173 The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp

[movielocke]

Hah, wasn't meant to come off as mean spirited, just sort of hands in the air "I can't keep up with everything I'm already drowning in discs" comment. It was more to point out why multiregion is irrelevant to me, though region free is nice to know. Opening up other regions is a pandora's box my wallet and walls could ill afford.

[The Doogster]

The Edge of the World is available on an excellent Blu-ray from BFI. The extras include the complete Return documentary, among others.

I second this wonderful BFI release. It's one of those hidden gems of world cinema I wish would crop up more often.

[EddieLarkin]

At last count I had 221 region one films I own and have never seen, aka blind buys, (and that's not counting numerous bonus film supplements, like on Blow Out or Kes), so there is absolutely zero reason for me to go region free when I can't even keep up with one region's releases. But much kudos to those people who can consume more than their region's worth of releases, that's pretty gobsmacking.

This is a completely flawed argument for not going region free. Why does a region free capable person need to have time to consume all of his own region's releases before he's allowed to start on a different region? No doubt if I was locked to Region B I would still have hundreds of unwatched discs, but that doesn't mean I can't substitute them for Region A discs if I want those films more! I'd rather have a kevyip full of the best films from all regions rather than just ones from one region, because it doesn't mean a multi region kevyip has to be any bigger.

[gyorgys]

This is a completely flawed argument for not going region free. Why does a region free capable person need to have time to consume all of his own region's releases before he's allowed to start on a different region? No doubt if I was locked to Region B I would still have hundreds of unwatched discs, but that doesn't mean I can't substitute them for Region A discs if I want those films more! I'd rather have a kevyip full of the best films from all regions rather than just ones from one region, because it doesn't mean a multi region kevyip has to be any bigger.

Look at his avatar! Nomen est omen

[Napier]

This is quite possibly the best transfer and Blu-ray edition I've ever seen. Magnificent job.

[antnield]

To celebrate the film's 70th birthday, the BFI have reproduced the press book.

[Drucker]

Quite simply, I think this is one of the most overlooked films ever. It really should be England's Gone With The Wind. It is so charming, witty, beautiful, controversial, daring, mysterious, and dramatic. I can't believe it's a 1943 film. I adore this film.

Is described also by one critic as "Britain's 'Citizen Kane'"....

I got around to watching this film last night while the wife was out. The first P&P film I watched was Black Narcissus, which was enjoyable, but I had the old first-edition DVD and watched it on my laptop. I had a hard time getting into their films, afterwards, and I think I was put-off by the style of it. I hadn't watched many 40s British films, and I think similarly to the way some might regard classic Hollywood films as having "over" acting, I was put off in the same way.

Luckily this feeling didn't last forever, and after enjoying The Red Shoes blu ray, Blimp absolutely blew me away, and certainly the first of the three hours really flew by last night. One thing I wanted to remark on though, and I was wondering if anyone can shed light on it: how much were P&P influenced by Citizen Kane directly? There are a few similarities I find in the films that are at least worth pointing out:

-The flashback structure to tell the story of a "great" man's life.
-The shot as the camera pulls away from the duel, up through the roof, to reveal the landscape, as well as the way snow is used to "mask" the cut in a way, is certainly similar to the way we enter and leave the restaurant Susan is the singer of in New Jersey In Citizen Kane.
-When Clive goes to the BBC to give the speech that doesn't occur, there is a low ceiling that is even remarked about.

In general, the film seems to also accomplish much of what Kane does: a complex portrait of a truly great man, but told from various perspectives, all of which combined can really only scratch the surface of just how complicated a legacy truly is. Is he an old man whose usefulness is gone by the time history passes him by, or he is a relic to be treasured of a forgotten age, or both? Or neither? There is even the remark by the Americans (I think?) who dismiss his military "triumphs" as mere excursions, not "wars" or "battles" which seems to be how Clive paints them.

I don't know much about P&P, but considering Ellipsis' post from a few years ago, was that in any way the intentional aim of the film? Can we confirm that P&P were inspired by Kane? It certainly seems likely.

[guidedbyvoices]

I blind bought this in the last 50% sale at Criterion. I'm new to Powell and Pressburger, having only seen the Red Shoes then Black Narcissus in the last 6 months, both of which I loved for the visual richness, and the unconventional stories of both.

Blimp blew me away. I wasn't even sure why, because when it was over, running over it in my mind, there aren't a lot of flashy scenes, a lot of the drama of the plot isn't shown on screen. It was late, I was buzzed, I just knew I loved it. The extras - Scorcese's "intro" and the long Thelma Powell interview I thought were really great additions for a new comer like me to the film for why it was unusual, why it meant a lot to both of them and Powell & Pressburger. And the quality of the image is just outstanding. All three - Red Shoes, Blimp, and Black Narcissus just look amazing for 70 year old movies. One of the rare movies I want to watch again today right after seeing it the first time because of how much I enjoyed it, and was moved even though there's no big heartbreaking "Beaches" moment

Is there any talk of anymore restorations of Powell & Pressburger, or did they just have enough to do their best 3? I've got 4 or 5 of their other films on the DVR.

[Ribs]

A Canterbury Tale and I Know Where I'm Going! were both restored and are available in HD from Criterion on their usual VOD platforms. They're not in color so it's not as showy but they do look great. Tales of Hoffman had an absolutely spectacular restoration which toured last year and is available on R2 BD and Thelma Schoonmaker has said Criterion will put it out but as its a StudioCanal title its anybody's guess.

I think it's a virtual certainty that Matter of Life & Death is being restored to premiere somewhere this year for its 70th anniversary but there's no news yet.

[Werewolf by Night]

A Canterbury Tale and I Know Where I'm Going! were both restored and are available in HD from Criterion on their usual VOD platforms.

Do you mean 49th Parallel, not I Know Where I'm Going? The latter is on neither iTunes nor Hulu, and I don't believe it's been restored yet. I'd still recommend it as a next step after A Matter of Life and Death, though. It's more in line with the tone and style of the famous color films than Canterbury Tale or 49th Parallel.

[Ribs]

A Canterbury Tale and I Know Where I'm Going! were both restored and are available in HD from Criterion on their usual VOD platforms.

Do you mean 49th Parallel, not I Know Where I'm Going? The latter is on neither iTunes nor Hulu, and I don't believe it's been restored yet. I'd still recommend it as a next step after A Matter of Life and Death, though. It's more in line with the tone and style of the famous color films than Canterbury Tale or 49th Parallel.

It's on Amazon in HD.

Dunno why it's not on iTunes, that's pretty weird.

[Werewolf by Night]

Huh. Thanks, I'll have to check it out.

[DeprongMori]

I just ordered BFI's restoration of Powell's first auteur feature The Edge of the World on Blu. Hoping it gets here soon.

I'd about given up on getting any more Archers upgrades from Criterion. I finally gave up waiting on I Know Where I'm Going and picked up the DVD a couple of sales back. Here's hoping this one and A Matter of Life and Death see Criterion BluRay releases soon.

[guidedbyvoices]

Ok good info, I'll keep hoping then for more criterions of their stuff. I've got tales of hoffman on the dvr but not sure if TCM broadcast the restored version or not