Immortal Chaplin Classic is one of the Great Films of all time.
Added 6/24/2009
Timeless Comedy about Little Tramp arriving in the Yukon as a prospector looking for Gold and finding hilarity, success and romance. Classic sequences abound from the unforgettable Shoe eating scene to the dance of the dinner rolls and the Cabin teetering over the cliff.
Chaplin is brilliant in this picture as the lonely and courageous Tramp. His story in this one is somewhat simpler than his later films but perhaps that's what makes this his best. This is a simply told tale that is brought off incredibly well. Chaplin's film and character is the most miraculous combination of slapstick and sentiment ever seen. We relate to this tramp and empathize with his plight and we feel joy when he finds purpose.
The cast adds immeasurably, particularly the unforgettable Mack Swain as the burly prospector, Big Jim Mckay who so memorably chases Chaplin through the cabin as he mistakes him for a chicken. The actor and Chaplin play off each other incredibly well and there friendship is one of the film's highlights.
Georgia Hale is a gorgeous lead. Independant and yet, vulnerable, her character is probally Chaplin's best developed female lead with the possible exception of Paulette Goddard in "Modern Times(1935)". Hale's character is in need of fullfillment and redemption, just as much as Charlie is and the conclusion where both end up with each other romantically, we feel that she has won just as much as he has. She is better off with earning the love of this good man. It should be noted that thsi ending is probally one of the only REAL happy endings in Chaplin's career. There's no ambiguity or message. Things just work out and that's the way it is.
Chaplin's film strikes a chord with it's emotional complexity. The film has several funny stand out moments but it's the warmth that forms the center of the film. Chaplin dervies most of the humor through the darkest means. Alot of the ideas were found from his own childhood and the theme of Starvation and the importance of food plays a large role in the film. Even taboo subjects like CANNIBALSIM play a large role in the Comedy. Several films have used the concept of starvation making one mistake another for a food, but it's Chaplin that made it his own. Chaplin as the Chicken from Big Jim's imagination is one of the great comic images. Chaplin himself performed inside the suit.
There are no standard villians in the role, only catalysts. There is a villainous character named "Black Larsen" but he is killed off halfway through and the true "bad guy' is the elements themselves. In a way this may seem more Keaton than Chaplin but it works immeasurably and is more relateable for Chaplin in his general battle against adversity. The world may be seemingly against Chaplin but he'll battle it and we the audience are convinced that he'll come out on top. It's a wonderful, enpowering message that few but Chaplin could make so uterly believable.
This film was my introduction to the Little Tramp properly. I had first seen the film as part of a Comedy Triple Feature Video that my grandmother had bought for me. The other two films were Laurel and Hardy's "The Flying Deauces" and the Martin and Lewis vehicle, "At War With the Army". The Chaplin film was last on the video and it mesmerized me. Rarely did a film amaze me enough that I found myself watching immediately after it had finished, but that's exactly what I did. I watched the film numerous times over the years until this wonderful DVD release became available.
Despite the price tag the DVD is completely worthwhile. The film has never looked better and the set is filled with extras. They include the 1940 reissue version with Chaplin's narration and the 1925 Original, restored and remastered as well as being rescored with Chaplin's original score. Both are VERY different versions with alternate takes and extended scenes in the 1925 version and an abridged ending in the 1940 version.
The DVD also includes an informative documentary on the film's impact and an introduction to the film that serves as a making of feature. Also several photos and posters are included as well.
This is simply put one of the greatest motion pictures of all time and essential viewing for the serious film buff and Comedy afficionado alike. If you have not have had the pleasure of meeting Charlie yet, it's about time to make your first meeting via this imperishable Classic.
Enjoy.
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Silent gold
Added 11/28/2007
This 2-disk set is a great resource for those interested in "The Gold Rush," Charlie Chaplin's 1925 comedy about Alaskan gold prospecting. The main disk contains the 1942 re-release, which did away with interscene placards, replacing them with a voiceover by Chaplin himself. The second disk included the original 1925 silent release. Both versions were accompanied by a wonderful piano arrangement that was timed with the movie action. The second disk also contains a "making of" shorts that described Chaplin's off-screen romances with his leading ladies as well as footage of an older Chaplin reprieving one of his movie routines. Another short describes the effect that Chaplin had on an African filmmaker. The extras are by no means comprehensive, but have enough meat to satisfy the casual student of Chaplin and early cinema.
