You Only Live Once

Rating:
Summary: Fine Later Lang
Review: Fritz Lang's best films were already behind him when he arrived in Hollywood. He would not surpass the films he made in Germany, but his American films are almost always worth seeing and sometimes approach greatness. You Only Live Once is one such film. The story concerns sympathetic criminal Eddie (Henry Fonda) trying to go straight and the woman who has stayed by him, legal secretary Joan (Sylvia Sidney). Lang makes the audience root for Eddie, who is not a typical snarling thirties gangster, but a basically decent man who through bad luck and bad choices has found himself in a desperate situation. Fonda is perfect for this role, and gives a fine performance. Sidney is equally good as a woman fighting against friends, family and circumstances to stay with the man she loves. It is her performance which makes the film a terrific romance as well as a fine thriller.

The print on the Image DVD is fairly good. It shows quite a lot of wear and tear, but seems complete. There may be many scratches, but the black and white photography still looks stunning with good detail and clarity. The soundtrack unfortunately has a great deal of hiss and crackle. Occasionally this makes the dialogue quite hard to hear. Nevertheless the film is still perfectly watchable and the flaws present in the print and soundtrack did not spoil my enjoyment of what remains an excellent film. The DVD has no extras.

Rating:
Summary: this may be fritz lang's best film
Review: There may not be a more ironic scene in film than henry fonda's confrontation with the priest at prison's gate...or a more pungent line than his 'they made me a murderer'.....or a more fatalistic ending than you have here...the point is that the best ingredients of film noir are present in a film made 10 years before film noir's peak...that's how far ahead fritz lang's vision was...sure he went on to make 'the big heat' and scarlet street' among others...but 'you only live once' is his starkest glimpse at man's small place in a vast, oppressive society where good intentions are powerless.

Rating:
Summary: Thought Provoking, Tragic Film
Review: This film makes one wonder how many innocent men and women have been unfairly tried, convicted and murdered for crimes they did not commit.

This forgotten gem of the 1930s is excellent in every way...even with its downbeat theme and tragic ending. Henry Fonda is superb as is Sylvia Sidney with her sad eyes and woeful expressions, genuine and true-to-life.

The DVD is very good quality. There are a few scratches on the print of the film, but all in all it is great. The audio is great as well. As mentioned in a previous review, this DVD has no extras. But, then of course, it doesn't need any. Just to have this film is enough. I thought I would never get to see it but I have been wanting to for a long time, ever since I read its detailed synopsis of Jerry Vermilye's book "The Films of the Thirties". Imagine my surprise and delight when I found it had been released on DVD. I ordered it immediately and I just finished watching it.

It is a thought provoking, tragic film but it is great entertainment nonetheless and makes one stop to think...judge not lest ye be judged. Outstanding in every way!