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Reviews
The Victors (1963)
A forgotten War Classic
I first saw this movie in 1984. And, try as I might, I have never been able to see it again. It is not available on video (why???) and it seldom plays on television.
More is the shame. We should scream for its imminent release on DVD.
The cast itself is impressive enough: Eli Wallach, George Peppard, Elke Sommer, Peter Fonda...
Still, just try to find it on video.
The movie is of the "War is Hell" genre. It makes some unpleasant watching, long long before "Saving Pvt Ryan" came to the silver screen. And it has a few moments of humor. As a series of vignettes -- each of them memorable -- it is a true masterpiece, as each vignette is a story told and enclosed in and of itself.
The movie builds to a very memorable ending, one I haven't yet forgotten 21 years since the last time I saw it.
Sam's Son (1984)
Worth watching in front of the video, with a fire and cocoa...
"Rocky" this ain't. But as a semi-autobiographical tale of Michael Landon, it's well worth renting on a Friday nite and watching, with hot cocoa and popcorn, on the couch in front of a fire.
And, unlike Rocky, it is (loosely) based on a real story.
This was written for an earlier, more innocent time. A tale of rags-to-riches, with plenty of Inspiration and pathos to match.
Michael Landon makes his appearance at the very end of the movie, and it is achieved in a manner that is both just and fitting. For once, the Good Guys win.
The movie's title is a neat hint as to what is about to happen as the story plays out to its climax.
I last saw this twenty years ago, and I enjoyed it then. And I remember it now. A good, memorable story. Well done.
Refreshing in its lack of special effects, violence, foul language and sex that pervades today's movie scene... Heck! "Sam's Son" could make a wholesome change from the usual fare.
So it's OK to bring in the wife and kids to enjoy this story with the hot cocoa and popcorn and pizza. It will do them no harm, and may inspire them to achieve. Bonus Points!
Double Bonus points: Celine Dion does not sing the credits, or get anywhere near the movie. The Cater-waul has no place in the credits: only good music throughout.