Rating: 
Summary: A Pie-Flingin' Good Time!
Review: If one had to sum up THE GREAT RACE in a single word, then that summary could be nothing other than: "fun". And what a hugely fun movie it is too. It's silly, it's frothy, it doesn't make a whole lot of sense, and half the cast have their controls set to Ludicrously Over The Top mode. But who cares? It's one of the most enjoyable films that I've ever had the pleasure to watch. The film would be worth the price of admission just by the acting talents of Jack Lemmon as the dangerously devious Professor Fate and Peter Falk portraying the Henchman of Evil, Max. Constantly trying to out-act each in the Insanely Evil department, there are portions of the film where their scenery chewing simply can't be measured by conventional science. Tony Curtis and Natalie Wood are far more subdued in their performances and as a result their scenes are slightly less entertaining. Of course, anything less than those two actors jumping around like orangutans would have seemed subdued in comparison, so we almost welcome the change in pace. There are only a few portions of the film that don't quite work for me. I didn't find the main romance between Tony Curtis' Great Leslie and Natalie Wood's modern woman to be much in the way of entertainment. It's certainly expected, given the script is satirizing the type of movie where the good guy always gets the girl. Yet it never felt quite plausible, just gratuitous and hastily tacked on, as if the romance was only happening because the story conventions said that it had to happen. Neither one of the characters seems to be all that interested in their romance either, which at least gave them something in common with me. I realize it seems odd to criticize an outrageous and off-the-wall comedy for not portraying a realistic romance, but all of those scenes are played so seriously and so straight, that one has to wonder if perhaps the joke is that there aren't any jokes. I couldn't understand the need to break away from the hilarity of the main story into an uninvolved, lackluster, and pseudo-heartwarming subplot. Whatever the reasons, it generally failed to entertain me. And speaking of non-entertainment, I'm afraid that thanks to the DVD chapter breaks, I'll never sit through an entire performance of that musical number again (He Shouldn't-a, Hadn't-a, Oughtn't-a huh?). Fortunately, these minor irritations only take up the smallest portion of the film. The poorer scenes never go on for very long, the merriment from the rest will more than make up for anything that fails to amuse. THE GREAT RACE is definitely worth a DVD purchase. The restored picture is absolutely gorgeous and the sound quality is terrific. The Behind The Scenes featurette is cute, featuring a fair amount of raw, backstage footage and also a cheesy 1960's narrator reading a script that could have been penned by Professor Fate after a night on downers. Definitely a film to enjoy again and again, THE GREAT RACE will be a welcome addition to your DVD collection, and one that is just perfect for a rainy Sunday afternoon.
Rating:
Summary: Better Than Its Reputation
Review: "The Great Race" probably deserves its middling reputation, since your enjoyment of the film is predicated almost entirely on whether or not you get the joke. If this type of humor is not to your liking, then "The Great Race" will be a bewildering ordeal. The combination of comic styles (farce, slapstick, satire, corn) gels quite efficiently in Blake Edwards treatment, but if you don't find that sort of stuff funny, it AIN'T. Still, if you do appreciate such nonsense, this film is quite simply a hysterical treat. The satirical tone is established early, with one ridiculous scenario following another as Lemmon's Professor Fate (that name) tries to outwit and outmaster Curtis' Great Leslie (all twinkling eyes and gleaming smile). Natalie Wood's energetic portrayal of the heroine hits just the right note of camp. She has been roundly criticized for this performance, but I think people misunderstood her approach. She's TRYING for the broadness and arch over-delivery in her line readings that she was taken to task for. That's her whole point. I find her performance an absolute delight and quite funny indeed. Two throw away moments stand out: her "on guard" in the duel followed by the sound of her tearing the tent with the sword tip, and her defiant singing of the Star Spangled Banner (complete with full orchestra) while being tortured by the villains. These trifling bits come out of nowhere and are gone, but that's why they're fun. Jack Lemmon, the most mannered of movie stars, actually uses his bag of tricks quite effectively as the evil professor. This part cries out for the type of overacting Lemmon was often guilty of, and his overdone delivery is a delight to behold. I particularly like him in moments such as when he laughs uproariously about hearing car #5 will lose its engine, only to pause and calmly say "we're number five." The digital transfer of the film is the usual first rate job that Warner Home Video always does, although the remastered soundtrack has some mis-synchronized sound effects in the opening credits. There's not much in the way of extras here, but the featurette is interesting, if only as an example of the cornball way they used to "sell" films to the public circa 1965. "The Great Race" may be an aquired taste, but if you're up for it, it's a million laughs.
