Where the Sidewalk Ends [1950] (REGION 1) (NTSC)

Customer Reviews:

The original Dirty Harry: complex and challenging.......2005-04-07

From the fantastic opening sequence in which the credits are scrawled graffiti-style on the sidewalk and the camera closes in on filthy rainwater rushing down the gutter, this movie employs a series of interesting and offbeat visual, structural and sonic devices to explore its themes of fate and corruption and to keep the viewer constantly surprised and challenged. Preminger's refusal to emotionally signpost the narrative with an intrusive musical score allows the crackling of police radios, the rattling of subway trains and the ambient traffic noise to form a kind of realistic soundtrack to the film. Absence of musical pointers also intensifes the moral ambiguity of the protagonist's actions. Long scenes (such as the beautifully taut sequence filmed beneath the Brooklyn Bridge in which Dana Andrews disposes of the body of Gene Tierney's estranged husband) take place in virtual silence, inviting us to construct our own moral perspective and to concentrate on the gorgeous deep-focus black and white photography. Structurally, too, Preminger keeps us on our toes. The scene which in any other film would be the climax of the action, involving an inevitable shoot-out and a quick resolution of the story's moral conflicts, is here omitted completely: we simply hear about it afterward. For some viewers this might be disconcerting, but its effect is to sustain the ambiguity to the end and to leave the destiny of the central character somewhat unresolved. It's as fitting and complex an ending as the studio system would allow to Ben Hecht's clever and twisty screenplay which piles cruel irony on top of cruel irony for Detective Dixon, "half cop, half killer" as the bad guy calls him, driven by a hatred for hoodlums which is exceeded only by hatred of himself. As the original vigilante cop, the grim-faced Dana Andrews brilliantly conveys this unstable brew of vicious anger and self-loathing. By contrast, Gene Tierney's role as the good-girl saviour of our shadowy hero is slightly trite. It's the most conventional thing about this challenging and intriguing movie. The restored print used on the BFI's DVD edition is immaculate.

Didnýt keep me interested.......2005-02-28

One of the BFI's film noir releases this film didn't kept me too interested. There are a few reasons for that. One is that Dana Andrews is a bit too wooden for the lead (far more than the part requires). Another is that the plot never goes as smoothly as it should - which strange since the screenwriter is one of Hollywood's all time best - but I wonder how much miscasting has to do with it. None of the actors are really suitable for their parts, with the possible exception of Gary Merrill as the villain. There are some interesting moments, though, and the theme of corruption is still fairly well explored. I was drawn to the film mostly because Gene Tierney was in it, but her part so too small and two-dimensional that made me wonder why she accepted it. I wasn't expecting "Laura II" but the film really left me cold.

Where the Sidewalk Ends [1950] (REGION 1) (NTSC)

Average customer rating:

Where the Sidewalk Ends [1950] (REGION 1) (NTSC)
Starring: Dana Andrews
Manufacturer: Fox Home Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Drama | Classics | Categories | DVD | Video

DVD | Format (binding_browse-bin) | Refinements | DVD | Video
ASIN: 6309649698
Release Date: 2005-12-06

Customer Reviews:

Usual Hi-5 Standard!.......2007-11-24

Brilliant!
My girls love Hi-5 and also love Christmas so this DVD combines both superbly. I was a bit worried that an Australian Christmas might confuse them (beach, BBQs, surfing etc) but the gang do a great job getting it right by focusing on the build-up to Santa coming. They also get some traditional Christmas carols in there.

Its Driving me Mad........2006-03-07

This DVD is fantastic !! My daughter asks to watch it at least twice a day. My daughter and I know all the words and dances, and she never gets bored, although it is starting to drive me mad, luckily I have ordered a couple more for variety !! I love the outfits and my daughter has learnt a lot from this DVD.

Fabulous.......2005-01-20

My daughter got this DVD for Xmas and I must say it has been on the tele for the last 4 weeks. I know every word of every song.

I particularly like when Shelly (the good looking Asian gal) makes a snowman out of sand and calls its... a sandman. Fab! Thing is, she keeps calling him snowman (eg "now you wont get sun burnt on your nose, that should keep you happy Mr Snowman). I keep shouting at the tele that its not a snowman, its a sandman. Still, better not confuse the kids.

Its clever how they use the Australian themes and weather to totally destroy the real image of Xmas. Xmas should be snowy no matter where you live. A family going for an Xmas day picnic on the beach and discovering an Xmas tree in need of decoration is not very festive now is it? The poor tree has to get swept into the ocean and cover itself in starfish and seaweed to get decorated.

The concert is great. Apart from the skinnier blonde not being able to project her voice very well and delivering flat notes. The choir are excellent and clearly enjoy the performance judging by the look on their faces. I like the idea of Santa playing hide and seek with a bear that has no Xmas relevance at all.

This is a DVD you can watch year round cos it is not a real Xmas DVD. Enjoy it in July if you like. Well worth the money cos you dont have to play it only in December!

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