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03-23-2006, 12:21 PM
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#1 of 29 
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Motion Picture Archivist
Join Date: Feb 1999
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Local Date: 11-18-2008
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A few words about... Mr. Arkadin
Packaged along with a paperbound copy of the novel, Criterion's new DVD release of Mr. Welles' Mr. Arkadin shows precisely how far, in an industry gone mad with continuous triple and quadruple dips into known territory, one can take a project in the name of quality, art and love of the cinema.
Offered as "The Complete Mr. Arkadin," this new DVD is much more than that.
As a project that was never officially completed by Mr. Welles, various versions have been available for decades, ranging from quite good to rather emasculated.
Offering three interestingly different versions of the film on three separate discs, we can now follow the editorial changes, and finally view for the first time, a new version which seems to be the closest to what might have been an "official" version had there been one.
For those who are unfamiliar with the Mr. Arkadin / Confidential Agent turf, this is a package containing many delights, put together with consummate care.
Mr. Arkadin is Criterion at its highest level.
Very Highly Recommended.
RAH
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03-23-2006, 02:08 PM
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#2 of 29
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Member
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I think I'll order this...
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03-23-2006, 02:52 PM
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#3 of 29
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Member
Location: Rensselaer, NY
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...it would almost be hard not to with a recommendation like that! 
There's Jessie the yodeling cowgirl. Bullseye, he's Woody's horse. Pete the old prospector. And, Woody, the man himself. Of course, it's time for Woody's RoundUp. He's the very best! He's the rootinest, tootinest cowboy in the wild, wild west!
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03-23-2006, 05:09 PM
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#4 of 29
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Patrick J. McCart
Member
Location: Decatur, GA, USA
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One can never have too much Welles. I'll be getting this eventually.
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03-23-2006, 06:22 PM
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#5 of 29
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Member
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what is it with Welles that so many of his movies are taken away from him ?
Toastmasters International
Communication is Everything
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03-23-2006, 09:59 PM
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#6 of 29
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Member
Join Date: Oct 2003
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wow. it comes with the novel? that's fantastic. i'm a welles nut so this is a no brainer for me.
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03-23-2006, 10:08 PM
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#7 of 29
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Patrick J. McCart
Member
Location: Decatur, GA, USA
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Quote:
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what is it with Welles that so many of his movies are taken away from him ?
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"I'm not bitter about Hollywood's treatment of me, but over its treatment of Griffith, Von Sternberg, Von Stroheim, Buster Keaton and a hundred others."
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03-24-2006, 05:25 AM
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#8 of 29
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Thank you for you comments Mr Harris - This is so good to hear
I've been panting over this release for months now - the original novel is a rather amusing inclusion (it was apparently ghosted by Maurice Bessy) and I am really looking forward to listening to the commentary by James Naremore and Jonathan Rosenbaum, for my money the best writers on Welles around. Rosenbaum's classic article 'The 7 Arkadins' seems to have been a driving force behind the creation of this package.
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03-24-2006, 07:48 AM
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#9 of 29
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Member
Location: Edison, NJ
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The public domain title of Mr. Arkadin that I have is the only DVD I have ever bought that I deemed unwatchable. The transfer was horrid and the noise made it practically impossible to hear the dialogue. So I am greatly looking forward to this and Mr. Harris's review just whetted my appeitite even more.
Now, perhaps, Chimes at Midnight/Falstaff and The Magnificent Ambersons to follow?
"I was born when she kissed me. I died when she left me. I lived a few weeks while she loved me."
My 25 most wanted DVDs: Chilly Scenes Of Winter (1979); The Dead (1987); The African Queen (1951); Johnny Guitar (1954); The Sterile Cuckoo (1969); The Friends Of Eddie Coyle (1973); The Rain People (1969); Abe Lincoln In Illinois (1940); Far from the Madding Crowd (1967); Shanghai Express (1932); Rachel, Rachel (1968); Love with the Proper Stranger (1963); The Wind (1928); Summer Wishes, Winter Dreams (1973); The Magnificent Ambersons (1942); Ruggles Of Red Gap (1935); Greed (1925); The Effect Of Gamma Rays On Man-In-The-Moon Marigolds (1972); Ride The Pink Horse (1947); The Pumpkin Eater (1964); The Go-Between (1970); Sons And Lovers (1960); The Criminal Code (1931); Viva Zapata! (1952); That ffice:smarttags" />Hamilton Woman (1941)
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03-24-2006, 12:15 PM
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#10 of 29
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Member
Join Date: Mar 1999
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Quote:
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what is it with Welles that so many of his movies are taken away from him
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There are a million answers to that question, but regardless of "the truth", the bottom line is that it's a shame he didn't have final cut on more of his films. Regardless of his character flaws (such as significant egotism, but what successful director has not been guilty of that) Welles was a visionary. Unfortunately, he wasn't granted more room to explore that vision.
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03-24-2006, 01:25 PM
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#11 of 29
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Member
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The crucial question, Mr. Harris:
Has Criterion "windowboxed" the presentation of Mr. Arkadin as they've done with most of their recent 1.37:1 releases (Kind Hearts and Coronets, La bête humaine, The Children are Watching Us, The Virgin Spring, Forbidden Games)?
Do you have an opinion on this windowboxing practice?
pro: it does away with the problem of cropping due to overscan
con: it limits resolution
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