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| Special Features: |
Widescreen anamorphic format.
Chapter stops.
Commentary track with actors Jon Voight, Bruce Dern and cinematographer Haskell Wexler.
Featurette: "Coming Back Home."
Featurette: "Hal Ashby: A Man Out of Time."
Theatrical trailer.
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| Video Format: |
Anamorphic Widescreen (1.85:1)
[SS-DL]
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| Languages: |
English (Dolby Digital Mono)
Spanish (Dolby Digital Mono)
French (Dolby Digital Mono)
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| Subtitles: |
English, Spanish, French.
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| Captions: |
Yes
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| Casing: |
1-Disc Keep Case
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I was in a dilemma as to how I could convince younger audiences, who did not live through the Vietnam era to embrace "Coming Home" in light of the events of September 11th. I was driving to a preview of "Blade II" when I heard a story on the radio. Last year an announcement was made by the government that the Golden Gate Bridge was a suspected target of terrorist attacks. That day, a 52 year old real-estate agent in San Francisco walked to the bridge with a small flag. He stood at one end, spoke some words to himself and walked across the bridge. He stopped at the other end and said the same words to himself and marched back across. The next day he did the same thing, and the next day and so on. Someone finally asked him what he was doing. He replied "Walking sentry duty. They can't attack if we are watching." He has become somewhat of a celebrity in San Francisco. He walks the line everyday. When he can't, there are numerous volunteers to relieve him. The thing that hit me about the story was the fact that 25 years earlier, this same man was one of the more active Vietnam war protesters. The blessing of September 11th to those who lived through Watergate and Vietnam is that the attacks on the World Trade center have brought the country back together under the same flag. When I heard this story, I realized that the power and truth in the movie "Coming Home" was still real. "Coming Home" must be taken in the context of its times. That was then, this is now. We may have protested our country's actions then, but we may embrace them now. That is the beauty of being an American.
Director Hal Ashby was one of the most creative and influential directors of the 70s. His early death of liver cancer left a void that has not been filled. His motion picture output includes many of the best films of the 70s: "The Landlord" "Harold and Maude" "Shampoo" "The Last Detail" "Bound for Glory" and "Being There." "Coming Home" tops the list in my mind. Those of us who lived through that time thirsted for a film which dealt with the war is an honest manner. Before "Coming Home" all we had was the John Wayne propaganda epic "The Green Berets." "Coming Home" was the first of many serious films to help the country deal with the pain of what we went through. It also paid high tribute to the men who fought and died or were crippled by that war. Nominated for 8 Academy Awards, and the winner of 3, "Coming Home" was an aptly titled story that paved the way for many Americans to come home and be comfortable with the fact that they were Americans.
The year is 1968. Bob Hyde (Bruce Dern) is a Marine captain on the verge of shipping off to Vietnam. He is filled with the adrenaline rush of doing what is right...doing what he has been trained to do...doing his patriotic duty as a marine. His wife Sally (Jane Fonda) is proud of her husband. She fears for his safety, but she is an army brat. She has lived on bases all her life. She to knows what it means to fight for her country. She fights by being a good military wife. She also is a lost soul. Sally is sexually unfulfilled, she is unsatisfied in her soul even though she doesn't realize it in the beginning of the film. She has played the game, and done what was expected of her. She has done everything but think for herself. The night Bob ships out, Sally meets Bob's top sergeant Dink (Robert Ginty) and his hippie girlfriend Vi (Penelope Milford). Sally doesn't want to be alone. She finagles an invitation from Vi to come back to Vi's apartment to talk. Sally finds out that the only reason that Vi stays around the base is because of her brother Bill (Robert Carradine). Bill is in the VA psycho ward because of his experiences overseas. Vi tells Sally that she volunteers at the hospital. Sally wants to be close to her husband and try and understand what he might be going through. She volunteers at the hospital also.
Luke Martin (Jon Voight) is paralyzed from the waist down. He got that way courtesy of his service in Vietnam. He rages against the callous treatment he receives in the VA. Luke and Sally meet as Luke is trying to find someone to empty his urine bag. He rages and curses. He collides with Sally and his bag bursts, spilling urine all over the Captain's wife. Her life is about to change. "Coming Home" is a strong political message wrapped up in a love story. A love story between two people, and a love story between each of the characters and their country. The love of country turns out to be a love-hate relationship. Like the children of an abusive father, they love him and hate him at the same time. They continue to love him in hopes that he will reform.
Jane Fonda and Jon Voight won well deserved Oscars for their work in "Coming Home." While Jon Voight's performance was physically and emotionally more taxing and showy than Ms. Fonda's, Jane Fonda's Oscar was one of the rare occasions where Oscar rewarded a subtle performance. Both performers are excellent. Bruce Dern has been stereotyped as a psycho in the movies. That label hurts him in this role, because the audience expects him to wig out. This is unfortunate because his performance is every bit as good as the other two stars. The audience's preconceived notions about Mr. Dern diluted what was a great performance. He should have won the Best Supporting actor Oscar for "Coming Home." One of the great things about this DVD are Mr. Dern's comments on the audio track. His performance as an honorable patriot thrown into a world of shit unawares can be better appreciated today than when the film was first released.
The supporting cast is also excellent. I first noticed Robert Carradine in "Coming Home." His performance as Bill Munson, the psychologically disturbed vet is the best of his career. If your only knowledge of Mr. Carradine's work is "Revenge of the Nerds" then you are in for a surprise. The same holds true for Penelope Milford. Ms. Milford has been stuck playing the "crazy hippie chick" is numerous movies including "Heathers." She shines in "Coming Home."
"Coming Home" is Jon Voight’s movie. He studied and trained and spent a great deal of time researching his role with disabled Vietnam Vets. The opening scene of the movie takes place around a VA hospital rec room pool table. Director Ashby had actual Vietnam vets talks about their experiences and feelings. The scene was unscripted. Jon Voight lays on his gurney. He reacts to what is said. He has no lines. In the featurette "Coming Back Home" he states that he didn't have a right to talk. These were the real guys saying what happened. His performance honors the fighting men. They were not the men who made decisions based on politics. They made in country decisions based on the lives of their buddies. Mr. Voight did the veterans of America's most unpopular war proud, by giving them a voice on the big screen.
Haskell Wexler is one of the greatest cinematographers of modern times. He also directed on of the best movies of the 60s, "Medium Cool." His work in "Coming Home" is excellent. Mr. Wexler, along with James Wong Howe is a master of the telephoto lens. Another great part of "Coming Home" is the soundtrack. It includes some of the most powerful music of the era. The final scene with Bruce Dern plays under Tim Buckley's "I Was A Soldier." It is a moving finale. This movie should be a part of every American's DVD collection. One of the best films from the decade that produced the best films in American history.
Great movie, picture, sound and extras. All for $19.98! This is a must have DVD.
Picture Quality: 10/10
A pristine transfer. Haskell Wexler's brilliant photography is as warm on this DVD as it was in the theater back in 78. This movie is an example of the best photography from the 70s. No artifacts or pixilation. Excellent flesh tones and great delineation of light and dark colors.
Sound Quality: 10/10
Even though this sound track is in mono, it still sounds great. "Coming Home" used a multitude of the best songs from the 60s to give the movie its ambient atmosphere. It sounded great back the, it sounds great today. "Coming Home" actually had The Beatles' "Hey Jude" at a time when their were no Beatles songs on soundtracks or commercials. It was an accomplishment for that time. No distortion or loss of dialogue.
Menu: 10/10
Excellent use of images and sounds from the movie. Easy to navigate.
Extra Features: 10/10
The featurette, "Hal Ashby: A Man Out of Time" is a 15 minute, loving tribute to the late director. It isn't as film factually driven as I would have liked. What it is, is a loving tribute to an eccentric, passionate and driven artist who enriched the movie world. Folks familiar with Mr. Ashby's life and work will appreciate it most. Others who see this after viewing the film will want to learn more about the man.
The featurette: "Coming Back Home" is filled with interviews with the cast and crew. It tells the story of the development, production and reaction to the film. It is a very nice retrospective on an important film.
The audio commentary is both entertaining and informative. Haskell Wexler's comments are cinema gold. He is one of the geniuses of the craft. Sit at the feet of the master. There is a nice Ying and Yang quality to Mr. Voight's and Mr. Dern's comments. They represented different sides of the discussion in this movie. Their comments on the reactions of different viewers are excellent.
The Final Word:
This is a must have DVD. Many thanks to MGM for putting out such a fine product at an incredibly reasonable price. Serious students of film will cherish this DVD.
Rusty White
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