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Posted: |
Nov 21, 2016 - 9:37 PM
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By: |
joan hue
(Member)
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Arthur, this is a very well-written review of this new release of an older movie. I remember seeing it at a theater, and I thought it was stunning and beautiful. Gorgeous cinematography. It would be interesting to see all 5 hours of Brando’s vision, but that isn’t possible now.
I’ve always wondered about two things. First of all, I want to know if the studio, Kubrick or Brando picked Friedhofer to score this movie? I’d love to know what Brando thought of the score. It is unabashedly romantic and lovely.
Also, Brando, at that time, was one handsome guy who courted lots of beautiful women. I always wondered why he or Kubrick picked Pina Pellicer as his leading lady. She had done only one movie in Mexico before this film. When I first saw her, I thought she was all skin and bones and very homely. However, her excellent acting and her warmth won me over. I just was surprised that a more attractive actress wasn’t chosen. (Sad life for Pina. She only did a few more films and committed suicide at age 30.)
Thanks for the excellent review, Arthur. It had been many years since I’ve watched this film, and I hope to see it again.
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Posted: |
Nov 22, 2016 - 12:21 PM
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By: |
Rameau
(Member)
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Yeah, nice review Arthur, it really makes me want to see it, but then I've wanted to see a good transfer of this for years, & not so long ago the chances of that seemed slim to none. I probably won't see it 'till next year, as I'm waiting for a region B release (I did buy a multi-region player, but I haven't plumbed it in yet, it's still in the box). I think Brando must have hired Friedhofer because he liked the score to The Young Lions (1958), whatever the reason, Friedhofer came up trumps, what a score! (& Friedhofer had done a few westerns Vera Cruz, White Feather). I think the casting of Pina Pellicer works really well, she was so different from the usual American actress of the time, she seemed so fragile & brittle, which as things turned out, wasn't really an act. Great movie.
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there was never a five hour cut
it was just an assembly of all the material SHOT
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In November's "Now Listen to Me..." the Blu-ray recommendation is 'One-Eyed Jacks' a review for which I've just completed. For those who haven't seen the film, there may be what some would consider spoilers present. Please let me know your thoughts on the film, my review, or preferably both. Even a negative response is most welcome. http://thecinemacafe.com/the-cinema-treasure-hunter/2016/11/3/now-listen-to-me#One-Eyed-Jacks
THERE ARE SEVERAL THREADS ON THIS!
[if you want to know my opinion, check them out]
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Posted: |
Nov 22, 2016 - 2:45 PM
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By: |
Graham Watt
(Member)
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Interesting review, arthur. I can't claim to be any kind of expert on the film - I've never even seen it all the way through - but the different chunks I've seen throughout the years have always captivated me. There's something unique about it, which may be due to - curiously - its incredibly complicated production history. There are many films whose stamp of originality is often the result of an accident, when everything kind of falls into place not as was expected, but quite the opposite, yeilding often extraordinary results.
joan- Do you have Kritzerland's release of the Friedhofer score? It's in my top 5 Friedhofers, absolutely glorious. Nick Redman's liner notes detail the troubled production, speaking about the involvement of Peckinpah, Kubrick... plus anecdotes about Brando, Karl Malden etc. The notes say that Pina Pellicer was romantically involved with Brando during the film's production (while Brando was carrying out two other affairs with other cast members, between going back to New York for his "official" lover France Nuyen). Apparently always highly-strung, her nerves were visible on-screen. As a sensitive soul it couldn't have been easy for her, and she committed suicide in 1964 - although I'm not drawing any direct cause-and effect conclusions, because Nick Redman's liner notes for the CD don't either. As regards the choice of Friedhofer as composer, nobody seems to know for sure. It might have been through his involvement with Brando in THE YOUNG LIONS, but whatever the truth, Friedhofer turned out an absolutely magnificent score, and Brando (and co.) an absolutely fascinating film.
I must watch it all now.
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Posted: |
Nov 22, 2016 - 3:23 PM
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By: |
Graham Watt
(Member)
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joan, I've had a very quick scout around the world that is "The Internet", and it's full of info about Pina Pellicer. A lot of it's in Spanish only, and who knows how much "truth" is out there on the web? - or what I can remember from five minutes ago. So, before I forget, it seems that in 1958 the producers of ONE-EYED JACKS were specifically looking in Mexico City for an actress who possessed the same kind of fragile vulnerability as Audrey Hepburn, without being voluptuous nor having a kind of overpowering beauty which - I suspect - might have challenged Brando's own beauty. Their attention was drawn to Pina Pellicer, who was already carving out her own artistic, poetic and theatrical niche in Mexico. She got the part. Brando was enthusiastic from the start. Interesting that Pellicer's own sister always denied rumours of a romance between the two, saying that their close friendship had been misinterpreted.
