Magnificent Obsession (The Criterion Collection)
by Douglas Sirk
List Price:
Our Price: $27.47
You Save: $12.44 (31%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $26.00 (click here)
Category: DVD
See more DVD details
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
DVD details
Actor: Jane Wyman, Robert Taylor, Rock HudsonDirector: Douglas Sirk
Brand: Image Entertainment
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language)
Format: Color, DVD, NTSC, Special Edition
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 108 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2009-01-20
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Criterion Collection
DVD Reviews of Magnificent Obsession (The Criterion Collection)
DVD Review: Contains a double feature of the classic story
Summary: 5 Stars
The Criterion collection is adding both the 1935 and 1954 versions of Magnificent Obsession to its list of classics getting the deluxe treatment. Thus you are not only getting the Wyman/Hudson version of this film, but also the 1935 Irene Dunne/Robert Taylor version which has never been released either on DVD or VHS. Both were Universal properties, but the last time I saw the 1935 version it was so dark I wasn't sure it could be salvaged to the point we would ever see it on DVD. I was happily wrong.
The center of the story is Robert Merrick ( Hudson in 1954, Robert Taylor in 1935). He is a well-to-do playboy that has a boating accident at the same time that Dr. Hudson has a coronary. There is one piece of life-saving equipment available in the area, and it winds up saving Merrick's life. Hudson's family and the entire community can't help but be a little bit resentful that such a seemingly useless young man, whose accident was due to his own recklessness, has been spared at the expense of the beloved Dr. Hudson. This causes Merrick to begin to reflect on life and as a result he is told by Edward Randolph about Hudson's "magnificent obsession" - doing good with little fanfare and getting paid back many times over. Unfortunately, Merrick doesn't quite understand. He thinks of this process as a vending machine. He puts in a quarter ( a good work), presses a button and then says "gimme". However, Merrick is the indirect cause of a second tragedy that finally does put his life on the right path over a period of years.
In spite of the poor film quality, I think I preferred the 1935 version to the one from the 50's although I loved them both. The 30's version focuses more on Merrick's inner turmoil and transition while the 50's version is more of a melodrama and love story. The best thing about the 50's version - the chemistry between Wyman and Hudson. You would never think such a thing would work unless you saw it yourself, but it does. Also, there is Otto Kruger as Edward Randolph, the man who helps put Merrick on the right track. In the 30's Kruger could play some really hardened character, but here he is as gentle as Santa Claus. It's quite a tribute to his acting skills - I think he was always underrated.
The extra features are:
Audio commentary featuring film scholar Thomas Doherty
Douglas Sirk: From UFA to Hollywood (1991): a rare 80-minute documentary by German filmmaker Eckhart Schmidt in which Sirk reflects upon his career.
Video interviews with filmmakers Allison Anders and Kathryn Bigelow, paying tribute to Sirk.
Theatrical trailer .
PLUS: A booklet featuring a new essay by critic Geoffrey O'Brien.
Description of Magnificent Obsession (The Criterion Collection)
MAGNIFICENT OBSESSION - DVD MovieBestsellers in DVD
![The Story of Jeremiah [VHS] Image](/images/noimg.gif)
The Story of Jeremiah [VHS]Vision Video; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Wresting With God [VHS]by Vision Video
Vision Video; Published: 1990-10-01; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Price in other shops:
Study Bible Video with Workbook [VHS]Spring Arbor Distributors; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $7.95
Price in other shops:
Tempo:Childrens TV Favourites Video [VHS]HarperCollins Audio; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $9.17
Price in other shops:
Tempo.Herbs:Parseley'Sb/ Party Video [VHS]HarperCollins Audio; VHS Tape; VHS Video
![Strike the Original Match [VHS] Image](/images/Strike-the-Original-Match-VHS-0001374079-X.jpg)
Strike the Original Match [VHS]New Liberty Films; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Price in other shops:
![Medjugorje The Miracles and the Message [VHS] Image](/images/Medjugorje-The-Miracles-and-the-Message-VHS-0001373293-X.jpg)
Medjugorje The Miracles and the Message [VHS]JPN Film Production; Release date: 1995-12-15; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $29.99
Mayo Clinic Echocardiography Review Course for Boards and Recertification DVD 2008by Mayo
DVD
Price in other shops:
Pediatric Diagnostic Imaging DVD: Single Userby Oakstone
DVD
Price in other shops:
Cost Accounting [VHS]by Charles T. Horngren, George Foster, Srikant M. Datar, Howard Teall
Pearson Canada, Toronto; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Similar DVDs, VHS Video, Audio CDs
Tammy And The Bachelor / Tammy Tell Me True / Tammy And The Doctor (Triple Feature)Universal Studios; Release date: 2008-02-05; DVD
Best price: $11.23
Price in other shops:
A Summer PlaceWarner Brothers; Release date: 2007-02-06; DVD
Best price: $5.48
Price in other shops:
Come SeptemberUniversal Studios; Release date: 2003-05-06; DVD
Best price: $7.05
Price in other shops:
Imitation of Life (1934/ 1959)Universal Studios; Release date: 2004-02-10; DVD
Best price: $16.98
Price in other shops:
Portrait In Black / Madame X (Double Feature)Universal Studios; Release date: 2008-02-05; DVD
Best price: $8.31
Price in other shops:
Man's Favorite Sport?Universal Studios; Release date: 2003-07-01; DVD
Best price: $8.98
Price in other shops:
The Doris Day and Rock Hudson Comedy Collection (Pillow Talk / Lover Come Back / Send Me No Flowers)NBC Universal; Release date: 2007-07-24; DVD
Best price: $11.47
Price in other shops:
Imitation of LifeTURNER,LANA; Release date: 2003-01-07; DVD
Best price: $7.92
Price in other shops:
Written on the Wind (The Criterion Collection)Image Entertainment; Release date: 2001-06-19; DVD
Best price: $16.95
Price in other shops:
All That Heaven Allows (The Criterion Collection)Image Entertainment; Release date: 2001-06-19; DVD
Best price: $24.50
Price in other shops: