David, I had no idea you were such a fan of Contraband! It doesn't seem to get much love around here, but I find it a wonderfully engaging, almost compulsively watchable film. P&P are obviously working within the British-era Hitchcock mold, but they perversely -- and delightfully -- frustrate our expectations throughout. Perhaps their best decision in Contraband is not to reveal that it's actually a spy thriller until about 40 minutes in!davidhare wrote:This May be (with Blimp, Narcissus, Contraband) Powell's best movie,... even if Red Shoes is THE MASTERPIECE.
341 A Canterbury Tale
- tryavna
- Joined: Wed Mar 30, 2005 4:38 pm
- Location: North Carolina
- kappoka
- Joined: Wed Mar 09, 2005 8:44 pm
- Location: NY NY
Apparently it be official:
A CANTERBURY TALE
Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger's beloved classic A Canterbury Tale is a profoundly personal journey to Powell's bucolic birthplace of Kent, England. Set amidst the tumult of the Second World War, the film follows three modern-day incarnations of Chaucer's pilgrims—a melancholy “landgirl,â€
A CANTERBURY TALE
Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger's beloved classic A Canterbury Tale is a profoundly personal journey to Powell's bucolic birthplace of Kent, England. Set amidst the tumult of the Second World War, the film follows three modern-day incarnations of Chaucer's pilgrims—a melancholy “landgirl,â€
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- Joined: Tue Nov 02, 2004 2:27 pm
- Location: London, UK
Wow. Listen to Britain is magical, just as wonderful as A Canterbury Tale. I just hope they've afforded it a new transfer - the UK disc is pretty good, but far from definitive.
There's definitely more space on that second disc, but I'm not going to complain. Hopefully the complete specs will include stills, trailers and a fat booklet of essays and dedications.
There's definitely more space on that second disc, but I'm not going to complain. Hopefully the complete specs will include stills, trailers and a fat booklet of essays and dedications.
- kappoka
- Joined: Wed Mar 09, 2005 8:44 pm
- Location: NY NY
You guys will probably call me nuts by getting so worked up about a short film but Listen to Britain is something that is so perfect that I will call it the best supplement ever on a Criterion. The film is a tiny little miracle and I'm not even British.
One of the best uses of sound in a film ever!
Does it sound like I'm really excited?
One of the best uses of sound in a film ever!
Does it sound like I'm really excited?
- Jean-Luc Garbo
- Joined: Thu Dec 09, 2004 1:55 am
- Contact:
Awww, those two BBC documentaries aren't on it? You guys had me warmed up to this movie and then started talking about those two docs (which sounded great to me since I love biographical details about Powell and Pressburger) but now I can't see them. Oh well. I hope this movie is a bit more like I Know Where I'm Going.
- zedz
- Joined: Sun Nov 07, 2004 7:24 pm
- reaky
- Joined: Wed Nov 03, 2004 8:53 am
- Location: Cambridge, England
- ellipsis7
- Joined: Tue Nov 02, 2004 1:56 pm
- Location: Dublin
Page up at CC site.
Special Features are slightly different...
New, restored high-definition digital transfer
Audio commentary by film historian Ian Christie
Excerpts from the American Version with Kim Hunter
New video interview with actress Sheila Sim
A Pilgrim's Return, documentary about John Sweet by Nick Burton and Eddie McMillan
A Canterbury Walk, new documentary visiting the film locations by David Thompson
Listen to Britain, 2001 video installation piece inspired by A Canterbury Tale, by artist Victor Burgin
Listen to Britain, 1942 documentary by Humphrey Jennings
Special Features are slightly different...
New, restored high-definition digital transfer
Audio commentary by film historian Ian Christie
Excerpts from the American Version with Kim Hunter
New video interview with actress Sheila Sim
A Pilgrim's Return, documentary about John Sweet by Nick Burton and Eddie McMillan
A Canterbury Walk, new documentary visiting the film locations by David Thompson
Listen to Britain, 2001 video installation piece inspired by A Canterbury Tale, by artist Victor Burgin
Listen to Britain, 1942 documentary by Humphrey Jennings
- What A Disgrace
- Joined: Sun Nov 07, 2004 10:34 pm
- Contact:
Specs updated. Booklet included.
