DVD : A Place in the Sun

In association with Amazon.com

Rating:

- Something lurks beneath the exterior
'A Place in the Sun' is rumoured to be classic Hollywood melodrama, but refamiliarizing oneself with George Stevens' film shows it to be so much more than just melodrama. There are infinite subleties in the elaborate construction that is 'Place in the Sun', gorgeous cinematography and a smoothly luxurious cutting technique that, for a while at least, makes you think you are following a rather artificial love story about two beautiful doomed people, where in fact the tragedy unfolds in a relentness, downbeat manner that makes you almost choke with pain. Elizabeth Taylor (and I was never a fan to put it mildly) is brilliant, and Montgomery Clift overcomes the limitations of method acting.

Rating:

- DVD features review
This magnificent film, undoubtedly my vote for Greatest of All Time, is deserving of a 5 star rating. However, this review is based upon the film as a DVD special edition - AS I FIND REVIEWS SUCH AS THIS TO BE MOST BENEFICIAL TO DVD PURCHASERS. I found that of all the features the only thing of true value was the documentary/ interview montage "Filmmakers Who Knew Him". This referring to a collation of interviews about George Stevens, the master behind the film. These interviews have been revealed before albeit in edited form in the 80s doco "George Stevens - A Filmmaker's Journey". BUT for the uninitiated, Alan Pakula/Warren Beatty/Fred Zinnemann are among those who shed light on the directorial style of George Stevens.

There is a half hour piece concerning the participants still alive, such as the filmmaker's son G Stevens Jr, Ivan Moffett associate producer, and the two leading ladies. But this is simply well made diatribe.

As for the much anticipated commentary - well it should have been insightful, compelling, revealing. Instead, it trod a well worn path providing information of use only for those inexperienced in DVD commentary. AFTER ALL we have come to accept a certain standard, and I certainly think reviewers need to consider more the actual value of commentaries, rather than simply assuming that they are great bonuses. (Ever heard "US Marshalls" commentary with director Stuart Baird - worst on offer!). BUT this is not bad mouthing for its own sake - the same commentators did an outstanding ***** star effort with George Stevens' "Shane" DVD - a masterpiece, and I personally feel the greatest Western of all time (I'm sure people are howling over that call!!).

As for technical quality, the picture stability was somewhat shaky at times. No doubt a fault of the original negative that it was mastered from. But for a definitive DVD version, a fan has the right to expect better. ALL IN ALL, it is a worthy disc to own if you happen to love the film as I do. Alas though, if you love the work of George Stevens, and wish to own one of his masterpieces in DVD, with added value of surpassing quality (ie commentary by George Stevens Jr & assoc producer Ivan Moffett), then the best bet is SHANE. A FINAL THOUGHT - who could ever forget the lingering kiss between Taylor and Clift, which dissolves into an over the shoulder reverse shot????? Incredible motion picture, for all its artifice and melodrama, it still retains a spellbinding one of a kind humanity, sincerity, and TRUTH.

Rating:

- AFI top 100 film, Classic Love Triangle now on DVD!
The 1951 6 Oscar Winning movie "A Place in the Sun" was based on the best selling novel, An American Tragedy written by Theodore Dreiser.

Voted into the "American Film Institutes" (AFI) top 100 movies in the last 100 years (1998) with the 6 Oscars including Best Director, George Stevens is the best endorsement to watch this Black & White Full Screen 2 hour Classic film.

The Love Triangle ensemble cast (the brilliant Cliff Montgomery - as George Eastman the poor counrty cousin. The gorgeous Elizabeth Taylor (her first serious adult role & only 18 years old !) - as Angela Vickers the beautiful rich socialite and the powerful performance of Shelly Winters - as Alice Tripp the demanding plain Jane factory worker) was outstanding with their powerful performances.

Summary: George Eastman a poor country nephew of a rich Bathing Suit magnate uncle is invited to the city and offered a job. Starting at the entry level factory worker. He is warned by his cousin that fratenizing with the female employees was strickly forbidden. Weeks pass and he befriends Alice Tripp a fellow factroy worker who he has a one night stand with. Opportunity occurs and the Uncle promotes him to a management position. He enters the high society life meeting Angela Vickers and they fall passionately in love. George has found himself "A Place in the Sun". Meanwhile Alice is pregnant and demands George marry her immediately or there will be a scandal!!! What is George to do?

This movie is the ultimate love story and the stars and Hollywood deliver the audience a first rate film.

DVD extras and commentary are included. The DVD transfer quality is outstanding. Enjoy.

Rating:

- A Haunting Movie
A Place in the Sun is a movie about classes-the have's and the have-nots. It displays the struggle of a man haunted by a choice at a major fork in his life's road.
Montgomery Clift was an excellent choice to play George Eastman because he was foreign(fish out of water) and that added to the mysterious element. Dark, handsome and mysterious. His poor choices lead him to a self-appointed hell-being an affair with one of the working class women in his Uncle's factory to pass his time. The plot thickens when he finally meets the object of his affection, a wealthy young socialite(a very young Liz Taylor)and she unexpectedly falls in love with him.
His co-worker announces she's pregnant and he falls into a state of torturous gloom...plotting for her demise so that he can be with his socialite and live the glamorous life.
Set in the 50's-you can feel the pressure of the out-of wedlock child which would not have had the same impact as in present society. But the class division still rings true.

Rating:

- A Place in the Sun
Title of film: A Place in the Sun
Year Released: 1951
Running Time: 120 minutes
Director/Studio: George Stevens/Paramount Studio
Actor/Actress: Montgomery Clift/Elizabeth Taylor

Young George Eastman is the country mouse that goes to the city looking to lead a different life than his family before him. His mother is a missionary. He has a wealthy Uncle who owns a swimsuit company.

George is hired on at the factory to work on the floor packing swimsuits for shipment. He is told not to fratenize with the women on the line. But, he can't help it. He begins to flirt with Alice Tripp (Shelly Winters). Lust soon turns to fevered lovemaking.

Now, George's Uncle takes notice of his nephews hard work ethic and decides to promote him. He invites him over to his place for a party. At the party George meets Angela Vickers (Elizabeth Taylor) and can't believe his eyes at her marked beauty. She reciprocates with unspoken eye contact. The two soon become romantically involved.

Alice suspects that Angela is moving in on her man. George denies that anything is happening. Soon Alice announce "George I have something to tell you". He is frantic. He doesn't want his Uncle to find out nor Angela to find out. Yet, he feels some responsibility to Alice.

The agony and mental exhaustion is felt by the audience as George tries to cope with what is happening to him. Success is so close; yet, so far away. Alice delivers an ultimatum to George. He must marry her or she is going to tell the Uncle that she is pregnant.

George plots to get rid of Alice and invites her to the lake where he is staying with his Uncle and Angela for a weekend retreat.

The ending is somewhat surprising given the fact that the Uncle could probably have saved George.

This movie is a classic worth watching!

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