logo Sign In

Info & Help: looking for... 'AFI - The Directors'

Author
Date
Author
Time
 (Edited)
Post link

Has anybody collected all of these? I have only just discovered the program, and have started to buy the official dvds on Ebay. Upon looking at IMDB, I can see that there are quite a few that havent been released onto DVD - In particular Ivan Reitman, Ridley and Tony Scott. Does anybody have these?

Author
Time
Post link
So I take it nobody has heard of these?
From what I understand, they were broadcast in the states around 1999, and a few released on DVD and VHS. I have been succesful in finding DVD's of roughly 50% of the series - around 60 episodes in all.

If anyone is interested in the ones currently available, I have them on order. It would be a great extra for preservation projects on the said directors films to include these.

Does anyone know if they (AFI) are still in the process of releasing these or given up? It seems strange that really popular directors like Ridley Scott have not been released as of yet.

ANy help would be greatly appriciated.

Many thanks,
NeilB
Author
Time
Post link
Hi NeilB. I already wrote few words about this series in our Alien Evolution doco thread several weeks ago, but nobody seems to know anything about it, even the people from USA. From my point of (Alien fan) view, there are two interesting episodes: J.Cameron and R.Scott. And while Cameron is available on DVD, the episode about Ridley Scott is not. If you manage to find it somewhere, let me know please. I cannot help you myself because they aired only the first 12 (or so) episodes here in Czech Republic.

Author
Time
Post link
i've seen a bunch of these - also, i've seen a handful on dvd at used brick-and-mortor stores as well as on ebay

they are good, but usually only about 1 hour.

i'd be interested in preserving the whole series, too...
Author
Time
Post link
Is this the same as the Encore series "The Directors"?

http://imdb.com/title/tt0224861/

If so, they used to air them every Saturday or Sunday morning. I only caught a few episodes. Ones on Steven Spielberg, Frank Darabont, Gary Ross (funny since the latter two have only done a handful of films).

I looked up the series on Encore's website and apparently the only thing they've been airing is a "Best Of" compilation.
Author
Time
Post link
I have looked high and low for these - but like you say, nobody seems to know. There are about 20 different titles that have been released on DVD, aswell as a box set including them all which retails for roughly 300 USD. I am slowly buying single copies on Ebay, but still hopeful in finding Ivan Reitman, Ridley Scott & Tony Scott if not all of them.

I will let you know if I find them, please do the same for me if you manage to.

Many thanks,
NeilB
Author
Time
Post link
So is this the Encore series you're talking about? Because I've seen more than one wind up as a bonus feature on a DVD. The DVD for George Romero's Season of the Witch and There's Always Vanilla has his episode.

I used to be very active on this forum. I’m not really anymore. Sometimes, people still want to get in touch with me about something, and that is great! If that describes you, please email me at [my username]ATgmailDOTcom.

Hi everybody. You’re all awesome. Keep up the good work.

Author
Time
Post link
Originally posted by: ReverendBeastly
So is this the Encore series you're talking about? Because I've seen more than one wind up as a bonus feature on a DVD. The DVD for George Romero's Season of the Witch and There's Always Vanilla has his episode.


They are listed at IMDB -

Episode List of "The Directors"

The feature on the Season Of The Witch DVD is indeed one of the episodes. Thank you for opening my eyes to that, I will have a look through the other directors films on dvd to see if any of the others can be obtained this way. George Romero is one of the ones that hasn't been released on DVD, so there might be hope!

Author
Time
Post link
Really interesting information, ReverendBeastly. Now we need to learn whether this episode is the only white sheep or if there were any others released like this.

Author
Time
Post link
I think I've got the David Lynch one somewhere.
Author
Time
Post link
Lynch's is on one of his DVDs, I think. Or maybe I just watched it on TV.

I used to be very active on this forum. I’m not really anymore. Sometimes, people still want to get in touch with me about something, and that is great! If that describes you, please email me at [my username]ATgmailDOTcom.

