Zulu (1964)
Some of the big movie-buffs take their passions and share it with the world in a unique and satisfying light.
The guys running the video label Twilight Time went head-over-heels when they learned that a licensing deal with MGM included this British epic, the film that helped launch the career of Michael Caine.
“This is a case where I don’t care one whit about whether we sell 50 copies, 20 copies, 10 copies or no copies (they sell 3,000 copies per film). This a film that we love almost (The Wild Bunch excepted) above all other…” said Nick Redman, head of Twilight Time.
Zulu is a historical account of the Battle of Roarke’s Drift, wherein British soldiers stationed in South Africa protect their tiny fort from Zulu warriors. Shot on location in Natal, it is considered one of the greatest British films ever made. It contains a rather rousing score by Oscar-winner John Barry, which has a separate isolate track as a special feature. Redman tells us that the transfer is rather pleasing for Blu-Ray.
Zulu will be released on January 22, 50 years to the day of its initial release, and exactly 135 years after the actual battle.
The Best Years of Our Lives (1946)
Winner of the Academy Award for Best Picture, this film might be a bit dated, but it was highly praised for its realistic portrayal of post-WWII America. GI’s return home from the war, only to find that things have changed since they left. A first-time actor who lost both hands in the war, Harold Russell was awarded an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. Produced by Samuel Goldwyn and directed by William Wyler, The Best Years of Our Lives delivers.
The Bishop’s Wife (1947)
Also from the Goldwyn archives comes a classic Christmas comedy with Cary Grant, Loretta Young, and David Niven giving career-best performances. I would tell more, but the trailer told me not to.
The Blue Max (1966)
George Peppard is a German WWI fighter pilot coveting his nation’s biggest war medal. A typical war movie, but Peter Jackson adores it, so if that convinces you to pick it up, well…
The Way We Were (1973)
Yes, that song is stuck in your mind, now. It may be the only thing that movie is best known for aside from the fact that Barbra Streisand and Robert Redford are in it. And the plot? What do you expect from a movie starring two rather good-looking people? That, and memories. Anything else?
Sophie’s Choice (1982)
Sometimes, when a sitcom character compares a puzzling predicament to Sophie’s choice, I wonder what kind of movie the writers were watching.
A Christmas Story (1983)
For those who can’t get enough Ralphie.
Death Wish (1974)
For those who can’t get enough Bronson.
