261-264 Fanny and Alexander

[Spielbergo]

I've only seen the thetrical of F&A and its my favorite Bergman. Don't really see the need to watch a longer version. So I'd like a standalone on blu. :-p

Umm... FANNY & ALEXANDER was conceived as a mini-series from the start. Bergman had to have a shorter cut because the only way he could get financing was to create a version destined to movie theatres.

The film is your favorite Bergman but you've seen only less than half of it.

[hangman]

Well I think its obvious from the comments cropping up here there isn't such a clear cut consensus as originally thought of which version of F&A to necessarily give focus on. When there are fans for both sides, wonder how the consensus for Scenes from a Marriage would be (I've yet to hear anyone prefer the Theatrical version of that one).

[Brian C]

Well I think its obvious from the comments cropping up here there isn't such a clear cut consensus as originally thought of which version of F&A to necessarily give focus on. When there are fans for both sides, wonder how the consensus for Scenes from a Marriage would be (I've yet to hear anyone prefer the Theatrical version of that one).

Actually, it sounds exactly like there's a clear-cut consensus. The only person who prefers the theatrical hasn't even seen the TV version.

[domino harvey]

"Please give us less of the movie I love when you release it on Blu-ray"

[dad1153]

I've only seen the thetrical of F&A and its my favorite Bergman. Don't really see the need to watch a longer version. So I'd like a standalone on blu. :-p

Same here (only seen the theatrical "F&A" and loved it) but I really hope they release the full 5-hour version on Blu instead. Maybe they can do 'seamless branching' so both the theatrical and full "F&A" can be on the same disc? The precedent set by "The Last Emperor" (ditch the longer version for the shorter one as the only high-def option) is what's making me seriously consider dropping thirty bucks on the DVD version of the extended "F&A" while the B&N sale is on.

[HistoryProf]

I've only seen the thetrical of F&A and its my favorite Bergman. Don't really see the need to watch a longer version. So I'd like a standalone on blu. :-p

oh boy.

my two cents: I own the theatrical only version, but only because I got it for $3 from blockbuster.com years ago. I've held off upgrading the last two years in the belief they would choose it for upgrade to blu rather soon, and am looking forward to owning the full version in HD. If they only put one version on blu, it will surely be the full one....there would be a full scale riot if they chose otherwise...and I expect that's precisely what they'll do. I can keep the old sDVD of the short version to lend out or whatever...or show friends in a single viewing that haven't seen it, etc.

[scotty2]

I've only watched the TV version and have never been able to bring myself to look at the theatrical. This should be savored, over several nights if necessary.

[captveg]

I hope if they include it, that it will be on a 3rd disk, rather than a 2nd!
Let's give Fanny plenty of room to breath.

5 hrs of HD video can fit comfortably on a Blu-ray Disc. They would just need to keep all extras on Disc 2 (with the theatrical cut).

[colinr0380]

I would add to this though that I don't consider movielocke in any way 'wrong' for preferring the theatrical to the extended version of Fanny & Alexander. I can totally understand that if that is the film you've had the ongoing relationship with, then you might not actually want to see the longer version and risk having your good reaction modified, maybe for the worse, by extra material. There's nothing wrong with that, and even less with seeing both versions and preferring the shorter because you think it works better.

But that is separate from the necessity to release a film such as Fanny & Alexander in both of its commerically released versions - even if just for the sake of posterity so an alternate release version doesn't get lost. And of course Bergman's original intentions for this to be a TV series should be taken into account. So the film version, even if we may prefer it, is not the preferred version - the one which everyone was working towards.

But the theatrical version is important because that was how many people initially saw it in theatres internationally, the one that played in festivals and received the nominations and awards. And it really is important sometimes to experience the way that the film flows differently in its different full length versions rather than just having the edited, or additional, material illustrated separately somewhere else on the disc (The Killing Of A Chinese Bookie is perhaps the most radical example of this importance of both edits. Both of them are powerful but together add up to something greater and almost a masterclass in editing changing audience perspective and character motivations).

I also think it was a great move to put Cowie's commentary on the theatrical version (even if it was just done to spare Cowie from having to find an extra couple of hours worth of material!), because it means that I've watched that version far more than I normally would have!

[Derek Estes]

If I'd never seen the television version, I'm sure I would have loved the theatrical release, but since I have, I really can't stand the theatrical Fanny & Alexander. I was shocked to find that many of the details I loved the most had been deleted. It really changed the tone of the film for me. I can't reccomend the full version more to people.

[CrazedCollector]

I hope if they include it, that it will be on a 3rd disk, rather than a 2nd!
Let's give Fanny plenty of room to breath.

