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tryavna wrote:Of course, I don't actually have the Weekend disk, so maybe it's not as bad.

Buttery Jeb wrote:I just heard that "Edvard Munch" will be released on February 21st, as part of the Project X/Cinema of Peter Watkins line. No word on specs.

-BJ

Gordon McMurphy wrote:Wow, no video interview with Watkins? But, I take it that this will be the 210-minute version?

Great news!

In Canada, the USA and Germany:

Oliver Groom is first re-releasing the cinema version of ‘Edvard Munch'in North America on 35mm, as well as making the longer version available for TV. In 2005 Oliver will be releasing a DVD version, which will probably consist of both versions.

Oliver Groom,
Project X Distribution Limited,
223 Humberside Avenue,
Toronto, Ontario M6P 1K9,
Canada

1-416-604.2506 tel
1-416-763 6625 Fax
[email protected]

Gordon McMurphy wrote:That must surely be a typo, as the Project X worked with Watkins on the hi-def transfer of the uncut version. Is the New Yorker a 2-disc like the French edition?

From Watkins' website:

In Canada, the USA and Germany:

Oliver Groom is first re-releasing the cinema version of ‘Edvard Munch'in North America on 35mm, as well as making the longer version available for TV. In 2005 Oliver will be releasing a DVD version, which will probably consist of both versions.

Oliver Groom,
Project X Distribution Limited,
223 Humberside Avenue,
Toronto, Ontario M6P 1K9,
Canada

1-416-604.2506 tel
1-416-763 6625 Fax
[email protected]

Are New Yorker skimping on this release? I wonder if the BFI has plans for a UK edition in 2006?

Dear Nick,

Regarding the EDVARD MUNCH running times: -

When Peter first made the film as a TV production in 1973 - 1974, it clocked in at 210 minutes (PAL running time @ 25 fps). Then he revisited the film in order to cut a shorter version for the 1976 theatrical release. This runs 174 minutes and was blown up to 35mm. This shorter version (which he calls the "cinema version") is his preferred cut of the film.

When I set about restoring and re-mastering the film in 2004, plans were to work only with the long TV version. So this is the version that we transferred to hi-def, etc., and is the version that was released recently on DVD by Doriane Films in France ( - incidentally it's a single DVD-9 disc release, not a double disc).

As plans to re-issue the film theatrically in France and North America took shape in late 2004, we discovered that the 35mm CRI of the cinema version - the only negative element that exists - was in dodgy shape and suffering from "vinegar syndrome". This caused Peter great anxiety and he was very keen for a quality video master to be made before it was too late. So we created a "conform" of this cut from the restored TV version video transfer and laid the audio from the 35mm optical track against it.

For the North American DVD release, we (well, I...) decided to stay with the cinema version. Perhaps this flies in the face of the conventional (but questionable) wisdom that the most definitive version of a film is the longest but I'm of the opinion that the filmmaker's preference is paramount. It's worth noting that the cinema version is not a hacked-down version of the long cut: the film has been carefully re-structured and the sound (a vital element) re-mixed.

However the long term possibility is that we will follow up in 2007 with a double-disc "special edition" of the TV version (approx 220 mins NTSC running time). That would give me time to work on some significant extras to go with it. But that's a little dependent on how well the first DVD release does.

Actually I've been thinking of putting together a statement covering the background to the restoration work and all this business...

Lemme know if you have further questions.

Take care,

Oliver

thethirdman wrote:In Re Celine and Julie-
I posted this in November in the Rivette thread:

I emailed New Yorker Films about Celine and Julie to ask if the release was cancelled and they replied, "No, this film will be released next year, but at this point, we do not have an official date." I was hoping they would say the rights had transferred to Criterion.

Gordon McMurphy wrote:DVD Beaver review of Edvard Munch

Grainy, subdued, pastel-pallette, but accurate and the transfer is progressive - not that New Yorker noticed or undertstood. Kudos. Would have loved an illuminating commentary or interview with Watkins, though.

tartarlamb wrote:I've never seen this, but I can't wait for it. I'm particularly anxious to see the scenes with August Strindberg, since portraying Strindberg on screen seems like it would be impossible. Alas, imdb lists no roles for Stanislaw Przybyszewski or Dagny Juel.

Edvard Munch (1973), arguably Peter Watkins most perfectly realized artistic achievement, is currently available on DVD in two very different versions. The 174 min theatrical release can now be pre-ordered from New Yorker Video (R1/NTSC) and the 210 min TV version is available from Doriane Films, France (R2/PAL, no English subtitles). Oliver Groom (Project X Distribution) is responsible for the digital transfer and restoration of both versions. He recently provided us with the following statement on the two versions of Edvard Munch and their running times:

"When Peter first made the film as a TV production in 1973 - 1974, it clocked in at 210 minutes (PAL running time @ 25 fps). Then he revisited the film in order to cut a shorter version for the 1976 theatrical release. This runs 174 minutes and was blown up to 35mm. This shorter version (which he calls the "cinema version") is his preferred cut of the film.

"When I set about restoring and re-mastering the film in 2004, plans were to work only with the long TV version. So this is the version that we transferred to hi-def, etc., and is the version that was released recently on DVD by Doriane Films in France ( - incidentally it's a single DVD-9 disc release, not a double disc).

"As plans to re-issue the film theatrically in France and North America took shape in late 2004, we discovered that the 35mm CRI of the cinema version - the only negative element that exists - was in dodgy shape and suffering from "vinegar syndrome". This caused Peter great anxiety and he was very keen for a quality video master to be made before it was too late. So we created a "conform" of this cut from the restored TV version video transfer and laid the audio from the 35mm optical track against it.

"For the North American DVD release, we (well, I...) decided to stay with the cinema version. Perhaps this flies in the face of the conventional (but questionable) wisdom that the most definitive version of a film is the longest but I'm of the opinion that the filmmaker's preference is paramount. It's worth noting that the cinema version is not a hacked-down version of the long cut: the film has been carefully re-structured and the sound (a vital element) re-mixed.

"However the long term possibility is that we will follow up in 2007 with a double-disc "special edition" of the TV version (approx 220 mins NTSC running time). That would give me time to work on some significant extras to go with it. But that's a little dependent on how well the first DVD release does."

Having seen both versions, we conclude that they are both masterpieces in their own respect and that no Watkins film collection is complete without them both. We do hope the Region 1 release of Watkins' "preferred version" sells well, resulting in a future release of the long version in the form of a nice Special Edition with English subtitles and interesting bonus materials... - T.T.