Fanny & Alexander: which version to watch first?
11-18-04, 03:42 PM
#1
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Fanny & Alexander: which version to watch first?
The 5-disc Criterion comes with two versions: 3-hour theatrical and 5-hour television series.
For those who have seen both, which do you recommend be viewed first?
For those who have seen both, which do you recommend be viewed first?
11-19-04, 09:38 AM
#2
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I admit I haven't seen the five hour TV cut, yet (since the DVD arrived in the mail yesterday), but I'd watch the television cut first and then the theatrical cut just to see the differences and process on how a director and editor breakdown a movie and cut away two hours of footage from a film.
11-19-04, 10:38 AM
#3
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You asked this of people who have seen both, so it's completely fitting that the first two answers are from people who haven't seen one, and who disagree with each other. 
I haven't seen the TV version yet, but if a great movie comes in two forms, I think watching the short one first makes for a much more rewarding experience....
I haven't seen the TV version yet, but if a great movie comes in two forms, I think watching the short one first makes for a much more rewarding experience....
11-19-04, 12:19 PM
#4
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as with 'scenes from a marriage', fanny & alexander was made for the long-form miniseries structure. the theatrical cut of both films are interesting, but the longer cut offers more unity between form and content, as well as, more depth of story and richness of character which "makes for a much more rewarding experience..." IMHO.
11-19-04, 03:04 PM
#5
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Originally posted by cygnet74
as with 'scenes from a marriage', fanny & alexander was made for the long-form miniseries structure. the theatrical cut of both films are interesting, but the longer cut offers more unity between form and content, as well as, more depth of story and richness of character which "makes for a much more rewarding experience..." IMHO.
as with 'scenes from a marriage', fanny & alexander was made for the long-form miniseries structure. the theatrical cut of both films are interesting, but the longer cut offers more unity between form and content, as well as, more depth of story and richness of character which "makes for a much more rewarding experience..." IMHO.
11-20-04, 01:01 AM
#7
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Originally posted by adamblast
Right. So do you watch the "much more rewarding experience" before or after the other? That's the question being asked.
Right. So do you watch the "much more rewarding experience" before or after the other? That's the question being asked.
11-20-04, 02:26 AM
#8
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The TV version was what Europe got back in the days and that is how the film was viewed. I remember Bergman was very pleased with it and I would recommend what the European market got.
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11-20-04, 09:00 AM
#9
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I recommend going with the TV version - as it's the directors intended version.
My rule of thumb is to (whenever possible) give the full amount of attention to watching the original version - as it deserves the viewer going in fresh without knowing the plot and spoiling any surprises.
I use the same rule with originals and remakes.
Always watch the original first and (if at all) the remake second.
I have the Criterion 5-disc release, and I've seen the 5-hour TV version in the past - and I'm not in a rush to watch the theatrical version. Criterion should've released the TV version on it's own.
My rule of thumb is to (whenever possible) give the full amount of attention to watching the original version - as it deserves the viewer going in fresh without knowing the plot and spoiling any surprises.
I use the same rule with originals and remakes.
Always watch the original first and (if at all) the remake second.
I have the Criterion 5-disc release, and I've seen the 5-hour TV version in the past - and I'm not in a rush to watch the theatrical version. Criterion should've released the TV version on it's own.