5 hrs of HD video can fit comfortably on a Blu-ray Disc. They would just need to keep all extras on Disc 2 (with the theatrical cut).

Seems like the kind of stuff that would fit better on spine 264 The Making of Fanny & Alexander since that feature is less than 2 hours long.

Maybe they can do 'seamless branching' so both the theatrical and full "F&A" can be on the same disc?

I often wonder if Criterion will at some point embrace this innovation for Blu re-releases of catalog titles like F&A, The Complete Mr. Arkadin, The Killing of a Chinese Bookie, etc. The only impediment that comes to mind is the matter of Java - would old-timey Blu-ray players require firmware updates in order to utilize seamless branching?

If I'd never seen the television version, I'm sure I would have loved the theatrical release, but since I have, I really can't stand the theatrical Fanny & Alexander. I was shocked to find that many of the details I loved the most had been deleted. It really changed the tone of the film for me. I can't reccomend the full version more to people.

AMEN.

[fdm]

Old-timey blu-ray players should not need anything done to handle seamless branching. I think Close Encounters Of The Third Kind was one of the earliest BDs to use it, back when Profile 1.0 players were the rule rather than the exception, so most of the kinks should have been worked out long ago. [Give or take.]

[manicsounds]

Fanny And Alexander Japanese Blu-ray out November 26th, the "Original" 5 hour 11 minute version.

[Sanjuro]

Oh, finally. I don't think we ever got the TV cut on DVD or VHS here. Looking forward to this! (Rental of course...Japanese prices being what they are).

[Jerryvonkramer]

This is my favourite film of all time and I have to lend my voice to the chorus of support for the 5-hour version. So much is lost in the theatrical release.

I think this is Bergman's masterpiece, his best and most human film. I am not a spiritual or a religious person, but watching Fanny and Alexander for the first time is as close to experiencing either of those things as I've ever come. Without wishing to sound cliche, it really makes you think about life, about your own beliefs and belief structures, it makes you think about the nature of things. My head was buzzing for days and days after that first viewing.

It's one of the very few films that has the potential to be 'life changing'.

[MitchPerrywinkle]

So I'm about halfway through the five-hour cut of the film. Even though not much happens plot-wise, I rarely felt bored by Bergman's pacing. In the first part, it's fascinating how he pays intricate detail to the members of this large family and the relationships they hold with one another. As an incomplete feature film, it would be an interesting experiment. Yet Bergman does continue his story, and the contrast between the first and second part is stark and sudden. Whereas the Christmas Eve chapter was full of warmth, love, and unity (albeit with some moments of melancholy), the second part was rife with grief, confusion, and sorrow. The scene where

Spoiler

Fanny and Alexander see their mother howling almost like an animal with grief over their father's corpse

left me emotionally shaken. There's real joy in this film, but there's also great pain and despair. None of it is sensationialized or heightened; Bergman keeps a level gaze at the characters and their emotions, and thus leaves the audiences to react how they see fit (which is as it should be).

All in all, I really like what I see so far, and I can't wait to finish up the film when the second disc comes in the mail. I'm not really holding out for a happy ending, but who knows?

[hearthesilence]

Anyone see this??? How does it look compared to that other Blu-Ray disc of the shorter theatrical version?

Fanny And Alexander Japanese Blu-ray out November 26th, the "Original" 5 hour 11 minute version.

[ccfixx]

Anyone see this??? How does it look compared to that other Blu-Ray disc of the shorter theatrical version?

As much as I wish I could comment on the disc, at the current price and exchange rate ($119) I don't think I'll be able to comment anytime soon. Hopefully, someone a bit more helpful will be able to chime in.

[hearthesilence]

Has anyone compared the Swedish Blu-Ray of the theatrical release with the Japanese Blu-Ray of the complete 5-hour version yet?

Man, I really, really wish Criterion would re-do this for Blu-Ray. Never mind the resolution, the color on the Swedish Blu-Ray looks a lot better too, I only wish it was the complete version instead of the shorter theatrical version.

[Jeff]

Blu-ray announced for November.

[Michael]

Smelling salts anyone?

[denti alligator]

Excellent news for my Christmas viewing ritual.

[AALFW]

Any ideas on how the material will be redistributed, going from 5 DVDs to 3 Blu-rays?

[Tom Hagen]

Well considering that one of the DVDs was essentially 30 minutes of Bergman introductions to his films, and that two more were the TV cut (which will probably land on one Blu), it shouldn't be too difficult.

[hearthesilence]

DAMN - makes my question a moot point!