Rosebud Details

Rosebud indeed.

Whilst the title (and indeed the name of the boat) may allude to the 'Rosebud' of Citizen Kane, that is about as far as the comparison can go. Otto Preminger's previous films far outclass this rather odd effort, which, coming late in his career, does suggest that he had somewhat lost touch with his filmmaking abilities. The narrative is clumsy and obvious, the script leaden at best, and delivered with spectular naffness by all concerned, and the film never really seems to get going.

I wanted to like this film, mainly as it was photographed by my grandfather Denys Coop, but sadly i found that even his well judged anamorphic cinematography, and indeed the stunning locations and quirky soundtrack could not rescue this film from the kidnap bunker of mediocrity that it resides in.

Perhaps worth seeing for it's early political world view on the Israel / Palestine situation, it remains a lowly footnote in filmmaking from the mid 1970s.

For a better all round Preminger experience, try and find 'Bunny Lake is Missing'.

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Otto's last bow

all reviews said this was something of a disaster so naturally I was anxious to see it. Some posh tarts (including Lalla Ward) are kidnapped on a boat called 'Rosebud' by the P.L.O.

News reporter/spy Peter O'Toole is recruited to get on the case...

Apparently O'Toole was drunk throughout shooting and he looks it.

Actually its not that bad, its just that for what should be an action film or thriller its neither! I suppose the most apt description is drama. Oh yeah, Dickie Attenborough plays a Bin Laden type terrorist as well.

Verdict? watchable.