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| Customer Reviews: | | Average Customer Review: ( 23 customer reviews )
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
74 of 75 found the following review helpful:
 Wonderful story. Excellent actors. And finally a first-rate DVD transfer from BBC Video Mar 16, 2004
By C. O. DeRiemer
The Shooting Party shows the decline of the British aristocracy (and why they became irrelevent) through the story device of a weekend of country shooting and the relationships among the manor head (James Mason), those he has invited, those who are retainers on his estate, and those protesting the shoot.
Mason is absolutely superb. He was a subtle actor who made some awful role choices in his career. This was one of his great roles. In the Shooting Party, he embodies the sadness of the loss of values he treasures as well as an understanding of why these values are being lost.
Update as of November 3, 2006: Please note that I have just looked through the BBC Video's new release of the film. It does the the movie justice. The picture is just a little soft, but the colors are rich and the transfer has clarity. The audio is excellent. The BBC's version is worthy of the film. If I could now change my rating to five stars, I would.
Jusr remember that the version from Jef Films, for all practical purposes, is unwatchable. It looks and sounds as if it had been made from a fifth generation home recorded video tape. Color is faded, the images are out of focus, the sound is variable.
41 of 45 found the following review helpful:
 Bad quality transfer Aug 11, 2003
After a long wait, the quality of this DVD is dissapointing, and not worth it at any price. Without the deep fall colors and contrasts of the original, "The Shooting Party's" minor flaws, its sentimentality and heavy symbolism, take over. The print look like a fifty year old Kodachrome slide--washed out, flat contrast and no shadow detail. And the sound is almost as bad. That said, the secenes between James Mason as the estate owner, and John Guielgud as the animal rights activist, are priceless. But why should this print be worse than the one shown on television...?
36 of 41 found the following review helpful:
 A beautiful film ruined Apr 30, 2004
By M. P. Vincent
"Filmlover"
Having waited for ages to find a DVD of this, one of my favourite films, I was thrilled to find it available Across the Pond in R1. That thrill has now turned to despair, however ! This is a classic example of an otherwise beautiful movie ruined by a truly appalling transfer. The perpetrators of this monstrosity should be punished by being locked in a darkened cell for a year, fed only on a diet of bread, water, and a perpetual tape of Britney Spears (any album will do).
Save you money for the professional version.
11 of 11 found the following review helpful:
Simply fabulous! May 30, 2007
By J. Lesley
"(Judy)"
I have to say immediately that I have no technical knowlege concerning this DVD. I know absolutely nothing about film technology. All I can say is that I now own this movie in the DVD version by the BBC and it is simply fabulous. I never saw this either in a movie theatre or on video cassette so I have no point of reference concerning quality. The story appeals to me because of the subject matter and the quality of the casting. The location, costumes and makeup are simply the best. It is very much a film which holds the interest of anyone interested in the life styles and moral standards of Edwardian England. So many things are about to change in the lives of all these people and yet they cannot know this and go on about their lives just as they always have. One of the most moving aspects of the film for me is at the end when the characters names are flashed on the screen with the information of what happened to them during the war. Also, the extra feature where the casting and location details are discussed adds much to the enjoyment of this fine film.
Highly recommended for anyone interested in period English drama. I also purchased the book by Isabel Colegate and read it. I found that the film was very, very faithful to the book. In the extra features included with the DVD the author seemed to be well pleased with the efforts made by the producers to present her work as she would have wished. Good, enjoyable entertainment. Well worth it for any true Anglophile.
14 of 15 found the following review helpful:
a masterpiece Aug 24, 2006
By Paul R. Jones
I cannot say enough good about this film. It is brilliant on so many levels. James Mason and John Gielgud were never better and the rest of the cast were perfectly chosen and rose to the occasion. This is what Gosford Park wanted to be but just did'nt make it and I liked Gosford Park. I am so glad a good quality DVD is available at last. In my opinion a must for any film collection. Please watch this with the time to devote your full attention to it, you will be well rewarded
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