Band of Angels (DVD)

We currently live in a time where most American are ignorant of history and it's complexities, and only view it through the simplest terms. While "Band of Angels" is a fiction story, the truths it presents are in fact accurate of reality and the truth of the American Civil War. There were good and bad people on both sides of the conflict, and the lives of all of these Americans, (because that at the end of the day is what both sides were, American) were all complex. This film, probably even better than the more famous "Gone With The Wind," testifies of these truths.Clark Gable, Yvonne DeCarlo and Sidney Poitier each give fantastic performances. Each of their characters are distinct and unique. The film chronicles the fantastic character growth in each of them, and much of the rest of the supporting characters, and brings what I believe is a satisfying ending. There is some language that modern audiences today would find offensive, and for good reason, but it is very much appropriate for the use in the time period the film depicts. Despite my five stars given, I feel it's probably closer to 4 1/2 stars, but regardless, it is a worthwhile film. I recommend it, but try not to watch it with 21st Century eyes. Instead, see it for what it is, a mid-20th Century film depicting the mid-19th Century. You'll be the better for it.

BAND OF ANGELS is the last film of the Clark Gable trilogy shot by Raoul Walsh between 1955 and 1957 which also includes  The Tall Men (Region One USA DVD)  and  King & Four Queens . The movie is based on Robert Penn Warren's  Band of Angels (Voices of the South) , a novel written in 1955. The sole extras of the DVD are a dubbed version in French language and a theatrical trailer. The quality of the images is near perfect and the sound pays tribute to a wonderful musical score composed by Max Steiner.BAND OF ANGELS, - I personally consider its racial implications as peripheral -, is a study of human reactions in front of a crisis. The main characters of the film will then all react in the same manner : by taking flight. Amantha Starr's attempts to run away constitute a sizeable part of the film, Hamish Bond, who doesn't manage to forget his heavy past, will not wait for the Confederate army to be hanged like his neighbors and Rau-Ru experiences the behavior pattern of a man who runs away from his conscience.Some will say that BAND OF ANGELS is slow and that the characters talk too much instead of acting. Maybe, maybe not. The best scenes of the films are not particularly bustling. Just think about the discussion in the garden between Hamish Bond and his old navy pal that starts in the peace of a southern night and ends up in a violent storm or about the scene of the duel between Hamish Bond and his neighbor Charles de Marigny. This scene is a pure jewel of suspense and reminds us that Raoul Walsh was a great director.A DVD zone your library.

Band of Angels is a movie with a central theme comparable to a historical novel based on fact.Clark Gable's role as Hamish Bond is a two-fold character with a very valid message of whatwas in error during the Civil War both with the Confederacy and the Union. The Confederacywas condemned for its enslavement of Negros and Indentured servitude of poor whites. TheUnion did not have an unblemished record because it exploited Negro labor, and carpet-baggedthe South into poverty which really saw no relief until World War I and World War II. This includesa prison system which exploited labor of prisoners for ill-gotten gain, with some remnants whichremain in existence today. During the150th Anniversary of the Civil War which is supposedlycelebrated, I contend it should be a time of solemn regret over Americans killing Americans. I had ancestors who fought on both sides,and branches of my family tree died because the menwere killed and whole household wiped out by disease. A DVD movie like Band of Angels cancause all of us to take the time to walk the battlefields - both North and South - to resolve never again -regardless of race, creed or gender - Americans shall not kill Americans again. Band of Angels isworth both your time and purchase. I was a decorated officer (Major) in the USAF and have a M.A.in Political Science - sometimes a movie like Band of Angels with a basis of a historical novel, canpresent the plain truth which the viewer can understand and appreciate instead of a documentary.

This movie is so NOT "Gone With the Wind!" The only similarity is the pre-Civil War settings. Amantha's life goes from serene, secure and privileged to total upheaval within the first 10 minutes, leaving this viewer "locked-in" to discover what's to become of her. The so-believable plot is chock-full of twists, secrets, and surprises all along the way; I really enjoyed the plot's uniqueness - that it reminds me of no other movie! Amantha and Hamish's life secrets are so anti-thetical that their relationship is the least-likely to succeed; and yet, the chemistry develops deeply despite the competition of younger, handsome suitors. 2 of the suitors are full aware of her past (as the daughter of a plantation owner and one of his black slave women), yet both treat her so differently. Gable's acting is un-stereotypical, well-seasoned and so peaked. Some reviewers seem to want Rhett back in this movie; but being forward, feisty and predictable isn't suitable for the mysterious, tormented, mature gentleman Gable portrays so perfectly in this movie. The black acapella choruses are pure ear-candy, and likewise the costuming and plantation setting are "woo-hoo" eye-candy! The supporting cast succeeded in escalating this viewer's emotions from shock to anger to suspense to elation. I've watched it several times already and know I'll be watching it again. Enjoy!

colis bien reçu.MERCI.Cordialement

very happy

Alles gut !

What is a movie without a realistic story line, passionate love, suspense, and the feeling that leaves you fulfilled. This movie does that. Not having Yvonne De Carlo around is a great loss to me, at least I still have her around in this and other movies that she is in. Thanks for not letting such movies go out of print and circulation.

Siguiendo esa lamentable costumbre del dobleje y la simplificación, el título español intenta decirlo todo. Para degustadores del drama de época, nostálgico en un Technicolor perfecto.Joya cinematográfica de leyenda. Con escenas que se pueden considerar irrepetibles como la llegada del barco a la plantación y los maravillosos coros de bienvenida.Será para cualquiera que la haya visto en su época (mi niñez) una revisión de aquellos tópicos argumentales: pasiones tórridas, desgarro, el imposible equilibrio entre avaricia sin límites y nobleza del caballero sureño, en un escenario en el que el monstruoso apogeo de la esclavitud humana queda ambiguamente ponderado al igual que las referencias a la Guerra de Secesión norteamericana.Idóneos los actores protagonistas. Insuperable el vestuario y la escenografía.El joven Mr. Poitiers borda su impetuoso personaje.La calidad de la película merecería una más cuidada presentación en cuanto al estuchey su ilustración. Los menús de navegación son tan mediocres como la mayoría de los que aparecen en los DVD de las productoras españolas. Lástima que estas productoras no actualicen sus recursos para estar a la altura de sus iguales en otros países. El comprador de un producto como éste aprecia todos estos detalles.En resumen una película indispensable para el coleccionista de cine que ha marcado una época.