Gone To Earth [1950]

Customer Reviews:

A Mary Webb classic brought to the silver screen!.......2008-01-01

'Gone To Earth' is a sumptuous film done in glorious Technicolor - a story based upon the novel from the great writer from Shropshire Mary Webb.

Mary Webb wrote some fabulous stories with some wonderfully colourful eccentric characters. This film is a true and accurate interpretation of the said novel, with great camera work and some great acting. An entertaining film that sees Hugh Griffith in one of his best roles as the all-protecting servant of the womanising Squire, and Cyril Cusack is the kind and gentle Parson who eventually wins his wife back from the red-blooded Mr. Redding.

For those of you unfamiliar with the book and film - be prepared for a shock ending!

N. B. DVD 'bonus' features includes footage from 'behind the scenes' of the making of the film.

Wonderful, beautiful film.......2005-01-17

This review contains no plot spoilers.

A magnificent acheivement by Powell and Pressburger, full of the mysterious atmosphere of the Welsh Marches. Sadly, it was butchered before release - just 35 minutes remained in the 1950 cinema release. This DVD is the full 110 minute restored version, and the DVD transfer is superb for a film of this age. The audio is also excellent. There are even good extras, rare in a budget British DVD.

The outdoor shots are superb, and thankfully there are only a few seconds of back-projection here and there. If you like P&P's work (I Know Where I'm Going, Colonel Blimp, A Canterbury Tale), then you'll love this. Also a 'must' for Kilvert's Diary lovers.

It seems the DVD pack designer was just handed a few old black & white film stills and didn't even watch the film. This is because the front image and the rear three stills are all in black & white! It would be a shame if this put off potential viewers - as it's actually in georgeous, subtle technicolour.

The only (slight) let down is the sharpness and suddenness of the ending. Buy & enjoy!

British Film at its best.......2004-09-22

All Powell and Pressburgers' films have a magic about them that delights us. "Gone to Earth" is one of their finest as it centres on our relationship with the landscape around us. We follow the heroine through her courtships knowing that her real love is the world she inhabits rather than people. This allows P & P to follow some familiar paths as they introduce us to a range of eccentric, thoroughly British charchters, who both shock and amuse the Gypsy girl and ultimately cause her destruction. P & P make the familiar British landscape haunting and magical. Not to be missed.

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