Giuseppe Tornatore

[Michael]

I have a question about Malena. I've seen the Miramax version and loved it for its jawdroppingly beauty in every department, including Monica Bellucci of course. Of all the Tornatore films, Malena stuns me the most. For those of you who have seen the Italian version.. the longer version that is, how is it? I don't want to repeat the same mistake that I made with Cinema Paradiso. The so-called director's cut version is impossibly boring and lacks the magic that gives so much life to the edited version. I'm eager to hear from those who disagree with me.

It's been years since I saw The Star Maker. I remember it being very bitter and sobering - bleached off any of the charm that makes up his previous works. But those Sicilians' profiles framed through the empty camera lens were executed and directed so poetically that they continue to haunt me to this day. I need to check the film out again.

Everybody's Fine is lovely - mainly for the legendary Marcello's presence. How he narrates the story of his life, his children, his wife, etc directly to you, like a grandpa. Simply beautiful. Is it available on DVD anywhere?

Back to Malena, should I get the Miramax DVD or the Korean DVD which features the Italian version? What is missing in the Miramax version? Are both versions drastically different like Cinema Paradiso?

Is Giuseppe Tornatore the only great or at least, decent filmmaker working in Italy today? I can't remember the last time I saw a great new Italian film. Malena was probably the last one I could think of.

[Dylan]

I have both versions, the one I always go back to is the Miramax version (which for me is perfection) and I've only seen the extended once.

As far as the original cut, all of the additional material seems unnecessary to me (the extra material mainly consisting of more dream/fantasy sequences, some involving nudity which is why it gets the buzz, but for me all of these scenes caused the film to meander in repitition). Just like in the case of the longer "Cinema Paradiso," I completely understand why these scenes were edited out, and I don't think it matters. The DVD quality on the R1 is also quite excellent compared to a rather muddy-looking R0 for the complete version.

To get things even more confusing, the Italian cut of "Leggenda del pianista sull oceano" is almost an hour longer than the Fine Line Features cut. I saw the US release first, and I liked it, but it all seemed strangely rushed despite the grueling perfection in in interms of its production. After doing research, I found out that Tornatore cut an hour out for the US release. A couple of years ago I posted here about the differences, and raved about this undiscovered Italian cut (including the deleted scenes/shots/lines that are essential for the film).

"The Star Maker" is very good until the scene in the mental institution, which just doesn't ring true to me (though the ending itself with the driving and flashbacks is quite beautiful). I tried to find out if there were more scenes in the Italian cut that focused more on

SpoilerShow

the mentality of the girl

but came through with nothing.

As for the question, "Is Tornatore the greatest living Italian filmmaker?" Probably not, but his films do have an awful lot going for them.

[Cinesimilitude]

Korean disc has more skin, thats for sure, as for alternate scenes or editing, I can't remember watching for that when I compared the two.

PS. Where is the italian "Legend of 1900" dvd available? I'd really like to see it.

[on connait...]

PS. Where is the italian "Legend of 1900" dvd available? I'd really like to see it.

Here

[Michael]

To get things even more confusing, the Italian cut of "Leggenda del pianista sull oceano" is almost an hour longer than the Fine Line Features cut, and is one of the greatest films ever made.

This is the only Tornatore film that I haven't seen yet. So is the Italian cut spoken (or dubbed?) in the Italian language and comes with the English subtitles? I'm thinking about ordering the Italian DVD. IMDB shows that the film is in two languages - English and French. Can you please confirm?

About Malena, I will go with the Miramax verson. From what I remember seeing it some years ago, the only thing I didn't like about it was the sickeningly vicious attack on Malena which went on too long.

[Cinesimilitude]

Legend of 1900 is almost entirely in English, so I would assume the Italian is a dub, but I would also assume since Tornatore is Italian, the dub is probably very very good, as for French, there might be a line or two thrown in, IMDB somehow sees that as reason enough to call it a language of the film.

Thanks for the DVD link, I noticed that DVD.it has another Tornatore directed film for sale, starring Gerard Depardieu and Roman Polanski, but it appears that it is only available in Italian.

[dx23]

For those of you who have seen the Italian version.. the longer version that is, how is it? I don't want to repeat the same mistake that I made with Cinema Paradiso. The so-called director's cut version is impossibly boring and lacks the magic that gives so much life to the edited version. I'm eager to hear from those who disagree with me.

