I agree that this was one of the best productions of All's Well that Ends Well that I have seen. The cinema production from the Globe enabled viewers to capture the performance better than those attending the event (particularly rain-soaked groundlings). The performance by Eve Best was outstanding, though all were first-rate. Eve Best showed perfect timing in a wonderful comic performance - a side of her acting I had not previously had the pleasure of experiencing. The Globe should be encouraged by the success of this production to more on-screen. The atmosphere enjoyed by those attending a live performance seems unlikely to damage takings. I for one would be happy to attend a live performance and then enjoy the cinema performance later-or vice versa.
Reviews
7 Reviews
Much violence and Boyd more over the top than usual
18 February 2007
Despite the excellent cast (James Fox and Jemma Redgrave in addition to such excellent regulars as Sue Johnstone) the overall impression was of excessive, gratuitous violence and Boyd, played by Trevor Eve so over-the top as to be unbelievable (I hope). As usual, performances by secondary characters were excellent. Tara Fitzgerald seems less convincing than her predecessors as the 'scientific expert'.
It was nevertheless an exciting and enjoyable episode, rather better than some recent ones. It stands up well to US competitors like CSI, not least because the lead character is so unsympathetic. He seems to lack some of the redeeming qualities of 'Vic' in the Shield. But the 2-episode produces an unnatural peak halfway through - it would seem very unbalanced if the two episodes were combines into a single play.
It was nevertheless an exciting and enjoyable episode, rather better than some recent ones. It stands up well to US competitors like CSI, not least because the lead character is so unsympathetic. He seems to lack some of the redeeming qualities of 'Vic' in the Shield. But the 2-episode produces an unnatural peak halfway through - it would seem very unbalanced if the two episodes were combines into a single play.
Pity about Dan Cruikshank
1 August 2006
Visually, the series was very impressive. But sadly, it was let down by the choice of presenter, whose over-affable, opinionated and affected style (reminiscent of Peter Snow) seems a good example of the BBC's dumbing down of otherwise interesting programmes.
given the limited time devoted to the subject matter, there was a little too much padding in the form of self-praise for embarking om such an enterprise. Constant stressing of time constraints seemed to ignore the fact that these were largely self-imposed. Better preparation by the BBC's own staff on the spot might haver avoided embarrassing gaps like the treasures of the Forbidden Palace.
But turn the sound down and you have a visual feast.
given the limited time devoted to the subject matter, there was a little too much padding in the form of self-praise for embarking om such an enterprise. Constant stressing of time constraints seemed to ignore the fact that these were largely self-imposed. Better preparation by the BBC's own staff on the spot might haver avoided embarrassing gaps like the treasures of the Forbidden Palace.
But turn the sound down and you have a visual feast.
Alone
(1931)
UK premiere of restored score
11 February 2006
Originally made as a silent film, Odna was released in 1931 as a 'sound' film which differs from a talkie because although there are sound effects in the film, there is no synchronised dialogue and it was intended to be performed with an orchestral accompaniment using a score by Shostakovich. After it fell into political disfavour the film was archived in the Lenfilm complex, which was destroyed during the siege of Leningrad. Fortunately, although much of the score was lost, all but one 8-minute reel survived, as did the full score for the missing reel. Mark Fitz-Gerald and colleagues, with the encouragement of Shostakovich's widow, completed the restoration of the original score in 2003. It was first performed in the Netherlands and has also been performed in France, Switzerland and Germany. I attended the London Premiere on 10th February 2006.
Normally, a review relates to an experience that can be shared subsequently by any cinema-goer, or watcher of DVDs. A live concert performance (the BBC Symphony Orchesttra conducted by Mark Fitz-Gerald) is different. The entire orchestral performance and live sound effects such as the throat singer, Theramin and Harmonium will not be constant factors - which is why performances of great musical works are reviewed repeatedly. The performance I experienced may be different from what you experience. For me, what might have been a rather sentimental ending was transformed by the 'buzz' of the live musical climax (the entire restored score was performed, with titles explaining the action of the missing reel).
A notable feature of the film was the superb natural performance of the 'actors' (including a real shaman performing a real ritual) with none of the exaggerated eye makeup of 'Napoleon' and the German expressionists. Such a live performance converted a good propaganda film into something more sublime and an experience that should not be missed if the opportunity is repeated.
Normally, a review relates to an experience that can be shared subsequently by any cinema-goer, or watcher of DVDs. A live concert performance (the BBC Symphony Orchesttra conducted by Mark Fitz-Gerald) is different. The entire orchestral performance and live sound effects such as the throat singer, Theramin and Harmonium will not be constant factors - which is why performances of great musical works are reviewed repeatedly. The performance I experienced may be different from what you experience. For me, what might have been a rather sentimental ending was transformed by the 'buzz' of the live musical climax (the entire restored score was performed, with titles explaining the action of the missing reel).
