Masters of Cinema

[Steven H]

I just got my copy of Michael the other day... what a brilliant film. And the screen captures online don't do it justice, I have to say. Wouldn't it be nice if Eureka/MOC released a couple of rare Ozu films? I won't hold my breath...

[Lino]

We're looking at releasing the recently-found domestic print of FAUST in 2005, but nothing is confirmed

That would be fantastic! I would sell my Kino in a heart-beat! Faust is my favorite Murnau film!

[ltfontaine]

It’s already apparent that MoC / Eureka is going to be a great source of important, well-chosen, well-presented films on DVD, and the quality of Michael only heightens those expectations. To finally have access to one of Dreyer’s most elusive titles is reason enough to celebrate, but the options and supplements on the MoC edition make it indispensable for those of us who are especially interested in this director.

It’s turning out to be a pretty good year for Dreyer on DVD. I have to admit that I enjoyed The Parson’s Widow, from Image, less than I had anticipated, but the two accompanying short films are wonderful, and the feature is notably unique as Dreyer’s only comedy. Michael, on the other hand, is a denser, more satisfying film than my prior reading had led me to expect would be the case. It certainly doesn’t approach Dreyer’s unbroken string of masterpieces that begin in 1928 with The Passion of Joan of Arc, but it is rich with evidence of the director’s developing skill with actors and mise en scene.

Dreyer elicits a nuanced and commanding performance from Benjamin Christensen that is especially fascinating in light of Christensen’s function as a role model to Dreyer and the tension that reportedly existed between them during filming. Nora Gregor, best known as Christine in Rules of the Game, appears here in her first film role, the dark subtlety of which is at least partially attributable to Dreyer’s direction, as he rejected Thea von Harbou’s intentions to cast the Princess as more of an outright opportunist. (The sequence in which the Master struggles to “see” the Princess as he paints her portrait prefigures the more extended treatment of a similar theme in La Belle Noiseuse.) Walter Slezak is a bit of a milquetoast in the title role, and appropriately so, but Rob Garrison registers strongly as Switt, who vies with Michael for the attention of the great painter, perhaps as his romantic rival.

Dreyer’s ability to create a world through carefully crafted visuals and spatial effects—in this case a series of opulent, claustrophobic interiors that reek of hothouse decadence, worthy of Petra von Kant—is powerfully in evidence, even though Karl Freund resisted Dreyer’s entreaties to employ the mobile camera that Freund preferred to hold in reserve until moving on to his next assignment, Murnau’s The Last Laugh. (Freund has a brief, most enjoyable cameo in the film, as an art dealer, his only onscreen appearance.)

Of the two versions of the film presented in the MoC set, I much prefer the European print, which is in remarkably good condition, and features an hypnotic modernist score in which an overripe romantic string solo swells above an off-kilter, repetitive, atonal piano figure, the delirious effect of which is most apt. Neil Kurz’s piano score on the US print is also very fine, though the print itself shows greater evidence of wear. The European print is surely the one I will return to on future viewings, and I’m pleased with its quality.

What the US print does feature, however, is a superb commentary by Casper Tybjerg, whose discussion is as excellent as on his track for Criterion’s Joan. Tybjerg is eloquent on a wide range of topics, including the careers of all the principals, the Kammerspiel form of which the film is an example, and the ongoing controversy about whether or not the relationships in Michael are homosexual in nature. Tybjerg devotes a substantial portion of his commentary to this latter topic, and to describing the life and work of Herman Bang, who wrote the novel on which the film is based. The result is a commentary track that skillfully orchestrates discussion of the various elements of the film, placing it in the contexts of its time and the director’s body of work. The effect is similar to that achieved by David Kalat on his commentary for Criterion’s Testament of Dr. Mabuse, with its rigorous emphasis on text and context.

It’s also great to have the rare Dreyer audio interview from 1965, nicely illustrated, as previously noted. I haven’t spent much time yet with the booklet other than to admire its pleasing appearance. This set is, in fact, beautifully designed and executed throughout, surely an indicator of things to come. In a year of many excellent DVDs, Michael definitely ranks among those at the top of my list.

[Anonymous]

I've read somewhere--my memory fails me at the moment--that there is a restored print in Munich clocking in at 175 minutes (or so), while the Kino clocks in at around 140. Is this a fps issue, or is there indeed a longer cut somewhere?

[peerpee]

the 3hr version runs at 16 fps.

[denti alligator]

You aren't thinking of releasing any more Riefenstahl, like say Olympia?
I ask because I may finally buy the Arthaus version, but don't want to find out months later that someone like you or Criterion will be putting it out after all.

