British Film Institute (BFI) Discussion Thread

[cool hand bluke]

Originally Posted by theprestige85

Any good thrillers/noirs that have strong PQ from BFI?
I only have 2 bfi blus and would like to support them more because they are world class

I'm surprised nobody mentioned The Killing of a Chinese Bookie which is a thriller and is amazing. PQ is superb too. As is the PQ for The Black Panther which is another excellent film, well worth checking out. It's based on Donald Neilson's crime and violence spree in the mid 70s. And was quite controversial at the time and sort of disappered till the BFI rescued it from obscurity. It's different; grim, realistic, 70's settings. A very unglamourised killer on the loose picture.
Could Comrades be considered a thriller...of sorts? A film, again based on a true story, about farm workers, the Tolpuddle Martyrs, seeking rights being deported to Australia (probably a lot of people now would love to be deported to Australia!) and how tough that was. It's a very humane film, beautifully photographed and with a superb extra, Lanterna Magicka - Bill Douglas & the Secret History of Cinema.
And on the subject of The Innocents, fabulous black and white imagery, great performances and atmosphere. I'd never have thought of comparing it to The Others. It's quite unique.
Anyway, they can all be got fairly cheaply now or from the library perhaps...
That's my two cent.

[nitin]

as good as Chinese Bookie is, I would not recommend it as a thriller

And The Others is most definitely inspired by The Innocents.

[ravenus]

^That's true, the atmosphere of The Others does owe something to it, but I would say to avoid The Innocents on the basis of not liking The Others would be a mistake. The Innocents has a much stronger story, with suggestions of horrific depravity, both in life and from beyond. Also the element of ambiguousness (are there really ghosts, or is it a sexually repressed governess' hysteria?) gives it great punch. The performances are fantastic, so it is definitely highly recommended even if you didn't care for The Others.

[BAKA]

Finally got to see The Innocents on the big screen yesterday, and had an amazing time. It was nice to see such a mix of age groups in attendance too. I wonder if the BFI are going to be re-releasing their edition as a Dual Format, as I noticed neither the Blu-ray, nor the DVD are available to purchase directly from Amazon, only from sellers (nor is the Blu-ray available to buy direct from the BFI). I found myself picking up the recently released book from the BFI on The Innocents straight after the showing.

[theprestige85]

Originally Posted by cool hand bluke

I'm surprised nobody mentioned The Killing of a Chinese Bookie which is a thriller and is amazing. PQ is superb too. As is the PQ for The Black Panther which is another excellent film, well worth checking out. It's based on Donald Neilson's crime and violence spree in the mid 70s. And was quite controversial at the time and sort of disappered till the BFI rescued it from obscurity. It's different; grim, realistic, 70's settings. A very unglamourised killer on the loose picture.
Could Comrades be considered a thriller...of sorts? A film, again based on a true story, about farm workers, the Tolpuddle Martyrs, seeking rights being deported to Australia (probably a lot of people now would love to be deported to Australia!) and how tough that was. It's a very humane film, beautifully photographed and with a superb extra, Lanterna Magicka - Bill Douglas & the Secret History of Cinema.
And on the subject of The Innocents, fabulous black and white imagery, great performances and atmosphere. I'd never have thought of comparing it to The Others. It's quite unique.
Anyway, they can all be got fairly cheaply now or from the library perhaps...
That's my two cent.

Interesting recommendations. Funnily enough, I had planned on purchasing The Killing Of a Chinese Bookie simply because I want to see John Cassavetes' work. I had read that it was a noir of some kind. It sounds like I would be better suited to seeing the shorter cut as I do want a genuine thriller. I was going to get that before buying Opening Night and Faces. I'll hunt around in Foyles or something as they were doing great BFI blu's for £7.



I haven't heard of Comrades, but it sounds potentially watchable. I will try and find reviews.

Thank you.

[Yami]

Comrades is quite possibly my favourite of all the BFI's releases...but to call it a thriller is going a bit too far then jumping the shark in my view!

The BFI have said this on Facebook: "We’re releasing the Alain Robbe-Grillet films in DVD and Blu-ray box sets in June. Special features include Catherine Robbe-Gillet introductions, Frederic Taddei interviews with Robbe-Grillet, and exclusive Tim Lucas audio commentaries."

[theprestige85]

Originally Posted by ravenus

^That's true, the atmosphere of The Others does owe something to it, but I would say to avoid The Innocents on the basis of not liking The Others would be a mistake. The Innocents has a much stronger story, with suggestions of horrific depravity, both in life and from beyond. Also the element of ambiguousness (are there really ghosts, or is it a sexually repressed governess' hysteria?) gives it great punch. The performances are fantastic, so it is definitely highly recommended even if you didn't care for The Others.

I guess you could tell that I was a bit put off by The Other's remark. I think i'm just not into 'ghost stories' in general with the exception of the Ghostbuster films. If I see The Innocents cheap, then I will definitely give it a go. If I don't like it I will most likely trade it in.

