Product ReviewsThe Good Shepherd (DVD, 2007, Full Frame)

The Good Shepherd

With THE GOOD SHEPHERD, Robert De Niro (A BRONX TALE) makes an ambitious return to the director's chair. A labor of love for Oscar-winning screenwriter Eric Roth (FORREST GUMP), the film tells an epic, fictionalized account of how the Central Intelligence Agency was born. Matt Damon plays Edward Wilson, a reserved young man who graduated from Yale in the late 1930s. His membership in the exclusive, hidden Skull and Bones society led him away from poetry and into a relationship with the federal government, who recruited him to help them on several covert operations. Roth's script alternates between Wilson's gradual emergence as a genuine government operative in the early 1940s and the infamous Bay of Pigs conflict in the early 1960s. Along the way, he has a sweet romance with a pretty deaf girl (a sparkling Tammy Blanchard) and ends up marrying the woman he impregnates (Angelina Jolie) out of a strong sense of duty. Throughout the film, the emergence of a mysterious tape haunts Wilson, who is determined to uncover the truth behind a leak in his secret organization. Production designer Jeannine Claudia Oppewall (L.A. CONFIDENTIAL, CATCH ME IF YOU CAN) and costume designer Ann Roth (THE ENGLISH PATIENT, THE TALENTED MR. RIPLEY) faithfully recreate these earlier periods in American history, while the imagery of Oscar-winning cinematographer Robert Richardson (J.F.K., THE AVIATOR) casts a warm, stately glow upon De Niro's assembled cast of luminaries (including Alec Baldwin, Michael Gambon, William Hurt, Billy Crudup, and Joe Pesci). The result is a production that recalls Francis Ford Coppola's THE CONVERSATION and Steven Spielberg's MUNICH.Read full review...

Cloak and Dagger Fans will enjoy.

This movie is really geared for people who like the behind the scenes/reality of government agents. The movie was a labor of love for Deniro who is a huge CIA buff/fan. The movie goes through great lengths to give you a perspective of an agent who has sacrificied his life/family for the sake of his job/country.

The movie has it's intense momements but drags a bit and could have used some more editing for time. Angelina Jolie and Matt Damon fans will appreciate their acting abilities. This is not a date movie or one for kids. I give it a 'B'.Read full review...

A Real Dud!

This is by far the worst Angelina Jolie, Matt Damon movie I have ever seen..I'm surprised at both of them for agreeing to film this real turkey! First of all it's too damn long, soo boring and confusing as hell!! One minute it's set in 1932, then it's set in 1961 then back to 1950 something or other..uuughhh..apparently this film is about the CIA's lack of regard for human life..I was disgusted (warning movie spoiler do not read if you still plan on sleep..I mean watching this movie) when they actually shoved a pregnant woman out of a flying plane...then to show her free fall..the only high point of the film was the fact the 2nd Dumbledore from the Harry Potter movies (I'm really bad with names) is in this film (sorry another spoiler) yes they have him killed too..I really hated this movie..as I said before this movie is a real turkey..next time someone wants to watch this movie I'll choose instead to sit and count my toes for nearly 3 hours..Read full review...

The good shepherd

Having already seen it I decided I needed to own this DVD movie for my collection.

This wouldn't be everybody's 'cup of tea' ( or coffee )but for me it was sublimely fascinating telling the story of the inception, growth, and power of the CIA.

Its the kind of thing I think movies are made for telling a story and telling it well.
This is told through the life of 'Edward Wilson' very competently played by Matt Damon, although not perfect for the part as he doesn't convince as the aged and cynical 'shepherd' Pehaps the one flaw in the otherwise well paced drama.
Angelina Jolie on the other hand ages superbly as the heavy drinking, bitter and long-suffering wife of Wilson.

The sub-plot is an unfolding drama of a 'leak' detected that compromises the covert activities of the agency, which is fascinating as it unfolds.

This is the first, or possibly the second movie directed by Robert De Niro and if it is anything to go by it will be something special to see His next one, they can only get even better than this, almost perfect example of Cinema Art.Read full review...

Robert De Niro's cinamatic view of the creation of the

Robert De Niro's cinamatic view of the creation of the Central Intelligence Agency. De Niro creates a tone of somber determination, creative characters, and engaging plot. One thinRobert De Niro's cinamatic view of the creation of the Central Intelligence Agency. De Niro creates a tone of somber determination, creative characters, and engaging plot. One thing it could have used more of was action and a bit more suspense, but overall a great movie.g it could have used more of was action and a bit more suspense, but overall a great movie.Read full review...

Good story well done for the period and with a great musical background--well filmed.

Offered at a really reasonable price and a video I wanted to see again it was so good.

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: tracysattic

The Good Shepherd (DVD, 2007, Full Frame)

Edward Wilson understands the value of secrecy--discretion and commitment to honor have been embedded in him since childhood. As an eager, optimistic student at Yale, he is recruited to join the secret society Skull and Bones, a brotherhood and breeding ground for future world leaders. Wilson's acute mind, spotless reputation and sincere belief in American values render him a prime candidate for a career in intelligence, and he is soon recruited to work for the OSS (the precursor to the CIA) during WWII. As one of the covert founders of the CIA, working in the heart of an organization where duplicity is required and nothing is taken at face value. A masterful movie, but also one that demands your full attention.Read full review...

The Good Shepherd

A believable CIA story yarn starring Matt Damon. Full of twists and turns, it is a real thriller to watch. The USA is not always the benevolent uncle to other governments as this story depicts. The CIA agent's finger and class ring packaged in a coffee can is the best part of the entire film. The Yale Skull & Bones Society was unknown to me before this film, yet it shows the powerful networking of the priveleged classes. Sigh...how I wish I could have attended Yale...I might have met George W. Bush.

mardoc2Read full review...

Boring Movie Don't Waste Your Time

I was looking forward to this movie ever since I saw the commercials, my kind of movie with some of my favorite actors, but it turned out to be a complete waste of 3 hours. I tried to follow it with the hopes that it would improve or that the ending would be a worth all the setup, but once it was over I still couldn't tell you what the story was even supposed to be about. The best acting is by Damon, good in the sense that it must be really tough for such a personable actor to be so stoic and uninteresting throughout. None of the characters give you any reason to be interested or intrigued by them. Total waste of time and money.Read full review...

Good condition, good price!

This is a long movie, however the characters are more than stereotypes, they have depth.

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: HOv_fLXRQXW@Del...