The Black Windmill - Circles That You Find

[@plloydholt]

Well said sir! Thats exactly why i mainly stick to watching mostly 70s cinema and avoid most recent Hollywood cgi bollocks. I watched The Black Windmill a few years back and enjoyed it but its due a rewatch.

[@tonybush555]

Right back at you, Paul. Obviously, you're a moviegoer of taste. Many thanks. T.

[@Richard47484]

You say you haven’t seen “The Great Escaper”. Well, don’t delay, get down to your local cinema, it’s well worth it!

[@tonybush555]

I'll get around to it Richard. If it is Caine's last shout, I won't miss it. Thanks, Richard. T.

[@graemewilson7975]

Recently saw again. Not seen in ages. As I said in your review of Telefon I think Siegel going through creative burnout(hardly surprising considering length of time he already in movie industry) but the The black windmill has many excellent qualities not least Caines central performance and Janet suzman (whom it I had to identify in a role would be Alexandria totally unfair to the work she created on stage and screen) she always good in fragile roles and as the X of Caine and mother to a kidnapped child she is excellent. Beautifully lit and crisply edited it reminded of the tamarind seed , another British thriller directed by an American. An excellent cast , John Vernon playing a particularly unsavoury type and Edward Hardwicke are highlights throughout. Good movie but Siegel's last hurrah with the shootist and Escape from Alcatraz to come. Alas his two eighties movies are best not mentioned... Great review as usual Tony

[@tonybush555]

I think I might have pointed out, there's something that always draws me back to it on times. Not completely sure what that something is, though. Thanks, Graeme. T.

[@chrisleonard2287]

Another great choice from my past thank you! You have great taste in finding those old gems I’d forgotten about

[@tonybush555]

There's a lot of them reviewed on the channel, Chris. Thanks for commenting. T.

[@tomsenior7405]

Excellent. Nice one Tony. I actually like this film. A rainy afternoon on holiday forced us to shelter in the only cinema at the seaside town. Oh, happy days.

[@tonybush555]

Many a time when vacationing in a British seaside town has the cinema been my refuge in the event of life-threatening summertime weather - when it was too risky to sit on a beach in a torrent of wind and rain and hail. What today is termed "extreme weather" seemed an expected part of the package deal back then. Many thanks, Tom. Appreciated. T.

[@juliehastie9817]

​@@tonybush555is underrated for

[@juliehastie9817]

​@@tonybush555sapphire and

[@juliehastie9817]

Sapphire and steel

[@juliehastie9817]

Love that flim top lad more from you 🎉

[@tonybush555]

Oh there's plenty more from me on this channel, julie. Too much some might argue. Thanks for commenting. Very much appreciated. T.

[@raymondtaylor1036]

I remember this movie when I was a teenager in 1974. At that time, even a borderline movie such as this makes an effort to do the best it can with what it had, and respects its audiance. This is the type of movie people will look back on and say to themselves; "AT LEAST ITS NOT AS HALF BAD AS WHAT WE GOT NOW!!!".

[@tonybush555]

I think you're right, Raymond. Thanks for commenting. T.

[@keithbrown8490]

Ahh Memories ! Once again you bring forth my teen years at the cinema, too. I remember now going to see this one as a Caine and Siegel fan and remember the review and talk show talk of why it was called "The Black Windmill" since the title does not apply till the end of the movie. It seems the makers wanted to call it ""Drable" but as that title just does not send moviegoers into a frenzy of "I can't wait to see that "Drable" movie, the powers that be came up with "The Black Windmill" then sold it as "You must wait till the end to discover the secret of The Black Windmill" !! A bit slow but worth the movie ticket to see. Still there was Caine and we must savor every moment we can before he leaves us !

[@tonybush555]

Cheers, Keith. Many thanks. T.

[@AbrasiousProductions]

love the little reference to windmills of your mind, very haunting song

[@tonybush555]

A classic, Streed.

[@stanleyneu]

I love watching Michael Caine, he is such a great actor. I try to see all of his films. I have seen this one a few times and enjoyed it quite a bit. He is an action actor and carries it off well. He is one of the best actors of the last century.

[@tonybush555]

Thanks, Stanley. T.

[@ChrisMiller007]

Great work Tony! This is such an underrated film and completely agree with what you said at the end of your video. It may not be the best film of its type, but it held together; was dynamic and entertained me more than most modern films do. It’s great discovering (in my case) these older films, especially films from the 70s. There are so many great films and it truly was a great decade for cinema. Thanks Tony and keep up the great work!

[@tonybush555]

Many thanks, spyboy. We seem to be on the same page regarding the cinema of today. Appreciate your comments and support. T.

[@graemewilson7975]

Great review of I suspect a largely forgotten movie I weirdly get this one and the other Caine movie were he plays an assassin with Omar Sharif mixed up. Also can remember the Connery joke but not movie. Gonna have to keep eyes open for a cheap copy. Great review keep safe and keep up the excellent quality

[@tonybush555]

Thanks as always, Graeme. Appreciate your continued support. Take care. T.

[@jatinderdevgun9093]

The "Cainster" I love this movie.....

[@tonybush555]

Then I'm glad I got around to reviewing it, Jatinder. Regards. T.

