51 / BD 139 Edvard Munch

[MichaelB]

(They're both excellent, though MoC comfortably wins on running time, and while I haven't seen their booklet yet, it looks as though it duplicates all the material in the New Yorker one and adds tons more on top).

Is the reverse not true for the upcoming New Yorker DVD Michael?

Yes, I've just heard about the upcoming New Yorker, which makes the original plan somewhat redundant as I only have their original release. So I suspect I'll stick to covering the MoC on its own.

[Tommaso]

A first review from AV Forums, unfortunately the same site from which that hilarious review of "Silence" came. But this time it's all praise, although the reviewer remarks that it doesn't look like a modern blockbuster picturewise....

[MichaelB]

But this time it's all praise, although the reviewer remarks that it doesn't look like a modern blockbuster picturewise....

What, a film shot on 16mm on a tiny budget for Norwegian telly in the early 1970s doesn't look like a modern blockbuster? Never! Say it isn't so!

Seriously, Nick, you've screwed up badly here and no mistake.

I also love the extras score of 0 even though he acknowledges the addition of a hefty book. (And "hefty" is the word - it's actually shorter than 112 pages, but there's tons of stuff about Munch and Watkins, as well as colour reproductions of many of the paintings featured in the film)

[Tommaso]

Seriously, Nick, you've screwed up badly here and no mistake.

Most of all I think Nick screwed by sending his discs to that site for review...

But I think that reviewer is not the only one out there. Many casual dvd viewers might approach such a film with a similar stance (remember, most people aren't as mad about such 'obscure' films as we are...) and perhaps he's just giving a word of 'warning' to those. To his credit: he says it won't look better and even says it looks stunning considering the age of that film and the circumstances.

That zero score, however, can't be forgiven.

[MichaelB]

Most of all I think Nick screwed by sending his discs to that site for review...

Nick will doubtless correct me on this, but I think it's Eureka that actually sends the discs out.

Which is why I make a point of e-mailing Nick every time I receive a review copy, just to make sure that the check disc reflects the final version - because it usually doesn't! And although I rarely get to see the final version of the booklet, I've usually been granted a sneak preview of a near-final-draft PDF - which was the case with Edvard Munch.

[What A Disgrace]

So, we would be correct in assuming that the MoC version of the film will not contain the documentary featurettes seen on the Project X?

[MichaelB]

So, we would be correct in assuming that the MoC version of the film will not contain the documentary featurettes seen on the Project X?

It doesn't - presumably there's no room, given the extended running time - but there's ample compensation in the book. Seriously, it's one of the best books MoC has come up with to date.

[Glass]

DVD Times

[ola t]

dialogue (mostly in Norwegian)

"Mostly"?

[MichaelB]

dialogue (mostly in Norwegian)

"Mostly"?

Some of it's in German.

[ola t]

Some of it's in German.

Ah, I see. There's no special subtitle option for people who understand Norwegian and English but not German, is there? Oh well, I'll live (certainly won't cancel my order). Thanks for the info, Michael.

[MichaelB]

Some of it's in German.

Ah, I see. There's no special subtitle option for people who understand Norwegian and English but not German, is there?

Well, you could always try watching it with the subtitles off, and then switching them on when Munch moves to Berlin...

[colinr0380]

DVD Outsider review

[Matt]

This is a magnificent film, and a master class in 16mm cinematography and film editing to boot. I'm so glad I finally made the time to watch it in one afternoon/evening. My only quibble with the film is that it shows too little of most of Munch's paintings (even though Watkins appears to have been given full access to the originals). But the recreations of Munch's process, particularly in the creation of "The Sick Child" are really well done.

[GringoTex]

Just checked this out last night. I originally planned to watch it over two evenings, but I couldn't stop once I started. Amazing amazing film: part documentary, part fevered pitch dream. I was at first flabbergasted and refused to believe that the actors were non-professionals because they were so good. Then I realized they were barely reciting any lines on screen. I don't think the term "docudrama" applies because of this. You have to have line readings in drama, don't you? Up there with Young Mr. Lincoln as my favorite biopic.

[jamie_summers]

peerpee is there any chance of more Watkins on MOC in the future? would love it if there was.

[htshell]

Wondering if there's any chance this could get bumped up to blu-ray. DVD Beaver says the source is a new HD master supervised by Watkins, so maybe if this needs to get repressed (due to stock loss) it could be upgraded? Is Privilege the only Watkins currently on blu-ray?

[peerpee]

Not on the cards for BD upgrade unfortunately.

[macaca]

any news on a blu?

[rockysds]

Blu-ray upgrade of this listed on Amazon. June 13th.

[Big Ben]

Here's hoping they retain the eighty page booklet and can include some supplemental material this time around.

[MichaelB]

The press release suggests that it's basically a repeat of the DVD package - i.e. with the book, but with no on-disc extras.

But I'm fine with that: the book honestly contains everything that you could reasonably want. It's still one of the strongest that MoC has ever produced, which is saying something.

[Manny Karp]

Blu-ray upgrade of this listed on Amazon. June 13th.

Link?

[swo17]

Here

[Manny Karp]

Thank you kindly. Excellent film, one of the most astute ever made about an artist.