Customer Reviews:
A Masterpiece.......2008-02-14
Mildred Pierce features the best performance of Joan Crawford's career and it bagged her the Oscar for Best Actress in the process.
She stars as the title character, the doting Mother of two spoiled daughters, the young Kay and the vicious, money hungry Veda.
After Mildred Pierce (Joan Crawford) finds out that her husband (Bruce Bennett) has been unfaithful, the pair seperate and ultimately divorce. She is left completely dependent on herself and as a result, has to get a job waitressing to help pay the bills.
Veda - played brilliantly by Ann Blyth, who was nominated for Best Supporting Actress - soon becomes sick of the family's hard times and demands that her Mother provide her daughters with a better life. Mildred then seeks advice about opening up her own restaurant from realtor Wally Fay (Jack Carson) who introduces her to Monte Beragon (Zachary Scott), a property owner.
The film begins with Beragon's murder which Mildred admits to immediately and then progresses as she tells her story from the beginning. However, as she relates the events to the police, several different things seem suspect. Is Mildred lying, and if she is, will the truth come out in the end?
An excellent film noir from the Golden Age of cinema, the film was nominated for six Oscars - including Best Picture - and was directed by Michael Curtiz, the director of Casablanca. Joan Crawford is astounding as a desperate woman willing to do anything to protect her ungrateful children. The supporting cast are also on top form and the film is a joy to look at, beautifully photographed and fully restored.
Joan Crawford was Fantastic, Oh Yes She Was........2007-05-25
Having left MGM in '43. Joan Crawford had been kicking around Warner Bros for nearly two years before she made this excellent movie. It was well produced, and has a fine supporting cast, but the movie belongs to Joan Crawford.
Allegedly, Bette Davis and Barbara Stanwyck had turned the role down. Joan had a lot to prove, with her career in the doldrums, and the studio wondering if she could ever produce a box ofice hit. She did it in spades! The movie was a huge success, both financially and in terms of durability and prestiege. She won an Oscar, and her career was rejuvenated.
It is the story of just how much a Mother will do for her children. The character's strong will and determination were qualities that Joan could relate to. Sure, Joan's own parenting skills have been called into question since her death. The woman can hardly defend herself now can she? Call me perverse, twisted even, but it all adds a layer of dark comedy to the movie for me.
This is the finest moment of one of Hollywood's biggest and most enduring stars. Can't you see Julia Roberts in a remake in a few years?
Joan Crawford at full throttle.......2007-03-24
Excellent 1940s 'woman's film' with shades of film noir. Crawford, (Mildred Pierce), dares to divorce her philandering husband and sets up as an independant (and what's worse - successful) business woman. Obviously such behaviour by the little woman cannot go unpunished - younger (Nice) daughter dies, older daughter turns into a spoilt madam par excellence, new bloke takes all Mildred's money wrecking the business, daughter has affair with new bloke and .... well that really would give the whole story away. I've been watching this film since second year university (1989) and it never disappoints.
Customer Reviews:
Shame on Warner Bros!.......2007-10-22
The films in the set are great don't get me wrong! The reason I gave this one star is because this set comtains the same films as the Joan box set that was released here a couple of years ago. Here is the best part! Warner Bros are releasing another box set in the US ONLY with all new films in. Please email Warner Bros and show them that we also want the new set here, ukcustomer.enquiries@warnerbros.com
Why should we have to pay extra and get it shipped from the US!!!
Customer Reviews:
Wow, fabulous, simply fabulous.......2005-09-22
Joan crawford was perfectly cast in this film noir classic. She sets the screen on fire, such sincerity in her portrayal. A truly evil daughter played by Ann Blythe is her match. Buy it. The documentary on the reverse side of this double sided DVD is very good too.
