Before Winter Comes (1968)
While most people aren’t aware that Topol made movies before Fiddler on the Roof, you can catch him in the serious Cast a Giant Shadow, the ridiculous A Talent for Loving, and the dark war movie with a touch of charming humor, Before Winter Comes. I initially watched it to see David Niven looking handsome in a uniform, but unfortunately, I had to admit he looked very tired and sad. Topol stole the show.
The premise was extremely interesting, and one I haven’t seen repeated in all the dozens and dozens of war movies I’ve seen: After WWII, a British commander of a refugee camp relies on one of men to interpret the seventeen different languages of the other residents. Topol is the interpreter, and in fact if it weren’t for The Niv insisting on a title change (because he wouldn’t have been the title character) the film would have been called The Interpreter. From communication to foraging goods, arranging bargains so all parties think they’re coming out on top, and sneakily making conditions better for those interned, Topol gives a great first impression to anyone seeing him in a movie for the first time. He’s full of confidence and manages to keep a lighthearted charm about him despite his upsetting surroundings. You can tell he’s seen terrible things (and probably done some, too), but he’s savvy enough to know hiding his past will better serve his present.
John Hurt, in his debut role, plays David Niven’s assistant. He’s very naïve and optimistic, and the more he gets exposed to The Niv’s jaded attitude, the more disgusted he feels. It was an extremely lucky break to play opposite an Oscar winner in his first movie and to be given such a meaty role. Of the three leads, I must admit my Niv fades into the background the most. Despite looking like he doesn’t feel very well, his character has the most repressed emotions. If you’re looking for it, you can tell his subtle expressions of defeat, regret, and frustration, especially in his scenes with Anthony Quayle. Quayle blames him for a large military failure and takes every opportunity to rub it in.
Though well acted, well directed, and very well written, it’ll be a long time before I rent this movie again. It’s also very dramatic, despite the humorous tone of some scenes. Not everyone gets a happy ending even though the war is over. But if you’re prepared for it, go ahead and watch it. It wasn’t what I was expecting, but it was very good.
Want to watch it? Click here to see it on ok.ru and thanks "john S" for posting!
More David Niven movies here!
The premise was extremely interesting, and one I haven’t seen repeated in all the dozens and dozens of war movies I’ve seen: After WWII, a British commander of a refugee camp relies on one of men to interpret the seventeen different languages of the other residents. Topol is the interpreter, and in fact if it weren’t for The Niv insisting on a title change (because he wouldn’t have been the title character) the film would have been called The Interpreter. From communication to foraging goods, arranging bargains so all parties think they’re coming out on top, and sneakily making conditions better for those interned, Topol gives a great first impression to anyone seeing him in a movie for the first time. He’s full of confidence and manages to keep a lighthearted charm about him despite his upsetting surroundings. You can tell he’s seen terrible things (and probably done some, too), but he’s savvy enough to know hiding his past will better serve his present.
John Hurt, in his debut role, plays David Niven’s assistant. He’s very naïve and optimistic, and the more he gets exposed to The Niv’s jaded attitude, the more disgusted he feels. It was an extremely lucky break to play opposite an Oscar winner in his first movie and to be given such a meaty role. Of the three leads, I must admit my Niv fades into the background the most. Despite looking like he doesn’t feel very well, his character has the most repressed emotions. If you’re looking for it, you can tell his subtle expressions of defeat, regret, and frustration, especially in his scenes with Anthony Quayle. Quayle blames him for a large military failure and takes every opportunity to rub it in.
Though well acted, well directed, and very well written, it’ll be a long time before I rent this movie again. It’s also very dramatic, despite the humorous tone of some scenes. Not everyone gets a happy ending even though the war is over. But if you’re prepared for it, go ahead and watch it. It wasn’t what I was expecting, but it was very good.
Want to watch it? Click here to see it on ok.ru and thanks "john S" for posting!
More David Niven movies here!