Two Brothers (2004)
Runtime: 1 hr 48 mins
Theatrical Release: Jun 25, 2004 Wide
Box Office: $18,947,630
Synopsis: French filmmaker Jean-Jacques Annaud is known for tackling profound subject matter in films such as QUEST FOR FIRE, SEVEN YEARS IN TIBET, and ENEMY AT THE GATES. Occasionally he takes refuge in lighter films. After his first successful animal tale, THE BEAR (1989), Annaud's second wildlife... French filmmaker Jean-Jacques Annaud is known for tackling profound subject matter in films such as QUEST FOR FIRE, SEVEN YEARS IN TIBET, and ENEMY AT THE GATES. Occasionally he takes refuge in lighter films. After his first successful animal tale, THE BEAR (1989), Annaud's second wildlife film is TWO BROTHERS. Here the focus is two rambunctious, adorable tigers--Kumal and Sangha--who live among ancient temple ruins in the Southeast Asian jungle. They become victims of the garish and gluttonous era of British Colonialism in the early 1900s. Aidan McRory (Guy Pearce), a well-known explorer, hosts lavish hunting parties that are in stark contrast with the untamed wilderness. When he stumbles on the tiger family, McRory kills the adult male tiger, but takes pity on Kumal, the traumatized cub left behind. When McRory is arrested for looting ancient artifacts, little Kumal is sold to the circus where local ringleaders beat him into submission and break his spirit. Meanwhile, Sangha, the second cub, is discovered by Raoul (Freddie Highmore), the son of a powerful local administrator (Jean-Claude Dreyfus), but he is later sent to His Excellency, The Prince (Oanh Nyguen), where he is trained to be a vicious killer. Similar to animal flicks like LONG JOURNEY HOME and NEVER CRY WOLF, Annaud further closes the gap between wildlife documentaries and high drama with the help of topnotch actors such as Pearce and longtime co-writer Alain Godard (with whom he worked on THE NAME OF THE ROSE and ENEMY AT THE GATES). [More]
Genre: Action/Adventure
Starring: Guy Pearce, Jean-Claude Dreyfus, Christian Clavier, David Gant, Stephanie Lagarde
Screenwriter: Jean-Jacques Annaud, Alain Godard
Producer: Jake Eberts, Jean-Jacques Annaud
DVD Info
Release:
Dec 21, 2004
DVD Features:
- Region 1
- Snap Case
- Anamorphic Widescreen - 2.35
Audio:
- Dolby Digital 5.1 - English
- Dolby Digital 5.1 - Spanish
- Dolby Digital 5.1 - French
Additional Release Material:
- Audio Commentary - 1. Jean Jacques Annaud - Director
- Featurettes - 1. Call Of The Wild
- 2. Wild About Tigers
- 3. Tiger Brothers
- 4. Tiger Trainers
- 5. Tiger Cam
- 6. Location Scouting
- 7. Costume Design
Text/Photo Galleries:
- Story Boards
- Jean Jacques Annaud's Journal
- DVD/ROM Features
Buy It On DVD
Reviews
The very definition of harmless, watchable entertainment. Exactly whether or not that is good enough depends on who you are.
I defy any animal lover not to tear up with Kumal and Sangha reunite, even if it is a little faux.
It's that rare kind of comedy -- simple humor based on personalities, behavior, and folly .... rather than forced through crass punchlines or annoying sidekicks.
[A] heartbreaking fable of friendship, family ties, and the human impact on the natural world...
Annaud’s methods are misleading which undermine his admirable intent.
The overall quality and timelessness of Two Brothers will guarantee it a long future.
As with The Bear much of the plot is carried by animal photography, though this film has considerably more human plot. A good family film, and a moving experience.
This is a family movie on a grand scale, enhanced by lush cinematography and throbbing music, with a minimum of dialogue and an endless assortment of thrills.
It's undoubtedly good-natured, old-fashioned family entertainment, but Two Brothers never quite manages to strike a successful balance between fantasy and reality.
The kind of movie that kids used to flock to on Saturday afternoons in the forties and fifties.
Noteworthy because it represents a kind of fevered moviemaking insanity that we rarely see these days.
Although the lulled pacing of Two Brothers could put an insomniac in slumber land, the film's leading felines are more captivating than most high-paid Hollywood stars.
Teems with life and a rather beautiful simplicity when Annaud focuses squarely on the tiger cubs — but then the humans come crashing in to make a mess of things.
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