The Dead (1987) Reviews

The Dead (1987)
Member Rating:  
The final film of legendary director John Huston was based on the closing story of James Joyce's Dubliners. Anjelica Huston is top-billed as Gretta Conroy, the niece by marriage of turn-of-century Irish spinsters Kate Morkan (Helena Carroll) and Julia Morkan (Cathleen Delany). At the home of these two curious ladies, Gretta is prodded into remembering her long-dead lover. She tearfully reveals to her husband (Donal McCann) that the deceased boy may well have died on her behalf. Her tale of woe bespeaks the sentiment shared by James Joyce: no matter how long in their graves, the dead will always influence the living. Adding to the film's elegiac quality, it stars Huston's daughter Anjelica and was co-written with his son Tony Huston. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Starring:
Anjelica Huston, Donal McCann, (more)
Director(s):
John Huston
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
PG
Format(s):
DVD
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Average Ratings

(15 member reviews)  

Member Reviews

Rose G.

I'd seen this film first in a movie house but this intimate and introspective gem of a film is even better when seen on the home screen. The writings of Joyce aren't the easiest to make into something as concrete as a film but the Hustons all, pull off the nearly impossible task admirably. Much of Joyce's poetic language remains intact in all the right places. Mostly seen through the eyes of the hardened and distracted Gabriel Conroy, he begins to realize, by the end of this family holiday party, the fleeting preciousness of life and all that he has failed to see in both his own life and the lives those closest to him. Highly recommended. It's really a shame that Blockbuster doesn't offer this movie.

Yes   |   No


Mary D.

While beautifully filmed, this movie was 90 minutes of nothing. No plot, no action, no resolutions,just a sad character study. I do not recommend it.

Yes   |   No


Joseph C.

I could not have cared less about any of the characters. If you are a fan of James Joyce, you may find this entertaining. I don't recall reading his stories. As for this video, it was a total waste of time.

Yes   |   No


Sandi S.

It's tough to compete with James Joyce's masterful short story from The Dubliners. While I found this an enjoyable film, I'm afraid that Joyce's symbolism, which is the key to the story's meaning, really does not come through. Had I not previously read the story, I think I might well have missed the point. Joyce's story is quite poignant and hauntingly beautiful, but the film really doesn't have the same impact. Some things possible in literature simply don't translate to the screen particularly well. I do think I might have enjoyed the film more had I not been comparing it with the original short story, which is one of my favorites.

Yes   |   No


Jorge H.

This movie was a total waste of my time. Plotless, actionless, sexless, sceneless, speechless, tasteless. and most of all "Deadless" because I did not see any bodies pop up anywhere. Don't waste your time like I did!

Yes   |   No


Margaret K.

Being an English major in college and reading several James Joyce works, I thought he may be a bit hard to translate into film. Yes, that is true in this case. Very slow, hard to follow, and typical English adaptation in that there was alot taken for granted and therefore unclear. The only action was right at the end and it was way too subtle.

Yes   |   No


Lois C.

A punishment ~ and I don't know what I did wrong? Don't even think something interesting will happen in this movie. Nothing happens in this movie.

Yes   |   No


SuzannMarie R.

this movie was GOD AWFULL!

Yes   |   No


Donald G.

This was a film for people that love to be bored. An acclaimed motion picture from which I got very little value as far as entertainment. I would rather read James Joyce's stories than see them in film if this is the way they are depicted.

Yes   |   No


Paul S.

IF YOU"RE LOOKING FOR AN ACTION MOVIE SKIP THIS ONE> BUT FOR A TYPICAL JAMES JOYCE STORY THIS IS WELL TOLD AND WELL ACTED AND KEPT MY INTEREST> FELT MORE LIKE A PLAY THAN A MOVIE

Yes   |   No


 
 
 

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    Member Reviews
    Read all (15)
     
    Rose G.

    I'd seen this film first in a movie house but this intimate and introspective gem of a film is even better when seen on the home screen. The writings of Joyce aren't the easiest to make into something as concrete as a film but the Hustons all, pull off the nearly impossible task admirably. Much of Joyce's poetic language remains intact in all the right places. Mostly seen through the eyes of the hardened and distracted Gabriel Conroy, he begins to realize, by the end of this family holiday party, the fleeting preciousness of life and all that he has failed to see in both his own life and the lives those closest to him. Highly recommended. It's really a shame that Blockbuster doesn't offer this movie.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Mary D.

    While beautifully filmed, this movie was 90 minutes of nothing. No plot, no action, no resolutions,just a sad character study. I do not recommend it.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Joseph C.

    I could not have cared less about any of the characters. If you are a fan of James Joyce, you may find this entertaining. I don't recall reading his stories. As for this video, it was a total waste of time.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Read All 15 Reviews
       

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