Search - Henry Fonda - The Signature Collection (Advise and Consent / Battle of the Bulge / Mister Roberts / The Wrong Man) on DVD

Limited selection

G. Scot Shelley | Raleigh, NC | 09/14/2006

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I do agree with other reviews - there's not much here and it's all already available. But I do have to comment on something I see over and over in these reviews - Warner Brothers doesn't own the rights to every movie ever made. The reason they can't include his great Western "Once Upon a Time in the West" is because the rights are owned by Paramount Pictures, and "Grapes of Wrath" is owned by 20th Century Fox, just to name two."

Misguided fans

music & movie enthusiast | usa | 12/31/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I don't understand all of these negitive reviews. Are not the films in this box set all good? The answer is yes and 5 stars if you are a Henry Fonda fan. I'm so sick of people giving poor ratings to a box. It's the movies that you should rate in the box. Stop being mad at a company that releases a few films in a bundle. If you already have the movies then don't buy the damn box set, but at least give these good movies from a fine actor the reviews that they deserve.

And liezl (the connoisseur) You should pay attention to what you are reviewing!

E. Where is his work with John Ford? Answer- MISTER ROBERTS is a John Ford movie."

A Strong Signature Collection for the New, the Curious, and

Liezl | United States | 09/06/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"First and foremost, Warner Bros. Pictures releases and distributes the Henry Fonda-The Signature Collection. Why do certain movies not appear in this collection? Well, those titles are released and distributed by different film studios and corporations.

Secondly, this box collection of four strong films was my very first product review. My first review reeked of enthusiasm and sloppiness. My second one perfumed with apologies, but seemed wordy and empty of my personality. I hope this third edition contains deep notes of peace, showcasing a potpourri of my appreciation for Mr. Fonda as well as a mass accumulation of knowledge, insights, and trivia.

Overall, The Henry Fonda-The Signature Collection deserves five stars for showcasing the range, strength, and authenticity of Henry Fonda. (Apparently, I can not change my rating of four stars to five...most disappointing.) Much Kudos for the simple packaging and execution because it is a huge undertaking to put together a movie box collection for such a great actor. For the price alone, these four films create and generate much dialogue and appreciation. This is a strong collection for those that are new, curious, and sentimental when it comes to Henry Fonda.

*****

-Two of the four films were made in the 1950s ("Mister Roberts" and "The Wrong Man"), and the 1960s ("Advise and Consent" and "Battle of the Bulge").
-Two of the four films are filmed in black and white, "The Wrong Man" (1956) and "Advise and Consent (1962)." When the directors of these films filmed in black and white, notice the differences in atmosphere and effect.
-Two of the four films are shot in color, "Mister Roberts (1955)" and "Battle of the Bulge (1965)." World War II is a character and/ background in both movies, with different outlooks.
-"Mister Roberts" is the closest experience you will get to seeing Henry Fonda's stage performance.
-"The Wrong Man" is based on a true story...actual locations, names, intentions, and all.
-One year before "Advise and Consent," the UK comes out with Victim. Both of these movies are the PERFECT bookends.
-The famed Ken Annakin of the UK not only directed "Battle of the Bulge," but he is one of the many directors for [ASIN:B000EHSVRS The Longest Day (Two-Disc Collector's Edition)]]. Henry Fonda appears in this mammoth 1962 war epic as well. Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation distributes "The Longest Day," NOT Warner Bros. Pictures.
-Please remember that all four Fonda titles listed in this box set are from Warner Bros. Pictures.

*****

These are the four films of the Henry Fonda Signature Collection, listed by chronological order by release date. These four films consist of the actor's post-war career.

1. "Mister Roberts."
This comedy-drama was also a successful stage play. Henry Fonda played the title role of the senior officer of the U.S.S. Reluctant, resulting in a Tony win for his performance. I believe this 1955 movie anchors us in Fonda's roots, in theater. After all, he began as an amateur stage actor in his Nebraska community theater and continued to perform on while thriving as a film actor.

2. "The Wrong Man."
This is a HEAVY drama. Released in 1956, where Hollywood manufactured formulaic, farce-laden stories, "The Wrong Man" grounds itself on of a true story (Manny Banlestrero), a director (Alfred Hitchcock), and an actor (Henry Fonda).

This great work remains a fine addition to the Signature Collection because it is an undervalued and not often watched Hitchcock film. It is a rare occurrence to see this movie in a collection other than [ASIN:B0002HOES0 The Alfred Hitchcock Signature Collection (Strangers on a Train Two-Disc Edition / North by Northwest / Dial M for Murder / Foreign Correspondent / Suspicion / The Wrong Man / Stage Fright / I Confess / Mr. and Mrs. Smith)]].

SIDENOTE: This is the first and only paring with Alfred Hitchcock and Henry Fonda.

3. "Advise and Consent."
A searing social-political drama by Otto Preminger. This director cooks his films with an incredible cast. And his meaty movies sizzle of quality, mature age, real-life issues, artistic heartiness, and long running times. In the end, Preminger's movies leave you with a satiated movie experience.

Henry Fonda profits with a fantastic director at the helm; a challenging script; a wonderful ensemble cast with Charles Laughton, Walter Pidgeon, Burgess Meredith, Gene Tierney, Franchot Tone, and Lew Ayres. (Ayres is the kind physician to Jane Wyman in Negulesco's Johnny Belinda) You are in for a searing, social-political drama by Otto Preminger. Yes, "searing" and Preminger go well together.

I do not know about you, but I always confuse Otto Preminger with Erich Von Stroheim. First off, the birthplace of these two impresarios is Vienna, Austria. Secondly, both intimidating men have round, hairless heads. Lastly, both men act, and act well. Just you watch Sunset Boulevard - The Centennial Collection" and Stalag 17 (Special Collector's Edition)" and I dare you to confuse both men.

SIDENOTE: Check out another film by Otto Preminger. It's Daisy Kenyon (Fox Film Noir) with Joan Crawford, Dana Andrews, and Henry Fonda. which 20th Century Fox releases and distributes. Preminger's film noirs at 20th Century Fox are a cinema treat.

4. "Battle of the Bulge."
This battle movie highlights the historic German counter-offensive in World War II. The color distracts. The star cast ought to be studied and compared with the ensemble in Preminger's "Advise and Consent." More over, "Battle of the Bulge" raises issues of artistic liberties and movies on warfare & historical situations such as the definition of authenticity, respect, and propaganda.

Ken Annakin's movie would have been stronger in black and white, effectively shot in cinéma vérité style like a certain classic Italian film on the Algerian war. The Battle of Algiers - Criterion Collection premiered one year later before Ken Annakin's exploited epic.

"

Great bunch of movies!

Peggy | Woodridge, IL United States | 03/05/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I bought this set because it had two of my favorite Henry Fonda movies included - Mister Roberts and Battle of the Bulge. I already owned Advise and Consent from another movie collection, but The Wrong Man was a new one for me. An excellent way to spend a weekend!"