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| The Kite Runner | 
 enlarge | Director: Marc Forster
Actors: L. Peter Callender, Larry Brown, Said Taghmaoui, Shaun Toub, Homayoun Ershadi
Studio: Dreamworks Video
Category: DVD
List Price: $29.99
Buy Used: $3.99
You Save: $26.00 (87%)
New (57) Used (32) Collectible (1) from $3.99
Avg. Customer Rating:  105 reviews
Sales Rank: 2224
Format: Ac-3, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, Dvd-video, Subtitled, Widescreen, Ntsc
Languages: English (Original Language), Russian (Original Language), Urdu (Original Language), English (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled), French (Subtitled), French (Dubbed), Spanish (Dubbed)
Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Number Of Items: 1
Running Time: 127
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 5.4 x 0.6
MPN: PARD117974D
UPC: 097361179742
EAN: 0097361179742
ASIN: B0012OX7EO
Theatrical Release Date: 2007
Release Date: March 25, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: Previously Viewed rental product. 100% GUARANTEED! May have stickers on case or disc. Fast shipping! Book, Video, Video Game & Music titles all in one location! Discover Your Entertainment at goHastings.
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| Customer Reviews:
 See This Film May 31, 2008
Many others have written detailed reviews. I am only going to say this:
SEE THIS FILM! You will be glad you did! Outstanding!
Cinematic Adaptation of Hosseini's Sterling Novel May Be Just Too Faithful May 30, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Can a film be too faithful to the book upon which it is based? Judging from the time-spanning 2007 adaptation of Khaled Hosseini's huge 2003 seller, the answer is rather ironically "yes". Like many, I was enthralled by the book, an impressive first effort by the Afghan-American writer/physician. So obviously were director Marc Forster (Stranger Than Fiction) and screenwriter David Benioff (Troy), who pay meticulous attention to the most significant details of the story within the film's 127-minute running time. Yet, the seamless tapestry of heartfelt events in Hosseini's novel often comes across as episodic and truncated because Forster and Benioff are sincerely trying hard to remain true to the full scope of the story within the time constraints. Part of the challenge is how Hosseini carefully used symbolic acts to provide literary, then-and-now symmetry to what is essentially a three-act story, a technique that can come across as somewhat contrived onscreen.
However, the filmmakers do the most important things right, specifically giving the viewer an intimate look into a hidden culture heretofore conveyed through CNN news reports, ensuring authenticity by having characters speak in the Dari Persian dialect of the Afghan language, and capturing the emotional entanglements of the complex narrative. The first part of the movie is set in 1978 Afghanistan before the Soviet invasion and the eventual takeover of the Taliban. The focus is on the relationship between Amir, the son of an affluent businessman named Baba, and the devoted Hassan, the son of his father's servant. Connected by their mutual love of kite running, the two are thick as thieves until a tragic event separates them irreparably. Unable to find the courage that comes so naturally to his father, Amir is crippled by guilt for not having rescued Hassan from an unspeakable act performed by a trio of local bullies. Forster makes especially palpable the ethnic tensions between the Hazara and the Pashtun in Afghanistan.
Upon the 1979 invasion by Soviet troops, Amir and Baba flee to the U.S. where the story picks up their story nine years later in Fremont, California, a suburban enclave of Afghan emigres. Baba is reduced to working in a gas station and operating a flea market kiosk. Amir meets a local Afghan girl and marries. This is the film's least interesting passage since Benioff's treatment gives short shrift to ancillary characters like Amir's wife Soraya and most critically, Amir is portrayed by necessity as a reticent young man with a downward cast toward his self-esteem. The final section flashes forward twelve years where Amir, upon publication of his first book, is summoned back to Taliban-dictated Afghanistan to rescue Hassan's son from the Taliban, as a means to atone for his cowardice years earlier. There is true suspense and fear generated in this portion of the story as shocking revelations and old acquaintances come back to haunt Amir during his journey.
A British actor of Egyptian heritage, Khalid Abdalla (the lead hijacker in United 93) has the central role of Amir as an adult, a challenging role since he has to convey a constant sense of shame and diminished self-worth until the end. The other professional actors fare better - Shaun Toub (Tony Stark's savior Yinsen in the current Iron Man) as Baba's business partner Rahim Khan, who holds the key to the truth; Atossa Leoni quietly affecting as Soraya; and best of all, Iranian actor Homayoun Ershadi who brings pride and dignity to Baba. Three young non-professionals were recruited from Kabul's school system to play the key child roles, and all are quite good. Zekeria Ebrahimi is up to the challenge of the toughest part as young Amir, and Ali Danish Bakhtyari is poignant as Hassan's nearly catatonic son Sohrab. But it's the sad-eyed, moon-faced Ahmad Khan Mahmoodzada who will break your heart as the young Hassan, especially in the devastating pomegranate-throwing scene. It's fair to say his performance is on par with the young Enzo Staiola's in Vittorio de Sica's classic Bicycle Thieves.
The technical aspects are well done, in particular, Roberto Schaefer's clean cinematography (western China convincingly substitutes for Afghanistan), Alberto Iglesias' evocative score, and even the CGI effects showcasing the kites in turbulent flight. The 2008 DVD has a solid set of extras beginning with an insightful commentary from Forster, Hosseini, and Benioff, although some of their dialogue seems rather forced. There are two featurettes included - the first is the 14-minute "Words from the Kite Runner", which focuses on Hosseini's connection to the story and the development of the novel, and the second is the 25-minute "Images from the Kite Runner", a more standard behind-the-scenes look at the production. Rounding out the extras are the original theatrical trailer, a few previews, and a PSA from Hosseini on how to help the Afghans during their current time of need.
 the kite runner May 25, 2008
2 out of 5 found this review helpful
i would have preferred to know up front that the majority of the dialogue was in a foreign language with
sub titles. The titles were difficult to read, as the letters were light against a light background.
We had read the book and loved the story, but the dvd was difficult to follow without being able to read
the dialogue
A rare gem of a film! May 20, 2008
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
I had the wonderful opportunity to visit Kabul on business in 1976, before the Russians, before the Taliban. It was a bustling, vibrant city -- teeming with energy and friendly people, crowded market stalls, and delicious food! After reading Mr. Hosseini's books, "Kite Runner" and "A Thousand Splendid Suns", and being greatly moved by both, I wondered if either would ever be filmed. This adaptation isn't perfect -- it would need to be much longer to deeply explore all the nuances , but it captures the feel of a country, a people, and lives torn apart by tragedy and the possibility of redemption. The subtitles probably are difficult for some -- I speak the language so they didn't bother me all that much, but if it were dubbed into English it would lose something. I'm glad this film was made. Enjoy it as a small window into a proud culture that has endured a terrible crushing blow and still manages to persevere.
A great movie that touches your soul May 15, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
There are a few movies that touch your Heart & soul & we remember them forever..This is one such movie..& sometime in future when someone asks you to name some of your favourite all time movies, this might be one of them..so sit back & enjoy every moment of this very well made film with someone you love.
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