[@alanhouston5874]

Maybe the model is that people will always spend on entertainment so pick as visible as a property you can find but don’t risk anything that will push people away I agree with you that it was better when each movie was at least trying something. This would include trying to clone something else and a majority of films failing in what they attempted, but there was a selection and if something failed for you there was the option to try something else relatively soon

[@CaminoAir]

That's an odd entry on the film poster: 'A Siegel Film', not 'A Don Siegel Film'. Caine is incomparable, admittedly sometimes for his lousy choices in movies, but mostly for his great charisma and talent.

[@tonybush555]

No arguments from me there, Numinous. I think that from this film on that was how Siegel was billed on posters and on the opening credits for his movies. No idea why.

[@PaIaeoCIive1684]

As you'd expect from Don Seigel, this is a thriller of note but, like you say, the film isn't the gritty Seigel we know and love. They hardly ever show it on TV despite it being one of Caine's decent roles - rather than a 'phoned in performance to buy himself another mansion like the so bad it's really bad Jaws the Revenge. John Vernon, who plays lead baddie McKee, tended to get cast in loads of lousy B-movies in the 70's despite being a dependably good villain. Herbie Goes Bananas? Ernest Goes to Camp? No thanks. He must've loved this role and his greatest in The Outlaw Josey Wales. I remember a couple of shaky hovercraft trips as a kid too, Tony. Thought they were amazing, although my parents looked terrified at times.

[@tonybush555]

Hovercrafts were astonishingly difficult to control/steer, knowing this was a source of some anxiety for many I imagine. Vernon cropped up everywhere, from playing the mayor in Dirty Harry to Dean Wormer in Animal House. Busy guy.

[@PaIaeoCIive1684]

@@tonybush555 Oh yeah, Tony. He was great in Dirty Harry and Animal House, which I forgot about somehow. His filmography is part cool and part lousy, so maybe like Caine he was more into the paycheque aspect rather than the 'art' at times. Good work!

[@Shadowman4710]

I only saw this once, back in the 80's some time when it aired late night on local television. I remember enjoying it and John Vernon's performance still stands out to me after all these years. I really need to go back and look at it again. Not one of Caine's best but not bad either.

[@russellhunter8378]

I have this on DVD and the first viewing left me curiously flat, I was expecting more due to the actors and the director that are involved in it, perhaps a rewatch is on the cards. I notice you have been reviewing films lately that have been scored by the great Roy Budd, any chance of a review of The Internecine Project? I personally think it's a great little flick but others may not agree.

[@tonybush555]

I've got The Internecine Project on Blu Ray. It's not mine, a contact lent it to me a year ago and I haven't returned it yet. Or re-watched it yet. I remember enjoying it at the time of release so it has future review potential.

[@thefincapaloma]

Takk!

[@tonybush555]

My goodness, Atle. THANK YOU for your kind generosity. I am in your debt. T.

[@thefincapaloma]

My pleasure. Hoping for a review of either The Beguiled or Coogan's Bluff at some time. @@tonybush555

[@ronaldneal387]

Another great review Tony never heard this movie but it's better than the recent movies that came out thank you very much

[@tonybush555]

You're welcome, Ronald. Thanks for commenting. T.

[@dgnoel4180]

Tony, I'm sure you'll be rushing to see The Last Rifleman starring my 2nd favourite 007... Also, the Panderverse answers all Disney/Lucasfilm questions.

[@tonybush555]

Sorry to disappoint, D G Noel, but I'll be rushing to do anything else other than see The Last Rifleman starring my least favourite 007. South Park: The Panderverse was scathingly and quite brilliantly on-point, but I feel it copped-out in the end. Cartman and Kathleen Kennedy reaching an "understanding"? Really?

[@dgnoel4180]

I agree on KK, maybe it was a legal compromise? Does your feelings on PB mean that the Fourth Protocol wont make your Michael Caine list? I would add Harry Brown, The Prestige, Mona Lisa and Escape To Victory. ( I daren't mention The Hand)

[@tonybush555]

@@dgnoel4180 To answer your question, DG, Fourth Protocol review here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nGW7nWZthdFrncU

[@JohnAnderson-jy2js]

Another great assessment and analysis you have to admit though while there are some bad Michael Caine movies there is absolutely no such thing as a bad Michael Caine performance also I'm just wondering have you ever done a analysis and assessment of a movie in the 1980s called FX it started Australian actor Brian Brown and legendary character actor Brian dennehy and Jerry orbach from law and order it's worthy of your study also one more question you might have answered the question in other videos but I'm just wondering is the theater that you talk about still open and operating at this time

[@tonybush555]

Hi John. Yes, the oldest cinema in Wales, now community run and still going. I saw FX when it first came out, liked it well enough, but somehow never watched it again. Due for a potential revisit, maybe. Thanks, John. Appreciated. T.

[@JohnAnderson-jy2js]

@@tonybush555 I should have realized you probably already seen that movie because you really come up with some real treasures that would not necessarily appreciate it on their first run but on repeating viewings you come to appreciate them anyway keep up the great work because these movies that you come up with are most definitely oldies but certainly goodies

[@tonybush555]

@@JohnAnderson-jy2js I can tell you there are four single reviews and one double feature review scheduled to be uploaded between now and New Year's day. By next January I'm hoping to have my new workstation up and running so I can get to grips with it and new video editing software and kick off 2024 with some new stuff. I know, best laid plans and all that, things might go wrong, but that's my aim for the immediate future.