events to the police, several different things seem suspect. Is Mildred lying, and if she is, will the truth come out in the end?
An excellent film noir from the Golden Age of cinema, the film was nominated for six Oscars - including Best Picture - and was directed by Michael Curtiz, the director of Casablanca. Joan Crawford is astounding as a desperate woman willing to do anything to protect her ungrateful children. The supporting cast are also on top form and the film is a joy to look at, beautifully photographed and fully restored.
She stars as the title character, the doting Mother of two spoiled daughters, the young Kay and the vicious, money hungry Veda.
After Mildred Pierce (Joan Crawford) finds out that her husband (Bruce Bennett) has been unfaithful, the pair seperate and ultimately divorce. She is left completely dependent on herself and as a result, has to get a job waitressing to help pay the bills.
Veda - played brilliantly by Ann Blyth, who was nominated for Best Supporting Actress - soon becomes sick of the family's hard times and demands that her Mother provide her daughters with a better life. Mildred then seeks advice about opening up her own restaurant from realtor Wally Fay (Jack Carson) who introduces her to Monte Beragon (Zachary Scott), a property owner.
The film begins with Beragon's murder which Mildred admits to immediately and then progresses as she tells her story from the beginning. However, as she relates the events to the police, several different things seem suspect. Is Mildred lying, and if she is, will the truth come out in the end?
An excellent film noir from the Golden Age of cinema, the film was nominated for six Oscars - including Best Picture - and was directed by Michael Curtiz, the director of Casablanca. Joan Crawford is astounding as a desperate woman willing to do anything to protect her ungrateful children. The supporting cast are also on top form and the film is a joy to look at, beautifully photographed and fully restored.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Joan crawford was perfectly cast in this film noir classic. She sets the screen on fire, such sincerity in her portrayal. A truly evil daughter played by Ann Blythe is her match. Buy it. The documentary on the reverse side of this double sided DVD is very good too.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
A must for those who have a classic movie collection, MILDRED PIERCE is probably the best-known Joan Crawford movie of all time. With great performances by Bufferfly McQueen and Jack Carson, along with Eve Arden and a host of others, you can't go wrong here. What's also so amazing is that the ensemble cast has so many good lines and is so woven into the movie. You'd think that this would have been a Joan Crawford "Vehicle" or sorts, but that's not the case. All the characters are intertwined and the plot and sub-plots fit neatly into one another.
The story of a parent trying to give their child everything, this movie will remind other of Barbara Stanwyck [DVD]on many levels. Crawford won an academy award for this performance, and it was very well deserved--her acting is even and not so over the top as in some of her earlier (and later) films. This is a movie you can see over and over. The only part that I don't truly warm up to is some of the quick scene shifts. For instance, when Kay dies, Mildred says something like "but I had to get the restaurant up and running," giving the impression that she wasn't devestated by Kay's death. While we know instinctively that this was not the case, and she even comments "Don't let anything happend to Vita" it still seems an abrupt transition. But then when you've seen this movie twenty five times as I have, you're bound to catch things that others might miss.
Made in 1945, in the middle of WWII, this is still one of the best "classic" Hollywood movies of all time. I rank it right up there with ]and GONE WITH THE WIND.... Read more ›
The story of a parent trying to give their child everything, this movie will remind other of Barbara Stanwyck [DVD]on many levels. Crawford won an academy award for this performance, and it was very well deserved--her acting is even and not so over the top as in some of her earlier (and later) films. This is a movie you can see over and over. The only part that I don't truly warm up to is some of the quick scene shifts. For instance, when Kay dies, Mildred says something like "but I had to get the restaurant up and running," giving the impression that she wasn't devestated by Kay's death. While we know instinctively that this was not the case, and she even comments "Don't let anything happend to Vita" it still seems an abrupt transition. But then when you've seen this movie twenty five times as I have, you're bound to catch things that others might miss.
Made in 1945, in the middle of WWII, this is still one of the best "classic" Hollywood movies of all time. I rank it right up there with ]and GONE WITH THE WIND.... Read more ›
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4.7 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
Okay
Brilliant film, one that won an Oscar for Joan Crawford. Unfortunately the DVD stuttered a bit on my DVD player
though it was fine when played on my computer
though it was fine when played on my computer
Published 15 days ago by willesden one
5.0 out of 5 stars
Collector
I know this is an excellent old film having seen it many times before, I am building up a collection of old films they just have a certain something that today's films do not have
Published 1 month ago by lainy9
5.0 out of 5 stars
Joan Crawford in top form
I bought this DVD as a gift for a family member, but they informed me that it is a super film, one of Joan Crawford's best roles and well worth watching.
Published 3 months ago by Meridien7
5.0 out of 5 stars
what a film
Although vhs is outmoded this film certainly isnt its a real gem and a must for all film buffs - try it and you wont regret it
Published 3 months ago by miss mouse
5.0 out of 5 stars
Film Noir At Its Best
This is one of my all time favourite films and this particular film was missing from my collection. I love Film Noir.
Published 3 months ago by Faith
5.0 out of 5 stars
Not a classic for nothing...
One of the best Film Noir , outstanding performances . You watch for Joan Crawford's oscar winning role but leave it impressed with Ann Blyth's `Veda `the vixen daughter more so,... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Mr. Michael Morgan-reeves
5.0 out of 5 stars
Mildred Pierce
Brilliant who donnit., with Joan crawford at her best. Can't recommend this film more highly as a family fall into chaos and the outcome isn't what you think - a must watch!!
Published 4 months ago by Sally A.
5.0 out of 5 stars
northernrivers
I give 5 stars for this movie. An all time classic. Brilliant acting. My husband and I have viewed it several times......we never get sick of it. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Carol Timbrell
3.0 out of 5 stars
Subtitle Information
The dvd case states that this film has English and Italian subtitles for the hearing impaired, and also English, Arabic, French and Italian subtitles.
Published 7 months ago by Wayfarer
1.0 out of 5 stars
No sound
I had to return this item as the sound was faulty. No sound on play only on fast forward-bizarre! Very pleased with amazon prompt no fuss refund service.
Published 16 months ago by Mls
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