A puzzled man...

[pastoralguy]

I've always been interested in the mechanics of the cinema - a dying art as the digital 'revolution' takes over and cinema going is reduced to being nothing more than an over-sized television with a very expensive sweetie shop attached.

Anyway, I was walking past a charity shop shop today when I noticed a 35mm film canister in the window. I investigated and was told, yes, it contained film. It turns out to be reel five of a French movie called 'Arnacouer' which was a smash hit film circa 2010.

What is this doing in a charity shop? Where are parts 1 through 4 and 6? Was it stolen? I know that movie prints are usually returned to their distributors to be destroyed after release so why has this portion ended up in my possession? (You know these horrible plastic chairs? Well, that could have been a 'Harry Potter' movie once!)

Anyone have any thoughts on this?

[Flosshilde]

Was the film shown in Edinburgh (I'm assuming that the charity shop was in Edinburgh, as you give that as your location)? Perhaps the projectionist 'borrowed' it?

[Don Petter]

What is this doing in a charity shop? Where are parts 1 through 4 and 6?
Anyone have any thoughts on this?

Yes. Don't watch it! You could end up like Hancock in 'The Missing Page'.

[gamba]

Do remember 35mm. nitro film very flammable substance.

[Dave2002]

Yes. Don't watch it! You could end up like Hancock in 'The Missing Page'.

For a few seconds I thought our OP might have made a discovery - you know - films from 1888 or suchlike. In fact there'd be no problem right now in finding a copy of L'arnacoeur - so there's not much point in having a single reel which perhaps was for cinema projection.

The Hancock situation is unlikely to occur - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Heartbreaker...ds=l+arnacoeur

A couple of puzzles remain though - 1. why was it in the charity shop, and 2. who did the charity shop manager think would buy it?
Perhaps it was just a prop in the shop window.

[pastoralguy]

Was the film shown in Edinburgh (I'm assuming that the charity shop was in Edinburgh, as you give that as your location)? Perhaps the projectionist 'borrowed' it?

Many thanks for the replies. I did look back on the Edinburgh art house cinemas websites but there's been no evidence of it having been shown recently.

[pastoralguy]

Thanks, gamba. This is modern 35mm safety stock. It really only pre 1950's that's nitrate.

[pastoralguy]

A couple of puzzles remain though - 1. why was it in the charity shop, and 2. who did the charity shop manager think would buy it?
Perhaps it was just a prop in the shop window.

I have ordered the DVD from Amazon but, yes, the puzzle remains. I thought of might be a prop too but there it was with a price tag on it!

Most odd.

[Dave2002]

I have ordered the DVD from Amazon but, yes, the puzzle remains. I thought of might be a prop too but there it was with a price tag on it!

Most odd.

I wasn't suggesting you had to buy the DVD! Have you checked it out - for example at IMDB?

http://www.imdb.com/media/rm2356969472/tt1465487?ref_=tt_ov_i

I would probably have left it.

[pastoralguy]

I wasn't suggesting you had to buy the DVD! Have you checked it out - for example at IMDB?

http://www.imdb.com/media/rm2356969472/tt1465487?ref_=tt_ov_i

I would probably have left it.

It was only a couple of pounds and what I've read about the movie has me intrigued.

[Flosshilde]

This could be the start of a detective/mystery/horror story.

[Angle]

Another for James McLevy, perhaps.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Another for James McLevy, perhaps.

Or the Reel Inspector Hound?

[Flay]

It looks like a proper good rom com, pastoral! Enjoy!