THE LAST MOVIE (Dennis Hopper, 1971) coming from Arbelos in 2018!

[bruce holecheck]

According to The Hollywood Reporter, start-up Arbelos are restoring and releasing Dennis Hopper's tough-to-see THE LAST MOVIE (1971):

Arbelos, a new boutique distributor focusing on the release of both new and restored classic art house titles, officially launched at this year's Toronto Film Festival. The company's first release will be a 4K restoration of Dennis Hopper's 1971 cult classic The Last Movie, which will get a new theatrical bow, and its first ever Blu-ray and digital streaming release, via Arbelos in 2018.

Michael Brooke's plot synopsis, from IMDB:

A film shoot in Peru goes badly wrong when an actor is killed in a stunt, and the unit wrangler, Kansas, decides to give up film-making and stay on in the village, shacking up with local prostitute Maria. But his dreams of an unspoiled existence are interrupted when the local priest asks him to help stop the villagers killing each other by re-enacting scenes from the film for real because they don't understand movie fakery...

More on Arbelos:

The team behind Arbelos —co-founders David Marriott, Dennis Bartok, Craig Rogers and Ei Toshinari — previously collaborated together on Cineliscious Pics, the distribution arm of L.A. digital restoration studio Cinelicious and the new company's initial slate will include Cinelicious Pics film library of 14 feature films, including the recent 4K restoration of Toshio Matsumoto’s transgender classic Funeral Parade of Roses, Tim Sutton’s Dark Night and the 4K restoration of Eiichi Yamamoto’s underground Anime Belladonna of Sadness."

Full article here:

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/new...-movie-1036141

The Last Movie (1971) Trailer - Color / 1:37 mins - YouTube

[SpiderBaby]

[klauswhereareyou]

Cool, I've been wanting to see this movie for years. Not sure if it ever got a DVD release here in the US.

[Boggle]

Originally Posted by klauswhereareyou

Cool, I've been wanting to see this movie for years. Not sure if it ever got a DVD release here in the US.

It hasn't had an official dvd release.

I saw it on the big screen last year after hearing much about it. I have to say, it really does not deserve to be relegated to obscurity. I understand it was a disaster for Hopper and it's not hard to see why. It won't appeal to everyone, but I think it's a worthwhile film. Glad to see it getting some attention and now some reappraisal.

[mja345]

Awesome news!

[thatguamguy]

I knew somebody would get around to it sooner or later, but I am very very excited for this one. I saw it in a theater in LA a few years back, and it's a tough sit but a very effective movie. Great news.

[iamnoone]

Years ago after renting the VHS, I wrote up this small review. I thought it was a chore to sit through back then, but somehow I really want to give it another shot now...

"This is the notorious 1970 Universal Studios production that completely tanked at the boxoffice and sent director Hopper's career into a tailspin for years. An all-star cast of weirdos, wackos and celebrities are sprinkled throughout this bizarre flick about a film crew making a movie in South America. What it all means, God only knows (and maybe Hopper who was probably "highly medicated" during production). Kris Kristofferson made his screen debut (and did the score) and also look for Dean Stockwell, Michelle Phillips, Peter Fonda, Samuel Fuller, Russ Tamblyn, John Phillip Law and lots of others - look fast - they come and go quick!!! Also featuring "scene missing" title cards (Hopper trying to be kewl) and "END" just pops up unexpectedly at the "End". The video box screams "Hidden away for nearly two decades! A Mind Staggering Experience! Venice Film Festival First Place Winner!" Now you can see what all the fuss was about and why Universal has since disowned it!!!! It's 108 minutes long so brew up some coffee and ENJOY!!!!"

[baheidstu]

This film was, I think, in the 50 Worst Movies Of All Time book by the Medveds. So when i finally got around to seeing it on a public domain VHS tape, I thought it would be horribly bad but it wasn't at all. It's definitely the product of Dennis Hopper being whacked out on drugs and, post Easy Rider, being given free reign to do what he wanted, but it's not without interest and fits in with plenty of experimental Hollywood films of the 70s. Whenever I hear Kris Kristofferson's version of Me & Bobby McGee, I still think of this film.

[Gerby]

I saw this about 15 years ago & thought it was a mess. Might have to re-watch my copy to see if my opinion of it has changed. Cool that it's getting a blu ray release though.

[jcs913]

Originally Posted by SpiderBaby

Spider (even when he was formerly CassavetesGodard) has been waiting and posting about this film to be released for many many many years to many many many ears. Finally... you got your wish..

[malakaheso]

I recall Hopper wanting to put this out on dvd and blu-ray years ago with a commentary track and other features but he couldn't get it produced.

It's a mess of a film, but it has its charms.

[The Sovereign]

This has been on my radar for years, but I've never had a chance to watch it. While it looks like something I could like, it still sounds too risky for a blind buy. Maybe TCM will give it a shot.

[thatguamguy]

After all these years not being available, I bet TCM will show it at least once, as soon as they can. I wouldn't expect frequent showings, though. It might be in one of those midnight slots.

[LawnFurniture]

Hopefully we get an official release date sometime in the near future. I've been wanting to see this one for a long time.

[Hazel Motes]

I always thought it would be interesting if all the film shot for The Last Movie was given to a gifted editor/director and they were allowed to recut and reimagine the movie. Considering they shot millions of feet of film, who knows what someone with talent and a fresh set of eyes could do with it. It would either be amazing or fail miserably. But an interesting experiment none the less.

I only watched it once and it was hard to get through. I love Hopper as a director though. Out of the Blue is one of my top ten favourite movies ever. Another of his films that desperately needs a blu ray.

[billy pilgrim]

Hazel Motes! Gotta tell you I love your member name.

I just finished reading Wiseblood and have begun reading The Violent Bear It Away. Flannery O'Connor writes unlike anyone I have ever read before. I'm not sure about the take away from these raw and unnerving stories, but count me in as fascinated.

I own the UK release of John Huston's version of Wiseblood which was my first exposure to O'Connor's work. I was overwhelmed by it. The film has at least one problematic story interpretation, but overall it is excellent. We desperately need for a Criterion release in the US.

Seeing your member name immediately put a smile on my face, so I felt compelled to voice my appreciation.

[LawnFurniture]

Any updates on this?

[happydood]

Wow. Synchronicity. Or serendipity. I've been re-reading Easy Riders, Raging Bulls and realized I've never gotten around to seeing this. Would love to finally check it out, but as years pass, I don't think Easy Rider is as great as I thought it once was. Then again, I'm a lot older now and it's a young man's movie...

[Craig-Rogers]

Nearing the finish line on our restoration. We should be able to announce some dates soon. Hang in there!

I occasionally post bits on instagram and twitter @isavefilms

[DrBabylon]

That's amazing and thanks for updating us! I look forward to purchasing this gem the day it becomes available!