The Kite Runner [2007] | ![The Kite Runner [2007]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51VKIDXq4RL._SL160_.jpg)
 enlarge | Director: Marc Forster
Actors: Khalid Abdalla, Atossa Leoni, Shaun Toub
Studio: Paramount Home Entertainment
Category: DVD
List Price: £19.99
Buy New: £5.46
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Rating:  30 reviews
Sales Rank: 64
Format: Pal
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: Suitable for 12 years and over
Number Of Items: 1
Running Time: 122
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6
EAN: 5051188153533
Theatrical Release Date: 2007
Release Date: June 2, 2008
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.co.uk review
Like the bestselling book upon which it's based, The Kite Runner will haunt the viewer long after the film is over. A tale of childhood betrayal, innocence, harsh reality, and dreamy memory, The Kite Runner faces good and evil--and the path between them, though often blurry and sorrowfully relative. Director Marc Forster (Monster's Ball, Finding Neverland) presents a painterly vision of Afghanistan before the Soviet tanks, before the Taliban--lush, verdant, fertile--in its landscape and in its people and their history and hopes. The story follows two young boys' friendship, tested beyond endurance, and the haunting of their adult selves by what happened in their youth--and what horrors befall their country in the meantime. The performances of the two boys--Zekeria Ebrahimi (Amir) and Ahmad Khan Mahmidzada (Hassan)--are the film's strongest, unforced and gently evocative. The penance paid by their adult selves is foreshadowed, but never predictable--and the metaphor of innocence lost, a common theme in Forster's work, keeps the film, like the title kites, truly aloft. --A.T. Hurley
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| Customer Reviews: Read 25 more reviews...
 A fine piece of film making December 31, 2008
The Kite Runner represents a fine piece of film making and without any doubts should be in contention being awarded an Oscar. It really deserves the award for its strong story, excellent characterisation and revisting history. The movie unfolds a realistic account of life in Afghanistan, Kabul faced during the late 1970's. Afghanistian became a fragile country, with under-developed infrasture, huge levels of poverty, absymal human rights and limited freedom for its citizens. The movie returns to the country 20 years later, which shows the problems continue to exist.
The focal point is about a special bonding between two lads, Amir and Hassan with contrasting social backgrounds. Amir is raised from a wealthy background with the father being a successful businessman, whilst Hassan is raised from a poor family. Althought their is huge social differences, Amir's father is a lovely person and show no social predujuice. The friendship sadly collaspes and the mood and tonne of the movie suddenly changes.
A war erupted between Russia and Afghanistian and conditions continue to detoriate in the country. Due to unexpected circumstances, Amir and his father are forced to seek political asylum in America.
Following the traumatic events, Amir revisit the country 20 years later to discover further horrifying scenes which some viewers may find distrubing and horrifying to witness. The Talibans have really ruined the country by neglecting their people. Can he rekindle the childhood? The movie is an emotional and daunting journey for Amir.
The Kite Runner emphasises a political statment. Corruption and evil regiemes has scarred the country. The Kite Runner is an expression of freedom and celebration, as you can imagine life remained unbeareable for its citizens, but thankfully the country currently is in the recovery process that includes a stable government and humaritian support from the West. The main objective of this is to bring peace and prosperity to the country. Another point emphasised is that you cannot bury the past, as it will always haunt you like a ghost as character illustration of Amir shows to viewers.
Overall, a gripping and emotional movie, but optimism always exist.
Faithful December 23, 2008
I had read the book and been to Kabul. The film is a lot more faithful to the book than most films are to history. It is of necessity condensed but no major incidents are omitted except the post traumatic suffering of the orphan. China looks like the real place. Hassan is most delightfully portrayed. I do not think the sense of Amir's remorse is as well communicated in the film . The violence is done with sensitivity so the rating is kept to 12PG. The Taliban brutality is understated, with only one half time stoning for adultery at the football stadium.
A superb and moving film December 4, 2008
This is a wonderful film that deserves all the accolades it has received. The acting is excellent and convincing: amazing performances were got from the young boys who portray the two friends separated by the Russian invasion of 1979. The film really brought home to me what the people in Afganistan have had to put up with over the last three decades. It's not only a harrowing tale but also has humour and a sense of redemption by the end. The violent parts of the film are all the more shocking because of the more domestic start to the story that means one identifies strongly with the different characters and their fates. At the end of the film I felt I had been a witness to the epic journey of the main character's turbulent life. Unreservedly recommended.
A good film on friendship (true and betrayed) November 19, 2008
A good poetic look on Afghan pre-wars (80') society, with a rich and poors, casts and kites. All vanished in the storm of russian invasion and taliban's terror. Two boys, two brothers, a sad story of violence and treason, with a "sugar" happy final (but the movie isn't a "easy" film). Good cast, good plot. Only some scenes "a little" unreal, like the David vs Goliath escape from Talibans.
Emotional October 23, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
This is not my normal sort of movie, but watched this with a friend. The film starts quite slowly, building up the background of our main characters and eventually moves to a very emotional climax. With an excellent script, story and acting, this movie has you getting frustrated with the characters and going through all that they are. With an interesting view of how Afghanistan and the Taliban are, this moving really opens your eyes and makes you think.
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