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List Price: $14.98 | | Label: Lions Gate
Salesrank: 22036
Released: November 3, 2009 |
| Our Price: $69.35 |
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MPAA Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Media: DVD |
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Editorial Review:
Gabriel and Gretta Conroy (Donal McCann and Anjelica Huston), a young couple in early 1900s Dublin, are enjoying a holiday party when Gretta suddenly has poignant memories of a deceased former love. The shattering revelation of Gretta's secret past causes Gabriel to see his life – and all the world – in an entirely new light.
The Dead Reviews:
This new DVD is a travesty 
2009-12-16 - I've waited for years for a DVD version of John Huston's The Dead. Finally, it arrived, and it's such a disappointment. Why did they cut out important early scenes in a film that is already noted for its conciseness? It's like taking a Shakespeare sonnet and removing a few lines to accommodate the ADD-afflicted. Because of the cuts, later dialogue makes no sense. I have to admit I was initially wary of the DVD when I saw the cover, which shows a smiling Gretta (Anjelica Huston) holding a rose, as if she's being courted by her lover, conveying a sense of satisfaction that has absolutely nothing to do with the story as Joyce wrote it and as Huston presented it in the film. The cover is obviously the work of some third-rate marketing hack who thought sales of the DVD might be improved a little if the cover conveyed a sense of corny, Family Channel uplift. Lionsgate should be ashamed of sending this abomination out into the world.
If they wanted to do it right, Lionsgate should have presented the entire film, along with the documentary "John Huston and The Dubliners", which chronicles the making of the film. Maybe, some day, Lionsgate or some other corporate Neanderthal, will somehow stumble on the right formula. As for now, I recommend that moviegoers who cherish the film should stick to the videocassette if you are lucky to still have one. As for those who have never seen The Dead and are intrigued by it: Don't buy this DVD. It is not the film John Huston made.
No Respect 
2009-12-12 - Rodney Dangerfield and Vito Corleone (and why not add Aretha Franklin to the mix) would agree: John Huston, one of our finest American film directors, gets nothing but disrespect from the DVD industry.
Two months ago, I received word, after years of waiting, that "The African Queen", one of the most popular and fun-filled adventure/romance classics of the 50's, was finally going to get a Region 1 DVD release. That pre-release notification turned out to be premature, and "The African Queen" DVD release has again been shelved.
"The Dead", John Huston's final film, has never seen a Region 1 DVD release, so when this release was announced a few months ago, many Huston fans collectively jumped for joy. So what does Lionsgate do? They produce a shortened version of the film, deleting between 8 and 10 minutes. I was fortunately able to avoid buying the DVD, thanks to the reviews which immediately cropped up on Amazon. Lionsgate, after issuing a recall, promised that a corrected DVD would be released by the end of November. I haven't held my breath.
The five star rating here is for the original film only, with one star awarded to Lionsgate for this butchered mess. This quiet, contemplative classic is by far the most faithful film adaptation of a Joyce work. Scroll through the reviews on this page for the one written by "Mulkurul", which contains a youtube clip of one of the most sublime moments ever captured on film: Angelica Huston standing at the top of a staircase, lost in memory while listening to Frank Patterson's character singing "The Lass of Aughrim" in the adjoining room (and watch her husband watching her). The scene is spellbinding.
Lionsgate: coal in your stocking this year, and a big bah humbug, until you correct this mistake, and give this treasured American film maker the respect he deserves.
Not a perfect adaptation, but a fine film 
2009-12-06 - I had not seen this film since it was first released when I put it on reserve for students. When I had a chance to watch it, I was quite pleasantly surprised -- it is better than I remembered. Or I am older and appreciate the subtleties of the performances and cinematography. My students learned from the differences between story and film, as well as finding empathy with Gabriel due to the strong performance by Donal McCann.
A James Joyce Short Story, Filmed
2009-12-03 - I'm terribly biased toward this film. One of those that either grabs you, or bores you til your eyes roll back in your head. If youre looking for a plot, theres not much to summarize: you'll get an intimate look at a 1904 Christmas party in Dublin. Little happens. But much is revealed as this Christmas Eve passes. The attendees are a cross-section of (mostly) Catholic Dubliners. Joyce is quoted in the last few minutes of the film, in a very memorable scene.
One reviewer here mentions several minutes of the original film were cut in this recent dvd transfer This film was only available (in the USA) on vhs until recently. Both the ntsc and 2006 pal dvd versions sold on amazon (and amazon uk) show the running time as 83 minutes. An old vhs tape selling on amazon.uk shows the time as 79 minutes, so I'm a bit confused. If it has been cut, its a shame; this one could be 4 hours longer, and I wouldnt mind.
The incidental music is wonderful too. Incidentally, a Broadway musical of this short story ran briefly back in the '90s. I would love to see the full score of that show released, though I fear its not worth the expense for the producers, since cast recordings generally dont sell well.
This is John Huston's last film. His daughter Angelica is a member of the magnificent ensemble cast.
Awful
2009-11-30 - I came here to write a review about a movie that I, quite frankly, I found slow and boring and a movie that did not hold my interest at all. I read good reviews about this movie over the years so I rented it. I was bored. My wife would have been if she had not fallen asleep during the first 15 min. We turned the movie off after 1/2 hour. So I didn't get the hype. BUT, after seeing so many passionate lovers of this movie rate it 1 because of Lionsgate cuts, I'm wondering if that was enough to spoil the movie for the first time viewer. Maybe it was. In any event, don't bother buying or renting this version of the movie. It isn't worth your time.
