Angel Face / Macao / The Sundowners / Home from the Hill / The Good Guys and the Bad Guys / The Yakuza

Reviews by Gary Geyer


First of all, this box set is a great deal. Six ‘sleepy eyed’ Robert Mitchum films in one collection. Although, these films aren’t his all time best, they nevertheless will be worth your while watching.

Mitchum has worked with some of the best directors in the business and they are represented here. Otto Preminger (Angel Face) Josef Von Sternberg (Macao), Vincent Minelli (Home from the Hill), Fred Zimmerman (the Sundowners) and Sydney Pollack (The Yakuza). In addition to the films. Included is a 30 minute interview with Mitchum and Jane Russell conducted by Robert Osborn of TMC.

Angel Face

Arguably the best film in this collection, it is psychologically complex and an excellent example of film noir. Jean Simmons co-stars as the angel of death, causing the death of everyone who has loved her.

Macao

Another good example of film noir, this film co-stars Jane Russell as a singer in the port town of Macao (where else?) Director, Von Sternberg shows off his skills with some elaborately decorated sequences.

The Sundowners

Filmed on location in Australia (Mitchum has an Aussie accent), this is a warm family drama about sheepherding and co-stars Deborah Kerr. (Sounds boring but it is actually quite good.)
Home from the Hill

Both George Hamilton and George Peppard got their big break co-starring as Mitchum’s two sons. It’s about a southern landowner and the conflicts he has with his sons and dissatisfied wife.

The Good Guys and the Bad Guys

A western-comedy drama (are you following this?) about an aging marshal (Mitchum) pursuing his lifelong enemy, who is also aging.

The Yakuza

This suspenseful action movie takes place in Japan. It has Mitchum trying to rescue his friend’s kidnapped daughter from the Yakuza (sort of a Japanese Mafia).

One thing about Robert Mitchum-women like him, men like him.

Gary Geyer is Editor-in-Chief of LetLifeIn.com (Editor@LetLifeIn.com) as well as editor of the People & Entertainment section and the Fun Stuff section. Reach him at Gary@LetLifeIn.com.