New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

The Stanley Kubrick Archives...

post #1 of 161
2/11/05 at 7:09am
Thread Starter 




Hi all,

I didn't know of another place to post this, and as the booket set includes a CD it is somewhat appropriate.

In March 2005 - the first book to explore Stanley Kubrick’s archives (also the most comprehensive study of the filmmaker to date) will be released for purchase. It is written by Alison Castle.

$200 US/£100 GBP/150 EUR.

Made in cooperation with Jan Harlan, Christiane Kubrick, and the Stanley Kubrick Estate.

**BONUS**
• books in the first print run will each include a twelve-frame film strip from a 70mm print of 2001: A Space Odyssey owned by Stanley Kubrick!

I've pieced together some more details HERE if anyone is interested. I've pre-ordered mine and hoping for the Star Child sequence !!!

Best,
Reply
post #2 of 161
2/11/05 at 9:09am
Interesting, Gary. Though the copy in the intro states that Mr. Kubrick made only twelve features, it should be noted that the correct number is thirteen -- Fear and Desire (which I've actually seen).

What is "DVD Beaver"?
Reply
post #3 of 161
2/11/05 at 9:19am
Thread Starter 
Hi Jack!,

Thanks for the correction...
Quote:
What is "DVD Beaver"?

Our fan-based DVD review/comparison site. We update this THREAD.

Of all people I was sure you knew about this upcoming book... It looks like the "Holy Grail" for Kubrick fans...

Best,
Reply
post #4 of 161
2/11/05 at 10:50am
Quote:
Fear and Desire (which I've actually seen).


How'd you manage that, Jack? I thought it wasn't allowed to be shown anywhere, or something like that. Was it any good?

From Gary's site, I have to say that Part 1 of the book doesn't look that interesting:

Quote:
From the opening sequence of Killer’s Kiss to the final frames of Eyes Wide Shut, Kubrick’s complete films will be presented chronologically and wordlessly via frame enlargements. A completely nonverbal experience.


Seems kind of pointless to me. Part 2, of course, looks like it'll be unbelievably great:

Quote:
Divided into chapters chronologically by film, Part 2 brings to life the creative process of Kubrick’s filmmaking by presenting a remarkable collection of material from his archives, including photographs, props, posters, artwork, set designs, sketches, correspondence, documents, screenplays, drafts, notes, and shooting schedules. Accompanying the visual material are essays by noted Kubrick scholars, articles written by and about Kubrick, and a selection of Kubrick’s best interviews.
Reply
post #5 of 161
2/11/05 at 10:59am
I saw "Fear and Desire" at the Film Forum in New York City, right before Kubrick and his lawyers put a gag order on it and stopped it from being shown anywhere. The sophisticated and witty New York audience spent almost the entire time laughing at the movie. But I, big Kubrick fan that I am, was fascinated by it, especially for historical reasons.
Reply
post #6 of 161
2/11/05 at 11:21am
If you haven't visited DVD Beaver, do so immediately. Wonderful site.
Reply
post #7 of 161
2/11/05 at 11:51am
Quote:
I saw "Fear and Desire" at the Film Forum in New York City, right before Kubrick and his lawyers put a gag order on it and stopped it from being shown anywhere.


Bill, when was that, sometime in the '80s? The Film Forum has been around since the '70s, I think, right?
Reply
post #8 of 161
2/11/05 at 12:08pm
How'd you manage that, Jack? I thought it wasn't allowed to be shown anywhere, or something like that. Was it any good?


At a university screening in 1975. As to how "good" it is, well, one can sort of tell it is a film by Stanley Kubrick. Sort of. We all have to start somewhere.
Reply
post #9 of 161
2/11/05 at 12:20pm
I'd love to read "Napoleon"
Reply
post #10 of 161
2/11/05 at 4:54pm
Taschen makes some great film books. I have about half of their output including the oversized Some Like It Hot book. Looks like the Kubrick book will be even longer than that one. My pre-order is in as well.
Reply
post #11 of 161
2/11/05 at 9:45pm
would love to own this book
however too rich for my blood...I'll have to be content with just the movies

anyway I am suprised Amazon hasn't listed a discounted price
at leastBarnes & Noble has it at $160 (US)

you can flip through 10 pages here
http://www.taschen.com/pages/en/cata...acts/00301.htm
Reply
post #12 of 161
2/11/05 at 10:08pm
and some more
http://www.taschen.com/pages/en/exce.../show/1/81.htm
http://www.taschen.com/pages/en/exce.../show/2/81.htm
Reply
post #13 of 161
2/12/05 at 3:30am
Film Forum attempted to again play FEAR AND DESIRE in the mid-90's, after the George Eastman House prepared a print for them. It managed to play a couple days before Kubrick (through Warner Bros. and their lawyers) successfully coerced them into ending the screenings.

Technically, FEAR AND DESIRE has lapsed into the public domain, which is why Eastman House took on preserving it, and it was not illegal for Film Forum to run it. But during his life Kubrick was able to put enormous pressure on theatres not to play it, lest they be denied his (and, quite possibly, all WB) films in the future. So they have all abided to this day, because nobody wanted to run afoul of him. I'm sure the estate still holds sway on this matter years after his death.
Reply
post #14 of 161
2/12/05 at 4:09am
I've had this on order for a while now. I agree that the idea of a pictorial history of Kubrick's films is not particularly inspired but if ARCHIVES comes anywhere near the standard of Taschen's gorgeous SOME LIKE IT HOT book, it should be a thing of beauty.

