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Specifications:

- DVD-Video

- Single-sided

- Dual layer

- Region 1

- Run time: approx. 126 min.

- Subtitles: English, Spanish

- Scene selection: Static

- Package: Keep case

Video Features:

- Anamorphic Widescreen

- Aspect ratio: 1.85:1

Audio Features:

- English: Dolby Digital 5.1

- English: Dolby Surround

- French: mono 

Bonus Materials:

- Commentary by director Oliver Stone

- All-new "making-of" documentary

- Theatrical trailers (2)

 
Release Dates:

Theatrical Release:          1987

DVD Release:              11/07/00

Review Date:               12/03/00

List price:                     $ 29.98

On-line price:               $ 20.99

Pre-order price was:    $ 16.99

Starring: Michael Douglas, Charlie Sheen,
     Martin Sheen, Daryl Hannah, and Sean Young

Director: Oliver Stone

MPAA Rating: R

Genre: Drama

Studio: 20th Century Fox (Fox Home Entertainment)
 

Movie: B+        Video: B-        Audio: B        Extras: B

Summary: Bud Fox thinks he can climb the Wall Street ladder faster by working  
   with the Wall Street legend Gordon Gekko without hurting people.  Well, the 
   saying "there is a price for everything" and it equally applies to Bud Fox.

The Story

Wall Street is home to the business of stock trading, but many stock brokers end up with as little money as they started.  This movie is a behind-the-scene look at the stock brokering business in the 1980s.  Bud Fox (Charlie Sheen) works hard at a brokerage but seems to get no where and his elder co-workers are still grinding away cold calling.  His one idol is Wall Street mega-investor Gordon Gekko (Michael Douglas) who he pursues relentlessly to get his business.  On Gekko's birthday, the suave Fox brings him the rare Cuban cigars as a birthday gift and has a five-minute opportunity to present his sale pitch on stock recommendations.  Admiring his persistence, Gekko gives Fox a chance.

After several stock suggestions, Gekko seems unmoved by Fox's advice.  In desperation, Fox mentions some insider information regarding "Blue Star" airlines, as previously shared by his father (Martin Sheen) in casual conversation.  His father informed him of the early result of a favorable court settlement.  Fox promises Gekko that the stock is due for a quick rise when this inside information is announced publicly.

Unexpectedly, Gekko calls Fox and places a buy order for Blue Star.  Gekko subsequently meets up with Fox and mentors him through the inside world of Wall Street, where Gekko has circumvent insider trading laws to achieve his current level of success.  The naive Fox soon learns that there is a price for everything and his quick rise to wealth is not worth the sacrifices of others.

The Extras

The are only handful of extra materials on this DVD: an audio commentary by director Oliver Stone, an all-new "making-of" documentary, and two theatrical trailers.  In director Oliver Stone's audio commentary, we learn that his father was a broker on Wall Street for 34 years like the character Hal Holbrook.  Oliver draws a lot of his father's philosophy and business experience as a broker who made money for clients but not for himself.  The movie is dedicated to his well respected and love father.  We also learn that the movie opened (December 1987) soon after the stock market crash of October 1987 and many felt that Oliver had taken advantage of the situation, but in fact the movie was shot earlier started that summer.

Michael Douglas and Charlie Sheen looked back on their performances in the all-new "making-of" documentary of their then experiences in the big screen.  Michael Douglas talks about his concern for Gekko's long dialogues with Fox since his previous experiences had been in TV.  Charlie Sheen has just finished "Platoon" with Oliver Stone and moving right into "Wall Street".

Video & Audio

The image quality of this anamorphic widescreen DVD is disappointingly inconsistent.  I am surprised to see what seems to be deterioration effects which is particularly apparent in the very beginning of the movie.  The colors seemed unnatural and unbalanced.  The Dolby Digital 5.1-channel surround sound is balanced and effective.  The dialogue is clear and the Sinatra opening does well to set the tone for the entire of the movie.

Recommendation

For a look at the stock market business on Wall Street in the 1980s, "Wall Street" is based on Oliver Stone's father's experiences in his live-long career as a stock broker on Wall Street.  Viewers will enjoy this behind-the-scenes look at the lucrative world of stock trading.

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