Lust for Life

( 1 )

Overview

This filmed biography of Vincent Van Gogh was adapted by Norman Corwin from the best-selling novel by Irving Stone, which was in turn inspired by the written correspondence between Van Gogh and his brother Theo. Kirk Douglas plays the tormented genius, whose obsessive devotion to his art engulfs, consumes, and finally destroys him. James Donald costars as Theo Van Gogh, who provides financial and moral support to his brother from the time Vincent leaves his Holland home in 1878 to his death in Auvers in 1890. ...
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Overview

This filmed biography of Vincent Van Gogh was adapted by Norman Corwin from the best-selling novel by Irving Stone, which was in turn inspired by the written correspondence between Van Gogh and his brother Theo. Kirk Douglas plays the tormented genius, whose obsessive devotion to his art engulfs, consumes, and finally destroys him. James Donald costars as Theo Van Gogh, who provides financial and moral support to his brother from the time Vincent leaves his Holland home in 1878 to his death in Auvers in 1890. Anthony Quinn won an Oscar for his eight-minute turn as Van Gogh's fast friend and erstwhile rival Paul Gaugin. Nearly 200 of Van Gogh's original paintings were borrowed from private collections for brief display in the film: some are "recreated" before our eyes, as the artist stands before his easel, spattered with paint and with a look of white-hot intensity burned into his countenance.
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Editorial Reviews

All Movie Guide - Hal Erickson
In agreeing to direct Lust for Life, director Vincente Minnelli had to make several painful compromises, including the use of CinemaScope (which robbed some scenes of their intimacy) and Metrocolor (the vibrant hues of Technicolor would have been far better suited to the subject). Still, the infamous ear-slashing scene is handled with impeccable taste by the director, as is Van Gogh's climactic wheat field suicide. Likewise, star Kirk Douglas had to give in on several creative points; for example, the actor wanted to emphasize Van Gogh's latent homosexuality, but the MGM brass would hear none of this. Nominated for an Academy Award, Douglas lost out to Yul Brynner for The King and I. Miklos Rozsa's haunting musical score is the crowning touch on this superlative film. Also see Robert Altman's treatment of the same subject in Vincent and Theo (1990).
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Product Details

  • Release Date: 9/1/1998
  • UPC: 027616051035
  • Original Release: 1956

    • Rating:

  • Source: MGM (WARNER)
  • Format: VHS

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits
Kirk Douglas Vincent Van Gogh
Anthony Quinn Paul Gauguin
James Donald Theo Van Gogh
Pamela Brown Christine
Everett Sloane Dr. Gachet
Niall MacGinnis Roulin
Noel Purcell Anton Mauve
Henry Daniell Theodorus Van Gogh
Madge Kennedy Anna Cornelia Van Gogh
Jill Bennett Willemien
Lionel Jeffries Dr. Peyron
Laurence Naismith Dr. Bosman
Eric Pohlmann Colbert
Jeannette Sterke Kay
Toni Gerry Johanna
Wilton Graff Rev. Stricker
David Horne Rev. Peeters
Noel Howlett Commissioner Van Den Berghe
Ronald Adam Commissioner De Smet
John Ruddock Ducrucq
Julie Robinson Rachel
David Leonard Camille Pissarro
William Phipps Emile Bernard
David Bond Seurat
Jay Adler Waiter
Laurence Badie Adeline Ravoux
Ernestine Barrier Jet
Jerry Bergen Henri de Toulouse Lautrec
Isobel Elsom Mrs. Stricker
Anthony Eustrel Tersteeg
Rex Evans Durand-Ruel
Fred Johnson Cordan
Mickey Maga Jan
Alec Mango Dr. Rey
Belle Mitchell Mme. Tanguy
Marion Ross Sister Clothilde
Anthony Sydes Cor
Technical Credits
Vincente Minnelli Director
Preston Ames Production Designer
Norman Corwin Screenwriter
Adrienne Fazan Editor
Cedric Gibbons Production Designer
F. Keogh Gleason Production Designer
Russell Harlan Cinematographer
John Houseman Producer
Hans Peters Production Designer
Walter Plunkett Costumes/Costume Designer
Miklós Rózsa Score Composer, Musical Direction/Supervision
Irving Stone Screenwriter
Edwin B. Willis Production Designer
Freddie Young Cinematographer
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Customer Reviews

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Sort by: Showing 1 Customer Review

  • Anonymous

    Posted August 29, 2002

    Van Gogh has soul like Jesus and the Buddha

    I did not like the film Vincent and Theo. However I do like Lust for Life.Judging from the parts of LFL that I have seen Vincent is shown as he is recorded in history as a caring St.Francis like protestant preacher. Vincent's artistic motives are less murky in this film than in Vincent and Theo. Vincent and Theo just made him look like a mad man that did not deserve his fame.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.
Sort by: Showing 1 Customer Review