Twilight Time Discussion Thread

[EricJ]

Originally Posted by Yojimbo

I can sort of understand what he's trying to say here, but if you've ever ready any of the vitriol many atheists spew on the internet, then the title card rings a bit true.

Sounds like we're getting a little of it in the review.

There was a big, big, BIG push for mushy feel-good big-studio "religious" pictures in the 40's, especially in '42-'43 during the middle slump of the war.
Bing Crosby's two Going My Way films are a good example, as regular small-town folk literally thought that all this Depression, world-war and crime nonsense could be curbed if people would just start going to their corner church once a week. Like the Bush eras, that started to become as much of a security teddy-bear for frightened small-town folk with sons overseas, as a conservative nag at the public, as the church supporters wishfully start to think they were "besieged" by all those unhappy businessmen, decadent city-folk, evil enemy countries, and other folks too "busy" to be nice--And some of the "Church of your own denomination" pictures started to take on more of a "We told you so" quality, creating wishful Touched-By-an-Angel worlds where believing could solve any problem.

For me, that's all just colorful 40's charm, although the "message" naivety can get a little overbearing at times when it's one of the movie's main impeti going in.
FTR, said opening scroll reads, "For those who believe in God, no explanation is necessary; for those who do not believe, no explanation is possible". Which, yes, sounds a bit 40's, but also sounds like the studio trying to disclaimer, "Opinions expressed by the heroine are not necessarily the views of Daryl Zanuck, we just wanted to film the big period epic."

[captveg]

I present my short review of The Song of Bernadette as counterpoint:

Using the style of classical Hollywood romanticism, veteran director Henry King presents a sincere contemplation of unreserved faith, assisted by legendary cinematographer Arthur C. Miller and renowned composer Alfred Newman.

What results is also at times a contemplation on how men often belittle women, of how persons of supposed authority dismiss those of a common lot offhand, and - perhaps too sentimentally - the proposal of how suffering is the noblest form of worship. While the latter seems overly melodramatic, particularly at the close of the film, the other themes are conveyed with patience and fine craftsmanship.

The film is too explicitly of the Hollywood machine to reach the same plainspokeness of films by Dreyer (though it clearly lifts some brief moments), but in regards to mainstream entertainment that tackles the subject of faith head on it perhaps comes closest to embracing the transcendental method of film art. 8/10

[ROclockCK]

The Song of Bernadette is as much a political film as a religious one. Which is why I think it has retained its cross-generational appeal...and timelessness.

Bernadette always struck me as a chaste variant on 'Candide'...and the film ultimately more interesting because of the various reactions to her, rather than her own consistently guileless presence...as such, a kind of walking-talking social and spiritual 'mirror'. Jones did a fantastic job making such a simple, almost one-note character seem real. It was all in her eyes and body language.

BTW, I mostly loved the disc despite some rough stretches with the source. Considering Fox discarded the original negative in the 70s, the surviving elements were treated as well as could be without some major re$torative workflow. And the sound (including overture and exit music) was wonderful...I'm going to treasure this IST.

[bluknight1]

Originally Posted by ROclockCK

The Song of Bernadette is as much a political film as a religious one. Which is why I think it has retained its cross-generational appeal...and timelessness.

Bernadette always struck me as a chaste variant on 'Candide'...and the film ultimately more interesting because of the various reactions to her, rather than her own consistently guileless presence...as such, a kind of walking-talking social and spiritual 'mirror'. Jones did a fantastic job making such a simple, almost one-note character seem real. It was all in her eyes and body language.

BTW, I mostly loved the disc despite some rough stretches with the source. Considering Fox discarded the original negative in the 70s, the surviving elements were treated as well as could be without some major re$torative workflow. And the sound (including overture and exit music) was wonderful...I'm going to treasure this IST.

The BD (based on reviews) really doesn't look like enough of an upgrade for me to justify a purchase. Fox's decision to recycle an old HD master is my main reason for not buying. Fox needs to stop doing that. Seriously. Sales for TT would be better with newer, and more properly restored masters.

[NoirFan]

Anyone who thinks Jennifer Jones has little natural charisma has obviously never seen Cluny Brown. Squirrels to the nuts, I say!

[bluknight1]

Originally Posted by NoirFan

Anyone who thinks Jennifer Jones has little natural charisma has obviously never seen Cluny Brown. Squirrels to the nuts, I say!

Sadly, the reason for that I would think is that Cluny Brown has never been available in Region 1 or NTSC. That would stop a lot of people from seeing it. Twilight Time, are you listening?

