will_varner

I not only loved this movie, I have to watch it at least quarterly. Others have commented about the great lines (my personal favorite: "Johnny Ringo, I'll be your huckleberry"), Val's performance which is equal in artistic value with George's direction, etc.

If you like this, then pick up a few classics from the time when the talent had to act because there were no special effects to speak of, and the writing was sure to give you a good time: The Magnificent Seven, The Good, The Bad and The Ugly, High Plains Drifter, Outlaw Josey Wales, Once Upon a Time in the West and the newest one of this lot, Silverado.

While I haven't yet sprung for the DVD, the Director's Cut laserdisc includes George's comments on this film as well as a handful of scenes that were left on the cutting room floor.

Great film making!

While I realize that others have dis'd this movie, I found it entertaining enough to get the DVD. Géraldine Danon is certainly quite attractive and I appreciated the location work v. some bogus set. If you are looking for Oscar material you will need to pass on this one. On the other hand, if you like the talent (Hackman, et al) then you will probably find it worth your time to enjoy this. I can promise you there has been a great deal worse than this made by many times over.

From the first bit of footage you will know you are settling in to see a winner. Pierre Barouh's title song is enchanting and beguiling and the singer's voice sounds like an angel. George's acting in HOC rivals his performance in Breakfast at Tiffany's and The Blue Max. It's hard to believe his agent steered him to The A Team when he had proven he had real talent. Inger Stevens, who looks as fetching as you'll ever see her, was also at the top of her game in this movie.

The direction felt like Hitch was behind the camera, it's that good. One of my very favorite actors, Orson Welles, also works his magic. If you like Orson, you will certainly enjoy another of his potentially lesser know performances in Long Hot Summer.

What I will never understand is the production company, Universal Pictures, never released this on tape, laserdisc or DVD (if you have some influence with Universal, call in a favor to fix this). Talk about your missed opportunities! A loss for movie lovers the world over. Your only chance to see this is to obtain the CD-V version.