How's Orson Welles doing on DVD?
#1
DVD Talk Special Edition
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2000
Posts: 1,571
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
How's Orson Welles doing on DVD?
So far, Citizen Kane, Touch of Evil, Lady from Shanghai, Othello and MacBeth, Mr. Arkadin and The Trail are out.
There's also a tv series that Orson W. narrated called Around the World with Orson Welles.
What are we likely to see next? Magnicficent Ambersons?
Will we ever see the theatrical release of Touch of Evil on DVD? Or is that not in the studio's interest? After they spent all that money creating a new cut? And the doc about the "restoration"?
Will we ever see F is For Fake? Or Journey into Fear? or Filmming Othello? (which I don't think is even available on VHS.)
There was a great, long (four hour?) interview with Welles. Is that out?
There's also a tv series that Orson W. narrated called Around the World with Orson Welles.
What are we likely to see next? Magnicficent Ambersons?
Will we ever see the theatrical release of Touch of Evil on DVD? Or is that not in the studio's interest? After they spent all that money creating a new cut? And the doc about the "restoration"?
Will we ever see F is For Fake? Or Journey into Fear? or Filmming Othello? (which I don't think is even available on VHS.)
There was a great, long (four hour?) interview with Welles. Is that out?
#4
DVD Talk Legend
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Columbus Ohio
Posts: 315
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
F IS FOR FAKE is rumored (but only rumored at this point) as a possible upcoming Criterion. And AMBERSONS is supposedly in the works from Warner.
CHIMES AT MIDNIGHT is available on a very nice Spanish disc, if you have a multi-region player. The short film oddity HEARTS OF AGE is available on a double-bill with THE STRANGER and THE TRIAL.
I would love to see better versions of MR ARKADIN, THE TRIAL and THE STRANGER; none of the existing discs are adequate. I would also love to see JOURNEY INTO FEAR, MACBETH, IT'S ALL TRUE and the other unreleased Welles films on disc. But what I would like to see and what I'm likely to get are very different things.
At this point I doubt seriously we will ever see the original release cut of TOUCH OF EVIL on DVD, unless perhaps they reissue the current disc as a 2-disc set including both versions. That would be cool -- but I wouldn't hold my breath. Luckily, I have a pristine prerecorded VHS tape of the original theatrical version, which I am hanging onto.
As far as documentary stuff, there's a ton of that material out there, as well. Hopefully some of that will turn up on the AMBERSONS disc, if Warner gives it the same 2-disc deluxe treatment they gave KANE.
CHIMES AT MIDNIGHT is available on a very nice Spanish disc, if you have a multi-region player. The short film oddity HEARTS OF AGE is available on a double-bill with THE STRANGER and THE TRIAL.
I would love to see better versions of MR ARKADIN, THE TRIAL and THE STRANGER; none of the existing discs are adequate. I would also love to see JOURNEY INTO FEAR, MACBETH, IT'S ALL TRUE and the other unreleased Welles films on disc. But what I would like to see and what I'm likely to get are very different things.
At this point I doubt seriously we will ever see the original release cut of TOUCH OF EVIL on DVD, unless perhaps they reissue the current disc as a 2-disc set including both versions. That would be cool -- but I wouldn't hold my breath. Luckily, I have a pristine prerecorded VHS tape of the original theatrical version, which I am hanging onto.
As far as documentary stuff, there's a ton of that material out there, as well. Hopefully some of that will turn up on the AMBERSONS disc, if Warner gives it the same 2-disc deluxe treatment they gave KANE.
#8
Emeritus Reviewer
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 1,062
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally posted by markdclark43016
CHIMES AT MIDNIGHT is available on a very nice Spanish disc, if you have a multi-region player. The short film oddity HEARTS OF AGE is available on a double-bill with THE STRANGER and THE TRIAL.
CHIMES AT MIDNIGHT is available on a very nice Spanish disc, if you have a multi-region player. The short film oddity HEARTS OF AGE is available on a double-bill with THE STRANGER and THE TRIAL.
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Louisville, KY - Home of Ali and HST!
Posts: 846
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes
on
2 Posts
Originally posted by markdclark43016
F IS FOR FAKE is rumored (but only rumored at this point) as a possible upcoming Criterion.
F IS FOR FAKE is rumored (but only rumored at this point) as a possible upcoming Criterion.
And guys, listen, it's "F For Fake", without the "is". Trust me.
#10
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Originally posted by Brain Stew
That's not really an Orson Welles movie, just a movie he starred in.
That's not really an Orson Welles movie, just a movie he starred in.
Last edited by Ginwen; 06-19-03 at 12:08 PM.
#11
DVD Talk Hero
Originally posted by Brain Stew
That's not really an Orson Welles movie, just a movie he starred in.
