Films/DVD Asylum

Posted by Victor Khomenko (M) on December 20, 2003 at 07:41:36

The quality of the tape was simply awful, with even the actor's faces affected, and as far as the subtitles - they were completely invisible in many parts. For a film made in 1953 the quality was out of ordinary bad.

But even with this problem this is one enjoyable film. The acting is first class, and the overall presentation stylish and in great taste. The appearance of Vittorio De Sica was a welcome addition - and he played with flare too.

It is obvious a woman wrote the novel, and it is clear she lost her course towards the end, reaching for a copout - a rather unfortunate resolution, as about 90% through the film it managed to reach a substantial level of interest. It started as an elegant but silly vaudeville, but after first 45 minutes it gained the strength.

Directing is good all along, and if one is willing to overlook the plot weakness it makes a superbly enjoyable vewing, as the acting is mostly wonderful.