- Joined
- Feb 8, 1999
- Messages
- 18,411
- Real Name
- Robert Harris
The first time that I saw John Irvin's Ghost Story, was during a dubbing session at Universal for which I was permitted to sit in.
I was there putting the finishing touches on Gance's Napoleon, for a 70mm 6-track release.
Ghost story wasn't quite complete, and in many cases, where effects were needed, they were not yet cut in, and a title "effect missing" would hit the screen in its place.
I love this film. Not only as an adjunct to the Peter Struab novel, but as a chance to see some of the actors that I had so cherished for decades, at least one last time.
There's a wonderful interview with Alice Krige, who plays, well you'll find out, and she talks about walking into a read, and finding herself sitting with Fred Astaire, Melvyn Douglas, Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. and John Houseman. Best to watch the interview, which, along with other extras on the disc, makes this release well worth whatever the final street price happens to be.
Great mystical horror, and a wonderful way to visit with some of the Hollywood greats, along with new faces.
Color, densities, are fine. Grain structure is very comfortable, along with black levels and shadow detail.
I'll offer a paragraph from the great Roger Ebert (you can read his entire review on rogerebert.com):
"Ghost stories should always begin as this one does, in shadows so deep that the flickering light of the dying fire barely illuminates the apprehensive faces of the listeners. They should be told in an old man's voice, dry as dust. They should be listened to by other men who are so old and so rich that we can only guess at the horrors they have seen. And, of course, ghost stories should be about things that happened long ago to young, passionate lovers who committed unspeakable crimes and have had to live forever after with the knowledge of them. If at all possible, some of the characters should be living in this life, filled with guilt, while others should be living the half-lives of the Undead, filled with hatred and revenge."
This is a film that needs to be in every serious cinephiles library.
Image - 4.75
Audio - 5
4k Up-rez - 4.75
Pass / Fail - Pass
Highly Recommended
RAH