Melody

I am 32 years old now and have not had the opportunity to see this movie since I was 10 years old. Lucky for the few that have. If anyone knows where to find this movie for purchase, please let us know. My heart beats faster by knowing that there are other's out there that were touched and also felt the same warm feelings that these young actors were able to share on the screen. I will still consider this my favorite movie and I am just glad that after several movie searches, I was able to get more details...a 10 year old child's memory is not very good. May we all keep our sweet and tender melody of childhood! Danny

What can I say? I love this film! I saw it when I was 8 and living in Argentina. I was later disappointed to find that it was hard to find in the US, but thanks to the wonders of the Internet I was able to find it and own it and noticed it has quite a following. It may not be for everyone, especially if you like action packed, fast paced films.

However, if you like a simple love story, good 'Bee Gees' and 'Crosby, Stills & Nash and Young' music, and a happy feeling, watch this

Whenever I think about this movie, warm sensation of innocence and adolescent purity overwhelms me. I, like so many others, saw this movie when I was in my formative years (I was 13). What was remarkable was that I did not fully understand the dialogue in the movie since it was before I became conversant with English. Nonetheless, I do remember the music of BeeGees warmly decorating that feeling of love as it was felt for the first time in one's life. I remember the wonderful feeling of love, having absolutely no idea why it hurt and elated me to uncontrollable degree.

After the movie, I turned off the TV set and sat in the dark for a long time. Something must have happened inside me. I began seeing the world in a new light, as growing boys frequently would when they reach certain age. But for me, the transformation happened so suddenly and with such definitive starting point. To this day, I remember the night of the movie as the first day of my puberty.

I looked for another chance to revisit the night, but I couldn't find any copy for sale... (sigh~)

I loved the movie... I loved the way I was before innocence and longing spirit of a youth ebbed away. Seeing the movie again probably would not bring those back to me. But I sure want to try...

What to say about this gem that has not been said before?

That it was written by Alan Parker, before he was recognized as a world famous screenwriter/director? And that even then, it is a movie that has unjustly remained without being re-released.

No, that's just theory. It is the feelings evoked that matter.

I watched this movie once, as it played in an Argentinian TV channel at a time when there were only 4 TV channels. I probably watched it because of a recommendation from my father, who during my forming years, had gained my respect for introducing me to Spielberg in films such as Close Encounters and Raider of the Lost Ark. My guess is that I was probably about the same age of the main characters when I sat in front of the set.

I remember also the following day at school, as all the boys and girls that had watched it would whisper about it. Girls would probably whisper if it could happen to them, too... if those stupid boys would wise up one day. We boys... we were not willing to admit we had seen and liked a "love" story -- a chick film. As such, we had to make fun of it. But deep down, all of us could tell... we could tell when we looked at each others' eyes that we were lying. That this movie had told perhaps our own story of first love and touched us in a way perhaps no one else had before, in a way we would not forget, we could not forget.

I am 33 now, I grew to work in the TV and film industry both in Argentina and abroad and have watched literally thousands of films since. It is a testament to this film that after watching it only once, I not only remember the film fondly, but that some scenes are still etched in my mind: The Frere Jacques scene as the two main characters talk about how they feel.... a scene that has no dialog, and it is just played with music and visual narration. The farcical view on authority and that funny ending, which could be called a teenage The Graduate.

I have since been looking in vain for a copy of this movie or for the chance to watch it again and again and again.

--- Update: I found it. In Argentina, this movie is now finally being redistributed, by a small private company. Alas, albeit it is on DVD, the copy is not a very good one, with muted colors and a somewhat jittery transfer.

Somehow, I came across the comments below on this film by accident, and became anxious to see something that has so powerfully endeared itself to those who have seen it.

I finally caught it, and as others have commented, it is indeed sweet (I was going to say "and sentimental," but I think it's too natural and honest to be called that). The actors, both children and adults, are superb. Some of the adult actors might be familiar to fans of British films and TV. For example, Roy Kinnear, who plays Melody's dad, might be recognized from appearances in "Help," and briefly but memorably, in "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum." The kids are uniformly excellent. Mark Lester and Tracy Hyde give nice, natural and completely convincing performances, and Jack Wild exhibits the kind of charisma that helped make him a teenybopper idol way back when. I was glad to learn that he's still a working actor, and didn't crash and burn like so many who attained fame at such an early age, God bless him.

The conclusion of this film reminded me of the conclusion of a much more dark British film from 1968, namely "If..." An excellent film, but MUCH less benign that "Melody."

THE GOOD NEWS, for those who have expressed a strong desire to see this film again: There is a Hong Kong DVD of "Melody" which has been available from several foreign sellers on eBay recently. It has a beautiful video transfer (full frame, not letterboxed) with a sharp, clean image and good, well-balanced, stable color. It can be played in any region, and subtitles can be turned off for English-speaking viewers. Those who have seen the film before need no recommendation with regards to the film itself, but I'm very pleased to have the DVD.