Samuel Warren Jr. Death Has A Soul ! by Samuel E. Warren Jr.Death ! The Big D ! This TV movie gives "Death" a body and a face. American Actor Monte Markham is the global immortal entity of "Death", who is "Joe Average Citizen" off the streets of America with a need to satisfy his curiosity."Why do people 'Fear Death ? ! ' " When "Death" stands, in front of you, in your face and stares into your eyes, then, you always realize that someday -- Death -- He or She -- will look into Your Eyes for the Final Time.Critics always "Trash" this movie because they wanted,yet, another lame "Love Story." Critics miss "The Point Of This Movie : Life Through Death's Eyes." I give this movie a rating of 10 stars because it is a memorable TV Movie of my youth. I have never forgot this movie. When I think of "Death", I always see Monte Markham as a stylish, young James Bond, who grins his wry smile.I remember this movie, when "Death" comes to a family member or loved one.The script might of originally intended to be a re-write of or a re-make of the 1934 movie, but, "Death Takes A Holiday -- 1971" is an infant born to grow up in the world with a different life.This movie demands you remember "The Time Period" to appreciate and understand it.In 1971, Americans were up to their necks in the bleeding corpses of "The Vietnam War." The American Civil Rights Movement of the late 1950s lingered like a hangover, which lacked the political and financial courage to become a full blown domestic "Race War." In 1971, American Women were tired of life in the shadows. American Women were intent on their refusal to quit being treated as creatures only one brain cell smarter than livestock.In 1971, Americans were fed up with "The Cold War", "The Iron Curtain," "The Berlin Wall", "Civil Defense Paranoia", bomb shelters and Geiger counter nightmares. The never ending Communism Versus Democracy Political Olympics ate away at your nerves.In 1971,The American Bicentennial Celebration on the horizon had thrust open Pandora's Box. The Gates Of Hell flew open and all of America's social ills raged like the Mississippi River on fire across America."Zombie" movies took off like wildfire in America in the 1960s. Alas, What Is A Zombie ? The Walking Dead.The United States Of America in the 1960s was "Earth's Cemetery where humans lived as corpses who feared they would stumble and fall into their own open grave and be unable to rise and crawl back out." "The Vietnam War" became "Hell On Earth" for "All" Americans. We were reminded "Life Is Uncertain." You can perish in a heartbeat day or night. Americans are mortal. Americans can "Die" in countless numbers on a daily basis, for no logical reason, other than a perverted old politician's ego.In 1971, God, Yahweh, Jehovah and Allah were all drunks passed out on bar stools. Religion In America ended up in the toilet.The Reverend Billy Graham, Garner Ted Armstrong and others "Preached" their hearts out. Yet, the flag draped steel caskets from Vietnam were the last remains of real people killed by the real War.Every confidence artist in America donned the title "Reverend" and hung out a shingle to open their own compound as a religious cult.Crime in America in the 1970s went "Off The Charts." President Lyndon Baines Johnson had a reputation as a "Thug." President Richard M. Nixon had a reputation "As Crooked As A Dog's Hind Leg." Even a presidential pardon, does not restore a politician's reputation.The Boston Strangler and The Zodiac Killer shared newspaper headlines and created nightmares in America in the 1960s and 1970s.The word, "Mafia" was whispered or carefully and cautiously spoken across America in the 1970s because these criminals were suspected of being everywhere from government to your next door neighbor.I came into my teenage years in the early 1970s. I had the annoying lustful, sinful hormones of a teenage boy. My real "Fear" was that the next birthday would make me old enough for "The Draft" and certain "Death" in "The Vietnam War" before I ever had a chance to be intimate with a woman.In the 1970s in America, the reality of Hamburger Hill replaced The Holy Land.Death In America In The 1970s had a name : "The Vietnam War." No one knows what "Death" really is.Every Religion on the planet attempts to filter Death.Movie studios in Hollywood kept "Censors" on the payroll until around the 1980s. The "Censors" were legendary for their editing of movie, TV scripts and films.It is no surprise "Death Takes A Holiday" in 1971 was vague on Death's dialogue. Movie studios wanted profits not controversy. America's "Religious Right" never hesitated to wield power in the 1960s and 1970s.The actors and actresses in this movie earned their paychecks. It is no stretch of the imagination to suspect that Hollywood immortalized "America's Gods And Goddesses"-- the powerful, youthful, wealthy and political Kennedy Family.Monte Markham gives "Life" to "Death" -- a body and a face. Mr. Markham eases his emotions into the role and "Death Has Feelings." Mr. Markham's portrayal of "Death" gives the universal, mystical entity a "Sense Of Style." If you watch, "Death Takes A Holiday -- 1971", as a Love Story, you "Cheat Yourself."Teach a maggot to write and before it becomes a housefly, it will give you a Love Story.Death Is A Reality. "Death Takes A Holiday -- 1971" gives "Death" a "Life" to satisfy "Curiosity" and stand in the shoes of a human.I applaud Monte Markham's performance as "Death." Monte Markham gave "Death's Curiosity" the answer : Death Has A Soul.

tcw2020 I saw this movie in the 70's and it has been on my mind ever since. I look for it from time to time, but have never been successful in locating a copy. It's hard to believe I've been hoping to see it again for over 40 years! Recently I've started wondering if it really was all that great, but after bumping into the reviews I just read here, my desire to see it again has returned. It was good to see that others were haunted by this film also.... If anyone knows where to get a copy of this movie or has information about when it could air, I would be very excited to know! If for nothing else, to be done looking. I must have really loved this movie!

James Christopher Wierzbicki (filmbuff-31) It is easy to dismiss this film as a cheap remake of the original Fredric March vehicle, but there is so much more here than simple recapitulation! The story is timeless. It takes a very definite philosophical stance on a subject which will always be relevant to all of us. Namely, how shall we cope with our own deaths when the reality confronts us? What impressed me most about this production was the way in which death was presented. Death appears here as a gentle, benign presence. This presentation is a far cry from the monstrous horror we have come to expect from death. Death in this film is not a Grim Reaper wishing to engulf us in his inevitability. He wishes only to present himself as a fact of life. To understand himself and be understood by others as an experience which has a unique time and place for everyone. Occurring not one moment sooner nor later than necessary, and then as something not to be feared, but rather embraced in its turn. There are other reasons to watch this rare production of the story. The fine cast: the beautiful Yvette Mimieux is in her prime here and perfect for the title role. I say "title role" because there is actually a dual title role here. It is the interaction between Yvette Mimieux's character and Monte Markham as Death that sets up the central dilemma that drives the picture. Myrna Loy and Melvyn Douglas are fine in supporting roles. Laurindo Almeida's haunting score creates an atmosphere of romantic suspense even while it facilitates contemplation. So why doesn't this production have a better reputation? I suspect it's because, while the actors fulfill their roles admirably, they do so in a nuts and bolts manner which lacks drama. This production of the story is therefore out of step with the prevailing value in Hollywood: entertainment. For maximum entertainment value, a picture with greater dramatic impact is preferable. Nevertheless, it is testimony to the dramatic impact and eternal relevance of this story that it has been remade several times since with great success, most notably in "Meet Joe Black." "Death Takes A Holiday" is a fine, underrated film which I give three stars!

ckightfyfe This movie is a wonderful, romantic remake of the original of the same name. Monte Markham gives one of his best performances and Yvette Mimieux is both able and breathtakingly beautiful playing the woman with whom Death becomes infatuated.This movie isn't as dark as the original with Frederic March, but it makes the same bold choice in the ending.A definite "two thumbs up," "must see."