Less filling than our full-length reviews but still informative, our DVD capsule reviews offer technical and supplemental information for each release, along with a quick look at whether the title is any good and/or entertaining or enjoyable.
Length: 128 minutes
Screen Formats: 2.35:1, 16x9
Languages: English, French
Subtitles: English
Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1 DTS
Sides: 2 Discs
Extras:
Scene selection/Jump to any scene.
The Making of Cape Fear - 79+ minute look at the film's production, including clips from it, behind the scenes stills, promo materials, and various interviews about it.
9+ minutes of Deleted Scenes.
Behind the Scenes of the Fourth of July parade - 2+ minute look at the scene mixed with behind the scenes footage.
On the Set of the Houseboat - 1+ minute look at this scene with behind the scenes footage.
Photograph Montage, including the Physical Transformation of Robert De Niro's Max Cady, The Cast of Cape Fear, and Martin Scorsese directs Cape Fear (9+ minutes).
Matte Paintings - 55 second compilation of before and after footage (without and then with the matte paintings).
Opening Credits - 11+ minute look at the opening credit sequences created by Saul Bass (who did the credits for this film with his wife) for "Vertigo," "Psycho," "Spartacus" and "Casino."
Theatrical trailer
Onscreen, text-based Production Notes.
Brief bios for select Cast and Crew members.
DVD-ROM: Script to Screen - Read (or print) the script while watching the film.
Fourteen years after being imprisoned, vicious psychopath Max Cady (Robert De Niro) emerges with a single-minded mission: to seek revenge on his attorney Sam Bowden (Nick Nolte). Cady becomes a terrifying presence as he menacingly circles Bowden's increasingly unstable family. Realizing he is legally powerless to protect his beautiful wife Leigh (Jessica Lange) and his troubled teenage daughter Danielle (Juliette Lewis), Sam resorts to unorthodox measures that lead to an unforgettable showdown on Cape Fear.
A remake of the J. Lee Thompson 1962 film of the same name that starred Gregory Peck as the lawyer hunted by the ex-con played by Robert Mitchum, this 1991 film - directed by Martin Scorsese, no less - is gripping, frightening and well-made.
Featuring two Oscar nominated performances (from De Niro and Lewis), a terrific script where everyone's bad to some degree - courtesy of Wesley Strick and the original screenwriter James R. Webb -- and taut direction from the man responsible for "Goodfellas" and "Raging Bull," this second adaptation of "The Executioners" by John D. MacDonald is a terrific edge of your seat thriller. While it might not be for all viewers, it comes highly recommended for those who enjoy "old-fashioned," character-based thrillers.
Length: 179 minutes
Screen Formats: 2.35:1, 16x9
Languages: English
Subtitles: English, French, Spanish
Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1
Sides: 2
Extras:
Scene selection/Jump to any scene.
Running audio commentary by director Norman Jewison and star Topol.
Theatrical trailer.
Norman Jewison, Filmmaker - 49+ minute segment focusing on the director, including behind the scenes footage on the set of "Fiddler" and bits about his other films.
Norman Jewison looks back - 7+ minute segment with the director commenting on the making of the film.
Deleted Song: Any Day Now - The song accompanied by still photos.
Tevye's Dream in Full Color, with an introduction by Norman Jewison and a side-by-side feature (comparing the two versions).
The Stories of Sholom Alceichem read by Norman Jewison (3+ and 2+ minutes).
Historical Background read by Norman Jewison accompanied by still photos (11+ minutes).
Production Design (stills), Storyboards (stills) and Storyboard to Film Comparison (sketches and the final film).
Original Production Notes for Casting, Make-up, Call Sheets and Shooting Schedule.
Photographic Production Diary including stills of Norman Jewison, Yugoslavia, On Location, the Songs and the New York Premiere.
Promotional Materials including the Original Release poster, the re-release poster, Original Press book, re-release press book, International release posters, and animated souvenir program.
1 Trailers, 2 Teasers & 2 TV Spots for the film.
Norman Jewison reading a short bit of dialogue from the film.
In turn of the century czarist Russia, a poor milkman (Topol) uses his love, pride and faith to help him face the oppression of the times as his family disperses from marriage and being driven from their land. This 1971 adaptation of Joseph Stein's musical - which itself was based on Sholom Alceichem stories of Anatevka -is a highly enjoyable bit of entertainment that's period timelessness makes it as fun to behold today as it was back when it was originally released.
