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The Oscar and BAFTA nominated landmark British comedy The Horse s Mouth is released for the very first time on DVD in the UK on 20 October 2008 by Eureka Entertainment In Ronald Neame s film of Joyce Cary s classic novel, Alec Guinness transforms himself into one of cinema s most indelible comic figures: the somewhat vulgar but dedicated painter in search of his artistic vision, Gulley Jimson. As the ill-behaved Jimson searches for a perfect canvas, he determines to let nothing come between himself and the realization of his exalted vision. A perceptive examination of the struggle of artistic creation, The Horse s Mouth is also Neame s comic masterpiece. Starring the Oscar winning actor (Star Wars, Lawrence of Arabia, The Bridge on the River Kwai, Doctor Zhivago) and directed by the Oscar nominated Ronald Neame (Poseidon Adventure)
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This film manages to capture visually the author's concept. A satire on the art world and the period. Great for a nostalgic view of London and life on the Thames. Alec Guinness excels.
7 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
"The Horse's Mouth,"(1958), is another brisk comic masterpiece of English cinema from the 1950's; a particularly rare one, as it is in color. It stars the hugely talented Alec Guinness, who led a number of these comedic achievements (The Ladykillers [DVD] [1955]; Kind Hearts And Coronets [DVD] [1949]), as well, of course, as many serious films (The Bridge On The River Kwai [DVD] [1957]); Star Wars - The Original Trilogy [DVD] [1977]). In this particular case, "Horse's Mouth," Guinness also wrote the film for the screen, adapting it from the Joyce Cary novel of the same name (THE HORSE'S MOUTH A Novel). It was directed by Ronald Neame, ( The Odessa File [DVD] [1974]; The Poseidon Adventure [1972] [DVD]) who had a lovely light touch; it received one Oscar nomination.
It tells us of Gulley Jimson, obsessed painter always searching for the perfect realization of his artistic vision, scamming and riding roughshod over those unfortunates in his way as he goes. He receives sterling support from Kay Walsh as Coker, a friend/girlfriend, Renee Houston as Sara Monday, his ex-wife; and Mike Morgan, who died too young, at twenty-eight, ten days before the end of filming, so that his last lines had to be dubbed, as Nosey, a fervent young admirer. The young Michael Gough plays Adam, a sculptor/cohort. As Guinness wrote the part of Jimson for himself, he did, of course, tweak it a bit to make the artist more likable; and give him a better cinematic end. The film makes remarkable use of Lieutenant Kije, by Sergei Prokofiev, as its sound track. It was filmed at Shepperton Studios, Surrey; and on location in London: it gives us an equally remarkable picture of the then-contemporary city, still showing its war wounds. The color, so rarely used in 1950s British comedies, has been well-remastered; sound, too, is bright.
So why is it so undeservedly obscure? Same reason, I theorize, as it is in color: it was made not by Ealing Studios, (The Definitive Ealing Studios Collection [DVD]), so famous for its 1950s black and white English comedies, but by the upstart Knightsbridge Films. And who knows what that was all about, but it certainly has resulted in the film's being little-known.
It tells us of Gulley Jimson, obsessed painter always searching for the perfect realization of his artistic vision, scamming and riding roughshod over those unfortunates in his way as he goes. He receives sterling support from Kay Walsh as Coker, a friend/girlfriend, Renee Houston as Sara Monday, his ex-wife; and Mike Morgan, who died too young, at twenty-eight, ten days before the end of filming, so that his last lines had to be dubbed, as Nosey, a fervent young admirer. The young Michael Gough plays Adam, a sculptor/cohort. As Guinness wrote the part of Jimson for himself, he did, of course, tweak it a bit to make the artist more likable; and give him a better cinematic end. The film makes remarkable use of Lieutenant Kije, by Sergei Prokofiev, as its sound track. It was filmed at Shepperton Studios, Surrey; and on location in London: it gives us an equally remarkable picture of the then-contemporary city, still showing its war wounds. The color, so rarely used in 1950s British comedies, has been well-remastered; sound, too, is bright.
So why is it so undeservedly obscure? Same reason, I theorize, as it is in color: it was made not by Ealing Studios, (The Definitive Ealing Studios Collection [DVD]), so famous for its 1950s black and white English comedies, but by the upstart Knightsbridge Films. And who knows what that was all about, but it certainly has resulted in the film's being little-known.
0 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This film makes a brave attempt at summarising the complexities of Joyce Cary's superb novel about the painter Gulley Jimson and London just before the start of the second world war. Its value now is more as a historical document in that it shows 1950's London in colour. It completely fails to do justice to the richness of Gulley Jimson's views, thoughts and philosophy of art and life. Alec Guinness as screen writer and main character does just about avoid the temptation of caricature. Very worth a look but oddly enough although the film is in colour it can best be said to be a monochrome version of the exuberant technicolor of the writing in the novel. Read the book!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Arrived in time despite the snow
Arrived in time for Christmas despite the bad weather conditions. Was a present so can't say much about the DVD itself, however it is great to be able to find older films like... Read more
Published 15 months ago by S. Chesney
The Horses Mouth
Bought for someone else so I don't know how the film actually was - but the Amazon service an delivery were spot on!
Published 20 months ago by Mrs. Elizabeth M. Goulder
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