Is $5.99 too much for Bertolucci's 1900?
So I went to my local Borders bookstore today to get myself a new book of New York Times crosswords, and as I was in the queuing line waiting to be helped I noticed an impulse rack with $5.99 DVDs...most were bollocks, however, one caught my eye -- the 310 uncut version (2-discs) of Bertolucci's 1900. I've never seen the film, but it's one I've always been curious about (mostly due the infamous production of the movie and multiple versions); however, I know people who really dislike the film and claim it to be nothing more than a laborious exercise in a filmmakers obsession with himself. So...for those of you who have seen the movie: is it worth plunkin' down six bucks for the DVD? Or should I just bide my time and wait for it to show up on premium cable (but who knows if you're getting the uncut version)?
I haven't seen it either, but I would pick it up in a heartbeat. I mean, even if it was bad, it was only 6 dollars.
ReplyDeleteYeah, that's what I'm leaning towards...but if somebody out there claims it to be a waste of my 5+ hours then I won't waste the 6 bucks...I could use that for coffee this week! Hehe.
ReplyDelete6 bucks to see some phenomenal cinematography work from the incomparable Storaro and watch a concubine explicitly masturbate Robert DeNiro and Gerard Depardieu at the same time? Yeah, I guess I'll peanut.
ReplyDeletePS - it's actually the same price at Deep Discount and you don't have to pay tax. I might wait for a $6 bluray of this one, though!
6 bucks to see some phenomenal cinematography work from the incomparable Storaro and watch a concubine explicitly masturbate Robert DeNiro and Gerard Depardieu at the same time?
ReplyDeleteAlright, my friend, you just sealed the deal for me. Haha. I figured it would be worth checking out considering Bertolucci's track record of making phenomenal looking pictures...but after what you just told me about Depardieu and DeNiro and a concubine...well...now I have to see this...hehe.
Thanks, Jon. I was curious if the film was worth my time (I may have to watch it in installments).
Wasn't Bertolucci locked out of the editor's room when they were getting ready to make the final cut of the picture? I thought I remember reading that somewhere.
Oh, and no tax for me...I'm in Oregon!
If the double masturbation put you over the top I'm afraid this might be overkill, but the film does also feature Donald Sutherland head-butting a cat to death.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I saw the same deal in my local Borders and found myself thinking: Damn! I paid $14.99 for it when it came out and I thought that was a bargain. But in all seriousness, it's worth the money either way.
Glad to hear I helped, Kev. Along with that cat death scene, which I forgot about, this should be the perfect little film to take in with the new bride!
ReplyDeleteWasn't Bertolucci locked out of the editor's room when they were getting ready to make the final cut of the picture? I thought I remember reading that somewhere.
Supposedly that's how the original theatrical cut was born, yeah, although wikipedia tends to treat apocrypha as fact rather often.
Oh, and no tax for me...I'm in Oregon!
You bitch...I forgot about that. We're pushing 10 per-freaking-cent here in the bay area!
Samuel:
ReplyDeleteHoly hell now I know I must see this movie. That sounds better than Arnie punching a horse in one of the Conan movies. Thanks for the advice...I think I'll pick it up tomorrow.
Jon:
ReplyDeleteYeah...the wife won't like it...it's too long. She made it through Magnolia and The Godfather, but I think three hours is her limit...she doesn't appreciate epic films as much as I do (I had no luck getting her to watch Dr. Zhivago or Lawrence of Arabia).
Maybe I read that on Wikipedia...I thought it was Ebert's review, but I could be wrong. Yeah, Wiki's not the greatest source, but they're getting better, and I actually use a lot more than a future English teacher should care to admit...but on the big stuff they're usually legit.
Yes, 10% sales tax sucks...we also don't have to pump our own gas! Cheap and lazy, that's the Oregon way!
Maybe I read that on Wikipedia...I thought it was Ebert's review, but I could be wrong. Yeah, Wiki's not the greatest source, but they're getting better, and I actually use a lot more than a future English teacher should care to admit...but on the big stuff they're usually legit.
ReplyDeleteRight, and just to be clear -- I'd be a hypocrite if I bashed wikipedia too much, since I read it incessantly. I find it, though, to be a better depository of the collective conscious than an actual record of "fact" in some instances. A good example is their occasional "production notes" within entries for albums and films, which are brimming with tall tales and speculation (they have, however, as of late gotten much better at letting readers know when a claim has not been definitively verified). But that makes it more entertaining, in my opinion. Sometimes what people believe about a particular work of art, and the circumstances it was borne out of, is more important than the reality.
Ooh, I've been wanting to at least give this a try since watching The Conformist. Bring it on over to my house, I'll watch it with you.
ReplyDeleteOh, and Oregon may not have a sales tax, but we DO have a really high property tax...which you'll get to learn about someday :)
Personally, I think it's one of the most beautiful, heartbreaking epic films ever committed to celluloid. Well worth the money and the time.
ReplyDeleteOne of the few Bertoluccis I haven't seen yet... despite owning it for years (the running time is difficult with 2 little rugrats running around). But it's Bertolucci... for six bucks.
ReplyDeleteThink of the worst movie you saw this year in the theater, and how much you spent on that outing, and the answer should be clear.
Troy:
ReplyDeleteI will purchase it tomorrow...if you can sit and watch it for 5 hours I am down. We'll definitely need an intermission.
Ryan:
ReplyDeleteGood to hear! You, along with others, have convinced me to plunk down the minimal cash to buy the DVD. I wonder when I'll find the time to watch it, though...hehe.
Thanks for throwing your much revered two cents in.
Tony:
ReplyDeleteThink of the worst movie you saw this year in the theater, and how much you spent on that outing, and the answer should be clear.
Well said. You all have convinced me to buy it. It will be difficult for me to find time to watch it, too...between work and grad school and being newly married...perhaps it will sit on my shelf for a while, too.
Jon:
ReplyDeleteI agree with everything you say about Wiki. I think it's an incredibly entertaining and handy capsule of information for what I'm trying to quickly learn about or refresh my memory on. It's not entirely legit, but it serves its purpose well.
Ryan Kelly said it all there, and Jon in his typically complex way said much the same.
ReplyDeleteI have owned the Region 2 of this for two years, and it's simply a stunning film.
It's worth a bit more than $5.99!!!
Ha!
Thanks for chiming in, Sam. I always value your opinion. Work derailed me a bit today (those good 'ol week-before-classes-start meetings), but I am going to pick up the DVD tomorrow.
ReplyDelete