[Judex]

Originally Posted by BAKA

Finally got to see The Innocents on the big screen yesterday, and had an amazing time. It was nice to see such a mix of age groups in attendance too. I wonder if the BFI are going to be re-releasing their edition as a Dual Format, as I noticed neither the Blu-ray, nor the DVD are available to purchase directly from Amazon, only from sellers (nor is the Blu-ray available to buy direct from the BFI). I found myself picking up the recently released book from the BFI on The Innocents straight after the showing.

Since they started with DF releases they've always said no when asked.

[BAKA]

Originally Posted by Judex

Since they started with DF releases they've always said no when asked.

Very odd. Curious timing too, what with it featuring heavily in their Gothic season.

Originally Posted by Yami

The BFI have said this on Facebook: "We’re releasing the Alain Robbe-Grillet films in DVD and Blu-ray box sets in June. Special features include Catherine Robbe-Gillet introductions, Frederic Taddei interviews with Robbe-Grillet, and exclusive Tim Lucas audio commentaries."

Did they ever confirm what was happening with their Rossellini releases?

[Yami]

Originally Posted by BAKA

Did they ever confirm what was happening with their Rossellini releases?

Not that I'm aware of. I'll send them a message. I suspect/hope that after the widely acclaimed Criterion release they didn't want to release a markedly inferior product so have decided to take a bit more time with them.

[Judex]

They said to me on twitter or Month or so ago that they're delayed.

[88thCrazy]

I've noticed that BFI Southbank will be screening Valerie and Her Week Of Wonders next week. I'm not familiar with the BFI label, but does the fact of them showing this have an inkling of a future Blu-ray release from them, maybe?

I'm aware that the DVD rights currently belong to Second Run, and I feel like this is a silly question as it it's the BRITISH film institute and the film is Czech, but it's worth an ask.

[NoirFan]

Has there been confirmation from BFI that their edition of Nosferatu will include both English and German versions? No reason to think it wouldn't, but I hadn't heard anything official, and couldn't find an email contact on their website.

[joie]

Originally Posted by Yami

Not that I'm aware of. I'll send them a message. I suspect/hope that after the widely acclaimed Criterion release they didn't want to release a markedly inferior product so have decided to take a bit more time with them.

I don't think BFI's release will be "inferior." I prefer to buy them separately and only want "Journey to Italy."

[Yami]

Originally Posted by 88thCrazy

I've noticed that BFI Southbank will be screening Valerie and Her Week Of Wonders next week. I'm not familiar with the BFI label, but does the fact of them showing this have an inkling of a future Blu-ray release from them, maybe?

It's highly unlikely. The BFI Southbank shows hundreds of different films every year and only very few ever get released by the BFI themselves. In the same week as Valerie, they're showing Twilight and I don't think the BFI are going to release that!

[Yami]

Originally Posted by joie

I don't think BFI's release will be "inferior." I prefer to buy them separately and only want "Journey to Italy."

Criterion extras for Journey to Italy:

• Introduction by director Roberto Rossellini
• Audio commentary by film scholar Laura Mulvey
• New interview with film critic Adriano Aprà
• Short film featuring footage of the Rossellinis during the production of Journey to Italy
• New interview with Rossellini and actress Ingrid Bergman’s daughters, Ingrid Rossellini and Isabella Rossellini (Blu-ray)
• New interview with filmmaker Martin Scorsese
• Living and Departed, a new visual essay by Rossellini scholar Tag Gallagher on the evolution of the director’s style in the trilogy
• Surprised by Death, a new visual essay by film critic James Quandt on the historical and artistic themes of the trilogy (Blu-ray)
• Rossellini Through His Own Eyes, a 1992 documentary on the director’s approach to cinema, featuring archival interviews with Rossellini and Bergman (Blu-ray)
• Ingrid Bergman Remembered, a 1995 documentary on the actress’s life, narrated by her daughter Pia Lindstrom
• New interview with G. Fiorella Mariani, Rossellini’s niece, featuring Bergman’s home movies (Blu-ray)
• My Dad Is 100 Years Old, a 2005 short film directed by Guy Maddin and starring Isabella Rossellini (Blu-ray)
• The Chicken, a 1952 short film directed by Rossellini and starring Bergman (Blu-ray)

Announced BFI extras for Journey to Italy:

• Alternative Italian language version
• Feature-length Laura Mulvey audio commentary
• Extensive booklet with essays and film notes

It's all a matter of opinion but I, for one, would call the BFI release inferior if that is indeed all that's released.

[88thCrazy]

Originally Posted by Yami

It's highly unlikely. The BFI Southbank shows hundreds of different films every year and only very few ever get released by the BFI themselves. In the same week as Valerie, they're showing Twilight and I don't think the BFI are going to release that!

