FemaleFirst.co.uk: DVD: Buffalo Soldiers [DVD] [2003]

Buffalo Soldiers [DVD] [2003]
enlarge	Director: Gregor Jordan Actors: Joaquin Phoenix, Anna Paquin, Ed Harris, Scott Glenn, Elizabeth McGovern Studio: Cinema Club Category: DVD List Price: ~~£9.99~~ Buy Used: £0.50 as of 22/11/2009 08:03 GMT details You Save: £9.49 (95%) New (8) Used (36) from £0.50 Seller: bertys-bits Rating: 21 reviews Sales Rank: 30772 Format: Anamorphic, PAL Languages: English (Subtitles For The Hearing Impaired), English (Original Language) Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over Region: 2 Discs: 1 Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 Number Of Discs: 1 Running Time: 96 Minutes Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2 Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6 EAN: 5014138039738 ASIN: B00018HTJ6 Theatrical Release Date: 2001 Release Date: February 7, 2005 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days


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Editorial Reviews: Amazon.co.uk Review An Army-base comedy about soldiers "with nothing to kill except time", IBuffalo Soldiers/I invites casual comparison to ICatch-22/I and IMAS*H/I. It's 1989: the Berlin Wall is falling, completing the Cold War's thaw and Ray Elwood (Joaquin Phoenix)--a clerk with the 317th Supply Battalion, stationed in west Germany--combats boredom with a variety of black-market schemes, from cooking heroin for the base's corrupt MPs to dealing stolen arms to the highest bidder, in addition to having a shallow affair with the two-timing wife (Elizabeth McGovern) of his outgoing commander (Ed Harris). Elwood's new CO (Scott Glenn) clamps down on his illegal activities while protecting his daughter (Anna Paquin) from Elwood's advances. pFine casting and positive buzz couldn't prevent this movie's ironic fate: acquired by Miramax one day before the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, IBuffalo Soldiers/I was shelved for nearly two years, by which time this dark and defiantly amusing exercise in political incorrectness--based on the novel by Robert O'Connor--had been overshadowed by world events. --IJeff Shannon/I

