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Visitors Review

gregorybnyc 2012-05-24 09:21:26

The Souffle Also Rises

I dimly remembered this culinary comedy from the late 70s withoutmuch affection, until a friend decided to bring along a video to beshown after a Thanksgiving dinner last year. It's a great idea. Stuffyourself and then take a movie break before dessert. Nothing tooheavy--preferably something light and frothy. I'm glad we did. Thisis an adorable movie, and I don't know why it didn't strike me thatway the first time around.Maybe it was the horrible and dated costumes designed forJacqueline Bissett. How does one take one of the most beautifulwomen in the world, and tart her up in the most ridiculousfur/leather thingies. She looks like a cheap Vegas dancer here. George Segal doesn't escape either, wearing jeans looking like hewas poured into them and cowboy hats, he looks like the sweetJewish boy he is, playing in Daddy's clothing. The heart of the movie is the wonderful Robert Morely, who plays agleefully glutinous gourmand and food editor who between bitesinsults just about anyone coming towards him. Only JacquelineBissett manages to escape his wrathful tongue. I'm notcomplaining. Morely is a total delight as the misanthropicepicurian monster. The mystery isn't much of a mystery, and the chemistry betweenBissett and Segal doesn't appear to be setting off many sparks. But you can waste your time on far worse things than this modestdelight, filmed all over Europe. The food looks great, and oh thatnasty Morely!

2012-05-23 22:47:54

FUN FOR FOODIES

This review is from: Who Is Killing the Great Chefs of Europe [VHS] (VHS Tape) THIS IS A GREAT LITTLE FARCE. LOT'S OF FUN. AHEAD OF IT'S TIME. GIVEN THE POPULARITY OF THE FOOD NETWORK, I'M SURPRISED IT'S NOT ON DVD OR THAT A STUDIO HASN'T PRODUCED A REMAKE. SHORT, CLEVER, ENTERTAINING AND RELATIVELY CLEAN.

2012-05-19 07:15:59

Finally!!

This review is from: Who is Killing the Great Chefs of Europe? (DVD) So happy to finally be able to watch this movie once again after so many many years. I agree that the copy is a bit grainy and dingy as far as the movie print is concerned but not complaining since it is a favorite movie of mine. The cast is funny and the characters over the top. Until they release a "real" DVD this will do just fine.

jaybird2k101 2012-05-18 17:37:34

A funny farce, failed by poor DVD product.

I loved this delightful farce, when it came out in the theaters,decades ago. Segal, Bisset, and Morley, are a joy to watch. I waitedfor years fro the DVD format to hit the shelves. What a disappointingexperience. The disc is not letterbox, nor closed captioned, there isNO Menu, and looks no better than a VSH tape. There is a disclaimer, infine print, that the DVD will only play on DVD "Play only" devices, andmay not play on your PC. WD cheaped out on this product. The story isfilled with fine foods, kitchen antics, and rapid fire funnies. It wasfilmed on location all over Europe. The grizzly murders,are shocking.The many characters are played broadly, but then this a comedy. Wellworth your time.

2012-05-12 21:33:59

Who cannot stop laughing?

This review is from: Who is Killing the Great Chefs of Europe? (DVD) A new gem from the Warner Brothers Archive Collection, this is one of the funniest movies I have ever seen. An "old school" whodunit filmed in some of Europe's best restaurants. Worth viewing just to see Robert Morley play Maximilian Vandevere, the disdainful and pretentious editor of Epicurious Magazine. The movie portrays the trouble that begins when Max's physician insists that he start a life-saving diet to lose one half of his body weight...just as Max has hired two of his favorite chefs to prepare a dinner for the queen of England. Something mysterious starts happening related to one of his magazine articles entitled, "The World's Most Fabulous Meal"; murder ensues, and chefs are killed in the manner in which they prepare their signature dishes. Max takes you on a tour of Europe while blasting his quippy criticisms at everything and everyone in sight. This is a MUST SEE - filmed in 1978 (previously only available on VHS).

2012-05-12 06:38:15

Please release this gem on DVD!

Short and sweet-one of my favorite films!(and I have seen MANY!)Take it from a retired hollywood studio photog-this one is a must...

2012-05-12 06:04:33

Who is Killing the Great Chefs of Europe?

I have to agree with every other reviewer, this is an outstanding movie. It has it all, intrigue, suspense, laughs, love....and above all, great food!Please, Please, PLEASE put this on DVD!

2012-05-11 19:00:11

Lighthearted view of Gourmet food

This review is from: Who is Killing the Great Chefs of Europe? (DVD) A lighthearted romp through the ups and downs of a gourmet food critics world. Excellent cast of actors with a wonderfully witty script that you have to pay attention to to fully appreciate. A film that can be watched over and over to appreciate the many jokes and gags. Definitely not a one joke movie. A few suggestive scenes with Jacqueline Bisset and others and a couple of corpses if you are really squeamish but very lightly done. I have loved this movie since I first saw it in the early 1980's on TV and was delighted when it was finally released on DVD.

