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American Graffiti | 
 enlarge | Director: George Lucas
Actors: Richard Dreyfuss, Ron Howard, Paul Le Mat, Charles Martin Smith, Cindy Williams
Studio: Mca (Universal)
Category: Video
List Price: CDN$ 11.95
Buy Used: CDN$ 9.98
You Save: CDN$ 1.97 (16%)
Used (2) from CDN$ 9.98
Rating:  101 reviews
Sales Rank: 178
Format: Ntsc
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Media: VHS Tape
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.4
Dimensions (in): 7.3 x 4.2 x 1.1
ISBN: 0783226152
UPC: 096898361637
EAN: 9780783226156
ASIN: 0783226152
Theatrical Release Date: August 11, 1973
Release Date: December 18, 2001
Availability: Usually ships within 1 - 2 business days
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: Ships from the US. Expected delivery 7-14 business days Very Good condition Quality guaranteed!
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| Editorial Reviews:
From Amazon.com
Here's how critic Roger Ebert described the unique and lasting value of George Lucas's 1973 box-office hit, American Graffiti: "[It's] not only a great movie but a brilliant work of historical fiction; no sociological treatise could duplicate the movie's success in remembering exactly how it was to be alive at that cultural instant." The time to which Ebert and the film refers is the summer of 1962, and American Graffiti captures the look, feel, and sound of that era by chronicling one memorable night in the lives of several young Californians on the cusp of adulthood. (In essence, Lucas was making a semiautobiographical tribute to his own days as a hot-rod cruiser, and the film's phenomenal success paved the way for Star Wars.) The action is propelled by the music of Wolfman Jack's rock & roll radio show--a soundtrack of pop hits that would become as popular as the film itself. As Lucas develops several character subplots, American Graffiti becomes a flawless time capsule of meticulously re-created memory, as authentic as a documentary and vividly realized through innovative use of cinematography and sound. The once-in-a-lifetime ensemble cast members inhabit their roles so fully that they don't seem like actors at all, comprising a who's who of performers--some of whom went on to stellar careers--including Ron Howard, Richard Dreyfuss, Harrison Ford, Cindy Williams, Mackenzie Phillips, Charles Martin Smith, Candy Clark, and Paul Le Mat. A true American classic, the film ranks No. 77 on the American Film Institute's list of all-time greatest American movies. Befitting that reputation, the collector's edition DVD includes a full-length commentary by Lucas, a behind-the-scenes featurette about the film's production, a photo gallery, and extensive production notes. --Jeff Shannon
Additional Features
Includes the documentary The Making of American Graffiti featuring interviews with director George Lucas, executive producer Francis Coppola, and other cast and crew members.
Amazon.com essential video
Here's how critic Roger Ebert described the unique and lasting value of George Lucas's 1973 box-office hit, American Graffiti: "[It's] not only a great movie but a brilliant work of historical fiction; no sociological treatise could duplicate the movie's success in remembering exactly how it was to be alive at that cultural instant." The time to which Ebert and the film refers is the summer of 1962, and American Graffiti captures the look, feel, and sound of that era by chronicling one memorable night in the lives of several young Californians on the cusp of adulthood. (In essence, Lucas was making a semiautobiographical tribute to his own days as a hot-rod cruiser, and the film's phenomenal success paved the way for Star Wars.) The action is propelled by the music of Wolfman Jack's rock & roll radio show--a soundtrack of pop hits that would become as popular as the film itself. As Lucas develops several character subplots, American Graffiti becomes a flawless time capsule of meticulously re-created memory, as authentic as a documentary and vividly realized through innovative use of cinematography and sound. The once-in-a-lifetime ensemble cast members inhabit their roles so fully that they don't seem like actors at all, comprising a who's who of performers--some of whom went on to stellar careers--including Ron Howard, Richard Dreyfuss, Harrison Ford, Cindy Williams, Mackenzie Phillips, Charles Martin Smith, Candy Clark, and Paul Le Mat. A true American classic, the film ranks No. 77 on the American Film Institute's list of all-time greatest American movies. --Jeff Shannon
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| Customer Reviews: Read 96 more reviews...
