Search - A Foreign Field on DVD

A great way to say goodbye to Obi-Wan & Rumpole

Nagronsky | Skagit Valley, Wa USA | 01/24/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I knew nothing about "A Foreign Field" until I saw a bio of Sir Alec Guinness. Growing up lucky enough to be exposed to Sir Alec's Ealing comedies, I felt I should try to score this. Not to mention the fact that the movie co-starred the late, great Leo McKern. I found a used copy via Amazon, & though the ex-rental tape doesn't track well, I'm not disappointed in the least. Sir Alec & McKern portray old comrades returning to Normandy. McKern is right out front, as an irascible, less than charming Rumpolesque figure. Sir Alec's character, Amos, is "retarded", but though we suspect war wounds, we don't get any info along this line until late in the film. The rest of the ensemble cast works amazingly well, even Geraldine Chaplin, who has grated on me in everything since Dr. Zhivago. FDR, excuse me, Edward Herrman, is very good, as are Lauren Bacall, Jeanne Moreau, and John Randolph. The moving look at the return of old soldiers to "a foreign field" behind Sword or Juno beach is reminiscent of ex-private James Ryan visiting Capt James Miller's gravesite in "Saving Private Ryan". I don't know, but I think Sir Alec Guinness was very ill when this was filmed. He says very few words, but his subdued, almost delicate Amos says volumes without verbalizing. This is one that must be brought out on DVD, and just to keep things unanimous, I give "A Foreign Field" 5 stars."

Absolutely marvelous film - must buy

cc-in-san diego | San Diego, California United States | 10/24/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Was fortunate enough to have taped this when it was shown on PBS' Masterpiece theatre and have anxiously awaited for it to be released on dvd.
truly one of the best to watch over and over again...there are a few light-hearted moments but get your hankies or kleenex out.
the entire cast is simply superb."

Movie Perfection

Stephen Jordan | New London, CT | 11/11/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It is truly a shame that this movie is largely unknown, because it is one of the finer movies I have ever watched. The acting is amazing, and the characters play off of each other brilliantly. I have told others about the movie, and have to warn them that if they are looking for lots of explosions, blood, and guts, that this is not the movie for them. Unfortunately, we have come to expect and even crave that in a war movie. What makes A Foreign Field so great is the fact that the noise and bloodshed are long over, and the movie focuses instead on the memories and core emotions that veterans and their loved ones feel when reflecting on a different time. It is a great movie to watch on Veteran's Day or Memorial Day every year."

Before "Private Ryan...."

Steven C. Myers | Bedford , PA USA | 04/15/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A masterful work. The personalities, like spokes in some wheel of poetic prose, converge at the end into a turning hub -- which unites them all. This is a film which finds humanity in every aspect and levels the playing field in a way we all can understand. The UK-US counterpoint (and comedy!) was superb. The remembrance of ALL dead at Normandy inspired tears, no matter what language we speak. There we ALL are: almost jaybird-naked in ourselves! As a retired naval officer, I can only praise the makers of this fine film. Every generation viewing it may find great value in the visual experience. The WW2 heros (all of them) who see it will find comfort in the faithful completion of duty. Regardless of the white slab which commemorates participants in D-Day, "A Foreign Field" speaks for all."