Overlord (The Criterion Collection) [DVD]

This movie was a combination of a fictional British recruit and documentary war footage. You certainly do have sympathy for the main character however it is interspersed with war footage that caused some confusion for me.In the film, they showed footage of a Panjandrum, a rocket-propelled, explosive-laden cart designed by the British military. The problem is, the Panjandrum never progressed beyond experimental stage. It was not used on D-Day.There is no narration or description of the war footage seen. Most viewers familiar with the operations of D-Day should be able to place many of them. However, a lot of footage goes back to the bombing of London in 1940.The disc is not without value. It simply wasn't my cup of tea.If you found this review helpful, please click on the link below.

This is an awesome film made in 1975. It reminds me of "All Quiet on the Western Front". (1930) "Overlord" deals with World War II. Tom is a young man going through the war (ends up on D-day). It is full of documentary footage. It has some beautiful music by Paul Glass. "All Quiet.." dealt with German boys who are happy, and then soon, disillusioned by the war.

I got wrong movie! Can I get refunded?

The film, shot deliberately in black & white, opens with a young man in England leaving home for boot camp. He appears to be the definition of average, neither overly bright nor stupid. Naive might be a label that applies, if anything. Young men all over England are being called up as casualties mount on the European front and the Allies prepare for D-Day. The strength of the film is in its use of terrific archival footage from the Imperial War Museum within the movie. Our young soldier survives boot camp and thanks to a fellow soldier becomes a little more worldly than before he entered the service. The use of the archival film to show the massive buildup of troops and equipment contrasted with the loneliness and fear of the solitary soldier is effective in understanding D-Day. Some of the footage from the archives is amazing and worth watching the film for that alone. You have the most massive military invasion in history and yet at its core is the individual soldier. He meets and falls in love with a very nice young girl but will there be a future together-will there be a future at all? Neither of them can be sure. His unit learns that they will be among the first to land on D-Day. Cannon fodder-that's what they begin to see themselves. How would you react knowing your chances of surviving the invasion are slim and none? While some see this an anti-war film, I think it is more a reality of war film. While war may be a necessary evil in the face of greater evils, that doesn't change the fact that is evil and young lives and families are forever changed. A film that will make you pause and consider the consequences of even the most just war. The extras are very worthwhile.

"Most informative and realistic film out."

If you are not sated by a million documentaries about WWII, 'Overlord' gives you amazing and strangely often beautiful archival footage from the British Imperial War Museum, restored to pristine clarity. Though shot on the run, by many photographers, on little 16mm cameras, these 'real' images of war rise to the status of art. 'Overlord' takes this footage - or some of it - the selection process must have been a lengthy labour of love - and integrates it with new footage to tell the story of three representative, low-ranking 'ordinary' soldiers. This story makes a framing device for the archival footage; we see call-up, induction, training, more training, postings hither and yon, anxiety and fear, and embarkation for Normandy and D-Day. Meanwhile, London is bombed and burns, and B-52s raid the enemy. The excellent editing juxtaposes the banal with the horrific. The movie never glorifies war - on the contrary. Unfortunately, however, the created 'story' of our three soldiers is a bit flat, maybe because of the director's determination that his three soldiers be just three ordinary Joes caught up in this massive event. So no 'stars' to distract us, but no really engaging performances either. The deliberately anti-climactic ending (see the excellent 'Extras' to confirm this) will probably disappoint many. The power of this movie lies with the archival footage itself and the brilliant way it is edited together.

I echo the words of one reviewer who said this movie has a dreamlike quality---the images resonate long after the film is over! The fluid photography and the isolated bits of intimate dialogue created an almost swirling, transcendent effect that culminated in the raw fear and confusion of imminent death. There are many great films about the horror of war--some shout at you with gory deaths and great special effects. But Overlord is successful---and indeed a great film---because of its intimate, knowing whisper in your ear. This a MUST SEE movie! ScottyB

Great film. Interestingly merging actual film footage of Overlord with the story line. Probably one of the best WWII films I have seen.

Interestingly although not advertised on the site or on the dvd jacket, this Metrodome issue does come with full English subtitles for the hearing impaired. Plenty of extras including interviews and a little booklet.The film itself is a combo of actual war footage from the Imperial War Museum and 'acting' by a small group of principal actors filmed in the mode of 1940's newsreel camera footage, which is well done and clever in my opinion. It's just the content that's not very compelling, and if the director wanted realism he got it, as much of this acting content came over as slightly amateurish which may have been intended.Made in 1975, a time when much quirky stuff was written and filmed and gave such a broad taste to the audiences of the time ---- today this can only be viewed as an oddity except by a few who will take its value as experimental and satisfying.83 minutes run time, black & white throughout. Different.

Excellent film. There are a few versions, but the Metrodome DVD comes with quality extras, including a commentary by director Stuart Cooper. My only complaint is that there was no booklet enclosed as advertised on the sleeve. However, this is a fine edition of an outstanding and largely under-celebrated film classic. The black-and-white archive material, printed from the original IWM negatives, is stunning, always authentic to the narrative context, and together with the interspersed invented storyline - expertly shot in monochrome by John Alcott - makes for an almost seamless visual work, with both contemporary music and a haunting theme score by Paul Glass. The central character, a young British conscript, is unforgettably portrayed by Brian Stirner with fine support from Nicholas Ball, David Harries, and Julie Neesam. A beautiful and compelling study of the pity of war.

Overlord is a unique project that mixes archive footage with scripted scenes, a surreal and dreamlike film about a guy's perception of youth and military education during wartimes, which makes everything look like a dream that turns into a nightmare. It is a mix of Kubrick, Bunuel, Chris Marker and Brecht and almost anticipates Lynch in its cold and mysterious atmosphere and style.A film made of simple feelings and everyday moments with sudden mysterious visions of something terrible about to happen.It is a fascinating, intriguing and unsettling experiment that produces a sense of disorientation where the documentary/fiction mix increase the unreal mood instead of making it more realistic. From a young director, with a surprising protagonist, this film is visually exceptional and would deserve a blu ray transfer, although the dvd is very good: the photography and integration of footage and new scenes is by the great John Alcott, Kubrick's director of photography in 2001, Barry Lyndon, Shining, Clockwork Orange.

Criterion does not usually disappoint. High quality of video and sound. Great movie!

Everything about the dvd I ordered was exactly as expexted. Delivery was prompt, thr driver was polite and respectfull of my property and current covid guidelines. Overall Im very happy.