That's not really an Orson Welles movie, just a movie he starred in.
#12
DVD Talk Special Edition
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2000
Posts: 1,571
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
What is that short film Hearts of Age? Is it a narrative film that he directed?
Does anyone remember the name of that lonnnnggg interview with O.W.? It aired in the US in a truncated form.
Does anyone remember the name of that lonnnnggg interview with O.W.? It aired in the US in a truncated form.
#13
DVD Talk Legend
Originally posted by Kube
What is that short film Hearts of Age? Is it a narrative film that he directed?
What is that short film Hearts of Age? Is it a narrative film that he directed?
#14
DVD Talk Legend
Originally posted by markdclark43016
F IS FOR FAKE is rumored (but only rumored at this point) as a possible upcoming Criterion. And AMBERSONS is supposedly in the works from Warner.
I would love to see better versions of MR ARKADIN, THE TRIAL and THE STRANGER; none of the existing discs are adequate.
F IS FOR FAKE is rumored (but only rumored at this point) as a possible upcoming Criterion. And AMBERSONS is supposedly in the works from Warner.
I would love to see better versions of MR ARKADIN, THE TRIAL and THE STRANGER; none of the existing discs are adequate.
And, have you seen the Image Entertainment edition of The Trial? Or the Roan edition of The Stranger? While neither would win disc-of-the-year awards, I consider both of these to be at least "adequate". Maybe even "good".
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Louisville, KY - Home of Ali and HST!
Posts: 846
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes
on
2 Posts
Originally posted by bboisvert
[B]And, have you seen the Image Entertainment edition of The Trial? Or the Roan edition of The Stranger? While neither would win disc-of-the-year awards, I consider both of these to be at least "adequate". Maybe even "good".
[B]And, have you seen the Image Entertainment edition of The Trial? Or the Roan edition of The Stranger? While neither would win disc-of-the-year awards, I consider both of these to be at least "adequate". Maybe even "good".
#17
Cool New Member
Join Date: Feb 2001
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If you are interested, you should check out www.wellesnet.com. It's a very good site, and updated on a fairly frequent basis. (One of the message boards contains a comprehensive delineation of the multiple versions of Mr. Arkadin, for example.)
Some random thoughts:
Citizen Kane -- In addition to the marvelous R1 version, a special edition is coming out in R2 with some different extras.
Working with Orson Welles and The Dominici Affair are probably for completists only.
F For Fake came out in a very good Japanese edition, although I don't know if it still in print.
And I believe The Immortal Story is coming out in Italy soon, if it isn't already out.
And finally, Welles narrates a documentary on the arty caveman epic, Quest for Fire .
BTW, for those keeping score at home, I believe the canon of completed Orson Welles films includes the following 12:
Citizen Kane
The Magnificent Ambersons
The Stranger
The Lady from Shanghai
Macbeth
Othello
Touch of Evil
The Trial
Mr. Arkadin (Confidential Report)
Chimes at Midnight
The Immortal Story
F For Fake
Some random thoughts:
Citizen Kane -- In addition to the marvelous R1 version, a special edition is coming out in R2 with some different extras.
Working with Orson Welles and The Dominici Affair are probably for completists only.
F For Fake came out in a very good Japanese edition, although I don't know if it still in print.
And I believe The Immortal Story is coming out in Italy soon, if it isn't already out.
And finally, Welles narrates a documentary on the arty caveman epic, Quest for Fire .
BTW, for those keeping score at home, I believe the canon of completed Orson Welles films includes the following 12:
Citizen Kane
The Magnificent Ambersons
The Stranger
The Lady from Shanghai
Macbeth
Othello
Touch of Evil
The Trial
Mr. Arkadin (Confidential Report)
Chimes at Midnight
The Immortal Story
F For Fake
#18
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: on a river in a kayak..where else?
Posts: 4,949
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Originally posted by Ginwen
True, but it's part of the whole Orson Welles mythology/worship thing. Plus, can you imagine an Orson Welles fan NOT owning this movie?
True, but it's part of the whole Orson Welles mythology/worship thing. Plus, can you imagine an Orson Welles fan NOT owning this movie?
#20
DVD Talk Special Edition
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Hollywood
Posts: 1,310
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally posted by markdclark43016
At this point I doubt seriously we will ever see the original release cut of TOUCH OF EVIL on DVD, unless perhaps they reissue the current disc as a 2-disc set including both versions. That would be cool -- but I wouldn't hold my breath. Luckily, I have a pristine prerecorded VHS tape of the original theatrical version, which I am hanging onto.
At this point I doubt seriously we will ever see the original release cut of TOUCH OF EVIL on DVD, unless perhaps they reissue the current disc as a 2-disc set including both versions. That would be cool -- but I wouldn't hold my breath. Luckily, I have a pristine prerecorded VHS tape of the original theatrical version, which I am hanging onto.
