The Gift of the Magi
by Scott Mansfield
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DVD details
Director: Scott MansfieldDVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Original Language); English (Unknown)
Format: Color, DVD, NTSC
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 19 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2004-08-10
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Monterey Video
DVD Reviews of The Gift of the Magi
DVD Review: A waste of a good story
Summary: 2 Stars
I'm not sure what is worse, the acting, the screen writing or the mess they made of a great story. IT'S A BIG WASTE OF $16.00
The story was completly ruinned the setting was to be a small flat in NY's village the appartment in this movie looked like a victorian place. Thsy dresses well and the entire feel was wrong including an added twist of a grandmother telling hea child the story with some stupid put on twang. The whole production was really a waste. I guess the producer paid for the awards it won.
IF YOU REALLY WANT TO SEE A GREAT VERSION OF THIS BELOVED STORY BUY O'HENRY'S FULL HOUSE BY CIMINA CLASSICS I BOUGHT MINE ON AMAZON, IT'S LESS EXPENSIVE AND YOU GET 4 O'HENRY STORIES WITH A CAST OF GREAT OLD TIME MOVIE STARS. Just a wounderful collection of stories. I was so happy to find it, I lost a VCR copy I taped from TV years ago.It was never showen again.You won't go wrong.
DVD Review: Gift of the Magi
Summary: 1 Stars
I still have not received this product that was ordered in March. I also attempted to order it in Dec. and had no luck! HELP!!! What does it take to get this item???DVD Review: Very poorly adapted for video.
Summary: 1 Stars
Several things are terrribly wrong with this video:
1) It seems that they were trying to create a faithful rendition of the story in video format by scripting it word-for-word from the original story. While reading O. Henry's exact words may be enjoyable, phrases like "imputation of parsimony," "mendicancy squad," "meretricious ornamentation," etc. do not transfer well at all to film. A more professional screenplay adaptation is necessary for the story to translate into something that makes sense for a video audience.
2) While the cast was attractive and fit the parts visually, the acting style seemed very amateur and much more reminiscent of a small town theater company as another reviwer noted. It was too over the top for the subtlety that video can capture. It simply didn't seem genuine. This can partly be blamed on the use of O. Henry's exact words, rather than properly adapting it for film.
3) The camera angles, lighting, and audio recordings are all poor in comparison with today's production standards. Although Amazon's editorial review lists several awards dated 2002 for this film, it looks like it was shot in the late 80's or early 90's...very low budget. The cost of the DVD should be reflected in the quality of the video. It's definitely not a collector's item that would cause one to overlook dated production values. This DVD is far too expensive for the product delivered.
When I purchased this, I was remembering a made-for-tv version (more of an "inspired-by" rendition) that I viewed when I was very young. I thought I was purchasing the one I remembered. Unfortunately, I was incorrect. After a bit of research, I discovered that the version I remembered is called "The Gift of Love" starring Marie Osmond and Timothy Bottoms, also available through Amazon on DVD. I realize that Marie Osmond is not an academy award winning actress. But I found a clip of her version on YouTube, and it has much more character and appeal than this version by Scott Mansfield. The story is still set in the appropriate time period, but the screen adaptation is far more engaging, and the production is far more professional than the version I purchased.
My recommendation? If you want an exact rendition of the book, and you're not concerned with a quality video production, buy this version. If you can settle for an "inspired by" version of O. Henry's story and want a DVD that is far more engaging to watch, buy "The Gift Of Love" instead.
DVD Review: classic
Summary: 5 Stars
This short film is a timeless portrayal of selfless love and compassion in the "true" spirit of the Christmas season. It should be in everyone's video, CD collection.DVD Review: Confusion
Summary: 2 Stars
The descriotion said it had George Wendt in it and he's nowhere to be found. Also the director listed was different. I already ahd this video and thought I was getting a different and hopefully better version of the story. I felt ripped off.
Description of The Gift of the Magi
"One dollar and eightyseven cents. And the next day would be Christmas." And so we begin O. Henry's best known and timeless story, which stands as a shining example of O. Henry's writing at its best. For in it we have the simplicity of concept, the irony of circumstance, and the charming surprise at the end...which we won't reveal here. It's a wonderful romantic tale of a young married couple who have little money to buy each other Christmas presents. And so she cuts off and sells her beautiful hair...
Written By: Adapted for the Screen & Directed by Scott Mansfield (from the O. Henry short story)
Starring: Rosemary Deleonardis, Kiah Gordon, David A. Silverstein, Linda Stiegler, Adrienne Storrs
Directed By: Adapted for the Screen & Directed by Scott Mansfield (from the O. Henry short story)
DVD Extras:
Read the story
Author bio
Discussion topics
WINNER! 2002 Bronze Award Houston International Film Festival
WINNER! 2002 Parents' Choice Approved Award
WINNER! 2002 Bronze Telly Award
WINNER! 2002 Kids First! Award
FINALIST 2002 Benjamin Franklin Award
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