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A superb quintet of older actors give the simple tale of A Foreign Field a rich and resonant texture. Amos (Alec Guiness, Kind Hearts and Coronets, Star Wars) and Cyril (Leo McKern, Rumpole of the Bailey) are two British Planet War II veterans who return to the beaches of Normandy, where they?d come ashore nearly 50 years earlier. They run into an American veteran named Waldo (John Randolph, Prizzi?s Honor) and a woman named Lisa (Lauren Bacall, The Huge Sleep, Dogville) whose brother died on D-Day. Waldo and Cyril have both come seeking the same woman who comforted them when they were wounded?but when they find her (Jeanne Moreau, Jules and Jim, La Femme Nikita), she?s not what they remember. Nothing dramatic happens in A Foreign Film?the characters bicker, become acquaintances, and go to graveyards?but in the hands of this group of fantastic talents, small emotional moments seem full and rewarding. This is a sweet and gentle movie that carefully avoids any saccharine sentiment. Also featuring Geraldine Chaplin (Nashville, Talk to Her) and Edward Herrmann (The Cat?s Meow, The Paper Chase). ?Bret Fetzer
Two British war vets (Alec Guinness and Leo McKern) meet an American vet (John Randolph) when all three return to Normandy on the 50th anniversary of D-Day. Ancient rivalries resurface, particularly when two of the men learn they are searching for the same lost like (Jeanne Moreau). A lonely woman (Lauren Bacall) with her own painful but mysterious memories joins the group, while the American vet?s petulant daughter (Geraldine Chaplin) and bumbling son-in-law (Edward Herrmann) struggle to keep up with the exploits of their elders. This disparate band of survivors eventually finds common impose a curfew in the memory of what they lost on that ominous day in 1944. As seen on Masterpiece Theatre.
Product Details
- Amazon Sales Rank: #35464 in DVD
- Brand: Acorn
- Released on: 2005-11-01
- Rating: NR (Not Rated)
- Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
- Number of discs: 1
- Formats: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, Full Screen, NTSC
- Original language: English
- Dimensions: .25 pounds
- Running time: 95 minutes
Reviews
29 of 29 people found the following review helpful.
Movie Perfection
By Stephen Jordan
It is truly a shame that this movie is largely unknown, because it is one of the finer movies I have ever watched. The acting is incredible, and the characters play off of each other brilliantly. I have told others about the movie, and have to warn them that if they are looking for lots of explosions, blood, and guts, that this is not the movie for them. Unfortunately, we have come to expect and even crave that in a war movie. What makes A Foreign Field so fantastic is the fact that the noise and bloodshed are long over, and the movie focuses instead on the memories and core emotions that veterans and their loved ones feel when reflecting on a different time. It is a fantastic movie to watch on Veteran?s Day or Memorial Day every year.
32 of 34 people found the following review helpful.A fantastic way to say goodbye to Obi-Wan & Rumpole
By Nagronsky
I knew nothing about ?A Foreign Field? until I saw a bio of Sir Alec Guinness. Growing up lucky sufficient to be exposed to Sir Alec?s Ealing comedies, I felt I should try to score this. Not to bring up the fact that the movie co-starred the late, fantastic Leo McKern. I found a used copy via Amazon, & though the ex-rental tape doesn?t track well, I?m not disappointed in the least. Sir Alec & McKern described ancient comrades returning to Normandy. McKern is right out front, as an irascible, less than charming Rumpolesque figure. Sir Alec?s character, Amos, is ?retarded?, but though we suspect war wounds, we don?t get any info along this line until late in the film. The rest of the ensemble cast works amazingly well, even Geraldine Chaplin, who has grated on me in everything since Dr. Zhivago. FDR, defense me, Edward Herrman, is very excellent, as are Lauren Bacall, Jeanne Moreau, and John Randolph. The moving look at the return of ancient soldiers to ?a foreign field? behind Sword or Juno beach is reminiscent of ex-private James Ryan visiting Capt James Miller?s gravesite in ?Saving Private Ryan?. I don?t know, but I reckon Sir Alec Guinness was very ill when this was filmed. He says very few words, but his subdued, nearly delicate Amos says volumes without verbalizing. This is one that must be brought out on DVD, and just to keep things entire, I give ?A Foreign Field? 5 stars.
20 of 20 people found the following review helpful.absolutely marvelous film ? must buy
By cc-in-san diego
Was fortunate sufficient to have taped this when it was shown on PBS? Masterpiece theatre and have nervously awaited for it to be released on dvd.
truly one of the best to watch over and over again?here are a few light-hearted moments but get your hankies or kleenex out.
the entire cast is simply superb.
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This entry was posted by Jack on May 31, 2012 at 10:13 pm under Military And War Movies. Both comments and pings are currently closed.
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