$67 worth of Criterion

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The three disc set of Eisenstein has finally arrived and gave us opportunity to watch Alexander Nevsky last night.
One should always be very careful trying to relive the childhood experiences. I loved that film when I was young.
Last night was largely a disappointment. I was trying to look past the technological limitations of the era and was mostly successful in that. And the film had many wonderful scenes - who can forget the pikes of the center regiment move like field of wheat under wind - masterful!!, simply masterful - but I did not get the impression of greatness.
The all too familiar score raised strong emotions in many spots and the attack scene mosic/images integration is still among the best in the world cinematography - even given its age. Its slow menacing buildup mesmerizing and glorious - all the way to its semi-crescendo and then sudden stop... chilling, simply chilling...
Cherkassov looking impressive with padded shoulders... some unfortunate flukes - when Alexander changes his helmet several times during the same scene - back and forth, back and forth - how did they miss it?
Maybe I am just too critical, and maybe I should suspend my modern age khowledge and expectatins a bit more. But something was missing, something that was definitely THERE in Ivan the Terrible. There that "something" was inescapable, here you had to look for it.
A masterpiece without any doubts, just a tad short of greatness in my view. Definitely a must for any movie lover, and this Criterion set is a wonderful present.

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Topic - $67 worth of Criterion - Victor Khomenko 14:31:36 06/22/01 (10)

Re: $67 worth of Criterion - John_N 15:53:06 06/22/01 (9)

Re: $67 worth of Criterion - Victor Khomenko 16:04:52 06/22/01 (8)

Re: $67 worth of Criterion - John_N 17:10:48 06/22/01 (7)

WOW! - Victor Khomenko 17:23:00 06/22/01 (6)

Re: WOW! - John_N 17:57:37 06/22/01 (5)

Re: WOW! - Victor Khomenko 18:29:57 06/22/01 (4)

Victor!!! You won't believe this....I just picked up a rental ... - John_N 19:49:45 06/22/01 (3)

Double WOW! - Victor Khomenko 20:06:05 06/22/01 (2)

"They cancelled Sunday this week" -- from the film - John_N 23:08:33 06/22/01 (1)

Re: "They cancelled Sunday this week" -- from the film - Victor Khomenko 23:38:55 06/22/01 (0)

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