Audience Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Binding: VHS Tape
EAN: 9786301136396
Format: Color, NTSC
ISBN: 630113639X
Label: Vestron Video
Manufacturer: Vestron Video
Number Of Items: 1
Publisher: Vestron Video
Release Date: September 16, 1992
Running Time: 83 minutes
Sales Rank: 1125
Studio: Vestron Video
Theatrical Release Date: December 17, 1987
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Customer Reviews
Average Rating: 
Rating: - Don't Overlook Frank Patterson's Role!
The tenor evoking the memory of Michael Furey (the dead) for the wife,as he sings during the dinner party, assumes a more significant role when heard in a film score, than when left to a reader's imagination. John Huston had the keen sense to find the best - Irish tenor Frank Patterson, who died in 2000. According to CD notes for a Patterson collection including this song, he was originally going to be hired merely as the voice, but was then cast to act and sing.
While I admire the acting and directing as noted by so many others, it's the power of Patterson's marvelously wistful singing, so clear and pure, that most illuminates what little plot there is,and lingers with me. Hearing the song as he sings it, allows me to enter the wife's mind and interpret how she lamented her long-lost lover.
Since Joyce's "The Dead" is regarded as among the finest short stories in English, it's all the more remarkable that a film version may be regarded in the same league, and possibly offer even more.
Rating: - Perfect movie
I find it really a disgrace that it isn't available on DVD region 1 along with the making of documentary.The first time I saw it, I found it to be amazing and beautiful.Although it is slow moving, it is really worth the effort to sit thru it and enjoy. There are some departures from the novella, but they only enhance the film. I recommend reading the short story after the movie like I did.
Rating:  - Slow movie with a perfect ending.
The last scene of "The Dead" includes a voice over by Donal McCann and just may be one of the most beautiful scenes I've ever seen. In retrospect it was the perfect way for John Huston to finish his long career. But before this scene, I found the movie challenging to sit through. The acting was superb but much like Huston's "Under the Volcano", the story seemed to meander along at a slow pace and and I lost my interest, hoping something would happen soon. My patience was rewarded in the last scene, but I think the movie would have been better as a short feature film (featurette) of perhaps 45 minutes. As it is, I can't give it more than 3 stars, but I'm still glad I saw it, and it should be on DVD.
Update: the movie is available on a PAL region 2 DVD in the UK. It's for sale at amazon.co.uk
Rating: - Achingly faithful to the great short story
It's a great sadness this movie has not been converted into a readily available DVD. It turned me on to the James Joyce short story of the same name and now both live in my mind, frequently inspiring me to dwell on how the shared memories of our lifetimes make up who we are, both as individuals and a community. If you are at all introspective about your life, I am almost certain you will love this film. If you have seen it, maybe it belongs in your personal collection. It is the ONLY ONE in mine.
Rating: - Richer with each viewing
I saw this this first time at the movies 20 years ago on a magical evening when snow was swirling as I left the theater. I had loved the short story and thought the film was a good adaptation. Since then I have seen it three or four more times on video and each time I find that the movie speaks to me more eloquently. Last time I saw it was two years ago and I have to admit I started crying after about ten minutes and wound up sobbing for the last fifteen or so. If there's perfection in filmmaking, this is it. John Houston somehow managed to make a film that improves on the finest short story in the English language. Where is the DVD????
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