Starring: Tuesday Weld, John Ireland, Elvis Presley, Hope Lange, Millie Perkins, Gary Lockwood, Rafer Johnson
Company: Twilight Time
My Review and Thoughts:
My Rating: 4 out of 5
Twilight Time released and honored this film with this amazing Blu-ray that stands out as being something movie lovers should own. It’s truly a spectacular, fun, drama induced musical story. It's a classic style film. Director Philip Dunne gave his all to the film and Elvis mastered a wonderful character on screen. Twilight Time does a masterful job at honoring this film and creating a perfect and beautiful Blu-ray of amazing quality and sound that just expresses the passion of film.
Well this stars the one and only master voice talent, singer, icon and ultimate legend in the music world Elvis Presley. Now I am not a huge fan of Elvis as an actor. Never really cared for his movies but there are two or three that I consider greats, one being another film honored by Twilight Time, Flaming Star which you can read my review for in the Twilight Time section of reviews. I do feel this one, Wild in the Country is also one that stands out with it's musical drama. Many people believe Flaming Star was his best performance and I cannot disagree with that. He had a talent that transcended the music world but never really got the chance to show his shinning colors because he was always type cast, as the singer or the cute boy after the girls.
I do feel Wild in the Country is a wonderful melodrama film that comes together and expresses itself as something memorable and most of all entertaining. Elvis along with all the other performers are able to give the viewer solid performances as if, what's happening on screen is real. I think that is the ultimate plus to Elvis movies, is that the viewer can understand and accept the reality taking place on screen throughout his performances, even with the musical aspect taking place. The viewer can relate to the characters as you become a part of them and their ordeals.
Elvis stands out as the character of Glenn Tyler. He adds all the dramatic tones of a character that stands out to the viewer. Elvis really acted in this part and that is why it stands out from all his other countless films. He gives a dramatic gift to his many roles no matter what style of film he was acting in.
Also starring in this is the beautiful and amazing Hope Lange as the character Irene Sperry. She always shines and is someone that truly stands out and is gifted in any role she has ever played. My personal favorite is the movie 1959's The Best of Everything which might I add Twilight Time honored with a Special Edition Blu-ray, you can read my review for it in the Twilight Time section.
Also starring the very beautiful Tuesday Weld. She is an award winning and nominated actress that creates every character into a believable persona, and the character of Noreen in Wild in the Country is no different than that reality. She has been a part of so many important films in cinematic history, from Looking for Mr. Goodbar (1977), 1981’s Thief, to 1984’s Once Upon a Time in America. It was great seeing her in this film. She is perfect and her performance as always is utterly fantastic.
The movie is about a young man (Elvis), Glenn who has a troubled family life. He ends up fighting with his brother in a huge fight and ends up in trouble with the law and has to go on probation. There he meets Irene Sperry who has the job of counseling him. Glenn discovers that he has the ability to write. Soon the counselor takes interest and encourages him to pursue a literary career.
The director of this is probably more prolific as a writer than a director. Philip Dunne. He directed 10 films but wrote many many more including a slew of memorable features films. He wrote 1953's The Robe. 1941's How Green was my Valley and many others that stand out. Both Elvis and Philip Dunne work great together. Dunne directed his performers with a master class. He also was honored with another Twilight Time Special Edition Blu-ray release of 10 North Frederick. Wild in the Country stands out for any lover of drama musicals and most of all lovers of Elvis, the one and only.
Twilight Time did an awesome job at restoring this beauty and giving it an ultimate outlet it deserved. Now this generation can experience the beauty of this film from its amazing direction, to its great acting, to its drama induced story. This is clearly another gifted Blu-ray of Twilight Time perfection. Twilight Time truly knows how to express the beauty of film as an art form. They give a true outlet to films sadly overlooked.
Audio/Video:
My Rating: 5 out of 5
Spot on. The audio is absolutely flawless. The picture quality is breathtaking and something to highly praise.
LANGUAGE: English
VIDEO: 1080p High Definition / 2.35:1
AUDIO: English 2.0 DTS-HD MA
SUBTITLES: English SDH
1961 / Color
114 MINUTES
Special Features:
My Rating: 2 out of 5
Isolated Music Track: The music throughout this feature film is a wonderful mix of musical bliss. The composed music is by American composer Kenyon Hopkins. Now Kenyon is an interesting composer in history. He was often referred to as "One of Jazz's great composers and arrangers". He worked on many wonderful films including the great 1956's Baby Doll and the masterpiece 1957's 12 Angry Men. Other masterful moments in film is for the movie 1961's The Hustler, just to name a few.
Original Theatrical Trailer
Overall:
A wonderful musical story. Add in amazing direction and music and you have a truly memorable film of the 60’s. Flawless direction, great acting, and production. Twilight Time gives a new outlet to this old film and creates a quality that shines as if the film is new; like it was when it came out.
INFO:
Make sure you head over to www.screenarchives.com to buy all the wonderful Twilight Time Blu-rays. The main page that gives you these beautiful releases on top quality Special Editions.
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