MovieChat Forums > Games (1967) Discussion > Thomas Wolfe was right...

Thomas Wolfe was right...

posted 14 years ago by theterror57
6 replies | jump to latest

You can't go home again. I remember seeing Games
35 years ago on the late-afternoon movie show, heavily
cut. I treasured the memory of a suave, clever,
scary film. I've been looking for this film for years;
I wanted to share the fun with my friends.
Unfortunately, I found it on DVD. While I understand
why I loved it as a kid, it is one of those treasures
that shouldn't be revisited.
The direction is terrible, the script is worse, the
cinematography and lighting are inept, same
with the editing, and S Signoret appeared to
be in her cups for most of the film(though she gave
a good last scene). I'll give the other actors the
benefit of the doubt...

[–] Thebobo. 13 years ago

This reminds me of a film I would have caught on the late show as a kid and loved it. In fact it reminds me of those so awful they are good made for tv movies of the 70's. In that vain I enjoyed this little thriller.
It's all fun and games 'till somebody gets hurt!

[–] mizhu 13 years ago

I always loved it, despite all those mostly valid criticisms.

[–] skep8 13 years ago

I disagree with your criticisms. Katharine Ross especially gave a letter-perfect performance. The script is succinct, not a wasted word of dialogue, and it certainly holds up well upon repeated viewings. The 1960s-style lighting and cinematography make modern movies look like they were filmed in a closed garage. And my only complaint with the editing was the intrusive electrical device going off during the climax, which served to heighten the tension but reminded me of a Night Gallery type of edit.

[–] jac91604 12 years ago

It still holds up better than most of the crap they make today that are called "thrillers". They're nothing more than gore for the sake of gore.

At least there is a story here and something called "suspense".

I haven't seen this picture in many yrs, it's on Retroplex right now.

Not since I was a kid.

Probably 30 yrs, from when they would run it in the NYC area on WPIX on a Saturday afternoon.

Yet, I clearly remembered the scene with Don Stroud getting shot in the eye.

I could watch some of the garbage they produce today 2 weeks ago and couldn't tell you too many scenes if I viewed it a month ago...LOL

So that says something, it's not perfect, but it is interesting.

And a great cast to boot.

[–] mdcordova-1 11 years ago

Have to disagree, you have to take the movies in the decades they were made-warts and all, you need to actually saver that quality! Do you not like 1920s silent films because of film scratches, overdone make-up and staged gestures? Of course not, we love them for that! This film’s colors, MOD deco, fake flat-colored blood and grainy look, is part of the thrilling time travel to 1967 we get to experience. And the plot and acting are still wonderful.

[–] theterror57 10 years ago

No not true, my original post has nothing to do with the era it was made in, or the budget it had. It's a bad movie, with mostly bad performances, a dreadful script, and hackneyed direction no matter when it's from.

Long Live Lucy and Linus!!!