Brainstorm

A great crystal-clear transfer to DVD in it's 1:35:1 original Widescreen aspect ratio.No extra bonus features on the disc but a quality purchase.

This is a fascinating film noir, full of twists and interesting characters. Well directed by William Conrad, the actor who used to play the PI Cannon on the eponymous TV series, "Brainstorm" is an intriguing crime thriller about a computer wizard and the femme fatale that is his undoing. Jeffrey Hunter and Anne Francis play the starring roles. This is one of Hunter's best films, a film that for some reason is pretty much overlooked these days. It's great fun to watch how it all plays out. Jeffrey Hunter knows he shouldn't become involved with Anne Francis, but he can't help it. He's drawn to her like a moth to a flame--and he knows what he's getting into all the while. Still he can't stop himself. The film doesn't have a lot of action in it. What's enthralling is the duel between Hunter and his lover's husband, Dana Andrews, a millionaire businessman twice her age. When Andrews learns of his wife's infidelity with Hunter, he tries to destroy Hunter's career by convincing everybody Hunter is mentally unstable. In a neat gimmick, Hunter then uses Andrews's frame-up to get back at Andrews and get away with it. Or does he? Hollywood rarely makes well-plotted movies like this anymore. More's the pity.

Watching this stylish and nightmarish black and white movie was a great delight. I am really glad someone brings these hidden treasures to the light. The main subject of the story is the question whether the main character - a truly great performance by Jeffrey Hunter - is insane or not. The cinematography and the set design pull the viewer down into the same state of confusion as the main character. We share his insecurity as life seems to play tricks on him and everybody seems to be opposed to his view of events. Very interesting is the stark contrast between the ultra modern industrial complex in which the main character works and the Gothic interior of the residence of the owner of that corporation (small part but convincing under acting by film noir veteran Dana Andrews). Also great performance by Anne Francis as a kind of femme fatale - isn't she a vastly underrated actress who could have had a career like Ellen Burstyn? Anyway, after watching this I felt compelled to purchase the Honey West TV series in which Francis stars - another great delight in black and white.

This is a good noir style movie (done in the tradition of Double Indemnity meets Kiss Me Deadly) that unfortunately came out a bit too late (like a full decade too late). If this movie had been released during the noir craze of the 1940's and 50's, it might have been a classic. Still, if you have not seen this one, do so. It's worth it.

I love the twist at the end of the movie! It is definitely a collectible and one that I am very pleased to own.

Stunning print! Was a treat to see, and own.

thanks

[BRAINSTORM - (1965) - Directed by William Conrad - B+W Widescreen presentation] After watching 'My Blood Runs Cold' from the same year, also directed by William Conrad (later the star of TV's 'Cannon'), I jumped on this film immediately, also being a fan of Anne Francis (star of 'Honey West' and numerous appearances on 'Burke's Law', 'Route 66', etc.). Though I did enjoy it for what it was, what it wasn't didn't leave me feeling similarly to 'My Blood Runs Cold', which I considered to be a better overall viewing experience (read my review). But in the William Conrad canon (no pun intended), it fares considerably better than 'Two On a Guillotine'.Personally, I found Jeff Hunter's portrayal of the moody scientist a trite overdone; there's nothing subtle about his acting here, it borders on over-the-top once he gets romantically involved with Anne Francis' character. And the scheme he cooked up to get away with murder was rife with probable outcome nightmares from the get-go, so when things don't go as planned there's no surprise to be had, weakening the film's conclusion considerably. Forget about playing nuts, he had to have a good head start to believe this scheme was even remotely feasible. And Anne Francis suddenly disappears mid-point through the movie, returning for two minutes near the end to say what you knew she would say fifteen minutes into the proceedings. Though the film was released in 1965, it looks, feels and plays out like a film noir from the mid 50's - it has absolutely nothing to do with the 60's in any way, so it comes off somewhat dated all around. It's reminiscent of Sam Fuller's 'Shock Corridor' with a bigger budget, but not as good or as forward thinking. Again, I did enjoy it to a point, but its predictability left me flat. A 3½ star flick some might consider worthy of a fourth, but never a fifth. A bit campy and certainly a guilty pleasure for me, but it should have been better, or at least had a twist somewhere to keep things interesting - it's not exactly a 'Brainstorm'.

Said to be the last of the 'film noirs' this is a unique presentation. There are some clumsy pieces that don't quite knit together but Jeffrey Hunter's powerful performance carries it along. This film shows Hunter to be a gifted actor who didn't receive the acclaim that he deserved. Viveca Lindfors also gives a supreme and sexy performance. The images and confrontations between these two actors tend to live on in your thought processes for some time. Great tribute needs also to be paid to William Conrad as a director; somebody who was better known for his performances as the PI Cannon.

good thriller from director William Conrad jeff hunter, dana Andrews and anne francis star great picture and sound

Todo un clásico py en día y muy entretenida me sorprendió buena imagen y buen sonido

curieux film noir qui ressemble au début à ASSURANCE SUR LA MORT et vire vers SHOCK CORRIDOR. Original mais pas totalement abouti. Beau scope noir et blanc

excellent très bonne condition reçu avant la date prévue très bon vendeur