Category: 1960s

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The Best Man (1964) – Rewatch

At the 1964 Democratic National Convention in Los Angeles, no single candidate is a certain forerunner with the two most likely contenders, Henry Fonda and Cliff Robertson, representing polar opposites of the politician spectrum. Even dying former President Lee Tracy has refused to take a side between them. It’s a bit simplistic in its approach (Fonda representing a flawed but generally moral man and Robertson an opportunist willing to do whatever is necessary to get elected) but with some quality acting, it remains a fascinating view into the ugly maneuvering that happens behind political closed doors.

Oscar Nomination: Best Actor in a Supporting Role

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Help! (1965)

When a fan sends Ringo Starr a ceremonial ring, he finds himself hunted by a cult looking to use him for a human sacrifice. It’s disturbing how easy the rest of the Beatles are willing to sacrifice Ringo, or at least his hand, when some of the better methods for solving his predicament prove too difficult. I love the ridiculous design of the Beatles’ shared flat and the music videos that pad the runtime. It all feels like an extended episode of The Monkees, though that probably should be reversed.   Music  MUsical

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The Last Voyage (1960)

Obstinate captain George Sanders of an aged transpacific ocean liner refuses to heed his crew’s warnings to the detriment of a number of souls on the vessel. Married passengers Dorothy Malone and Robert Stack must contend with the results of one of his early bad decisions if they don’t want to be joining those going down with the ship. While boat settings aren’t my favorite, I always enjoy a good disaster film. What keeps this one from being among the greats is that instead of spreading the tension over an all-star cast, most of its attention is focused on the boring couple and their incompetent child. One of the few reprieves from their tale of woe is the well-oiled, muscular command of machinist Woody Strode.  Disaster

Oscar Nomination: Best Effects, Special Effects

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Sons and Lovers (1960)

Young aspiring artist Dean Stockwell’s ambitions and relationships with women are hindered by his ties to his supportive but domineering mother. The performances here are all exceptionally strong, especially Stockwell in the lead and Wendy Hiller and Trevor Howard as his parents. The story meanders a bit with the narrative not cleanly flowing between scenes, but there are surprisingly frank in its discussions and expressions of sexuality for a period piece made at the time.   Best Picture Nomination

Oscar Win: Best Cinematography, Black-and-White

Oscar Nominations: Best Picture; Best Actor in a Leading Role; Best Actress in a Supporting Role; Best Director; Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium; Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, Black-and-White

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Good Times, Wonderful Times (1966)

Included on the DVD set for On the Bowery was this other documentary by director Lionel Rogosin. An indictment on the speed at which countries sometimes choose to go to war, it juxtaposes footage of war atrocities, particularly those committed by the Nazis, with the banal conversations occurring during an upper class party in London. It’s effective though also quite repetitive in its depiction.

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Mutiny on the Bounty (1962)

Ever since I first learned about the HMS Bounty, I’ve been fascinated by the story and how this group of mutineers changed the history of Pitcairn Island. In this version of one of the most famous mutinies ever, Captain Trevor Howard is so domineering and abusive that eventually even Marlon Brando has had enough and provokes a mutiny. While it does have some beautiful views of the expansive sea, this film is just way too long. It takes over half of its three plus hour runtime to even get to the actual mutiny. I was having a hard time getting into Brando’s portrayal (he has a very strange accent and various affectations), especially when compared to Clark Gable in the 1935 version, but I eventually warmed up as it makes sense that he’s rather sniveling and pompous until Howard’s callousness is even too much for him. For such a stupid long movie, the ending comes rather abruptly and doesn’t seem to have any connection to reality.  Best Picture Nomination

Oscar Nominations: Best Picture; Best Cinematography, Color; Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, Color; Best Film Editing; Best Effects, Special Effects; Best Music, Original Song; Best Music, Score – Substantially Original

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Dark of the Sun (1968)

A band of mercenaries, led by Rod Taylor and his friend Jim Brown, are hired by Congolese President Calvin Lockhart to ostensibly rescue Europeans from an isolated mining town, but in actuality to recover $50 million worth of diamonds from the town’s vault. It may or may not be an accurate portrayal of political struggles in the heart of Africa post-colonialization, but it certainly is a violent one, including scenes of children being murdered, rape, and an iconic chainsaw battle. There is only the slightest pretense that the mission isn’t completely about war profiteering nor much concern about the growing body count toward its completion.  War

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56 Up (2012)

While I recently watched both 49 Up and 56 Up, this is my review for the majority of the series. For 56 years, director Michael Apted revisited a group of Britons every seven years to establish the changes that individuals undergo in life. While Apted only worked with the director of the first installment, that one began with the idea that you could see the adult person simply by looking at that person at the age of seven. I have no idea how really true that is (I personally think there are some hints in comparing the progress as they age), but it is truly a gift that this group allowed the world a glimpse into their lives and the wisdom they have to share in being compelled to reflect on the turns their lives take every seven years. It’s very personal to try to compare myself at various ages, particularly when watching the episodes most close to my current age, and feeling how universal some milestones are.

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The V.I.P.s (1963)

A group of rich and famous people are majorly inconvenienced when they are stranded at Heathrow Airport due to fog. The film delves into all the mundane details of the rich people problems that these rich, white people are facing and how the delay could bring ruin to each of them. It’s generally boring, particularly as it insists on focusing mainly on Elizabeth Taylor leaving Richard Burton for a more appealing younger man. Even young Maggie Smith is underutilized as a secretary unrequitedly in love with her boss The airport setting is somewhat fun, particularly in its period details, and Margaret Rutherford is a delight, though also underused, as a scatterbrained duchess trying to save her family’s estate.

Oscar Win: Best Actress in a Supporting Role

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The Sandpiper (1965)

Single mother and artist Elizabeth Taylor’s delinquent son is forced by the courts to attend headmaster Richard Burton’s school. Though he is married to Eva Marie Saint, he begins an affair with the free-spirited Taylor. All the men in the film seem to have been in love with Liz at some point and she is really gorgeous in the film. I suppose audiences at the time might have enjoyed Taylor and Burton carrying on an extramarital affair onscreen in a way that somewhat mirrored their own lives, but I personally don’t feel much chemistry between the two of them. I relate most to Saint’s level-headed, sensible character and the film wastes her power.

Oscar Win: Best Music, Original Song

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