Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

Director: Frank Oz, Bernard Williams Frank Oz

Overview

"Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is presented in 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen and appears to be in all-around excellent shape. The image sports sharply defined colors and dark black levels, making this an enticing DVD transfer. With only the slightest amount of edge enhancement showing up from time to time, this is a winning picture that should please comedy fans. The soundtrack is presented in Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround in English, along with Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround in French and Spanish. The newly created 5.1 remix is passable, if a little unnecessary. While it's always a pleasure to get a new 5.1 mix on a disc, this film doesn't benefit much from directional effects or Surround sounds. However, all aspects of the film are clear of any excessive hiss or distortion, making this a very enticing track. Also included on this disc are English, French, Spanish, and Portuguese subtitles. MGM has seen fit to include a few extra features on this disc, starting with a cute commentary track by director Frank Oz. While Oz isn't always the most chatty of participants, he does share a few anecdotal stories about the making of the film and what it was like to work with stars Michael Caine and Steve Martin. A very brief behind-the-scenes featurette lasts only moments and is basically one long trailer for the film. Finally there is a theatrical trailer for the film, and a very funny teaser trailer with optional commentary by the director."

Product Details

Release Date:	12/04/2001
UPC:	0027616869272
Original Release:	1988
Rating:	PG
Source:	Mgm (Video & Dvd)
Region Code:	1
Presentation:	[Wide Screen]
Sound:	[stereo, Dolby Digital]
Language:	English
Time:	1:50:00
Sales rank:	16,055

Special Features

Audio commentary with director Frank Oz; Behind-the-scenes featurette; Teaser trailer; Original theatrical trailer

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Michael Caine	Lawrence Jamieson
Steve Martin	Freddy Benson
Glenne Headly	Janet Colgate
Anton Rodgers	Insp. Andre
Barbara Harris	Fanny Eubanks
Ian McDiarmid	Arthur
Dana Ivey	Mrs. Reed
Meagen Fay	Lady from Oklahoma
Frances Conroy	Lady from Palm Beach
Nicole Calfan	Lady in Dining Car
Aina Walle	Miss Krista Knudsen
Cheryl Pay	Lady with Pearls
Nathalie Auffret	Marion,Marion
Lolly Susi	Lady in Rolls Royce
Xavier Maly	Hotel Bellboy
Louis Zorich	Greek Millionaire
Georges Gerrard Baffos	Assistant Hotel Manager
Valerie Beaufils	Pretty Beach Girl
Rupert Holliday-Evans	English Sailor #1
Hepburn Graham	English Sailor #2
Jerry Goodman	Violinist
André Penvern	Waiter on the Train
Patricia Davidson	Woman with dogs
Stanley Shapiro	Actor
Miles Goodman	Composer
Paul Henning	Actor

Technical Credits

Dale Launer

Stanley Shapiro

Paul Henning

Frank Oz	Director
Dale Launer	Screenwriter,Executive Producer,Producer
Stanley Shapiro	Screenwriter
Paul Henning	Screenwriter
Charles Hirschhorn	Executive Producer,Producer
Bernard Williams	Producer,Director
C.J. Appel	Sound Effects
Don Banks	Sound Effects
Chris Beaver	Sound Effects
Richard Beggs	Sound Effects
Mark Berger	Sound Effects

Editorial Reviews

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels harks back to the era of suave 1950s and '60s caper films -- specifically, the 1963 David Niven/Marlon Brando vehicle Bedtime Story, on which Scoundrels's script is based. Michael Caine plays the slicker member of the anti-hero duo with perfect English ease, and Steve Martin is inspired as his gauche American counterpart. Scoundrels features an involved and complicated plot, with as many twists and turns as a decent mystery; the film unfolds like a broad, comic version of the The Sting. Director Frank Oz's only previous adult-oriented film was 1986's Little Shop of Horrors, and with Dirty Rotten Scoundrels he firmly established the fine comic form that he would perfect with In & Out (1997) and Bowfinger (1999). The lush French Riviera environs are adroitly shot by Michael Ballhaus.