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The Incredible Petrified World (1959)
This movie has limited appeal
Four divers in a breakaway diving bell end up in a vast series of caverns. They explore their environment trying to find a way to the surface, but their path is blocked by an underground volcano. It is this cavern-world with its many stalactites and stalagmites that give this movie it's name.
John Carradine is the scientist who's diving bell has failed. He realizes his mistake and makes a deal with his chief rival who is using a diving bell patterned after the first: he will correct his rival's design in exchange for using the bell at the first bell's location.
This movie is weak, but not as bad as many reviewers have stated. There is little action, and the dialog is lacking. There is some suspense, however, as the four trapped people wind their way through the caverns. In addition, the caverns themselves provide a beautiful backdrop to this film.
The flaws in the movie tip the scale to the turkey side. Carradine's character explains that the water pressure at the depth where the diving bell comes to rest will crush the divers, yet they inexplicably survive. The story explaining the hermit's presence faces the same problem.
If you're a fan of John Carradine or Phyllis Coates, or if you enjoy movies set in underground caverns, you might enjoy this film. There is little appeal for anyone else.
Eagle in a Cage (1972)
A Bit of Historical Fiction (spoilers kept to a minimum)
After a disastrous attempt to invade Russia, a coalition of France's enemies captured Paris and forced Napoleon to abdicate. He was exiled to the island of Elba, but escaped to France less than a year later. He reclaimed the title of Emperor and resumed his battles of conquest until his defeat at Waterloo at the hands of the British. This time, the British exiled him to the remote island of St. Helena in the middle of the South Atlantic.
"Eagle in a Cage" is the story of that second exile. It blends fictional elements and historical facts in much the same way as movies like "Amadeus". The setting, the people, and most of the events are taken from history. The main crux of the story - the arrival of Lord Sissal with a proposition for Napoleon - is fictional, but is partly based on plots and rumors that existed at the time. Likewise, this movie exaggerates the poorness of Napoleon's living conditions for dramatic effect.
Kenneth Haigh does a fine job playing Napoleon and is properly contemptuous of the English. Billie Whitelaw is excellent as the Countess Bertrand, Napoleon's former lover who claims to be completely over him. Kenneth Williams does well as Dr. O'Meara, though this character's role could have been bigger.
However, it is the film's two biggest stars who really steal the show. Ralph Richardson plays Sir Hudson Lowe, the island's governor and Napoleon's jailer. Lowe has had to work hard for every promotion and resents those who get promoted because of political ties or noble birth. John Gielgud plays Lord Sissal, envoy of the British government. He is loud, crass, and dismissal of propriety. The scenes these two have together are among the best in the film.
The script is well-written and has a lot of clever dialogue. In addition to the scenes between Sissal and Lowe, there are many great scenes between Napoleon and many of the other characters including the doctor, Countess Bertrand, and both Sissal and Lowe. On the other hand, the potential relationship between the doctor and the countess has promise, but is glossed over. Also, the transformation of Betty Balcome (Georgina Hale) from a naive girl to a lady capable of scheming seems a bit abrupt.
All in all, "Eagle in a Cage" has many great performances and a good, solid story. It has its share of intrigue, a bit of romance, and a good dose of history. If you find these things interesting in a movie, I definitely recommend this one.
Man in the Mirror (2008)
37 years in the making
"Man in the Mirror" is a feel-good movie set in New York City in the early 1970s. It centers around an inner-city neighborhood and the various people living there, each trying to overcome their own problems. The characters in this film are colorful and are drawn from director Frank Weston's own personal experiences while living in New York.
Michael Dunn plays Apple Joe, a street vendor who sells apples and tries to spread a little morality around the neighborhood. Joe is willing to lend a helping hand to anyone who needs it, whether it's an out-of-towner down on her luck, an ineffectual cop, or a group of neighborhood kids tired of being treated as punks.
Martin Sheen does an excellent job playing nine roles in this film using a variety of looks, accents, walks, and personalities. Some of these roles are of a type that he hasn't played since. Fans of Martin Sheen will enjoy watching his versatility on screen.
The film captures life in the late 60s and early 70s in New York City, with references to civil unrest in the South. It is artistic and full of symbolism. Then when we meet the actual Man in the Mirror, his conversation with Joe mirrors the unrest present in America at that time. New footage added to this film might be said to suggest that although we have come far since 1970, perhaps we haven't come as far as we tell ourselves.
Most of this movie was filmed in 1970. For whatever reason, it was not released back then. In 2006 and 2007, new footage was shot and the process of restoring the original began. Unfortunately, some of the original footage had deteriorated or was missing. As a result, there are scenes in this film where the editing is uneven. This should be considered the fault of aging, not the filmmakers.
Despite the unfortunate problems caused by age, this is an enjoyable film to watch. Michael Dunn (best known as Dr Loveless in "The Wild Wild West") is a fine actor, and makes the most of a role that actors of his size rarely get a chance to play. Martin Sheen's various roles are enjoyable, and I found myself eagerly waiting to see what his next character would be like. All in all, this is a fine film which entertains you while delivering its message.