Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1432 in DVD
• Released on: 2007-06-04
• Rating: Universal, suitable for all
• Formats: Black & White, PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 107 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
It's always a small surprise to revisit this movie and realize what a subtly dark performance James Stewart gives as an alcoholic who claims he keeps company with a six-foot-tall, invisible rabbit. As Elwood P. Dowd, the actor emits a faint whiff of decay and spirits, yet Stewart also embraces Dowd's romanticism and grace with splendid ease. Based on a hit play and directed by Henry Koster, the film is terribly funny at times, especially whenever Elwood decides it's only polite to introduce Harvey to complete strangers. The supporting cast can't be beat. --Tom Keogh

Synopsis
Elwood P. Dowd (Jimmy Stewart) is a good-natured, slightly sloshed man whose faithful companion Harvey is a 6-foot-3-inch rabbit that only he can see. When his sister Veta (Josephine Hull) tries to have him committed, she's taken in instead--and it's up to Elwood and Harvey to straighten out the mess. Based on Mary Chase's Pulitzer Prize-winning play, HARVEY's sweetness and humanity--as well as Stewart's trademark amiability--has made it one of the most beloved films of all time.

Customer Reviews

More than a fairy tale
Don't be put off by the crackly black and white format and the dated set. Yes, it's a daft story about a drunk who thinks he has an invisible rabbit for a friend, but it is also allegorical and deep. It's really funny! - farcical comings and goings and mix ups, so be ready to laugh along to those bits. There's gentle humour too, like when the doctor becomes the patient and the chief psychiatrist tells James Stewart his deepest longings. A gem of a scene.

It's a theme that keeps coming up in films today - Nicholas Cage does the same kind of thing - asks us whether our logical, rational view of life is actually the best way to live. Only in this one, James Stewart, handsome and cute though he is, is never the love interest and never asks us to feel sorry for him. There is a romance in it too, but best I like the scenes in the bar which remind us not to close ourselves off from people as lovers and as friends.

Jimmy Stewart has such great timing, and feeling for the humour in a situation, you could watch him again and again. By the end, you'll be wondering if there really is an invisible rabbit, that's if you've got an ounce of soul in you.

Multiple Watches and Still Laugh Out Loud Funny
A superb film whose main quality is the super sharp lightly handled wit of the script with excellent performance all round especially from Stewart and Josephine Hull- his sister in the film. I came to this from Its a Wonderful life which would be a five star film too but for me this is even better; though they're quite different films other than having excellent scripts and James Stewart.

The film is focused around James Stewart's character who comes across as a gentle pleasant well mannered young man whose following his own way in life and has an invisible friend who is a 6ft plus rabbit called Harvey, yes you read that right.

Much of the humour of course comes from this rabbit and some from the repetition. Stewart always opens the door for Harvey and tries to introduce Harvey to those he meets but is not always successfully leading to some exellent scenes were people take him seriously and of course there's the lengths his family go to not have him meet some people and the misunderstandings that occur. The contrast of sister anxious but sound health to her brothers clam but questionable health is funny in itself but leads to some very funny scene's also. There's an element of farce to some of the events but it not that extreme and the character and situation are the basis of the humour.

Its not just a comedy and there's an element that build during the film, like One Flew Over the Cookoo's Nest, of is he really "nuts" which is a testament to Stewart's performance and the script. His character is also very fond of a drink which adds to the muddyness of the question superbly and we do find out what's going on.

As a side note if you come to this from Donnie Darko they have very different tones. The rabbit and a question are the similarities. Personally I didn't like Donnie Darko.

One of my other favourite comedies is Without a Clue which, whilst being a Sherlock Holmes spoof, also has a sharp intelligent script, though the plot fade a little in the end. The only film I can think to compare it of the time is "Some Like it Hot" which I think is a perfectly fine film to watch but Harvey, or me, is far better with the funnier and for me more mature script (yes there is a bit of irony in that statement with the 6ft invisible rabbit but its true!).

I understand Harvey is based on a play and the script is superbly sharp and witty. I only picked up on some of the many jokes on the third or fourth viewing. If you ever assume old scripts have no life in them or a somewhat of muchness in style then watch this film. In fact just watch it I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

One of my favourite films
It's been a while since I've watched it, but this has to be one of my favourite ever films. Everything about it is magical. You do actually believe that the rabbit exists at the end, because that type of fantasy (or reality !) keeps us going.
I'm now buying it on DVD so my kids can enjoy the film.