Hi everybody. You’re all awesome. Keep up the good work.

Author
Time
Post link
Don't know if it is already available, but the French SE of Casino appears to have one on Martin Scorsese.

http://www.amazon.fr/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00008JNDP/qid=1145577078/sr=8-1/ref=pd_ka_0/403-9786247-3397201
Author
Time
Post link
Thanks for the hint once again, ReverendBeastly. Here is what I found. Are some of these interesting for you, NeilB? Sometimes the documentary is on Region 1 version only, sometimes on Region 2 France only.

Hills Have Eyes Director: Wes Craven
Time Bandits Director: Terry Gilliam
The Brood Director: David Cronenberg
Scanners Director: David Cronenberg
Vampires Director: John Carpenter
Short Cuts Director: Robert Altman
Wild At Heart Director: David Lynch
Gangs Of New York Director: Martin Scorsese
Charade Director: Stanley Donen (not necessarily from the AFI series)



Author
Time
Post link
Originally posted by: triffid
Thanks for the hint once again, ReverendBeastly. Here is what I found. Are some of these interesting for you, NeilB? Sometimes the documentary is on Region 1 version only, sometimes on Region 2 France only.

Hills Have Eyes Director: Wes Craven
Time Bandits Director: Terry Gilliam
The Brood Director: David Cronenberg
Scanners Director: David Cronenberg
Vampires Director: John Carpenter
Short Cuts Director: Robert Altman
Wild At Heart Director: David Lynch
Gangs Of New York Director: Martin Scorsese
Charade Director: Stanley Donen (not necessarily from the AFI series)



Good work my friend!
I have found these so far on the official release DVDs by AFI -

Robert Altman
Wes Craven
David Cronenberg
Clint Eastwood
Milos Forman
John Frankenheimer
William Friedkin
Terry Gilliam
Ron Howard
Norman Jewison
Lawrence Kasdan
Spike Lee
Berry Levinson
Adrian Lyne
Garry Marshall
John McTiernan
Sydney Pollack
Rob Reiner
Joel Schumacher
Martin Scorsese
Steven Spielberg
Robert Zemeckis
Barbra Streisand
Roger Corman
Wolfgang Peterson
James Cameron
Sidney Lumet
Zucker, Abrahams And Zucker
Micheal Mann - A running total of 29 found so far

So far it looks as if it is only George Romero & John Carpenter that are available on other DVDs from the list you provided. I have found the Season Of The Witch DVD for sale, but not the Vampires Directors cut. Do any of you own these DVD's and willing to upload or trade the episodes? I plan to make custom covers for these to match the originals.

Also, if anyone sees any that are not on the list advertised to be broadcast on TV, please let me know. I am in the UK incase you hadn't already gathered!

Thankyou all for your help - After a week or so with no reply, I thought the thread would fall out of view and never be replied to!
Author
Time
Post link
Vampires - seems like the double DVD is France-only.
Author
Time
Post link
I have just noticed on the back of one of the covers a website for the company that produced these DVD's.www.winstarvideo.com. The web address is for sale, so I assume that they have gone bust - probably why they are being found in bargain bins etc.
Author
Time
Post link
I just found out that Star! is broadcasting a show called The Directors. I'm not sure if this is the show you are all talking about but i'll see if I can record some episodes. Star! is available in the UPC digital pack here in Holland. In the next few days they will be showing episodes about Harold becker, Ed Zwick, Carlk Franklin and Jan de Bont.

UPC digital tv guide
Author
Time
Post link
Unfortunately it is not the same series, but I still wouldn't mind seeing the Jan de Bont episode as long as it is not in Dutch speak!
Author
Time
Post link
i just picked up gilliam & cronenberg for $5
Author
Time
Post link
the george Lucas one was never official released, but I think you can get it from Rikter until an official release happens then he will remove if from his list.

“Always loved Vader’s wordless self sacrifice. Another shitty, clueless, revision like Greedo and young Anakin’s ghost. What a fucking shame.” -Simon Pegg.