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Becky Sharp | 
| Director: Rouben Mamoulian
Actors: May Beatty, Nigel Bruce, Billie Burke, Charles Coleman, Frances Dee
Studio: Alpha Video
Category: DVD
List Price: CDN$ 7.49
Buy New: CDN$ 5.89
You Save: CDN$ 1.60 (21%)
New (4) Used (2) from CDN$ 5.30
Avg. Customer Rating:  1 reviews
Format: Import, Black & White, Ntsc
Languages: English (Original Language), French (Original Language)
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6
UPC: 089218443892
EAN: 0089218443892
ASIN: B00022LJ7O
Theatrical Release Date: June 28, 1935
Release Date: June 22, 2004
Availability: Usually ships within 1 - 2 business days
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: BRAND NEW - Shipped within 24 hrs via Airmail from the USA - Average 5 to 10 workdays delivery time. Excellent customer service. NEUF - Envoy? par avion des USA sous 24 hrs - Livraison en moyenne de 5 a 10 jours ouvres. Service clientele en francais.
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| Customer Reviews:
THE WOMAN EVERYONE LOVES TO HATE... July 19, 2006
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
This is a film that is taken from the play "Becky Sharp" by Langdon Mitchell, which is loosely adapted from William Makepeace Thackeray's novel, "Vanity Fair". The film is only eighty-four minutes long but manages to hit many of the main events in Thackeray's novel, albeit, at break neck speed. More importantly, the main character stays somewhat true to Thackeray's concept of her, unlike Mira Nair's "Vanity Fair", which basically eviscerates the life out of Becky Sharp, the literary character that everyone loves to hate.
In this brief film, the viewer sees a grasping, amoral, resourceful schemer who is not above trying on her best friend's husband for size and cheating on her own, as well, if expediency calls for it. We first see Becky leaving Miss Pinkerton's School for Young Ladies, where as an orphan she had labored, getting an education, as well as everyone's hand-me-downs. Tired of being looked upon as being less than all the others, Becky is not loathe to leave the school, especially as the wealthy Amelia Sedley has invited her to stay with her until she can find a position. So, after an insouciant departure from the school, Becky is unleashed upon an unsuspecting world.
When Amelia finds herself the object of affection of two childhood friends and gentleman soldiers, William Dobbin and George Osborne, she becomes engaged to George. Becky, having been unsuccessful in luring Amelia's hapless brother, Joseph, into marriage, leaves the Sedley household. She secures a post as governess in the household of Sir Pitt Crawley. There she meets Rawdon Crawley, Sir Pitt Crawley's second oldest son, and the man with whom she falls in love. He assists her in getting a post as a companion to his wealthy elderly aunt, and off she goes. She later marries Rawdon, who is a gentleman soldier and a gambler. They, along with the now married Amelia and George Osborne, find themselves in Belgium, where the Battle of Waterloo is fought. It is there that Becky carries on a flirtation with George. It is there that she also meets the Marquis de Steyne.
After Waterloo, Becky and Rawdon find themselves back in England, as Rawdon survived Waterloo. George Osborne, however, did not. Together, Rawdon and Becky live far above their means. Her desire to rise in society takes some doing, and the Marquis de Steyne acts as her mentor. When Rawdon's gambling debts demand satisfaction, she turns to the Marquis as a last resort, having no other recourse. In return for the money that would ensure the salvaging of her husband's honor, she decides to give the Marquis that for which he has so patiently waited. Unfortunately, the best-laid plans often go awry, and Rawdon and Becky come to an unhappy parting of the ways. Becky's glittering social career comes crashing down upon her.
Becky, now down and out, finds herself on the skids, no longer the glittering society hostess. She tries singing in a music hall. After all, didn't the Marquis find her singing charming? Unfortunately, the paying customers of the music hall have higher standards, when it comes to their entertainment, and Becky bombs. With Becky on the verge of being taking to jail for non-payment of rent for her garret room, Amelia, hearing of her old friend's plight, comes swooping down like a guardian angel, together with her brother, Joseph, and her devoted friend and admirer, William Dobbin. She offers Becky an opportunity to come and live with her, which Becky gladly accepts. Then William objects, given what he knows of Becky, and basically gives Amelia an ultimatum in which she is to choose Becky or him. Amelia, true and loyal friend that she is, chooses Becky. In a redemptive moment, Becky tells Amelia, who has cherished George's memory and failed to see the love that William has for her, the truth about George, opening Amelia's eyes. She sends Amelia after William, while she ponders her future. Then, once again her eyes rest upon Joseph Sedley. So it begins, and so it ends.
Miriam Hopkins gives a somewhat histrionic, over the top performance as Becky, but somehow it works. Frances Dee is excellent in the role of Amelia. Nigel Bruce practically steals the show with his portrayal of the bumbling Joseph Sedley. Sir Cerdric Hardwicke, however, gives him a run for his money as the elegant and faintly sinister Marquis de Steyne. Alan Mowbray is very good in the role of Rawdon. G. P. Huntley satisfies the requirements of the reduced George Osborne role, while Colin Tapley turns in a strong performance as the stalwart William Dobbin. Billy Burke has a very small role as Lady Bareacres. If you blink, you will miss her.
As this was the first film produced in three strip Technicolor, one would think that more care and attention would have been paid to its release on DVD. Unfortunately, with this DVD one gets what one paid for. This bargain basement priced DVD provides the viewer with a grainy print with an occasional audio or visual blip. Moreover, if one is looking for bonus features, one must look elsewhere, as none are to be had on this low rent DVD.
This lack of attention to production values was extremely shortsighted of the studio charged with the release of this film, especially in light of the buzz generated by Mira Nair's release of "Vanity Fair". While the studio timed the release of this DVD just right, they missed the boat by deciding to be penny wise but pound foolish. I myself bought this film after having seen "Vanity Fair" and left wanting more. With the purchase of this DVD, I ended up getting less. The film itself rates about four stars, as I enjoyed it overall, being a vintage film junkie. The DVD itself, however, gets a scant two stars for its back to basics approach and its grainy, audio blighted print. This works out to the overall three star rating that I gave it.
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