The ABCs of Movies, Part Tres Trivia Quiz

Answer: Unforgiven

'Unforgiven' was directed my Clint Eastwood, and costarred Gene Hackman and Morgan Freeman. Hackman played "Little" Bill Dagget, the sheriff who attempts to run Eastwood out of town. Freeman plays Ned Logan, Eastwood's former partner, who partners up with Eastwood for one last job. 'Unforgiven' is the third western to win a Best Picture Oscar. 'Dances With Wolves' and 'Cimarron' are the others.

Answer: Varsity Blues

'Varsity Blues' was strangely compelling. I guess we can all relate to the pressures that parents put on their children. I think the most powerful scene in the movie is when James Van Der Beek confronts his father and says, "I don't want your life." It illustrates the problem of parents living their lives through their kids.

Answer: Westworld

This movie was written and directed by Michael Crichton. It is interesting to note that over 90% of Crichton's books have been made into movies - books like 'Congo', 'Jurassic Park', 'The Terminal Man', and 'The Great Train Robbery'. In 'Westworld', Yul Brynner wore a costume that looked very similar to the outfit that he wore when starring in 'The Magnificent Seven'. Brynner is best remembered for his role as the King of Siam in 'The King and I'.

Answer: X-Men

'X-Men' was directed by Bryan Singer, who is also responsible for making 'The Usual Suspects'. Unlike many past superhero films, Singer is able to infuse reality and emotion into this movie. There are some stand out performances, especially from Patrick Stewart as Professor Xavier, and Ian Mckellen as Magneto.

They are both exact copies of the characters in the comic books. Magneto is a fascinating character. He was oppressed as a young Jewish boy during the Holocaust. He is now oppressed because he is a mutant. Somehow this has caused him to snap and form his own kind of final solution. Ian McKellen starred as a Nazi in 'Apt Pupil', which was also directed by Singer.

Answer: Young Frankenstein

The Frankenstein Monster was played by Peter Boyle. This movie was filmed using the same scenery that was used in the 1931 version of 'Frankenstein'. Gene Hackman gives a memorable performance as a blind man who kills with his kindness.

Answer: Zulu

'Zulu' is based on a true story. Historically, the Zulu had declared war against the British and marched on the British stronghold of Isandlwana. Using a surprising amount of cunning and strategy, the Zulu completely wiped out the stronghold. This event was documented in the 1979 movie 'Zulu Dawn'. Fresh from victory, the Zulu marched on little Rorke's Drift.

In actuality, only fifteen british soldiers died at Rorke's Drift.

Answer: One-Eyed Jacks

'One-Eyed Jacks' was also directed by Marlon Brando. He replaced Stanley Kubrick, who was originally slated to direct. Brando and Malden had already acted together in the Oscar winning 'On the Waterfront'.

Answer: Die Hard 2: Die Harder

This movie was directed by Renny Harlin. John McTiernan ('Die Hard') wanted to direct it, but he had already made a commitment to direct 'The Hunt For Red October'.

Answer: The Third Man

'The Third Man' is considered one of the greatest films of all time. It is ranked #57 on the AFI's top 100 movies list. Harry Lime's famous line about the Swiss was ad-libbed by Orson Wells. He says, "In Switzerland they had brotherly love - they had 500 years of democracy and peace, and what did that produce? The cuckoo clock." My favorite character in this movie is Major Calloway (not Callahan - he's English, not Irish), who plays the police chief investigating Harry's death.

Answer: The Four Feathers

The item each friend gives to him is a white feather. His fiancée also gives him a white feather, so he must prove he is not a coward, or lose her forever. This movie was remade in 2002, and starred Heath Ledger as Harry Faversham.