Coppola/Zoetrope version of Napoleon?

Keith Paynter · 10-11-2008, 12:10 AM

Hello, Mr. Harris;

Granted, this is a long shot, but do you foresee another opportunity to go back and revisit your restoration of Abel Gance's Napoleon, and have it issued in a presentation eventually suited for current DVD (or Blu-Ray) standards? Could it again see light of day under Universal Home Video?

Thanks very much for your time.

Robert Harris · 10-11-2008, 01:55 PM

Yes, and to be correct, the film was reconstructed and restored by Kevin Brownlow.

RAH

Keith Paynter · 10-11-2008, 06:35 PM

My apologies - of course the restoration was Brownlow's, I should have said your edit of Brownlow's version, with the late Carmine Coppola's score. My understanding is that this is the only way that the film can be presented.

It would be wonderful to have a more pristine looking edition, as the Region 2 and 4 DVD's (I have the R4 Australian release) appear to have been taken directly from the same masters that made the original videotapes and laserdiscs.

Your answer, while understandably brief, is encouraging.

Robert Harris · 10-12-2008, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keith Paynter

My understanding is that this is the only way that the film can be presented.

It would be wonderful to have a more pristine looking edition, as the Region 2 and 4 DVD's (I have the R4 Australian release) appear to have been taken directly from the same masters that made the original videotapes and laserdiscs.

Your answer, while understandably brief, is encouraging.

No longer. There is now a joint effort to upgrade all elements for both cuts and scores.

RAH

Scooter · 10-12-2008, 04:48 PM

I was at the presentation of this at Radio City...can't recall if it was the premiere or not. I also believe Carmine conducted the orchestra that played live to the film.

What I do recall, and it was goose bumpy-ish...was when the curtains parted further during the Tryptloc (sp) scenes. The audience went wild!!!! Also, me "getting it" (what Gance was trying to get across) when the camera swinging scenes occured.

**HTF Ads**

Patrick McCart · 10-12-2008, 06:23 PM

Napoleon is my most-wanted film on DVD, so I'd love to see a proper DVD release eventually. Hopefully a comprehensive one since there's so much existing material like the behind-the-scenes footage, the interviews with Gance. Brownlow's book needs to come back into print since it's such a great read.

Where are the rights now? It seems confusing given that I've seen copyright notices and credits for Universal, Images Film Archive, Zoetrope, StudioCanal, and the BFI.

Mark Zimmer · 10-13-2008, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert Harris

No longer. There is now a joint effort to upgrade all elements for both cuts and scores.

RAH

That's absolutely splendid news. What is the current running time of the longest version Brownlow's been able to assemble thus far?

Michael Fournier · 10-17-2008, 12:08 PM

Mr. Harris,
I'm delighted to hear that work is underway to release this great film on DVD. I'm curious to know if you are in a position to say

a) when such a dvd might become available
b) whether a blu ray edition will also be released
c) whether both the Coppola and Davis scores will be included in the package

Thank you for all the wonderful work you do.

Robert Harris · 10-18-2008, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael Fournier

a) when such a dvd might become available

Not at this time, as a great deal of digital restoration work must be performed, and this is still at early stages.

b) whether a blu ray edition will also be released

Yes.

c) whether both the Coppola and Davis scores will be included in the package

At this time, only the Coppola score has been recorded, but there is no reason, other than economic, why Mr. Davis' score could not be. Whether the two versions would be released as a package or separately has not yet been decided.

Robert Harris · 10-18-2008, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patrick McCart

Where are the rights now? It seems confusing given that I've seen copyright notices and credits for Universal, Images Film Archive, Zoetrope, StudioCanal, and the BFI.

Universal controls US and Canadian theatrical and home video rights with a recorded synchronized soundtrack.

Studio Canal presently represents those same rights for foreign sale.

The BFI holds UK rights.