The Comedians (1967)
I’ve recently realized I owe Peter Ustinov an apology, so here it is: Mr. Ustinov, I humbly apologize. I don’t know what movie I watched that made me dismiss you, but I’ve since come to realize you’re a very fine actor. In The Comedians, Ustinov has neither a large role nor one important to the plot, but he gives the best performance out of anyone in the cast. Every time he looks at his wife, it’s with such a combination of tenderness and hurt, it steals the attention away from everyone else in the scene – even though he’s merely in the background while the others are talking and advancing the plot.
Elizabeth Taylor’s accent was so muddled, even after it was revealed she was attempting German, I still couldn’t believe it. Richard Burton wasn’t given anything to do, with the exception of one line that showed his hurt with Liz. This was one of those movies that made me ask, “Why wasn’t this David Niven?” Alec Guinness’s character over-boasted his war career and put on a jolly front in dire circumstances, much like Major Pollock in Separate Tables. Later in the film, he has a dalliance with Elizabeth Taylor. Can you imagine Alec smiling through his praise of Liz’s “remarkable lay”? Well, you can see it in this movie, but it’s not very believable that Richard Burton would get jealous. When you watch this movie, it’s clear from start to finish, it was intended for the actor who played Major Pollock.
All in all, this movie was not my cup of tea. It was far too grizzly and violent for my liking, and I actually fast-forwarded a few scenes that were too bloody. Set in Haiti, the plot features captures and escapes (which Alec funnily enough compares to Laurence of Arabia, in which he acted five years earlier), corruption and rebellion, and an extramarital affair that has nothing to do with anything – except that everyone wanted to see Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor make out at every opportunity. Yes, they both look gorgeous in this movie, but is that really reason enough to sit through two and a half hours?
Elizabeth Taylor’s accent was so muddled, even after it was revealed she was attempting German, I still couldn’t believe it. Richard Burton wasn’t given anything to do, with the exception of one line that showed his hurt with Liz. This was one of those movies that made me ask, “Why wasn’t this David Niven?” Alec Guinness’s character over-boasted his war career and put on a jolly front in dire circumstances, much like Major Pollock in Separate Tables. Later in the film, he has a dalliance with Elizabeth Taylor. Can you imagine Alec smiling through his praise of Liz’s “remarkable lay”? Well, you can see it in this movie, but it’s not very believable that Richard Burton would get jealous. When you watch this movie, it’s clear from start to finish, it was intended for the actor who played Major Pollock.
All in all, this movie was not my cup of tea. It was far too grizzly and violent for my liking, and I actually fast-forwarded a few scenes that were too bloody. Set in Haiti, the plot features captures and escapes (which Alec funnily enough compares to Laurence of Arabia, in which he acted five years earlier), corruption and rebellion, and an extramarital affair that has nothing to do with anything – except that everyone wanted to see Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor make out at every opportunity. Yes, they both look gorgeous in this movie, but is that really reason enough to sit through two and a half hours?
I suppose it’s supposed to be ironic that the title is The Comedians, but don’t make the mistake of thinking there will be any humor in the movie. In a way, I wish I’d turned it off after Richard Burton’s delectable nibbling in the backseat of the car; the rest of the movie went downhill. If you want to watch a movie about the corrupt Haiti government, be my guest. Just don’t invite me to movie night.
Kiddy Warning: Obviously, you have control over your own children. However, due to violence, I wouldn't let my kids see it.
Want to watch it? Click here to watch it on ok.ru. And thanks "Juhi Thaker" for posting!
More Richard Burton movies here!
More Alec Guinness movies here!
More Elizabeth Taylor movies here!
Kiddy Warning: Obviously, you have control over your own children. However, due to violence, I wouldn't let my kids see it.
Want to watch it? Click here to watch it on ok.ru. And thanks "Juhi Thaker" for posting!
More Richard Burton movies here!
More Alec Guinness movies here!
More Elizabeth Taylor movies here!