The Italian version is the original cut of the film and it has 12-17 minutes of Malena nude (including some semi-full frontal scenes) and othe scenes where Renato daydreams some sexual fantasies with Malena. The scenes actually have no sex at all and is based only on Malena standing in front of Renato completely nude. Some prudes at Miramax said that this could be considered child porn and took out those 12-17 minutes out of their DVD and VHS releases, but the original version is the 109 minutes one.

I prefer the uncut version because it is what the director wanted us too see, it further develops the story about Renato's feelings for Malena and because, as an heterosexual male, I don't mind staring at one of the world's most beautiful woman nude on film. Even though the R1 dvd has the best transfer, my girlfriend and I keep revisiting the Korean 2 disc version. It one of our favorite films and we have seen it over 12 times already.

As for Cinema Paradiso, I think that the longer cut was unnecesary, the same way the Exorcist didn't need "the version we've never seen" edition. I just think that both of this films were looking for an excuse to be re-released in theaters and provided longer and different cut to entice fans and newcomers to see the film. At least I'm glad that Miramax decided to relese both cuts on the same disc.

[Dylan]

Well, it's not that I don't like seeing Monica Bellucci nude, it's just that the uncut version of "Malena" seems repetitive to me (and I adore the film), but it's interesting to read how others would prefer it.

The wonderful Italian cut of "Legend of 1900" can be purchased here. It includes full English audio (which is absolutely essential because of Tim Roth's wonderful voice, and because most of the characters in the story are speaking English), so you don't have to worry about watching it dubbed. I hope more can see it and spread the word, it'd be very nice if this film were more well known (sans botched version).

[Gordon]

I just ordered the Italian editions of Legend of 1900 and Malena. This will be the first time that I have seen these films and it has been a long time since I saw Cinema Paradiso. BTW, which DVD edition of that film is the best?

DVD-Basen was down earlier today, so I couldn't search for reviews. I just looked at the DVD Beaver comparison (Australian vs. Buena Vista vs. HBO) and the Buena Vista looks good. But a 4-disc edition is being released in the UK in April: www.play.com....

The UK already has a 2-disc containing both versions. One of thise 'discs' could of course be of the fabulous score, but hopefully, the other disc will be of copious extras.

One would have thought that the 160-minute version of The Legend of 1900 would have been released by now in the USA or UK. I am greatly looking forward to seeing this film - Malena, also.

[Dylan]

First news on Giuseppe Tornatore's long awaited return to film, "La Sconosciuta," due for release by the end of the year.

From Tandem News:

People will probably call it a noir." It's Giuseppe Tornatore's new film La sconosciuta ("The Unknown Woman"), a complex plot of feelings and mystery. The Italian director does not want to add anything else about his latest work, slated for theatrical release in September 2006, but he lets something slip. While wrapping up shooting in Trieste, he confesses having a new goal in mind, an epic 'Siege of Leningrad' which he's been working at for five years now and where Nicole Kidman should star.

Tornatore presented La sconosciuta during a press conference in Trieste, where the movie has been shot.

The conference was held in December by director Tornatore, main actress Xenia Rappoport, Regional minister for culture Roberto Antonaz, Trieste mayor Roberto Dipiazza and Federico Poillucci, chair of the FVG Film Commission. Five years after Malena, the Sicilian-born director - who's won an Oscar for his Cinema Paradiso - returned to the set for La sconosciuta, choosing the Friulian capital after surveying many northern Italian locations.

"Choosing the shooting venue is among the most mysterious things about each movie. I had never been to Trieste before, and I had already seen five or six other towns, but I couldn't find the atmosphere I was looking for. I don't know why, but as soon as I arrived here I understood that this was the right 'place' for my film. There was magic, mystery, the poignant air that this story required. To say nothing of the peculiar light of this city, a light unlike any other I had seen. Often, when the shooting for the day was over, I discussed this light with my director of photography."

The film cast is very rich: alongside Russian actress Xenia Rappoport, protagonist of the story, the line-up includes Michele Placido, Margherita Buy, Claudia Gerini, Pierfrancesco Favino, Alessandro Haber and Piera Degli Esposti. Tornatore motivated his choice of Rappoport for the main role saying, "I was looking for someone unknown, and I held many selections. Xenia is an expert actress, well known in Russia where she works in theatre. She is a fresh face here, not famous, although I sure hope she will gain fame. Her role is truly demanding, multifaceted. Let's also mention that while other actors alternate on the scene, she's always there."