I must stop now. I often feel completely out of my depth and uncomfortable when commenting on things I've just found "on the computer". Over to someone in the know.
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In November's "Now Listen to Me..." the Blu-ray recommendation is 'One-Eyed Jacks' a review for which I've just completed. For those who haven't seen the film, there may be what some would consider spoilers present. Please let me know your thoughts on the film, my review, or preferably both. Even a negative response is most welcome. http://thecinemacafe.com/the-cinema-treasure-hunter/2016/11/3/now-listen-to-me#One-Eyed-Jacks
THERE ARE SEVERAL THREADS ON THIS!
[if you want to know my opinion, check them out]
Do I sense some hostility here (all caps, exclamation mark, no link or opinion here provided)?
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there was never a five hour cut
it was just an assembly of all the material SHOT
There was actually. I've recently spoken with someone who saw it and described some (missing) scenes in great detail. Friedhofer said it was a masterpiece.
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Arthur, this is a very well-written review of this new release of an older movie. I remember seeing it at a theater, and I thought it was stunning and beautiful. Gorgeous cinematography. It would be interesting to see all 5 hours of Brando’s vision, but that isn’t possible now.
I’ve always wondered about two things. First of all, I want to know if the studio, Kubrick or Brando picked Friedhofer to score this movie? I’d love to know what Brando thought of the score. It is unabashedly romantic and lovely.
Also, Brando, at that time, was one handsome guy who courted lots of beautiful women. I always wondered why he or Kubrick picked Pina Pellicer as his leading lady. She had done only one movie in Mexico before this film. When I first saw her, I thought she was all skin and bones and very homely. However, her excellent acting and her warmth won me over. I just was surprised that a more attractive actress wasn’t chosen. (Sad life for Pina. She only did a few more films and committed suicide at age 30.)
Thanks for the excellent review, Arthur. It had been many years since I’ve watched this film, and I hope to see it again.
Thanks Joan for the review compliment. It's much appreciated. Frank Rosenberg (one of the film's producers) "discovered" Pina Pellicer in Mexico. I'm not sure who specifically hired Friedhofer but it's a good guess that Brando being a "perfectionist" and keeping up on these things would have been impressed with his work on 'The Young Lions' and recommended him. (It was Brando who at first wanted Kubrick to direct being highly impressed with 'The Killing'). As to Pina's suicide, I heard from 2 completely different sources that it came about because she never got over her affair ending with Brando, even though the star/director was sexually involved with practically all of his young and attractive female cast and Pina went on working for approximately 4 years after the filming on O.E.J. concluded and before ending her life. Also, his influence on this tragic event has been disputed by some, like her sister.
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Arthur
hostility from El Bruco? Nah, just bluntness - and with a wink. I think he was suggesting to tag it on a previous Jacks thread rather than start a new one. But its been a nice review and ive learned stuff, also from graham and joan, sad story about Pina.
As for Jacks, ...well, i always wanted to like it. I should like it. And... It clearly is a classy film, has a lot going for it, it starts well, it has gravitas, and status, and a reputation, but everytime i build up enthusiasm to watch it, believing maybe that i didnt get it or maybe i missed something, but each time i watch it i feel somewhat disappointed. Ive never put it into words and i know its sacrilege to NOT love it but i just cant put it in the same category as my other fave westerns. Too slow? I dont know, because other deliberately-ponderously-paced films i love, perhaps its coz it takes a long while to reach a conclusion, again i cant pinpoint it. Weirdly i feel the same about the score. I have the CD and the main theme is just lush, truly beautiful, but having listened to the score a dozen times i find it a bit dreary and bit of a tough listen - im pleased when the main theme comes around again. I am willing to be persuaded otherwise by you guys and am more than happy to give it another try the moment its on Tv but ive always felt like a surfer who sees a huge wave that he is convinced its gonna be one of the best waves ever, but when it finally reaches me its died to low swell. Just my opinion and im open to learn more about why its so good.
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Posted: |
Nov 23, 2016 - 10:22 AM
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By: |
Graham Watt
(Member)
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Actually Bill, you're not as much in the minority there as you think. From what I've gleaned, even those who champion the film with adjectives such as "extraordinary", "fascinating", "unique", compelling" etc usually go on to detail the film's weaknesses and schizophrenic characterisations, although in a lot of cases they end up overlooking them due to the film's overall immense.... something-or-other.
I've just read Peter Monaghan's piece about the restoration at "Movie Image Archive News", and he's certainly no fan of it, and in fact points out many of the criticisms hurled at it since ever it was made.