Featuring various well-known numbers - including "Tradition" and "If I Were a Rich Man - belted out enthusiastically by Topol, the film garnered three Oscars (Best Cinematography, Scoring and Sound) out of eight total nominations (that included Best Picture, Director, Actor, Supporting Actor and Art Direction).
With a decent and comprehensive array of supplemental materials, this new DVD special edition is a must have for fans of the picture and/or well-made filmed musicals in general.
Length: 104 minutes
Screen Formats: 1.85:1, 16x9
Languages: English, French
Subtitles: English, Spanish
Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1
Sides: 2 Discs
Extras:
Scene selection/Jump to any scene.
Running audio commentary by director William Friedkin.
Running audio commentary by stars Gene Hackman and Roy Scheider.
7 Deleted Scenes.
: Poughkeepsie Shuffle: Tracing the French Connection - 53+ minute BBC Documentary about the real life cops, drug bust and film based on that.
Making the Connection: The Untold Stories of The French Connection - 56+ minute documentary from the Fox Movie Channel featuring the real Sonny Grosso detailing the real story, including real life photos as well as clips and behind the scenes stills from the film.
William Friedkin discusses the Deleted Scenes from The French Connection - 17+ minute look at the film and those deleted scenes with commentary by Friedkin.
Theatrical trailer for this film and "The French Connection 2."
Still Gallery including Behind the Scenes, Unit Photography and Poster images (124 stills).
New York City detectives "Popeye" Doyle (Gene Hackman) and Buddy Russo (Roy Scheider) hope to break a narcotics smuggling ring and ultimately uncover The French Connection. But when one of the criminals tries to kill Doyle, he begins a deadly pursuit that takes him far outside the city limits.
Adapted from the best-selling novel of the same name by author Robin Moore that focused on the largest narcotics seizure to date (that occurred in 1962) by real life NYC narcotics squad detectives Eddie Egan and Sonny Grosso, the 1971 film may look a bit dated today, but it's still a powerful and well-made tale and includes one of the more memorable car chase sequences ever put on film.
Winner of 5 Oscars (including Best Picture, Director, Actor, Adapted Screenplay and Editing) out of 8 total nominations, the film - helmed by William Friedkin ("The Exorcist") is a riveting look - replete with strong performances, a terrific story and taut direction -- at a maverick, flawed detective and his unorthodox efforts to stop an international heroin smuggling ring.
Trailers (theatrical, teaser and foreign) and 2 TV spots.
The Making of The Terminator: A Retrospective - 18+ minute documentary looking back at the film with clips from it, some artwork and interviews with director James Cameron and star Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Other Voices Back Through Time: Creating The Terminator Cast & Crew Recollections - 60+ minute documentary featuring many interviews with those associated with the film, clips from it, as well as various stills and artwork related to it.
7 Deleted (or "terminated") scenes from the film, with or without audio commentary.
Still Gallery of James Cameron artwork, Production Photos, Stan Winston Effects, Fantasy II: Visual Effects, and Publicity Materials.
Original script treatment.
DVD-ROM: Final Shooting Script (read/print the script while watching the film), Original Treatment and 1983 4th Draft.
In 2029, giant super-computers dominate the planet, hell-bent on exterminating the human race. To destroy man's future by changing the past, they send an indestructible cyborg - a Terminator (Arnold Schwarzenegger) - back in time to kill Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton), the woman whose unborn son will become mankind's only hope in the future. With the aid of Kyle Reese (Michael Biehn) who's been sent back to the past to protect her, Sarah does what she can to avoid the Terminator and its various attempts on her life.
While the "Conan the Barbarian" films may have brought bodybuilder turned actor Schwarzenegger into the limelight, it was his role in this film that put him both on the map and the fast track to being one of the biggest stars in moviemaking.
Although considerably of a lower budget than its bigger scale sequel that followed it seven years later, this 1984 film - that also brought director and co-writer James "Titanic" Cameron to everyone's attention - is still a riveting experience. Filled with nonstop action and a nemesis who won't give up - not to mention the beginning of Arnie's trademark one-liners ("I'll be back") - the picture is a well-made bit of escapist (literally and figuratively) entertainment.
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