|
Goodbye, Mr. ChipsRating:
Release Date: 03 February, 2004 Retail Price: $19.98 OUR Price: $17.99 You SAVE: $1.99! Cast: Complete Cast (9 total) |
Goodbye, Mr. Chips Reviews
The First and the Best
Although some would disagree, Sam Wood's 1939 version of the novella by James Hilton (1934) stands out firm as one of the best adaptation's of this sentimental story of a shy but dedicated teacher.
Director Sam Wood was known more for his later films, Our Town, staring a young and handsome, William Holden and a beautiful, Martha Scott. Another sentimental favourite from that extremely prolific period for filmmaking in Hollywood are: For Whom the Bell Tolls, staring Gary Cooper and the stunning Ingrid Bergman. Also Kings Row with Claude Rains is a beauty. Sam Wood's career grew as he became more adept at his trade; however, "Chips" is a wonderful rendition of the story, and in fact, the first film adaptation in a long line of films.
Robert Donat plays the leading role with great skill and charm as we see him recall his sixty-five year career as a teacher at a traditional English school for boys, in a series of flashbacks spanning over sixty years. Donat captured the old teacher's humour and charm, his dedication and ultimately, his sensitive caring attention to all his students. The aging process, which the character must go through, is done with surprising realism for the time, as old Chips actually appeared his 84 years.
Greer Garson is absolutely gorgeous, as she meets Chips on a mountain top in the Swiss Alps and, although seeming as if she is way out of the then middle aged school teachers league,(too beautiful, too classy) falls head over heel's for him and marries him, joining him at the school. Of course she charms the faculty and the students, showing old Chip a more human side to his students. The famous scene where she dies giving birth, and Chip's decides to take his class anyway, as the boy's play an April fools joke on the teacher, and later, the students discover the tragedy, would cause tears to fall for even the hardest heart. The expressions the boy's have, revealing sadness and compassion for their old teacher is simply astounding. And despite the obvious sentimentality, brought a tear or two to my eyes as well.
This is a wonderful story, a testimony to the profession of teaching, a sentimental journey of a simple man's life who had an influence on generation after generation of students, young men, moulding them into men. This truly is a classic.
This DVD would be an excellent addition to anyone's library.
Garson's Debut & Donat wins Oscar
Goodbye, Mr. Chips made a star of Greer Garson but Robert Donat won an Oscar for this film.
This is a story of the career of Mr. Chipping a teacher at Brookfield School (Founded in 1492). It starts 58 years after his arrival and the current Headmaster was a student of Chipping 37 years ago. It is the first day of school and Chips is determined not to miss assembly.
At afternoon tea (actually 4 pm) he falls asleep and starts to dream of his arrival 58 years ago. Chipping is a mild manner man and the boys takes advantage of that. Chipping's career has been unspectacular. While he is liked, he is not well liked.
Chipping goes on holiday (that's British for vacation) with the German Master to Germany. While hiking, he "rescues" a woman, Katherine Ellis, he thought was in distress. The next day they part. But Chips keeps hoping they will meet again. In Vienna they meet up again. As Kathy's train is leaving, Chips gets the nerve to ask her to marry him.
Back at the school, everyone instantly falls for Kathy. (Well, who wouldn't fall in love with Greer Garson?) Kathy turns her charms to the boys, make her the most popular person at the school.
With Kathy by his side, Chipping's career begins to flourish. Things are going great, a baby Chipping is coming. Unfortunately, both Kathy and the baby die in child birth.
Time passes by and so does the school. The Head demands that Chipping retires and the school rallies round Chipping. Eventually Chipping does retire. But then WWI breaks out and he is pressed into service, as Headmaster. The war ends and he returns to retirement.
Robert Donat won the Oscar beating heavyweight competition that year (Gable, Olivier, Rooney and Stewart). Garson was only on the screen for 30 minutes but she nabbed a Best Actress nomination (losing to Vivien Leigh). Garson would win three years later for Mrs. Miniver.
Technically, this is a great film. The art direction is beautiful, and considering the budget, it was spectacular. The opening sequences of Brookfield, made my think that the art directors for Harry Potter looked at this film.
A great film by a great filmmaker.
DVD EXTRAS: None
More Customer Reviews (20 total)
You like Goodbye, Mr. Chips?
|
© 2004 DVD Booty | Don't Plunder Our Cache of Booty, Matey!
Hosting Provided by Debt Consolidation Time
