The Magnificent Ambersons 01

[macemcguire]

This is one of those movies like Bringing Up Baby & It's A Wonderful Life that was not well received when first released but which has since come to be seen as a great movie. The cast is perfect & though not on screen Welles beautiful speaking voice is heard as the narrator.

[predlycon]

@macemcguire you do realize that the two you mentioned (as well as the magnificent ambersons) are RKO films. what a coincidence.

[macemcguire]

@predlycon The funny thing is I just brought those two up as examples not evn thinking of the RKO connection. Thanks for reminding me

[bobszvetics1]

@macemcguire what a asshole

[macemcguire]

@bobszvetics1 Now Snookie Ookie, what did I tell you about using that kind of langauge.

[bobszvetics1]

@macemcguire i mean fagot asshole

[keatonhj]

This is such bad acting, it's annoying me, i can't watch it. In the hair salon she didn't even say thankyou for the tea. Everyone takes their turn talking as if it's their part etc and they take turns. Why was this held in such high accolades?

[packjim56]

@keatonhj, you're one tough audience. You must be real fun to go the movies with. Try not to be so analytical. You might actually enjoy life. There is something called suspending one's disbelief. These actors were trained at a time before the Actors Studio stomped over anything that wasn't considered The Method. You know, I studied at the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute, but I can't remember one dog gone thing I ever learned there. But Linda Hamilton sure was cute. She was in my class.

[skylur44]

@keatonhj It isn't "held in such high accolades" it is held in high esteem and received many accolades. It is done in a certain style, one which you cannot appreciate. More like a play.

[imperialsteroid]

thank you for posting this. you are amazing :D

[musiconlyplease98]

I remember seeing this movie ..20 years ago, and thinking this a real classic

[mpjrdldn]

Welles LOVED this era. How picturesque one would really find it would depend on who you are; a "girl" or a woman wearing "silk or velvet". Love: "The faster we're carried, the less time we have to spare."

[mpjrdldn]

Welles LOVED this era. How picturesque one would really find it would depend on who you are; a "girl" or a woman wearing "silk or velvet". The faster we're carried, the less time we have to spare.

[mtxfan]

they need to seriously release this on DVD are you listening criterion?

[cupodecaf]

@mtxfan : Are you kidding -- just check Amazon. I'm going to buy a copy this week-end!

[lunarleeisfree]

And as great as the opening narration is, Orson's closing spoken credits are a wonder to behold.

[lunarleeisfree]

I need to find my old VHS copy. Even for being hacked to bits, chilling, beautiful, sad story of financial and spiritual decline in the wake of the industrial revolution. As prescient today as it was then.

[originaltbyrd]

have they finally released this on dvd?

[dicksmehlik]

The best opening narration of any movie ever IMO. Joseph Cotten is one of the most underrated actors ever.

[cupodecaf]

@dicksmehlik : Orson Welles, underrated? I used to think he was overrated until I saw this film! Absolutely genius. Every moment of "Ambersons" is like a magnificent discovery. I was literally gasping at every frame, at the camera angles, the lighting innovations, the acting, the crush of the tragic narrative... Welles did not just make a movie, he created a cinematic event!

[skylur44]

@cupodecaf Make sure to see Citizen Kane and The Third Man, brilliant.

[cupodecaf]

@skylur44 Done, and done. 'Equally captivating, alluring, and unique visual reflections on a narrative... I cannot think of a contemporary director with a similar gift...

[skylur44]

@cupodecaf Neither can I, and when yout hink of how young he was, for this and Citizen Kane, makes it that much more amazing.

[cupodecaf]

@dicksmehlik Oops! Sorry. I had Orson Welles on the brain in my previous reply to you! I actually agree with you about Joseph Cotten. He always gives sensitive, but powerful performances. How utterly, subtly magnificent he was in this film...

[LadySierraSays]

I absolutly adore that look & out fit that boy george has on , like a little lord Fontleroy ? or something ? very 18th century looking anyway , I must wear that look again at his outfit at 7:40 marker video.. Thats soo me , LOL !!!!

[ftazevedo]

The 2002 version is very better. So pity we don't find so many informations about this on web as many as the old one.

[weikko79]

I agree, it's very very better :D

[Pabbles123]

Dank dank dank dank

[thejobloshow]

This opening is a tribute to the stagey one shot style of silent film. Ballsy film.

[guywiththerockfistup]

before I watch it, which verson of the film is this?

[predlycon]

the 1942 adaptation. the classic.

[skylur44]

The best one.

[bandibreath]

@skylur44 I agree the best one. A romantic homage to the Victorian Age, or at least the last half of it.

[SteveDurnin]

Agreed. The first 10 or 15 minutes are incredibly cinematic.

[weikko79]

Best. Opening. Ever.

[skylur44]

I agree, but 2 others come close; The Letter (Bette Davis) and Rebecca (Joan Fontaine)