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Geez...ya know...when all the cosmic cylinders are firing sometimes this board is like a case of 'synchronesia' (there's a phrase I just made up - think it will be the title of my next album!)... Just a few days ago I picked up the DVD of 1941 because I seemed to remember it had an isolated score (which it does - YAY!) So, I went back and checked out my Bay Cities CD - only to recall that Varese reissued the score after that. Can anyone tell me if the Varese release is a significant improvement over the Bay Cities mastering? If it is - I'll get it to hold me over until someone does the full score. (Which I can actually do myself now from the isolated score track!) Of course not. In fact, I believe they used my copy of the CD to master it.
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Absolutely. The Varese CD is an abomination.
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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? It also deserves to be seen letterboxed at its complete original length, if you haven't seen it that way. The general moviegoing public never got to see the complete version theatrically because unfavorable test screenings led to its being shortened at the last desperate minute before release (and that's the cut made available on VHS originally). Even the restored for (laserdisc and then) DVD version has me wondering: did the scenes they put back with the choppily-re-edited underscoring originally have some other music accompanying them? What exactly did those original test audiences see and hear? This score could sure use some diligent "archeology" performed on it, if only it weren't for the "flop" stigma -- an actual misapprehension, when the international box-office take is figured in, if I'm not mistaken.
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Posted: |
Mar 8, 2010 - 1:10 PM
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By: |
ahem
(Member)
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As is the film. I don't think a film with that kind of beautiful cinematography, set design, editing and MUSIC, etc. could EVER be called an "abomination". Because those are the integral parts that make a comedy war film. Not acting, writing and direction, all of which we both know are not strengths in 1941, a film that most audience members don't even know exist and is downplayed on DVD. A film that Spielberg accepts himself as a misfire, and in my opinion a horrible attempt to cash in on the John Landis/SNL style of humour of the time, which Spielberg was out of his depth practicing (although he seemed to recycle a lot of the tone set pieces and gags for Temple of Doom, particularly the unfunny, balloon filled opening sequence in the club).
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Posted: |
Mar 8, 2010 - 3:27 PM
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By: |
pdw_1968
(Member)
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This score could sure use some diligent "archeology" performed on it, if only it weren't for the "flop" stigma -- an actual misapprehension, when the international box-office take is figured in, if I'm not mistaken. This film was mistakenly considered a box office flop---a better way of looking at it is that it was a "disappointment" compared to the incredible success of his two previous films. On the making-of documentary on the laserdisc and DVD, Spielberg confirms that both Universal and Columbia made back their money. I agree wholeheartedly that the movie is not very funny at all, but the production design, costumes, visual effects, cinematography, and score make it one of my all-time favorites. Back on topic, I'd love to see the full score released on CD. There is some great material that didn't make the original release.
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Posted: |
Mar 8, 2010 - 4:21 PM
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By: |
ahem
(Member)
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The artist is NOT always the best judge of their work. If we were to be in step with that logic, then many of the great artistic works wouldn't exist anymore, at the REQUEST of their own creator. Well, I agree with that in that I am sure Spielberg himself thinks et special edition is a masterpiece and Crystal Skulls is wonderful. Doesn't he also love Michael Bay and Hans Zimmer? cough... I just find it a bit rich that you come on here declaring that Richard Lester needs to learn his trade as a PA for making a misguided Superman film, yet you blast me for putting down the self indulgent dud and biggest box office flop of Spielberg's career. 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), having blatantly (and admittedly) never seen any of his other films. I appreciate and admire that you are one of the few who actually bothered to give this film a look. It shows that you are exploring the back catalogue and forming your own judgement. Maybe from this irreverent comedy you can now move onto the classics of the slapstick genre that Lester made in the 1960s and 1970s? You might like A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To the Forum, The Knack, Hard Day's Night, Help, Royal Flash, The Bedsitting Room and even the Musketeer films. See, crossover. Nothing happens in a vacuum.
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