Zarak

This a review of the disc, not the movie (one of my favorites from when I was a kid.) I ordered this on Amazon, along with Storm Over The Nile, through other sellers, New, from ImportCDs. I watched this on my Blu-ray player and the sharpness of the picture is as good as a Blu-ray. The movie is in its original widescreen aspect 2.35:1 - Not, 1.33:1 as shown in product details. Now to the movie. As I said this was one of my favorites when I was 15. Some reviewers thought it was miscast, but for a movie from the 50's it was perfect. Mature was in quite a few sword & sandal, swashbucklers and was always good for the parts. Who would you expect to play Zarak - Cary Grant? 'nuff said. You won't be disappointed if you buy this one.

It was a pleasure to watch this movie in HD. Manly Victor Mature and alluring Anita Ekberg showed great chemistry. Setting in Afghanistan made a big change from the usual setting of the Western world. Zarak, the son of an Afghan chief, was banished from the town because of his love for his father's youngest bride/concubine, who wanted to escape from the wretched life she was living. He turned into a warrior/freedom fighter against the British rule. The shooting of war scenes are great. So was the strategy of the Afghan forces in outsmarting the brutal British.The story has faults though. The character of Zarak's altruism towards foreign women doesn't reflect in the known Afghan invasions and massacres of the surrounding of the countries, as known by the medieval history.The ending felt ridiculous. Anita Ekberg has two dances, resembling belly dances, worth watching.If you've difficulty selecting the movie, this one will not bore you.

I've been waiting to see this film since I was 10 years old (I missed it when it played at the Mayfair in Philly). I was not disappointed. Victor Mature was at his best, both menacing and vulnerable. The action sequences were well handled, and the conclusion was satisfactory (no spoilers here on how it ends). A worthwhile film indeed.

Billy Idol's song "Flesh for Fantasy" captures the appeal of Fifties blonde bombshell Anita Ekberg. She does not disappoint anyone with a pulse. Forties film noir icon Victor Mature("Cry of the City", "I Wake up Screaming") also made another film with Anita Ekberg "Pickup Alley"(1957). Applying for membership at a San Diego country club skeptical about film stars, Victor Mature told them, "I'm no actor and I have 50 films to Prove it."

Not for the first time, I am really confused over the reviews on the Amazon site. I have to absolutely agree with GL and John Amies. My copy from Columbia Classics/Sony is truly excellent. Wonderful full Scope, vibrant colour, picture and sound. One of the best prints I've seen. So, whilst I can understand Astrobi's anger at getting such a bad copy, can it really be from the same source? It really is a worry as comments attached to his review make plain that it's hard to make one's mind up, particularly as these DVDs aren't cheap. Well, I took a chance and I'm glad I did, but there are other conflicting reports out there for othetr films, so I suppose we'll never get it 100%. As for ZARAK itself - seldom have I seen such a daft film. Almost totally miscast from Mature as Zarak Khan, Ekberg as, well I'm not sure, Wilding with his grey toupee cast as a fist fightin' army commander, to Bernard Miles, Eddie Byrne, and Bonar Colleano as Indian bandits. The plot gets a bit confusing too, who is doing what to whom, but that could just be me. Ekberg has seldom looked better, and her dances are, for the time, very sexy. Yakima Canutt does the stunts, and much of the big battle scenes turn up as stock footage in Brigand of Khandahar with Oliver Reed. I enjoyed every darn, crazy minute of it!! It is a must for oldies like me (and some younger ones) who like a good old fashioned adventure with mucho macho violence (for the time) and a hint of sex. Bring on "The Bandit Of Zhobe"! Highly recomended

After ordering this movie i read a criticism of the dvd quality ,format, etc,so when it arrived i put it in my dvd player with some trepidation.My fears were groundless,this columbia,sony pictures presentation is perfect.Widescreen ,vibrant colour and excellent audio.the film itself is a great colourful boys own adventure not to be taken too seriously,i mean victor mature as an indian,and anita ekberg as his fathers wife with whom he falls in love!!Anitas' weirdest casting since she played a chinese peasant girl john waynes' Blood Alley!Columbia /sony have released some really good quality classic adventure movies recently and the ones i have bought;Edge of Eternity,Odongo,Beyond Mombasa,and Storm Over the Nile have all been excellent.

Hard to believe it was so good when I was 10. fun though always liked Victor Mature

not even a titty in sight, so disappointed

Great old film, terrific performances, sword fights, gun battles, cavalry charges, ambushes, outlaws, rebellion and forbidden passions. Take the opportunity to "spot" the then "UNKNOWNS" in very early roles as well as splendid looking old time stars in this little seen costume drama from the 50's. It has excellent action sequences of its own, as well as cheerfully intergrating/pinching from other sagas of the time. Any film with Victor Mature, Patrick McGoohan and Anita Ekberg has got a lot going for it and this is well worthy obtaining if you are a fan of any of them.The story is set in Afghanistan around the 1800's, the region is hard and unforgiving and its people apparently lawless and without honour. Dear old Victor starts and ends the film in great form, shirtless and being whipped (the film has received honourable mentions in certain specialist lists for this feat.)The first time is on the orders of his old dad, in punishment after being discovered with his favorite harem girl. She's played by a wonderfully incongruous Anita Ekberg, looking not in the slightest like an Afghan. Forget our modern perceptions of modestly dressed muslim women...Anita's only concession is her veil, everything else is out there to be savoured. Following the intersession of a revered holy man, Zarak Khan (Mature) is exiled and becomes an outlaw, very proficiently harassing and robbing the Brits in this remote lawless spot of the Empire. Michael Wilding,as a senior but sensitive refined officer and gentleman is dispatched to capture him. Ignoring the sensible advice of the local officers (in particular a very young, excellent Patrick McGoohan as Moor Larkin )he is led a merry dance all over Afghanistan by the wily Brigand. Great fun, but also deserves to be taken more seriously as the (in his own way) honourable, Zarek Khan wrestles with his conscience and own religious and moral code.

I saw this film many years ago and thought it was great but with the passing of time and having purchased the movie its lost it appeal for me .Victor Matutre plays Zarack Khan who is banished from his tribe for having an affair with his fathers youngest wife played rather poorly by Anita Ekberg.There are plenty of action scenes in various battle scenes with the british and the cinemascope photography is pretty good.Anyone who just wants a good action picture you cant go wrong.As for me the only thing of interest was the fact that this was the only film ive seen Victor Mature in when someone else had a bigger chest than him.

VICTOR MATURE is Zarak Khan who is banished from his village after it/s revealed that he is in love with his father's youngest wife,and becomes a ruthless leader of an outlaw band on the India-Afghanistan border.and the British government dispatches an army Major to hunt down Zarak. great action adventure film with battles ,fights and passion.excellent picture quality and sound no extras,and plays region 2

This dvd was copied from a tv station. The logo shows at the bottom of the screen and at the end of the movie.

It was a good film and it was in good condition.