Asked whether La sconosciuta is a noir, as foretold in the media, Tornatore clarified, "There are feelings and there is mystery, although there's no detective. So, calling it a noir is not totally correct, although, very likely, this is how it will be labelled. " Tornatore wrote the script and the musical score will once again be written by Ennio Morricone. La sconosciuta is produced by Medusa and Miramax Films, will cost €8 million and will be in theatres in the autumn of 2006.

Sounds great.

Great to see new pics of Giuseppe though, and it's wonderful that he's jumping right on "Leningrad" after this. Ennio Morricone (who is pushing 80 and still turning in more than a half dozen scores a year) has apparently already recorded the score for "Woman" and has already written themes for "Leningrad" as well (I can just see Giuseppe sitting down with Nicole Kidman with a tape of Morricone on the piano, saying to her, "This is your teme."). I really can't wait to see this.

Much to my surprise, there's almost a floodgate to report about this film now. It opened in Italy on October 20th, and has also played at various film festivals around the world.



Deborah Young's Variety review

Trailer (Italian)

The question on my mind after reading all of this: Tornatore is known for his elaborately lovely ideas, so what happens when he mutates that sensibility of his into something exciting or harrowing? Although I could be wrong, I'm guessing he has something very interesting and sensational cooked up in this story, 'probable' or not. I'm looking very forward to this.

[Gigi M.]

Great news. One of my all time favorites.

Cinema Paradiso: Collector's Edition

The Weinstein Company and Genius Entertainment will release the beloved Cinema Paradiso: Collector's Edition on November 7th. The new two-disc set arrives with both the domestic and extended cuts of the film presented in 1.66:1 anamorphic widescreen, Italian Dolby Digital 5.1 and with English subtitles. Bonus materials will include an audio commentary with Italian film expert Millicent Marcus and director Giuseppe Tornatore, "Love In The Time Of Cinema: Celebrating A Classic" documentary and the Cinema Paradiso-themed episode of Food Network's "Easy Entertaining With Michael Chiarello." Retail is $24.99.

Also available is the Cinema Paradiso: Limited Collector's Edition boxed set which will add composer Ennio Morricone's soundtrack CD, Cinema Paradiso-inspired recipes from Food Network chefs, collectible lobby cards and theatrical one sheet reproductions. Retail for this will be $39.99.

Amazon's pre-order

[What A Disgrace]

Sure, I'll bite. It'll only be a few dollars more than the not-so-special edition of It's A Wonderful Life.

[Cinesimilitude]

Weinsteins retained the rights! woohoo! Im waiting for the HD-DVD.

[Gregor Samsa]

On the upshot, at least it isn't the world's most padded-out four disc set, as with the recent R4 re-release. That one had;

Cinema Paradiso: Collector's Edition

Disc One: Director's Cut (170 minutes)
Disc Two: Theatrical Cut (120 minutes)
Scenes from the Director's Cut (50 minutes)
Disc Three: Doco (52 minutes)
Disc Four: Soundtrack.

[dx23]

Cover art here for both editions.

Genius Products will be releasing a standard and special edition of Giuseppe Tornatore's Cinema Paradiso on 7th November 2006. We only have basic details at the moment but can confirm that the release will feature both the PG rated 121 minutes 'domestic' version and a R rated 174 minutes 'international' version. The audio tracks will support English and French, subtitles will be in English and Spanish, with closed captions supported.

[Gigi M.]

It looks they drop the ball with this one.

The Video:

Both the theatrical and director's cuts of Cinema Paradiso are presented with 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen transfers — the theatrical cut suffers from lots of flecks, some minor, fleeting print damage, some grain and even a little softness but the image smoothes out somewhat as the film progresses. By contrast, the nearly three-hour director's cut looks much sharper and cleaner, with many of the annoying flecks and much of the grain from the theatrical cut cleaned up. It's a shame that for this latest edition a little more care couldn't be afforded the beloved theatrical cut.

Wasn't 1.66 the OAR?

