The Visitors

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01/23/2017 Sad example of film making See more 01/31/2014 Curious early entry into the Vietnam cycle, and a hyper-personal (and self-funded) late entry into the remarkable career of Elia Kazan. 'The Visitors' is almost a microcosm of Kazan's career filmed in his own house, and showcases both the strengths and weaknesses of the legendary film-maker. The cinematography flicks between close, clever angles, and the flat, stagey style evident in many of Kazan's earlier films. An inherent focus on dialogue is also apparent here, though with a comparatively weak screenplay by his son, Chris, one realises how important the input of greats such as Arthur Miller, Tennessee Williams and Harold Pinter were on his larger-scale films. Thematically it is similar to Brian DePalma's much flashier "Casualties of War" in its depiction of a tragic incident in the vein of My Lai. The climax causes one to wonder how closely the Father figure : a drunken, anger fuelled WWII veteran-cum-author was modelled on Kazan himself. However, Kazan was at his best when working with actors - and in particular, developing prodigious talents. After having launched the celebrated careers of Marlon Brando, Karl Malden, James Dean and Warren Beatty - Kazan here gives James Woods his first starring role. Steve Railsback also makes a convincing antagonist in his first screen appearance as a thuggish Sergeant (Sean Penn may have picked up some scowling tips from Railsback's performance for 'Casualties of War'). Rather than his abilities as a director, this is likely to be the most resonant part of his legacy. Dubious right-wing politics aside, 'The Visitors' is a fascinating low-key relic. See more 08/27/2012 This is an Elia Kazan film, an early appearance by James Woods, and probably one of the first movies made based on the Vietnam War. Two friends from the war visit Woods, his girlfriend, and her dad at the farm after being released from military prison. The tension builds until the inevitable happens. The last scene is pretty eerie..... See more 09/15/2010 There was a build up through the movie...but ended in such a disastrous way...what was the writer or the director thinking..are we supposed to think all is well....give it a miss See more 01/20/2009 I was expecting much much more.I havent understand at all Patricia Joyce's character? She was feeling so strongly against what Steve Railsback has done, and all of a sudden the intimacy? Confusing See more 12/08/2008 dans une totale sobriete, un exemple de montee lente et ineluctable de la tension. (vu en 1973 dans un art et essai derriere la gare a Bale : a peine une demi-douzaine de spectateurs) See more Read all reviews

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