Monday 7 December 2009

The Sorrow and the Pity / Le Chagrin et la Pitié (1969 Marcel Ophüls)

(The son of Max.) French experience of World War Two told in fascinating detail by cross-section of society, including farmer/resistance who wouldn't take revenge on traitor; endemic racism and anti-Britishness; French pilots who dangerously hedge-bombed close to target accurately; normal life in Paris; horrendous trials both before and after Liberation. The truly unpleasant stories are in the last of its four hours. Ophüls a quietly determined interviewer.

Anthony Eden surprising with fluent French and urbane non-judgmental attitude. Quietly gathers force through build-up of detail.

Watched on consecutive Sundays.

Saturday 5 December 2009

Thunderball (1965 Terence Young)

As Q was asleep. With Adolfo Celi, Claudine Auger, Luciana Paluzzi, even Philip Stone is in it!

Ph. Ted Moore, Panavision. Music John Barry.

'Sean was most relaxed when Terence directed him' (Ken Adam). Watched all the extras too. Sounds like filming was a lot of fun!

Hijacking of bomber still ace.

The wipe dissolves make it look really old-fashioned.