Rating: 
Summary: SOUND DISASTER
Review: I know this film like the back of my hand. (Has anyone else noticed that Frisbee's foot vanishes into the composite matte for a brief second while he is hanging from the 2nd story ledge of the Sentinel?) I saw it it theatres when it was first released and have had the vhs, laser disc and now the dvd. Like many, it is my all time favorite film. Unfortunately, this dvd release has a flawed sound mix (which is a crime for a film which was nominated for Best Sound - and won for Best Sound Effects). For almost the first 20 minutes (until the end of the Boardroom Scene when the race is proposed), the Dialogue Track is about 50% of the volume it should be. Music and Sound Effects are fine. Dialogue, however, is sometimes almost inaudible. (It's not my dvd player, as I've tried it on a second one - further, it only applies to the English track, as the Foriegn Language tracks are fine.) Hopefully, this problem will be corrected in future pressings and I can add a 'perfect' dvd of my favorite film to my collection. P.S. The new transfer of the negative for this release is absolutely outstanding! Beautiful colors and absolutely clean!
Rating: 
Summary: Why isn't Blake Edwards given more credit..?
Review: The DVD version of "The Great Race" is long overdue. It's silly and fun; reunites Lemmon & Curtis; it's an homage to all the great slapstick that EVERYONE loves. What's wrong with having fun? I truly believe that Blake Edwards deserves more consideration that he's been given. Anyone remember "Operation Petticoat" or "The Pink Panther"? We're talking about a career of almost 50 years...and Hollywood doesn't take him seriously. Anyone remember "Victor/Victoria" or "That's Life"? How about "Breakfast at Tiffany's"? These are all films that are respected and admired, but Edwards seems to be on the back-burner when awards are handed out. It's a shame; Edwards has given us no more than pure entertainment, well-presented. His most nominated film is "The Great Race", so purely devoted to period detail, though it received no Oscar nominations for sets or costumes (it was nominated for Cinematography, Sound, Music, Song, Editing, and won for Sound Effects). Indeed, Mancini's score was gorgeous; the song, "The Sweetheart Tree" has become a standard/classic. The Oscar should have gone to Peter Falk. I saw this as a kid in its initial release, and, when I told my friends how much I liked it, my teenage peers told me how shallow I was, that I should see "The Pawnbroker" or "Ship of Fools". Well, for God's sake, I was a kid (and I did see and admire those films) but the pure, grand display of craziness that Blake Edwards presented to me has never been forgotten. I've gotten older, and have been subjected to a whole bunch of stuff in the meantime, and I've waited for the DVD release of "The Great Race". Let's not forget that Blake Edwards also directed "The Days of Wine and Roses" and "Experiment in Terror". He is not frivolous nor is he simple. He does crazy comedy as well as riveting drama. His comedies are wonderful, but none as totally overwhelming and enjoyable as "The Great Race". See and enjoy!!
Rating: 
Summary: the Movie is GREAT! The DVD isn't!!!!
