Criterion Newsletter (Part 2)

[Adam]

I hope that they will include in some way the alternate, or original Swedish opening to Persona, which includes an erect penis in the opening credit montage. American montage is different but also good, so would like to see both on there. The then new print from the Swedish Archives that toured several years ago was that uncensored version, and the print was utterly exquisite.

Oh, and Persona is my favorite film ever, so I'm really happy with the possibility of a good new Criterion Blu-Ray.

[Feego]

I hope that they will include in some way the alternate, or original Swedish opening to Persona, which includes an erect penis in the opening credit montage. American montage is different but also good, so would like to see both on there. The then new print from the Swedish Archives that toured several years ago was that uncensored version, and the print was utterly exquisite.

Oh, and Persona is my favorite film ever, so I'm really happy with the possibility of a good new Criterion Blu-Ray.

The MGM disc already had the uncensored opening.

[BillWatkins]

I watched Persona 2 weeks ago on Criterion's Hulu channel and the erect penis was in the montage.

[feckless boy]

erect penis

uncensored

erect penis

These last three posts made me proud both as a Swede and as a forum member. Thank you!

[Mathew2468]

That's the film, not any 'director's cut' or anything. TCM showed it.

[fdm]

erect penis

uncensored

erect penis

These last three posts made me proud both as a Swede and as a forum member. Thank you!

You Swedes are totally awesome.

[Bryant Frazer]

That's the film, not any 'director's cut' or anything. TCM showed it.

I don't think that version of the film was widely seen in the U.S. until fairly recently. My old VHS tape was definitely censored, along with the 16mm prints I saw in film school and (I'm pretty sure) the original MGM laserdisc. When did the MGM DVD come out, 2001 or something? I think that was the first time that version was released in the U.S.

[hearthesilence]

I posted this on the old version of this forum. It was soon after the MGM DVD release, when I met MGM's archivist (who was actively involved with the DVD) at a screening of PERSONA at Block Cinema in Evanston. He explained that the penis shot was censored for U.S. prints, and that he restored it for the re-release. (In conjunction with the new DVD reissues, they struck new prints of all the Bergman films MGM distributed and sent them on a festival/repertory house tour.) Also talked about getting the right translation for the subtitles, which were also watered down for American consumption for many years. He asked something like four people to translate the 'orgy' story, and he basically went with the boldest (i.e. dirtiest) one as he got the impression the other three translators were a bit too genteel to put something down that captured the language with that much accuracy.

[flyonthewall2983]

Man i love Donald Fagan. I love it when they ask brilliant people you wouldn't normally expect to see asked about what movies they love.

I haven't read it yet, but his book is all about movies and music he grew up with.

[Bando]

Man i love Donald Fagan. I love it when they ask brilliant people you wouldn't normally expect to see asked about what movies they love.

I haven't read it yet, but his book is all about movies and music he grew up with.

Read in Rolling Stone he pretty much skips directly from the late 60s to his latest Dukes of September tour diary in about two pages. This isn't the Keith Richards autobiography for the jazzy hipster crowd, unfortunately.

[zedz]

Dog in football drag. No idea.

[antnield]

The pooch is dressed up like Harold Lloyd in The Freshman, but can't figure where the dog part of the clue comes in.

[jindianajonz]

It should be obvious

[FrauBlucher]

Makes sense.
The new restoration is playing at the Film Forum next week.

[FrauBlucher]

The pooch is dressed up like Harold Lloyd in The Freshman, but can't figure where the dog part of the clue comes in.

Maybe because he is coming on to her like a dog in heat.

[Dragoon En Regalia]

It's more like the dog gets kicked around, which approximates Lloyd's role in the film.

[Red Screamer]

Or maybe an upgrade of White Dog?

[swo17]

Could someone post the picture? For some reason, my newsletter is blank.

[Jeff]

Could someone post the picture? For some reason, my newsletter is blank.

[bamwc2]

I managed to get this one right away. It might be my first correct answer since Repo Man. I'm also flummoxed by the dog. In the early days of the clues, they always used an animal from an unrelated film. Maybe they did that here as well.

[Tom Hagen]

Yale's athletic mascot is the Bulldog.

[domino harvey]

I think it confirms we won't be getting the Sin of Harold Diddlebock since they'd use a lion here otherwise

[Tom Hagen]

Ah when all else fails, check Wikipedia:

Pete the Pup makes a cameo in the movie.

[swo17]

I think it confirms we won't be getting the Sin of Harold Diddlebock since they'd use a lion here otherwise

D-

[chrisandy]

I managed to get this one right away. It might be my first correct answer since Repo Man. I'm also flummoxed by the dog. In the early days of the clues, they always used an animal from an unrelated film. Maybe they did that here as well.

While I'm happy for you what is "it"?