- Actors: Julie Andrews, Omar Sharif, Anthony Quayle, Dan O'Herlihy, Sylvia Syms
- Directors: Blake Edwards
- Writers: Blake Edwards, Evelyn Anthony
- Format: PAL, Anamorphic, Widescreen, Mono, Colour
- Region: Region 2 (This DVD may not be viewable outside Europe. Read more about DVD formats.)
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9 - 2.35:1
- Number of discs: 1
- Classification: 15
- Studio: Network
- DVD Release Date: 12 Mar 2007
- Run Time: 120 minutes
- Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
- ASIN: B000MEYGVI
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 46,963 in Film & TV (See Top 100 in Film & TV)
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United Kingdom released, PAL/Region 2 DVD: LANGUAGES: English ( Dolby Digital 2.0 ), WIDESCREEN (2.35:1), SPECIAL FEATURES: Cast/Crew Interview(s), Interactive Menu, Photo Gallery, Scene Access, Trailer(s), SYNOPSIS: Judith, an attractive widow who works for the foreign office, is holidaying in Barbados where she meets the charming and handsome Feodor, the Russian military attaché to Paris. A friendship develops but unbeknownst to Judith, Feodor is actually the Second in Command at the KGB.
SCREENED/AWARDED AT: BAFTA Awards, ...Tamarind Seed (UK)
SCREENED/AWARDED AT: BAFTA Awards, ...Tamarind Seed (UK)
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
One of those rather bland glossy star vehicles so beloved of Lew Grade in the 70s, The Tamarind Seed is a Romanoff and Juliet romantic thriller from Blake Edwards' wilderness period that offers little in the way of romance or thrills but just about passes an idle afternoon. Despite the John Barry score and Maurice Binder title sequence, it's more sedate affair than Bond would settle for, moving largely in embassy circles where gossip and espionage mingle somewhat disinterestedly and treachery is inextricably intertwined with career moves.
Omar Sharif is the Russian embassy spy who falls for Julie Andrews' British embassy secretary on holiday, only to find themselves under a cloud of suspicion from his superior Oscar Homolka and Anthony Quayle's British spycatcher. Sharif's solution is to pretend that he's trying to recruit her as a spy so he can continue the affair when he's back at work while the British want her to recruit him (no prizes for guessing which side makes the better offer). Sparks don't exactly fly between the pair: the political and ideological banter that passes for their courtship works better than the genuine love scenes, but there's too much on the nose dialogue elsewhere - having effectively established one character's homosexuality in one scene, it needlessly ends with him being called a poof just in case anyone missed the point. Unfortunately there's not much in the way of suspense either, with the unmasking of a British traitor and the inevitable botched defection all too predictable and a scene where Sharif steals a supposedly ultra-secret file by putting it under his jacket seems almost laughable (even if it is the way most secrets probably were stolen in those days). Edwards' staging of the final action scene is fairly atrocious as well, leaving a film that looks at once expensive and somewhat half-baked. It's watchable enough if your expectations are low, but nothing more.
Network's special edition DVD offers the film in a good 2.35:1 widescreen transfer with trailer and interviews with Omar Sharif and Blake Edwards from the ITV archives - though neither relate to the film itself (Edwards is actually promoting one of his Pink Panther films).
Omar Sharif is the Russian embassy spy who falls for Julie Andrews' British embassy secretary on holiday, only to find themselves under a cloud of suspicion from his superior Oscar Homolka and Anthony Quayle's British spycatcher. Sharif's solution is to pretend that he's trying to recruit her as a spy so he can continue the affair when he's back at work while the British want her to recruit him (no prizes for guessing which side makes the better offer). Sparks don't exactly fly between the pair: the political and ideological banter that passes for their courtship works better than the genuine love scenes, but there's too much on the nose dialogue elsewhere - having effectively established one character's homosexuality in one scene, it needlessly ends with him being called a poof just in case anyone missed the point. Unfortunately there's not much in the way of suspense either, with the unmasking of a British traitor and the inevitable botched defection all too predictable and a scene where Sharif steals a supposedly ultra-secret file by putting it under his jacket seems almost laughable (even if it is the way most secrets probably were stolen in those days). Edwards' staging of the final action scene is fairly atrocious as well, leaving a film that looks at once expensive and somewhat half-baked. It's watchable enough if your expectations are low, but nothing more.
Network's special edition DVD offers the film in a good 2.35:1 widescreen transfer with trailer and interviews with Omar Sharif and Blake Edwards from the ITV archives - though neither relate to the film itself (Edwards is actually promoting one of his Pink Panther films).
