British Film Institute (BFI) Discussion Thread

[koberulz]

That by itself doesn't mean anything, though. The silent version of Blackmail is generally recommended over the talkie, but the talkie version of All Quiet on the Western Front seems to get the nod over its silent counterpart. They're all from that era where it would have deliberately been made for both, rather than random sounds being added to a silent film.

I was hoping there might be someone on here who's actually familiar with the specific work and could offer some insight.

[exidor]

Originally Posted by koberulz

I was hoping there might be someone on here who's actually familiar with the specific work and could offer some insight.

I watched the silent version and dipped into the sound version and the silent looked to have better PQ (stabilised, cleaned up, tinted appropriately), if that's any help. Also it isn't a talkie - it has synchronised sound for things like gunshots but still has intertitles for dialogue, at least in the parts I sampled.

[oddbox83]

There are some talkie scenes IIRC.

The silent one is definitely the better version. I think because it flows better as a powerful drama, whereas the talkie version feels like it's used as a gimmick (which is exactly how many saw it back then).

It's nice to have both though. We don't always get the choice.

[MifuneFan]

Several British children's films rated by BBFC. Not sure if this will translate into some sort of physical release, or just streaming, but figured I'd mention it.

Gabrielle and the Doodleman (1984)
Swift Waters (1952)
The Dog & The Diamonds (1953)
Stable Rivals (1952)

[RossyG]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

Several British children's films rated by BBFC. Not sure if this will translate into some sort of physical release, or just streaming, but figured I'd mention it.

Gabrielle and the Doodleman (1984)
Swift Waters (1952)
The Dog & The Diamonds (1953)
Stable Rivals (1952)

Part of the next Children's Film Foundation set.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/...KL5A1OLE&psc=1

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by RossyG

Part of the next Children's Film Foundation set.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/...KL5A1OLE&psc=1

Oh, DVD's. I had my searches on here and Amazon set to Blu-ray, so I didn't even think to look at upcoming DVD releases. They do sound like nice movies, so I'll have to look into these sets.

[Modman]

Originally Posted by RossyG

Part of the next Children's Film Foundation set.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/...KL5A1OLE&psc=1

Slowly picking up these sets, I am old enough to have seen some of these movies as a kid at Saturday morning cinema.

[koberulz]

What's the deal with the two different Act IVs on Napoleon?

[GaryCouzens]

Originally Posted by koberulz

What's the deal with the two different Act IVs on Napoleon?

One is with the triptych, the other with the single-screen version of the final reel, with a difference in running time - 48 minutes for the triptych version, 42 for the single-screen. The triptych itself runs for the last twenty minutes of Act IV.

[koberulz]

Originally Posted by GaryCouzens

One is with the triptych, the other with the single-screen version of the final reel, with a difference in running time - 48 minutes for the triptych version, 42 for the single-screen. The triptych itself runs for the last twenty minutes of Act IV.

I have no idea what any of this means.

[manicsounds]

Originally Posted by koberulz

I have no idea what any of this means.

Screenshot examples at the very bottom:
http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film6/blu-r...on_blu-ray.htm

[koberulz]

Okay but which one do I watch? I'm unfamiliar with the film. Seems like both are compromises, but there's also a six-minute difference so it's not just a matter of modifying it for a single screen?

[ravenus]

Originally Posted by koberulz

Okay but which one do I watch? I'm unfamiliar with the film. Seems like both are compromises, but there's also a six-minute difference so it's not just a matter of modifying it for a single screen?

Just watch the longer cut first. Since it took a lot of effort to film and align, it suggests that this was the main show, and the alternate single screen version was to maintain compatibility with screening venues that could not display the triptych mode.

[manicsounds]

Originally Posted by koberulz

Okay but which one do I watch? I'm unfamiliar with the film. Seems like both are compromises, but there's also a six-minute difference so it's not just a matter of modifying it for a single screen?

It's only a 2 second difference to be exact. Nothing different.

[koberulz]

This says six minutes:

Originally Posted by GaryCouzens

One is with the triptych, the other with the single-screen version of the final reel, with a difference in running time - 48 minutes for the triptych version, 42 for the single-screen. The triptych itself runs for the last twenty minutes of Act IV.

[GaryCouzens]

Originally Posted by koberulz

I have no idea what any of this means.

Abel Gance designed the finale of Act IV and the film to be shown from three projectors, and this triptych takes up the last twenty minutes of Act IV. So the aspect ratio changes from the 1.33:1 the film has been in up to now to approximately 4:1, letterboxed appropriately on the disc. Sometimes this ultra-wide screen is divided into three, and sometimes it's one very wide shot.

This is the version Gance intended you to see, so if you do see one make it this one. The single-screen version was for those cinemas which couldn't show the triptych, i.e. most of them.

If you have three players and three viewers, you can make your own triptych, as the three discs in the BFI's set contain a panel each among their extras.

Originally Posted by koberulz

This says six minutes:

Those were the times for the whole of Act IV, when I reviewed the disc six years ago. To be precise, 48:34 for the version with the triptych, 42:32 for the single-screen version.

[manicsounds]

http://www.dvdcompare.net/review.php?rid=4496

Review here states 48:32 and 48:34. I've have to dig out my disc to double check.

[exidor]

Regardless of length, the triptych version is the more impressive version. As Gary says, watch that one.

[GaryCouzens]

Originally Posted by manicsounds

http://www.dvdcompare.net/review.php?rid=4496

Review here states 48:32 and 48:34. I've have to dig out my disc to double check.

I'll have to do the same, just in case there was a typo in my review. The review isn't online any more, much the same as everything else I wrote for The Digital Fix.

[alexrinse]

Sorry, I don't know my scanavo from my elbow, but the Picadilly release I just bought has the booklet, but the case has the clear edging at the top (shorter sleeve). For some reason I kept thinking I had seen the full-height sleeve on the shelves upon its release - am I mistaken?

From the BFI:

**FIRST PRESSING ONLY** Fully illustrated booklet with new writing on the film by BFI curator Bryony Dixon and an essay on the score by Neil Brand, archive essay by Ian Christie and writing on Cosmopolitan London by Sukhdev Sandhu

So as long as I have the booklet, I have the full package right?