lovette-bennett Reviews

Invitation to a Gunfighter (1964)

Moody Western

[8/10 · 27 September 2006]

I loved Yul Brynner in this movie, and Janice Rule did a good job as the frustrated wife of the crippled, hard-drinking, ex-Civil War fighter. Yul Brynner is excellent as the brooding, cold, mercenary who has a job to do, but falls for the lady whose house he's decided to stay in while doing it. I was in my "Yul Brynner" phase when this one came out, and I can still see it over and over--much as I feel about The Magnificent Seven, the Return of the Seven, The Journey, or The King and I. I couldn't help but wonder if he actually played that harpsichord. He obviously couldn't sing, and only spoke the song while he played the tune on the lady's harpsichord.

Yul Brynner was a smoker, and the cigar is ever present. I met him in 1972 out in Malibu, and I asked him if he could quit smoking for his health's sake. He said, "Nope. Too hooked." He was, and sadly for his fans, it was his undoing. He signed a photo for me for my birthday that year, which I still cherish. The world lost a great actor when he passed. He was the best in a Western, wearing black and walking that walk...a man of few words.

El Cid (1961)

El Cid, Spanish Champion & Hero

[8/10 · 27 September 2006]

I saw this movie when I was only 17, and it was an inspiration to me. It made me love Spain, its people and its history, and learn Spanish. I wasn't so much into Charlton Heston as I was into any movies that had Yul Brynner in them, but I thought the portrayal of Don Rodrigo de Bevar was done well by Heston, and I adored Sophia Loren. The story of El Cid's battles against the scimitar-brandishing Moorish Lord, which for some reason I was under the impression Herbert Lom had played, was quite well done--but what did I know? I was only 17. What I also had no clue about was that within my own lifetime, my country, and indeed the world, would be fighting radical Islam which Spain had been conquered by and subjected to for 400 years! Who do you think "the black-turbaned Moorish" were? We need to revive that classic and watch it through 2006 eyes. There's a lesson in there. Who will be America's Cid?

I have not been able to find this movie on DVD, but will read other comments here and see if I can come up with a place to purchase a good one. It's a classic. The scenery is lovely (although it was probably filmed on backlots and in Italy!) the music is beautiful, costuming was very well done, and the movie was just enrapturing. My favorite line is still a battle cry today among the Spanish: "For God, for Country, and for the King!" Por Dios, por la patria, y el Rey!

Dracula (1979)

Yummy!

[8/10 · 26 September 2006]

Frank Langella's portrayal of Dracula was the absolute best I've seen, and I've probably seen them all (even the old classics). Those eyes! There's not a woman out there who wouldn't be mesmerized by those eyes. I don't know how he does that stare, but I'd have probably bared my neck, as well--out of the way, Lucy! I loved the mood of the movie, the superb cast, the photography, and the music, which was perfect for it. But Frank Langella's brooding performance was what made that movie. It will join the classics. Every time I see it, I still get goosebumps over that scene on the landing at Dracula's castle.

Since that particular movie, Langella has done many other things, some of which I've seen, and all have been good performances. But I liked Dracula best!