This was one of several special episodes Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert did during the lifetime of their show that focused on a certain theme of which this one was devoted to the great villains of the movies. Besides mentioning many of the ones that had a big impact like Norman Bates from Psycho or the Glenn Close character Alex Forrest from Fatal Attraction, they also mention how certain nationalities like the American Indian in The Searchers or Japanese soldier in The Bridge on the River Kwai could easily be villains during the Cold War era and before but because of Political Correctness today are more likely portrayed as victims like the former in Dances with Wolves and the U.S-born descendants of the latter in Come See the Paradise. Gene and Roger also discuss how villains then were bad just because when today, there's some explanation of how they got that way or that they were dirty clothed and messy in the olden days instead of more slickly dressed and with a smooth demeanor nowadays. After one more discussion of why many female villains today are so hot instead of ugly like Rosa Klebb in From Russia with Love, they each pick their favorite villain: For Gene, it's the HAL 9000 from 2001: A Space Odyssey. For Roger, it's Harry Lime from The Third Man. Very enjoyable show from the two and if you want to see the whole thing, it's right now on YouTube.
2 Reviews
"Villians: So Bad, They're Good" is one of the great special episodes of "Siskel & Ebert"
tavm26 August 2010
Warning: Spoilers
Season 9, Episode 45
Michael_Elliott16 January 2018
Siskel & Ebert (1995)
Season 9, Episode 45
This episode takes a look at some of the best villains that the big screen has ever delivered. The film critics talk about the villain over the years, how they've changed and how they've somewhat stayed the same. They also talk about how being politically correct might cause an issue for villains going forward but we also get a discussion on how most movie villains suit whatever attitudes are going on in the world at that time. We even get Siskel and Ebert giving us their pick of the greatest villain of all time. This is certainly a very fun episode with a lot of great movie recommendations in it. I thought both critics did a very good job with their selections and there's no question that the discussions are great and full of wonderful entertainment.
Season 9, Episode 45
This episode takes a look at some of the best villains that the big screen has ever delivered. The film critics talk about the villain over the years, how they've changed and how they've somewhat stayed the same. They also talk about how being politically correct might cause an issue for villains going forward but we also get a discussion on how most movie villains suit whatever attitudes are going on in the world at that time. We even get Siskel and Ebert giving us their pick of the greatest villain of all time. This is certainly a very fun episode with a lot of great movie recommendations in it. I thought both critics did a very good job with their selections and there's no question that the discussions are great and full of wonderful entertainment.
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