SPECIAL DOUBLE-DISC SET FEATURES:
- New, restored high-definition digital transfer
- Audio commentary by film historian Ian Christie
- Excerpts from the American Version, with Kim Hunter
- New video interview with actress Sheila Sim
- A Pilgrim's Return, a documentary about John Sweet, by Nick Burton and Eddie McMillan
- A Canterbury Trail, a new documentary visiting the film locations, by David Thompson
- Listen to Britain, 2001 video installation piece inspired by A Canterbury Tale, by artist Victor Burgin
- Listen to Britain, a 1942 documentary by Humphrey Jennings
- Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hearing impaired
PLUS: A booklet featuring essays by Graham Fuller, Peter von Bagh, and actor John Sweet
SPECIAL DOUBLE-DISC SET FEATURES:
- New, restored high-definition digital transfer
- Audio commentary by film historian Ian Christie
- Excerpts from the American Version, with Kim Hunter
- New video interview with actress Sheila Sim
- A Pilgrim's Return, a documentary about John Sweet, by Nick Burton and Eddie McMillan
- A Canterbury Trail, a new documentary visiting the film locations, by David Thompson
- Listen to Britain, 2001 video installation piece inspired by A Canterbury Tale, by artist Victor Burgin
- Listen to Britain, a 1942 documentary by Humphrey Jennings
- Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hearing impaired
PLUS: A booklet featuring essays by Graham Fuller, Peter von Bagh, and actor John Sweet
- kinjitsu
- Joined: Sat Feb 12, 2005 1:39 pm
- Location: Uffa!
I'm not sure which newsletter you might have read this, but I don't think Gary has mentioned anything in his recent newsletters about A Canterbury Tale. Are you sure you aren't confusing this with his blurb about Seven Samurai?Alyosha wrote:Well, according to Gary and his post on the DVD Beaver mailing list it sure is picture boxed. I guess some captures will show up on the site soon and we'll see for ourselves.
- kinjitsu
- Joined: Sat Feb 12, 2005 1:39 pm
- Location: Uffa!
Thanks for the clarification, but it would be helpful if you gave us a bit more information, I mean, why would RAH say that it's not windowboxed if in fact it is?Alyosha wrote:I was not referring to the newsletter, but the mailing list. It's referred to as the "DVDBeaver Discussion Group" and you can join it by clicking the link on the main page at dvdbeaver.com.
- FilmFanSea
- Joined: Wed Nov 03, 2004 1:37 pm
- Location: Portland, OR
Gary has posted proof this morning at HTF:kinjitsu wrote:Thanks for the clarification, but it would be helpful if you gave us a bit more information, I mean, why would RAH say that it's not windowboxed if in fact it is?Alyosha wrote:I was not referring to the newsletter, but the mailing list. It's referred to as the "DVDBeaver Discussion Group" and you can join it by clicking the link on the main page at dvdbeaver.com.
- tryavna
- Joined: Wed Mar 30, 2005 4:38 pm
- Location: North Carolina
Not the first time RAH has been wrong....kinjitsu wrote:Thanks for the clarification, but it would be helpful if you gave us a bit more information, I mean, why would RAH say that it's not windowboxed if in fact it is?Alyosha wrote:I was not referring to the newsletter, but the mailing list. It's referred to as the "DVDBeaver Discussion Group" and you can join it by clicking the link on the main page at dvdbeaver.com.
- tryavna
- Joined: Wed Mar 30, 2005 4:38 pm
- Location: North Carolina
I didn't mean my earlier post to sound quite as snide as it must have. I merely wanted to point out that it's dangerous to get in the habit of taking everything a recognized expert says as gospel truth. And if anybody in the world of DVD has that sort of power/reputation, it's RAH. But he's just as prone to making mistakes as Gary or Savant or anyone else. It's commendable that he's bowed to Gary, but it kind of makes you wonder about other pronouncements he's made recently.kinjitsu wrote:tryavna wrote:Not the first time RAH has been wrong....Gary,
If you say it's windowboxed, I believe you. I screened on a Sony XBR 30" HD tube, and the overscan must have compensated.
Thank you.
RAH
The real issue, of course, is that Criterion have needlessly windowboxed yet another movie despite so many people complaining. They must know by now....
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- Joined: Thu Nov 04, 2004 11:41 am
- Location: Florie-dah
Wouldn't we have to wait for Criterion to get through their current crop of masters in windowbox in order to see some change here? I bet this decision was made a long time ago and this stuff was ordered windowboxed. I don't think it's just a little button they can press in the DVD authoring process to turn it on or off. If I'm wrong here somebody please correct me.