DaveR-8

While there is no doubt that this movie provides a shockingly real view of the way invested money is probably handled and the motivations of many brokers, it is weakened by the excessive use of bad language that adds little to the story line and tends to become an irritant. Certainly a caution to would be investors when choosing their advisers and brokers and given the financial worlds reputation over the past few years it is an eye opener for those who have not done their homework before investing. The "f" word is now a routine adjective I have no problem with but it is used so frequently that by half way through the movie it becomes an irritating and possibly unnecessary distraction.

This was the first movie I ever went to, at age 9, at the Odeon Cinema in Cheltenham England.I liked it then and like it even more now. The tension in the theatre as the breathing bag starts to collapse during the reconstruction of the crime was palpable as was the relief when the incorrect gas is cut off. In post war England,where a visit to the "flicks" was special entertainment, the distraction from the realities of the time and Alistair Sims' humour were much needed and it is without question one of his best performances.It is interesting to see that there was more attention paid to "method acting" than in many movies made during the same time frame. It is a movie that deserved the recent re-release on DVD.

A wonderful example of Russian Ballet. The film is a little dark and the technology of the time does not treat the solid red costume well. It does however leave the viewer with a feeling that they attended the performance at it's home theater. Even the Russian applause that to some western ears sounds a little like the "slow hand clap" just adds to the sense of being in Tchaikovsky's home land.

It is interesting to see that the curtains show the now defunct CCCP and hammer and sickle motif woven into the fabric.

The data base shows Yelena Macheret as the director but maybe it is more important to note that it was Yuri Grigorovich who was the Director and Choreographer.