A Countess from Hong Kong (1967)

3 1/2 Stars (out of 4)

Sea Legs

By Jeffrey M. Anderson

Universal has released Charles Chaplin's much maligned, but ultimately lovely, last film A Countess from Hong Kong (1967), his first in color. Marlon Brando plays a wealthy American diplomat aboard a cruise ship which docks in Hong Kong. A countess (Sophia Loren) comes aboard and smuggles herself in Brando's closet. Brando spends the rest of the film trying to hide her and avoid the press; almost the entire 2-hour film takes place in his majestic stateroom. Chaplin directs with his usual grace, favoring long shots and comedy at a distance. He also provided the sweet, sentimental score and appears in a small cameo as a seasick steward. Tippi Hedren co-stars asBrando's almost-divorced wife, and a young, adorable Geraldine Chaplin has one line in a ballroom scene. Brando reportedly did not get along with Chaplin, and most critics used that as fodder for panning the film, though their conflict does not show in the final product.

DVD Details: Universal has provided a lovely DVD with crisp, beautiful color and a widescreen transfer. The disc comes with a trailer that features footage from the famous 1967 press conference.