They Might Be Giants | | Cast : | George C. Scott, Joanne Woodward | | Director : | Anthony Harvey (II) | | Studio : | Anchor Bay Entertainment | | Format : | Color, Widescreen | | Released Date : | January 01, 1971 | | DVD Released Date : | January 25, 2000 | | Language : | English (Dubbed), English (Original Language) | | Audience Rating : | G (General Audience) | | | BUY THIS DVD FROM AMAZON |
Customer Reviews
| Rating |  | | Date | June 01, 2005 | | Summary | Please re-release on DVD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! | Content
 | Please re-release this wonderful George C. Scott movie on DVD so that humble people such as myself can afford it.Thanks!!!!!! |
| Rating | | | Date | May 09, 2005 | | Summary | A film that ponders, "What is insanity?" | Content
| What does it mean to be insane in a world that doesn't make sense? Movies have revisited that question in a host of films over the years, from MR. DEEDS GOES TO TOWN to HARVEY to A THOUSAND CLOWNS to THE RULING CLASS to HAROLD AND MAUDE to CATCH-22 to OFFICE SPACE. THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS is one of the more compelling films in this genre. The film concerns the former Justice Playfair, who upon the death of his wife, loses his mind and believes that he is Sherlock Holmes. His brother becomes enmeshed in a blackmail scheme, and to gain control over his brother's estate to pay off the blackmailers, attempt to have him committed. To that end, he approaches the Strauss Clinic, whose head is anxious to commit because of the sizable amount of cash that Playfair's joining them will bring. But they need to have their resident psychologist, Dr. Mildred Watson, sign the commitment papers, and before she is willing to do this, she insists on interviewing Playfair. Our hero is resistant to her investigating him until it strikes him that she is truly Dr. Watson. Perhaps not the male he was anticipating, but a Dr. Watson nonetheless. So, the game is afoot, with the initially sceptical and resistant Watson following Playfair/Holmes in his investigation of a series of clues left by his great nemesis Moriarty. What makes it easy for her to believe in Holmes is the fact that he is such a remarkably compelling Holmes. His deductive powers are extraordinary, even Holmes-like. Like Holmes in the novels, he can look at a person an deduce an extraordinary number of details about them.
The title is taken from the greatest story of an insane individual in an insane world ever created, Cervantes's DON QUIXOTE. Holmes explains to Watson that Quixote took it too far: "He thought that every windmill was a giant. That's insane. But, thinking that they might be, well . . . " As he explains later, one thing that shows how extraordinary human beings are the enemies arrayed against them, which is what Moriarty comes to represent. Holmes comes to represent the quixotic aspects of human nature, which nutty everyday life violently opposes. The film's title, by the way, inspired the founders of the group They Might Be Giants.
This is one of George C. Scott's finest roles. He was such a powerful, unique actor, that it is natural to think that he had a greater career than he did in fact. The truth is that he made perhaps a half dozen truly great films, and many of those in supporting roles, such as ANATOMY OF A MURDER, THE HUSTLER, and DR. STRANGELOVE. It is bizarre, in looking at his career, to realize that he managed far fewer great roles than his talent should have merited. THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS came out a year after Scott's greatest screen role in PATTON. This role as Playfair/Holmes was perfectly suited to his talents, and in many ways parallels his performance in Patton. Both Patton and Holmes did not quite fit in the world in which they lived. Both were idealists. Both were in fundamental conflict with the society as a whole. Part of what makes THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS work is the passion with which Scott sells the central role. Joanne Woodward is marvelous as Dr. Watson. Like Scott, she is someone who has been underutilized in her career. Scott is a powerful presence, but Woodward manages not to be overwhelmed by his strong acting style. The rest of the cast is a good deal less talented than the two principals. You can, if you pay careful attention, recognize a very young F. Murray Abraham as the usher in the movie theater. And I'm not certain of her name, but I've always felt grateful to the character actress who delivers one of my all time favorite surreal movie lines. In their search for Moriarty, Holmes and Watson end up in the balcony of a theater, where a Western is showing. We are not really shown what is happening on the screen, but at one point the woman who is the object of my gratitude leans forward in her chair, and reacting to what she sees in the film, utters passionately, "God bless you, Barbara Stanwyck." |
| Rating | | | Date | January 06, 2005 | | Summary | As romantic as it gets with a wonderful cast | Content
| I saw this many years ago and have it on DVD.It is a wonderful,witty,romantic movie with George C. and Joanne and dear,sweet Jack Gilford giving lovely performances.There are scenes which are so gentle and tender,you will get a lump in your throat.If you are not a fan of whimsy,and not a fan of a terrific ensemble acting,then avoid this movie.However,if you love romance and kindness and acceptance,then this is the movie for you.(Actually..anything with Jack Gilford in it automatically ends up in my DVD collection.I loved him in everything he was in.)Give it a try.I think you will be delighted. |
| Rating | | | Date | December 25, 2004 | | Summary | A Gentle George + A peculiar commentary track | Content
| They don't make movies like this anymore.
