FemaleFirst.co.uk: DVD: Genevieve [DVD]

Genevieve [DVD]
enlarge	Director: Henry Cornelius Actors: Dinah Sheridan, John Gregson, Kay Kendall, Kenneth More, Geoffrey Keen Studio: Divisa Red Category: DVD Buy New: £23.99 as of 25/11/2009 01:54 GMT details Seller: daaveedee-uk Rating: 15 reviews Sales Rank: 184485 Format: PAL Languages: English (Original Language), Spanish (Original Language) Rating: Universal, suitable for all Region: 2 Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1 Number Of Discs: 1 Running Time: 83 Minutes EAN: 8421394507371 ASIN: B000E8RGEQ Release Date: June 28, 2005 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days


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Editorial Reviews: Amazon.co.uk Review For anyone who travels the congested roads of Britain these days the utterly delightful IGenevieve/I will provoke a wistful, nostalgic sigh of regret for times gone by when there were no motorways, traffic jams were almost non-existent and friendly police motorcyclists riding classic Nortons (without helmets) cheerfully let people driving vintage cars race each other along country lanes. Even in 1953, Henry Cornelius' gentle comedy must have seemed pleasingly old-fashioned, concerned as it is with the antics of two obsessive enthusiasts on the annual London to Brighton classic car rally. The principal quartet could hardly be bettered: though John Gregson is something of a cold fish as Genevieve's proud owner, the radiant warmth of Dinah Sheridan as his long-suffering wife more than compensates. Kenneth More is ideally cast in the role of boastful rival enthusiast and Kay Kendall has possibly the best comic moment of all when she astonishes everyone with her drunken trumpet playing. p Cornelius also directed Ealing's IPassport to Pimlico/I, so his sure eye for gently mocking and celebrating British eccentricities is never in doubt. The screenplay by (American writer) William Rose now seems like an elegy to a way of life long disappeared: the pivotal moment when Gregson stops to humour a passing old buffer about his love of classic cars comes from a vanished era of politeness before road rage; as does the priceless exchange between hotel owner Joyce Grenfell and her aged resident: "No one's ever complained before", says the mystified Grenfell after Gregson and Sheridan moan about the facilities, "Are they Americans?" asks the old lady, unable to conceive that anyone British could say such things. IGenevieve/I is both a wonderful period comedy and a nostalgic portrait of England the way it used to be.p BOn the DVD:/B the "Special Edition" version of IGenevieve/I has a decent new documentary with reminiscences from Dinah Sheridan (still radiant), the director of photography and the film's editor, who talk about the challenges of filming on location. Most treasurable of all, though, is legendary harmonica player Larry Adler, who remembers his distinctive score with much fondness and is not at all embittered by his Hollywood blacklisting, which meant he was denied an Academy Award nomination. There's also a short piece on some of the locations used (which for economic reasons were mostly in the lanes around Pinewood studios), cast biographies and a gallery of stills. The 4:3 ratio colour picture looks pretty good for its age and the mono sound is adequate. --IMark Walker/I

Customer Reviews: Showing reviews 1-5 of 15 1 2 3 Next » Totally irresistible British Classic January 28, 2006 pointone (Bournemouth UK) 13 out of 13 found this review helpful This film about the London to Brighton veteran car run and the rivalry between Ambrose Claverhouse (Moore), Alan McKim (Gregson) and their respective ladies Rosalind Peters (Kendall) and Wendy McKim (Sheridan) is one of the great British Classics, so bound up with our national eccentricities it is possibly incomprehensible anywhere else. pThe fine comic acting full of high spirits enraptures one from the very beginning, and soon the cars become characters in the headlong race to the coast.pEnormously enjoyable one is left with two enduring memories, first Larry Adler#8217;s haunting theme, but even more for Kay Kendall and her unforgettable performance personally playing the trumpet whilst supposedly drunk in a night club in Brighton. Whenever one thinks of Kay one thinks of this scene, but this vivacious young actress made other fine films before her early death from leukaemia aged 33, check out #8220;Blythe Spirit#8221; with Rex Harrison.pIncredibly the Rank organisation considered the film a total failure unsuitable for release, and it only found its way onto a commercial screen as a substitute for another film that was unavailable. After that all is history as they say.pThe indifferent quality of the photography cannot be blamed on the digital remastering, it was always there as the director insisted on shooting regardless. Everything! May 16, 2004 Mr. Graham R. Dudley (United Kingdom) 9 out of 9 found this review helpful It is difficult to find words to describe this charming, witty and entertaining film. The cast is impeccable, the directing inspirational and the story so charming! Watch the special features, to find out more about the film; it is well worth it. Take yourself back to better times and climb aboard Genevieve, for a run to Brighton you'll never forget! Ultimate in Classis English Comedy November 15, 2003 7 out of 7 found this review helpful A bit of a slow start and a sentimental ending, but this film has everything a light hearted comedy could hope for. I saw this several times since it first came out and have always wanted a copy. I even bought a multi-regional DVD player just so I could own and watch this movie in the US. A True British Classic April 13, 2000 alcyone@netmadeira.com (Portugal) 6 out of 6 found this review helpful One of the great 50's British classics in full color,a delightful and amusing film centering around friendly rivalry on a race from London to Brighton in Vintage cars,...plenty of great moments and laughs all the way! Genevieve November 23, 2003 5 out of 5 found this review helpful This is an oldie, but a classic and funny movie. A sentintemental film about mans ideas of racing, betting and the one love of a particular car. Its got plenty of laughs and is the kind of film that will leave you will a smile on your face.pIf you like car racing movies, comedy and are looking for an intersting and captivating movie, then this is the movie for you, it wont bore the life out of you, and is definitely a film for mans/womans best friend 'his/her car'.pSo if you ever owned a car, that you almost cried the day you had to sell it, or if you still have that precious little car you feel you could never part with, that is part of your memories.pThen watch this movie, for car lovers everywhere Showing reviews 1-5 of 15 1 2 3 Next »

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