A Promise [DVD]

This is so well acted, the production so superb. It will grip you and hold you enthralled. You can almost feel the throbbing passion that the characters have to try and hide. This isn't a sexed-up period piece yet it still has the power to engage you in the pain and pleasure of a couple in love who are restricted by circumstances. You'll end up yearning that it will all come right in the end! Does it? Buy it and find out.

This seems to be a film about nothing, but the undercurrents of passion and the hopes that perhaps lovers can be lovers keep you there. An excellent performance by the gorgeous Alan Rickman which saves the day. Don't expect too much action, but if you like steamy undercurrents and nice cinematography then give it a watch.

I had been eagerly awaiting this film's release for over two years, seeing as it was to star my favourite actor, Alan Rickman, and knowing that my collection of his films wouldn't be complete without it. However, it was never on general release nationwide in the UK (instead showing at a few very select venues for the shortest of time I believe). Its transfer to DVD came soon after though, almost as if the powers that be were expecting it to prove a rather insignificant event ... And, dare I say, they clearly knew best! For although this film appears to have all the necessary ingredients for the "haunting, intense, sensual film" it claims to be, somewhere along in the mix it seems that something went tragically wrong and the magic that should have been just wasn't there.I have read a few reviews where it's been said that Alan Rickman was the 'saving grace' of the film and, as an avid fan I suppose I should be agreeing with that, but unfortunately I'm afraid I can't. From the very beginning I felt that those involved didn't seem to be committing their hearts and souls to the enterprise, and all three of the main cast - Alan Rickman, Rebecca Hall and Richard Madden - were clearly trying to out do each other for the award of 'Most Wooden/Disinterested Actor'. Of the three, I think Richard Madden was probably the best (or should I say furthest away from winning said award), with Maggie Steed as Karl Hoffmeister's (Alan Rickman) factory secretary probably being extremely under used. (She's always so very good in anything I've ever seen her in). Certainly Mr Rickman was a disappointment and, even though he was portraying a sick man, he lacked the usual verve that he seems to bring to most performances. In fact, his normal customary unique inflection on words did more to annoy than to redeem on this occasion. I'd even dare to go so far as to say that, at times - but only at times, mind - he sounded like he'd never had an acting lesson in his life! Then again, I have always considered that he was slightly more suited to stage than screen.I almost got the impression that the actors were uncomfortable in their roles and, certainly at first - and probably right up until at least half way through - the film seemed to be rather stilted, and not flowing as it should, as if it were some kind of machinery, grinding and bumping, and not quite getting into full motion. Certainly nothing felt particularly natural; rather more forced, as if equally the actors hadn't been bothered to learn their lines and that therefore there was some overly-eager crew member standing on the side with the words written on a board to read off ad hoc. As it went on though, it sort of picked up a gear, as if everyone was finally coming to terms with what they were starring in. Of course that could have all been just my imagination, but it certainly didn't make me feel like I was part of the action ('action' being a relative term here). There really wasn't that much of anything to warrant it having my total, undivided attention. I got the distinct impression that it was perhaps a film suffering somewhat from lack of direction. To be honest, I almost, and kind of half-heartedly, expected the Director to suddenly keep shouting out "Cut! Let's try that again!"The plot itself, whilst no doubt brilliant as a written novel, came across on the screen as so far-fetched as to be almost farcical. Set in Germany just before WWI and centered on a married woman who falls in love with her husband's protégé, the two would-be lovers are at first separated by duties and then by the war. And whilst they do eventually pledge their devotion to one another, it tends to be a rather weak wishy-washy half-promise. Sadly, I could not engage with any of the characters enough to really feel for them, and certainly not enough to believe in the so-called love between Charlotte Hoffmeister (Rebecca Hall) and Friedrich Zeitz (Richard Madden). The flimsiness of their affair - which basically consisted of the slightest of occasional touches and Friedrich seemingly having some sort of obsession/fetish with Charlotte's (or 'Lotte' as she liked to be called) swan-like slim neck - all seemed rather tentative in my humble opinion. And a final confession of their feelings for each other, just before Friedrich goes off to Mexico on a work assignment, didn't really do much to add any thicker weave to the gossamer threads of it all. That their 'relationship', such that it was, could have survived what must have been nine years of separation, is surely stretching the elasticity of credibility almost to snapping point.'A Promise' may well be one of those films that improves on a second viewing ... but I'm personally not making any promises.

This is not a film for the "crash, bang wallop" types. It is a most subtle film, well photographed with excellent costumes etc. It starts in Berlin in 1912 and is, essentially, a love story. Brilliantly acted. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

I almost didnt get the point of this film (I knew nothing of the book). It very much focussed on Freidrich's attraction to his boss' wife but almost in a bizarre stalker fashion with no hint that she showed any passion in return so the revelation that they were in love was a bit odd- more so that there was no physical relationship prior to them separating and remaining in love over the 6+ years of not hearing from each other. Their desire for each other was unrealistic and completely unbelievable, mainly due to Rebecca Halls' part. In all the story just didnt work - look to Mrs Chatterly's lover (where Richard Madden pretty much plays the same part) and you can see how this story should be played out with tangible chemistry that they are unable to refrain from a physical relationship.

A very beautiful, subtle and sensitive interpretation of a simple love story set in pre WW1 Germany, just before the world as it was then changed forever. Rebecca Hall is glorious, I watched this after seeing her in Parade's End, she did not disappoint. If you enjoy quality period dramas you will like this.

A gentle story of a German couple eventually getting their lives together after WW1 but with more political upheaval on the horizon. All good acting.

What a shame Alan Rickman had a teeny part and it was boring.

It's a beautiful film about love. Don't be confused though, it is not a film about what "love" is. To quote Oscar Wilde the film shows how "over our heads will float the Blue Bird singing of beautiful and impossible things, of things that are lovely and that never happen, of things that are not and that should be.”

Desafortunadamente la región impide que puedas visualizarla en un reproductor estándar por incompatibilidad, sólo si dispones de un programa en el PC de reproducción con cambio de región.

I loved the time period.I wanted it for Alan Rickman but of course he wasn’t featured.Pleasantly surprised though,still a fine movie,plot,etc.

Interesting, well acted love story set in Wilhelmine Germany prior to WWI. A bit contrived at times - can any husband be so blind? - until the final revelation brings it all together. Nice sets, but mostly interior shots, for those who expect more. Still, a good one to bring out for company after dinner.

We ordered this movie because of stars Alan Rickman and Richard Madden. We were horrified by the gratuitous sex scene right before Madden was to move into the home of his boss Rickman. We stopped it right then and threw it in the garbage to save anyone else who cares about decency in movies the embarrassment of viewing such a film. Madden and Rickman have been great in other DVD's we have purchased (Cinderella and Sense and Sensibility) so we weren't expecting such trash.