Rating: 
Summary: GREAT flick, LOUSY DVD!
Review: "Imitation of Life" is one of my favorite movies--I consider it Douglas Sirk's greatest masterpiece. BUT I'm extremely bitter and disappointed with Universal's shoddy DVD release of the film. There are virtually no "extras" (a trailer is included and that's it), and the print used is not in the best of shape. If any film deserved the "red-carpet treatment" for its DVD debut, it's this one. This DVD is no better than the VHS version, really. I realize that not every movie released on DVD is going to get the "deluxe treatment," but it seems that classics like "Imitation of Life" deserve better. My advice to potential buyers is save your money and hope that a better DVD of "Imitation of Life" will come along later.
Rating: 
Summary: Wonderful film, lousy DVD
Review: I watched this film last night and see that other reviewers have already posted warnings about the appalling quality of the DVD transfer. I add my comments to theirs only in the hope that somebody somewhere in a position to do something about it may one day produce as good a transfer as this film deserves. Looking, for the first hour at least, as if it was filmed through a hiking sock, the DVD destroys all Sirk's brilliance with colour and design so that what you end up with is a dull, flatly lit TV soap. Rent it, certainly. Buy it only if you're a genuine Sirk fan.
Rating: 
Summary: "A Little Slice of Black Life...Hollywood-style"
Review: It wasn't until recently that I discovered that four of my favorite films ("Psycho", "Back Street", "Spartacus", and "Imitation of Life") had one thing in common, other than being produced by the same company, Universal, and that is featured player John Gavin. While the actor never achieved stardom as might have been expected by the powers-that-be who thought him to be the next Rock Hudson, Gavin did serviceable "leading man" support. That said, for many African-Americans around during the late 50's and early 60's, Sirk's "Imitation of Life" offered, though glamorized, a portrait of the common practice of "passing" by lighter-skinned blacks. The fact that the part of the "yella gal" was played by white actress Susan Kohner was not detracting from the realism of that particular convention of black life. Both Kohner and Juanita Moore were nominated for supporting actress Oscars but were not recipients of the much-hallowed honor. However, their work, along with the tremendous guest appearance of gospel legend Mahalia Jackson, is the reason for the film's success and popularity.
It may not rank in that annuls of great American films, but "Imitation of Life" is a tear-inducing melodrama that never fails to captivate in all its Technicolor glory.
Rating:
Summary: Movie's great!!! Skip the DVD!!!
Review: The definitive weeper of all time definately lives up to its reputation but this DVD presentation is to be avoided at all cost! This version of Imitation of Life is a cheap, shoddy-looking copy from a grainy, washed-out print and was rushed into a DVD format on the heels of the success of Far from Heaven -Todd Haynes's masterful restaging of brilliant filmmaker Douglas Sirk's All That Heaven Allows- and should be rented if you haven't seen it already but avoid purchasing!!! Wait for a Criterion restoration -if they do one- equal to All That Heaven Allows and Written on the Wind or even a straight forward-style like the one for Lured. Again, the movie still stands the test of time with its pure soap opera-emotional power but this DVD is horrible!
Rating:
Summary: Five Stars Just For The Film
Review: First thing in the morning of January 7th, I ran to purchase the DVD and came home to watch the film. Extremely disappointed with the DVD treatment. The print used for the transfer is in disaster shape. You probably have seen the film countless times on television. The DVD doesn't look any different. It's a travesty. Douglas Sirk is famous for many things, especially his sublime use of colors and costumes to support the themes of his works. The DVD transfer is very dull and flat. Another thing - the cover art for the DVD case is ultimately horrible and unappealing. Where is Juanita Moore?!?!? She's the soul of the film. Too bad that Universal failed to deliver a A+ treatment for Imitation Of Life - a very important and resonating masterpiece that explores the shallowness of the American Dream underneath the eye-popping melodrama. Univeral should have handed the film over to Criterion - the very company that produced the DVD for Sirk's other works, All That Heaven Allows and Written On The Wind. See them and you will understand why I was extremely disappointed by Universal's lackluster treatment.
Rating:
Summary: Why does the DVD cover art ignore the black cast?
