jovana-13676 I love any Burton-Taylor movie. These two didn't have to do much to make a picture watchable. In today's total deprivation of true movie stars, they feed my need for beauty, glamour and - divinity. Each time I see them, I think - thank god for celluloid. There's nothing better than the two of them stranded at the airport with other similar film gods. The characters are likable and well played. Elizabeth's costumes are gorgeous and I love the mid-century modern architecture and furniture of the airport and hotel.

Ben Parker I have no idea how you came to The V.I.P.'s, whether it was following Margaret Rutherford or Orson Welles, both of who are funny in this, but I hope you didn't come for Liz and Dick, whose storyline most resembles a movie plot, but is a dull love triangle. The only value of this movie is in the generous time each of its cameo stars get. Orson Welles for instance has multiple scenes, maybe adding up to 15 minutes screen time, I'd be curious to calculate it. They are all little scenes, but add up to a decent amount of value for the Orson Welles completionist. He plays a probably gay film producer who talks like Akim Tamiroff and is having some kind of nebulous trouble with the film he's making. Margaret Rutherford is really fun. She has this kind of batty effortless humour to her. Louis Jordan is infuriating. Rod Taylor is a stereotypical aggressive Aussie, at least the accent is good, because its genuine! Check out Orson in The Southern Star (1969) for the worst Aussie accent I've ever heard. I could try and tell you The V.I.P.'s isn't that great of a movie, but you've clearly gone pretty deep in whatever it is you're interested in, you may as well check it out. For fans of Orson or Rutherford I'd say sure, add it to your collection.

George Wright This is one powerful movie, particularly with the chemistry between Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton and a generally outstanding cast. This very British work is directed by Anthony Asquith and written by Terence Rattigan, who worked together on The Browning Version and The Winslow Boy. Love triangles, business deals, and personal agonies unfold in a race against time that is exacerbated by fog delays at the London Airport. Elizabeth Taylor, as Frances Andros, the wife of a wealthy shipping tycoon Paul Andros (Richard Burton), is the centre of a love triangle. The third party is Louis Jourdan, as Marc Chamselle, a "former" gigolo and society regular. I found the acting of these three main characters was superb along with the script by Terence Rattigan, who lays bare the souls of the two men. Frances is in love with both but had made up her mind to elope with Marc. Maggie Smith, as Miss Mead, is the loyal and efficient secretary to Les Mangrum, played by Rod Taylor, owner of a tractor company, who is sweating through a hostile takeover of his company which he is fighting valiantly to save. These two co-workers work extremely well as a team. It is easy to understand why when we see the movie because there is more than mutual respect holding them together.The only exception to a stellar cast was Orson Welles as Max Buda, who seemed very much of a stereotype as a movie tycoon attempting to flee the British tax collector and the prospect of bankruptcy. Just too exaggerated a role and no depth to the character. Elsa Martinelli as Gloria Gritti, his female companion and actress, was more spontaneous and fun and added sparkle to their scenes together. Margaret Rutherford, is excellent as the comic character, the Duchess of Brighton, with the over-sized handbag, suffering the trials of an aged traveller. She needs help with everything from finding a passport in her enormous bag to doing up her seat belt or finding room to stash her hat box. When one airline hostess is rude to her, she shows her spunk and gets results in short order.Airport manager Michael Hordern paces around giving orders and acting exasperated with all the inconvenience caused by the weather delays. David Frost has an intermittent role as a youthful reporter covering Max Buda. David Frost was a delight in those days with his youthful excitement but this role provides little scope for his talent. The British class system is given its due as the efficient airline officials handle the crisis with a poise that seldom falters. They advise and comfort the VIPs who are hustled into their lounge or off to a comfortable hotel. I found it interesting, however, that the financially strapped Duchess received as much patient attention as the wealthier passengers. The class system is more about inheritance and tradition than wealth. Not an entirely bad thing in a world where money and subservience to it seem to rule who gets the best service.A movie with interesting twists in the plot, great suspense and many tender moments shared by the main characters, I would highly recommend The VIPs, keeping in mind that it is not an action movie but one with great human drama.

Spikeopath The V.I.P.s is directed by Anthony Asquith and written by Terence Rattigan. It stars Richard Burton, Elizabeth Taylor, Louis Jordan, Rod Taylor, Maggie Smith, Orson Welles, Elsda Martinelli and Margaret Rutherford. Filmed in Panavision and Metrocolor, music is by Miklos Rozsa and cinematography by Jack Hildyard.Terminal 2, London Heathrow Airport, and fog has grounded the flights of some very important people. Time, then, for truths to out and futures resolved... Cheque book generosity.Disliked by critics upon release but a hit at the box office, The V.I.P.s is a throwback to the days when ensemble star power could carry a melodrama through to its conclusion. The performances of the actors, playing well to do characters facing up to some tribulations in life, are most enjoyable (nice to see Rod Taylor actually being Australian, Smith owning the film and Rutherford being Rutherford) and even though there's some silly moments within Rattigan's screenplay, there's enough quality drama and warmth to make the near two hour running time bearable. Besisdes, I never thought the sight of Richard Burton signing a cheque could make me feel so happy! 7/10