Oh, really? Haha! I guess that it must be a vampire themed season or something. Oh well, thanks for answering anyway.

[Judex]

Originally Posted by Yami

Criterion extras for Journey to Italy:

• Introduction by director Roberto Rossellini
• Audio commentary by film scholar Laura Mulvey
• New interview with film critic Adriano Aprà
• Short film featuring footage of the Rossellinis during the production of Journey to Italy
• New interview with Rossellini and actress Ingrid Bergman’s daughters, Ingrid Rossellini and Isabella Rossellini (Blu-ray)
• New interview with filmmaker Martin Scorsese
• Living and Departed, a new visual essay by Rossellini scholar Tag Gallagher on the evolution of the director’s style in the trilogy
• Surprised by Death, a new visual essay by film critic James Quandt on the historical and artistic themes of the trilogy (Blu-ray)
• Rossellini Through His Own Eyes, a 1992 documentary on the director’s approach to cinema, featuring archival interviews with Rossellini and Bergman (Blu-ray)
• Ingrid Bergman Remembered, a 1995 documentary on the actress’s life, narrated by her daughter Pia Lindstrom
• New interview with G. Fiorella Mariani, Rossellini’s niece, featuring Bergman’s home movies (Blu-ray)
• My Dad Is 100 Years Old, a 2005 short film directed by Guy Maddin and starring Isabella Rossellini (Blu-ray)
• The Chicken, a 1952 short film directed by Rossellini and starring Bergman (Blu-ray)

Announced BFI extras for Journey to Italy:

• Alternative Italian language version
• Feature-length Laura Mulvey audio commentary
• Extensive booklet with essays and film notes

It's all a matter of opinion but I, for one, would call the BFI release inferior if that is indeed all that's released.

Extra's wise it will be inferior.
Actual picture quality of the film should be about the same.

[joie]

Originally Posted by Yami

Criterion extras for Journey to Italy:

• Introduction by director Roberto Rossellini
• Audio commentary by film scholar Laura Mulvey
• New interview with film critic Adriano Aprà
• Short film featuring footage of the Rossellinis during the production of Journey to Italy
• New interview with Rossellini and actress Ingrid Bergman’s daughters, Ingrid Rossellini and Isabella Rossellini (Blu-ray)
• New interview with filmmaker Martin Scorsese
• Living and Departed, a new visual essay by Rossellini scholar Tag Gallagher on the evolution of the director’s style in the trilogy
• Surprised by Death, a new visual essay by film critic James Quandt on the historical and artistic themes of the trilogy (Blu-ray)
• Rossellini Through His Own Eyes, a 1992 documentary on the director’s approach to cinema, featuring archival interviews with Rossellini and Bergman (Blu-ray)
• Ingrid Bergman Remembered, a 1995 documentary on the actress’s life, narrated by her daughter Pia Lindstrom
• New interview with G. Fiorella Mariani, Rossellini’s niece, featuring Bergman’s home movies (Blu-ray)
• My Dad Is 100 Years Old, a 2005 short film directed by Guy Maddin and starring Isabella Rossellini (Blu-ray)
• The Chicken, a 1952 short film directed by Rossellini and starring Bergman (Blu-ray)

Announced BFI extras for Journey to Italy:

• Alternative Italian language version
• Feature-length Laura Mulvey audio commentary
• Extensive booklet with essays and film notes

It's all a matter of opinion but I, for one, would call the BFI release inferior if that is indeed all that's released.

I have the Criterion set and will sell it if the BFI release of "Journey to Italy" materializes. They try to make a "Journey Trilogy" out of the set in one of the extras -- bit of a stretch, and filler, in my opinon.

[cool hand bluke]

Originally Posted by Yami

Comrades is quite possibly my favourite of all the BFI's releases...but to call it a thriller is going a bit too far then jumping the shark in my view!

Yes, I just missed having my legs bitten off jumping that shark. But in Comrades, there is some serious violence and the tension of wondering if the characters going to make it out alive. They go through some heavy stuff!

As to The Killing of... As Michael B suggested, it's better if you are over 40 for the extended version. But more seriously, there's an interesting review on Mondo-Digital where they say

in 1974, director The Killing of a Chinese BookieJohn Cassavetes reunited with Husbands actor Ben Gazzara for what would prove to be perhaps his divisive and difficult film, The Killing of a Chinese Bookie. On the surface it's a gritty crime film in the same mold as other '70s films as Fingers and Mean Streets (the latter a logical connection since this was initially conceived with Martin Scorsese while he was finishing that film), even treading closer to drive-in territory than anything else in Cassavetes' directorial career

They praise the BFI release, but also believe the longer cut would be prefered by seasoned viewers.

As to The Innocents, I'm one of those who didn't like The Others. It's worth watching just to enjoy Freddie Francis' photography.
Nice to see these films being discussed

And for £7 in a place like Foyles they're bargins.