The film is terrific and sometimes funny, and always watchable. Chaplin's "Little Tramp" character delves into the Alaskan wilderness, seeking his fortune as a gold prospector. He encounters other prospectors, good and bad, and falls in love with the lovely Georgia, who seems at first not to notice him. There is great pathos as well as comedy in the film. A scene in which Chaplin prepares a New Years' Eve party for Georgia and her friends, who have forgotten their promise to attend, is quite affecting. The misery is offset somewhat by one of Chaplin's great routines -- set in a scene that imagines how the party would have gone -- in which Chaplin sticks forks into two dinner rolls and makes these "feet" dance beneath his sad sack face. Other notable scenes include one in which the Little Tramp, being thrown out of the rude cabin he shares with Black Larsen, slips and slides in his struggle against a fierce wind that blows him back into the cabin. Another scene in which Larsen fights another prospector for control of a shotgun -- managing to point it at the Little Tramp no matter where he flees -- is perfectly-choreographed and fraught with comedic tension. AN early scene, in which a lone Chaplin navigates a narrow mountain ledge -- sometimes followed by a live bear -- are beautifully timed.
I preferred the 1925 version to the slicker 1942 release, but it's nice that both versions are here. YMMV. The film quality was superb, almost too perfect, and Chaplin's pancake makeup was quite obvious, especially in close-ups. You'll wonder whether a little-used print was located, or whether this version was cleaned up digitally. In any event, "The Gold Rush" disks is both educational and entertaining. Not a must-see, but not at all disappointing.
2 out of 2 people found this helpful.
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His Best Ever
Added 10/12/2007
Sometimes it only takes a few words. 5 stars to Charlie who can still show everyone today that you don't have to have sound to be funny. Even if you don't like silent movies you have to give this one a silent nod of respect and be sure to dance the "roll dance."
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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Great Chaplin
Added 9/12/2007
I was stunned, in the negative, the first time I saw this film with the 1942 narration. As another reviewer commented, I totally prefer the original longer version. One may argue editing decisions but a voice-over to substitute for title cards showed me that even Chaplin could make a very wrong-headed decision.
There is a contemporary news show (maybe on FOX?) which has a segment where people read political cartoons using character voices. The practice doesn't come near the humor that can be experienced by our own reading in our minds. The same result happens with the Chaplin narration vs. our reading the title cards.
Luckily the original version of "The Gold Rush" is included here.
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The Gold Rush
Added 6/20/2007
This brilliant Klondike comedy follows the antics of Chaplin's Little Tramp character through the trials and tribulations of frenzied fortune hunting in the Alaskan wilderness. In addition to the famous boiled-boot sequence, the visual gags are plentiful and hilarious, especially concerning the three prospectors' impending starvation (just watch Big Jim chase Chaplin around with an axe). But it's the bittersweet love story involving Hale's contemptuous saloon girl that makes "The Gold Rush" quintessentially Chaplinesque.
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Immortal Chaplin Classic is one of the Great Films of all time.
Added 6/24/2009
Timeless Comedy about Little Tramp arriving in the Yukon as a prospector looking for Gold and finding hilarity, success and romance. Classic sequences abound from the unforgettable Shoe eating scene to the dance of the dinner rolls and the Cabin teetering over the cliff.
Chaplin is brilliant in this picture as the lonely and courageous Tramp. His story in this one is somewhat simpler than his later films but perhaps that's what makes this his best. This is a simply told tale that is brought off incredibly well. Chaplin's film and character is the most miraculous combination of slapstick and sentiment ever seen. We relate to this tramp and empathize with his plight and we feel joy when he finds purpose.
The cast adds immeasurably, particularly the unforgettable Mack Swain as the burly prospector, Big Jim Mckay who so memorably chases Chaplin through the cabin as he mistakes him for a chicken. The actor and Chaplin play off each other incredibly well and there friendship is one of the film's highlights.
Georgia Hale is a gorgeous lead. Independant and yet, vulnerable, her character is probally Chaplin's best developed female lead with the possible exception of Paulette Goddard in "Modern Times(1935)". Hale's character is in need of fullfillment and redemption, just as much as Charlie is and the conclusion where both end up with each other romantically, we feel that she has won just as much as he has. She is better off with earning the love of this good man. It should be noted that thsi ending is probally one of the only REAL happy endings in Chaplin's career. There's no ambiguity or message. Things just work out and that's the way it is.