[Arkadin]

well finally checking in on the new announcements--totally missed them when first posted.
all I can say is FINALLY!!!--
Love is a many splendored thing
WOO-HOO!!!
so happy!
I don't know why, but ever since I first watched that film I just thought is was really magical--William Holden and Jennifer Jones are just so good in it even if it is kind of unconventional in its denouement.
the scenery is just awesome, and it really feels like you are in that time when you are watching it. I'm sure some people are glad they won't have to read my posts anymore about how it needs to get a bd release. As far as the other films I do agree that TT seems to be releasing far too many contemporary films recently, and it does seem that their "mission" has changed somewhat. guess they just aren't seeing the sales they hoped for from some of the more obscure titles. who knows. As far as the Capra situation on bd--it's a flat out disgrace that Sony hasn't released the his core classics on bd yet. I stupidly thought they would be some of the first bds 6 years ago. pathetic Sony, pathetic.

[Vw Driver]

Couldn't resist picking these up as they're going faster than others:

Major Dundee
Song of Bernadette
Enemy Mine
Our Man Flint
In Like Flint

All blind buys, but each one has my favorite actors in it so I'm sure I'll like them all.

[bluknight1]

Originally Posted by Arkadin

well finally checking in on the new announcements--totally missed them when first posted.
all I can say is FINALLY!!!--
Love is a many splendored thing
WOO-HOO!!!
so happy!
I don't know why, but ever since I first watched that film I just thought is was really magical--William Holden and Jennifer Jones are just so good in it even if it is kind of unconventional in its denouement.
the scenery is just awesome, and it really feels like you are in that time when you are watching it. I'm sure some people are glad they won't have to read my posts anymore about how it needs to get a bd release. As far as the other films I do agree that TT seems to be releasing far too many contemporary films recently, and it does seem that their "mission" has changed somewhat. guess they just aren't seeing the sales they hoped for from some of the more obscure titles. who knows. As far as the Capra situation on bd--it's a flat out disgrace that Sony hasn't released the his core classics on bd yet. I stupidly thought they would be some of the first bds 6 years ago. pathetic Sony, pathetic.

It's a crime on how underrepresented Capra is on BD overall. Sony has released NOTHING. The only ones that have actually been released are Lady for a Day by a boutique label and It's a Wonderful Life by Paramount, the latter of which is a half-assed edition. Ok, I'll cool it with the emoticons now. Also, the fact that Fox did not see it fit to release Love is a Many-Splendored Thing themselves is pretty sad, but I'm not getting bent out of shape about it because I consider it severely overrated.

[Eusthenopteron]

Slightly off topic I know so apologies, but just wondering if anyone else has problems loading the SAE website on their mobile phone? If so has anyone found a solution to this?

[Dex Robinson]

OK..did we all get our ultra-rare signed copy of IN LIKE FLINT?

Here's mine signed "To Brent with Love, Yvonne Craig"* Yvonne Craig was Natasha the ballerina in the movie.

*"Brent" being my real name.

[jetthead]

Originally Posted by bluknight1

It's a crime on how underrepresented Capra is on BD overall. Sony has released NOTHING. The only ones that have actually been released are Lady for a Day by a boutique label and It's a Wonderful Life by Paramount, the latter of which is a half-assed edition. Ok, I'll cool it with the emoticons now. Also, the fact that Fox did not see it fit to release Love is a Many-Splendored Thing themselves is pretty sad, but I'm not getting bent out of shape about it because I consider it severely overrated.

Mr. Smith Goes To Washington, It Happened One Night, Arsenic and old Lace, Mr. Deeds Goes To Town, Lost Horizon, and the list goes on and on! The fact that these Capra films are not on Blu-ray already is a crying shame.

[dvdmrp]

Has it been confirmed or is it just speculation that TT now has a deal with MGM?
If so we need Khartoum in 2:76 aspect ratio! Also MGM HD has aired a great print of Exodus!

[klauswhereareyou]

So I see a review up for a region B Violent Saturday blu ray. This title was put out released by Twilight Time on dvd using a non-anamorphic transfer. I wonder if they'll put a blu ray out since it now appears that a new transfer is out there?

[HyperRealist]

[tama]

Originally Posted by HyperRealist

Very nice.

[Member-222782]

Forgot that Major Dundee was supposed to be released tomorrow. How come there's no uproar over shipping confirmations and the fact it's delayed?

[jrsl76]

Originally Posted by cine74

Forgot that Major Dundee was supposed to be released tomorrow. How come there's no uproar over shipping confirmations and the fact it's delayed?

It's delayed?

[Member-222782]

Originally Posted by jrsl76

It's delayed?

Apparently by a week but I don't think it's being advertised. It's no big deal - just thought it was strange that nobody's talking about it.

[Sporkies]

I posted this in the Major Dundee thread:

They had to delay the film that was supposed to preorder with this one too. It sounds like maybe they're having an issue with the company that presses the discs for them.