Alfie

MOVIE DESCRIPTION:

Alfie is superbly decadent on DVD. Director Lewis Gilbert's "Swinging London" imagery and the movie's cool jazz score by Sonny Rollins shine and shimmer, and Michael Caine's zippy dialogue skirts around the score, giving the movie as much charisma as the title character. Though the dialogue doesn't sound as dynamic as the score, perhaps because the score exists as cleaner source material, the one-two punch of sound and vision makes for an original, fun experience. The 2.35:1 aspect ratio frames all of the humorous antics, while allowing the director's use of space and blocking to highlight the characters' emotional separation. Supplemental material is a bit lacking, as only a funny two-minute trailer and a scene selection menu are selectable from the main menu. "Scene Selection" gives instant access to the DVD's 18 chapters via chapter titles and still frames. The interactive menus are attractive and appropriate to the movie's sense of style. ~ Tim DiGravina, All Movie Guide

DVD FEATURES:

• Region: 1
• Number of Discs: 1
• Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1, Dolby Digital Mono
• Screen: Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV
• Subtitle: English
• Features:
  • Theatrical trailer

AWARDS

• Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

•     Nominated Best Actor - 1966 (Michael Caine)
•     Nominated Best Adapted Screenplay - 1966 (Bill Naughton)
•     Nominated Best Picture - 1966 (Lewis Gilbert)
•     Nominated Best Song - 1966 (Burt Bacharach, Hal David)
•     Nominated Best Supporting Actress - 1966 (Vivien Merchant)

• British Academy of Film and Television Arts

•     Won Most Promising Newcomer - 1966 (Vivien Merchant)
•     Nominated Best British Film - 1966 (Lewis Gilbert)

• Cannes Film Festival

•     Won Special Jury Prize - 1966

• Directors Guild of America

•     Nominated Best Director - 1966 (Lewis Gilbert)

• Hollywood Foreign Press Association

•     Won Best Foreign Film - English Language - 1966
•     Nominated Best Director - 1966 (Lewis Gilbert)
•     Nominated Best Original Score - 1966 (Burt Bacharach, Hal David)
•     Nominated Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama - 1966 (Michael Caine)
•     Nominated Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Pic - 1966 (Vivien Merchant, Shelley Winters)
•     Nominated Best Screenplay - 1966 (Bill Naughton)

• National Board of Review

•     Won Best Supporting Actress - 1966 (Vivien Merchant)
•     Nominated Best Picture - 1966

• National Society of Film Critics

•     Won Best Actor - 1966 (Michael Caine)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

• Cast:

  
       Michael Caine - Alfie
       Shelley Winters - Ruby
       Millicent Martin - Siddie
       Julia Foster - Gilda
       Jane Asher - Annie

• Director:

  Lewis Gilbert

• Producer:

  Lewis Gilbert

• Play Author:

  Bill Naughton

• Screenwriter:

  Bill Naughton

• Cinematographer:

  Otto Heller

• Composer (Music Score):

  Burt Bacharach, Hal David, Sonny Rollins

• Editor:

  Thelma Connell

• Production Designer:

  Peter Mullins

REVIEWS:

• Lewis Gilbert's Alfie made quite a splash upon release in 1966, garnering good reviews and six Academy Award nominations. While the film has a certain visual flair and a soundtrack by jazz great Sonny Rollins, many viewers will find the film out of date and sexist. This English film is still enlightening to watch because of Michael Caine's portrait of Alfie (his first starring roll), a self-centered, fun-loving English chap who, because of his harsh treatment of women, is mostly unsympathetic. He attempts to win the viewer's sympathy nonetheless, with the novel technique of addressing the camera directly. Of course, much of his folly is meant to be ironic; at some point, Gilbert seems to suggest, sexual conquests are unfulfilling. While Alfie does pay a price for his indulgences, he never changes and never develops a lasting relationship. Alfie represents the rare '60s film that attempts to examine the consequences of the sexual revolution, candidly covering the subjects of pregnancy and abortion. Gilbert also directed several James Bond films, and he renewed his association with Michael Caine for 1983's Educating Rita. ~ Ronnie D. Lankford, Jr., All Movie Guide
• {$Lewis Gilbert}'s {#Alfie} made quite a splash upon release in 1966, garnering good reviews and six Academy Award nominations. While the film has a certain visual flair and a soundtrack by {\jazz} great {$Sonny Rollins}, many viewers will find the film out of date and sexist. This English film is still enlightening to watch because of {$Michael Caine}'s portrait of {%Alfie} (his first starring roll), a self-centered, fun-loving English chap who, because of his harsh treatment of women, is mostly unsympathetic. He attempts to win the viewer's sympathy nonetheless, with the novel technique of addressing the camera directly. Of course, much of his folly is meant to be ironic; at some point, {$Gilbert} seems to suggest, sexual conquests are unfulfilling. While {%Alfie} does pay a price for his indulgences, he never changes and never develops a lasting relationship. {#Alfie} represents the rare '60s film that attempts to examine the consequences of the sexual revolution, candidly covering the subjects of pregnancy and abortion. {$Gilbert} also directed several {#James Bond} films, and he renewed his association with {$Michael Caine} for 1983's {#Educating Rita}. ~ Ronnie D. Lankford, Jr., All Movie Guide

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