Video Reviews

DOCTOR ZHIVAGO
*ing: Omar Sharif, Geraldine Chaplin, Julie Christie, Tom Courtnay, Alec Guiness, Siobhan McKenna, Ralph Richardson, Rod Steiger, Rita Tushingham
Dir: David Lean
Genre: Drama
Ultra-Warner, Rs. 395
This is one of a handful of films whose appeal doesn’t fade with the passage of time. The film is as emotionally wrenching today as the day it was made.

Doctor Zhivago tells the epic tale of talented poet/doctor whose war-ravaged life alters the life of many including the genteel woman he cannot forget (Geraldine Chaplin) and the fiery woman who cannot forget him (Julie Christie).

The film is backdropped by savage Russian revolution and that savagery is in stark contrast with the gentle love story that enfolds within it. The film garnered five Academy awards including best cinematography, best original score, best art direction and best costumes and best screenplay.

If it is a moving film that you want to see, then look no further. Doctor Zhivago is just the film for you.

CASABLANCA
*ing Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, Paul Henreid, CLaude Rains, Conrad Veidt, Sydney Greenstreet, Peter Lorre
Dir: Michael Curtiz
Genre: Drama
Ultra-Warner, Rs. 285
Casablanca alongside Citizen Kane is widely regarded as the best film ever made. The film has it all; a dashing hero Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart), a beautiful heroine Ilsa (Ingrid Bergman), a fantastic story.

Set in the fashionable watering hole of Casablanca in the early days of the second world war, the film tells the bitter-sweet love story between Rick and Ilsa. Rick is a cynical American who sticks his neck out for non one but himself. But when Ilsa walks back into his life, he seems a disturbed man. She is now married to Laszlo (Paul Henreid), a Czech resistance leader on the Nazi’s hit list. Although Casablanca is ruled by the French, the Nazi writ runs large there. Laszlo needs an exit visa to leave for America, and only one man can get him that - Rick. And when Ilsa offers herself in exchange for a safe passage for Laszlo, embittered Rick is forced into action for the love he once had for her.

This is a terrific film, and I haven’t grown tired of it even after countless viewing. This was remade, very badly, into Hindi as Armaan, but I would advise you to watch the original. It is worth it.

STARS OF SPACE JAM - Daffy Duck
Animated Cartoon
Ultra-Warner, Rs. 225
The tape contains six uncut, fully animated cartoons of Daffy Duck. The first two episodes show the fowled-up one at his best. He’s an insurance salesman who wheedles Porky Pig into a policy. Then his quest for fame propels him to hog the camera when Bugs Bunny is spotlighted. Self-preservation then becomes his watch-word in A Holiday for Drumsticks. The kids will enjoy this one.