Heartened to see a pean of praise for the silent cinema on another thread as it prompted me to look further for a release date for a remastered print of Abel Gance's, Napoleon, (1927), heralded in the Guardian, earlier this year. The river people confirmed a release date for the 4DVD BFI set as 21 Nov, priced at £28 31 or blu-ray, £32 71p. The remastered print in the loving care of Kevin Brownlow wll be premiered at the RFH, early November, with the RPO/Carl Davis, providing the musical accompaniment, reviving instant memories for me of the same forces at the Festival Hall, in the early 80s, the intense pleasure of the occasion at almost five hours, screened in a 4:3 ratio, approx 24(fps). The bonus prints include a documentary, narrated by Lindsay Anderson, which features an interview with Gance and Albert Dieudonne who plays the title role.
All this is quietly sensational for me and I've already started by setting aside a fresh appraisal of Brownlow's, The Parade's Gone By, (Abacus, 1968,)essential reading, as well as Lulu in Hollywood, Louise Brooks, (Hamish Hamilton, 1982). Enthusiasm motivated by a large framed poster of the NY premiere of Napoleon, 1981, Radio City Music Hall, orchestra conducted by Carmine Copolla, which faces me every morning in my bedroom. My younger self had to charm a London bus conductor to let me grapple with the framework, upstairs, from Holborn to Wimbledon!
All this is quietly sensational for me and I've already started by setting aside a fresh appraisal of Brownlow's, The Parade's Gone By, (Abacus, 1968,)essential reading, as well as Lulu in Hollywood, Louise Brooks, (Hamish Hamilton, 1982). Enthusiasm motivated by a large framed poster of the NY premiere of Napoleon, 1981, Radio City Music Hall, orchestra conducted by Carmine Copolla, which faces me every morning in my bedroom. My younger self had to charm a London bus conductor to let me grapple with the framework, upstairs, from Holborn to Wimbledon!
Good to add a further memory to the occasion. Will you be playing in the November revival, next door? Should have remembered the QEH as I usually opted for an aisle seat, G27, (?) with ample leg room as well as a more sympathetic acoustic.
Comment