John Huston recommendations please

Guest 50025 · 21-06-2006, 00:54

I blind-bought Fat City a few months back based on the word of mouth about the film, the fact that it was going OOP and because I regard the the late 1960's-1970's as the greatest period of American cinema. Fat City was a lovely film indeed.

Now I desire to see more Huston films, could I please get some recommendations? Oh and who holds the US rights to African Queen (my father holds that film in high regard) and is there any sign of an SE on the horizon? Thanks.

John Hodson · 21-06-2006, 07:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by EvaUnit02

Now I desire to see more Huston films, could I please get some recommendations?

The Maltese Falcon (stunning, stunning debut - there is a three-disc version coming from Warners)
The Treasure of the Sierra Madre
Key Largo
The Asphalt Jungle (possibly my favourite noir; well in the top five at least)
The Red Badge of Courage (famously butchered, but some sublime moments)
Moby Dick (get the R1; the R2's transfer is inferior)
The Misfits
The Night of the Iguana
The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean
The Man Who Would Be King - an R1 re-release is rumoured
The Dead (just out in R2)

Paramount have the R1 right to The African Queen, a release has long been rumoured, but there's nothing concrete. Not much wrong with this R2 release.

Raigmore · 21-06-2006, 07:37

My favourite John Huston film is "The Treasure of the Sierra Madre"

. Speaks volumes about the true face indivudual human nature. This is one of those films which Hollywood will sooner or later consider remaking....ugh!

Guest 42843 · 21-06-2006, 08:10

I agree with all of John's recommendations. Allegedly Huston spent a lot of time on all of his films placing bets as he was a gambling nut, but somehow he managed to turn out at least one genuinely great film every decade up until the 70s.

Guest 29 · 21-06-2006, 09:59

Although they're not on DVD yet, try and catch up with the brilliant "Wise Blood", "Reflections in a Golden Eye" and "Freud".

Guest 41913 · 22-06-2006, 19:41

Under the Volcano is rather underrated IMO; though again isn't available on DVD at present.

Come to think of it; does life actually get any better than The Asphalt Jungle, Treasure of the Sierra Madre and The Maltese Falcon?

John Hodson · 22-06-2006, 20:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by StevenMTaylor

Come to think of it; does life actually get any better than The Asphalt Jungle, Treasure of the Sierra Madre and The Maltese Falcon?

No, I don't think it does...

bosque · 22-06-2006, 22:52

I'm with Mike on Huston's "Wild Blood" from the American South Gothic novelist Flannery O'Conner's strange book, which was highly praised when it was released in the 80s. I remember finding the film hard to get a handle on with its deep religious themes, Brad Dourif as Hazel Motes, preaching the Church Without Christ. I'm a lot older now and I would probably enjoy the film more, where's the DVD ?

Guest 57383 · 23-06-2006, 07:57

Another one that might be due for rediscovery is the 1949 "We Were Strangers", available in Region 1 from Columbia.

Reviews from the time are a bit mixed, but it came in a line of good pictures from JH, and has a top class cast.

Guest 980 · 24-06-2006, 08:41

For films he acted in, Huston's performance in Chinatown is chilling. Plus 70s conspiracy thriller Winter Kills is worth checking out. His father Walter was in one of my favourite films 'The Devil and Daniel Webster' aka 'All that Money Can Buy'. If you like older films try and look out for this.

Guest 20255 · 25-06-2006, 00:11

Escape to Victory

Guest 53410 · 21-04-2010, 19:06

Has anyone bought the new Paramount restored African Queen (R1 DVD and BR) ? Will the R2 DVD by ITV DVD to be released in June have exactly the same restored copy as the R1 Paramount ?

Alan b · 21-04-2010, 20:11

Moving to DVD Forum

Robin Davies · 22-04-2010, 18:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by bosque

I'm with Mike on Huston's "Wild Blood" from the American South Gothic novelist Flannery O'Conner's strange book, which was highly praised when it was released in the 80s. I remember finding the film hard to get a handle on with its deep religious themes, Brad Dourif as Hazel Motes, preaching the Church Without Christ. I'm a lot older now and I would probably enjoy the film more, where's the DVD ?

Released on Region 2 in 2009 and still easily available at good prices!
I agree it's a great film. I was surprised to see Huston could make something so downright weird.

beebul · 23-04-2010, 09:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raigmore

My favourite John Huston film is "The Treasure of the Sierra Madre"

. Speaks volumes about the true face indivudual human nature. This is one of those films which Hollywood will sooner or later consider remaking....ugh!

Same here, brilliant performances from all concerned... watch this regularly. Great film, probably in my top 10 of all time.

To echo gareth101 "The Devil and Daniel Webster" is an amazing film also and extremely well spoofed by the Simpsons in a Halloween episode..

Guest 48851 · 27-04-2010, 09:31

I would recommend The Man Who Would Be King

One of my favourite films.

UK DVD is okay, poor on extras and sound.

There is a rather impressive 90's biography of Huston if you get interested enough.

Also check out Clint Eastwood's "White Hunter Black Heart", this is basically a thinly veiled fiction of the making of The African Queen.

Although there is no direct remake of Treasure of Sierra Madre, there are many homages that I rather like.

Shallow Grave and Trespass (Walter Hill), immediately come to mind, but there are others. A bit like Seven Samuari, the basic set-up of Treasure is the dramatic device for many films. I even wondered if the Ealing classic The Ladykillers owes something to Treasure.

Alan George · 27-04-2010, 15:01

Don't forget The List Of Adrian Messenger 1963. It's a real fun movie, with George C. Scott playing an amature English sleuth. The DVD looks terrific, & only �3.49 from Amazon UK