Forever Amber

Great! Will buy again soon. AAAA+++++

Otto Preminger has done it again. He directed the film version of the best-selling, scandalous novel by Kathleen Windsor which many thought could not be done in 1947, but learned further with the sumptuous 20th Century-Fox technicolor film, and would become a master showman that used controversy to become one of filmdom's great humanists, despite rumors to the contrary. Linda Darnell they claim did not get along with Preminger, but he cast her numerous times like other actors who later became his customary "whipping post" on each subsequent film that allowed themselves to later join the cast of another Preminger film (notably Tom Tryon who was "destroyed" during the making of "The Cardinal" but appeared several years later in "In Harm's Way.") Faye Dunaway paid to get out of her contract with Preminger to not allow her "misuse" in "Hurry Sundown" to happen again. Perhaps Darnell, the representative of some of Otto's early career did not experience the same vituperate later behaviors. Otto's movie of "Forever Amber" should be seen. They say the movie suffered in the translation to film by what could not be depicted at the time. What is on screen is beautiful. The USA/Region 1 has apparently gone out of print and there are reviewers who claim the transfer from VHS is "murky" and problematic. The Region 2 available from Spain is a beautiful print that is presented without sacrifice for those in America who were fortunate to own a multi-region player and could take advantage being rewarded with this bonus. If your fortune falls this way, go ahead and reward yourself with movie-making of worth.

I had to ignore a common view that the Forever Amber story or Amber herself are trashy in order to arrive at the conclusion that I loved the movie and should give it five stars. My wife watched it and hated it. After she explained why, it was easy to understand both points of view. Amber used her stunning good looks to manipulate wealthy men into taking her on as a mistress or wife. If she was attached to man A and a wealthier or more powerful man B came along, she would use her charms to become attached to man B. She did this almost automatically and without remorse. Women like my wife who cannot stand to watch other women shown in that light will probably hate the movie. I saw it as illustrating why I did not remain interested in women I dated who resembled Amber on a more amateur stage. I failed to see it as an example for young women to follow by copying Amber. Toward the movie's end, the extent to which Amber was punished for her ways should suggest to young women how to avoid becoming a super loser in life. I got many chuckles during the movie by observing how the actor playing Amber was chosen to be small and the actors playing men were often chosen to be large and padded up to have immense, square shoulders.

The movie is very true to the book which has become one of my most favorite. The book is way out of print, but very worth the effort to purchase. Be forewarned, it is quite a tome. But I love long book.The movie would have been absolutely stunning if most of the background wasn't dull and gray.Linda Darnell is excellent, but I wasn't too keen on the actor they chose for her main lover.This was quite risque' when the book was written in the early 1940's.I tried to read her other book, "Star Money" but couldn't get interested in it because I didn't like the character.The art of this book and movie is like Gone With the Wind. The main character does all kinds of either immoral or unethical things, but you still route for them.I also didn't get how her hair was different shades of red all the way through the movie.I sure wish they would re-publish the book and re-make the movie.It had to take a very long time to write this book, and it makes me wonder if she wrote this before or after she read Gone With the Wind. It was like GWTW in London's high society with Charles II many centuries ago.The book is as good as GWTW, not the movie.

Excellent movie, would recommend it for classic movie buffs.

I saw this movie when I was 19 at home sick flicking channels till I got sucked in and couldn't stop watching. . 27 years later the memory of this film stayed wirh me and I was finally able to get a copy. I still loved it and so did my daughters. Often compared as a Gone with the Wind knock off, I like it much better than that hit that bores me. I actually saw someone post that Linda Darnell wasn't as beautiful as Scarlett, are you kidding me! She is incredible. I am amazed how this is still a hard to find little gem of a film. What once was considered a knock off of GWTW in the 1940s is now a fresh film without all the overused cliches of that film.

It is a classic movie if you are "in" to that sort of thing. I love it and have looked for it for it years. Beautiful costumes, hair styles and great acting by Linda Darnell and Cornell Wilde. If you like the classics this is a good one.

Great movie and Linda Darnell was absolutely gorgeous in it. Of course, being a musician, I loved the music of the movie. What a beautiful score. When I saw the movie in my youth, I didn't notice it. Hearing it again in my old age, I realized just how good it was. David Rakson who wrote the background music for Laura shows how versatile he really was with this movie with its English, folk-songy bent. I was so fascinated that I went on-line and for $4.50 got a copy of the main theme. I now have an arrangement of which I can analyze and further appreciate. David, wherever you are, you are one great composer! I am sure you knew this!

Un de mes films préférés des années 40.

This is the classic story of Amber the country girl who falls in love with Bruce Carlton, a handsome cavalier of King charles, and her ruthless climb to Duchess status in order to secure his love and eluding marraige to her. A gripping historical romance that takes us through the colourful London life of the Royal court as well as the Great Plague and Fire of London. I felt that I had to watch this video after reading the 2 volume book to satisfy my curiosity of the beautiful Amber and handsome Bruce and their exiting story. I was not disappointed. With or without the books this is one for the true historical romantics.

But a bit overlong. Considering the money spent, 20th Century Fox should have opted for male stars bigger than Cornel Wilde and Richard Greene. Linda Darnell was about the queen of the lot there, and Tyrone Power was the king, not a great actor, but with magnetism that Wilde lacked. Wilde was a better real life swordsman, but Power better known as a 'buckler of swash', and with him Greene would have done better, IMO. If not Power, then get Flynn, or apparently they considered Stewart Granger. Otherwise, good supporting cast, George Sanders and Richard Haydn, as usual, are enjoyable.

We needed this movie in our collection, for it is a classic example of how to make a good movie that lasts and lasts.

Had a quick run through to make sure it was Ok and loved it, watching it again with our DVD club and all members are excited to see it as it brings back a lot memories from our teenage years, i still have original book that belonged to my mother (which I used to take a sneak read of as it was deemed a bit racy at the time) basically a wonderful love story.