2012-05-08 01:59:37

Too Many Murders Spoil The Chefs

I had not seen this film since its first release and watching it now 32 years later in a world bombarded with more cooking shows that you can shake wooden spoons at makes me appreciate it much more this go round. Director Ted Kotcheff merges a great international cast of familiar faces and peppers them throughout the proceedings in grand fashion seasoning them into three major European cities contained in their best restaurants and hotels. Venerable Brit Robert Morley steals the show as Max the food critic who is five minutes away from perishing from eating too many rich dishes over his career. After publishing an article on the best chefs in the world cooking the ultimate four course dinner, they start getting bumped off in grisly ways. Enter George Segal and his ex-wife Jacqueline Bisset into the mix and you have an enjoyable romp across Europe one step away of having the killer find them. The film should have a better reputation but its possible its balance of black comedy and serious murders didn't mix with audiences at that time. Now in the age of Food Network and food competitions, this film is just ready to be rediscovered. Warner Archive has released a beautiful transfer in its 1.85 aspect ratio inserting the viewer into the stunning European locales of Venice and Paris. For those who love a good mystery mixed with some slapstick farce , look no further and enjoy this great time capsule but just a word of warning, you may want to indulge in a major dining experience after the viewing.

2012-05-07 13:30:15

WHO IS KILLING THE GREAT CHEFS

ONE OF THE ALL TIME FUNNEY FILMS I HAVE EVER SEEN

watcher-43 2012-05-04 16:18:48

a tasty whodunit

This is one of those rare comedies that doesn't become dated and staleovertime. The European air of this film keeps the pacing smooth andinterestingand fortunately George Segal doesn't try to take over the picture.RobertMorley is fantastic in a tour de force performance as the world's largestand greatest food snob-a total snot who lives very moment filled withfood,dry wit and sarcasm. The food looks great and one should definately havesnacks handy when indulging in this fine film. As for the whodunit? Whenthe killer was finally revealed I had guessed wrong and enjoyed eveymoment.

2012-05-04 07:31:42

This is a very funny film.

This review is from: Who Is Killing the Great Chefs of Europe [VHS] (VHS Tape) Great acting. Great Plot. This is a real scream.

2012-05-02 12:29:05

Can we have a DVD? Please......

I saw this in the cinema when it was first released.It really does deserve to be released on DVD!!!

jameschastain47 2012-05-01 18:08:53

The movie is a murder mystery and not a fashion show

The mystery is the thing.Some of the greatest Chef's of England and the Continent are beingmurdered all around and no one knows why. But everyone certainly knowshow for all of them, whoops, wont tell more don't want to spoil anysecond of this movie. But yep this is a real serious murder mysteryalright! The fun is in the timing, these are some of the best actors ofthe times. Finest of their times to be honest. Whether handsome, beautiful or ugly, that is immaterial. They are allconsummate actors, ACTING and creating the characters we either grow tolove, hate, loath or find funny as hell. BUT no matter how we react tothem, they do what great actors do, they make the viewers reallybelieve in them.The comedy and the black humor are a mix of Keystone Cops and Burns andAlan craziness. Take it for the fun it is and enjoy the movie withfriends. A party is in order for this one, good wine, cheeses, fancydeserts and a little sinister fun.

2012-05-01 06:12:00

should be-No Stars

This review is from: Who is Killing the Great Chefs of Europe? (DVD) I ordered this DVD and it didn't work. I sent it back and ordered another and it also didn't work. I would still like to get a good copy of this movie. I haven't seen it in years but it is one movie I still remember something about because it was so good. I don't want to order it again and go through the same thing. I think Amazon needs better quality control.

2012-04-30 14:58:49

This One Cooks Up a Lot of Fun!

This review is from: Who is Killing the Great Chefs of Europe? (DVD) Come take a merry trip through the land of Haute Cuisine, replete with a murder or three thrown in to spice up the action. George Segal, Jacqueline Bisset, and Robert Morley are involved in tracking down culinary geniuses to try their specialties, only to find these great chefs being murdered using their specialty. In one case, the chef who's specialty is pressed duck winds up with his head in the duck press, exhibiting symptoms of homicide and a severe case of terminal death. This is a very funny "Whodunnit," and well worth watching. The ending has a very nice twist to it, too. This one is a classic, and a definite "must have."

2012-04-28 23:50:59

Still killing the great chefs

This review is from: Who is Killing the Great Chefs of Europe? (DVD) I hadn't seen this film in years but remembered it in surprising detail from the 70s as thorougly entertaining. I bought this copy to share with my son-in-law, who is an avid amateur cook, and his mom, who is French. They both enjoyed it immensely. A delightful film that deserves attention from a new generation.

2012-04-28 16:32:12

DVD needed

A brilliantly and witty comedy/love story/murder mystery. Bisset is ravashing and holds her own with Morley and Segal. Please produce a high quality DVD.

2012-04-25 22:40:07

DVD please

This is one of my all-time favorite movies. My husband and I quote from it on a regular basis. With so many films now on dvd, I can't understand why this one hasn't made the list.Amazon, please help.

2012-04-25 13:37:27

Hilarious, witty, elegant comedy murder mystery!

"Delicious!" is the right word to describe this romantic comedy/murder mystery, especially as it involves such magnificent foods! Segal, Bissett, and Morley are in top form, and the supporting cast (mostly European movie stars in terrific cameos) is equally delightful. Peter Stone, who also wrote the marvellous "Charade" (with Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn), did a superb job with this elaborate story, keeping the romance, the suspense, and the macabre in equal proportion without any of the elements overwhelming the others. The witty script is full of bon mots, mostly given to the ebullient Robert Morley. Jacqueline Bissett's costumes are knockouts, as is she! This wonderful comedy should be given more media space. It has aged very well, like good wine and cheese, and should be put on DVD. For those who haven't seen it, try it and "bon appetit!"