Reviews

Our family have loved this film for years. (see my comments posted in December 2003) But our recorded VHS version had deteriorated so much that it was no longer enjoyable to watch. I tried the "normal" means to searched for a DVD version but without success. I could only find VHS "collectable" copies at ludicrous prices (£40 to £50 plus postage, etc.) . Then I found someone in Holland offering a version on Ebay and thus discovered accident that a DVD version had been produced in Italy! - in English AND Italian. A quick web search enabled me to order from an Italian book & media Internet seller and I got an excellent copy in proper box within 3 days for a total price including delivery of under £20 ($35). Worth every penny even though it had only mono sound and presumably must have been a copy from a film distributor's version !

Not only an excellent leading cast, Alec Guinness superb as the curmudgeony earl and Ricky Schroeder believably charming as the American boy thrust into the world of the English nobility, the minor characters are also exceptional: Eric Porter as the earl's steward and Patrick Stewart as the head coachman both particularly memorable. The pace of the film is also excellent, events happen and characters develop with interesting detail but without over emphasis or very drawn out scenes. Overall, in our family's top 20 or even top 10 fims. So, why on earth can't the studio issue this film on VHS or DVD! Considering the absolute rubbish that is now available even on DVD there must surely be a market for an excellent seasonal "family" film like this. We made a recording when this film was shown on TV sometime in the early 80s, since when it has been played at least twice a year for the last 20 years and both sound and vision have now deteriorated to a point where it is almost unwatchable. PLEASE! someone, pass this request on to the studio and get it issued on DVD. We know there are many families like us who would be happy to pay £15 or so for a new version to play for the next 20 years.