The Young Ones [1961] (REGION 1) (NTSC)

Amazon.co.uk Review

The three nostalgic British musicals in the Cliff Richard DVD Collection are a good reminder that, thanks to a few short years in the 1960s, Sir Cliff can legitimately include "film star" on his already exceptional show business CV. The Young Ones (1961), Summer Holiday (1963) and Wonderful Life (1964) would make tame fare for a teen audience today, but they retain a polished and honest charm which might surprise the sharpest of cynics.

First and foremost, of course, they were Cliff Richard vehicles: designed to showcase his all-round talents and capitalise on his first, heady wave of pop chart success. They are also unashamed homages to the heyday of the MGM B-musical with familiar themes: let's put on a show/save the youth club/make a film. But with up-and-coming directors Sidney Furie and Peter Yates making imaginative and sophisticated use of wide-angle camera work and fresh, snappy choreography by Herbert Ross and Gillian Lynne, they also have plenty of assets other than Cliff's wholesome appeal. There are some fine set pieces and surreal flashes, notably the history of cinema in Wonderful Life and the extraordinary mime sequence in Summer Holiday. They also tap into the very British energy of a group of young actors and dancers including Una Stubbs, Susan Hampshire, Melvyn Hayes and Richard O'Sullivan, as well as Cliff's band at the time, The Shadows. For sheer verve, they deserve to be seen on their own merits.

On the DVD: The Cliff Richard DVD Collection has been pristinely restored; the colours and clarity, not to mention the use of Cinemascope, leap off the screen (aspect ratio 2.35:1). The mono soundtrack recreates the authentic bandbox sound of the 1960s. Aside from theatrical trailers, the most notable extras are directors' commentaries: actually Furie and Yates in occasionally long-winded conversation with film and music writers. Both men give fascinating insight into the film-making climate in Britain in the early 1960s.--Piers Ford

Customer Reviews:

Get the Cliff Richard Sing-A-Long Collection instead.......2007-02-05

The sing-along version contains the same films, with optional song subtitles, for a fraction of the price.

no subtitles.......2005-06-16

it very dissapointing as it got no subtitles for the hearing imapaired as im deaf and cliff fan

sun shines brightly, the sea is blue, cliff's at the movies.......2005-03-19

Most critics would say that like Elvis, Cliffs best films were made in the 50's -but I don't agree with that.

Summer Holiday, Wonderful Life & the Young Ones are colourful, escapist, fun musicals with several great songs and a real feel good vibe. Cliff career mimicked Elvis' but he'd developed his own musical style and had his own distinct personality - and these very British films proove that he had considerable screen presence to go with his vocal talent and Elvis crossed with Dirk Bogarde good looks.

True they are more The Double Deckers meets West Side Story than bona fide Rock n Roll ventures but they are none the worse for that. If you just want to switch off and be entertained and not be emotionally and mentally manipulated- these three films will do the job. Just like the Bond films do the job - which Cliff outdid at the UK box office with The Young Ones and spoofed in Wonderful Life.

The Young Ones is thoroughly entertaining but not the best on offer here in my opinion -the real highlight for me is Wonderful Life -its a fun film about making a film with some humourous references to a few classics.

Most people are familiar with Summer Holiday -its always being shown on TV - if you like that film then you won't be disappointed with this boxed set of box office hits. The picture and sound quality are superb ,the cast features many familiar faces, the commentarys are a must for anyone interested in film and the discs are nicely packaged.

You get a good set for your money so what you waiting for? Cliff and the Bus are about to take you on a ride.

Dah Dah Dah Dah Da Deeh Deeh Deeeh....

Good old fashioned musical fun........2004-12-19

This is a belter. Its got the works, great tunes, great dancing, great characters and a little bit of comedy thrown in. Sure there are some editing glitches but its good, clean fun and I recommend it.

Cliff gets a bit of stick but you cannot question his ability or his sales. Legend.

Cliff Is Superb Summer Holiday,Young Ones & Wonderful life.......2003-08-17

cliff richard is superb,he is very handsome young man, so very cute, wonderfulife parodies Hollywood movies, Charlie Chaplin, Betty Grable ectt.. fabulous

Average customer rating:

Young Ones [1961] (REGION 1) (NTSC)
Cliff Richard
Manufacturer: Video Treasures
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Musicals | Classics | Categories | DVD | Video

DVD | Format (binding_browse-bin) | Refinements | DVD | Video
ASIN: 630682197X
Release Date: 2001-05-21
Young Ones [1961] (REGION 1) (NTSC)

Michael Garrick New Quartet - Live at Pizza on the Park
Average customer rating:
Michael Garrick New Quartet - Live at Pizza on the Park
Michael's New Quartet Garrick
Manufacturer: Vocalion
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

All Music DVDs | Music DVDs | Categories | DVD | Video
DVD | Format (binding_browse-bin) | Refinements | DVD | Video
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ASIN: B000WTNCWW
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