International Tales of Hoffman: Trailer (1 Viewer)

[haineshisway]

My copy is en route, but unless you opt for amazon's insane two-day overseas shipping, which costs about double the disc cost, even choosing expedited (the middle option, not the slowest option) it still is taking longer and longer these days.

 

[david hare]

I will never use their "Expedited" again. The standard International post is usually 5 to 10 working days for me to NZ. I had one hiccup with the two Network titles, Young and Innocent and Thief of Bagdad which went awol. They sent replacement discs without question.


I ordered the Godard Adieu au Langage by expedited late last year because I specifically wanted to screen it for some visitors who were here for only a short time (I have a 3D PJ setup.) The damn thing didn't take two or three days it took TEN. It would have been here in half the time for the usual 3 quid 50 pence, rather than the 25 quid (NZD52!!!). My visitors missed the chance to see it.


Alas my Hoffmann didn't make this week's mail but will be here now Monday or Tuesday. (We still have the luxury of Saturday post in this country. But not for much longer.

 

[ABaglivi]

The disc has arrived, dispatched from the UK on March 21st. More later.

 

[ABaglivi]

Tales of Hoffmann new Blu ray from Studio Canal, Region B locked.

Here are the cuts as Michael Powell named them:

Prologue: The Kleinzach Cut, 2 minutes 30 seconds, footage still missing.

Olympia Act: The Cockerel Cut, 2 minutes 54 seconds, footage still missing.

Giulietta and Antonia acts are complete.

 

[david hare]

Many thanks Anthony.


You haven't said anything about the new 4k?

 

[ABaglivi]

I was leaving the comments on the 4K up to the insiders who always have very strong opinions.

The new disc is beautiful and immaculate. Detail is exceptional and the color values are very close to the IBs I am familiar with. The audio is also fine. There are some odd choices for chapter stops, but that is a minor quibble. Too bad they did not dig a little deeper to locate the missing footage, or at least ask collectors who could have helped. I thoroughly enjoyed the appendix showing the singers/actors through Copelius's magic spectacles. David, you are in for a treat.

 

[david hare]

Cannot wait, and this is a year of cannot waits! I can see from the Rialto HD trailer that Persian Turquoise for Ludmilla's costume and Bobby's weird face makeup is right back there!! No more that hideous electric lime green from the Criterion/Canal DVD.

 

[Stefan Andersson]

Many thanks for your new information Anthony!


I´m still curious about the Kleinzach Cut - did Rounseville appear onscreen in the Kleinzach costume?


Perhaps P & P had the idea to use the story of Kleinzach & the Lady with the Mirror to hint at Hoffmann´s tragic relationships with women. Just a guess.

 

[ABaglivi]

Your guess is correct. When Kleinzach looks up from the floor after Hoffmann's line: "Resounding through my heart" it is Hoffmann in the jester's garb. The cut begins there, continues with another verse of the Kleinzach ballad, and the bringing in of the punch bowl.

 

[Stefan Andersson]

Thank you again Anthony!

 

[david hare]

WOW!!!!!


This had me by the pit of the stomach from the opening Archers credits. By the time the three minutes of curtain calls came I was in tears.


Incredibly beautiful restoration, as the French say, better, quelle beau travail.


This is turning into a hell of a year for collectors.

 

[AnthonyClarke]

Mine arrived here in beautiful downtown Woodend, Australia, just half an hour ago.

It's going to be at least four hours until my viewing room is dark enough .. but I believe already that wonder lies in store!

Strangely, Amazon UK shipped it by itself as part of a joint order of 'Tales of Hoffmann' and 'Paddington' .. but there's no doubt which one would have been up for first viewing if they had arrived together.....

Next up from Amazon.co.uk is a cult US comic-drama classic, 'Midnight Run'. What a contrast!

 

[david hare]

Pour a very large glass of something red (an turquoise and blue and purple and yellow .. and then forget about drinking it. You wont be able to move your hands from your head with shock!


The experience is completely intoxicating, just as it was back in 1982 for me. Like Opium and Cocteau. Together.


I now have blockout curtains and was able to more or less light block the room this morning. I am now finding the lamp at around 1000 hours needs 30 minutes to really light up, how about you?


I noted and wrote elsewhere the additional arias to the Antonia episode really lighten it and give it breathing space which it really badly needed. It now plays well yet it always felt like the deadly dull end of the family visit previously. No longer And of course those segues into screeching distropia. (As conducted by Sir Thom and the RPO.)


The curtain calls will have you on the floor gasping for breath. keep the Ventolin handy kiddo.

 

[bigshot]

I just got my copy. I am going to prolong the torture until the weekend when I can indulge in it fully

 

[haineshisway]

Mine arrived and I'll be viewing in about two hours.

 

[david hare]

?????

 

[bujaki]

Bruce may have died from pure ecstasy!

 

[david hare]

I cannot believe he's found it wanting. Anyway I don't think Bruce does "Eckie".


Honestly I can't find anything in it that isn't up to the highest restoration standard.


Bruce?

 

[haineshisway]

I didn't begin it until late, so only have watched the first hour or so - it is - stunning.

 

[bujaki]

Thanks! The suspense was killing us, and your silence was so deafening!