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Havana |  | Director: Sydney Pollack
Actors: Robert Redford, Lena Olin, Alan Arkin, Tomas Milian, Daniel Davis
Studio: Universal Studios
Category: DVD
List Price: $9.99
Buy New: $3.73
as of 11/23/2009 12:04 CST details
You Save: $6.26 (63%)
New (12) Used (15) from $1.97
Seller: inetvideo
Rating:  29 reviews
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, Letterboxed, Widescreen, NTSC
Languages: English (Original Language), French (Original Language), Spanish (Original Language), English (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled)
Rating: R (Restricted)
Region: 1
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
DVD Layers: 2
DVD Sides: 1
Picture Format: Letterbox
Number Of Discs: 1
Running Time: 145 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.3
Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 5 x 0.6
MPN: MCAD20414D
ISBN: 0783229429
UPC: 025192041426
EAN: 9780783229423
Theatrical Release Date: December 12, 1990
Release Date: November 17, 1998
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com essential video
When Havana was released in 1990, a lot of reviewers unfavorably compared it to Casablanca, and those comparisons (in addition to audience indifference) turned the film into a box-office disaster. It deserved a better fate, because, while this is certainly no masterpiece, it's an intelligent and lavishly produced film about a chapter of history--the final days of Cuba under the collapsing Batista regime--that remains largely unfamiliar to the American mainstream. It's a compelling political backdrop for the story of a high-stakes gambler (Robert Redford) who comes to Cuba seeking the big score in poker games, following his expectation that high rollers will bet wildly as the Cuban government crashes around their heads. In Havana, Redford meets the wife (Lena Olin) of a Communist revolutionary (Raul Julia) with ties to Fidel Castro, and their attraction becomes powerfully mutual after her husband is presumed killed by Cuban police. What follows, as Cuba falls and Redford's character is forced into a crisis of conscience, is a mini-epic love story with tragic overtones, handled with great skill (albeit lagging pace) by long-time Redford collaborator Sydney Pollack. True, it's not nearly as memorable as Casablanca, but this is a worthwhile film, especially if you're interested in the political upheavals in pre-Castro Cuba. --Jeff Shannon
Product Description
A high stakes gambler hustles for one last big score before the revolution overtakes havana. Studio: Uni Dist Corp. (mca) Release Date: 01/06/2004 Starring: Robert Redford Lena Olin Run time: 145 minutes Rating: R Director: Sydney Pollack
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 29
 Havana. November 9, 2009
Jose Lopez (Miami,Florida USA)
You can't take a person like robert redford serious when it comes to his "view" of events and not what actually took place, typical hollywood blowhard who knows nothing about history.
 Havana October 18, 2009
prospero (Houston Texas)
So many reviewers did not like this movie,
As is usually the case they are w a y off the mark on this one!
This bit of work is elegant and opulent in its presentation. This movie takes you there, full stop!
In any venture of this sort that after all is the Holy Grail is it not?
You will find yourself carried away in your own personal time machine to the time literally days before Castro came in to power in Cuba in one of the most unique times in Central America for better or for worse it accurately portrays the zenith of Americas influence on Cuba at that time. The imagery is opulent and the cinematography is very well done and the actors are most believable in their parts. Like the best version of Blade Runner Redford has some self narrations that just simply makes the picture like you are seeing it in his characters mind's eye.
They even got their facts correct where it comes to play in the story line but this is no documentary but still you just might learn something about the time you did not know. There was much about that time that was not known by the public in general. This picture shows those facts accurately and without bias.
There are no political statement being made. Just the reality of the situation as a rich background to the story
The soundtrack could not be better and is an absolutely perfect companion to the feeling they were trying to reach you with. It's is a great transfer in general and except for some subsonic defects in the 5.1 stream is more than acceptable so don't play it too loud the first time home theater owners. Don't be scared away by this as I tend to be over critical of such things. It's not 1080 P but its every bit of 480 P and considering the price it's right on! It stands up very well to upconversion. This film may yet end up on an HD format but I am very glad I purchased this DVD now.
If you are in to the old "Sam Spade" type of pictures while not a bit like Casablanca and I find the references to it in other reviews puzzling way off the mark It simply clearly displays their haste in their judgment of this film so again don't believe the reviewers one bit. Bogie and Bacall would have been great in the lead rolls and in this I see the comparison a little but this in no way takes away from the actual actors Robert Redford and Lena Olin, they were perfectly cast. While Raul Julia's role was of more of a supporting actor's role his roll is worth the time alone and along with Alan Arkin was perfectly cast as well. There is a rich cast of supporting actor's. High marks to Pollic for this misunderstood sleeper of a picture meaning much better than advertized or for that matter reviewed.
Better than reviewed just does not say enough!
Enjoy!
Hotter Than A Cuban Cigar October 15, 2009
Norma Bailey (Hull, MA)
This is my 2nd selection/purchase from Amazon and it is another winner! Excellent product, price and quality.
Robert Redford and Lena Olin heat up Cuba like nothing you've ever seen. This is Cuba, the way it should be, exciting, exotic, alive and sexy! Hemingway may have gambled with Redford's character if he were alive. Lena Olin is hot....what a catwoman she would have made? Spend a few hours in the heat of Cuba's glamorous past...Havana, is a must see for Redford fans and those who aren't afraid to gamble.
Havana Movie Soundtrack June 3, 2009
Music (DC)
I really liked the music. Particularly when Robert Redford enters a club and there's a male singer (whose voice sounds alot like Jon Lucien). This same song plays at the end of the movie while the credits are rolling. I wonder who the artist is. They should have made a soundtrack of the movie. I would have bought it, just for that song.
Top of the Line February 4, 2009
Book Lover (Vermont)
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
This movie was panned when it came out and for no reason. Many mis-guided people have compared it to "Casablanca." I really doubt that anyone watching this movie for the first time said: "Gee this reminds me of 'Casablanca'". This is a very different story. Redford's character is not a pseudo-intellectual like Bogart. Lena Olin's character is not some angel like Bergman. They are slightly seedy people who are thrown together because of outside forces. What makes them different is that underneath, they both have character. I find them much more believable than the characters in "Casablanca."
The movie is beautifully filmed. Redford is absolutely superb and he does a brilliant job of being a man who is not a romantic who falls in love. I highly recommend this film to everyone who wants to watch a serious adult movie about the reality of people rising to the occasion in troubled times.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 29
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