MovieChat Forums > Reign of Terror (1949) Discussion > DON'T EVER CALL ME MAX!!!

DON'T EVER CALL ME MAX!!!

posted 17 years ago by danielj_old999
4 replies | jump to latest

I had to pause this in hysterics after that line came up....and won't anybody in America ever make a serious film about the French OR the American Revolution? I suppose you couldn't have expected it in 1949 at the beginning of the McCarthy years, but how about now?? After having read history books on this subject the cardboard cutout stereotypesof peasants and petty dictators ruin the film for me. Needless to say the story is vastly more complex than this.

this film IS beautifully shot, deserves better than the cheapie DVD I received in the mail...please, a restoration....just don't go to it expecting serious history.

[–] mrjeelsfan 10 years ago

Completely agree. Amazing visuals, especially for Mann (seeing him away from Westerns makes me think he might be a half way decent director) yet, the interpretation of the French Revolution was so questionable that it was hard to watch.

[–] Disardor 10 years ago

Not sure what you're implying here. Are you saying Mann isn't good at directing westerns and that you're surprised he could make something so visually arresting as The Black Book?

[–] mrjeelsfan 10 years ago

I'm saying I dislike his Westerns, an unpopular view, but mine. His visual style seems more developed here and striking, again probably an unpopular view, but mine.

[–] Disardor 10 years ago

That's what I thought. Cheers.