Lester's sense of "slapstick" is Kryptonite to me. I can't watch Supes III or Three Musketeers all the way through ... I've tried! Maybe it's because of the context, as I don't feel (philosophically) that a Superman or Musketeer film should be saddled with that level of slapstick. Maybe I just can't get past that.
In 1941, on the other hand, the slapstick works for me. Go figure.
Neither director holds a candle to Harold Lloyd, of course.
Ohh, how do I respond to thee? Let me count the ways...
You state how Spielberg is the number one film director of all time as an excuse to weigh up 1941, but judge Lester's entire directorial ability on Superman III (a film that like 1941, also boasts gorgeous prod values)
No, I said "arguably" the greatest. And, we already HAVE the score to Superman 3. We can move to the other thread about Lester if you wish, just post and I'll respond.
Maybe from this irreverent comedy you can now move onto the classics...
As I said on the other thread, Lester may be a FINE director elsewhere. Doesn't really have much to do with the release of "1941" in proper form, now does it? Quite simple, really.
Nothing happens in a vacuum.
Oh, not true!! In mine there are lots of dust and particle thingies that go round and round. And did you mean to put Herbie Hancock higher than John Williams in your favorites list or was that just a string of typo's? Well...?
I don't think a film with that kind of beautiful cinematography, set design, editing and MUSIC, etc. could EVER be called an "abomination". Maybe it didn't come together with the cinergi you would have liked but, I find that any statement that can just dismiss so much beauty and craftmanship in a single breath silly, or perhaps aloof. The film deserves honorable mention among its detractors(and EVERY film has them) if only because it was directed by probably the greatest producer and arguably director of his time. Steven Spielberg. And the score...well...need I say more?
Here Here! I for one loved the film and still do. It's flawed but most films are. It a funny piece of late 70s, acting, score, cinematography, and writing was slap your knee funny. I will always remember Wendy Jo Sperber for it. May she rest in peace.
The Score is simply amazing. I have the Arista LP, the Varese CD, and HOPE to have a full length CD soon...LUKAS?
Oh, that sums it up. The themes for flight alone would counter that one. What about the love theme? I weep again for the young.
Well, if you're including me in that group then I wonder what you consider young since I'm 49. All the themes you mention are fine in themselves but the overall impression I've always gotten from this score is just headache inducing klangety-klang, rah-rah-rah nonsense and this comes from someone who has admired John Williams' music since Lost in Space.
It might benefit you to be open to the opinions of others when they differ from your own.
...then I wonder what you consider young since I'm 49.
Not to be taken LITERALLY, really. But I WOULD consider you to STILL be young at 49.
All the themes you mention are fine in themselves but the overall impression I've always gotten from this score is just headache inducing klangety-klang, rah-rah-rah nonsense...
If either is how you feel about this score, then that is certainly sufficient for me.
...and this comes from someone who has admired John Williams' music since Lost in Space.
Well, we agree that that is a good thing.
It might benefit you to be open to the opinions of others when they differ from your own.
By all means, have your own opinion. I wasn't inferring that in the least.
...then I wonder what you consider young since I'm 49.
Not to be taken LITERALLY, really. But I WOULD consider you to STILL be young at 49.
All the themes you mention are fine in themselves but the overall impression I've always gotten from this score is just headache inducing klangety-klang, rah-rah-rah nonsense...
If either is how you feel about this score, then that is certainly sufficient for me.
...and this comes from someone who has admired John Williams' music since Lost in Space.
Well, we agree that that is a good thing.
It might benefit you to be open to the opinions of others when they differ from your own.
By all means, have your own opinion. I wasn't inferring that in the least.
As they say, you're only as young as you feel. Feelin' more like 30 these days. Anyway, I saw 1941 in the cinema when it debuted. This was after Spielberg had solidified his presence as a great film maker as far as I was concerned with Jaws, The Sugarland Express and Close Encounters. When I saw this film I couldn't believe the same guy who made those beauties made 1941. It was as if he had lost control of the production.
I think he was after a kind of Krameresque, It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad, World sort of vibe but his film never hit the right notes on humor and the set pieces lacked the charm and innocent goofiness of Kramer's film. Large-scale comedy is hard to pull off (See The Blues Brothers as another example, though that film is truly funny at times). I think Spielberg knew the had a turkey on his hands and asked Williams music to work over time to add whatever personality the film was lacking.
Fortunately they both made a roaring comeback on their next movie, Raiders if the Lost Ark.
When I saw this film I couldn't believe the same guy who made those beauties made 1941.
For me, some parts of this movie are sublime. Though I think that, for some, if it had been a tad bit funnier, we wouldn't be having this discussion. I feel I've long since transcended that and see only a fine romp with deluxe production values. And to the fact that Williams added great personality to the score, I would only quote a line from a rather unsavory character in "Raiders of the Lost Ark":
"My feelings exactly."--Dietrich.
Fortunately they both made a roaring comeback on their next movie, Raiders if the Lost Ark.
Also a very good point. If we're spanning Spielberg's entire filmography, then I would say this loudest to the detractors. It's what made Spielberg be taken under Lucas' wing, for a time. And what a time!
I had the pleasure of seeing "1941" in 70mm at the Cinerama Dome in 1980 and I remember what a great, enjoyable score it had and thinking what an absolute knockout Dianne Kay was. I hope someday they'll screen it in 70mm again in L.A..
She went to the same high school as Spielberg, Lynda Carter and Valerie Perrine: they all attended Arcadia High School in Phoenix, Arizona (although Spielberg ended up graduating from Saratoga High School in Saratoga, California).
I actually love the movie (and score). I think it's hilarious and visually breathtaking. The ferris wheel rolling down the pier is a classic moment, as is Slim Pickens faking diarrhea, the opening Jaws spoof, cranky Murray Hamilton arguing with a dummy, Ned Beatty blowing his house right off a cliff, John Belushi pulling a little dollie out of his crotch, Dan Aykroyd drunk and getting bonked on the head by...what was it, a santa statue? Robert Stack getting choked up while watching Dumbo. I mean, this is a comedy classic, people. I'm glad it was made and that I can still appreciate it. HORRYWOOOOOO!
Count me as a fan of 1941, both film and score. I would love an official expanded release of Williams' music.
I'm hoping we get a remastered DVD of the film as well. The original DVD picture quality is poor and the while the film is 2.35:1, it's not for 16 x 9 TV's.
While the film does have quite a few problems, it's still a fun film to watch. The Ferris wheel sequence always brings a smile to my face. I love the play between Christopher Lee and Toshiro Mifune.
...and more from the incomparable Slim Pickens--"That's one gen-u-iiiiiine hari kari knife. Pass it around, boys, maybe one uh-you's got a use fer it."
And did you mean to put Herbie Hancock higher than John Williams in your favorites list or was that just a string of typo's? Well...?
The themes for flight alone would counter that one. What about the love theme? I weep again for the young.
