1900
Bernardo Bertolucci spent a year making this gorgeously cinematic epic which I finally saw, a 2-disc special edition release from Paramount.
This DVD set is the definitive version, too.
In the special features Bernardo explains how after it was completed he had to compromise with the producer Alberto Grimaldi on how it would be released. His director's cut clocks in at over 5 hours (this DVD) and the producer wanted a 3hr, 15 minute version. The U.S. release compromise was 4 hours and a few minutes, edited by Bertolucci himself. He says he didn't take out any scenes- he just cut the length of shots. A few seconds here, a few seconds there.
Vittorio Storaro is possibly the greatest cinematographer in cinema history, and if you're a serious film buff, you have to bow at what he achieved here. Every single shot is pretty much breathtaking. The cinematography is unmatched.Unmatched.
The lighting is absolutely perfect. Some shots I just wanted to pause and stare at for a few minutes. Beauty in all of it's glory.
So much for your eyes to absorb...
Hundreds and hundreds of brilliant images- I don't know how Bertolucci and Storaro did it.
The story, oddly, doesn't quite live up to the images. It does, but I can see a lot of people feeling detached while watching. Not being engaged. I was, but that was triggered by the absolute power and glory of the pictures.
Robert DeNiro and Gerard Depardieu are great in this, as two very very close friends from childhood whose lives are shaken up by various major events and circumstances.
For the first hour and a half or so it's the two as young boys, then it's them as young men, then it's them as adults, mature, and finally in their 80's.
I'll have to watch it several times to get it completely- at over 5 hours, a first viewing is hard to understand it in story total.
This cut is unrated, with lots of sexuality and innuendoes, very Fellini. You want some shock value? How about seeing *yes actually witnessing* Bob and Gerard getting hand jobs? Bob and Gerard smooching?
There's other scenes that might offend people but I won't describe them- the film has more important things going on. It's an epic in every sense of the word and I don't know why I haven't seen it before. Always wanted to.
I gotta buy it on DVD- just for the cinematography alone it's worth owning and watching over and over.
I love it. One of the best films I've ever seen.
But it's not for everybody.
It's for lovers of extremely foreign films, stunning camerawork and historical dramas.
Last edited by Johann; 06-08-2007 at 12:30 PM.
"Set the controls for the heart of the Sun" - Pink Floyd
Bookmarks