Robert Tanitch reviews the latest DVDs
THE FALLEN IDOL (StudioCanal), directed by Carol Reed and based on a story by Graham Greene and ranking amongst Reed’s very best films, is a British classic and dates from 1948 just afterOdd Man Out and just before The Third Man. An embassy butler (Ralph Richardson) is having an affair with an embassy secretary (Michelle Morgan). The action is seen through the eyes of the ambassador’s 8-year-old son (Bobby Henrey) who presumes the butler he idolizes has murdered his odious wife (Sonia Dresdel) and, lying to the police to defend him, succeeds only in incriminating him. The excellent acting, the lavish foyer set by Vincent Korda (with an imposing marble staircase), the fine photography of Georges Perinal and Reed’s direction of Bobby Henrey are major contributions to its success.
HOLLYWOOD BANKER (Bulldog) is an interesting documentary about the Danish banker, Frans Alfman (1933-2011), the best known banker in Hollywood, who financed 900 films, includingTerminator. A banker who is held in high regard sounds like a contradiction in terms. He learned his job from Dino De Laurentiis and developed a new system for financing films. Alfman, a loyal, savvy and proactive father-figure to independent producers, took a creative interest and was willing to take a high risk. Kevin (Dances with Wolves), Paul Verhoeven and Oliver (Platoon) Stone are among those who pay tribute to him.
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