Search - Rocket Gibraltar on DVD

A rich family movie

Paul Sayles | Japan | 05/09/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This movie is a fine ensemble performance. There is the afther, Burt Lancaster, who is reaching the end of a full life. His children and their families are joining him for a birthday bash that will be the talk of the town. Yet this isn't about a birthday party, it is about connections.Lancasters children are all enmeshed in thier own lives and families. But it is the children who are closest to Lancaster's charecter. He tells them stories of Vikings and valhalla and the kids take not and remember. Lancaster expresses a final wish for what to do with his body after he dies. He doesn't tell his children, maybe sensing their opposition, so instead he tells the grandchildren - maybe not expecting them to do it but convey his wish to their parents.There is comedy, despair, anger and sadness throughout the film. It doesn't dwell on one particular emotional level, rather it touches them and moves on, as we all do in life. The conclusion is a remarkable combination of humor, suspense, sadness and togetherness. It is worth the whole movie to just watch the last fifteen minutes.I recommend this to anyone with families and to those who want to watch a well crafted film production. It is a keeper for any video library."

Ah, Burt!

Joseph L. Schofield | West Haven, CT United States | 01/16/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If the words elegant and eloquence strike a chord with you, then view this film for Burt Lancaster's fine and lasting gift of both. Watch the ending first as Burt richly, if too briefly, narrates a glorious ending to a less than glorious life - then rewind and watch the unwinding of a story that ended so touchingly - you will lose nothing of the story through that process. In this story that seems so much about family, there comes shining through the triumph of the solitary man - a man truly in the world but not of it. And in his grandchildren - not yet tainted and corrupted by convention - there is the hope that compromise and accomodation will be be held at bay for yet another hour. Did we ever tell Burt thank you? Tell him now."

Who Said Children Should Be Seen and Not Heard?

Joan M. Weigert | Manalapan, NJ | 07/16/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This warm and sentimental movie brings to the forefront of our thoughts that as adults we become so enmeshed in the engrossing and all consuming details of day to day life, that we sometimes cannot see what the imminent event about to occur right in front of us is. Burt Lancaster portrays a loving father and grandfather who has had time to reflect on his life, and as a result, has expressed to his grandchildren his admiration for the Viking tradition of saying goodbye to their loved one as they pass on to Valhalla. His grandchildren take the time to understand his respect for this rich tradition, while their parents are too busy planning a birthday for the patriach. McCauley Caulkin is wonderful as the youngest grandson. He has a special relationship with his grandfather that is telepathic at times. Watch this movie with your children, and let them know that the death of a loved one is a time of sadness, but it is also a time of great reflection."

NEVER ENOUGH SEA IN MY LIFE . . . will death bring comp

mcHaiku | Brown County INDIANA | 06/25/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Every so often I check what folks write about this movie and still cannot believe how few people have submitted reviews - - fourteen since 2002? It should be a top choice in several categories: *facing the end of life* - - *intergenerational relationships* - - *having one's dying wishes respected?*

*Rocket Gibraltar* is so special that people who believe in its message must become evangelistic in the best sense of that word - - *go forth* to their friends and neighbors, urging them to watch & discuss. Burt Lancaster is a marvel, portraying the grandfather facing death. He convinces his young grandkids (the youngest, Macaulay Culkin, gives a wonderfully dear performance) that they can help give him his dreamed-of "send-off" . . . His idealism (romanticism, if you like) would never receive the approval of his adult children who are at the beach for a family celebration of their dad's 77th birthday. Viewers don't have to agree with the father's desires, or his offsprings' reactions to learn a lot from this movie. The commotion of such gatherings is perfectly shown, and also the noisy busyness of their lives that overwhelms the loving but weary father.

Death is an appropriate time for sadness, but even more for thoughtful gratitude. Reviewer mcHAIKU gives all available stars to *Rocket Gibraltar* as a movie to re-visit regularly. On mchaiku's profile page there is a list naming a few other titles to watch on a regular basis; for example *BRAT FARRAR*(disgustingly NOT yet a dvd).



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