Hal Ashby's cult classic black comedy has just been released on BluRay. It remains spiky, weird, unsettling, funny and is clearly a big influence on filmmakers like Wes Anderson and Alexander Payne.
"'Do you think the sexual revolution has gone too far?' It certainly has..." I love Vivian Pickles in this film (and in any other, come to mention it). It would be hard for anyone to register outside of the two fantastic leads, but she adds a delicious, vinegary touch of her own. Superb.
When I was twelve I saw this film for the first time on my little black and white TV in the late 1970s in my room in the attic - it gave my life direction. I feel so lucky I discovered it so early in life. The young Bud Cort was a lovely first imaginary love to have as well. I also have wonderful memories of seeing it during a film festival in a totally overcrowded cinema where everyone knew the film inside out and knew all the songs and words. Makes me so nostalgic: the film of my life.
THE HAROLD AND MAUDE RUTH GORDON META CHALLENGE: 1. Watch Harold and Maude 2. Starting with The Whirl of Life, watch every Ruth Gordon film in chronological order 3. Mentally change the name of each of her characters to 'Maude'. Optionally, just assume that she changes her name every so often. It fits either way. 4. Let the movies provide background character development for Maude. For instance, Maude decided to be a Satanist for a while and showed up in Rosemary's Baby 5. Maude is now a singing dancing policewoman who survived the holocaust, met aliens, and brought doom the world by helping birth the Antichrist. This is official Maude canon.
An absolutely superb film with a stunning sound track. The most moving bit for me is when Harold sees... oh, better not say! You'll know when you see it, if you haven't watched it yet.
bought this today - was SO excited when they announced it. I follow Eureka and when they have asked for what we hope they are releasing I have time and time again said Hal Ashby, particularly Harold and Maude and Being There. So glad to finally own it and will watch it soon. Hope it means more restorations of other Ashby films - I still haven't seen The Last Detail or The Landlord, let alone his other apparent classics!
part of this films strength is its attitude to older, slightly bourgoiseé attitudes, whereas in the early 70s america was going through a huge change - brilliant film, in some ways reminded me of the shock from the earlier film The Graduate (Mike Nichols) - another brilliant film, hell the whole era was fantastic
I remember watching this film in my teens when it came out and feeling a bit uncomfortable -- but being unable to look away. It's also a film that has stuck in my mind, increasingly favorably, to this day.
Very famous film (mentioned a lot in the media), but I haven't yet seen it, although I keep meaning to. What I like about Mark Kermode is that he is a genuine movie buff: he loves movies at his core.
One of the greatest films of all time. Everyone must see!
"'Do you think the sexual revolution has gone too far?' It certainly has..." I love Vivian Pickles in this film (and in any other, come to mention it). It would be hard for anyone to register outside of the two fantastic leads, but she adds a delicious, vinegary touch of her own. Superb.
Vivian Pickles...vinegary touch. Nice.
Some accidents make more sense than intentions :)
Funny, that's what my mom said every night before she tucked me in.
One of the very few films to make me cry . Beautiful film
When I was twelve I saw this film for the first time on my little black and white TV in the late 1970s in my room in the attic - it gave my life direction. I feel so lucky I discovered it so early in life. The young Bud Cort was a lovely first imaginary love to have as well. I also have wonderful memories of seeing it during a film festival in a totally overcrowded cinema where everyone knew the film inside out and knew all the songs and words. Makes me so nostalgic: the film of my life.
Saw this for the first time this year - loved it.
Please no Hollywood remake
Hunt Shoot Fish even if they do a remake Harold & Maud will still exist.
What an amazing summary of the impact "Harold and Maude" made!
THE HAROLD AND MAUDE RUTH GORDON META CHALLENGE:
1. Watch Harold and Maude
2. Starting with The Whirl of Life, watch every Ruth Gordon film in chronological order
3. Mentally change the name of each of her characters to 'Maude'. Optionally, just assume that she changes her name every so often. It fits either way.
4. Let the movies provide background character development for Maude. For instance, Maude decided to be a Satanist for a while and showed up in Rosemary's Baby
5. Maude is now a singing dancing policewoman who survived the holocaust, met aliens, and brought doom the world by helping birth the Antichrist. This is official Maude canon.
An absolutely superb film with a stunning sound track. The most moving bit for me is when Harold sees... oh, better not say! You'll know when you see it, if you haven't watched it yet.
I hadn't seen it in about 40 years and just watched it again this evening. It's even better than I remember it. Beautiful beautiful film.
The whole "staging suicides" bit is actually used to clever effect in a terrific little Canadian horror flick called GINGER SNAPS.
Still one of the best endings of all time.
one of the best films ever!!!
Loved it as a teenager ,knew it was genius before I knew anything about cinema .Great to a get reminder of this wonderful film .Cheers !
bought this today - was SO excited when they announced it. I follow Eureka and when they have asked for what we hope they are releasing I have time and time again said Hal Ashby, particularly Harold and Maude and Being There. So glad to finally own it and will watch it soon. Hope it means more restorations of other Ashby films - I still haven't seen The Last Detail or The Landlord, let alone his other apparent classics!
part of this films strength is its attitude to older, slightly bourgoiseé attitudes, whereas in the early 70s america was going through a huge change - brilliant film, in some ways reminded me of the shock from the earlier film The Graduate (Mike Nichols) - another brilliant film, hell the whole era was fantastic
Looking forward to picking this up in the coming months, the Masters of Cinema Collection is great and I've heard good things about this film!
One of my favorite films. For a long time my wife's favorite film was The Graduate. I showed her Harold and Maude and now it is her new favorite.
A very good, if very odd, film. Worth checking out.
Love this film so much!! Cant wait to buy it!
Also an influence on Six Feet Under and referenced directly in one of the episodes. Looking forward to seeing it again.
I remember watching this film in my teens when it came out and feeling a bit uncomfortable -- but being unable to look away. It's also a film that has stuck in my mind, increasingly favorably, to this day.
Very famous film (mentioned a lot in the media), but I haven't yet seen it, although I keep meaning to. What I like about Mark Kermode is that he is a genuine movie buff: he loves movies at his core.
Love this film
You cut the scene at the wrong point! "That was your last date!" was the real punch line there.
Love it :)
I fecking LOVE THIS MOVIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
omg, that sure looks weird.
tempted to see it.. or maybe I should just see Transformers 4 instead?
I hate the term "cult movie" with respect to "Harold and Maude". Quite simply "Harold and Maude" is a great film. period.
..i LOVE this film..
I have no interest in buying it on Blu-Ray, though.
Maud would have scoffed.
Wonder if he likes Hal Ashby's being there?
If you want to hear Mark's rant about Restless then here's the link:
czcams.com/video/IojXlfhZG74/video.html