Author Archives: chipkaufmann

I must confess that even though I am a silent film enthusiast with quite a collection of silent films on DVD/Blu-ray (and a number of reviews of them on Amazon), I had never heard of THE WINNING OF BARBARA WORTH. Now that I have seen it the surprise is even greater. Made by Samuel GoldwynContinue reading “THE WINNING OF BARBARA WORTH (1926) Is Worth It For Ronald Colman As Well As Gary Cooper”

THE ATOMIC SUBMARINE was one of those low budget sci-fi films that dominated pre-cable TV back in the 1960s and 70s. As a kid at that time you either didn’t notice the budgetary limitations (stock footage, obvious models) or you didn’t care and that’s because SUBMARINE told a good story in cinematic terms. It hasContinue reading “THE ATOMIC SUBMARINE (1959): A Blast From The Past That Still Entertains Despite Budget Limitations”

British espionage movies generally fall into two categories. Those that are inspired by Ian Fleming and those inspired by John Le Carre’. If you are looking for daring escapes, beautiful girls, gadgets and gizmos plus lots of pyrotechnics then don’t bother with THE INTERNECINE PROJECT. On the other hand if the concept of an ingeniousContinue reading “THE INTERNECINE PROJECT Is A Superior Espionage Yarn That Is More Cerebral Than Action Packed”

There have been 4 major film adaptations of GATSBY to date. The 1926 silent version made right after the novel was published is currently a lost film. Too bad as, if nothing else, it would have been authentic. That was also the case with this one until a clean print was discovered in 2012. TheContinue reading “THE GREAT GATSBY (1949): The One I Prefer”

It is interesting to note that with all the attention paid to Mel Gibson’s PASSION OF THE CHRIST a few years back, this film version was made over 100 years ago (started in 1902 and finished in 1905). THE LIFE AND PASSION OF JESUS CHRIST was produced in France as a series of 31 tableauxContinue reading “FROM THE MANGER TO THE CROSS / LIFE & PASSION OF JESUS CHRIST: 2 Silent Versions Of The Oft Told Story”

There is a growing and welcome trend among DVD releases of classic films. If the title is a remake of a silent film version then the original is now being included along with the remake. Of course it’s the remake that gets all the headlines but that is as it should be since most peopleContinue reading “BEN-HUR: 1925 Original On DVD At Last”

THE KING OF KINGS is a remarkable film. I don’t think that I ‘ve ever seen a more reverent version (sound or silent) of the life of Jesus. It stands out among other biblical epics in that it strives not just for a retelling of events but for a recasting of them into myth. DeMilleContinue reading “THE KING OF KINGS (1927) Was Cecil B. DeMille’s Favorite OF His Films”

This 1950 film was considered quite scandalous in its day especially in America. The essential premise of characters having sex without marriage shocked conservative moviegoers even though it was done with wit and style and doesn’t show you anything improper. It was based on an 1897 play by Viennese doctor turned playwright Arthur Schnitzler calledContinue reading “LA RONDE: An All Time Favorite On DVD At Last”

As a member of a couple of film societies I’m often asked “What is your favorite film?”. To which I usually respond that I like many different films each having its own merits and I can’t really choose just one. Yet if I had to, it would probably be Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger’s 1951Continue reading “THE TALES OF HOFFMANN (1951): Nothing Like It Before Or Since”

I have had this performance of Antonio Vivaldi’s most popular work since the mid-1980s when it first appeared on VHS. I have always enjoyed it and have waited a long time to get it on DVD. This DVD release is dated 2000 but I have only just recently come across it, Now I can retireContinue reading “THE FOUR SEASONS As It Would Have Been Done In Vivaldi’s Time”