Reflections in a Golden Eye

Another great Marlon Brando performance that few have seen.Director John Huston's mesmerizing adaptation of the Carson McCullers novel received poor distribution from Warner Brothers — a supposed embarrassment to be laughed off the screen. On the contrary, "Reflections in a Golden Eye" (1967) retains its understated power as a masterful psychodrama. Brando's complex and daring performance as the sexually repressed Captain Penderton reveals the actor at his absolute best — ideally matched by the superb portrayals of Elizabeth Taylor, Brian Keith and Julie Harris.Utilizing Aldo Tonti's desaturated, gold-tinted cinematography (restored for this DVD release), Huston lends remarkable depth and haunting beauty to the film's emotional landscape. The unsettling brilliance of "Reflections in a Golden Eye" awaits rediscovery. One of Huston's personal favorites and his only collaboration with Brando.

I bought both the book by Carson McCullers and the movie. Marlon Brando as Major Penderton and Elizabeth Taylor as his wife do an excellent job playing 2 main characters in the story. Written in 1941, McCullers explores repressed sexuality, both homosexual and heterosexual, subjects that were taboo in that era. It is a fascinating story that has voyeurism, adultery, and murder woven into the plot.The book is short ( 127 pages) compared to “The Heart is a Lonely Hunter”, but worth reading.

This film comes to life with this new Blu-ray 'natural color' release. I've always wanted to like "Reflections" but I could never get past Huston's golden tint. I actually enjoyed the film for the first time tonight. Taylor and Brando look so alive as does the rest of the cast and it really makes a difference. John Huston is one of my very favorite film directors and I respect his 'golden' vision but I much prefer the natural look. The set has both versions which is very nice to have.

Two versions I this important work were released, the original; with the "golden filter" & a re-release; with a clearer, more lifelike un-golden-filter, I ordered the more lifelike version but received the version with the darkish, "golden" filter.Still, a class, absolute brilliant film of deep secrets and deeper emotions.Enjoy! Let me know if my review is helpful or not.

HOT! Not overtly bombastic, but smouldering and simmering. (Only can imagine what Montgomery Clift would have done with the role). Marlon Brando and Elizabeth Taylor top bill a top notch cast, . . . artist of their craft, . . . subtlety and nuance . . . spoken and unspoken . . . shocking when required.

I thought this was the full version, but it appears to be edited because you can barely understand the plot at all. A frustrated long-time military man who is supposed to be a bit confused about his sexuality, but the movie barely conveys any message at all, in my opinion. I will watch it again when I have some more time for something so doubtful. I wouldn’t recommend this very highly except for its historical value.

This DVD comes as it was originally released suffused with a golden tone to the picture. The film was shortly thereafter re-released in normal color. The golden tone was a referance of the all seeing golden eye of the peacock. Since this was never explained in the film it confused some viewers, thus the re-release in color. If you do know about the golden eye of the peacock you get a sense that you are looking at this film from someone else's eyes. It's strange and surreal but it keeps you involved with the film. Another thing that will keep you involved is looking for something in normal color. One item in each scene was normally colored (though it may be in multiples such as a uniform insignia.) This film deals with adult issues like adultery and homosexuality but the real story is about a murder.

Elizabeth Taylor and Marlon Brando are relics of the old Hollywood who rarely acted, yet here they really act in a fabulous movie. The logic of the screenplay is fully realized by them, by the cinematographer, and by director John Huston. Reflections in a Golden Eye was one of Huston’s favorites of his movies, and he was right about that. Everything here works, and everything is economical.

Brando plays a major, a senior officer in the United States Army. Brando plays it with a stupid southern accent as if he was from the backwoods. He mumbles and I could not understand what he was saying. I had to use the sub titles when watching the film. I cant understand why John Huston let him play it that way. The other three leads Elizabeth Taylor, Julie Harris and Brian Keith were great in their parts. I brought this Blu-ray because it has the two version of the film. I did not like the tainted gold version. I much preferred the standard version. This one gives you the choice. Still enjoyed the film but I just feel its not what it could have been. Three out of five stars.

Excelentes actores mezclados en una sórdida historia que se lleva a cabo en un campo militar. Brando, excelente como siempre y Elizabeth Taylor bellisima.