Product Description

The most acclaimed motion picture of 1985 stars Robert Redford and Meryl Streep in one of the screen’s great epic romances. Directed by Oscar winner Sydney Pollack, Out of Africa is the fascinating true story of Karen Blixen, a strong-willed woman who, with her philandering husband (Klaus Maria Brandauer), runs a coffee plantation in Kenya, circa 1914. To her astonishment, she soon discovers herself falling in love with the land, its people and a mysterious white hunter (Redford). The masterfully crafted, breathtakingly produced story of love and loss earned Oscars for Best Picture, Director, Screenplay (based on material from another medium), Cinematography, Original Score, Art Direction (Set Decoration) and Sound.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #480 in DVD
• Released on: 2000-02-29
• Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
• Formats: Anamorphic, Closed-captioned, Collector's Edition, Color, DVD-Video, Widescreen, NTSC
• Original language: English, French
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 161 minutes

Amazon.com essential video
Sydney Pollack's 1985 multiple-Oscar winner is a sumptuous and emotionally satisfying film about the life of Danish writer Karen Blixen (Meryl Streep), better known as Isak Dinesen, who travels to Kenya to be with her German husband (Klaus Maria Brandauer) but falls for an English adventurer (Robert Redford). The film is slow in developing the relationship, but it is rich in beautiful images of Africa and in the romantic tone surrounding Blixen's gradual discovery of her life and voice. One downside: while we may all love Redford, he is as convincingly British as Kevin Costner is in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. --Tom Keogh

DVD features
Sydney Pollack's approach to audio commentary for DVD editions of his films is different from that of most other directors. Instead of detailing each scene of Out of Africa, for example, Pollack paints in broad strokes, talking about cinematic themes and in particular the translation of Karen Blixen's life in Africa from book to film. The fan of flubs and trivia won't find Pollack making any cute remarks, but he's certainly interesting for the run of the film, describing the location shooting in Africa and how he dealt with Robert Redford's casting and lack of accent. The new 45-minute documentary A Song of Africa has old and new interviews with Pollack and Meryl Streep, who clearly should have shared the film's commentary duties; she's insightful and quite fun to listen to. The documentary also includes new interviews with composer John Barry and Blixen historian Judith Thompson. --Doug Thomas

Customer Reviews

Pollack's classic Oscar winner
The recently deceased Sidney Pollack made many fine movies but this one along with "They Shoot Horses, Don't They", ranks among his best. An Oscar winner for Best Picture and Best Director, Pollack in the best David Lean fashion has made a love letter to Africa--the land, its people. It's basically a love story of Issak Dinesan who tries to tame Africa, her adopted land and the man she loves, Denys Finch Hatton. Streep & Robert Redford are excellent in their roles though for some reason only known to Pollack, Redford speaks in his normal American rather with a English dialect since the character is a Brit. I'm told Redford wanted to use an English dialect but Pollack said no. Also outstanding is Klaus Maria Blandauer in the dual roles as Dinessen's husband and the husband's brother. I've hesitated purchasing this because I am hoping Universal will release it in Blu-ray soon. This film deserves to be seen on a big flat-screen TV!!

Classic Movie
This is one of Meryl Streep finest movies. A moving love story of a man and Africa.

Now a Classic
Sidney Pollack intertwines a beautiful love story with stunning photography of East African vistas. Based on the true life story of Isak Dinesen the movie takes us back to a colonial period when Africa was still wild and fresh. I especially liked the scenes of flying in the Tiger Moth biplane. Pollack, a pilot, gives a perfect view of the African rift from above. Simply stunning and memorable.