In fact, judging by the treatment this movie got on release by Universal, they didn't make movies like this in the 70's.
For those that associate George C. Scott with a bombastic type (a la PATTON and DR. STRANGELOVE) this movie will come as a shock. Of course, if you know Scott's work in THE HUSTLER, you won't be surprised in the least.
Scott plays a Quixotic figure, a man who believes he is Sherlock Holmes. A psychiatrist played by Joanne Woodward and named - appropriately - Dr. Watson, is supposed to diagnose the man so he can be committed, but instead becomes enraptured with his good natured charm.
The problem that people have in coming to this film is that, because it is about a character that thinks he is Sherlock Holmes, they believe they are in for a mystery movie. In fact, this film is a romantic comedy, and when viewed in this light, the plot threads that don't tie up neatly make a lot more sense: they are there merely to serve the love story between Scott and Woodward. In fact, although the title THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS is stated in the movie as referring to the windmills that Don Quixote tilts at, it may also be referring to the two leading characters... and, in fact, all of us.
The print of the film is very good as can be seen by comparing the film to the featurette included on the disc. In addition, the film is a sort of "director's cut" as a scene deleted by the studio on initial release (in the grocery store) has been re-included.
The slapstick of the grocery store scene gives the movie a slightly dated feel. Scenes like this, where authority figures were ridiculed in such a farcical way were common in the 60s-70s (i.e. THE PARTY) but don't play as well today. Interestingly, the music under the scene was added by the studio (not the movie's creative team) and it only hurts the scene more. Another example of why the suits need to stick to their ledgers.
Nevertheless, this is a movie to be watched, both for it's thematic elements as well as the real chemistry between Scott and Woodward. The supporting performances (including many characters that became recognizable from TV land in the 70s) are excellent as well.
The commentary on the disc is, unfortunately, not that great. Harris' interview with director Tony Harvey seems to include nearly every film Harvey was involved in *except* THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS, and this is a fault of the interviewer who can't seem to stay on topic or ask follow up questions. One would like more insight into why Harvey was attracted to the script, for example, or what were the issues of turning the play into the movie. There are also large gaps in the commentary track, surprising since the movie is well under 2 hours. My advise is to listen to the commentary under the entire grocery store scene for some real insight, after that you aren't missing much.
After watching this film, you may want to go to have a look at other subtle George C. Scott performances, including another film he made around the same time, THE HOSPITAL (1971), as well as the overlooked performance in HARDCORE (1979), both available on DVD. |
| Rating | | | Date | July 02, 2004 | | Summary | He's not been properly introduced | Content
| I write lots of lists. Lists like, 100 Geatest Movies and 100 Greatest Westerns and so on and so on. This movie is near the very top of my 100 Greatest Sleepers(a very cherished list)and near the very top of my Movie Charm list. It is the top, though, of my Greatest Movie endings list, contrary to a lot of Amazon reviewers. That means I think it has a better ending than 2001 or Some Like It Hot or A Clockwork Orange or Ball of Fire or All Quiet on the Western Front or Blow-Up. It breaks up me every time.
It's one of the sweetest movies ever made and I'm going to purchase the DVD this weekend. I found it on VHS some time ago and was dismayed to find that it had the late night supermarket scene removed and I'm dying to have a copy with it restored. After many repeated viewings I went from finding the supermarket sequence, originally, a silly outta place slapstick moment to later it being an integral part of the resolution and essential to the impact of the ending.
I'm not the biggest fan of George C Scott. I often find he's chewing the scenery. Now that's not to say that I don't think he's a great actor and that I don't like many of his films. This is my favorite of his performances and I think the role is perfectly suited for his style. He also seems to be enjoying himself tremendously. He was so rarely given a chance to play lighter or comic roles. An unfortunate fact considering how well he did with this role and with General Buck in Dr Strangelove. Joanne Woodard is the perfect counterpoint and has all the needed skill to be able to play off such a powerhouse as Scott, keeping everything in balance. Both play their part with great vunerablity while hiding behind their facades. There some great acting here.
Add an seemingly endless ensemble supporting cast of great character actors like Jack Gilford, at his most charming, and Al Lewis and Oliver Clark and many others. Plus a teriffic script, full of wit and heart and room to let everybody to spread their wings and you have a most charming mostly undiscovered gem.
Mind you, this isn't for everyone. It has to be watched with a little sensitivity and patience and it's quirky to say the least. When they go to the phone company, well, there aren't too many scenes like that anywhere(Most directors are too afraid something like that just won't fly). Films of the late sixties and seventies were just a little more courageous and less worried with the bottom line. So, during that time we get some of our greatest flops and some of our sweetest sucesses. If you liked The Owl and the Pussycat or Little Fugitive or Little Murders or The Wrong Box you'll like this movie. A real little gem.
(I've said this is the top of my "Greatest Endings" list and it is but there's a Wes Craven movie that's not on the list because if you took all the great endings and put their impact together, it still wouldn't add up to the punch of this movie's ending. Can you guess which one?) |
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