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UK Mall 1 - The Pledge [2001]
![The Pledge [2001]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51VETJ86R0L._SL160_.jpg)
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List Price: £12.99
Our Price: £3.49
Your Save: £ ( % )
Availability:
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
Starring: Jack Nicholson, Benicio Del Toro, Patricia Clarkson, Beau Daniels, Dale Dickey
Directed By: Sean Penn
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Average Customer Rating:  
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Audience Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
Binding: VHS Tape
EAN: 5014780213487
Format: Closed-captioned
Label: Warner Home Video
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
Number Of Discs: 1
Number Of Items: 1
Publisher: Warner Home Video
Release Date: 2002-09-09
Running Time: 119
Studio: Warner Home Video
Theatrical Release Date: 2001-01-19
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Spotlight customer reviews:
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Customer Rating: 
Summary: Character driven drama
Comment: I consider Jack Nicholson to be one of most underrated actors of his generation. His performance in "The Pledge" is nothing short of remarkable, not so much in the way his speaks the dialogue, but in those moments when he has none, and reveals the mind of a deeply tormented man. Other reviews have discussed the plot, so I'll dispense with that, other than to say that this is a movie about redemption and a lost cause. The pledge referred to in the title is one that Nicholson cannot assuredly keep, and thus forfeits his "soul's salvation". The Nicholson character is basically a lonely, desperate man, who hangs his hopes on catching a serial killer, and by a twist of fate, fails in his mission. The supporting cast is excellent, Benecio Del Toro, Robin Wright Penn and even Vanessa Redgrave (one of the best performances in the film, although a brief one-scene cameo). Sean Penn's direction is superb, with the intercutting of nature scenes with the main plot (watch for the symbolic flock of birds throughout the film). This is not a film for those who desire neat, tied-up endings but ones which mirror the real and unresolved tragedies of life. Truly a haunting and poignant story, with excellent character studies all around.
Customer Rating:
Summary: good but not great
Comment: The film grabs you from the start and all the acting is top drawer.A possible serial killer still on the loose.The storyline is intriguing and sets you thinking.The film is two hours long and by midway,it starts to flag becoming slow and lacking interest.Then it springs back as we approach the conclusion only to disappoint with an ending that is little short of a cop-out.In trying to be different,it loses credibility.Difficult to recommend.
Customer Rating:
Summary: A largely unrecognized masterpiece
Comment: It's slowly picking up more fame with the passing of time, this film, it seems, but its release passed me by and I, like many others was recommended this by a video guide. It was one of the best rentals I've ever had, and at this price this film is a must if you like good thrillers, good cinematic films, and of course good acting. I was just a little wary about Penn directing, as the only other Penn made movie I know I'd seen before this was a little heavy and demanding. He does actually have quite a heavy or obtrusive directing style, and reminds me a lot of Boorman in many ways, but in this picture definitely, he portrays deft touches as well as the great cinematic presence and style.
Then we get on to casting. Sometimes these days, Nicholson turns up to act, and sometimes he turns up just to take the money AND add money to the picture by being Jack. But when he takes on a role for professional reasons and really respects the script and loves the character, he acts...REALLY acts. This performance should have got him yet another oscar nomination at the very least. There are just so few actors who have the ability to portray such painfully human characters like this actor. He is a never ending sensation.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Nicholsons' best performance?
Comment: ...I'll say it again-To me, this is the first time, Jack Nicholson did more than just entertain.
About Schmidt, to me, was in a similar league and when he flew over the cuckoo's nest, I felt pretty much the same, but this time I feel there is even more depth to his character.
I was quite surprised when I saw this film for the first time.
The photography is rather well, and I would say the same about the casting and direction.
The soundtrack music is just right in that it underpins he conflict ,undergone by the main protagonist.
Whilst I recommend this film to anyone who'll listen to me, I also point them towards the german original "Es geschah am hellichten Tag ( 1958)".
I n this remake however, the ending was realized as intended by the author whereas the german version's ending was reputedly changed to make it a little more paletable.
Customer Rating:
Summary: One of the best films I've seen
Comment: I've never written a film review before. Always been afraid of saying something that would give the game away for those who haven't seen the film yet, but may want to. This film showed Jack Nicholson in all his brilliance - quite my favourite actor - but after the film had ended, indeed, as some have suggested, rather abruptly, I pondered over all the threads for ages. The doctor, and her insistent question to Jerry, whether he was still sexually active. You can tell what SHE was thinking! And Jerry's failure to answer spoke volumes, as if he didn't want to face up to his darkest thoughts.
Of course, one has to suspend belief somewhat, well, quite a lot, when watching the film as it nears the end. I do not believe any police department would allow a little girl to be placed in so much potential danger as was depicted. Also, I don't believe that any ex-cop would just be able to assert his influence and practically take control of proceedings like Jerry seemed to be able to do with impunity. Another theme was just how far will the police go - in this case, using a little child as bait in a trap - to "get their man"?