Customer Reviews: Showing reviews 1-5 of 21 1 2 3 4 5 Next » Military (in)efficiency March 3, 2004 N. Williams (Hull) 20 out of 21 found this review helpful In a summer crowded with huge scale blockbuster movies desgined to 'wow' you with spectacle, it always refreshing when a small scale film comes along and lays all the blockbusters to bed because basically, its just better.brBuffalo soldiers is a black comedy of the highest calibre, set on an American base in Germany around the fall of the Berlin wall. However, rather than taking the usual path of portraying american soldiers as patriotic ultra-commandos, we get an image of some very bored layabouts with some VERY big drugs problems.brFocusing around the central character of Ray Elwood (a career best for the fantastic Joaquin Phoenix), the soldier who will deal in absolutely anything to get himself some money, the plot quickly turns nasty. When a new First Sergeant arrives on the base and starts to take a dislike to Elwood (not helped by the fact that he's going out with his daughter, the lovely Anna Paquin). What follows is an escalating spiral of spite and revenge as Elwood begins to realise the dangers of his chosen professions, both dealer and soldier.brWith a superb supporting cast (including Ed Harris playing, for once, a soft-hearted military man, and Scott Glen as Elwood's nemesis) and razor sharp wit, this film takes you into army life as you've never seen it before. Frequently swinging between hilarity (a tank full of junkies mindlessly plowing a German town into the ground), and horrific (said tank eventually plowing into a petrolo station and killing a fair few people doing so), its not suprising that this film didn't perform too well in America. The script brings a lot of quite dark issues such as drugs, murder and mindless violence into stark focus, but by keeping its tongue in its cheek for the most part, what could have been a very depressing affair transforms into one of the best films of the year (despite being made for 2001 it was delayed in its relase).brThere are some faults, the script does drag in places (the romantic scenes in particular) and this film could be offensive if you have a high opinion of our stateside cousins. The presentation of the lazy and bored Elwood in opposition to the militaristic, and probably a little psychotic First Sergeant ("the secret to Vietnam was simple, I f**ing loved it) always has you rooting for Elwood and feeling sorry for him not being allowed to deal drugs and weapons in peace. This is perhaps testament to the brilliance of the script and as it reaches its thrilling climax your perception of the US military and the anti-blockbuster may be changed forever.brWithout doubt one of the most intelligent, funny and dramatic films of the year with all of the cast at the top of their game, this is an essential purchase for anyone who's ever wondered what would happened if MASH had gotten the Trainspotting treatment. Superb Military Shenanigans September 7, 2004 5 out of 5 found this review helpful Buffalo Soldiers is an original film with a wonderfully sharp script. Set during the demise of the Berlin Wall in an army base in Germany, Elwood (Phoenix) is in to making money by whatever means he can. He has no respect for the army and even less for authority. pIn comes Elwood's sadistic new CO (Scott Glenn) who takes an instant dislike to him. In retaliation to the CO's resulting act's, Elwood starts to date his daughter (Anna Paquin) and what was a game to Elwood quickly becomes very serious.pAs Elwood struggles to keep a grip on the ensuing situations, drugged up soldiers provide a surprising comedy aspect and you find yourself smiling (or even laughing) at some quite horrific things. The film gives off a real sense of doom as you wait for something really bad to happen, and even though undeserving, you find yourself rooting for Elwood.pThis film is a refreshing and welcome change to the usual American soldier portrayal (which is probably why it didn't do so well in the US) and the superb supporting cast (Ed Harris was originally offered the part of the CO but wanted the part of the soft-hearted military man) along with the witty dialogue and awesome soundtrack makes this film a must buy for me. It won't be everyone's cuppa, so I will not tell you to be fooled by any bad reviews. If in doubt, rent it first.........then BUY IT!!!! Fantastic and Hilarious but far from Patriotic October 26, 2004 J. Spittle (Yorkshire, UK) 4 out of 4 found this review helpful Everything about this film is done well. The story is funny and has a good point to make (which probably explains why it took less at the box office than Dude Where's My Car). The acting and dialogue are believable. And the main character, a heroin cooking, thief, conman and stolen weapons dealer, is the best anti-hero in a long time.brThe Usual Suspects, Donnie Darko and even King of Comedy were released to indifference amongst audiences but,with time,were recognized as works of genius. Buffalo Soilders is destined for that very exclusive club.Essential cult viewing. Amazing!!!!! February 19, 2004 Mr A L Mortimore (United Kingdom) 7 out of 9 found this review helpful This is one of the best films i have seen in a long long time, Joaquin Phoenix is awesome as Elwood and Scott Glen also is awesome as Sgt Lee. Im suprised this didnt get any oscar nominations, the lady who turned it off after half an hour should try watching it again but with her eyes open this time. A fine black comedy! February 16, 2004 Mr. S. T. Mangan (London UK) 9 out of 12 found this review helpful This film was originally supposed to be out Nov 2001 but due to screenings at film festivals where protesters threw things at the screen (and accidentally hitting lead actresses in the head!) it was shelved due to it's beautifully incendery comments against the 'American way' through the eyes of the Army. What made me laugh, as I worked on the film, was the fact that people got so upset about a film that on face value was showing American culture in the late 80's, yet certain Presidents found it to be offensive about the current climate. Maybe that's saying something, about the American life and the excessive life of the 80's. pI'm certainly not going to attempt a meaning to this film because in some ways I don't think it needs one. It is simply a beautifully funny black comedy that manages to tie into the basic aspects that surround us on a day to day basis. Love, deceit, friendship. All the actors were superb and made the characters believeable but also highly entertaining. pI certainly believe that the biggest irony about this film is that almost certainly benefited from the hype concerning it at the time of it's riginal release time and that it helped a good film get a great release buzz. pWhen will some people learn? If you shout too much about something being 'horrid, nasty, and offensive' that people will flock straight to it?!?pSee it before you buy it because it's not everyone's cup of tea, but DO see it. Showing reviews 1-5 of 21 1 2 3 4 5 Next »

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