| Guilty by Suspicion [Region 2] |  | Director: Irwin Winkler
Actors: Robert De Niro, Annette Bening, George Wendt, Patricia Wettig, Sam Wanamaker
Category: DVD
This item is no longer available
Rating:  20 reviews
Sales Rank: 254963
Format: PAL
Languages: English (Subtitles For The Hearing Impaired), Danish (Subtitled), Finnish (Subtitled), Norwegian (Subtitled), Swedish (Subtitled), English (Original Language)
Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Region: 2
Discs: 1
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
Running Time: 105 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6
EAN: 5039036011914
ASIN: B00008OP5O
Theatrical Release Date: March 15, 1991
| |
| Similar Items:
| |
| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
A fictional dramatization of the anti-Communist witch-hunts that plagued the U.S. during the late 1940s and early '50s, Guilty by Suspicion examines one of the most shameful periods of American history. After producing such prominent films as Rocky and Raging Bull, Irwin Winkler made his directorial debut with this 1991 drama, basing his screenplay on the harsh reality of the blacklisting era. Set during 1951, when the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) held hearings to target alleged Communist affiliations within the Hollywood filmmaking community, the film stars Robert De Niro as a prominent director who is urged to "name names" to appease the committee. Rather than betray one of his closest friends, he refuses to "cooperate" with the committee and is quickly blacklisted, his entire career in jeopardy. Costarring Annette Bening as the director's sympathetic ex-wife, the film doesn't pack the emotional punch of The Front (another blacklisting-era film, starring Woody Allen), but Winkler captures the paranoid anxiety of the period with a wealth of authentic detail. Because the De Niro character underestimates the power of the HUAC, we share his shock and dismay when he must finally face the committee. Without seeming like a dry history lesson, Guilty by Suspicion illuminates the unconstitutional evil of the blacklist era while offering a glimpse behind the scenes of Hollywood's past. Adding to the realism, director Martin Scorsese makes a rare cameo as another filmmaker under fire. Although Winkler's script and direction are perhaps too melodramatic, Guilty by Suspicion was clearly made with noble purpose and intention. For anyone interested in the blacklisting era and Hollywood history, this movie's a must-see. --Jeff Shannon
|
| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 20
 Hollywood History of the Blacklist January 4, 2010
Acute Observer (North Jersey Shore)
In 1947 the House Un-American Committee (HUAC) held hearings on the Communist influence in Hollywood. Those who refused to "cooperate" were sent to prison for contempt. No one could work unless they cooperated by naming their friends as known Communists. In 1951 one man refused to cooperate, Larry doesn't want to be an informer. How did they get his name? Guilty by association? Then David Merrill returns from France. There is a surprise party. Outside somebody writes down the license plate numbers. [Its best to park on the next block to avoid a parking problem.] Redheaded Dorothy says goodbye. Larry burns his books. David meets his sone and ex-wife Ruth. David will make a picture for Darryl Zanuck. "Now this." David must see a lawyer to clear his name from guilty by association. He is told what he must do to "be reasonable".
Can someone be called to testify if they didn't do anything? [Is he naive?] They want the $50,000 advanced to David back. Is Dorothy temperamental? She has a family problem. Jerry will leave the country to avoid testifying. Bunny Baxter is scared. David is now banned from the film factory. Nobody wants him now. David has some personality flaws [pride?[. David visits New York to see old friends. Who is following David? They're after him. He returns to Los Angeles. Dorothy has dreams for her future. Is she OK? David has a job offer at Monogram Studios to direct a low-budget Western. [Does it remind you of "High Noon"?] Television is winning the hearts and minds of America, movies have a declining box office. David is under stress!
David sees an old friend, the lawyer Felix Graff. He advises David to answer questions, else he is guilty by suspicion. "Is it worth all this?" Bunny tells what happened to him after he cooperated. Will he turn on David? Darryl Zanuck offers him another chance is he cooperates. David goes to Washington to star in this drama. He will not name the people he visited! David does not cooperate with the committee. It is a dramatic scene. Bunny refuses to name names. The last words say the people on the Hollywood blacklist were "vindicated" in 1970, but they don't say what happened. Did they tack on a happy ending?
Hollywood movies are a money-making machine for the investors who put up the funds. The producer is responsible for running the operation, the director for producing the story. They use paid workers like actors, writers, etc. Their personal lives are seldom a concern unless it costs money. The audience for movies declined before the war ended. Hollywood had excess employees on their payrolls. The new television entertainment industry needed talent that would work for less. Those who couldn't find work in Hollywood often went into television.
The hidden agenda behind these investigations was an attack on democratic rights to make people afraid of signing a petition or organizing for political purposes (First Amendment rights). There was also an economic campaign to attack small businesses to favor corporate chains. In the 1940s most people walked to shop at local small businesses. That soon changed in just a few decades so shopping meant driving to a mall. Corporate chains sucked the profits from localities so they ended up poorer overall. You can compare your small town from the 1940s to today.
Liberalism's Passion Play December 9, 2007
Hinkle Goldfarb (R.R. 1 Highway 162, Butte City, California)
1 out of 5 found this review helpful
I'm so tired of Hollywood whining about the McCarthy era. Most recently it was "Good Night and Good Luck"; before that, "The Majestic"; before *that*, "The Crucible." They're like a dog with an old slipper it can't stop chewing. Hollywood's thirst for victim status needs to be slaked wherever and whenever possible, but it sure does make for boring viewing. The only thing that saves this film from total ignominy is a passel of great performances. Contrived performances, but great nonetheless.
Note to the producers: put your talent to more worthy efforts next time. To paraphrase a famous McCarthy era Hollywood luminary: "Have you no shame Hollywood? At long last, have you no shame? The McCarthy era is dead!"
 A sober history lesson June 7, 2006
C Paul
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
Before you know it our rights can be taken away. Don't believe it? It happened before...watch this movie to find out how easily it happened.
Not to be missed June 7, 2006
J Johnson
A compelling motion picture and an important reminder of what's possible if we are not vigilant citizens.
Excellent June 7, 2006
P Paul
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
Excellent script and acting. Based on actual events, it's hard to believe these things actually happened in this country.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 20
|
|
|
CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON SERVICES LLC. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED ‘AS IS’ AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME.
Proud member of the Celebrity Pro Network. Make sure you check out these other great CelebrityPro network sites:
Lyrics Database
Celebrity Blog
Celebrity Thing
Celebrity PC
Latest Celebrity Photos
Portal
Travel Photos
Quotes
Flash Games
|
Is there a better
price available?
Find out:
|
|
|
|