What really intrigues me is this 70-minute interview CD. I had no idea such a thing existed and I'm amazed (and grateful) that the Estate has agreed to its release. All the signs are that the family have a very sane attitude to Kubrick's legacy, balancing a respect for his wishes against the historical value of his career, and it perhaps bodes well for future re-releases on DVD.
Reply
post #15 of 161
2/12/05 at 6:06am
I don't think I can justify 70 pounds for a Kubrick book; does it have to be that pricey?
Reply
post #16 of 161
2/12/05 at 7:51am
Since it is public domain, I guess it's OK to talk about this. I have it on DVD but the quality is prety poor. I have never known a decent copy to exist on any video format. Has anyone actually been able to find a copy that is actually a step beyond "barely watchable"?
Reply
post #17 of 161
2/12/05 at 8:34am
Jeff, we do not discuss bootlegs here. End of story. JB
Reply
post #18 of 161
2/12/05 at 9:22am
Just curious, Jack, but is it really a bootleg if it's in the public domain? I also own "Fear and Desire" but am always on the hunt for a better copy. If it's truly considered a boot, my apologies and I'll refrain from discussing it further.

As for the film itself, it's both jaw-droppingly terrible and yet profoundly inspirational. I mean, if Kubrick can start this low, and reach the unreachable heights that he eventually did...well, I think that gives hope to us all. And as bad as "Fear and Desire" is, there are some fleeting (and fascinating) glimpses into the future master filmmaker that Kubrick would become, simply in terms of shot design and lighting.

I know Kubrick was embarrassed by it, but I think "Fear and Desire" is an essential chapter in an absolutely phenomenal career. It really should get a properly-mastered release, along with "Day of the Fight," "Flying Padre" and "The Seafarers."
Reply
post #19 of 161
2/12/05 at 2:18pm
Those page excerpts on the Taschen site did it - it's a must have.
Reply
post #20 of 161
2/12/05 at 8:28pm
Thread Starter 
Sorry guys... my review copy arrived. Luck of the draw would have it, here is a segement of my included film strip...




Sometimes you get lucky in life...

Reply
post #21 of 161
2/12/05 at 11:21pm
Gary, thanks for the heads-up on this, just ordered mine from B&N for $152 (incl. Reader's Advantage discount).

As far as your film strip goes... you bastard!!!

Seriously - perhaps the most famous cut in cinema history. Amazing

Me?? I'll probably get the Zero-G toilet instructions sequence...
Reply
post #22 of 161
2/13/05 at 6:38am
Tooze, you lucky bastard!

Practically every frame in the film is beautiful, so everyone will be a winner.
Reply
post #23 of 161
2/13/05 at 8:50am
Jeff, we do not discuss bootlegs here. End of story. JB


If the film is indeed in the public domain, then there is no such thing as a "bootleg" of it. Jeff Adkins is just as much a legitimate distributor of Fear and Desire as, say, Warner Brothers would be.
Reply
post #24 of 161
2/13/05 at 10:56am
Hi there, Charlie!

You know, even though the film may be public domain, I know of no authorized editions being out. As such, we'll call 'em boots!

And your comments about the film itself pretty much match my impressions of it from the two times I saw it back in '75. Yes, this particular filmmaker would climb to breathtaking heights from that particularly humble beginning. But, then, I'm less than objective here.
Reply
post #25 of 161
2/13/05 at 12:46pm
Thread Starter 
Just to clarify for those that didn't get my joke. I don't have that film strip, but it does represent a sample of what one might get... that and the star child sequence would be my top choice but getting them is about 7000:1 (I think)

Best,
Gary
Reply
post #26 of 161
2/13/05 at 1:57pm
I knew you didn't have that filmstrip because I have it. Hahahahahahaha. Only kidding. It's peculiar that barnes and noble discounts the book but not amazon. Much easier purchase for me via amazon - I may drop them a line and see if they'll consider price matching.
Reply
post #27 of 161
2/13/05 at 2:04pm
Thread Starter 
It's only £70.00 from Amazon.Uk which delivers overseas. That is only $130.865 USD by my 'cash counter'... I say use them.
Best,
Reply
post #28 of 161
2/13/05 at 2:18pm
I have to say that the US edition has the better cover. What's with pink cover on the UK edition? It's not a colour I associate with Kubrick's films.
Reply
post #29 of 161
2/13/05 at 6:33pm
Quote:
You know, even though the film may be public domain, I know of no authorized editions being out. As such, we'll call 'em boots!
No offense, but there's no authorized editions of One-Eyed Jacks or McClintock(yet) either, but the DVDs that are out there aren't bootlegs. If a film is indeed "Public Domain", then there is no such thing as a "boot" of that film since anyone can legally manufacture, exhibit, or sell it.

According to these aricles, the film is definitely in the public domain and at least one company, Subterranean Cinema, supposedly offers it for sale. Apparently, there are just aren't any prints around for any of the usuals (Madacy, Diamond, Alpha) to release it, as the one I have certainly isn't even good enough for someone like Madacy to release. A release of the film in this condition would generate so many returns and complaints that it just wouldn't be worth the hassle.

http://www.aint-it-cool-news.com/display.cgi?id=14996

http://www.filmthreat.com/Reviews.asp?Id=4492

http://www.visual-memory.co.uk/amk/doc/0047.html

Nonetheless, you're in charge so from here on out, I won't discuss the film any further.

Jeff
Reply
post #30 of 161
2/14/05 at 9:21am
Gordon - I don't know for sure, but I think the pink cover was probably an initial design. It's been on amazon for a long time now, before the official site was updated. This'll be a limited edition book and I can't see that they'd go to the expense of designing different covers for the US and the UK. It's too much of a "niche" product.

In response to an earlier post, yes - it's an expensive book. But so was the SOME LIKE IT HOT book and, believe me, all the cost was there in the quality of the book. It's just a gorgeous thing, to the eye and to the touch. I'd never normally shell out so much but if the Kubrick book is up to the same standard, I doubt you'll be disappointed.
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: DVD