#21
DVD Talk Special Edition
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2000
Posts: 1,571
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
That Mancini film does a great job of setting up the movie. I love it and miss not hearing it when I watch Touch of Evil.
But I think the other edits are good ones. For example, the Heston's story and Janet Leigh's story are now more balanced.
I even wished they put the deleted scenes that Welles did NOT shot as an extra. Even though the original cut is not his, it's the way I love the movie. Jonathan Rosenblum makes an interesting case that this new version isn't any more a "director's cut" than the old version.
But I think the other edits are good ones. For example, the Heston's story and Janet Leigh's story are now more balanced.
I even wished they put the deleted scenes that Welles did NOT shot as an extra. Even though the original cut is not his, it's the way I love the movie. Jonathan Rosenblum makes an interesting case that this new version isn't any more a "director's cut" than the old version.
#23
Emeritus Reviewer
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 1,062
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally posted by markdclark43016
You can pick up the R2 CHIMES AT MIDNIGHT (under the title FALSTAFF: CHIMES AT MIDNIGHT) from Luminous Film & Video Wurks and some other import DVD dealers, but it's pricey.
You can pick up the R2 CHIMES AT MIDNIGHT (under the title FALSTAFF: CHIMES AT MIDNIGHT) from Luminous Film & Video Wurks and some other import DVD dealers, but it's pricey.
#24
DVD Talk Special Edition
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2000
Posts: 1,571
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
DDD is also selling something called: THE DOMINICI AFFAIR
DVD Description
When a family on holiday was brutally murdered in the French countryside in 1952, filmmaker Orson Welles was fascinated by it. He made a film studying the slaying of the ten year old girl and her parents for British television. This video presents the entire 26 minute film of the "Dominici Affair," as it was named after the peasant Gaston Dominici who was convicted of the murders, as well as new archival materials and testimony from the journalist who was Welles' assistant
DVD Description
When a family on holiday was brutally murdered in the French countryside in 1952, filmmaker Orson Welles was fascinated by it. He made a film studying the slaying of the ten year old girl and her parents for British television. This video presents the entire 26 minute film of the "Dominici Affair," as it was named after the peasant Gaston Dominici who was convicted of the murders, as well as new archival materials and testimony from the journalist who was Welles' assistant
#25
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Royal Oak, MI
Posts: 722
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
THE DOMINICI AFFAIR was to have been an episode of Welles' Around the World With Orson Welles television show (also on DVD from Image), but it was unfinished. The DVD doesn't present the entire thing, but it does have everything that was finished before production on it stopped. It's interested, but the casual moviegoer probably won't be interested.
As for Welles' DON QUIXOTE, you can see the abhorrent version that uber-hack Jess Franco cobbled together on either of two DVDs, one available in Spain and the other in France. Given Beatrice Welles' penchant for threatening lawsuits against those wanting to release most Welles projects in the US, it's unlikely we'll see it here, even though she owns no rights to it.
The best version of THE TRIAL is a brand new French release from Studio Canal/Universal, which has a much superior picture to the Milestone/Image release, if you can play PAL discs. It also includes a deleted scene.
THE IMMORTAL STORY came out in a nice edition from Italy, which includes the English version, the Italian version, and the French version of the film. Forced Italian subs, but it's the only version of the film available anywhere on disc.
HEARTS OF AGE is a very short silent film Welles made as a gag with some school friends in 1934. It's amusing. Once can look for hints of the future in it if one likes, but I don't ascribe huge importance to it. The presentation of HEARTS on the STRANGER/TRIAL set (which is crap, incidentally) is marred by having Jeffrey Lyons' commentary over it with no way to switch it off, aside from muting the sound.
As for Welles' DON QUIXOTE, you can see the abhorrent version that uber-hack Jess Franco cobbled together on either of two DVDs, one available in Spain and the other in France. Given Beatrice Welles' penchant for threatening lawsuits against those wanting to release most Welles projects in the US, it's unlikely we'll see it here, even though she owns no rights to it.
The best version of THE TRIAL is a brand new French release from Studio Canal/Universal, which has a much superior picture to the Milestone/Image release, if you can play PAL discs. It also includes a deleted scene.
THE IMMORTAL STORY came out in a nice edition from Italy, which includes the English version, the Italian version, and the French version of the film. Forced Italian subs, but it's the only version of the film available anywhere on disc.
HEARTS OF AGE is a very short silent film Welles made as a gag with some school friends in 1934. It's amusing. Once can look for hints of the future in it if one likes, but I don't ascribe huge importance to it. The presentation of HEARTS on the STRANGER/TRIAL set (which is crap, incidentally) is marred by having Jeffrey Lyons' commentary over it with no way to switch it off, aside from muting the sound.