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    About This Item

    Unique ID Code: 0000007485
    Added by: DVD Reviewer
    Added on: 30/7/2000 02:17
    View Changes

    Beach, The (US)

    7 / 10
    2 votes cast
    Rate this item
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    Innocence never lasts forever
    Certificate: R
    Running Time: 119 mins
    Retail Price: $34.98
    Release Date:

    Synopsis:
    "Leonardo DiCaprio is electrifying" (David Sheehan, CBS-TV) in this adrenaline-drenched, tantalizingly seductive thriller from the director of Trainspotting.

    Richard (DiCaprio), a young American backpacker, is willing to risk his life for just one thing: that mind-blowing rush you can only get from braving the ultimate adventure. But on a secret, deceptively perfect beach, Richard will discover that "heaven on earth" can instantly change into a jungle of seduction and danger.

    Co-starring sexy newcomer Virginie Ledoyen, this "journey to the unexpected, full of surprises, twists and turns, love and romance, lust and desire" (Maris Sallas, GEMS) explores the hidden perils and dark places that lurk just beyond the shores of paradise...

    Special Features:
    Interactive Menus
    Scene Access
    Commentary by Director Danny Boyle
    9 Deleted Scenes
    All Saints Music Video "Pure Shores"
    Storyboard Gallery
    Theatrical Trailers
    TV Spots

    Video Tracks:
    Widescreen Anamorphic 2.35:1

    Audio Tracks:
    Dolby Digital 5.1 English
    Dolby Digital Surround 2.0 English
    Dolby Digital Surround 2.0 French

    Subtitle Tracks:
    English
    Spanish
    CC: English

    Directed By:
    Danny Boyle

    Written By:


    Starring:
    Paterson Joseph
    Robert Carlyle
    Guillaume Canet
    Virginie Ledoyen
    Tilda Swinton
    Leonardo DiCaprio

    Casting By:
    Gail Stevens
    Kate Dowd

    Soundtrack By:
    Angelo Badalamenti

    Director of Photography:
    Darius Khondji

    Editor:
    Masahiro Hirakubo

    Costume Designer:
    Rachael Fleming

    Production Designer:
    Andrew McAlpine

    Producer:
    Callum McDougall
    Andrew Macdonald

    Your Opinions and Comments

    6 / 10
    I was so anxious to see this movie, that I actually bought it. Well, at least it was on sale.
    The movie tries to prove that no matter what heaven you think you live in, the distance to hell is not that long.
    This is a long movie. Too long. I watched it with 3 friends and each and every one of them (myself included) remarked at one stage of the movie or another: "Is something going to happen? Anything?". That`s basically my summary - an odd story told in a dull way. Well, yeah, the photography and sound make up (a bit) for the lack of content, but still - a total disappointment.
    The video transfer is amazing. Thailand`s islands all look extremely colorful. There are no signs of compression and the picture is crystal clear. One has to wonder if some of the beaches pictures were colored, but according to my sister (who`s actually been to these islands) and her pictures - this is exactly how the islands look like.
    The DD 5.1 soundtrack is very good. It gives you a real sense of the appropriate environment.
    The menus are extremely good. A lot of work has been put into them and it shows. They are 3D and are simply awesome to watch at.
    The extras include some nice deleted scenes as well as alternate beginning and end. They also include a behind the scenes featurette (which could`ve been more informative), a storyboard gallery and a music video. Some of the extras are actually better than the movie itself.
    All in all, if you are REALLY bored and would like to see the beauty of Thailand, take a trip there. If you can`t, watch a National Geographic special. If worse comes to worst, try this movie. It`ll leave an impression on you, that`s for sure, that is-if you don`t fall asleep while watching it.
    posted by Zvi Josef on 13/10/2000 06:07