The ending was amazing. The pledge was fulfilled, as far as the parents of the first child knew. The cops were convinced right up to the final scenes that Jerry had become a nutcase and they had already got their man. The character, Toby, shot himself obviously for some other crime the police didn't know about and didn't investigate, and the young mother who befriended Jerry would continue the rest of her life in the certain knowledge that he was a rogue and a pervert. Maybe only Harry Dean Stanton and daughter were glad to get shot of the place. They were well out of it!
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Editorial Reviews:
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Customer Rating:
Summary: Character driven drama
Comment: I consider Jack Nicholson to be one of most underrated actors of his generation. His performance in "The Pledge" is nothing short of remarkable, not so much in the way his speaks the dialogue, but in those moments when he has none, and reveals the mind of a deeply tormented man. Other reviews have discussed the plot, so I'll dispense with that, other than to say that this is a movie about redemption and a lost cause. The pledge referred to in the title is one that Nicholson cannot assuredly keep, and thus forfeits his "soul's salvation". The Nicholson character is basically a lonely, desperate man, who hangs his hopes on catching a serial killer, and by a twist of fate, fails in his mission. The supporting cast is excellent, Benecio Del Toro, Robin Wright Penn and even Vanessa Redgrave (one of the best performances in the film, although a brief one-scene cameo). Sean Penn's direction is superb, with the intercutting of nature scenes with the main plot (watch for the symbolic flock of birds throughout the film). This is not a film for those who desire neat, tied-up endings but ones which mirror the real and unresolved tragedies of life. Truly a haunting and poignant story, with excellent character studies all around.
Customer Rating:
Summary: good but not great
Comment: The film grabs you from the start and all the acting is top drawer.A possible serial killer still on the loose.The storyline is intriguing and sets you thinking.The film is two hours long and by midway,it starts to flag becoming slow and lacking interest.Then it springs back as we approach the conclusion only to disappoint with an ending that is little short of a cop-out.In trying to be different,it loses credibility.Difficult to recommend.
Customer Rating:
Summary: A largely unrecognized masterpiece
Comment: It's slowly picking up more fame with the passing of time, this film, it seems, but its release passed me by and I, like many others was recommended this by a video guide. It was one of the best rentals I've ever had, and at this price this film is a must if you like good thrillers, good cinematic films, and of course good acting. I was just a little wary about Penn directing, as the only other Penn made movie I know I'd seen before this was a little heavy and demanding. He does actually have quite a heavy or obtrusive directing style, and reminds me a lot of Boorman in many ways, but in this picture definitely, he portrays deft touches as well as the great cinematic presence and style.
Then we get on to casting. Sometimes these days, Nicholson turns up to act, and sometimes he turns up just to take the money AND add money to the picture by being Jack. But when he takes on a role for professional reasons and really respects the script and loves the character, he acts...REALLY acts. This performance should have got him yet another oscar nomination at the very least. There are just so few actors who have the ability to portray such painfully human characters like this actor. He is a never ending sensation.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Nicholsons' best performance?
Comment: ...I'll say it again-To me, this is the first time, Jack Nicholson did more than just entertain.
About Schmidt, to me, was in a similar league and when he flew over the cuckoo's nest, I felt pretty much the same, but this time I feel there is even more depth to his character.
I was quite surprised when I saw this film for the first time.
The photography is rather well, and I would say the same about the casting and direction.
The soundtrack music is just right in that it underpins he conflict ,undergone by the main protagonist.
Whilst I recommend this film to anyone who'll listen to me, I also point them towards the german original "Es geschah am hellichten Tag ( 1958)".
I n this remake however, the ending was realized as intended by the author whereas the german version's ending was reputedly changed to make it a little more paletable.
Customer Rating:
Summary: One of the best films I've seen
Comment: I've never written a film review before. Always been afraid of saying something that would give the game away for those who haven't seen the film yet, but may want to. This film showed Jack Nicholson in all his brilliance - quite my favourite actor - but after the film had ended, indeed, as some have suggested, rather abruptly, I pondered over all the threads for ages. The doctor, and her insistent question to Jerry, whether he was still sexually active. You can tell what SHE was thinking! And Jerry's failure to answer spoke volumes, as if he didn't want to face up to his darkest thoughts.
Of course, one has to suspend belief somewhat, well, quite a lot, when watching the film as it nears the end. I do not believe any police department would allow a little girl to be placed in so much potential danger as was depicted. Also, I don't believe that any ex-cop would just be able to assert his influence and practically take control of proceedings like Jerry seemed to be able to do with impunity. Another theme was just how far will the police go - in this case, using a little child as bait in a trap - to "get their man"?
The ending was amazing. The pledge was fulfilled, as far as the parents of the first child knew. The cops were convinced right up to the final scenes that Jerry had become a nutcase and they had already got their man. The character, Toby, shot himself obviously for some other crime the police didn't know about and didn't investigate, and the young mother who befriended Jerry would continue the rest of her life in the certain knowledge that he was a rogue and a pervert. Maybe only Harry Dean Stanton and daughter were glad to get shot of the place. They were well out of it!
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