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Julie Andrews showing just what a fantastically versatile actor she is! The combination of a good 'story' by Evelyn Antony, the great cast, the exotic locations, the music of John Barry, superb production and atmosphere make this a very under-rated and lovely film to have in your collection.
From the fabulous opening titles (by Maurice Binder who also designed many of the James Bond opening titles) and the entrancing music of John Barry who so captivates the mood of this film you are invited to meet recently widowed Judith Farrow (Julie Andrews)who is working in a very sensitive Defence Department job for the British Government during the Cold War years of the 1970's. Staying at the same hotel, on a beautiful Barbados beach, is Colonel Feodor Sverdlov (Omar Sharrif) a Military Attache from the Russian Embassy in Paris - is this just a coincidence? Watch this Movie and discover for yourself whether this is love at first sight or something more deliberate!
From the fabulous opening titles (by Maurice Binder who also designed many of the James Bond opening titles) and the entrancing music of John Barry who so captivates the mood of this film you are invited to meet recently widowed Judith Farrow (Julie Andrews)who is working in a very sensitive Defence Department job for the British Government during the Cold War years of the 1970's. Staying at the same hotel, on a beautiful Barbados beach, is Colonel Feodor Sverdlov (Omar Sharrif) a Military Attache from the Russian Embassy in Paris - is this just a coincidence? Watch this Movie and discover for yourself whether this is love at first sight or something more deliberate!
Format:DVD
When I first saw The Tamarind Seed, this (along with Victor, Victoria) I feel helped to shed Andrews' saccharine image and revealed a well thought sometimes harrowing potrait of a woman in love, first with her husband whom she loses in a car accident at the beginning of the film, then a married friend and finally with a Russian with a dubious reason for getting friendly with her - can one woman have so much bad luck? It was a wonderful performance in a film of lush locations, lush Embassy settings (you almost expect a tower of Ferrero Rocher to appear at one point) and the lush sweeping strings of John Barry's beautifully haunting music - oft played on my iPod I might add.
However, the stand out performance for me is that of Sylvia Syms rightly given a BAFTA Best Supporting Actress nod for her portrayal of a betrayed, put upon trophy wife to her husband of questionable sexuality; he himself is then betrayed by his wife in her affair with Quayle's sidekick, the gorgeous Bryan Marshall. Along with Ice Cold in Alex this is, in my humble opinion, her best role and showed that Syms would have been a wonderful export to the US had she decided upon that route.
Yes a film for a rainy afternoon with nothing else to do, but a indulgence to be enjoyed again and again.
However, the stand out performance for me is that of Sylvia Syms rightly given a BAFTA Best Supporting Actress nod for her portrayal of a betrayed, put upon trophy wife to her husband of questionable sexuality; he himself is then betrayed by his wife in her affair with Quayle's sidekick, the gorgeous Bryan Marshall. Along with Ice Cold in Alex this is, in my humble opinion, her best role and showed that Syms would have been a wonderful export to the US had she decided upon that route.
Yes a film for a rainy afternoon with nothing else to do, but a indulgence to be enjoyed again and again.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Mags
I had an old video. Love this film - my favourite of all time. Only thing not so keen on is the format (expected, like video just strip across the screen) Great story with polished... Read more
Published 7 months ago by Mags
Tamarind Seed
I have been looking for this film for ages, I saw it so many times when it first came out but then had to throw the VHS tape away when DVD's came out and was so sad. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Dampier Patricia
The Tamarind seed
I have been searching for this foar a long time after seeing it years ago. It was certainly dated, but most enjoyable.
Published 15 months ago by aquahorse
The Tamarind Seed (1974)
I bought this as our family stayed at The Colony Club, Barbados (where the film was made) in 1979 and it brought back good memories. Quite enjoyable film. Read more
Published 21 months ago by Sunshine
The Tamarind Seed
I just enjoyed it for what it is good watch with some great actors proberly not there best work but enjoyable all the same.
Published on 16 May 2010 by Mark L. Stevens
A classic
With a music score from John Barry, good story and well cast, It all makes for a film worth a re-run
Published on 30 April 2010 by R. Dawson
just a seed
Typical spy movie of the '70s. Given the high level of Director (Blacke Edwards) and Actors (Julie Andrews, Omar "Zhivago" Sharif, but also the others) one could expect much more. Read more
Published on 28 Feb 2010 by AV70
brilliant underated movie
Have loved this film since the 80's tried to get it...really really happy....buy and suspend judgment...enjoy!!!
Published on 4 April 2009 by Pamela
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