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From Amazon.co.uk
James Clavell's The Last Valley is a heartfelt film of paradise found and lost in the midst of the bloody Thirty Years War, a senseless religious conflict long since degenerated into a rabble of looters preying on peasants. It's also a triumph of passion over style. Michael Caine stars as the Captain, a happily tolerant leader whose army of mercenaries--a mix of Protestants and Catholics--murders, pillages and rapes side by side for whichever faction is paying more at the time. Omar Sharif is Vogel, a lone refugee whose flight from the marauding band leads them all to a beautiful village in the mountains. The Captain and Vogel make an unlikely pair: the shrewd mercenary with the dream of peace, and the philosopher-peasant hanging on to his own life in the face of certain death--and their alliance to preserve this Eden and her people stands in contrast to the soldiers who soon become splintered by greed, lust and religious zealotry. Clavell isn't exactly subtle, but his sense of irony is biting: one Christian soldier is ready to lead a mob in righteous battle after a perceived blaspheme, and in the next scene attacks and rapes an innocent Christian maiden he's sworn to protect. The film falters in clumsy battle scenes and awkward dramatic staging, but Caine's complex characterisation of the guarded Captain and Sharif's haunted performance keep the story alive, and the beautiful photography fixes the film like a jewel into its setting. --Sean Axmaker, Amazon.com
Product Description
United Kingdom released, PAL/Region 2 DVD: LANGUAGES: English ( Dolby Digital 2.0 ), SPECIAL FEATURES: Biographies, Interactive Menu, Photo Gallery, Production Notes, Scene Access, SYNOPSIS: The Last Valley was written, produced and directed by acclaimed novelist James Clavell, whose prolific credits include 'Shogun', 'The Great Escape' and '633 Squadron'. A compelling tale of survival set in 17th century Austria against the backdrop of the Thirty Years War. In his nomadic travels Vogel (Omar Sharif) comes across a beautiful, peaceful village where the community lies unaffected by the war raging around it. He is given the opportunity to lodge there for winter in return for protection. When an army of ruthless mercenaries led by 'The Captain' (Michael Caine) also discover the oasis, the peace is shattered and the village descends into conflict and violence. ...The Last Valley
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
20 of 20 people found the following review helpful
By Thommo
Format:DVD
I've always enjoyed this film since it first came out - it is as much a philosophical discussion as it is a war film, which gives it a bit more depth. As others have said, it looks good as well. And with that in mind I have been searching for a decent version of it on DVD. But this version is NOT a widescreen presentation - the credit sequence is, but the movie itself is 4x3, mainly because it is a TV version. Still worth watching, but also still worth seeking out a true version.
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
By James
Format:DVD
I first saw this film many years ago and was delighted to be able to get my hands on a DVD to watch it again. The Thirty Years War was a pointless and bloody affair, which ruined the livelihoods of those who were not killed or tortured. Greedy warlords and princes fought each other and changed sides when convenient, the only army in it for higher ambitions being that of King Gustav Adolf of Sweden. To say that ordinary people suffered terribly would be an understatement and the film portrays this well, with the contrast of the one valley in the German speaking world to have escaped the carnage well described. The acting is first class, in my opinion, one of Michael Caine's best roles. Scenery beautiful and the futility of the war extremely well brought to life.
34 of 37 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I saw this film at the cinema when it first came out, many years ago. The first thing that struck me was that Michael Caine could actually act - let's face it in "Alfie" he played Michael Caine and good though he is, in this he really shows his acting ability. The second thing that struck me was the simply wonderful music score, written if my memory serves me correctly, by John Barry who at that time was know for the James Bond theme and not much more. We all know differently now. Both Caine and Barry are now household names in their particular fields.
The film is set during the Thirty Years War when religous strife ruled everyone's lives, people believed in witches and innocents, both men and women, were burnt at the stake. Life was cruel, hard and short; if you were a soldier it most likely ended in a violent and bloody death, somehow the pure beauty of the cinematograply and music of this film makes the subject matter all the more poignant. A stunning, hidden valley is discovered, totally untouched by the war and bigotry that the rest of the countryside is suffering from - until the soldiers find it.
Watch this film - rent it if you don't want to buy it - but watch this film. It is absolutely superb.
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4.1 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
The beautiful music of John Barry.
On account of John Barry's music score, I rate it highly. Why on earth don't we see it on television channels. ?
Published 4 days ago by alfred williams
5.0 out of 5 stars
A war of confusion.
The events of the Thirty Years War of 1618-1648, are rarely portrayed on film, and for good reason.
This Europe-wide war of religion and conquest laid waste to much of Central... Read more
This Europe-wide war of religion and conquest laid waste to much of Central... Read more
Published 24 days ago by Mr. P. Johnson
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Last Valley
I bought it as a gift for my son and was informed that it is a marvellous film, very well acted etc.
Published 1 month ago by Mrs M A Ealey
5.0 out of 5 stars
A classic from the 70s.
I bought this DVD because I was impressed by the film when it was originally released in 1971, yet I have never seen it on TV since, nor heard much mention of it, despite the... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Ian Barclay
5.0 out of 5 stars
Outstanding value
Written by James Clavell of Shogun fameShogun [5 Disc Box Set] [DVD] this is a tour de force in vivid colour. Read more
Published 3 months ago by charles Mackay
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Undeservedly little known film
Not your average Hollywood type epic, probably why it didn't succeed in the cinema; its 100% better than one of those. Read more
Published 3 months ago by sc
3.0 out of 5 stars
Great movie - garbled by format trimming...
I don't want to be mistaken: The movie itself is surely worth 5 stars (IMDB.com rating: 7.2 out of 10) and a great epic about the horrors of the Thirty Years' War (1618-1648) in... Read more
Published 4 months ago by U. Breimaier
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Last Valley
It Was for My Son as a Present and we both watched it and Enjoyedit
Thankyou
Mrs Carol Woolhead
Loved it
Thankyou
Mrs Carol Woolhead
Loved it
Published 4 months ago by CWoolhead
2.0 out of 5 stars
The Last Valley DVD
The grafhics at the start was the best thing about this movie but even giants of the silver screen like Michael Caine get caught up in a turkey from time to time.
Published 5 months ago by mick555
3.0 out of 5 stars
A forgotten epic well worth remembering on a forgettably bad cropped...
Filmed under the incredibly unwieldy and oh-so-Sixties title Somewhere in the Mountains There is a Last Valley and hindered by financing problems, The Last Valley marked the end of... Read more
Published 14 months ago by Trevor Willsmer
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