I'll Never Forget What's'isname [DVD]

This is a story of disillusionment set in the mythical 'Swinging London' ; in this example the capital is full of some deeply unpleasant people all trying to get on the merry-go-round to riches. Andrew Quint (Oliver Reed) wants out as he thinks the world of advertising is phoney. The first scene has Quint walking through the London streets with an axe over his shoulder which he eventually uses to smash up his office furniture. He tells his boss, Jonathan (Orson Welles) that he wants an 'honest' job to which Jonathan replied 'There isn't one'.From that,Andrew begins his pilgrimage to self-satisfaction in which all his old girlfriends are dropped. He wished to start a new life. This was to begin at the office of a literary magazine run by his old friends Nicholas and partner Carla who turned out to be of insubstantial value. The magazine has had its day and Andrew proposed to rescue it. At the office, he meets the lovely Georgina and it's obvious he's attracted to her. She is sexually inexperienced or so she said but promises hope for Andrew because she is gentle and caring. She accompanies Andrew to his old college in Cambridge as Nicholas wants a don to write a couple of articles for the failing magazine. This cameo by Harry Andrews became quiote disturbing when he stands behind Georgina who is viewing a 'What-the-Butler Saw' machine whose images she said were disgusting. The leering don presents us with a disturbing image and the film is full of them.After some pleasant shots of punting and rowing,the next hurdle is the old school reunion when the Headmaster (Michael Hordern) cannot remember the school song. The unpleasantness continues with flashbacks of his schooldays when some of the teachers were pervs and the bullying of people like Macabee and his cronies made his life miserable. At the reunion Andrew meets the same bullies and is beaten by them again. It appeared that these rich,privileged overgrown children never grew up because there was no need to.The return from Cambridge with Georgina brought the news that Nicholas had sold the magazine to a company upstairs. It was Jonathan who had bought Nicholas out - he still wants Andrew on his team. Carla of course reverts to type and goes out shopping. One more revelation that people have no depth to them at all,no commitment except to the latest fad. Andrew would like Jonathan out of his life forever as he appeared to be dogging his footsteps all the time. He agrees to make an advert for a super-8 movie camera on a five-day shoot with trendy models. The advert would tell the truth. What it revealed was Andrew's past,present and no-future life starring his estranged wife and many of his ex-girlfriends. It is the highlight of the film, especially after a tragic car accident involving a drunken N icholas.The last bit of the film is excellent and focused and involved a terrific donnybrook after the advertising film awards in which Andrew conquers part of his past. There is a reconciliation then between the past and what could be a promising future. All through the film there were portraits of weakness, of people living on the slippery surface of life and coming to grief. The film reflected the myth of a society perhaps revered more than it should have been as freedom has its price. All those natty suits- all that wasted money!

It's one of Michael Winner's best films and a five star movie. I already had the US Region One disc from many years ago (now unobtainable) which had some good extras including a director's commentary and theatrical trailer. Whilst the picture on the Region Two disc is just the same (i.e., good) there are absolutely no extras here, which is disappointing.We just need Winner's The Jokers to be given an official DVD release and I've been waiting for what feels like a lifetime.

I've waited years to get a copy of this film, being an avid Oliver Reed Fan so, guided by a previous review, I ordered the French version.I was not disappointed by the film, it's as good as I remember. BUT OH DEAR! the soundtrack sync is diabolical. The soundtrack is several seconds in front of the mouth movements and very off putting. The explosion sequence is laughable - you get the sound - wait a few seconds - then it explodes! (I won't say what in case others don't know the story).I know, compared to the English copy, the French version is cheap, but this defect did spoil my enjoyment of watching. Oliver Reed is the only reason I will watch it again though.Think twice before purchase.

Difficult to understand why we have to go to the French print of this late 1960's "classic" as it must be worthy of production in the original state. However, with the subtitles turned off, I sat back to bring back memories of life in those days and was not disappointed. The cast work well together and the direction is tight with no frame wasted. Characters are well depicted and Oliver Reed leads magnficently with brooding undertones beneath the attractive veneer. I still find the houseboat sex scene to be one of the most memorable of its time! The final advert remains accurately symbolic too. I am pleased to add this gem to my eclectic collection.

Not a great film, by any means, but it takes me back to when I first saw it in 1967. Some lovely shots of Cambridge in the 1960s and the inimitable Naughty Boy par excellence, Oliver Reed, stars in it.

Don't be put off by the French title, nor by dark talk about poor lip synch.The lip synch on the trailer is poor but the film was fine. I am so pleased to own my own copy of this film at last. Gosh, how Chelsea Reach and the Worlds End has changed and an Alfa Romeo Spyder a status symbol? Well I thought it was funny! Blimey, I'm transported back to being 16 again and aspiring to having a Marianne Faithfull lookalike bird on my arm! Buy it!

I bought this film because I had first seen it in the late 60's when it was first shown in the Cinema, I enjoyed the film then, and watching it again after all this time I enjoyed it again. If you are interested in the 1960's this film shows what London was like then and how people dressed and lived, and a look into the advertising world at that time. Its amusing at times as you would expect from a Michael Winner film especially the opening scene with Oliver Reed.

It's easy enough to turn the subtitles off, & then you have the film for a fraction of the US import price, & no problem with the region. Good transfer of an almost forgotten 1960's film from the summer of love, with some of the best names. Well filmed & excellent colour, and a reminder that Michael Winner was capable of turning in films worth watching in the early years.