[Michael]

I picked up the Collector's Edition. Nothing about it is spectacular. If you already own the 2-disc set of Cinema Paradiso that Miramax released some years ago (the one containing both versions), I don't see any reason for double dipping this one unless you want the pretty box to hold the discs and Michael Chiarello's recipes (even though they are easily available on the Food Network website). There are also two documentaries which I haven't seen yet. The transfer looks exactly the same as the previous DVD release and that disappoints me the most because I was hoping for a sparkling clean transfer.

Cinema Paradiso will always have a special place in my heart. I saw it with my grandpa shortly before he died and I was 19 years old. All his life he was a very emotionally reserved man even though he didn't have any problem showing his temper! Alone with him watching Cinema Paradiso, he wept openly with me for the first and only time in my life. The film brought him back to his childhood in Mondello, Sicily and it really hit every chord in his heart. So I will always treasure this film for that very reason. I really miss him a lot.

[Antoine Doinel]

Too bad the SE isn't worth picking up, but thanks for sharing your story. It just goes to show that for all the pristine transfers in the world sometimes a great story and a great memory is even more resonant.

[Cinesimilitude]

The last 5 minutes of this movie are the best last 5 minutes of any movie. I can cry just thinking about it. It touches everyone who's ever gone to the movies and seen a love story, and Ennio Morricone's score is supernatural.

[Gigi M.]

The last 5 minutes of this movie are the best last 5 minutes of any movie. I can cry just thinking about it. It touches everyone who's ever gone to the movies and seen a love story, and Ennio Morricone's score is supernatural.

That's correct. Which version do you prefer most? I hated the director's cut when I saw it a few years ago. It totally changed the whole idea of the picture for me.

[Michael]

I just finished watching the two documentaries. Both are very short. Exploring a Timeless Classic shows a number of fans, including the Rolling Stones critic Peter Travers, explaining why Cinema Paradiso is such a classic and also the director Tornature briefly describing his experience with the audiences' and critics' reactions to the film when it first came out. Little Italy Love Story chronicles a love story of a couple who met at the outdoor screening of Cinema Paradiso in Baltimore's Little Italy. Sweet.

Ennio Morricone's score is supernatural.

Absolutely among the best scores ever conceived for cinema.

Which version do you prefer most?

The theatrical version of course.

[Cinesimilitude]

I've been wanting to go to Sicily all my life especially after hearing hundreds of stories from my grandpa and his relatives in Brooklyn. I'm working on taking next summer off from work so I can backpack throughout Italy/Sicily and some of Europe, especially Spain (and maybe Portugal if only Lino invites me ).

Care for a companion? I was planning on doing the same thing. I'm so glad, but not surprised, that you guys prefer the theatrical cut. the extended version does nothing but prolong the ending while destroying the pivotal character which makes the ending so perfect.

[Michael]

For those of you who are curious about the Food Network recipes that accompany the discs:

- Grilled Pizza with Ricotta and Pesto
- Brown Butter, Rosemary and Lemon Popcorn
- Raisin-oni (Chocolate Raisin Clusters)
- Watermelon Flavored Syrup for Soft Drinks
- Mango Flavored Syrup for Soft Drinks
- Citrus Syrup for Soft Drinks
- Bowties with Cauliflower, Olives and Lemon
- Sole Gratin with Tomatoes, Capers & Olives

Not sure about the popcorn with rosemary and lemon. My mom used to sprinkle some grated Locatelli Romano cheese over her popcorn. The seltzer flavored with syrups are what we call "Italian soda" here.

Care for a companion? I was planning on doing the same thing. I'm so glad, but not surprised, that you guys prefer the theatrical cut. the extended version does nothing but prolong the ending while destroying the pivotal chracter which makes the ending so perfect.

Why not? As long as you don't mind staying at hostels, farmhouses, convents, etc.

The only excuse for the extended version is: more of Marco Leonardi can't be too bad.

[Dylan]

I just watched this, and while very well-made, it's easy to see why it hasn't received wide distribution. It's certainly my least favorite of the Tornatore films I've seen (which is everything except "A Pure Formality" and "The Professor"). It does have a wonderful score, good cinematography/acting, and a few effectively brutal and intense scenes.

This quote from the above posted review really sums it up:

...the film has major problems blending the strong social theme of exploitation and white slavery with Tornatore's noirish screenplay, full of holes...

After a seven year long wait, it's a big disappointment.

[rohmerin]

En espera de una nominación al Oscar, Tornatore filma en su Sicilia natal

ANSA