Product reviewsSunset Boulevard (DVD, 2002, Collectors Edition) Vintage - NEW/FACTORY SEALED

A Film for the Ages

An amazing movie after all these years. Gloria Swanson gives the performance of a life time, which a young William Holden almost matches. Eric Von Stroheim steals the show as Max the Butler. (His performance led me to “Greed”, his magnum opus as a silent film director.) And is there a director (besides Hitchcock) whose work has stood the test of time as well as Billy Wilder? This is a film for the ages.Read full review...

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A Masterpiece

Yes, it is in black and white but that gives this film charm, beauty and grace. A drama with comic parts. And the acting is first class with Gloria Swanson and William Holden, in the lead. Magnificent sets with tops in cinematography. I could watch this masterpiece, over and over without being bored. All about Hollywood and stars ; when they were paid 18,000.00 weekly and paid no taxes ! Buy it - see it.Read full review...

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It's time for my close up, Mr. DeMille

Billy Wilder directed this movie, which stars William Holden and Gloria Swanson. I had really mixed feelings about this movie. I think I really could have liked it, I really could have.

The opening of the movie has a very gothic feel to it, with Holden narrating and later when we come to first see the huge house. And I really liked the movie right up to the end.

The plot and story had me constantly guessing. Wilder really played up the contrast, especially during the New Year’s Eve party. The dialogue is great.

The acting, too, is really great. Gloria Swanson, interestingly, at a point in her career much like her characters, deserved an Oscar for her performance. Holden, too, was great. Erich von whatever was good too (he directed Swanson in the silent movie they show at her house). The girl, Nancy Olson, I liked as well.

The cinematography—especially the shots they open and close with and some of the fades—was well-done.

Essentially, the movie is a tragedy. I can take tragedy. Heck, one of my favorite movies is The Birds. But the ending—in fact, the whole movie—is so incredibly bitter. When it was over it left a horrible feeling in my stomach.

The movie is a lot like Hitch’s stuff, just with this bitterness. It’s almost like an earlier version of Psycho. But the difference is that Psycho leaves me inwardly laughing while this movie leaves me inwardly throwing up.Read full review...

Magnificent and entertaining film classic with the memorable Gloria Swanson.

Magnificent and entertaining film classic with the memorable Gloria Swanson and William Holden. The black and white image quality is excellent with magnificent resolution. I must highlight the seller's attention, it was attentive and efficient. Fast shipping in strong and safe package. I fully recommend this seller.Read full review...

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Superior film

Absolutely great movie! Acting is above par. Holden and Swanson are magical together. Swanson is at her best as a washed out silent movie star trying to make a comeback. She is mentally unstable, quirky and definitely crazy as she still believes she is beloved by her fans.Read full review...

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Norma Desmond "Gloria" The Greatest!

Gloria Swanson is a Familiar face, as her father taught my father at the College of Engineering of the University of Puerto Rico. Gloria grew up in Mayaguez, P. R. and her career as an actress was well received.
The depiction of Norma Desmond is an outstanding performance, the exagerated manerisms were in tune with the Silent Movie style and the provocative and exagerated demeanor of a classical schizoid actress was performed with excellence.

The narrative by William Holden is very intriguing and well executed. I saw the movie in 1951, and loved it. I bought the DVD through Ebay and liked it more now. Classical style of acting without trashy language is what Hollywood is in needs, and our decadent society need more movies of such refine productions.

But I am an old fashion seventy years old man and that is another storyRead full review...

Gloria Swanson RULES!!

This movie is amazing, from storyline ( narrated by one of the main characters after his death ), to the awesome performance of Gloria Swanson. Miss Swanson, being a silent film star to begin with, conveys so much meaning and emotion with her eyes and hand movements. EVERYTHING she does is a production, and it's wonderful! EVERYONE should see this movie, if only to see Gloria Swanson say "I AM big. It was the PICTURES that got small". I read somewhere, that after the premier of Sunset Boulevard, Barbara Stanwyck got on her knees and bowed to Miss Swanson...I couldn't put it any better myself.Read full review...

Ready for my close-up Mr Deville

One of the great old Hollywood films of all times. If you long to be a film maker and go to Hollywood, you need to know this movie or jokes will go right over your head when having drinks with agents and producers, etc. Fabulous story.Read full review...

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Sunset Boulevard

Classic over the top performance by Gloria Swanson as a faded silent movie icon, Norma Desmond, who lives in the past with her understanding yet creepy butler, Max, played by Erich von Stroheim.
William Holden is a down and out screenwriter who agrees to rewrite a movie for Norma, only to fall into her mad grasp.
Very well supported by Nancy Olson as an up and coming writer. Also appearances by a young Jack Webb and cameo by Cecil B. DeMille.
A novel beginning of the movie, in fact the end, add to its greatness.
And of course the final scene, "I'm ready for my closeup Mr.DeMille!"Read full review...

One of the greatest films of all time.

For years I avoided seeing this old movie because it was described as the story of an aging former actress who wanted to make a comeback. That sounded too sad. But Norma Desmond, as played by Gloria Swanson, is not only pathetic and eccentric, she's also domineering and self-absorbed. When she wants something, she goes for it, whether it be a renewed career or a new man. She manipulates the much-younger Joe into being her gigolo, but Joe is no innocent victim. Among three strong-willed people --- Joe, Norma, and Norma's loyal servant Max --- who will emerge the strongest? All attempt to live within their perceptions of reality, which don't necessarily reflect the truth. Norma is neither a young superstar nor a washed-up old bat. She's an attractive woman of fifty who might actually have a shot at acting again if she could face reality rather than trying to re-create her past, to the point of yearning for a return to silent pictures. There's humor, drama, and lots of memorable characters, including director Cecil B. DeMille playing himself. Simply one of the greatest films of all time.Read full review...

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