A Few Words About A few words about...™ Behold a Pale Horse - in Blu-ray (1 Viewer)

[Robert Harris]

Behold a Pale Horse has always seemed to be a bit of an oddity to me.

Directed by Fred Zinnemann, one of the three that David Lean used to refer to lovingly as "the three foreigners," in a style so tepid to be almost without style, and with a minimal tale to tell.

Partly having the appearance of neo-realism, and part studio, it never found its mark for me.

One look at the cast, and the astute cinephile will know the heritage of the production, as linking with Columbia and Sam Spiegel, as part of the Lawrence deal. Some were placed in motion during Lawrence's writing hiatus, while others were part of the actors deals. A reason why Albert Finney said "no."

Here you'll find Zia Mohyeddin, Omar Sharif, Maurice Jarre and Anthony Quinn.

Also think Night of the Generals, among others.

All this from one of the true great filmmakers.

Twilight Time's new Blu-ray seems to accurately represent the black & white source, and the source, from an interesting segue from documentary footage at the opening to presumably dupey looking shots just thereafter, should not deter the modern viewer. Studio shots can be gorgeous, if dark.

Image – 4.25

Audio – 5

Pass / Fail – Pass

Upgrade from DVD – Yes

RAH

 

[Angelo Colombus]

Never seen this film but being a big fan of the director and Gregory Peck will check it out from my local library if they get it.

 

[Richard Kaufman]

As great an actor as Finney was, I cannot imagine him as Lawrence.

 

[Robert Harris]

As great an actor as Finney was, I cannot imagine him as Lawrence.

Have you seen his screen test?

 

[Allansfirebird]

Have you seen his screen test?

I've always wondered why that was never included as a special feature on the blu-ray? I've read what I presume is the 13-page script for the test scenes from Michael Wilson, and it's intriguing.

 

[Robert Harris]

I've always wondered why that was never included as a special feature on the blu-ray? I've read what I presume is the 13-page script for the test scenes from Michael Wilson, and it's intriguing.

Mr. Finney would not give his permission.

 

[Allansfirebird]

Mr. Finney would not give his permission.

Such a shame, but I can understand that. I believe it's available to view at the BFI, is it not?

 

[Robert Harris]

Such a shame, but I can understand that. I believe it's available to view at the BFI, is it not?

It was.

 

[Richard Kaufman]

I have not seen Finney's screen test. As an actor he seemingly could do anything, nevertheless it's hard to imagine him as Lawrence. Perhaps a trip to the BFI is in order!

 

[Paul Rossen]

Though I believe that Peter O'toole was tremendous in Lawrence I believe that Albert Finney would have been equally as good in his own way...and would have looked more like the real T.E.L.