5/5 TAYLOR AND TENNESSEE TOGETHER AGAIN!
  by Michael C. Smith (San Francisco, CA United States)
In the original film version of "Sweet Bird of Youth" Geraldine Page made the role famous opposite the stunningly cast Paul Newman. It was a great film of a great Broadway hit. Why make it again many may wonder? How could you top that gem in the MGM lexicon of late 50's Tennessee Williams filmed versions of his master works.

Cut to the 1980's and Elizabeth Taylor who in many ways at the time was not so big a movie star as she had been but was much in demand on television. Slimmed down and revitalized after the 1970's age of fat she was in her final bloom of beauty and at the top of her talent. A woman playing a star who really understood more than anyone alive what being a star of mega wattage meant. She had lived it, survived it and was triumphing over it. She was the anti Alexandra Delago who nearly had become Alexandra Delago but somehow managed to swerve and avoid that porcupine in the road of fame and live to tell about it. She was perfect casting for this T.V. movie of the play. And she had an understanding of Williams' poetry having done, "Cat On A Hot Tin Roof", "Suddenly Last Summer" and "Boom".

The supporting cast turns in some fine performances. In particular, Rip Torn, and Valerie Perrine shine in their roles. Mark Harman is just the right age to play Chance Wayne a gigolo on the edge of losing his looks and too obsessed with the past to take the one last opportunity Alexandra offers him to become what he thinks he wants to be, a star.

But it is Taylor's movie all the way. From her incredible early close-ups at the beach cabana to her final scene she commands the role as no other actress of her generation could. She inhabits the roll with a worldly understanding that under the monster that Alexandra has become there is still a human being who can reach out to help another even if it is too little too late. She also brings to the film a reality from her real life that no other actress, even the best method actresses around could muster. This adds a glittering and chilling edge to the performance. It is brilliant work in a lesser medium by a star and actress who was the master of blending fact and fiction as no one else quite can.


3/5 If you can't get enough of Leroy Jethro Gibbs
  by Edie Peterson (Roswell, Ga)
Elizabeth Taylor as an over-the-hill actress (what casting!!) and a totally nude Mark Harmon. Who could ask for more?

4/5 Sweet bird of Youth as Tennessee Williams originally wrote it?
  by wogan (Severna Park, MD United States)
The Elizabeth Taylor/Mark Harmon version is much grittier than the 1962 Paul Newman/Geraldine Page version; and in some ways not as well acted. The characters at times seem forced, but it is far from a bad version. It can still grip you with the emotions of a washed up star and a grasping young wanna be star.
I'm not sure why Megan Blake and Seymour Cassel are listed as the stars on the sale listing when Elizabeth Taylor and Mark Harmon are listed as the stars both on the box and in the movie itself, so if they are who you are looking for as the leads - they are there.
This DVD version was done in 1989, not the date of release.
It also has appearances by Rip Torn, who was also in the 1962 version as Boss Finley's son, now in this version as Boss Finley. Valerie Perrine also makes an appearance. The 1962 version did not use Tennessee Williams much more violent ending which is only hinted at and left to your imagination in this 1989 version.
Elizabeth Taylor is always an interesting actress to watch, she steals the screen when she is present, which is no surprise. Mark Harmon affects a southern accent and does a credible job as Chance.
However as ether a warning or an inducement to purchase whichever your wishes are; there is one bedroom scene with Chance and the love of his life Heavenly which is very revealing to say the least. This can be a surprise for a non rated DVD and one that was on television (this scene was probably not broadcast in the US or if it was, it was on a cable station.). So just realize this when you purchase it.

3/5 Elizabeth Taylor's the best thing about this movie...
  by Karin Schill (Sweden)
"Sweet bird of youth" sounds really interesting on the backside of the DVD. Unfortunately the plot is not much thicker than it is described on there. The movie is slow paced and suffers from too few changes in setting.

Some of it is made up by the fact that Elizabeth Taylor is a true star who is always fascinating to watch on screen. But not even her acting abilities can save this movie...

Watching this movie does make me interested in watching the original though, as I can't help but wondering if it's better than this movie or even worse!