Rating: 
Summary: "He even took the gramophone on safari..."
Review: And so begins the story of Karen Blixen. From the very beginning, Sydney Pollacks visually breathtaking and emotionally tender portrait of Africa is a sumptuous feast for the senses. The opening shot itself is a luminous African sunset, red and orange on the horizon. The film, if not for these three things, would have been a terrible cinematic mistake: cinematography, musical score, and Meryl Streep. The cinematograpgy is absolutely exquisite and during one of the films most wrenching scenes, makes one want to shed a tear for the dissapearing beauty of the dark continent. A plane soars over the land of Africa, forests and rivers, when all of a sudden, the smooth praries give way to a valley with a lake below, and a waterfall shimmering in the sun, it's mist rising to the sky. During this scene too, the score by John Barry rises and enhances the visuals to and emotional climax with the cresendo of the strings. This scene is by far the most wonderful of the film and when I first viewed it, I didn't want it to end. The openeing of the film is also enhanced with the magnificent score, forming a memorable theme that, when heard again, makes you think: "That is sooooo 'Out of Africa!'" And finally, we have Meryl Streep. What can I say about her. In 1978, she co-starred with Robert DeNiro in the epic war film, "The Deer Hunter". The next year, she starred opposite Dustin Hoffman in "Kramer vs. Kramer" and eventually went on to win the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her role. A curious thought is that, both of these films won Best Picture, in two consecutive years. She won Best Actress for her powerful role in "Sophie's Choice" in 1982, and was nominate three years later for this film, which also won the Best Picture Oscar. Three films that have won the coveted prize star her, coincidence? I think not. I really have not met anyone who dislikes her. She is wonderful, especially here where she displays a flawless Danish accent. She is quietly strong willed, and secure as to what her plans are and intentions. Combined with Pollack's direction, "Out Of Africa" is a marvelous film full of heart, sentiment, and Robert Redford...
Rating: 
Summary: Haunting, romantic, yet somehow unfinished
Review: Isak Diensen's life story became the source of her two well-known memoirs of her years in Africa: "Out of Africa," and "Shadows on the Grass." This movie is (obviously) based on the former. The setting is primarily in Kenya, where the Danish Baroness (by marriage) Blixen moves with her friend-turned-husband, the Swede Bror Blixen. He is tempermentally unsuited to the life of a gentleman farmer, and ceases to be husband, in all but name, while remaining a friend. The story focuses on the growing love of the Baroness Karen Blixen for a free spirited Englishman, Denys Finch-Hutton, a hunter and backwoodsman. The epic sweep of the movie carries them through the war years, and into a society that dosen't quite return to normalcy afterward. Years after their initial, rather tense meeting, they become lovers. The movie is brilliantly filmed, lucious in its' depiction of the wild places of Africa. The score is haunting and melodic. Meryl Streep, as Baroness Blixen, is magnificant. Robert Redford, as Finch-Hutton, is very good, but clearly himself - not so much an English adventurer as Robert as he would have been, had he lived then. still, that's no knock on a good performance. The supporting cast do very well, with some flavor for backwater colonial nobility and native Kukuyu simplicity and dignity showing through. The movie, one I've watched a number of times, does not satisfy, in one regard: There are several olaces where you are led along, expecting something climatcic or memorable to happen, without it occuring. There are also lines spoken by characters that you know are meant to be profound, but somehow they just don't come off. Nonetheless, one of the better movies you'll ever see. -Lloyd A. Conway
Rating:
Summary: Good
Review: This is a long, slow-paced movie, that if you're in the mood for, is quite worth watching. It's beautifully shot, and the acting (especially by the Africans, many of whom never acted before!) is quite good (except for Redford! I'm a Redford fan, but his acting in this movie is very awkward. He's always twitching his elbows, and awkwardly deliverying his lines. He originally had a British accent down, to play Dennis as the Brit he was. But at the last minute the director told Redford to speak American, for the American audience. Maybe that's why his acting is so flacid in this movie, because he had to shift gears just before the actually shooting. Okay, I know some people who worked on the movie, that's how I know this.) But overall, this is rich, and moving, but the book is better.
Rating:
Summary: One of the Greatest Movies Ever Made!
