Video Reviews

WHERE EAGLES DARE
*ing: Richard Burton, Clint Eastwood, Mary Ure, Patrick Wymark, Michael Hordern
Dir: Brian G. Hutton, Genre: Action/Thriller
Ultra-Warner, Rs. 285

Based on a book and screenplay by best-selling novelist Alistair MacLean, Where Eagles Dare is an old-world thriller where the accent was on building up the plot to a neat climax before letting loose the pyrotechnics. Although it looks a little dated today, film is still edge-of-the-seat stuff, and there are some fine performances by an aging Richard Burton and a young Clint Eastwood. But as always it is the thrill element that will get you to watch the film.

The plot in Where Eagles Dare revolves around a daring mission to rescue an important American General from the hands of the German Army at the height of World War II. The General is housed in Schloss Alder, a formidable fortress deep inside Nazi Germany, and the outcome of the mission could affect the fortunes of the War.

Maj. Smith (Richard Burton) and Lt. Schaffer (Clint Eastwood) play Allied agents tasked with rescuing Gen. Carnaby, a key planner in the battle to free Europe. Making their task doubly difficult is an unknown double agent in their team, who has to be found and neutralised before he sabotages their mission. The action scenes and the build-up appear a bit slow by today’s standards - the film was released 30 years ago in 1969 - but is still eminently watchable. Go for it!

BORN TO BE WILD
*ing Wil Horneff, Helen Shafer, John C. McGinley, Peter Boyle
Dir: John Gray
Genre: Drama
Ultra-Warner, Rs. 285

This is a nice coming of age tale, and the tale of an unlikely friendship between a 400 pound gorilla and a 14-year-old teenage boy. There have been enough films in the genre like the Free Willy series or the more recently released Mighty Joe Young, so the plot is old hat; what’s different is the details and, of course, the animal.

In Born To Be Wild, Katie is a three-year-old gorilla who uses sign language to communicate with her special friend, Rick (Wil Horneff). When Katie is reclaimed by her former owner, Peter Boyle, and penned up as an attraction in a flea market, it is time for Rick to free her and take off across America on an adventure that’s alternately amusing and predictable.

Pursued from California to Canada, the unlikely pair share narrow escapes and wide-open excitement. The kids will love the antics of the gorilla, and if you have absolutely nothing else to do maybe you’ll, too.

CLASSIC TOM & JERRY
Genre: Animated Cartoon
Ultra-Warner, Rs. 225

Here’s a collection that the kids will simply love - for that matter so did we. The tape contains six cartoons with our lovable heroes and their funniest friends and their wildest misadventures.

First off, Jerry tries to help a Downhearted Duckling who has decided to let the ever-hungry Tom to eat him even as Jerry tries to spoil Tom’s appetite. In Fit To Be Tied, the cat gets a pounding from Jerry’s latest ally, Butch Bulldog. Then a little woodpecker pokes some fun at Tom in Hatch Up Your Troubles, and Jerry rescues a little pup who becomes a pest to Tom in Puppy Tale.

Then a wicked witch gives the ride of his life on her broom in The Flying Sorceress. And finally, Jerry plays nursemaid to Tom who believes that he has measles in Polka Dot Puss. The cartoons are a blast, so go ahead and have fun.