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solaris72 wrote:Apparently loved Star Wars.

British distributors Artificial Eye have informed us that they have re-licensed their Andrei Tarkovsky catalog and are planning to release a number of films on Blu-ray. Preliminary release dates are yet to be announced, but the first titles are expected to arrive on the market in Q2.

One of world's most visionary, celebrated and influential filmmakers, Andrei Tarkovsky made just seven features before his tragically early death at the age of 54. Characterised by metaphysical and spiritual explorations of the human condition, each film is an artistic masterpiece of extraordinary visual beauty and stands as an enduring classic of world cinema.

IVAN'S CHILDHOOD

Tarkovsky's extraordinarily accomplished debut feature is a powerful and moving tale of a 12
year-old boy who vows to avenge his family's death at the hands of the Nazis.
USSR 1962 | Black and white | Russian with English subtitles | 90 minutes approx.

ANDREI RUBLEV

Regarded by many as Tarkovsky's finest film, this epic tale of the great medieval icon painter
chronicles a turbulent period of Russian history and was long suppressed by the politically
sensitive Soviet authorities.
USSR 1966 | Black and white & part colour | Russian with English subtitles | 174 minutes approx.

SOLARIS

Based on Stanislaw Lem's novel, Solaris is a moving and unsettling vision of memory and humanity
which transcends the science fiction genre and has often been compared to
Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey.
USSR 1972 | Colour & black and white | Russian with English subtitles | 159 minutes approx.

MIRROR

Reflecting upon his own childhood and the destiny of the Russian people, this beautiful and
densely layered film is Tarkovsky's most autobiographical work.
USSR 1974 | Colour & black and white | Russian with English subtitles | 101 minutes approx

STALKER

Set in a devastated future landscape, Tarkovsky's second foray into science fiction is a surreal
and disturbing exploration of man's quest to realise his dreams and desires.
USSR 1979 | Colour & black and white | Russian with English subtitles | 154 minutes approx.

NOSTALGIA

Filmed in Italy just prior to his defection to the west, Tarkovsky's unforgettably haunting film
explores the melancholy of exile from one's homeland.
Italy 1983 | Colour | Russian and Italian with English subtitles | 120 minutes approx.

THE SACRIFICE

In Tarkovsky's final masterpiece, completed as he was gravely ill, a man vows to God that he
will sacrifice all he holds dear if an imminent nuclear catastrophe can be averted.
Sweden / France 1986 | Colour | Swedish, French and English with English subtitles | 142 mins approx.

Nobody has ever cut anything from Andrei Rublov. Nobody except me. I made some cuts myself. In the first version the film was 3 hours 20 minutes long. In the second — 3 hours 15 minutes. I shortened the final version to 3 hours 6 minutes, I am convinced the latest version is the best, the most successful and I only cut certain overly long scenes. The viewer doesn't even notice their absence. The cuts have in no way changed neither the subject matter nor what was for us important in the film. In other words, we removed overly long scenes which had no significance.

We shortened certain scenes of brutality in order to induce psychological shock in viewers, as opposed to a mere unpleasant impression which would only destroy our intent. All my friends and colleagues who during long discussions were advising me to make those cuts turned out right in the end. It took me some time to understand it. At first I got the impression they were attempting to pressure my creative individuality. Later I understood that this final version of the film more than fulfils my requirements for it. And I do not regret at all that the film has been shortened to its present length.

hearthesilence wrote:I actually like the longer cut though and would miss certain camera movements, audio mix choices and 'violent' moments that are actually stunning. I've seen the theatrical cut once in its entirety and numerous times in various spots, and there are moments where it really pops out - "Why are we cutting to this close-up like this, wasn't there a beautiful extended pan?" "How come we can't hear these people in the distance, it's like the music's drowning them out." "I thought there was more with the horse here, because this shot doesn't get under my skin nearly as much." etc.

nolanoe wrote:There is a new BD of Stalker out, apparently, and what I have seen of it looks rather beautiful - any word if this is the same source as the upcoming AE Box?

fictionalfoe wrote:Has anyone noticed that on the Criterion page for Andrei Rublev that the listed running time is 185 minutes despite the fact that this release was/is for the 205 minute Director's Cut? I wonder if this is Criterion's way of prepping the movie for a release by the end of 2015. Cross your fingers!