MovieChat Forums > Advise & Consent (1962) Discussion > SEE THIS MOVIE.

SEE THIS MOVIE.

posted 18 years ago by saintnick-1
11 replies | jump to latest

A political masterpiece, it may not be an easy movie to find, but well worth seeing. I found a VHS copy at a local video store that has a lot of old movies. The story is complex and suspenseful, the wide angled, black and white photography heightens the dramatic tension, and the fine, ensemble cast is excellent. Franchot Tone gives one of the best portrayals of a U.S. president as a man who is highly determined to get his appointment through the Senate before he succumbs to declining health. I don't know if this classic is out on DVD yet, but hopefully it will be soon.

[–] ptesta65 18 years ago

Yes, it's out on DVD. I own it. Buy it new on eBay for $9.

[–] ayf_1983 16 years ago

I just happened on to the movie while surfing through the HD channels (it was on Mojo HD) and I was hooked. I couldn't turn away and stayed till the end. The cast was so believable in their roles. I CAN see them as what the senators from the book would have looked like if they weren't actors in real life.

[–] marktayloruk 16 years ago

As an Allen Drury fan,I wish it had been more like the novel.I also wish the whole Advise and Consent series had been turned into a miniseries.

[–] gerald-flynn 15 years ago

I, too, thought the 6 novels would have made an excellent mini-series. Note however, that while Drury is clearly conservative and A & C, the book, was also slanted that way, the movie is much more liberal in thrust. In fact ----

SP0ILER TO COME! SPOILER TO COME! SPOILER TO COME!

in the novel, Leffingwell is overwhelming defeated, thus negating the constitutional issues raised in another post. So it did not come down to the dramatic change of vote by the Peter Lawford character.

[–] Acceler8 15 years ago

It's funny, around the time of the Inauguration I was rereading Come Nineveh, Come Tyre, the novel where the A&C series branches off into two possible timelines and the liberal governor Ted Jason becomes president. The plot and tone of that book reminded me of how a lot of talk shows have been expressing concerns about what they thought Obama's liberalism/socialism would bring about in the country.

[–] gerald-flynn 15 years ago

Altough I liked the entire series, I do feel that at times Drury exaggerated the evils of the left vs the good of the right. The companion to "Come Niniveh, Come Tyre", called "The Promise of Joy", has Orrin Knox as the conservative take on the presidency. One of the odd apsects of the series of six novels is that they were written over a span of about 12 to 15 years, yet the action is taking place over about two or three years. The societal changes are evident as Drury attempted to keep current,but the continuity of the story line can be strained. Also, in "Come Niniveh" especially, the Russian Communists come across like the Pottsylvanians of the Bullwinkle cartoons! Still, they make a terrific read. Try them all. Many pages but fast reading.

[–] 15 years ago

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[–] saintnick-1 13 years ago

Just read the Bosley Crowther review, how naive even the most intelligent people were in the pre-Vietnam War/Watergate days.

[–] BCarl 13 years ago

This is one of at least THREE terrific politically-based films of the 60's including "Seven Days in May" and "Fail Safe."

[–] milliedil 13 years ago

Let us not forget The Manchurian Candidate (from the same year) and Dr. Strangelove (1964). Just finished watching it on TCM and wanted to see it anyone else was around.

"Thank you, thank you--you're most kind. In fact you're every kind."

[–] BCarl 13 years ago

Yes - "Manchurian Candidate" slipped my mind, and although I absolutely LOVE "Strangelove," I deliberately left it out because it's a comedy.