Rowing With the Wind [1987] (REGION 1) (NTSC)

Customer Reviews:

A Journey with the Waves .......2007-08-24

The movie is an interesting account of the historic event which took place in four geographical locations; England, Switzerland, Italy, with a mythological yet real-ending in Greece and which are linked profoundly by these great men and woman who played a central role for the inauguration of Romanticism: the three époque-making Poets, Political thinkers and Composers, the Creators of the new era: Lord Byron, Mary Godwin Shelley and Percy Shelly.

How the creature was born- evocative telling of Byron, Shelley and Frankenstein........2006-10-26

I remember seeing this evocative film on Channel 4 many years ago, and have long since pondered whether my recollections were tinted by the atmospheric landscapes and haunting soundtrack. Having watched it again today, I am happy to say that, despite the more recent varied film escapades of Hugh Grant and Elizabeth Hurley, the film stands up well, not aged as so many period pieces of this era are, and in no small part thanks to a wonderful performance by Lizzie McInnerny as Mary Shelley. The growing void and desolation in her life caused by (to say may spoil your enjoyment of the film) is the perfect womb for her great literary creation, Frankenstein, and the manifestation of the creature is, being in appearance far more human than the classic Boris Karloff image, unnerving and eerie. The repeated use of Fantasia on a theme of Thomas Tallis by Ralph Vaughan-Williams may seem a little unimaginative to some, but think how the same motif crops up in contemporary soundtracks. For some reason the audiotrack bears traces of sibilance on McInnerny's voice alone, and the picture transfer is at times grainy; something that a future possible region 2 remastered version might address? Overall, Rowing With the Wind needs not apologise for any of its minor shortcomings- in fact Hugh Grant is positively glorious as Lord Byron, and as this is the only release currently available, it is well worth adding to a collection. That said, such an entertaining picture deserves a better edition.

Customer Reviews:

Noddy - A Bike For Big Ears.......2003-07-08

There is no doubting that this new version of Noddy is superbly animated. They are a great accompianment to the books.
Our 3 year old son just loves it. Definately one to watch.

Great entertainment.......2003-05-27

My son loved it from the moment we bought this. 6 episodes in one and then a couple of extra features. If your child likes noddy, then they'll probably have seen these episodes on TV but that doesn't matter as you'll get some peace and quiet whilst they take the stories in. The alphabet game is a bit tame and not worth the effort but overall the stories are a winner in our house.

Customer Reviews:

"Stop puttin' those grrrand idears into her head".......2006-06-12

Jane Wyman one the Best Actress Oscar - and rightly so too - for her sensitive and touching portrayal of a deaf mute who blossoms under the attentions of a compassionate young doctor on a Nova Scotian farm. Dealing with the themes of rape, teenage pregnancy, single-motherhood and small town intolerance, Johnny Belinda was probably quite sensational for the late 1940's, the period in which it was made.

Johnny Belinda definitely belongs to the stunning Ms. Wyman. She really manages to capture the sensitive heart and soul of Belinda. But the picture is also notable for its stunning exterior shots, the landscapes which run down to the sea's edge, village streets, fishing boats and weathered barns look as though they might be indigenous to Cape Breton Island and they really give you the feel that you are actually struggling to live a hand-to-mouth existence along with these people. Mike Leonard June 06.

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