He doesn't even have a good word for the music, saying -
"You won't quite be mesmerized into overlooking (the) inconsistencies, as much as you're lifted by the insipid welling of strings in Hugo Friedhofer's score, which ONE-EYED JACKS cultists nonetheless persist in applauding."
Take that, Hugo! And take THAT, One-Eyed cultists!
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Interesting, Graham.
I might try an experiment - dig out my Friedhofer CD and put it in the car, give it another few spins and see if theres any sign of it growing on me. And will keep an eye for the film on tcm or whatever.
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Posted: |
Nov 24, 2016 - 8:58 AM
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By: |
Rameau
(Member)
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Actually Bill, you're not as much in the minority there as you think. From what I've gleaned, even those who champion the film with adjectives such as "extraordinary", "fascinating", "unique", compelling" etc usually go on to detail the film's weaknesses and schizophrenic characterisations, although in a lot of cases they end up overlooking them due to the film's overall immense.... something-or-other.
I've just read Peter Monaghan's piece about the restoration at "Movie Image Archive News", and he's certainly no fan of it, and in fact points out many of the criticisms hurled at it since ever it was made.
He doesn't even have a good word for the music, saying -
"You won't quite be mesmerized into overlooking (the) inconsistencies, as much as you're lifted by the insipid welling of strings in Hugo Friedhofer's score, which ONE-EYED JACKS cultists nonetheless persist in applauding."
Take that, Hugo! And take THAT, One-Eyed cultists!
I can understand people not liking the film, after all, it is damaged goods, & the music is very lush & Hollywood, & not everyone is in love with all that stuff. I love both, but thinking about it, I haven't seen it since it was on TV about twenty five years ago. I look forward to seeing it next year when Criterion UK or Eureka or Arrow releases it in the UK, or maybe Koch in Germany, they've released a lot of Universal westerns.
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Posted: |
Nov 24, 2016 - 10:39 AM
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By: |
RoryR
(Member)
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Actually Bill, you're not as much in the minority there as you think. From what I've gleaned, even those who champion the film with adjectives such as "extraordinary", "fascinating", "unique", compelling" etc usually go on to detail the film's weaknesses and schizophrenic characterisations, although in a lot of cases they end up overlooking them due to the film's overall immense.... something-or-other.
I've just read Peter Monaghan's piece about the restoration at "Movie Image Archive News", and he's certainly no fan of it, and in fact points out many of the criticisms hurled at it since ever it was made.
He doesn't even have a good word for the music, saying -
"You won't quite be mesmerized into overlooking (the) inconsistencies, as much as you're lifted by the insipid welling of strings in Hugo Friedhofer's score, which ONE-EYED JACKS cultists nonetheless persist in applauding."
Take that, Hugo! And take THAT, One-Eyed cultists!
I'm not a ONE-EYED JACKS cultist, I just like it. Watched the Criterion Blu-ray last night. Didn't like seeing the Universal logo at the beginning of it where the original Paramount used to be.
Anyway, I very much enjoyed it. Haven't seen it in several years. The movie is amazing considering how unfocused its making was. It's really a triumph of the art of the film editor. The story that emerges from all the efforts of those involved unfortunately isn't as compelling as it would like to be and only mildly interesting. But it's still a better-than-average western.
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Posted: |
Nov 26, 2016 - 2:42 PM
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By: |
Dana Wilcox
(Member)
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I'm not a ONE-EYED JACKS cultist, I just like it. Watched the Criterion Blu-ray last night. Didn't like seeing the Universal logo at the beginning of it where the original Paramount used to be.
Anyway, I very much enjoyed it. Haven't seen it in several years. The movie is amazing considering how unfocused its making was. It's really a triumph of the art of the film editor. The story that emerges from all the efforts of those involved unfortunately isn't as compelling as it would like to be and only mildly interesting. But it's still a better-than-average western.
I have to agree pretty much as regards the new Criterion Blu-ray. The casting and performances were solid all around, the story a notch above the standard western of the day, and the music exceptional, I don't care who disagrees about that. The cinematography was spectacular as well, which redeems Brando at least in part for the many criticisms about how long the film took to shoot (he would hold off for days, at times, in order to get the crashing waves along the coast "just right" for the scenes as he wanted them to appear). The quality of the restored picture is very good, a triumph from all I've heard about the terrible state of the negative starting out; still, it doesn't approach the extraordinary color renderings of some other restorations (e.g., THE SEARCHERS) which have come out from films of this era and even earlier. Definitely well worth owning, and watching. Some very interesting extras also. One disappointment: After having listened to Kritzerland's brilliant stereo release of the Friedhofer score many times, it would have been nicer had the soundtrack of the Blu-ray been in stereo as well.
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