Young Winston [DVD]

Very disappointing. Last Sony DVD release is better picture quality, no cleaning or restoration and not the full version. This is not the best/full version of the film. Although there are some deleted scenes, there are many missing and the quality is even worse than the main feature. I was lead to believe this would include both versions (roadshow version has far more scenes) and it is not the case. The original film is a gem but this release does not do it justice. The film is five stars but this release is just one :(

2019 October special edition!! n After decades of waiting I thought this was going to be the REAL film! the cinema release I watched in 1972.WHAT A TOTAL DISAPPOINTMENT!!!!!!! The producers of this attempt should be ashamed! It is better than previously truncated and butchered versions BUT IT IS NOT THE THE ORIGINAL FILM ! Buy it only if you want to see some missing scenes and as another curiosity of WOEFUL production values ! the presentation on the disc itself and sleeve is basic and lamentable! SURELY SOMEONE IS CAPABLE OF RESTORING THE VERSION SHOWN IN BRITISH CINEMAS IN 1972

Having just received the bluray,I have discovered this is NOT the full roadshow version.Whilst it does include the overture,intermission and exit music,the deleted scenes are not included in the actual film,including the end 'I had a dream' scene,just as extras in full screen and terrible quality.Such a shame the effort was not made to include them in the actual film,which otherwise looks decent quality.

Superb film/documentary but with one major flaw - there is a big chunk missing from the middle of the film, (ONE OF THE BEST BITS). I had a very old version that was scratched, so I bought this new one 5 months ago, (sadly can't return it). Just watched it and realised the flaw. Dug out my old copy and found the missing chunk. In fact TWO CHUNKS. Very disappointed. DO NOT BUY.

It’s hard to believe that Simon Ward wasn’t first choice to portray the titular character in his formative years because he truly shines here, giving perhaps a career defining performance as that most indefatigable of political titans and first amongst Britons, Winston Spencer Churchill.Indeed, between them, both the script and Ward successfully convey the many insecurities and vulnerability prevalent in the young Churchill, compellingly weaving his innate diffidence against a turbulent backdrop of reckless adventure and bone headed audacity. Through Ward, Churchill’s subsequent truculence and chutzpah really shines through here, albeit in embryonic form, affording viewers an engrossing, masterful performance.Artistically Young Winston employs some uncommon yet arguably effective techniques in telling its meandering story - not least via the utilisation of pseudo confessional ‘interview’ sequences. Conducted by an unseen, impertinent interviewer, Winston’s stern father and dotting mother are depicted in more candid and vulnerable moments. In this way the script ingeniously conveys the distant and rigidly Victorian relationship existent between Mother, Father and son enhancing the film’s narrative.Despite its many qualities however Young Winston inevitably suffers from a few shortcomings as well. Arguably greatest amongst these is the script’s disconcertingly peregrinating structure. Indeed the film opens with Ward’s Churchill before reverting to his still younger incarnations and back again, several times! This highly speculative, presumably artistic decision (at the behest of director Richard Attenborough perhaps?) achieves precious little beyond needlessly undermining the story’s fluidity.Though the film’s scale is suitably grandiose when depicting Churchill’s military adventures the Boer War segment is by far the weakest showing notable signs of budgetary constraints. Certainly, though the rolling Welsh hills may well have proven to be a fiscally prudent location to film in they were never going to make a convincing substitute for the arid, sub-equatorial African veld! By contrast though the Malakand Field Force and Omdurman segments are all together more satisfying and better choreographed affairs.On a technical note, one other minor disappointment to this otherwise exemplary HD release is the omission of deleted footage from some of the action/military sequences. True, deleted scenes are included here but said footage would’ve been a welcome addition and surely not difficult to source. The material definitely still exists too given that segments were featured on an old 1990’s WH Smith VHS documentary entitled ‘Colonial Wars’ (since uploaded to YouTube I note).Overall though Indicator have done a sterling job as usual with this HD release boasting excellent picture quality and an abundance of informative extras. Despite its arguable structural flaws and sometimes questionable artistic aspects then Young Winston comes highly recommended!

I must have seen this film well over 30 years ago. I remembered it as being pretty good, so decided to re-visit. I was surprised as how 'old school' it is. I suppose I shouldn't have been surprised with Dickie Attenborough being the director. Everything about it, from the music, the titles, the screen-play, makes you believe that the film is much older than it actually is. The cherry on the cake is Elgar's music coming on and two words in large letters, 'THE INTERVAL'. There is just a blank screen and some (admittedly very good) music going on. I have never seen that on a DVD before. Aside from that the film is very good with excellent performances from Simon Ward and a good many others. I pretty sure that there are a couple of scenes missing, but I think they deal with him in later life. A diverting film, albeit oddly dated.

Very fine restoration. We really enjoyed the movie, which is supposedly flawed between an action drama and a personal one between Churchill and his parents. Actually, the push pull between the different approaches (the producer wanted an actioner and the director a character study) turned out to be more interesting and frankly, I believe the movie would have done a disservice to the memory of a great man if it was only an action movie, after all, he was a complex individual and this movie's digressions into his childhood explained the motivations for his actions as a young man and later. Not to be missed.

Lucky it's fact, you'd never get away with this remarkable story as fiction. Simon Ward is the best Churchill ever. Fantastic acting all round, what an awful childhood the poor man had, moved me to tears. Quality of this film is fine, but I would far rather have bought a DVD, shame the reviews of the quality of DVDs was so low in the reviews. Sort it out!!