[peerpee]

To be absolutely blunt, I can't see it happening in 2005.

[Lino]

What are the chances of you guys releasing Bergman's The Touch and Face to Face? Or any Bergman, for that matter?

[peerpee]

We're looking into what's available for all the major directors, but it takes time.

-
If any purchasers of MoC Series #2 - THE HOLY MOUNTAIN would like the new cover when it's ready in a few weeks, please email your address to [email protected] with the SUBJECT: "THE HOLY MOUNTAIN cover replacement".

We couldn't get a good enough quality poster until just this month. We don't plan to make a habit of redoing our covers.

See the website for the new cover: http://www.eurekavideo.co.uk/moc/discs.htm

Thanks.

[denti alligator]

That's a great cover!!
Can't wait to replace it. The other one is nice, but this one's fantastic!

[mbalson]

Well that's timing for you. I just ordered Holy Moutain from Benson's World. That new cover is very nice and keeps the MoC series looking more cohesive. BTW. Where is the best place to buy the MoC discs online? and it's important that international shipping be reasonable. Any other Canadians ordering these on a regular basis?

[ben d banana]

Any other Canadians ordering these on a regular basis?

definitely in my plans.

[denti alligator]

MoC should set up a subscription for CCF members

[whipsilk]

MoC should set up a subscription for CCF members

What a wonderful idea! I'd subscribe in something less than a flash. And CCF members are a perfect "lab" for experimenting with the subscription concept without committing to a full campaign for subscribers.

[mbalson]

I see that Spies now has an entry:
http://www.eurekavideo.co.uk/moc/009.htm

We really need to get some DVDBeaver comparisons going between these and the Kino releases!

[Lino]

Another wonderful cover and an audio commentary to boot! So I guess it's bye, bye Kino!


edit: Nice review of the Michael DVD here:

http://www.dvdtimes.co.uk/content.php?contentid=13329

[denti alligator]

Who's doing the commentary on Spione?

Newly restored to its original length for the first time on home video

And does this mean Spione will be longer than even the Kino release?

What makes you decide to use the English vs original language title in on the cover?

[Lino]

We couldn't get a good enough quality poster until just this month

I'm glad you did change the cover (I was not so keen on the first one, to be honest). And I'm glad I still haven't bought it (guess I will have to now).

[denti alligator]

On the basis of that info (and the WAY cooler cover) I just pre-ordered this (even though I already have the Transit set) and Tartuff. I'm really excited about these!

Can anyone say a word or two about the Teshigahara films. On the basis of the quality of spine #s 2 & 3 I might just blind-buy these. Having never seen Woman in the Dunes, I am unfamiliar with his work. Comparisons?

EDIT: Never mind, it looks like my university library has a 6-DVD Teshigahara set with Pitfall, Woman in the Dunes, Face of Another and more...

[denti alligator]

info on Asphalt is up

http://www.eurekavideo.co.uk/moc/007.htm

and on the Teshigaharas

http://www.eurekavideo.co.uk/moc/005.htm

http://www.eurekavideo.co.uk/moc/006.htm

damn, that Pitfall cover is sweet!

[What A Disgrace]

info on Asphalt is up

http://www.eurekavideo.co.uk/moc/007.htm

and on the Teshigaharas

http://www.eurekavideo.co.uk/moc/005.htm

http://www.eurekavideo.co.uk/moc/006.htm

damn, that Pitfall cover is sweet!

So, who is giving the audio commentaries on the Teshigahara films?

[peerpee]

We'll announce it when they're in the can (December 7th). Meanwhile, why don't we have a little competition?

Whoever first correctly guesses the commentator on each disc ( by emailing me at [email protected] ), wins a copy of each disc. No clues, no mention of who's won until Dec 7th. Make sure you can play R2 PAL before you go guessing! (Toho insisted on R2 PAL, nothing we could do).

Doesn't matter where you live - Greenland or China, anyone can enter. Thanks!

[Pinback]

We'll announce it when they're in the can (December 7th). Meanwhile, why don't we have a little competition?

Whoever first correctly guesses the commentator on each disc ( by emailing me at [email protected] ), wins a copy of each disc. No clues, no mention of who's won until Dec 7th. Make sure you can play R2 PAL before you go guessing! (Toho insisted on R2 PAL, nothing we could do).

Doesn't matter where you live - Greenland or China, anyone can enter. Thanks!

YGM

[denti alligator]

same game for the Spione disc?

[Lino]

I guess I won't be buying the japanese box now. Those Teshigahara titles are tasty!