Dissent & Disruption: Alan Clarke at the BBC

[MichaelB]

I saw the two versions of Scum in reverse chronological order, so I don't know what it's like watching the 1977 one first - although I do vividly recall being shocked by how much younger the characters obviously were in a way that might not have resonated quite so much if I hadn't seen the remake.

To be honest, I don't think there's a correct answer to this - in Britain, most people of my age would have seen the remake first if only because it had a twelve-year head start in terms of availability. And they're not so radically different that watching one first will taint the other later - this isn't an equivalent of George Sluizer's experience on The Vanishing, for instance.

[dda1996a]

I just remember you saying how much you prefer the original.. So basically I'm fine to watch the 79 version now and then the original once I get the box? I mean in terms of them being rather similar except the age and some characters so it won't make it an almost rewatch
And do you know about Billy the Kid? It's the only one I have trouble finding except buying the dvd

[MichaelB]

I have no prejudices against the DVD format, so that's what I went for.

[dda1996a]

Me neither I buy secondrun DVDs but since I spent a load of money on Clarke, Edvard munch, nikkatsu diamond guys and man with a movie camera on all Blu I'm a little low on cash and I didn't really hear great things about it

[zedz]

I'd leave Billy the Kid until after processing the big set. It's a bit of an outlier in Clarke's career and I find it most interesting as an indicator of just how diverse he was as a filmmaker.

[dda1996a]

I'll take your word it's just that loving MiB I just can't wait and want to see whatever isn't in the box

[AidanKing]

Possibly a bit late as a suggestion of what else you might like if you like Alan Clarke but how about the Dardennes? All their films have the same interest in social realism and the condition of the disadvantaged, but there's also the formal similarities, with the camera following characters rapidly on the move, most obviously in Rosetta. Two Days, One Night has a similar structure of repetitive action as Christine. The Child has a similar sense as The Firm of the damage self-centred blokes can have on the women and children in their families. Lorna in The Silence of Lorna strikes me as remarkably similar to a Clarke heroine. Also, the Dardennes are as great as Clarke so obviously worth watching.

The similarities between Clarke and Jancso outlined earlier are fascinating and pretty convincing, I think. This is one of the things that's been good about this thread, getting a sense of where an underseen British director fits into the wider frame of world cinema.

I just realised comparing Baal to Caravaggio earlier was a bit obvious, given the Brechtian elements of the Jarman film. Sorry.

Out of interest, which is the Solzhenitsyn adaptation?

As well as Alan Clarke of the Hollies, there's also Allan Clarke of the notorious 1970s Leeds United. Some of his fans would have fitted in well with The Firm. So would some of his team.

[MaxCastle]

Out of interest, which is the Solzhenitsyn adaptation?

The Love Girl and the Innocent

[dda1996a]

I don't think it's apt to compare them to Clarke. The tracking camera has been done by quite a lot and for me at least Clarke is ten times better than them even though I enjoyed some of their films. The difference is for me even when he has horrid characters like Trevor they are still interesting and while not per second but quite likable. Rosetta is incredibly annoying as a character and the boy from The Child and Rosetta both make the stupidest decisions ever.
Anyhow just finished Rita and Sue and what a brilliant film. I think directors like alejandro inanity should learn how to truly use a steadycam and not just make complex but hollow long takes for the sake of it.
Anyhow I loved the film and I'll try the Arbor and scum next. Clarke might just be one of my favorites if he keeps going on like this

[peerpee]

Added 8x Blu grabs from BUKOVSKY (small cameo by Roger Lloyd-Pack).

[Thornycroft]

Hey peerpee, you didn't happen to do any design work on the boxset did you? Based on the packaging pics you posted, the design of the disc cases looks very similar to the quad posters you mocked up back in 2012.

[dda1996a]

Is there any chance you can upload pictures of each individual case?

[MichaelB]

The Digital Fix continues its series of reviews of each individual disc by covering the one containing George's Room, The Last Train Through Harecastle Tunnel and Sovereign's Company.

[peerpee]

Hey peerpee, you didn't happen to do any design work on the boxset did you? Based on the packaging pics you posted, the design of the disc cases looks very similar to the quad posters you mocked up back in 2012.

Yes, I did the entire package design for the three box sets (slipcases, books, sleeves, onbodies, bellybands), quite a bit of subtitling work, the Alan Clarke at The Questors Theatre image gallery, and wrote two essays in the book. An intense and deeply rewarding 5 months, still pinching myself.

Is there any chance you can upload pictures of each individual case?

There's a graphical explosion of the packaging here (second pic down).

[Big Ben]

Well I love the design for the box set and everything in it. Please continue to pinch yourself for a job well done!

[peerpee]

Thank you! I've seen one comment in a forum from someone who HATED the design, but I think it comes into its own in the flesh. The different coloured sets (red, green, and blue) mirror the RGB colour scheme of television (as all the work contained in the box sets was made for television), and the big blue box, as well as being Blu-ray, is also a nod to Clarkey's beloved Everton.

[tenia]

If this is not the best release of 2016, I can't even imagine the size of what could beat this.

[What A Disgrace]

The entirety of the Art Theatre Guild's productions between 1968 - 1974 would be about thirteen discs, right? Make it happen, somebody.

[Thornycroft]

Hey peerpee, you didn't happen to do any design work on the boxset did you? Based on the packaging pics you posted, the design of the disc cases looks very similar to the quad posters you mocked up back in 2012.

Yes, I did the entire package design for the three box sets (slipcases, books, sleeves, onbodies, bellybands), quite a bit of subtitling work, the Alan Clarke at The Questors Theatre image gallery, and wrote two essays in the book. An intense and deeply rewarding 5 months, still pinching myself.

The design looks great, I can't wait to see it up close. It certainly looks fitting based on the Clarke that I've seen - clean, focused, striking. Given your vocal enthusiasm for a revival of Clarke's work I'm glad you had a chance to work on the project.

[Big Ben]

Does anyone know just how limited BFI sets usually are? I feel comfortable in my preorder but I figured it might be good information for people to know if they're on the fence.

[Big Ben]

I just received word that my shipment will be here next week instead of the week of the 20th. Anyone have any info as to why? Not that I'm complaining!

[peerpee]

Cos they were all done and sat there waiting to go! Amazon have brought the release date forward to the 13th and there are reports that HMV are shipping already!

(To answer your previous question: the BFI haven't publicly announced how limited the Blu-ray box set is, although I believe a figure was mentioned at a BFI Southbank introduction, but no-one online has been able to remember/agree exactly what that figure was.)

[tenia]

I confirm : I received an email stating this has been pushed forward, and it now shows a May 13th release date.

[domino harvey]

I hope Alan Clarke's gym has wi-fi so he gets the message

[Big Ben]

Cos they were all done and sat there waiting to go! Amazon have brought the release date forward to the 13th and there are reports that HMV are shipping already!

(To answer your previous question: the BFI haven't publicly announced how limited the Blu-ray box set is, although I believe a figure was mentioned at a BFI Southbank introduction, but no-one online has been able to remember/agree exactly what that figure was.)

Okay thanks for everything! I'll now be getting this the same day as the MoC Edvard Munch. So exciting!

I hope Alan Clarke's gym has wi-fi so he gets the message

Part of me hopes that he cancelled his preorder and misses out on the box set. That way he'll remain Alan Clarke's biggest fan forever. \:D/