Driving Miss Daisy DVD

This 1989 film starring Jessica Tandy and Morgan Freeman is a gentle exploration of a developing relationship between the two main characters that started with mistrust and rejection and ends with close friendship and a reversal of roles.Following a car accident at her own home, Miss Daisy's son arranges for her to have a permanent chauffeur. This is totally resisted by the wealthy Miss Daisy who is both highly independent and colour prejudiced. Her chauffeur is a man of considerable charm and patience, totally honest and reliable. Over the course of the film, which spans decades of social turmoil in the US, the nature of the relationship changes as it becomes evident that both are social outcasts and where both can gain mutual benefit from looking after each other. This is as far as one can go without being a 'spoiler.'One cannot imaging the sensitive plot being handled with more sympathy or empathy than here and that is why the film has such a high reputation an considerable following. However, this review is not intended to discuss the actual film as by now it will have both its supporters and detractors. Entering into those conflicts is not the purpose of the review which is aimed squarely at the many supporters of this film.Essentially, for all of those who are keen supporters of this film and who have bought the previous DVD version of this disc, the only issue of vital importance will be whether the Blu-ray offers an improvement technically sufficient to justify the additional expense.For this reviewer the answer is a clear affirmative. The upgrade offers a clear advance on both image and audio quality with the imaging being a marked improvement. The colours are firmer and there is an increase to the perceived depth of the imaging. The whole film simply becomes more 'real.' The film, which is so concerned with close characterisation, benefits considerably from this enhancement of reality.The degree of improvement experienced from this BD will also inevitably depend on the replay equipment used. The following technical information is intended to be a guide to aid in assessment.The screen used for this review is only of moderate dimensions being a 40 inch television screen. However, the television is a high performing 4K unit which delivers a compensating positive effect. The moderate screen size lacks the impact of larger screens but is less critical of film faults.However, the contributing player is, unusually, able to separate the audio and visual HDMI signals before they leave separately to the television and pre-amp. That feature enhances both the visual and audio elements of the output. The audio, not so critical in the case, delivers an unusually wide-ranging and revealing performance. Its precision is equally revealing of film scores.Readers with alternative equipment will have to interpret this review bearing in mind their own equipment and its comparative advantages and disadvantages.The disc offers purchasers with suitable replay equipment a substantial improvement over the previous DVD.In summary this BD is a transfer from good quality 1989 film stock and has responded well to the upgrade and well worth considering. This justifiably very popular film is a good example of the advantages of the BD option and can be confidently considered for purchase.

Excellent and funny

This amazing film deservedly won the Oscar for Best Picture of 1989. Jessica Tandy also deservedly won Best Actress &, had it not been for Daniel Day-Lewis winning Best Actor for My Left Foot, I dare say Morgan Freeman would've got an Oscar for this performance.The film's masterstroke is how it handles it's subjects. It's heartwarming but not schmaltzy, it covers certain periods of American culture without glossing over &, most of all, it makes it's point about racial prejudice without ramming it down your throat.I should point out that I got the German blu-ray release of this movie. As always the picture & sound quality is excellent. However, if you want the English soundtrack, you'll either have to press the menu, option or audio button on you blu-ray player remote as the disc will automatically play the German audio track.That aside, it's a great release

Georgia – the Deep South, a Jewish family have their own business, the mother, (Miss Daisy), an ex-school teacher, is struggling with her driving skills as she gets older. Eventually she is persuaded, by her son, to have a chauffeur, but she’s not going to do it willingly!The film touches on racial prejudice, but it is very slight and not hard hitting at all.The film is about a ‘begrudging bond’ that perhaps one day will be acknowledged?There are many charming moments to this film and none better than when Hoke (Morgan Freeman), approaches the son (Dan Ackroyd), angling for a pay rise – this is just brilliant!This is just a lovely film to allow to unfold in front of you – it won’t get you off of the edge of your seat but it is a very satisfying experience.

The film obviously deals primarily with the issue of racial bigotry - specifically in the southern United States. It gives you a great feel for the way things were in that part of the world, from the 40's through to the present day. It is a 'must see' for any thoughtful person. I found it understated, warm and funny. It is a special edition of the DVD and as such has some really interesting extra footage: about the making of the film; about Jessica Tandy (she turned 80 during the filming, which is astonishing) and an interview with the Australian director. The film perhaps lacks the 'wow' factor, but in the same way that you wouldn't go to Paris without visiting the Eiffel Tower, you wouldn't want to die without having seen this.

A great film on a dvd. The dvd was sent well packaged and arrived like new. Loved the film.

As I say this is a very good & entertaining film, all the actors are excellent, as is the story, which is set over a good number of years, it’s a feel good film that to me has the feeling & notion of bringing people together, many thanks!

Showed it at our film night, request from one of our members. Very tender film but a bit close to home for some of them!