MoC Forthcoming, Wishlist, and Random Speculation

[denti alligator]

F FOR FAKE

For real?
Why this Welles, when the Criterion edition is just about perfect?

[Gordon]

There are plenty of UK Welles fans who will buy this. Not everyone is a DVD importer. However, I would have prefered to have seen Chimes at Midnight, providing, of course, that the rights are obtainable.

[kazantzakis]

But seriously, there are plenty of UK Welles fans who will buy this. Not everyone is a DVD importer. However, I would have prefered to have seen Chimes at Midnight, providing, of course, that the rights are obtainable.

I agree, I too would have preferred something that's not out already. I am sure MOC have their reasons though.

[HerrSchreck]

Any chance you could now reveal what Murnau titles will occupy spines #23 and #25 (since you say FAUST will move to #24). Surely if these spines have been saved for Murnau, these have been definitely decided, or?

I would say it's a safe bet to assume PHANTOM is one of them... contact @ Flicker Alley informed me back in nov. 05 of "elements which became suddenly available" just prior to their orignally-planned release date (fall '05) which pushed the release into late next month, elements that sounded very clearlly like a non-Flicker entity is in the process of preparing material for the film... and since the sources are all-European (see the Flicker Alley page for the release for the participating organizations/licensees), I have little doubt there'll be a German, MoC, and Flicker release of the film in one year. I know the Flicker release will be progressive (they WILL be pre-converting to NTSC).

My guess for the second one is either TABU or NOSFERATU. Aside from the little-known Transit-Films DVDs of most of the German silents we discuss here (whose masters, licensed from FWMS serve as the masters for most home vid editions we enjoy), PAL has no definitive edition of the "official" FWMS restoration of NOSFERATU-- the one used by Kino (unpreconverted) for their DVD edition. And Milestone's/ UCLA Film/TV Archive TABU restoration (and telecine/authoring) did little justice to the beauty of the film as well as the quality of the existing elements. There's also a shitload of extant material/outtakes, as well as a huge backstory concerning the Flaherty situation, that could make for one hell of a special 2-discer on this most beautiful & unique (and saddest) of all films.

[tryavna]

And Milestone's/ UCLA Film/TV Archive TABU restoration (and telecine/authoring) did little justice to the beauty of the film as well as the quality of the existing elements. There's also a shitload of extant material/outtakes, as well as a huge backstory concerning the Flaherty situation, that could make for one hell of a special 2-discer on this most beautiful & unique (and saddest) of all films.

I seem to have become something of an apologist for Milestone on this board, so take my words with a grain of salt. But I really think you've either exaggerated the weakness of their release of Tabu or overlooked its qualities. Their release does indeed contain a "shitload" of extras, including those outtakes you mention as well as commentaries by Janet Bergstrom for the film and all the extras. Those commentaries cover much of the backstory about Flaherty and Murnau.

Now, it's entirely possible that Tabu deserves a 2-disc treatment. And I definitely think that the transfer could be improved -- the cropping is pretty bad on this one. But it's not an egregious release by any means.

[HerrSchreck]

And Milestone's/ UCLA Film/TV Archive TABU restoration (and telecine/authoring) did little justice to the beauty of the film as well as the quality of the existing elements. There's also a shitload of extant material/outtakes, as well as a huge backstory concerning the Flaherty situation, that could make for one hell of a special 2-discer on this most beautiful & unique (and saddest) of all films.

I seem to have become something of an apologist for Milestone on this board, so take my words with a grain of salt. But I really think you've either exaggerated the weakness of their release of Tabu or overlooked its qualities. Their release does indeed contain a "shitload" of extras, including those outtakes you mention as well as commentaries by Janet Bergstrom for the film and all the extras. Those commentaries cover much of the backstory about Flaherty and Murnau.

Now, it's entirely possible that Tabu deserves a 2-disc treatment. And I definitely think that the transfer could be improved -- the cropping is pretty bad on this one. But it's not an egregious release by any means.

I've owned it since it hit the market. For it's time it was a wonderful release. It has since become outdated. For a casual fan who knows or cares little about Murnau or the film, the wealth of additional material out there may be of lesser interest. But there are hours & hours of out-takes, on set footage, the transfer can be made to "sparkle", and additional points of view concerning the making and significance of this most unique & magnificent film would be welcome beyond that of one professor's commentary (and I want to say I think Bergstrom's commentary on this and 4-DEVILS Traces of a Lost Film are well-done).

I never said Milestone produced an egregious release. I said a lot more can be done with the film itself as well as study & appreciation for the film by revisiting the title, and bringing the image up to speed with the hi-def revisitations being done today. Few silents have been as well-preserved (considering it's visual beauty & virtually pristine state it's a sin the transfer is so dull & flat & the gate hemmed in the OAR) or have this much (also well-preserved) extant materials. And it's all sitting right there in LA. If LAST LAUGH, NOSFERATU, FAUST, SUNRISE, TARTUFFE are enjoying multiple editions around the globe, all providing various newly-produced features/scholarship, as well as ever-improved transfers, certainly this most beautiful of films deserves it as well.

You can never never never never never never never never never never never never do too much for Murnau. It's not a slap at Milestone (I've worn their dvd into onion paper)-- it's a bow of supplication to Murnau.

[tryavna]

Understood.

[denti alligator]

As for F for Fake: if the full-length trailor is any better looking than on the CC set, and with that Jonathan Rosenbaum interview, it sure (would) look(s) tempting. Can you divulge any more about the release?

