CHUD.com Community › Forums › DVD, HOME THEATER, & GADGETS › DVD General Discussion › FANNY AND ALEXANDER - Criterion
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

FANNY AND ALEXANDER - Criterion

post #1 of 9
1/9/08 at 12:53pm
Thread Starter 
So, I'm planning on tackling this massive Criterion DVD for the first time. It's been sitting on my shelf for over a year quietly mocking me. There are two versions of the film, a Theatrical clocking in at 3 hours, and the original televised mini-series that comes in at a whopping 4+ hours. To those who have seen this, based on content, is it better to watch the Theatrical first, or the mini-series?
Reply
post #2 of 9
1/9/08 at 3:41pm
The television version comes in at nearly 6 hours. My advice (if you are, in fact, in Crooklyn) is to go to the IFC film center on 6th ave and see the whole shebang on the big screen, where it's playing until, I believe, the 17th. It's well worth the time and (sadly) the double admission.
In any case, watch the longer version. I was amazed to find that there was almost nothing that was unnecessary or extraneous in the uncut version, and by comparison the 3-hour version seems incredibly incomplete.
Reply
post #3 of 9
1/9/08 at 3:55pm
I bought the big set when it was first released and the Thetrical cut has never left its case, and if you can afford it and have the time do go see it on the big screen. It seems quite mundane at first but its Bergman'ss sense of colour and detail that make it a treat not particularly the framing and composition like his earlier work.
Reply
post #4 of 9
1/9/08 at 3:59pm
The 6 Hour Cut of the film scares the shit out of me and unfortunately it's the only version I have. I just keep looking at my DVD collection willing myself to tackle it and then I'll move onto something a little more palatable.
Reply
post #5 of 9
1/9/08 at 4:09pm
I've only seen the Criterion theatrical cut, but it was wonderful. Funny and cheerful at some points and terrbily depressing at others. Especially at the beginning, all the actors just look like they're having a great time making the movie. I'll get to the longer version eventually when I shave down the Netflix queue a bit.

I'd say if you don't want to make the commitment, watch the theatrical version, and if you enjoy it, then tackling the tv version won't seem as great a chore.
Reply
post #6 of 9
1/9/08 at 5:54pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bromius
The television version comes in at nearly 6 hours. My advice (if you are, in fact, in Crooklyn) is to go to the IFC film center on 6th ave and see the whole shebang on the big screen, where it's playing until, I believe, the 17th. It's well worth the time and (sadly) the double admission.
In any case, watch the longer version. I was amazed to find that there was almost nothing that was unnecessary or extraneous in the uncut version, and by comparison the 3-hour version seems incredibly incomplete.
I'll give the shorter a try, and if I like it, I'll trek to the IFC to see the longer. Have you seen the IFC screening? Is it being screened in 35mm? or digitally? I'd go only if it were screening on film.
Reply
post #7 of 9
1/9/08 at 7:27pm
You know, I was wasn't sure myself if they were showing it digitally or not, so I called the box office. They told me it was a specially-made HD version taken directly from the 35mm print.

I did see it, Sunday night; it's glorious. I saw both parts (about two and 3/4 hours each) back to back, and it was the fastest six hours I've spent in a theater ever. From the first scene, you're just immersed in the world that Bergman created. It felt---much more so than the edited version---like an epic 19th century novel, crammed with detail and memorable characterization. By the end of the film, I felt like I knew the Ekdahl family personally.
And that's what's missing from the edited version; the plot's the same---it moves faster---but the missing character notes mess with some of the film's internal logic.
Reply
post #8 of 9
1/10/08 at 4:50am
I had to experience the theatrical cut first due to lack of availability of the other version but when the box set came out, I too was surprised that there was no filler. It truly made a huge difference to have the longer parts in because the film feels like a whole world in itself. One of the greatest films I have ever seen (both versions).
Reply
post #9 of 9
1/11/08 at 12:55am
You guys should quit your bitching and/or putting off watching the longer version. It's a goddamned experience, and arguably one of Bergman's best films.
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: DVD General Discussion
CHUD.com Community › Forums › DVD, HOME THEATER, & GADGETS › DVD General Discussion › FANNY AND ALEXANDER - Criterion