Starring: Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman, Thomas Gibson, Robert Prosky, Barbara Babcock Directed By: Ron Howard Average Rating: Aspect Ratio: 2.20:1 Audience Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested) Binding: DVD Format: Anamorphic, Color, Dolby, Widescreen, NTSC Label: Universal Studios Number of Items: 1 Picture Format: Anamorphic Widescreen Region Code: 1 Release Date: July 01, 1998 Running Time: 140 minutes Theatrical Release Date: May 22, 1992
Product Description: A poor young Irish man immigrates to the United States along with the daughter of a wealthy land owner. Genre: Feature Film-Drama Rating: PG13 Release Date: 27-FEB-2007 Media Type: DVD
Amazon.com: Filmed in the widescreen splendor of "Panavision Super 70" and blessed with the finest production values that Hollywood clout can buy, this tale of spunky Irish immigrants forgot one crucial ingredient: a decent screenplay. The film is entertaining enough, and director Ron Howard brings his technical proficiency to the simple plot, culminating in a dynamic, breathtaking depiction of the Oklahoma land rush of 1893. But the movie is really just a vacuous vehicle for married stars Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman as (respectively) the poor tenant farmer and rich landlord's daughter who flee Ireland to be American pioneers. The scenery and the stars are never less than stunning, but Howard falls short of the mark in his attempt to match the epic sweep of films by David Lean. On the other hand, this movie is certainly never boring even if it rarely makes sense, and Lean's own Irish epic, Ryan's Daughter, is a snoozer by comparison. --Jeff Shannon
Sweet, Romantic Film While certainly not a "great" film, "Far and Away" is sweet and very romantic. The movie is entertaining, but don't expect to be intellectually stimulated. It's a somewhat interesting (although exaggerated and over simplified) look at the American immigrant experience and a man's (or, in Nicole Kidman's case, a woman's) yearning for land to call one's own. The scenery is beautiful, there are one or two very funny scenes, and the acting is not bad. The budding romance between the characters played by Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman is well done. If you're looking for a romantic, memorable chick-flick, "Far and Away" is a good choice.
A man who does not have land of his own;has nothing.
A movie classic is one that bears watching many times.This is such a movie.It reminds me of "The Quiet Man" in many ways. At first,I could not fathom Tom Cruise as a fierce Irishman ,nor Nicole Kidman playing the part of Protestant Irish Gentry;but what marvelous performances they make in this epic. The story begins on the west coast of Ireland in 1892,when Joseph Donnelly ,a poor downtrodden farmer, in his early 20's, has had about all he can take from the brutal domination of the British Landlord system,and sees as his only hope for the future is to emigrate to America. At the other end of the social structure,Shannon Christie ,sees her priviliged life just as suffocating ,and also looks to America to start a new life. When I started to watch this movie,I had no idea whatsoever about it ,or its story. How I missed it several years back,I don't know.As it turned out,I an just as glad;because that is just the way to enjoy such a great epic,at least for me.Just sit back and let it all onfold. The scenes in Ireland are beautifully done. In a few shot minutes you really see how terrible the system was for the tenent farmers and how cruel the system was ,that had been imposed on them from England. Shortly, the story takes us to the slums of Boston where conditions were much as they were in New York; and we witnessed in the later movie of "Gangs of New York" or the novel "Five Points." The great actor ,Colm Meany, gives his usual magnificient perormance in the role of slum strongman,Kelly. Boy,I admire his work,even if I dislike the character he portrays in this movie. Within the year ,the story moves to the Ozark Mountains and finally to Oklahoma and the great Land Rush where their hopes for free land would be realized. What a great epic,all in about 2 years, and covering so much country. There are great characters ,you will come to love and hate.I have read and studied a lot of Irish history and dispora,but never did I see the Landlord portrayed in such a revealing way.All the landlords were not alike and many ,like Christie ,were as much prisoners to the British system as were the tenents. You will come to like him as much as O'Hara in "Gone With the Wind". With so much territory being covered,you would think that the story might drag;after all, the movie lasts for 2hours and 20 minutes. Such is not the case,it is so filled with action,emotions ans scenes,that are so good,that you will only wish that it could have lasted much longer. The scenes of the Oklahoma Land Rush are almost unbelievable and as good as any scenes of such magnitude and chaos that you will ever witness. Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman show riding skills that are breathtaking;and if they weren'tperformed by the personally;it sure fooled me. I will be watching this wonderful epic over again;and will surely find many things I missed first time.
A True Classic Far and Away is a real gem. Along with Apollo 13, it is Ron Howard's finest film. The epic story takes us from Ireland to Boston to Oklahoma, and for over two hours the film hasn't a single dull moment. Cruise and Kidman breathe life into their characters, and Howard's direction keeps everything moving in appropriate fashion. That's the key to Howard's excellence as a director: He always puts the story first. The clothing, sets, cinematography: all serve the story.
As with Apollo 13, everything builds to one heart-tugging moment at the climax of the film, and repeated viewings don't diminish the power of this moment one iota. In fact, seeing the film a second and third time only enhances the viewing experience, as the script is so well constructed. Everything from the characters' personal tics to ability to fight and ride horses is set up in the beginning of the film, and the growth and development of Joseph and Shannon flows logically from their life experiences.
This edition of the dvd doesn't provide much in terms of features, but the sound and picture are terrific. In fact, the sound in particular is noteworthy, as the score does not overpower the dialogue. On most dvds, it always seems like the score and sound effects are twice as loud as the dialogue, so I'm constantly adjusting the volume. Not so with this dvd. I was able to watch and listen comfortably throughout.
At the time, it seemed important that Cruise and Kidman were married. In the years to follow, of course, the real-life couple divorced, Kidman would make some pretty poor pictures, and Cruise seems to have gone totally nuts. But watching Far and Away, you forget all about that and get pulled completely into the film. This is a beautiful story, a wonderful film romance, and a great epic adventure. It's the absolute definition of a classic movie. I couldn't recommend it more highly.
Still a favorite I've seen this movie countless times. Its just one of those films that you never tire of. People have slammed this film for one reason or another, and I know its a matter of opinion, but honestly, Far and Away is a good film. It is not great and not perfect. But it is enjoyable and a good love story, though that really is the back story to the film. Its more than a love story, its about 2 people doing everything they possibly can in a new and strange land. A former rich girl resorts to plucking chickens just to make a few extra coins. And a poor man who has a great talent, knocking people out. Its a somewhat long film, but I didn't get bored watching it at any time. Its subtle and engaging. Tom and Nicole both did a great job as pretend Irish. I thought Nicole especially really looked the part. It was very believable, from the both of them. Great scenery is also a plus in this. Its a great dramatic love story and really portrays that time period very well, I thought.
Rousing Epic This film is incredibly hard to dislike. Even at nearly two and one-half hours it never fails to entertain. The production values are sumptuous particularly the photography and John Williams' lush score. The acting is top shelf. Director Ron Howard in his earlier films had the knack for engaging an audience but afterward you weren't left with much food for thought. This film seemed to me to be informed by the work of David Lean. What Howard lacked, at that time, is Lean's artistry. Later in his career he would address that, "The DaVinci Code" withstanding, with the superb "A Beautiful Mind" and "Cinderella Man". Stars Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman are engaging and have definite screen chemistry. It's interesting to watch them in the early years of their relationship onscreen. Contrast that with "Eyes Wide Shut" when their marriage was probably in it's final death throes. Also engaging is the always dependable Robert Prosky as a genial Irish land baron. Thomas Gibson, who ironically appeared with the Cruises in "Eyes Wide Shut", gives a multi-dimensional account as the film's heavy.
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