hidden gem


I apologise in case this intervention of mine is somehow untimely, clumsy and irrelevant: in fact I discovered IMDb only few days ago, so I am totally new to this environment and its rules - a greenhorn, a babe in the woods - though I am 80 years old!

However, I discovered this page because I was looking on Google to find out something about that “old” film that I loved so much in my thirties, hoping to find out if there was any possibility to find a DVD or VHS.

So I happened to read the comment written here on July 4, 2004, by jshaffer-1, and I find I can thoroughly share his ideas.

I just would like to add something: yes, he is right in referring to G.B. Shaw as the original writer of the story. I have a booklet containing three of his brilliant pieces (The Devil’s Disciple, Major Barbara and Joan of Arc) and I find the first one really worth of the best Shaw’s ironical works.

I saw the Devil’s Disciple on the Italian television some years after its release in USA in 1959, and long since I hoped in vain to be able to watch it again: because it seems to me that the true central character of the film is General “Gentlemanly” Johnny Burgoyne, not only because he really existed and lost the battle of Saratoga against the American rebels, as Mr. jshaffer-1 correctly reminds, but because his role was played by Laurence Olivier! It seems to me that *he is the real star* in the film, with his typical maniac way of “hiding his true self” behind a thick layer of irony and self-irony. Sure Gentlemanly Johnny is the central Shaw’s character in my old booklet, and - I would suggest - also in that film.

Any hope that some expert-advisor could dust this masterpiece, timeless film, and arrange a DVD for the happiness of fans all over the world?

carlinsca

reply

Dear Carlinsca,

There is still no DVD on the horizon for this movie, but there is a VHS :
http://www.amazon.com/dp/6302605008?tag=imdb-adbox

If this was a movie I loved 50 years ago, and couldn't watch again since, a VHS would definitely be better than nothing !

Sincerely,

Jean-Marie

reply

[deleted]

Coming out on Blu-Ray 11/24/2015

reply

This is indeed a hidden gem and one of the most underrated films of the 1950s. It has Oscar-caliber qualities and stars three legends: one whom was an Academy Award winner already (Olivier), a soon-to-be Award winner (Lancaster), and a far-into-the-future lifetime Achievement Oscar winner (Douglas) who turns a century old this year. What an ideal fourth of July holiday treat this is, and what a shame most film fans have never seen this. It's simply wonderful with a soul-stirringly patriotic theme, not to mention some great British actors aside from the great man himself as General Johnny Burgoyne.

reply