Customer Reviews

Harvey [Blu-ray] [1950] [Region Free]

5 star:		(52)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

James Stewart just can't take the feelgood aspect of cinema too far. He took us all there with "It's a Wonderful Life" and Harvey is yet another where you are left with that warm glow you thought only christmas infront of a warm fire could provide. This makes the ultimate Christmas gift, to be watched on boxing day it is a film that all the family can truly enjoy. Introduced as the slightly barmy character Elwood, James Stewart brings you gently to the conclusion that you shouldn't be wary of all those whose best friend and companion is a six foot rabbit- if anything they are probably saner than you or I. I've seen it a million times and it still worthy of becoming my first DVD purchase. Ever.

There isn't much you can say that is bad about Harvey. Jimmy Stewart plays an upper-class man with one slight abnormality. He has the ability to see and talk to an 'imaginary' rabbit named Harvey. He describes him as a Pooka, an old myth of shapechangers and halfmen half animals. This particular pooka named Harvey is a 6ft tall rabbit.

Now it has come out on DVD, it'll be all the more worth it buying this title, for its one that anyone can enjoy.

"Well, I've wrestled with reality for 35 years, doctor, and I'm happy to state I finally won out over it." That cheerful comment sets the tone for "Harvey," a movie about a lovable guy whose way of dealing with the harshness of reality is simple: Make his own.

Veta Louise Simmons (Josephine Hull) hopes to arrange a wonderful marriage for daughter Myrtle May (Victoria Horne) in the upper echelons of society. There's one problem: her wealthy brother Elwood P. Dowd (James Stewart) has an imaginary pal, a six-foot-three rabbit called Harvey. After Elwood accidently wrecks a party by introducing Harvey to everyone, Veta decides to have him committed.

Unfortunately, when Veta takes Elwood to the sanatorium, the staff come to think that the fluttery socialite is crazy, and is trying to get her sunny brother out of the way. So they lock her up, and let him go. After that mistake is straightened out, the psychiatric staff and Elwood's long-suffering family try to find him.... and Harvey.

If we ever saw Elwood P. Dowd ("Here, let me give you one of my cards") in a car, the bumper sticker would probably say, "Reality is highly overrated." The big theme of the movie is that reality can be harsh, and that it's not necessarily a bad thing to lapse out of it into the fantasies of our own minds. If Elwood isn't dangerous and is otherwise normal, who cares if he has an imaginary friend?

Is Harvey real? The film leaves that up to our imaginations. And in the end, it doesn't matter if Harvey is a figment of Elwood's imagination, or a friendly spirit. It's the effect he has on Elwood that is important. His presence makes Elwood happy and relaxed, and Elwood makes others happy and relaxed -- even the hard-boiled head of the psychiatric ward, who lies down on his own couch and tells his secrets to Elwood.

This actually isn't too screwballish a comedy -- sure, there's the running joke where Elwood politely introduces Harvey to people he meets. And the scene where Veta is committed is hilarious. But it's more of a heartwarmer than a comedy, from Elwood softening the lead shrink to Myrtle May finding love with a lovable blue-collar worker from the sanatorium.

James Stewart gives a wonderfully dreamy performance, slightly smelling of booze and flowers -- his Elwood P. Dowd is mild-mannered, sweet, gallant, courteous, and oh-so-pleasant. And he's learned the value of just enjoying the little things in life, like a flower, a beer or a talk with a friend. And Josephine Hull brings up a brilliant performance as his frazzled sister, with several other good actors rounding off the supporting cast.

Who is crazier -- the happy man with the imaginary rabbit, or the people who want him to be 100% sane and less happy? You make the call. With a sweet, surreal story and a flawless cast "Harvey" is one of those rare movies that does an unspecifiable number on your heartstrings.

What a truely great film, stewart plays the part to perfection. I only first saw the film on chrstmas eve last year it was on late on itv, but i loved it straight away and wanted to get the dvd after 8 months i finally got it. What a great film can't wait to watch it again. It has such a great line in it where elwood tells of how he first met Harvey. definetly worth the purchase!

This film is without a doubt one of the all time classic comedies.
James Stewart is wonderful,giving his best performance as the blissfully happy,and completely mad Elwood P. Dowd.
The story revolves around his friendship with a 6 foot 3 and one quarter inch invisible white rabbit named Harvey...a pookah.
Elwood's sister and neice live with Elwood and decide that the situation must be addressed.
Josephine Hull as his sister Veda, and Cecil Kallaway as the top psychiatrist give such great support.
It's a film which makes you laugh and smile throughout,with only a tinge of sadness.
A delightful escape from reality.

I just have to start by saying that I love Jimmy Stewart and I love movies like this. Adapted from a Pullitzer prize winning play, James Stewart stars in this classic black and white 1950 movie as the good natured gentleman Elwood P. Dowd, friend to everybody and in particular his constant companion "Harvey", a 6' 7" rabbit that nobody else can see. Unfortunately for Elwood's sister Veta Louise (in an Oscar winning performance) life becomes more complicated when her mission to find her daughter a husband are repeatedly scuppered time and again by Elwood and his obsession with his best friend. This inevitably leads to Veta Louise deciding to have her good natured brother committed to a mental hospital leading to all sorts of mix-ups, including being his sister being committed instead, leaving Elwood to sort everything out with his kindly and unwaveringly pleasant approach to life.

This is a beautifully written and perfectly acted movie that should appeal to anyone with a heart and an ounce of sentiment. They really don't make movies like this anymore and so this is a perfect addition to a movie lovers library, particularly at this budget price. Other favourites that appeal to my sentimental side and I'd recommend include Arsenic and Old Lace, It's A Wonderful Life (and virtually every other Frank Capra movie) and I'd also add Field Of Dreams to the list of all-time greatest heart-warming movies.

Whimsical - certainly ; funny - absolutely ; touching - definitely; perceptive - without a doubt.

The dialogue is at times stunning. There is not a better film around. I recommend it to you. However many times you watch it ...and I think you will watch it many times there is always something new to spot and delight in. I can't quite remember whether I actually saw Harvey or not ...I guess it depends how much you believe ...

I first saw this movie when I was about seven years old. I thought it a marvellous and convincing story of an adult with a gift for seeing a fantasy figure invisible to all the more ordinary people. I was sure Harvey was real, and was entranced as I waited for a glimpse of him on screen. Seeing the movie again, it seems now to me to be about something else entirely - how do people come to the point where they think they must send the one they love to an asylum for their own good? Can the cure be worse than the disease? Weighty subjects, but handled with delicate humour and grace. James Stewart is the ideal actor for the part. His portrayal of the alcoholic and supremely courteous Dowd is engaging and flawless. And in the end, you will want to live in his world too, where extraordinary and magical things can happen every day, and a little kindness and consideration go a long way in getting through life.

This is one movie I'd been meaning to get around to watching for ages. I'm supremely glad I trusted my instincts and bought it.

This is easily one of the best movies I've watched. It's funny, it's heartwarming, and it's got just the right amount of reflective melancholy in it to make it all the more moving.

The main character, Elwood P Dowd (that "P" is truly an integral part of the name, he never leaves it out), advises that he his mother told him the only too ways to prosper in life were to be clever or pleasant. He was himself clever, and says that he can recommend pleasant. Derided as crazy and simple, he comes across as the nicest person you could ever hope to meet, and by the end of the movie, you're left hoping for more Elwood P Dowds in your own life.

Funny, moving, and quite possibly one of the best ways to spend a quiet evening.

Brillant old classic >>>enjoyed it once again!!
I remember it from when i was younger..i think it is a wonderful movie for children ..because we all had a harvey when we were younger ...