Chaplin's film strikes a chord with it's emotional complexity. The film has several funny stand out moments but it's the warmth that forms the center of the film. Chaplin dervies most of the humor through the darkest means. Alot of the ideas were found from his own childhood and the theme of Starvation and the importance of food plays a large role in the film. Even taboo subjects like CANNIBALSIM play a large role in the Comedy. Several films have used the concept of starvation making one mistake another for a food, but it's Chaplin that made it his own. Chaplin as the Chicken from Big Jim's imagination is one of the great comic images. Chaplin himself performed inside the suit.
There are no standard villians in the role, only catalysts. There is a villainous character named "Black Larsen" but he is killed off halfway through and the true "bad guy' is the elements themselves. In a way this may seem more Keaton than Chaplin but it works immeasurably and is more relateable for Chaplin in his general battle against adversity. The world may be seemingly against Chaplin but he'll battle it and we the audience are convinced that he'll come out on top. It's a wonderful, enpowering message that few but Chaplin could make so uterly believable.
This film was my introduction to the Little Tramp properly. I had first seen the film as part of a Comedy Triple Feature Video that my grandmother had bought for me. The other two films were Laurel and Hardy's "The Flying Deauces" and the Martin and Lewis vehicle, "At War With the Army". The Chaplin film was last on the video and it mesmerized me. Rarely did a film amaze me enough that I found myself watching immediately after it had finished, but that's exactly what I did. I watched the film numerous times over the years until this wonderful DVD release became available.
Despite the price tag the DVD is completely worthwhile. The film has never looked better and the set is filled with extras. They include the 1940 reissue version with Chaplin's narration and the 1925 Original, restored and remastered as well as being rescored with Chaplin's original score. Both are VERY different versions with alternate takes and extended scenes in the 1925 version and an abridged ending in the 1940 version.
The DVD also includes an informative documentary on the film's impact and an introduction to the film that serves as a making of feature. Also several photos and posters are included as well.
This is simply put one of the greatest motion pictures of all time and essential viewing for the serious film buff and Comedy afficionado alike. If you have not have had the pleasure of meeting Charlie yet, it's about time to make your first meeting via this imperishable Classic.
Enjoy.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
Silent gold
Added 11/28/2007
This 2-disk set is a great resource for those interested in "The Gold Rush," Charlie Chaplin's 1925 comedy about Alaskan gold prospecting. The main disk contains the 1942 re-release, which did away with interscene placards, replacing them with a voiceover by Chaplin himself. The second disk included the original 1925 silent release. Both versions were accompanied by a wonderful piano arrangement that was timed with the movie action. The second disk also contains a "making of" shorts that described Chaplin's off-screen romances with his leading ladies as well as footage of an older Chaplin reprieving one of his movie routines. Another short describes the effect that Chaplin had on an African filmmaker. The extras are by no means comprehensive, but have enough meat to satisfy the casual student of Chaplin and early cinema.
The film is terrific and sometimes funny, and always watchable. Chaplin's "Little Tramp" character delves into the Alaskan wilderness, seeking his fortune as a gold prospector. He encounters other prospectors, good and bad, and falls in love with the lovely Georgia, who seems at first not to notice him. There is great pathos as well as comedy in the film. A scene in which Chaplin prepares a New Years' Eve party for Georgia and her friends, who have forgotten their promise to attend, is quite affecting. The misery is offset somewhat by one of Chaplin's great routines -- set in a scene that imagines how the party would have gone -- in which Chaplin sticks forks into two dinner rolls and makes these "feet" dance beneath his sad sack face. Other notable scenes include one in which the Little Tramp, being thrown out of the rude cabin he shares with Black Larsen, slips and slides in his struggle against a fierce wind that blows him back into the cabin. Another scene in which Larsen fights another prospector for control of a shotgun -- managing to point it at the Little Tramp no matter where he flees -- is perfectly-choreographed and fraught with comedic tension. AN early scene, in which a lone Chaplin navigates a narrow mountain ledge -- sometimes followed by a live bear -- are beautifully timed.
I preferred the 1925 version to the slicker 1942 release, but it's nice that both versions are here. YMMV. The film quality was superb, almost too perfect, and Chaplin's pancake makeup was quite obvious, especially in close-ups. You'll wonder whether a little-used print was located, or whether this version was cleaned up digitally. In any event, "The Gold Rush" disks is both educational and entertaining. Not a must-see, but not at all disappointing.
2 out of 2 people found this helpful.
|
His Best Ever
Added 10/12/2007
Sometimes it only takes a few words. 5 stars to Charlie who can still show everyone today that you don't have to have sound to be funny. Even if you don't like silent movies you have to give this one a silent nod of respect and be sure to dance the "roll dance."
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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