The Last of Sheila
by Herbert Ross
List Price:
Our Price: $17.99
You Save: $1.99 (10%)
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Buy Used: from $10.32 (click here)
Category: DVD
See more DVD details
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
DVD details
Actor: Dyan Cannon, James Coburn, James Mason, Joan Hackett, Richard BenjaminDirector: Herbert Ross
Brand: Warner Brothers
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono; English (Subtitled); Spanish (Subtitled); French (Subtitled)
Format: Anamorphic, Closed-captioned, Color, DVD-Video, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
Picture Format: 1.77:1
Running Time: 119 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2004-04-20
Audience Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: Warner Home Video
DVD Reviews of The Last of Sheila
DVD Review: Unforgettable - and very believable...
Summary: 5 Stars
even after 30 years this movie stands out in my memory as exceptional. By the end of it you will find yourself wondering, as I did: "Could it by any chance be TRUE?" Maybe...DVD Review: A Near-Perfect Movie... A Flawed Commentary Track
Summary: 5 Stars
There are certain films that age like cinematic fine wine, slowly revealing themselves as consummate movie-movies. 1973's "The Last of Sheila" is one such.
Partly, this is because of the cast--and what a great ensemble cast is this: James Coburn employs his wickedly toothy grin to great effect as a vengeful Hollywood producer with a penchant for cruel games; James Mason, a real-life classy veteran of Golden Age Hollywood, brings a regal poignancy to the role of a world-weary, down-on-his-luck director with a devastating secret; Dyan Cannon, then last seen in the thankless "mistress" role in the Burt Reynolds actioner "Shamus", is a bawdy revelation in her (reportedly spot-on) impersonation of then Hollywood super-agent Sue Mengers; Richard Benjamin, at the time cast primarily in comic roles, brings subtlety and nuance to his portrayal of an affable, if frustrated, screenwriter who may not be what he seems, with the luminous Joan Hackett heartbreaking as his loving, tormented wife; and finally British actor Ian McShane (now best known for HBO's gritty "Deadwood") as the creepy, desperate manager-hubby of beauteous movie-star Raquel Welch, who does a respectable job playing... a beauteous movie-star. They mesh well, playing off and against each other with mostly spectacular skill, and you settle back on your sofa, watch these actors closely, and lament that Hollywood can't or won't make them like this (or 1970's "M*A*S*H", or 1974's "Murder on the Orient Express" or...) anymore.
The "Sheila" of the title is the tempestuous wife of Clinton Green (Coburn) who, in the sequence that kicks off the movie, storms out of her palatial Bel Air home following a noisy fight with her husband and is mowed down by a hit and run driver.
The rest of the film is an elegant, suspenseful and maliciously witty cat and mouse game orchestrated with sadistic relish by Green on his sleek, luxe, yacht and in glamorous Mediterranean ports of call, as he methodically attempts to flush out his wife's killer from among his six guests, all (or nearly all) of whom were at the party on the night Sheila was killed, all of whom have secret pasts they'd prefer stay secret and in the past.
Of course things don't quite go according to plan and therein hangs the tale; discerning audiences--and you do have to pay attention or you'll miss some significant bit of business--with a taste for mystery (and deliciously bitchy Hollywood references and in-jokes) will enjoy every moment of this movie, which was beautifully photographed, directed with verve by Herbert Ross (Play It Again, Sam; The Seven-Percent-Solution; The Sunshine Boys), and written by Anthony Perkins (yes, that Anthony Perkins) and Stephen Sondheim (yes, that Stephen Sondheim) who shared a love of elaborate, brain-teasing puzzles and games.
Included in the DVD release is the by now de rigueur original theatrical trailer, and a 2003 commentary track by Benjamin, Cannon and Welch that is by turns marvelous fun and weirdly distracting: apparently Welch taped her commentary alone and it was later spliced into the commentary done by Benjamin and Cannon, who obviously had fond memories of their cast mates and one another, and have such a blast talking about the making of the film that their enjoyment is downright infectious--Benjamin's dryly funny remarks and Cannon's wild belly-laughter (one of the distinctive joys of her performer persona) will make you smile and sometimes laugh out loud.
But the awkward insertion of Welch's solo remembrances leaves her at rather a disadvantage as she seems to "respond" to the comments of her fellow cast members by talking frequently about her image, career issues and wardrobe; this leaves the listener with the misleading and perhaps unfair impression that Raquel Welch's interest in "The Last of Sheila" does not much extend beyond herself, or that Dyan Cannon and Richard Benjamin disliked her and are ignoring her as they recollect, or both. I was initially disconcerted by the way they often seemed to be talking past one another; only later did I learn that all three were never in the same room together, which explains why at the end of the taping Richard affectionately thanks Dyan, and Dyan affectionately thanks Richard--and neither says a thing to Raquel!
Not everyone likes commentary tracks; for the most part I consider them a highlight of the DVD experience. The taped memories of key cast and crew can be illuminating and entertaining and this one should have been done with more care. How come Welch, Benjamin and Cannon couldn't do this commentary together? At the very least, couldn't Ian McShane have joined Raquel so that she didn't come off sounding so self-absorbed?
DVD Review: Test Your Wits--If You Dare!
Summary: 3 Stars
James Coburn's and James Mason's performances are the best parts of this Puzzle film. Dyan Cannon comes in third, and the rest (sad to say) rank behind a couple of hand-puppets as far as acting is concerned.
The murder puzzle can be solved by people who are paying attention. The "game" puzzle (constructed by Coburn's character) can also be solved, but it may be a little harder. Both are pretty good as puzzles go.
