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United Kingdom released, PAL/Region 2 DVD: LANGUAGES: English ( Mono ), SPECIAL FEATURES: Interactive Menu, Scene Access, SYNOPSIS: The Magic Box was the English film industry's contribution to the 1951 Festival of Britain. Its all-star cast generously forsook their usual salaries for the privilege of paying tribute to that unsung pioneer of cinema, William Friese-Greene, here played by Robert Donat. Adapted by Eric Ambler from the controversial biography by Ray Allister, Magic Box contends that Friese-Greene was the true father of motion pictures, and not such upstarts as W. K. L. Dickson and Thomas Edison. Told in flashback, the film details Friese-Greene's tireless experiments with the "moving image," leading inexorably to a series of failures and disappoints, as others hog the credit for the protagonist's discoveries. The huge cast includes such British film luminaries as Joyce Grenfell, Miles Malleson, Michael Redgrave, Eric Portman, Emlyn Williams, Richard Attenborough, Peter Ustinov, Cecil Parker, Kay Walsh, and, best of all, Laurence Olivier as the confused bobby who witnesses Friese-Greene's first motion picture demonstration. SCREENED/AWARDED AT: BAFTA Awards, ...The Magic Box
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Given that my background is one of utter respect for and love of Robert Donat's compelling performances, I do not entirely understand why I don't like this film. Yes, his performance is as wonderful as you would expect; yes, the film is littered with umpteen cameos from the creme de la creme of British cinema; yes, the subject matter is fascinating. And yet with all this potential, it fails. I partly think because I have little sympathy with the Friese-Greene character who is a selfish, unthinking boy-as-man. Perhaps that is the drive of genius, but it makes for a heartless tale because he brings all his terrible circumstances upon himself. Maria Schell is admittedly charming as his first wife, but this cannot sustain the over-long, over-sentimental story line of dubious historical accuracy (but that is never the point of these films). It's a shame I cannot recommend this because there were so few Donat films made, let alone still available. Go for the Winslow Boy, 39 Steps, and Mr Chips instead (of the current crop of DVDs).
24 of 27 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I was very pleased when I heard they had finally got around to releasing this classic movie. Unfortunately, Studio Canal have chosen to give us no extras whatsoever - not even subtitles!! This film was made for the Festival of Britain in 1951 and was a major movie at the time, so there must be loads of footage out there. No excuses, this is a big disappointment. The picture quality is fair, but the colour balance is pretty dreadful and it all looks slightly blurred. As for the sound, its the old mono soundtrack and it doesn't sound as if it's been remastered particularly well, if at all. I tend to think this may have been taken from a tape master as it really doesn't look a whole lot different from my VHS copy. Pity!
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Bearing in mind this was made as part of the Festival of Britain event all those years ago, I would have thought this was 'ripe' for a digital restoration to be honest as the colours go from one hue to another and bearing in mind the subject matter of the film being the invention of (British) colour film, think its a bit of a cheek! I like Robert Donat anyway, a REAL actor regardless, but this was not a 'Robert Donat film' as they say although you do see so, so many film stars of the day in assorted cameo roles, it still fails to please - also others who watched it at the same time agreed or are we too demanding?! - plus glaring continuity errors abound and the script was bit disjointed as while we see the subject's daughter in the first portion of the film, no mention of her afterwards - did she die? - got written out?.. I had so long wished to see this film but it was a let down in many respects, but to see Robert Donat at his best, try 'The Ghost Goes West', 'The 39 Steps' (THE classic) 'Goodbye, Mr Chips' and 'The Inn of The Sixth Happiness' (this was his last film as he died sadly shortly after it was made) and quite a few others. Sorry to be so down beat but it failed in so many departments in my - and other's - opinion.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Jimbo
You will never find another DVD with such a cast of well known British actors in main and cameo supporting roles - made for the Festival of Britain and a must have for anyone with... Read more
Published 20 months ago by Mr. James Crouch
Sad, but interesting
An impressive cast, a true story and a desperately sad conclusion. If you can stand being thoroughly depressed, this film is still worth a look, as it tells the fascinating, but... Read more
Published on 6 April 2005 by Filmbuff
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