Search - The Night of the Following Day on DVD

Marlon's Marvelous Mood Movie

Barefoot Boy | Prescott Valley, AZ USA | 09/16/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

""The Night of the Following Day" marked something of a resurgence in Brando's then sagging career. I knew director Hubert Cornfield who told me that Brando didn't take directions, he gave them. In this case his instincts were right on. He and his fellow cast members deliver first-class ensemble acting performances. Particularly memorable is the deliciously evil Richard Boone. Marvelously eerie mood photography of the foggy French seashore adds much to the suspenceful atmosphere. Unfortunately what might have been a masterpiece is marred by a cliche "twist" ending that leaves the viewer terribly disappointed in view of what has gone on before. This is one time when an alternate ending might have saved the movie."

Too Cool For School

Vampire Truth | Los Angeles, CA United States | 07/20/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The DVD of this excellent, overlooked kidnap drama is both mesmerizing and a hoot. The performances are uniformly terrific, with Brando (of course) the standout, and the cinematography is stunning photographically, though director Cornfeld doesn't stage his scenes all that dramatically at times. Still, the movie draws you in thanks to the performances, and by the climax, it's riveting.

What makes the DVD particularly delightful is the commentary by Cornfeld, who sounds like he has throat cancer, and who is still pissed off at Brando close to 40 years later. "He tried to seduce my wife" Cornfeld says before explaining how Brando refused to let him direct the last scene they shot (it's the one where Brando tells Jess Hahn he's not going through with the plot, and co-star Richard Boone directed it!). For Brando fans, you get an overlooked movie that is far from his worst, featuring trippy 60s cinematography that would be hailed as sheer genius if Steven Soderbergh did it on an "Ocean's 11" sequel. And Cornfeld's insight into the sadism Brando inflicted on so many of his directors is fascinating and repellant all at once. Recommended!"

Brando, Boone make sordid tale interesting

W.S. Brown | Ormond Beach, Fl United States | 03/31/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The Night of the Following Day is the story of four criminals who kidnap a rich girl(Pamela Franklin) upon her return to Paris. They take her to a beach house where she is held for ransom.Her captors include a washed up petty crook(Jess Hahn),his drug addicted sister(Rita Moreno), her boyfriend(Marlon Brando) and a sadist(Richard Boone). The film is very interesting, yet disturbing to watch at times due to the nature of the film. Watching Brando is fun. Its easy to see why he is one of the greatest actors of alltime. Boone is frightening as Leer, a big, unpleasent, wacko who is out for the double cross.I would highly recommend this film, but one should be warned that it is preety rough in spots and unsettling.Brando and Boone dominate the film."

Brando in one of his quirkiest roles

D. K. Hingle | the Middle of Kansas, United States | 10/25/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The death of a major actor usually results in a flurry of sales of his films, but that is not why I wanted this particular film.

Mr. Brando often 'walked through' films, giving perfunctory performances at best. He admitted as much during his lifetime. This is definitely not the case with his portrayal of "Bud" in this ensemble cast. I first saw this film on the big screen as a first release, and was fascinated by the interactions of the characters.

The plot revolves around the kidnapping of a young girl and holding her for ransom. The drama is the tensions among the conspirators. The ending, now a cliche, was relatively new at the time, and MUST be regarded that way.

The cast is what makes the film worth watching: Brando. Richard Boone, upping the bar on his sadistic sinister best (as seen in the previous year's "Hombre" with Paul Newman). Rita Moreno, showing the versatility by tackling a part a long way from "West Side Story." A very young Pamela Franklin, who five years later starred in the classic thriller "Legend of Hell House." The characters are brought to life by these talented players; no one is quite what he or she seems to be at first.

Yes, it's 60s. Yes, it's quirky. The big buzz is the rift between Brando and the director - Richard Boone was asked to take over for the last bits shot. Oh well. The film remains one of the standout roles of Brando's, and should be given a place in any collection.



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