As for Murnau: My preference would be for Nosferatu and Phantom, though Tabu (especially a 2-DVD set as Herr Schreck describes) would be very nice indeed! I'm assuming Der letzte Mann will be coming later in the year or maybe 2007 after stock of the old Eureka dry up.

With these films in the MoC collection, they'd only be one box set of lesser-known Murnaus (Der Gang in die Nacht, Schloss Vogeloed, Der brennende Acker, Die Finanzen des Grossherzogs, City Girl) away from a complete extant Murnau collection.

[Gregory]

Barring the possibility of a lesser-known Murau set, my pick from those would be a special edition of City Girl. It's sad that it hasn't been seen more. I suppose its troubled production history and the fact that it wasn't found until 1970 hurt the film's reputation. An excellent DVD would be essential in elevating its status.

[htdm]

Adding my voice to Greg and Denti, I would also really like to see City Girl on DVD. The silent and sound versions together would make a lovely 2-Disc DVD. I remember seeing both at a screening at Melnitz years ago and although I found the silent to be vastly superior, watching them back to back was a revelation.

[HerrSchreck]

[PAL has no definitive edition of the "official" FWMS restoration of NOSFERATU-- the one used by Kino (unpreconverted) for their DVD edition. .

CORRECTION TO MYSELF**

The BFI has an edition of the FWMS restoration used in the Kino, and that two-discer version (may be Eureka) floating around Europe I think uses the same tinted neg.

[a7m4]

Adding my voice to Greg and Denti, I would also really like to see City Girl on DVD. The silent and sound versions together would make a lovely 2-Disc DVD. I remember seeing both at a screening at Melnitz years ago and although I found the silent to be vastly superior, watching them back to back was a revelation.

Despite the fact that I saw City Girl on a hazy unofficial VHS tape some of the shots will stick in my mind forever. The quick tracking shot with Charles Farrell and Mary Duncan running through the wheat fields is one of the most memorable and moving shots I've ever seen. Just thinking about it makes me wish it was available on DVD. I also agree that a 2 disc set would be great...I'm really interested in checking out the sound version.

[Rufus T. Firefly]

City Girl is available on DVD-R, from grey-market company Grapevine Video in the US. I have not seen the disc so I can't comment on the quality, but I imagine based on their other releases it isn't great.

[htdm]

Despite the fact that I saw City Girl on a hazy unofficial VHS tape some of the shots will stick in my mind forever. The quick tracking shot with Charles Farrell and Mary Duncan running through the wheat fields is one of the most memorable and moving shots I've ever seen. Just thinking about it makes me wish it was available on DVD. I also agree that a 2 disc set would be great...I'm really interested in checking out the sound version.

The wheatfield scene is what always comes to mind whenever I remember this film - it really is haunting, isn't it? Also striking is the documentary-like feel of the diner where they meet.

Just a word on the Grapevine edition. Having seen many of the same dupey VHSs as a7m4, I was prepared for the worst but pleasantly surprised by Grapevine's DVD-R. Of course, they didn't do any restoration, but thankfully the condition of the print used wasn't that bad and it seems that their transfers are getting better. Their version of Beggars of Life, however is another matter entirely.

[nyasa]

Crazy Family (Sogo Ishii, 1985)
I saw it in an out-of-the-way cinema in London when it came out and have never forgotten it. An incredible film. Sort of like a skewed, avant-garde version of Tokyo Story. Despite the fact that it found a enthusiastic audience in the West during its theatrical run, I don't think it's ever been released on video or DVD with English subtitles.
More info about the film at: http://www.thegline.com/dvd-of-the-week ... 0-2002.htm

[shirobamba]

Crazy Family (Sogo Ishii, 1985)
I saw it in an out-of-the-way cinema in London when it came out and have never forgotten it. An incredible film. Sort of like a skewed, avant-garde version of Tokyo Story. Despite the fact that it found a enthusiastic audience in the West during its theatrical run, I don't think it's ever been released on video or DVD with English subtitles.
More info about the film at: http://www.thegline.com/dvd-of-the-week ... 0-2002.htm

I second that recommendation wholeheartedly! It's a shame that Ishii's best isn't on DVD anywhere in the world.
Thanks to some German fans, at least there's a dubbed TV capture circulating. But that's a poor placeholder for the real thing.

[der_Artur]

Argh, I always wondered how doubleposts can happen... Now I know. It's embarrassing.

[der_Artur]

For the 16th of march there is a german release announced (via AFN). Without english subs of course, but since it is based on a new master I'm sure some other releases are about to come.

[Lino]

So now that we already know what #30 will be, how about telling us what #24 and #25 will be, Nick? Pretty please? With caramel on top?

[denti alligator]

So now that we already know what #30 will be, how about telling us what #24 and #25 will be, Nick? Pretty please? With caramel on top?

You mean #23 and #25. The two other Murnaus, we've been told.
Yes, Nick, pllleeeeaase!

[Lino]

No, 23 is Faust. Nick said that the website had a mistake and never corrected it afterwards (who can blame him with all the work he is putting up with?).

But please do find yourself some time to tell us what the 2 Murnaus will be, ok Nick?

[peerpee]

No, #24 is FAUST. Nick did correct it! #23 and #25 are currently unfinalized but both earmarked as Murnau releases.

[Lino]

But the spine number on the cover says #23, I think. Well, I will correct it on the according thread.

[peerpee]

No - Nick corrected it a while back. Just go and have a look, Annie!

[Lino]

Ok, then. I will also edit the image on the first post of the Faust thread. Thanks. And stop talking as if you weren't Nick, ok? It creeps me out!