Review: I'm a white man, but I find it appalling that the studio rereleases a movie about the intertwined lives of four women - two black, two white - in a story that's charged with racial issues but IGNORES the black cast members on the DVD cover. What is going on? Both of the black actresses were better than John Gavin, on the left, and who cares who the bland actor is who played the theatrical director? He hardly registers in the film but somehow trumps Juanita Moore and Susan Kohner here. Nevertheless, the film is incredible, especially considering its era, and is far more powerful emotionally than Todd Haynes's brilliant and beautiful 2002 homage to IOL director Douglas Sirk, "Far From Heaven."
Rating: 
Summary: Get Out a Box of Tissue
Review: This is one of the classic "three-hankie" weepers. A slick, glossy production showcasing the talents of Lana Turner, Juanita Moore, Sandra Dee & Susan Kohner. Turner stars as an up-and-coming Broadway actress and takes on Moore as a companion/housekeeper. Each woman has a daughter, who in turn grow up to have their own set of problems. Turner's daughter (Dee) suffers neglect due to her mother's success and Moore's daughter (Kohner) causes her mother various heartaches by passing herself off as white. Excellent performances in soap opera-type film by Douglas Sirk. Touching relationship between Turner & Moore well played. Kohner's performance is a revealation. Don't miss the end of the film---a real weeper!
Rating:
Summary: I READ THE BOOK IN 1959 BEFORE THE MOVIE
Review: I read this book in 1959 I was 11 years old than, this was before the movie. As a matter of fact it was a school project that the pupils (back then) went to our neighborhood libaray to pick out a book about race (i'm an Africia American Women) issues due to the prejudices about this subject wihin our race. This was a huge racial issues amongst our race because blacks who had lighter skin tones could actually live in both worlds- the white and black because they could pass for white, but had dark skinned parents, and other relatives. But this caused a lot of problems for them living in both worlds as individuals. The neighborhood I lived in this type of life was very much alive. I experience this in my own family. All of the actress played their roles to the highest degree in protraying such a touche topic for both the white and black race. I loved and love this move to this date at age 54 I still remember it in my heart because racial issues will cause an individual to turn their back on their own families in order to suceed in a world that is full of hate because of the color of a individual's skin. If they wanted to be accepted in society they had to denounce thier hertigage because their parents skin was darker than theirs. Just the other day (2002) one of my white co-worker and I was discussing this movie but could not remember the actress's name. So thought I would find this real life classic of a movie. Thanks for you help.
Rating: 
Summary: Wasn't this done before ?
Review: Sure it was but this time, we have Lana Turner poured into a white evening gown, looking like she means business, and she does. The story is basically simple - two single mothers, one white, one black, each with a troubled daughter. Throw in the deadly handsome leading man and a Mahalia Jackson funeral and you have a definite period piece. Sure, it's not a fun movie, but it has it's moments and Sandra Dee could give anyone lessons in overacting. Still, it's a guilty pleasure and don't we all just think Sara Jane got just what she deserved !
Rating:
Summary: This Sob Fest Has it ALL
Review: All the reasons to watch this movie are here:
-Have you ever SEEN SUCH an endearing creature like the mother (whose love was pushed away by her confusued daughter, as worded by another reviewer)? They just don't make 'em LIKE THAT ANYMORE!
-Very VERY sad. Watch this if you want a good sob-fest. Not a good movie to watch while eating or anything. You should give it your full attention.
-Beautiful portrayal of instant "family". You will fall in love with everyone.
-Even though this is the least, it is worthy of mention that Turner is stunning as usual, with frequent costume changes and a character to admire. She plays the apitome "Bombshell character" with a wardrobe to boot.
-You really should idolize these two women, mothers of America, they are just what I wish there were more of, and I'll bet all men and children feel the same way. Compared to people of today, these two are perfect. It's hard to fall in love with the selfish and manipulative characters of today's flicks once you've had a taste of movies such as "Imitation of Life". GET IT NOW! Your mind will be expanded and if this is your first classics choice, you'd be crazy not to get ADDICTED to "old-movies" after seeing this! HOW MUCH MORE SHOULD I SAY TO CONVINCE YOU!!! GET IT NOW! RUN!
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