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That Clever Shark

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Members
Join date
26-Jun-2006
Last activity
18-Jul-2006
Posts
6

Post History

Post
#227031
Topic
'The Music Lovers' - by Ken Russell (Released)
Time
I was positive that The Devils got a DVD release over here (the UK), but I've just checked Amazon and can't find anything. I remember they showed the 'complete' (i.e. uncensored) version on Channel 4 a few years ago and they also had this documentary with reminiscences from the actors. It's definitely got a following over here though, so I suspect that a proper DVD will only be a matter of time.

As far as The Music Lovers is concerned, I'm way impressed that anyone else has actually seen it! I think it's probably Russell's most successful music biopic (Mahler was tolerable, Lisztomania was not). I assume that MGM still own the rights to this film and just haven't gotten around to releasing it yet.

I am continually amazed by the films which have managed to fall through the cracks in the transition from video to DVD.
Post
#226066
Topic
Koyaanisqatsi - IRE Fullscreen Version (MORE IMAGE!) (Released)
Time
IMDb lists the "intended ratio" as 1.85:1, for whatever that's worth. A friend of mine saw the film with the Philip Glass ensemble a few years ago and I believe it was shown "in widescreen" (as he described it).

Anyhow, thanks for the heads up about the IRE version. I'm going to get onto that this evening, if for no other reason than Godfrey Reggio probably had a better idea of what he was releasing than MGM. (And also so that I can hopefully realise my dream of creating a 2CD set of the "complete original soundtrack")
Post
#225443
Topic
Until the end of the World: Director's Cut (* unfinished project *)
Time
Yeah, what happened with Anchor Bay? From the sounds of things, they just decided to stop dealing with all Wenders titles. This is massively disappointing as I was looking forward to seeing "The State of Things", "Kings of the Road" and "Far Away So Close" again. They are, of course, only currently available in Germany (in german language).

Anyhow, in terms of UTEOTW, I can only speak firsthand for the German release which is 3 discs long and features optional german subtitles. The longest foreign language scene is the one in which Claire first encounters the bank robbers. The scene is longer on the DVD than it is in the american version but the general idea is still the same. Otherwise there are only a few places throughout where a foreign language is spoken (usually french). In most scenes where language might be an issue, there is the omnipresent voiceover from Eugene, explaining what's going on.

There are only two special features on the German DVD, an interview with Wim Wenders (in German, no subtitles) and about twenty-five minutes of extra footage that got left on the cutting room floor.

The video transfer is fantastic though. Crisp images and nicely saturated colours.

I believe the italian version has more extras (some of which may be in English) but is more or less the same film (and, like the german version is PAL). Anyone out there buy the italian version?
Post
#225441
Topic
Koyaanisqatsi - IRE Fullscreen Version (MORE IMAGE!) (Released)
Time
I had no idea. I thought it was shot in the standard 35mm aspect ratio (1.85:1) originally. I used to have the IRE videocassette back in the day and, clarity of image aside, I definitely liked it more than the MGM DVD.

The thing that really irritates me about the MGM DVD is that they are using a different version of the soundtrack. I'm not sure if they've mixed the original soundtrack for 5.1 or if they've used the re-recorded version that came out on CD a few years ago, but something about the soundtrack is most emphatically different. I'm guessing that Reggio's DVD probably has the original version. If this is the case, I would also be interested in tracking down a copy.

Still, great movie, regardless...
Post
#222441
Topic
Until the end of the World: Director's Cut (* unfinished project *)
Time
Originally posted by: jeffd
I talked to Metrodome this morning, and they said "not until October at least, but we plan to have it out this year for sure."


Did metrodome happen to mention which version they are going to be releasing? I know that Wenders supervised the digital transfer to the German DVD (and it looks amazing) so I'm wondering if they might just use the same elements and throw some English subtitles onto the few non-English scenes.

What I'm really hoping is that they release the original theatrical cut (the three hour version, the one from the Japanese Laserdisc). I've never seen it but I gather it might be a reasonable middle ground between the trilogy and the videocassette.

I wish I hadn't sold my Laserdisc player now...
Post
#221883
Topic
Until the end of the World: Director's Cut (* unfinished project *)
Time
Apparently there is a short film (50 minutes or so) made by the guy who did all of the HDTV sequences which apparently follows Wim Wenders around Tokyo. I have never seen it (it was included as side four of the japanese laser disc), but if you can track it down, it would probably be worth including as part of your special edition.

In other news related to this most neglected of films, the release date for the fabled UK version has come and gone without any evidence of an actual DVD. Boo.