A notable feature of the film was the superb natural performance of the 'actors' (including a real shaman performing a real ritual) with none of the exaggerated eye makeup of 'Napoleon' and the German expressionists. Such a live performance converted a good propaganda film into something more sublime and an experience that should not be missed if the opportunity is repeated.
Straw Dogs
(1971)
Was the Straw Dogs DVD banned in the UK?
4 February 2006
A number of contributors suggest that Straw dogs was banned in the UK. This is a little misleading - I certainly saw it in a cinema soon after it was released (Clockwork Orange was also not refused a certificate - it was withdrawn by Kubrick). Page 61 of the 2002 annual report of the British Board of Film Classification (http://www.bbfc.co.uk/downloads/ files/BBFC_AnnualReport_2002.pdf) points out that the film was passed uncut in 1971 for cinema showings in the UK. A DVD version was refused a certificate in 1999, but the version submitted was one in which cuts had been made for the US market. The cuts were deemed to distort the impact of the rape scene. When an uncut version was submitted with all the rape scene it was passed in full in 2002.
McLibel: Two Worlds Collide
(1998)
The film has been updated
16 April 2005
I watched this film on BBC4 this week. It ran for 83 minutes (approx) and was dated 2005. It has been updated to include the victory over the UK Government in the European Court of Human rights, which further added to the strain on the two defendants.
Since this judgement has changed the status of the notorious UK libel laws, the film will be of wider interest than to just those interested in the McDonalds aspect (and will open the way for less timidity in comment in the UK in the future). My wife was reluctant to watch the program but became enthralled by it as a court drama in the Law & Order mode. It showed a major victory of the little man over Big Government and rapacious multinationals that would do Frank Capra or Michael Moore proud.
It was a riveting experience.
Since this judgement has changed the status of the notorious UK libel laws, the film will be of wider interest than to just those interested in the McDonalds aspect (and will open the way for less timidity in comment in the UK in the future). My wife was reluctant to watch the program but became enthralled by it as a court drama in the Law & Order mode. It showed a major victory of the little man over Big Government and rapacious multinationals that would do Frank Capra or Michael Moore proud.
It was a riveting experience.
Napoleon
(1927)
Different versions should be reviewed/scored separately
25 December 2004
I was one of the thousands who were fortunate enough to see the fullest version of Napoleon at the Royal Festival Hall in early December 2004. As noted in 'alternate versions', this may prove to be the last showing until the second half of the Century (when copyright lapses) of what is so far the definitive version of the film.
It was a truly memorable experience. I had not seen 'Napoleon' for several decades, and that was a shorter version with piano accompaniment ~ though still played at the correct speed. This longer version at the correct speed with The London Philharmonic Orchestra and the RFH organ playing in full volume for the climax was a mind-blowing experience. I have not seen Coppola's 'keystone cops' version, but if the trailer on this website is any guide, with Napoleon strutting in Chaplinesque mode, it seems a travesty of what I saw; More 'Homage to Mack Sennett'.
It is clear that these two versions are radically different. It seems grossly unfair to score and review the two main versions in a single poll as if they were the same. The 95 minute difference in running time is longer than many complete films reviewed on this site ~ such as Bronenosets Potyomkin from the same era. There are clearly enough reports/votes to permit the two versions to be scored separately. I suspect the approval rating of the longer version would be significantly higher than for the Coppola version.
It there is ever another opportunity to see this latest version (or even better, an even fuller version) with the Carl Davis score, I shall do my utmost to seize the opportunity.
It was a truly memorable experience. I had not seen 'Napoleon' for several decades, and that was a shorter version with piano accompaniment ~ though still played at the correct speed. This longer version at the correct speed with The London Philharmonic Orchestra and the RFH organ playing in full volume for the climax was a mind-blowing experience. I have not seen Coppola's 'keystone cops' version, but if the trailer on this website is any guide, with Napoleon strutting in Chaplinesque mode, it seems a travesty of what I saw; More 'Homage to Mack Sennett'.
It is clear that these two versions are radically different. It seems grossly unfair to score and review the two main versions in a single poll as if they were the same. The 95 minute difference in running time is longer than many complete films reviewed on this site ~ such as Bronenosets Potyomkin from the same era. There are clearly enough reports/votes to permit the two versions to be scored separately. I suspect the approval rating of the longer version would be significantly higher than for the Coppola version.
It there is ever another opportunity to see this latest version (or even better, an even fuller version) with the Carl Davis score, I shall do my utmost to seize the opportunity.
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