 The 'forties were even better, except '41-'45 July 12, 2004
Joseph H Pierre (Salem, OR USA)
Director: George Lucas
Format: Color
Studio: Universal Studios
Video Release Date: December 26, 2001
Cast: Richard Dreyfuss ... Curt Henderson
Ron Howard ... Steve Bolander
Paul Le Mat ... John Milner
Charles Martin Smith ... Terry 'The Toad' Fields
Cindy Williams ... Laurie Henderson
Candy Clark ... Debbie Dunham
Mackenzie Phillips ... Carol
Wolfman Jack ... XERB disc jockey
Bo Hopkins ... Joe Young
Manuel Padilla Jr. ... Carlos
Beau Gentry ... Ants Harrison Ford ... Bob Falfa
Jim Bohan ... Officer Holstein
Jana Bellan ... Budda
Deby Celiz ... Wendy
Lynne Marie Stewart ... Bobbie Tucker
Terence McGovern ... Mr. Bill Wolfe
Kathleen Quinlan ... Peg
Tim Crowley ... Eddie
Scott Beach ... Mr. Gordon
John Brent ... Car salesman
Gordon Analla ... Bozo
John Bracci ... Station attendant
Jody Carlson ... Girl in Studebaker
Del Close ... Guy (man at bar)
Chuck Dorsett ... Man at accident
Stephen Knox ... Kid at accident
Joe Miksak ... Man at liquor store
George Meyer ... Bum at liquor store
James Cranna ... Liquor store thief
Johnny Weissmuller Jr. ... Badass #1
William Niven ... Clerk at liquor store
Al Nalbandian ... Hank Anderson
Bob Pasaak ... Dale
Chris Pray ... Al
Susan Richardson ... Judy
Fred Ross ... Ferber
Jan Dunn ... Old woman
Charlie Murphy ... Old man
Ed Greenberg ... Kip Pullman
Lisa Herman ... Girl in Dodge
Mark Anger ... Mr. Kroot
Kay Lenz ... Jane (girl at dance)
Caprice Schmidt ... Announcer at dance
Joe Spano ... Vic
Debralee Scott ... Falfa's girl
Ron Vincent ... Jeff
Donna Wehr ... Carhop
Cam Whitman ... Balloon girl
Jan Wilson ... Girl at dance
Suzanne Somers ... Blonde in T-Bird
Warren Knight ... Herby And The Heartbeats
Sam McFadin ... Herby And The Heartbeats
Kris Moe ... Herby & the Heartbeats
Linn Phillips III ... Herby and the Heartbeats
George Robinson ... Herby & the Heartbeats saxophonist
Linda Christensen ... Girl A classic depicting the youth of the 1950s as they would like to have been. They are sooo young! One especially good scene is where the kids chain the rear axle and differential of a parked police car to a fixed pole, the draw the cops into giving chase. This is the story of young people who are faced with great changes--heading for college, leaving their childhood behind, giving up old relationships including "puppy love", and facing the future, with all of the pain, humor, hubris, pathos and pain that follows. This is really a great film with, just maybe, a hint of what the 'fifties were really like. Joseph (Joe) Pierre
author of Handguns and Freedom...their care and maintenance
and other books
Alive and Well At the Dawn of Rock June 28, 2004
Jeffrey (Oakland, CA)
Its all about the music. Nearly every song in American Graffiti has stood the test of time and established itself as classic rock. In 1962, rock n' roll was still in its formative stages. The Beatles were just a promising British pop band and The Beach Boys were still a famous garage band singing surfing songs. The 50's were a great decade for getting rock off the ground. In the mid to late 50's the emergence of Elvis as the 1st rock god established rock once and for all as the pulse of the teen generation. Rock has changed very much since then but its appeal to teens hasn't. Rock is an expression of freedom. Too mature for little kids and too edgy for mature adults. Teens have long since claimed rock as their own domain. Of course, before the 50's, teens didn't really exist. Not as they do today. Then they were just older children. From the 50's on they were the marketing target of every savvy business and businessman in America. Teens had money and freedom in a way they had never had before. They drove around, necked, went to drive-ins, ate burgers, drag raced and mostly just cruised. Amer Graffiti is a cheerful celebration of teen freedom.
Nostalgia and Fun June 25, 2004
Liz (Springfield, MO USA)
This piece of nostalgia is both entertaining and sentimental. Humor and emotion play an equal roll in this movie, making it heart touching to all audiences.
For those of us who are too young to have experienced the early 60s this film is the next best thing. We get to see the styles of cars, clothing, and hair as well as hear the music of the era. We get to see many of todays most recognizable faces long before they were famous. It's also fun to chuckle at how very little teenage life has actually changed.
George Lucas is a fabulous director,and the actors all deliver convincing performances. Whether you're laughing with them or feeling the sting of their heart break, we can all relate to what they're going through.
Regardless of your generation, watching this movie is sure to bring back a flood of memories of first loves and old friends.
An American Classic June 14, 2004
This movie is way before my time, but i still can't help but love it. I live in the small town that this film was made in, Modesto California, and was reminded about the film by the annual graffiti festivil this weekend. It is true to Life, and still holds true in the most basic senses with my generation, I graduated High School in 1998 and my friends and I were always cruising, racing and having a good time any chance we got, and the mucle cars are still alive, they may be a little different but still alive. I rate this movie 5 out of 5 because it still relates to teenagers even after all these years, I believe this movie can bring generations together.
 Nice but overpriced April 8, 2004
CPUsports (Eastern Seaboard)
I paid $25.48 for this DVD and that was pretty high. Can anyone explain why some DVD's are SO expensive? I've seen this movie a zillion times & never tire of it.Richard Dreyfuss serves up an amazing performance, and it was great to see Wolfman Jack....and Suzanne Somers.
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