Beautiful Restoration of a True Classic.......2005-07-27
Warner has done a wonderful job of restoring this magnificent melodrama, and whatever you think of Crawford, she was rarely given such a marvellous opportunity nor surrounded by so many great talents. Chief among these is director Michael Curtiz who proves yet again why he was one of the great directors of the era. His trade mark roving camera style which made Rick's cafe in CASABLANCA seem a real place that one wants to revisit over and over again, here creates an almost voyeur's view of events in 1940s LA, especially at Monty Berrigan's Beach House, a superb stylised set by the unsung genius of Hollywood Art Directors - Anton Grot. Add to all this, Steiner's magnificent score, Ernest Hallers deep focus photography and a witty, laconic script by Ranald MacDougall which offers so many memorable lines, and you have a defining example of Holywood's most glamorous noir style. Ann Blyth was nominated as Best Supporting Actress and should have won for her stomach-churning daughter-from-hell - and why she never got better parts afterwards is a mystery. She lives today in retirement and never gives interviews - though I bet she would have plenty to say! Jack Carson is surprisingly effective as the oily Wally Fay [Carson was another wasted actor in Hollywood, rarely getting good roles), Eve Arden is sublime [she has so many great lines;e.g. as Jack Carson eyes her legs she says 'Leave SOMEthing on me!] and Zachary Scott is perfectly cast as the rich, slimy Monty Berrigan. Maybe it does water down the novel but it is so richly entertaining, who cares? Crawford seized this role (after arch-rival Bette Davis turned it down) and gives a superlative performance that is quintessential Crawford.
The DVD is nicely done. Warner had the original nitrate camera negative for this film, and the digital frame-by-frame picture restoration is outstanding. The sound track has also been cleaned up, and is a treat for the ear! Buy it NOW before it gets discontinued, and see what style is all about.
Aged film noir; there's better out there.......2004-07-28
Interesting as a period piece, and for all fans and students of Joan Crawford, the film is let down in a number of important aspects.
The plot suffers by its radical departure from the Cain novel, sacrificing depth of characterisation in favour of the traditional smoking gun / whodunnit format. Crawford gives a performance of strength but is too cold to be the sympathetic central character, although the performance of Ann Blyth as her loathsome daughter is chilling enough.
Cain didn't write Mildred Pierce in the classic film noir genre, and it suffers for its conversion, however still a pleasantrer way of spending 106 minutes than the majority of films produced today!
Classic film starring Hollywood legend.......2002-01-21
Mildred Pierce typifies the type of films 'they don't make anymore'. Can you imagine any of the supposed stars of today trying to carry off a remake? Joan Crawford made this film as her comeback to Hollywood and she shows in every scene why she went on to be labelled the greatest-ever movie star. Her charisma and sheer star quality simply blow you away.
She suffers, she endures but above all she survives!
Made in 1945 as WWII was ending the film must have shown millions of women how they didn't have to return to looking after their husbands but could have their own careers whilst retaining their femininity (check out the furs).
A great film then and a classic film today.
Reading the review below I wonder about the worth of teenagers studying film if they can't appreciate classic cinema. Maybe they should concentrate on more worthwhile subjects like spelling.
better than expected.......2001-12-05
I was made to watch this in my film studies class at college, as it was a film class and we were stufying film Noir and i expected this to be really boring, especially with that facct that thses films were not made with teenagers in mind, but I actually found it quite good, which suprised me. The twist in the end is quite good, and you will be entertained throughout, although this is a good film it certainly isnt in my "favourite" movies. So buy it and see for yourself
Customer Reviews:
Wow, fabulous, simply fabulous.......2005-09-22
Joan crawford was perfectly cast in this film noir classic. She sets the screen on fire, such sincerity in her portrayal. A truly evil daughter played by Ann Blythe is her match. Buy it. The documentary on the reverse side of this double sided DVD is very good too.
Beautiful Restoration of a True Classic.......2005-07-27
Warner has done a wonderful job of restoring this magnificent melodrama, and whatever you think of Crawford, she was rarely given such a marvellous opportunity nor surrounded by so many great talents. Chief among these is director Michael Curtiz who proves yet again why he was one of the great directors of the era. His trade mark roving camera style which made Rick's cafe in CASABLANCA seem a real place that one wants to revisit over and over again, here creates an almost voyeur's view of events in 1940s LA, especially at Monty Berrigan's Beach House, a superb stylised set by the unsung genius of Hollywood Art Directors - Anton Grot. Add to all this, Steiner's magnificent score, Ernest Hallers deep focus photography and a witty, laconic script by Ranald MacDougall which offers so many memorable lines, and you have a defining example of Holywood's most glamorous noir style. Ann Blyth was nominated as Best Supporting Actress and should have won for her stomach-churning daughter-from-hell - and why she never got better parts afterwards is a mystery. She lives today in retirement and never gives interviews - though I bet she would have plenty to say! Jack Carson is surprisingly effective as the oily Wally Fay [Carson was another wasted actor in Hollywood, rarely getting good roles), Eve Arden is sublime [she has so many great lines;e.g. as Jack Carson eyes her legs she says 'Leave SOMEthing on me!] and Zachary Scott is perfectly cast as the rich, slimy Monty Berrigan. Maybe it does water down the novel but it is so richly entertaining, who cares? Crawford seized this role (after arch-rival Bette Davis turned it down) and gives a superlative performance that is quintessential Crawford.
