Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #11382 in DVD
• Released on: 2005-06-13
• Rating: Suitable for 12 years and over
• Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
• Formats: Dubbed, PAL, Widescreen
• Original language: English
• Subtitled in: English, German
• Dubbed in: German
• Number of discs: 2
• Running time: 163 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
From Hollywood's legendary Cocoanut Grove to the pioneering conquest of the wild blue yonder, Martin Scorsese's The Aviator celebrates old-school filmmaking at its finest. We say "old school" only because Scorsese's love of golden-age Hollywood is evident in his approach to his subject--Howard Hughes in his prime (played by Leonardo DiCaprio in his)--and especially in his technical mastery of the medium, which reflects his love for classical filmmaking of the studio era. Even when he's using state-of-the-art digital trickery for the film's exciting flight scenes (including one of the most spectacular crashes ever filmed), Scorsese's meticulous attention to art direction and costume design suggests an impassioned pursuit of craftsmanship from a bygone era; every frame seems to glow with gilded detail. And while DiCaprio bears little physical resemblance to Hughes from the film's 20-year period (late 1920s to late '40s), he efficiently captures the eccentric millionaire's golden-boy essence, and his tragic descent into obsessive-compulsive seclusion. Bolstered by Cate Blanchett's uncannily accurate portrayal of Katharine Hepburn as Hughes' most beloved lover, The Aviator is easily Scorsese's most accessible film, inviting mainstream popularity without compromising Scorsese's artistic reputation. As compelling crowd-pleasers go, it's a class act from start to finish. --Jeff Shannon

Synopsis
Martin Scorsese's THE AVIATOR is a lavish spectacle of a motion picture that harks back to Hollywood's Golden Era in telling the story of Howard Hughes, one of 20th-century America's most pioneering and influential figures. Starring Leonardo DiCaprio as the eccentric billionaire, Scorsese's biopic concentrates on Hughes's life between the 1920s and '40s, when he made some of his most striking contributions to both the film and aviation industries. At only 25 years of age, Hughes directed the most expensive film ever made up to that point, HELL'S ANGELS (1930), which Scorsese gleefully recreates here in all its sprawling, audacious glory. At the same time, he became known as an unabashed playboy, bedding the likes of Jean Harlow (singer Gwen Stefani), Ava Gardner (Kate Beckinsale), and Katherine Hepburn (a brilliant Cate Blanchett). In the mid-'30s, he turned his attention to the aviation industry, where he quickly became a world-renowned celebrity for shattering speed and distance records. He also continued to test the limits of flight technology, building bigger, faster, and stronger aircrafts. All the while, he struggled with an obsessive-compulsive mental disorder that sent him into a full-fledged tailspin after a near-fatal plane crash. The film concludes with Hughes being called to the Senate in '47 to defend himself against nefarious Senator Owen Brewster (Alan Alda), who accused Hughes of taking money from the United States government during wartime. Stunningly photographed by Robert Richardson, Scorsese's nearly three-hour drama features an impassioned performance by DiCaprio, who is also credited as an executive producer. Although she appears in less than a third of the film, Blanchett delivers a performance that cements her status as one of the finest actresses ever to appear on the big screen.

Customer Reviews

One of Scorsese's best - should have won Best Picture
A fantastic epic following the unrestrained genius of a man who eventually slips into madness. Having only briefly heard of Howard Hughes in the past I can't fathom why he is not more of a cultural icon having run a booming company, produced and directed acclaimed movies, desgined planes, broken speed and distance records, and battled a senate committee (which was filmed in a fashion that is comparable to any of the great boxing ring bouts).

DiCaprio just gets better with each movie superbly playing a character that can mix it with the best business minds of the time yet has trouble finding his way out of a toilet. John C. Reilly provides another rock-solid support role.

This film also gives us a colourful glamorous insight into the stars of that era with Cate Blanchet, Kate Beckinsale, and Jude Law using their considerable talents to do their take on the black and white icons of the time.

This is an inspiring movie for anyone that has faced a major life challenge and a beacon for those that have confronted dozens.

Director's masterclass in engrossing biopic
I have to say my primary reason for seeing this film was because of the pre-release hype regarding Scorsese's direction. I am not a big Di Caprio fan (in fact, quite the opposite). I was not disappointed by the direction, although at times it feels as if the techniques on display are there for their own sake. The major revelation was that Di Caprio grabs your attention straight from the off and doesn't let go - he brought a brooding intensity to the role that fully deserved an Oscar nomination.

Add to these factors an outstanding performance from Cate Blanchett and a host of guest apperances by some of the most famous names in Hollywood of today and the 1950s (e.g. Jude Law as Erol Flynn) and you should have enough to keep most viewers happy.

This is a long film and does not even touch on how Hughes actually made his money - simply on how he spent it. Overall, this is easily the most entertaining biopic I have seen. Recommended.

Surprisingly Great!
This really wasn't the usual sort of movie I thought interested in to be honest.I'd never heard of Howard Huges before and I'm not interested in Aviation, or any type of old fashioned American Historical type subjects. Plus it's a very long movie, I thought I wouldn't be able to sit though it.

But to my surprise I really enjoyed it! I just watched it last night and I couldn't help watching bits over and over again wanting more. But every time I tried to skip a scene I got hooked into it. There were so many scenes I enjoyed. But most of all I thought Leonardo DiCaprio's performance was just outstanding! I think he's underated as an actor because of the pretty boy image but he is really talented. I've only recently started to recognise him a serious actor. He portrayed Howard Huges with such intensity and emotion. I found the movie educational too in a way,it tought me so much about things I knew nothing about. I usually like the usual bland romantic comedies that are always released but this was an just an epic movie, truly brilliant!