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Black Sunday | Year: 1977 Directed: - John Frankenheimer Actors/Actresses: - Robert Shaw - Bruce Dern Too Close For Comfort John Frankenheimer's BLACK SUNDAY, based on Thomas Harris' novel of the same name, is a frightening glimpse through a glass darkly at history that hasn't happened yet, and hopefully never will, a terrorist attack on the Super Bowl. Robert Shaw (in his last major performance) plays the Israeli agent Kabakov with a convincing strength, despite his disconcerting Welsh accent. Bruce Dern plays a deranged Vietnam vet (a role which led to a career of typecasting) who decides to destroy the Super Bowl by rigging the obligatory blimp with explosives and detonating it above the game. He is helped in this mad plan by Palestinian terrorist Dahlia Iyad (Marthe Keller), who turns in a fine performance. The film seems slow-moving now, compared to the pace of a Jerry Bruckheimer movie, but for 1974, it was absolutely breathless. The plot, once considered impossible, is too much of a probability now. An excellent film, with excellent production values, and a story that won't quit, BLACK SUNDAY holds its own after three decades. John Frankenheimer's Last Hurrah I saw John Frankenheimer's "Black Sunday" when I was a big fan of Bruce Dern. "Black Sunday" is Frankenheimer's last memorable movie. Palestinian terrorist Marthe Keller conspires with mentally ill Vietnam veteran Bruce Dern in a plot to detonate a dart-firing blimp over the Super Bowl. Israeli agent Robert Shaw is out to stop them. "Black Sunday" is John Frankenheimer's last unforgettable movie. Although not up to Frankheimer's previous masterpieces("The Manchurian Candidate," "Seven Days In May," and "Birdman Of Alcatraz"), "Black Sunday" is still an intelligent and thrilling action movie. The movie features great performances from two of cinema's more underrated actors: Robert Shaw and Bruce Dern. Robert Shaw is great as Kabakov. I'm only sorry that Shaw never became a superstar and that he died at such a fairly young age. Bruce Dern gives the greatest performance of his career. He steals the show as the angry and confused Michael Lander. Dern takes a villain like Lander and almost has viewers rooting for him. I'm also sorry that Dern's talents haven't been put to better use in recent years. The last several minutes of the film are breathtaking. "Black Sunday" is exciting from start to finish. The film is far more entertaining than any of the action movies of today. Like Brian DePalma, John Frankenheimer is a once magnificent director who forgot how to make great movies. After the 1960s, Frankenheimer hasn't made one genuine masterpiece. His recent film "Ronin" is just another plastic Hollywood action movie and doesn't come close to being even as good as "Black Sunday." "Black Sunday" is well-recommended. This film is for fans of John Frankenheimer, Robert Shaw, and Bruce Dern, as well as anyone who loves action movies. Fine film and great DVD transfer Contrary to prior reviews, this is not Frankenheimer's last good film (check Andersonville 1996), nor is the video quality shabby- its actually a perfect 2.35 transfer, crisp video and good sound. Excellent film, believable plot, Robert Shaw is great, so is Bruce Dern and Martha Keller, what else is there to say- this is probably the best action espionage film of the 1970's and 1980's. Buy Black Sunday at Amazon.com Buy posters at Allposters.com Jamster - the latest ringtones for your phone!  Search with Walhello on the Internet on Black Sunday Search with the Priority Search Engine on Black Sunday This page in other languages: Suomeksi | Nederlands | Deutsch
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