Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #4171 in DVD
• Released on: 2000-12-27
• Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
• Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: Anamorphic, PAL, Widescreen
• Original language: English
• Subtitled in: English, Portuguese, Swedish, Danish, Hungarian, Polish, Icelandic, Finnish, Czech
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 115 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
Leonardo DiCaprio sought to distance himself from the cloying wholesomeness of his character in Titanic, and his role in The Beach is in many ways a polar opposite. As Richard, a young American seeking to "suck in the experience" of freestyle travel in Thailand, he is a chronic liar, a pot-smoking hedonist, an amoral lover and ultimately an unstable snake in a doomed Garden of Eden. This crazy descent might be expected from the filmmakers of Trainspotting, but The Beach is a movie without a rudder, venturing into fascinating territory, promising a stimulating adventure and then careening out of control.

After receiving a not-so-secret map to a secluded island from a stoned-out loony (Robert Carlyle, full of dark portent and spittle), Richard sets out to find the hidden paradise with a young French couple (Virginie Ledoyen, Guillaume Canet). What they find is a tropical commune existing in delicate balance with Thai pot farmers, and before long--as always--there is trouble in paradise. There is trouble in the movie, too, as DiCaprio is reduced to histrionics when the plot turns into a muddled mix of Lord of the Flies and Apocalypse Now, with shark attacks tossed in for shallow tension. Director Danny Boyle attempts perfunctory romance and a few audacious moves (notably DiCaprio's vision of life as a violent video game), but what's the point? Tilda Swinton registers strongly as the commune's charismatic leader, but her character--and the entire film--remains largely undeveloped, and pretty scenery is no guarantee of a laudable film. --Jeff Shannon

DVD Description
A young American backpacker, is willing to risk his life and innocence for just one thing: braving the ultimate adventure - Paradise Found - Innocence Lost!

Video Description
Special Features - (tbc)

Commentary Track
Original Trailer
Behind the Scenes Feature
Alternative Opening and Ending scenes (Never seen before)
Original Artwork
"Pure Shores" by All Saints Music Video
Cast and Crew Biographies

Customer Reviews

Ok as a film. Poor as an adaptation
You see, when a film is made of a book, you expect more than just some similarities. While we still have most of the Garland characters and the general pretense of a hidden community on paradise island, we lack the biting story to go with it. Imagine a 'Lord of the Flies' remake without the kids going kill crackers. This film has great cinematography, but lacks the moral fibre the book oozed. Shame really, as they knacked the beaches up while they filmed it too.

i wish i'd read the book
ive heard eny good things about the book and i thought id watch the film first. I don't no about this film. there is something good and plausible about it nd it makes you want to believe that there are places no one knows exist but its also very unrealistic and the film doesnt cover all the topics it should. Parts of the film are left unknown to us and it doesnt do this film any favours!

Good
This is the only film where Leonardo Dicaprio didn't irritate the hell out of me.
It's good, I think you'd really like this if you're a keen traveller as it's all about soaking up every experience and not following the same old tourist route.
I definately enjoyed this.