Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #48577 in DVD
• Released on: 2003-10-21
• Rating: Unrated
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Color, DVD-Video, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 2
• Running time: 160 minutes

Customer Reviews

Definitive Version
Sir Laurence Olivier is magnificent in this version of the O'Neill family drama. Produced for television and shot on video tape.

Hard to watch
I'm a high school AP English teacher, and I bought both the Peter Wood and Sidney Lumet versions of Long Day's Journey into Night, and while Lumet's version isn't totally satisfying, I find it far superior to Wood's version. I'm amazed, in fact, that anyone would recommend this version. Olivier is very good as James Tyrone, but the other actors give weak performances, and the camerawork lacks any creativity. Katharine Hepburn and Jason Robards are excellent in the Lumet version, and there are numerous interesting staging and cinematic choices.

Great Performances, Great Play, Great DVD
I am delighted to be able to add this to my DVD collection. This production of the play is easily the finest ever put on film or tape, infinitely superior to that rather tired film with Katherine Hepburn and Ralph Richardson. This was taped in the studio after a famed production of the play was a major success at England's National Theatre.

Olivier's James Tyrone is indelible, the only actor I have ever seen to make the character a real living person rather than a hard-hearted tyrant. Olivier's performance is heart breaking, one of the most beautiful and moving performances I've ever seen. His James Tyrone manages to be achingly human and sad at all times, without ever once sugar-coating the character's less admirable qualities. That the same can be said of Constance Cummings as Mary Tyrone, and Denis Quilley and Ronald Pickup as Jamie and Edmund is a tribute to an overall magnificent cast.

A more than worthy addition to anyone's DVD library, and vital viewing for anyone interested in watching a great performance of a great play.

All in all, this is a great feast of acting for those willing to sit still and watch it with the attention it deserves. It doesn't get better than this.