Author Topic: How about a Powell and Pressburger marathon?  (Read 12256 times)

Wowser

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Re: How about a Powell and Pressburger marathon?
« Reply #20 on: April 24, 2007, 07:13:17 PM »
I just watched the 49th Parallel & The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp. I loved them!
My favorite films of theirs are The Red Shoes & Black Narcissus.
Two of the most beautiful films ever made.

Just finished the Blimp from my box set - I completely agree. A touching relationship between the two men which is quite unlike anything I've seen. Watching the first 10 minutes or so I thought I would get lost, but by golly it totally sucks you in. Fine actors the pair of them.

sdedalus

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Re: How about a Powell and Pressburger marathon?
« Reply #21 on: April 24, 2007, 07:16:07 PM »
My ranking of the Powell & Pressburger films I've seen, though they are all great:

1. The Red Shoes
2. Black Narcissus
3. A Matter Of Life And Death (Stairway To Heaven)
4. A Canterbury Tale
5. The Life And Death Of Colonel Blimp
6. The Thief Of Baghdad
7. The 49th Parallel
8. I Know Where I'm Going!
9. Tales Of Hoffman
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Wowser

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Re: How about a Powell and Pressburger marathon?
« Reply #22 on: April 27, 2007, 04:18:44 PM »
Added Black Narcissus Criterion edition to the wishlist :)

Cantebury Tale! I love it! 'That's Bob: B O B!"

sdedalus

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Re: How about a Powell and Pressburger marathon?
« Reply #23 on: April 28, 2007, 12:12:53 PM »
The Criterion, which I have, is apparently the worst of the available DVDs of Black Narcissus.
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Wowser

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Re: How about a Powell and Pressburger marathon?
« Reply #24 on: April 28, 2007, 04:57:11 PM »
There's a French version which is meant to be the best (I think we saw the same DVD beaver article). Howevere, the Criterion version is well priced compared to that other version, and the captures look fine to me. It seems that, according to other DVDbeaver reviews of P&P movies that Criterion artificially adjust the colours, leaving an unnatural look. I quite like that, but I suppose it's all about taste. I have the 9 disc Carlton box which, for the money, is hard to beat.

sdedalus

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Re: How about a Powell and Pressburger marathon?
« Reply #25 on: April 29, 2007, 02:48:05 AM »
The thing with the Criterion versions of Black Narcissus and Red Shoes is that they ancient in DVD terms (# 64 and 44 respectively).  The other two versions Beaver reviewed are much more recent and apparently better restorations, with more accurate colors.

The Criterions still look great, of course, but if I had it to do over again, I would have bought the French one. YMMV.
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Wowser

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Re: How about a Powell and Pressburger marathon?
« Reply #26 on: May 07, 2007, 06:41:02 PM »
Saw the 49th Parallel tonight. Sceptical at first but totally won over once again. I'm starting to think I should have gone for the even larger box set. In a weird way, I think Cantebury Tale may be my favourite, and if were giving out awards to the marathon Anton Walbrook would get my 'best actor' award, especially in Blimp.

sdedalus

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Re: How about a Powell and Pressburger marathon?
« Reply #27 on: May 08, 2007, 03:38:48 AM »
Love Canterbury Tale.  It's just amazing how it sneaks up on you.

Olivier's hilarious in 49th Parallel.  There aren't enough Canadian propaganda films.
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Wowser

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Re: How about a Powell and Pressburger marathon?
« Reply #28 on: May 08, 2007, 06:33:13 PM »
Found Olivier annoying - glad they killed him early on.

Am I the only person doing this marathon at the moment?

I love these director box sets you see at cut-prices.
« Last Edit: May 11, 2007, 10:45:43 AM by winrit »

chesterfilms

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Re: How about a Powell and Pressburger marathon?
« Reply #29 on: May 08, 2007, 08:35:45 PM »
I've already seen them all  :)
What? What are you talking about? It's girls and spaghetti. We love girls and spaghetti.

 

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