vollenhoven

I found this DVD boxset by accident as I was looking into information concerning WOI which is in the Netherlands not that much of a big deal history wise as we were neutral (and were left to our selves by the Germans).

It does give some serious insight into the history of the first big War and does place it well into context, doesn't fall into the trap of focusing to much in one particular battle but tell enough, so that if the viewer is interested he/she can go and find out more themselves on the specifics.

The shocking bits are the actual images of real footage from that war, that make it so much more dark.

A very well balanced documentary on one of the largest wars of the last 100 years. Should be considered watching for all.

Simon Templar aka the Saint started his long and illustrious career in 1929 with the release of Meet the Tiger as written by the brilliant Leslie Charteris. By the time this movie came along The Saint was already a very popular book character. And while most people know of Roger Moore, Ian Ogylvie, Simon Dutton or George Sanders playing the Saint this first one is played by Louis Hayward (he played in the first movie and the last one of the b/w series) and he does it very well. This Saint is light years away from the later suave performance of Sanders or Moore. This is a straight "revenge" story in which the Saint takes care of the organized crime in New York, by means that are not available to the police. In the book he has stay clear of both parties but in the movie, a knee fall to morality of those days, he is more or less asked by the police. The Saint does so in a whirlwind 48 hours. The 60 odd minutes the movie lasts fly by and leaves you with the feeling to see more.

In a recent movie by Tarantino (Inglorious Basterds) he kinda gives a wink to the Saint by letting his heroine read a novel "Le Saint a New York", which proves that the Saint is still out there. With a new TV-pilot just behind the horizon.

Now if the powers that be only released a full DVD-boxset of all b/w Saintmovies I for one would be a very pleased person.

This review is based upon the Dutch official release in September 2007.

Having enjoyed the original movie long ago its sequel was a kick in the groin. Then came the series that took some time to establish itself but with six seasons of Duncan Macleod of the clan by the same name he had created a character that had surpassed the original Connor and shown an immortal that wanted to leave the game and was sorely tested by its bloodthirstiness. Highlander endgame was flawed because it was neither Duncan nor Connor.

Highlander 5 is the continuing story from season 6 where Duncan is no longer the bright hero but a man who carries guilt, loneliness and many questions around. he no longer seems to want to be part of the game of immortals. This happened after he married (Tekla Reuten) and she left him because she wanted the impossible, a baby. She seems to be followed around in some apacolypical surroundings always being followed she feels by Duncan. Due to some ancient legend other immortals are chasing a mystical source (of great power to the immortals) and Duncan gets pulled back into the life he left behind, Dawson of the Watchers & Methos. In the end this movie is less a quest for immortals but more about Duncan finding himself.

The baddie is a sheer invincible immortal who moves in a mind numbing speed, the world is seemingly crowded with cannibals that see other folks as a nice snack. Yes it is a dark tale that lacks the great fights that the series always gave us, but then again this movie was never about death and killing but about hope, love & life.

For folks expecting a Connor Highlander story, they are in for a bad surprise. These are the continuing adventures of Duncan the Highlander and his search for answers. He not unlike us flawed mortals seeks for the reason that made him immortal and what he lives for.

A very dark and enjoyable tale in which the Queen songs are re-interpreted by other bands who lack the greatness of Freddy Mercury but are good enough. The music itself is very well done.

great line by the baddie: There can be only one me.

I would look forward to the next installment of Duncans adventures but I fear that this movie is not the movie the fans wanted. It dared to enter a new course and direction away from the road already well traveled by the Highlander franchise. It just might be the one that does kill the franchise because the complaining fans never did give it a chance and actually just wanted more of the same. The Source is just not more of the same.

Adrian Paul did a great job and in the role of Miss Macleod Thekla Reuten is very impressive, she's quite believable the star of Duncans universe. The supporting cast from the series Dawson & Methos do what they aways were bound to do they give Duncan his mythical greatness.