British Film Institute (BFI) Discussion Thread

[RossyG]

Originally Posted by chard88

Anyone been charged/had dispatch notice for Aguirre yet?

Yes, from Rarewaves two days ago.

Should be here by September.

[chard88]

Originally Posted by RossyG

Yes, from Rarewaves two days ago.

Should be here by September.

Hmm, nothing from HMV yet. I'll sit tight for now

[Jack_Belicec]

Originally Posted by chard88

Hmm, nothing from HMV yet. I'll sit tight for now

I’ve just had a mail from HMV saying they’re waiting for stock to arrive.

[Fat Phil]

Originally Posted by Jack_Belicec

I’ve just had a mail from HMV saying they’re waiting for stock to arrive.

Same.

[RossyG]

My copy of Aguirre arrived from Rarewaves this morning. Odd that HMV is behind with this. They’re usually the quicker of the two.

[Anthony Thorne]

Anything's possible!

[shimmy]

Finally some concrete info.

[ophone]

I'm happy I can order BFI releases at my favourite shop in town, where I can pick them up in a perfect state.
So no hassle sending films back if they were damaged due to transport.

[WinterLand]

I imagined they would create a new site, hope they start off with a sale when it launches

[Jack_Belicec]

Originally Posted by Jack_Belicec

I’ve just had a mail from HMV saying they’re waiting for stock to arrive.

HMV have just taken payment for my copy of Aguirre.

[yoloswegmaster420]

[GaryCouzens]

Originally Posted by yoloswegmaster420

Also nine of his films on BFI Player in January, three of which are in the Blu-ray box set.

[ryanhoward79]

Originally Posted by yoloswegmaster420

I think this is going to end up being the first volume in a Wiseman series given just how early in his career all of these films are. Of course I could be wrong, but this is my wishful thinking

[T4ffer]

What is this movie?
Had never noticed it before so I thought it was a new announcement, but it's from years ago. Any good? Seems kind of intriguing.

[edit] I asked ChatGPT what are the reasons to watch it today and that's the summary:

Murder in the Cathedral isn’t just an old religious drama; it still has a lot of reasons to be worth watching today. Here are some strong ones:

1. A rare example of poetic cinema

The dialogue keeps much of T.S. Eliot’s verse intact. Hearing the language spoken on screen is like experiencing poetry come alive in a visual form — something cinema almost never attempts.

2. Exploration of timeless themes

The questions Becket faces — about conscience, resistance to political power, and the meaning of sacrifice — remain relevant in our world of political pressure and moral compromise.

3. Historical and cultural value

It’s one of the few mid-20th century British films that took religion seriously as art, not propaganda. It also captures how postwar filmmakers grappled with spiritual questions.

4. Striking visual style

Its stark black-and-white cinematography and expressionist touches make it visually distinctive, echoing Dreyer and early Bergman. For film lovers, it’s a bridge between stage, ritual, and cinema.

5. An unusual lead performance

Casting a priest (John Groser) instead of a professional actor gives the central role a gravity and authenticity that feels different from theatrical or Hollywood interpretations.

6. For Eliot fans

It’s the only feature film ever made directly from T.S. Eliot’s work — and he personally helped shape it. That alone makes it a literary and cinematic curiosity.

7. A meditative, almost spiritual experience

It’s not fast-paced entertainment, but it offers something rare: a film that feels like a ritual, designed to provoke reflection rather than just tell a story.

�� In short: If you’re interested in cinema history, T.S. Eliot, or films that wrestle with deep moral and spiritual questions, it’s still very much worth watching.

[Jackie Scanlon]

Originally Posted by T4ffer

What is this movie?
Had never noticed it before so I thought it was a new announcement, but it's from years ago. Any good? Seems kind of intriguing.

[edit] I asked ChatGPT what are the reasons to watch it today and that's the summary:

If you like a (basically) filmed-for-TV historical drama stage play with lots of stagey acting and a very dry mood, then go for it.

I personally think ChatGPT is rather overstating it - I wouldn't call its visuals particularly striking (very flat cinematography, all studio sets with cardboard walls and very obvious painted backdrops) and no way is it a spiritual experience. Mind you, I have only seen it on TV.

I have seen more than a few reviews that call it Shakespeare lite, which I reckon is pretty spot on.

[dallywhitty]

Oh my goodness.

[yoloswegmaster420]

We got people asking ChatGPT to give them a list of reasons to watch something. We are so cooked...

[T4ffer]

Learn to use today's tools. ChatGPT can function as a shortcut to doing multiple independent searches and it's pretty good at gathering some info. You just have to be aware that just like a search you would do on your own can mislead you, so can AI.

For example it could amplify one random forum poster's opinion

Just less than an hour ago it was able to give me a nice summary of what exactly had happened with The Devil's Sword release from Terror Vision while I had forgotten myself.

[koberulz]

Originally Posted by T4ffer

ChatGPT can function as a shortcut to doing multiple independent searches and it's pretty good at gathering some info.

No it can't, and no it isn't. It's just predictive text.

[T4ffer]

Originally Posted by koberulz

No it can't, and no it isn't. It's just predictive text.

Yeah just like a human. A very eager human.