| View Larger Image | The Mosquito Coast | DVDStarring: Jason Alexander, Melanie Boland, Raymond Clare, Harrison Ford, Hilary Gordon
Also With: David Burr (Cinematographer), John Seale (Cinematographer)
| List Price: | $12.98 | | Price: | $11.49 | | You Save: | $1.49 (11%) | | | Available: | Usually ships in 24 hours |
| | Binding: | DVD | | Rating: |  | | Run Time: | 119 minutes | | Format: | Color, Dolby, DVD, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC | | Studio: | Warner Home Video | | Number of Discs: | 1 | | Aspect Ratio: | 1.33:1 | | Release Date: | September 30, 2008 | | Sales Rank: | 20,464th |
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EDITORIAL REVIEWS |
Product Description
Studio: Warner Home Video Release Date: 09/30/2008 Rating: Pg |
Amazon.com essential video
A year after his American film debut, Peter Weir reteamed with his Witness star (Harrison Ford) for a tricky adaptation of Paul Theroux's novel of a modern man who takes his family into the jungle. The results are mixed, but the film is galvanized by Ford's atypical performance as inventor/madman Allie Fox. Paul Schrader's script sets up Allie as a man who follows his idea: that America is dying and the real "four-in-the-morning courage" is found in returning to the essence of life, here the jungles of a fictional Central American country (it was shot in Belize). With his family in tow (including Helen Mirren and River Phoenix), Allie creates a utopia when his inventions create a local sensation, but seedier elements from bandits to evangelicals (led by Andre Gregory) take their toll. Certainly, it's hard to root for a central character who is unpleasant ("a know-it-all who is sometimes right," as one states), and the film's second half is not as interesting. But Weir's film is logical and true in its progression and, as usual, is beautifully crafted (he also reteams with the cinematographer, editor, and composer of Witness). Ford's rawness is reminiscent of many an actor's foray into the meaty role of an independent film--which this film is certainly not--and, unfortunately, it was not the direction he ultimately pursued. --Doug Thomas |
CUSTOMER REVIEWS (Average Customer Rating: 4.0 based on 64 reviews)
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Happy Customer by Peter Paul (Grove City, OH USA)  5 Stars
August 05, 2009
Received the video quickly and in great shape. No complaints. Very satisfied. Thank you.
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Good enough until a Blu-ray comes along. by Marlowe7 (Syracuse, NY United States)  3 Stars
July 30, 2009
Love this movie and its story. This 2008 DVD is a repackage of the 1999 disc, but it's not all that bad. The anamorphic transfer is entirely watchable even by today's standards; there's some not-too-distracting MPEG noise and the film looks aged. Colors are vibrant. A pefectly acceptable placeholder in your library until a Blu-ray hits with a pristine transfer. I'm not holding my breath but I'll be in the store when one streets.
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Good example of how even a great actor can't make every good by Stephen Henthorn (Roy, Ut)  1 Stars
July 19, 2009
Watched this movie some time ago and now I have an appreciation as to what a bad movie really is. Harrison Ford has shown that he really has talent and dedication halfway through the production of this movie he had to know how embarrassing this movie would be for his career all in all it is a good contrast point of bad movies.
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an interesting movie: a personal apocalyptic by R. Bagula (Lakeside, Ca United States) 3 Stars
June 22, 2009
An inventor and his family move to central America where they buy a town.
The inventor sees himself as a sort of missionary
of science and technology to the jungle.
There is a sub-theme of religion established when a Baltimore missionary family are on the boat with them.
The ultimate failure of his Utopian jungle plans comes about in a strange apocalyptic way. Past the late 80's the fear of an atomic wars has diminished, but most of us grew up with the bombers and WWIII hanging over our head. Some people actually moved to Mexico as a result in my area.
The idea of central and south America as an alternative might have been the motive of this film: the contrast in civilization
with literally untamed jungle is brought out.
The ending of this film is not what you would call "happy".
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Harrison Ford's best role yet by Dennis W. Wong 5 Stars
November 08, 2008
When I had heard that Harrison Ford aka Indiana Jones was to be the lead character, Allie Fox, in the film version of Paul Theroux's "Mosquito Coast", I was somewhat aghast since I had heard that Jack Nicholson was slated to play the eccentric inventor who disgusted with US of A takes his family and leaves into the wilderness. Was I wrong!! Ford gives such a great performance that he should've at least be given an Oscar nomination but unfortunately like another island saga, "The Mission", "Coast" did poor business at the box office. This is a thought provoking action tale with superb performances from not only from Ford, but also from Helen Mirren as his long suffering wife, the late River Phoenix as his loyal son and Andre Gregory as his nemesis, the bible thumping minister. But it's Harrison's riveting performance that will keep you glued to your seat plus astounding cinematography and Peter Weir's fine direction (too bad they haven't made any other films after this).
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