The DVD is nicely done. Warner had the original nitrate camera negative for this film, and the digital frame-by-frame picture restoration is outstanding. The sound track has also been cleaned up, and is a treat for the ear! Buy it NOW before it gets discontinued, and see what style is all about.
Aged film noir; there's better out there.......2004-07-28
Interesting as a period piece, and for all fans and students of Joan Crawford, the film is let down in a number of important aspects.
The plot suffers by its radical departure from the Cain novel, sacrificing depth of characterisation in favour of the traditional smoking gun / whodunnit format. Crawford gives a performance of strength but is too cold to be the sympathetic central character, although the performance of Ann Blyth as her loathsome daughter is chilling enough.
Cain didn't write Mildred Pierce in the classic film noir genre, and it suffers for its conversion, however still a pleasantrer way of spending 106 minutes than the majority of films produced today!
Classic film starring Hollywood legend.......2002-01-21
Mildred Pierce typifies the type of films 'they don't make anymore'. Can you imagine any of the supposed stars of today trying to carry off a remake? Joan Crawford made this film as her comeback to Hollywood and she shows in every scene why she went on to be labelled the greatest-ever movie star. Her charisma and sheer star quality simply blow you away.
She suffers, she endures but above all she survives!
Made in 1945 as WWII was ending the film must have shown millions of women how they didn't have to return to looking after their husbands but could have their own careers whilst retaining their femininity (check out the furs).
A great film then and a classic film today.
Reading the review below I wonder about the worth of teenagers studying film if they can't appreciate classic cinema. Maybe they should concentrate on more worthwhile subjects like spelling.
better than expected.......2001-12-05
I was made to watch this in my film studies class at college, as it was a film class and we were stufying film Noir and i expected this to be really boring, especially with that facct that thses films were not made with teenagers in mind, but I actually found it quite good, which suprised me. The twist in the end is quite good, and you will be entertained throughout, although this is a good film it certainly isnt in my "favourite" movies. So buy it and see for yourself
UK DVD:
- Mrs Dalloway [1998]
- Nell [1995]
- NYPD Blue - Season 3
- Peak Practice - The Complete First Series [1993]
- Phenomenon [1996]
- Pot Luck & Russian Dolls - The Pot Luck Double Pack (Exclusive to Amazon.co.uk) [2002]
- Pride [2007] (REGION 1) (NTSC)
- Proof [2005]
- Reilly - Ace Of Spies [1983]
- Russian Ark [2003]
UK DVD List
UK DVD
All Drama
|
Drama
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Categories
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DVD
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Video
The Joan Crawford Collection: Humoresque / Possessed / Damned Don't Cry / Grand Hotel (4 Disc Box Set)
![Laura [1944]](http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/B000MX7YFE.01.THUMBZZZ.jpg)
Laura [1944]
The Bette Davis Collection (Now Voyager / The Letter / Dark Victory / Mr Skeffington)
![Out Of The Past [1947]](http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/B000KJT7Q4.01.THUMBZZZ.jpg)
Out Of The Past [1947]
![Gaslight [1944]](http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/B00012SYWS.01.THUMBZZZ.jpg)
Gaslight [1944]
![Rain [1932]](http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/B00081MWS4.01.THUMBZZZ.jpg)
![The Anniversary [1968]](http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/B000RWDXFA.01.THUMBZZZ.jpg)
![The Nanny [1965]](http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/B000KRMZPG.01.THUMBZZZ.jpg)
![Cranford : Complete BBC Series [2007]](http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/B000Z1TYT2.01.THUMBZZZ.jpg)
![Mildred Pierce [1945] (REGION 1) (NTSC)](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/315X671DVZL.jpg)
![The Letter [1940] (REGION 1) (NTSC)](http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/B000055XM8.01.THUMBZZZ.jpg)
![The Women [1939] (REGION 1) (NTSC)](http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/B0008ENICU.01.THUMBZZZ.jpg)
![Suspicion [1941] (REGION 1) (NTSC)](http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/B0002HOEOY.01.THUMBZZZ.jpg)
![Mildred Pierce [1945] (REGION 1) (NTSC)](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/21ZATZCCNZL.jpg)
