Reviews

	"Taking Sides is about as far from the mindless antics of Hollywood as you can get: intelligent, literate and, finally, important. A grown-up film of great integrity. The second disc has an excellent feature on the making of the film and a lengthy portrait of designer Ken Adams."

"The film is an intelligent debate on major issues of social and artistic responsibility and works as a thriller....The two actors (Keitel and Skarsgard) work well together, and this is the best film for years by Istan Szabo." THE OBSERVER - DVD of the Week

"Thrilling, smart stuff...you feel utterly suspended, and really want to listen - so do go"
Antonia Quirke, EVENING STANDARD - 2 stars out of 3. (Voted by Antonia Quirke the number 1 film of the 50 plus on release in London during the week 28th November 2003.)

"A cleverly divisive chamber piece by Istvan Szabo"
THE TIMES WEEKEND REVIEW - No 2 in the 10 BEST FILMS list

"Keitel's pitiless interrogation of the music man is powerfully done"
Quentin Falk, SUNDAY MIRROR 4 out of 5

"The strength here lies in the performances, particularly that of the Danish veteran Skarsgard. A compelling piece of cinema"
Catherine Shoard, THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

"the performances are staggeringly good...one of the films of the year and definitely a picture you should see"
Gary Slaymaker, WESTERN MAIL 4 out of 5

"A MUST see for anyone interested in morality of war. It is surprisingly topical"
Graham Young, BIRMINGHAM EVENING MAIL 4 out of 5

"Beautifully shot, strikingly directed and tautly directed, TAKING SIDES is a film of many such subtle pleasures. High quality, highly thought drama."
SOUTH LONDON PRESS

"intelligent and very emotional...all the performances are excellent "
Johnny Vaughan, THE SUN 3 out of 5.

"Sharsgard claims the moral high ground and the acting honour"
Anthony Quinn, THE DAILY EXPRESS 3 out of 5

"Keitel is magnificent. Harwood has vividly adapted his stage play and director Szabo brilliantly turns it into a gripping drama"
Alan Frank, DAILY STAR 7 out of 10

"a wonderful performance by Skarsgard"
Jason Solomos MAIL ON SUNDAY 3 out of 5

"a challenging forceful story"
GLASGOW HEARALD 3 out of 5

"What an excellent film this is. Superb performances from the great Harvey Keitel and Stellan Skarsgard... fascinating true story... brilliant movie"
DAILY MIRROR

"an engrossing encounter ...there is satisfaction of watching Keitel and Skarsgard stretch out as Harwood skilfully manoeuvres the arguments"
Trevor Johnston, TIME OUT (No 2 in the FILM CRITICS Top 10 Choice).

"The arguments go far beyond these gripping 103 minutes'
James Christopher, THE TIMES - 3 stars out of 5.

"impressively written, cast and played drama ...intelligent, thrilling and provocative filmmaking at its best".
Gerald Aaron, JEWISH CHRONICLE - 4 stars.

"Gripping, compelling, electrifying.'
Tony Earnshaw, YORKSHIRE POST

"A dramatically compelling clash."
Stephen Holden, NEW YORK TIMES

"Illuminates brilliantly the dilemma of a great, world-renowned artist flourishing in a totalitarian regime."
Kevin Thomas, LOS ANGELES TIMES

"[Szabo's] best film in decades."
Wesley Morris, BOSTON GLOBE

"Stellan Skarsgard's deceptively low-key performance as the beleaguered musician pushes the emotional temperature to a quiet fever pitch, and raises fascinating questions about the moral predicament of cultural figures working under totalitarian regimes."
Ella Taylor, L.A. WEEKLY