Cielo rosso all'alba

Released in 1971, the same year as two other nostalgic hit movies, THE LAST PICTURE SHOW and SUMMER OF '42, this film has been undeservedly forgotten. A simple story of a Southwest family during World War II, with excellent acting (let me put it this way... even Desi Arnaz, Jr. does a good job), nice dialogue and an attention to period detail. This ain't available on DVD or even VHS, so if you catch it on TV, do yourself a favor and check it out.

I saw this film out of boredom at my small town theater in 74 and it left a lasting impression on me. I have not seen it since but all the images live on in memory. I can only hope the good people at Universal have the wisdom to release it on video or God willing on D.V.D. I can only hope that you too have experienced this film.

Not to put too fine a point on it. I saw this movie and was completely struck by the lushness of everything. Plot, plot twists, music, humor, suspense, coming of age, bittersweet; the whole works.

Saw it about five times, dragging all the people I cared about, because even then, as a self-absorbed know it all twenty year old, I realized you don't really "see" this movie...

you experience it.

Not one false move in the entire movie.

Fast forward 1996, I met a guy on-line and we got to talking about this movie. I'd even gone so far as researching it to pay for a copy, since it wasn't made into a video and the TV edited version was horrible.

The problem is, no one is sure. Pity. It bombed here, but Europeans considered it an American Classic.

Anyway, my friends said, "Yeah, the movie was great, but the book was better." I said

"Book?"

Hot-footing it to the library I got a copy.

Hey! I heard that. Did too give it back.

Guessing the author still lived in New Mexico, I called him, 26 years later to thank him and followed up with a letter.

He wrote back and mentioned the publishing industry is no longer populated by gentlemen, and the best thing about making the movie was he got to meet Claire Bloom.

I asked him to write again, because he intrigued me with his modesty. But I guess he figured me for a stalker and didn't. and that's how much I liked that movie.

Roger Ebert....where are you?

Bonnie

This movie defines the word "serendipity" for me. I saw it during my senior year in college when I wandered into a sneak preview at a small theater off campus one Friday night, and was carried away. Never having heard of Richard Bradford or the book on which the film is based, everything about it was fresh and compelling. Like the others who've commented before me, I am both astonished and saddened that it isn't available on videotape or DVD. I believe the director died last year, but apart from Harry Guardino (and perhaps Strother Martin) all the main actors are still alive and active and would be available for any DVD "extras." I keep an eye out in the TV listings for "Red Sky" and watch it every chance I get -- despite some abrupt (and senseless) cuts. For those not aware of it, Bradford also wrote what I'm told is an excellent second novel, "So Far From Heaven." Unfortunately, it's out of print, but I'm haunting the used-book stores in search of it. I envy any of you who haven't been introduced to Bradford's characters on film or printed page.

I teach Sociology and would like my present students and future students, to have the chance to view and appreciate the value of this movie in all its lessons. Our young people today could learn things that would benefit them in so many ways. Things from the past and how they relate to us now. They need to see that things have not changed thru the years when it comes to dealing with our two cultures, in our schools and in our communities of the southwest. So if any one can help me, I would appreciate it very much.