Search - THE HASTY HEART - Authentic Region 1 DVD Starring Ronald Reagan, Patricia Neal and Richard Todd on DVD

Heart-Rending Film

David Baldwin | Philadelphia,PA USA | 09/10/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Those who would dismiss Ronald Reagan's acting ability, whether for asthetic or politically partisan reasons, would be advised to check out "The Hasty Heart". Reagan is essentially the de-facto leader of a group of ailing G.I.s of differing nationalities sidelined in a British run hospital in Burma during the waning days of World War II. When the occasion called for it or the material warranted it Reagan rose to the challenge which is the case here. Essentially, though, this film is more of a vehicle for Richard Todd who plays a headstrong Scotsman who has days to live. Todd's character goes through the most changes in the film and he is superb. At first his charcter is disagreeable but through a believable transformation we grow to like him. Also good is Patricia Neal as a sympathetic Canadian nurse. The film is sentimental without being mawkish. It earns it's tears. "The Hasty Heart" is part of "The Ronald Reagan Signature Collection" and is not being sold separately. I can attest that this is a superlative collection but's it's a shame that Warner Brothers is not selling it apart from the set."

THE HASTY HEART

G. Duncan | Scotland | 12/17/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"BRILLIANT FILM ... RICHARD TODD FULLY DESERVED HIS AWARD NOMINATIONS AS THE DOUR SCOT WHO DOESN'T REALISE HE'S DYING, BUT HAS BEEN WON ROUND AND ACCEPTED FRIENDSHIP FROM A BUNCH OF FELLOW HOSPITAL PATIENTS, ONLY TO HATE THEM AND HIMSELF WHEN HE FINDS OUT THEY DID SO BECAUSE THEY KNEW HIS ILLNESS. THE WONDER OF IT ALL IS THAT IN THE END HE REALISES PEOPLE CAN GIVE FRIENDSHIP REGARDLESS OF HOW A PERSON IS TO THEM AND THE FILM ENDS ON A JOYOUS NOTE AS EVERYONE MOST OF ALL TODD ACCEPTS THE REALITY OF FATE, BUT DO SO IN HAPPINESS AND FRIENDSHIP."

"The Hasty Heart" is for Those Who Want to Know the Meaning

Robert D. Forst | Arlington, Texas | 05/24/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This film and its true star are all but forgotten today. Nominally, Ronald Reagan heads the cast but it is Richard Todd who steals the film. His performance is mesmerizing, a real tour de force. I first saw it in 1949 at the age of 13 and several more times over the 60 years since it appeared. Todd was nominated for an Academy Award in the best actor category but lost to Broderick Crawford who won for All the Kings Men.

The story concerns a Scot, wounded on the last day of WWII, who is going to die. He doesn't know his fate or that the commanding officer of the medical unit treating him has asked his ward mates to try to make his last days of life pleasant. This proves difficult since the Scot is very difficult to know or to like.

Their perseverence is rewarded by the dying man's response to their efforts. We are rewarded by the exquisite beauty of his comments upon the discovery of friends, affection, and love. When he learns of the commanding officer's request to his fellow patients he feels completely betrayed. The scenes following this moment are almost unbearable emotionally with Todd literally reducing even the strongest among us to quivering wrecks. Keeping the tissue handy is a must.

When I saw the film at 13 in 1949 the entire audience was in tears. I've never watched the film among friends - male and female - who didn't break down more than once. Is that an honest recommendation for seeing a film? I think it is - one's emotion is a reaffirmation of one's humanity and a longing to know and keep genuine love and concern among humankind.
"

Richard Todd -- a remarkable debut performance

M. Elizabeth Wilson | Atlanta | 12/10/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"OK, let's get Ronald Reagan out of the way. He did a good job in this (wish I could say the same about his presidency!). But this movie belongs to Richard Todd who died on Dec. 3 at the age of 90. I fell in love with him as a kid with his "Robin Hood" for Walt Disney. My favorite of his roles is probably "A Man Called Peter," but when I read his obituary, I realized I had not seen A HASTY HEART -- and it was moreo than worth every minute. Beautiful story, beautifully filmed, and a fine cast. He also, by the way, appeared in a very good British film noir called NEVER LET GO -- also worth seeing."