Other reviewers have commented on various facets of this film that interest them, and many of their remarks have merit. I have been a long-time Joan Hackett fan, but I found her disappointing in this outing; vintage Raquel Welch is a minor pleasure to watch, but then so is vintage Joan Collins, and nobody ever said their acting is of high quality; Ian McShane (recently an amazingly accomplished star on HBO's DEADWOOD series) has little to do here; Richard Benjamin, who seems an odd casting choice for a semi-serious film, rightly has devoted his later years to directing.
As far as "Bonus Features" are concerned, the only one worth mentioning is the commentary track by Benjamin, Welch, and Cannon. It provides some minor insights, but mostly it consists of three people passing out belated valentines to the cast members who have died and giving some kindly pats on the back to each other.
DVD Review: The last of Sheila
Summary: 5 Stars
A classic! An offbeat mystery full of fine acting and actual surprises. The cast is exceptional. It all takes place on a yacht, but it is not boring... somewhat like the 'Orient Express" train ride. DVD Review: A superb cast and script offset by pedestrian direction and cinematography
Summary: 3 Stars
A superb mystery thriller script by Stephen Sondheim and Anthony Perkins gets the all-star cast treatment. Unfortunately Herbert Ross' pedestrian direction give this movie the feel of an Italian 70's B-movies.
Description of The Last of Sheila
Thriller about a jet-setting game master who devises a deadly game of whodunit.Running Time: 120 min.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre:?DRAMA UPC:?085393186722The Last of Sheila is one of the great underrated films of the '70s: a bitchy Hollywood whodunit and a clever parlor game (cowritten by Anthony Perkins and Broadway composer Stephen Sondheim). Several celebrity chums are invited aboard prankster James Coburn's yacht for a cruel game of "guess the deep, dark secret." Everyone has one; but naturally some are more wicked than others. Richard Benjamin, James Mason, Dyan Cannon, Joan Hackett, Raquel Welch, and Ian McShane are the odd cast of participants. However, the stakes are unexpectedly raised when murder gets added to the not-so-fun agenda. Plenty of inside jokes and red herrings in this nasty and unforgettable film. It's just what you'd expect from the twisted minds of Perkins and Sondheim. --Bill Desowitz
Suspense DVDs
DVD Video
- Action & Adventure
- African American Cinema
- Animation
- Anime & Manga
- Art House & International
- Classics
- Comedy
- Cult Movies
- Documentary
- Drama
- Educational
- Fitness & Yoga
- Gay & Lesbian
- Horror
- Kids & Family
- Military & War
- Music Video & Concerts
- Musicals & Performing Arts
- Mystery & Suspense
- Science Fiction & Fantasy
- Special Interests
- Sports
- Television
- Westerns
Bestsellers in Suspense DVDs
Death Note (Live Action - Dub & Sub)DEATH NOTE MOVIE #1 (DVD MOVIE); Release date: 2008-09-16; DVD
Best price: $15.63
Price in other shops:
NotoriousRelease date: 2008-10-14; DVD
Best price: $12.32
Price in other shops:
The Sixth Sense (Collector's Edition Series)WILLIS,BRUCE; Release date: 2000-03-28; DVD
Best price: $4.25
Price in other shops:
Prom Night (Widescreen)CURTIS,JAMIE LEE; Release date: 2007-09-04; DVD
Best price: $2.18
Price in other shops:
Fright NightSony; Release date: 1999-09-07; DVD
Best price: $4.99
Price in other shops:
24 - Season SixTWENTIETH CENTURY FOX HOME ENT; Release date: 2007-12-04; DVD
Best price: $23.99
Price in other shops:
Halloween IIRelease date: 2001-09-18; DVD
Best price: $4.55
Price in other shops:
Sleepy HollowDEPP,JOHNNY; Release date: 2000-05-23; DVD
Best price: $4.99
Price in other shops:
Lucky Number Slevin (Widescreen Edition)WELLSPRING/GENIUS; Release date: 2006-09-12; DVD
Best price: $4.71
Price in other shops:
An American Werewolf in LondonRelease date: 2001-09-18; DVD
Best price: $4.04
Price in other shops:
Similar DVDs, VHS Video, Audio CDs
Ten Little IndiansRelease date: 2006-03-14; DVD
Best price: $11.88
Price in other shops:
The Fall Of The Roman Empire (Two-Disc Deluxe Edition) (The Miriam Collection)WELLSPRING/GENIUS; Release date: 2008-04-29; DVD
Best price: $15.99
Price in other shops:
Dangerous Crossing (Fox Film Noir)TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX HOME ENT; Release date: 2008-03-11; DVD
Best price: $7.19
Price in other shops:
Agatha Christie's Murder on the Orient ExpressRelease date: 2004-09-07; DVD
Best price: $4.60
Price in other shops:
Ultimate Flint Collection (Our Man Flint / In Like Flint)Ultimate; Release date: 2006-11-07; DVD
Best price: $11.89
Price in other shops:
Murder by DeathRelease date: 2001-12-18; DVD
Best price: $13.07
Price in other shops:
Matt Helm Lounge (The Silencers/ Murderers Row/ The Ambushers/ The Wrecking Crew)Release date: 2005-12-06; DVD
Best price: $13.89
Price in other shops:
BedazzledRelease date: 2007-04-03; DVD
Best price: $10.81
Price in other shops:
DeathtrapRelease date: 1999-07-27; DVD
Best price: $2.87
Price in other shops:
The President's AnalystRelease date: 2004-06-08; DVD
Best price: $8.19
Price in other shops: