John Frankenheimer on Blu-ray - Blu-ray Forum

SeanJoyce · 08-19-2020, 09:38 PM

A master of the action film and perhaps THE statesman of the political thriller, Frankenheimer had one of the greatest decades for any director with his astounding run in the 60s. His unsung collaborative relationship with Burt Lancaster is a high point for either man.

A few bullet-points for me:

The Train is a practically flawless piece of war/action craftsmanship. Every beat and every measure is perfectly synchronized, like a trusty grandfather clock that's never failed to chime the correct time. I love the juxtaposition between Lancaster's resilient freedom fighter and Scofield's determined SS officer, and their opposing reasons for savings these priceless pieces of French art. The following year's Von Ryan's Express was also a cracking train-set WWII yarn, but it's swallowed up by this tentacled beast.

Seven Days in May is my personal favorite film from him; just an absolute corker of political suspense intrigue. It's probably the best-cast thriller of all time, and the climactic verbal showdown between March's proud president and Lancaster's insidious general is one of the most scintillating examples of screen acting and scripted dialogue.

Black Sunday is yet another gem of geopolitical thrills, led by a triumvirate of excellent performances: the always-fantastic Robert Shaw as a world-weary Israeli commando, Marthe Keller as an impassioned (German-born) Middle Eastern terrorist and, best of all, Bruce Dern as a damaged and unhinged Vietnam veteran caught between them. I think it's Dern's best performance, and the film is one of my most-wanted in the HD format. Like most of Frankenheimer's other films, it hasn't dated (effects notwithstanding) and is actually more relevant in today's combustible climate.

An uneven but talented guy, I'd love to hear what people have to say about his films!

08-19-2020, 09:38 PM	#2
SeanJoyce Blu-ray Ninja Member since:Nov 2014	A master of the action film and perhaps THE statesman of the political thriller, Frankenheimer had one of the greatest decades for any director with his astounding run in the 60s. His unsung collaborative relationship with Burt Lancaster is a high point for either man. A few bullet-points for me: The Train is a practically flawless piece of war/action craftsmanship. Every beat and every measure is perfectly synchronized, like a trusty grandfather clock that's never failed to chime the correct time. I love the juxtaposition between Lancaster's resilient freedom fighter and Scofield's determined SS officer, and their opposing reasons for savings these priceless pieces of French art. The following year's Von Ryan's Express was also a cracking train-set WWII yarn, but it's swallowed up by this tentacled beast. Seven Days in May is my personal favorite film from him; just an absolute corker of political suspense intrigue. It's probably the best-cast thriller of all time, and the climactic verbal showdown between March's proud president and Lancaster's insidious general is one of the most scintillating examples of screen acting and scripted dialogue. Black Sunday is yet another gem of geopolitical thrills, led by a triumvirate of excellent performances: the always-fantastic Robert Shaw as a world-weary Israeli commando, Marthe Keller as an impassioned (German-born) Middle Eastern terrorist and, best of all, Bruce Dern as a damaged and unhinged Vietnam veteran caught between them. I think it's Dern's best performance, and the film is one of my most-wanted in the HD format. Like most of Frankenheimer's other films, it hasn't dated (effects notwithstanding) and is actually more relevant in today's combustible climate. An uneven but talented guy, I'd love to hear what people have to say about his films! Last edited by SeanJoyce; 09-30-2021 at 12:39 AM.

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