Review: Sydney Pollack's Out of Africa, in my opinion, is probably one of the greatest love stories of all time. The cinimatography is absolutely breath-taking. The first time I viewed this movie I was dead set on moving to Africa. John Barry's soundtrack score is the most poignant and bittersweet music ever. Meryl Streep's performance is one of the finest I have seen yet, second only to her portrayal of Sophie in Sophie's Choice. If you have not had the privilege of viewing this masterpiece of filmmaking, you have wronged yourself. I cannot see this movie enough. Every time it comes on the television I stop everything and watch it, even though I already own it. This is a story of Isaak Dinesen, a woman who found herself in Africa. I give this movie four thumbs up, ten stars, and it is worth all seven of the academy awards it received. Have a most wonderful viewing!
Rating:
Summary: must see
Review: One of the classics of the cinema. Redford is an English adventure who fall in love a with Streep and show a different Africa. A movie for people who like movies.
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Summary: Africa DVD is Gorgeous
Review: The transfer of OUT OF AFRICA is gorgeous on this newly released DVD. The African sun is bright and the detail is crisp -- very important since the scenery is practically a third character in this Oscar-winning "Best Picture" from 1985. I really enjoyed "Song of Africa", the documentary created for this DVD release. Not mentioned in the DVD's technical specs, this documentary features several cut scenes not included in the film (except in a network television showing). Example: the subplot of the servant boy with the bad leg whom Karen Blixen heals. There are a few Redford-Streep scenes there, too, which ended up on the cutting room floor (a last dance among Karen Blixen's packed-up home; a made-up story on safari.) Also, the documentary features incredibly funny and entertaining tales told by Meryl Streep. She is a great mimic -- listen to the sound effects that woman can make! At times hilarious and reflective, she shares stories about the making of the film (the story of a tethered lion she was supposed to whip is particularly funny). Conspicuously absent (just like in THE WAY WE WERE DVD) is Mr. Redford's point of view. Also interesting is screenwriter Kurt Luedtke's tales of the script. It is fascinating to learn about the genesis of classic moments. Wait til you hear how he came up with the idea of Streep getting her hair washed by Redford. (Then listen to Streep's hilarious story of the Hippos in the river!) Also revealing is composer John Barry's interview. His scoring of Blixen's desert march is interesting -- music can really shape a scene! OUT OF AFRICA is one of my favorite films. The widescreen version on this DVD is a great presentation! Definitely one for your collection! Thanks, Universal and Sydney Pollack for putting together a great package.
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Summary: Out of Africa
Review: A must see, I never tire of it. Great actors do a great story justice
Rating:
Summary: Redford finally connects; Streep never fails to.
Review: Never have I viewed a movie that put all the elements together so winningly: the writing, the acting, the directing, the scoring. It is the movie I make a point to view once or twice a year. Robert Redford has never reached me as an actor - until now. How smart of him to not attempt to play Brittish. Restrained and understated, he coaxed the character to him rather than chased hopelessly after it. I think he played this role as he would have directed another actor to play it - he is far more talented as a director than an actor. Meryl Streep is consistently fine in her work, and here she surpasses her history as such and her achievements since. This film is every bit the equal (and more) of the luminescent "Firelight."ΓΏ
Rating: 
Summary: Not bad, but not Babette's Feast or Sophie's Choice either.
Review: Although I enjoyed this film, I felt it lacked the depth that is to be found in another, less known, film based on one of Karen Blixen's books, namely "Babette's Feast". Nor does it compare for pathos with Meryl Streep's earlier film "Sophie's choice". Having said that, I know a lot of other people who think this film is the best thing since sliced bread!
Rating:
Summary: One of the finest films made
Review: Having seen this film countless times, each time appreciating it more, I consider it to be one of the top two ever made, second only to Lawrence of Arabia.It is Meryl Streep's film, and she should have had first billing -- she does a brilliant job of bringing Karen Blixen to life. Klaus Maria Brandauer is excellent as the unfaithful husband, although Bror Blixen was reported to be more charming than Brandauer portrayed. As lovers go, Robert Redford is a perfect woman's fantasy, and the chemistry between Redford and Streep is unequaled but for Casablanca (Bergman and Bogart). The only disappointment for me is that Blixen/Dinesen's story of events is Hollywoodized -- her book, Out of Africa, tells much more of the story and it is certainly accurate in comparison. The widescreen version is great -- the viewing ratio makes for only a slight black letterboxing, hardly noticeable, and the digital enhancement of the picture and sound makes for a superb quality. Great viewing.
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