Review: A lot of people were waiting with anticipation for the release of The Great Race on DVD. This is a very funny classic movie! The new print is GREAT!But Warner has made a huge mistake on this DVD.The problem, and it is a major one, is with the new Dolby Digital soundtrack. In some scenes in the beginning of the movie the dialogue is barely audible. And during the opening credits when everyone boos Professor Fate and cheers The Great Leslie, someone switched it to everyone cheering the villain and booing the hero. The French audio track has the original soundtrack which correctly has the boos for Fate and cheers for Leslie.This is a MAJOR mistake! Warner should recall this DVD and restore the soundtrack to the way it is supposed to be. For fans of this movie, it ruins what would otherwise be a great DVD.
Rating:
Summary: A shocking bomb
Review: Given the stars, the music, and Blake Edwards on a roll, one would think this film would have to be good. It isn't. The reviewers who raved probably like network sitcoms. I counted two laughs, which is less than one an hour. Slapstick by the Three Stooges is better and funnier. What went wrong? It's the script, I think. It depended entirely too much on gadgets and stunts designed to tickle teens. A waste of all concerned.
Rating:
Summary: The Ultimate
Review: The Great Race is one of my favorite comedy movies. Since the dawn of the DVD revolution, I wished for it to come out on the new format. My wish has just been answered after four long years of waiting. This DVD release is a dream comes true with fully restored film elements, all-new remastered Dolby 5.1, widescreen anamorphic format, eight subtitle options and a French optional track. A "Making of" documentary and a trailer. I am not greedy and very happy with all these features. The whole package looks very exciting and the price is unrefutable. It is a steal with tremendous value. Throw in an immaculate video transfer, a catchy and memorable Henry Mancini's music track and an emsemble of perfectly casted stars, now we have the ultimate "The Great Race" to be enjoyed and cherished for years to come. Again, Warner has done a great job in releasing this movie on DVD with an unbeatable and very reasonable price. I recommend this DVD highly to all fans of the movie.
Rating:
Summary: For the Most Part the DVD of The Great Race is Great!
Review: Overall the DVD transfer of this film is fine. The picture is clear and the 5.1 treatment of the soundtrack is OK for a 1965 film. My only complaint is the mistake that has been made in the soundtrack at the beginning of the opening titles. As the screen flashes a title card for each star, as if for an old melodrama at the cinema, the audience's reaction on the soundtrack is supposed to be booing for Jack Lemon's bad guy character, cheering for Tony Curtis' heroic character, and whistling for Natalie Wood's. Unfortunately it is recreated incorrectly on the DVD with cheering for Lemon, booing and whistling for Curtis, and whistling for Wood. I'm not sure how this happened, as the mono French soundtrack on the DVD has it correct! Aside from this mistake, which has ruined one of the best openings in movie history, it is still a fun movie and one that my son is now enjoying for the first time.
Rating:
Summary: Great Race DVD -It's about time!!!
Review: I have been waiting for this movie to come out on DVD. I've even written to Blake Edwards asking, "What is the hold up?"
Get ready, citizens of Boracho! Finally it's coming out!
Every time I saw Jack Lemmon in interviews I was always curious and disappointed that 'The Great Race' was never mentioned among his favorite films. Of course he made many other wonderful classic movies and I enjoyed his performance in all of them...but 'The Great Race' has been my favorite comedy for a long time. I practically can recite it along with the characters. I enjoyed some of the other reviewer's (here) favorite lines from the movie. They are my favorites too.
If you haven't seen this movie or if you haven't seen it in a long time...do yourself a favor and grab it. The laughs never stop. The casting is perfect...Tony Curtis with Keenan Wynn as his sidekick...Jack Lemmon with Peter Falk as his...Natalie Wood...Ross Martin...Vivian Vance...Larry Storch ("Now will you give me some fightin' room?!")...and many others. It doesn't get any better or funnier than this.
Hurray for the DVD. Believe me, you'll enjoy it.
Rating:
Summary: PUSH THE BUTTON BLAKE
Review: THE BEST COMEDY EVER MADE. I SAW THIS FILM WHEN IT FIRST COME OUT. A GREAT CAST. GREAT MUSIC (HENRY MANCINI) AND A MUST WATCH AT LEAST ONCE FOR EVERYONE.
|
