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Asphalt (Germany) 1929
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wlah...@gmail.com
May 23, 2012, 3:52:04 PM5/23/12
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Hey,
A young policeman arrests an attractive jewel thief and they need to stop off at her apartment for her papers and there she seduces him and then the story heads in an entirely different direction. One of the last silent films to come out of Germany and another example of the “street film” made during the Weimar era that depicted the middle-class losing sight of their values as they brushed up against thieves, prostitutes and other outcasts trying to stay alive amidst economic turmoil.
One can see where Fritz Lang may have been inspired for the setup for “Scarlet Street” from these films. The true beauty of “Asphalt” is in its realistic production that was produced by Erich Pommer, directed by Joe May and shot by Günther Rittau and incorporates all the notable cinematic elements of the Weimar era.
A young policeman arrests an attractive jewel thief and they need to stop off at her apartment for her papers and there she seduces him and then the story heads in an entirely different direction. One of the last silent films to come out of Germany and another example of the “street film” made during the Weimar era that depicted the middle-class losing sight of their values as they brushed up against thieves, prostitutes and other outcasts trying to stay alive amidst economic turmoil.
One can see where Fritz Lang may have been inspired for the setup for “Scarlet Street” from these films. The true beauty of “Asphalt” is in its realistic production that was produced by Erich Pommer, directed by Joe May and shot by Günther Rittau and incorporates all the notable cinematic elements of the Weimar era.
Igenlode Wordsmith
Jun 24, 2012, 10:39:21 PM6/24/12
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wlah...@gmail.com wrote in message <8209a2b5-1200-4be3...@googlegroups.com>
> A young policeman arrests an attractive jewel thief and they need to
> stop off at her apartment for her papers and there she seduces him and
> then the story heads in an entirely different direction. One of the
> last silent films to come out of Germany and another example of the
> “street film” made during the Weimar era that depicted the
> middle-class losing sight of their values as they brushed up against
> thieves, prostitutes and other outcasts trying to stay alive amidst
> economic turmoil.
I was very impressed by this film when we saw it a couple of years ago
at the BFI - the presenter mentioned that it had been re-edited for US
release by cutting out most of the unacceptably lengthy reaction shots,
at which prospect my heart sank (we were to see the original version).
But in fact it has no longeurs. My memory is of being on the edge of my
seat for much of the film, totally engaged with the characters and
desperately concerned for the outcome; my other impression of it was of
a film of shimmering visual beauty. Definitely one to watch again.
--
Igenlode Wordsmith *latest review 21 Jun 2012*
My IMDb film reviews: http://imdb.com/user/ur1448185/comments
ratings: http://imdb.com/user/ur1448185/ratings?view=compact
> A young policeman arrests an attractive jewel thief and they need to
> stop off at her apartment for her papers and there she seduces him and
> then the story heads in an entirely different direction. One of the
> last silent films to come out of Germany and another example of the
> “street film” made during the Weimar era that depicted the
> middle-class losing sight of their values as they brushed up against
> thieves, prostitutes and other outcasts trying to stay alive amidst
> economic turmoil.
at the BFI - the presenter mentioned that it had been re-edited for US
release by cutting out most of the unacceptably lengthy reaction shots,
at which prospect my heart sank (we were to see the original version).
But in fact it has no longeurs. My memory is of being on the edge of my
seat for much of the film, totally engaged with the characters and
desperately concerned for the outcome; my other impression of it was of
a film of shimmering visual beauty. Definitely one to watch again.
--
Igenlode Wordsmith *latest review 21 Jun 2012*
My IMDb film reviews: http://imdb.com/user/ur1448185/comments
ratings: http://imdb.com/user/ur1448185/ratings?view=compact
William
Jun 25, 2012, 8:54:27 AM6/25/12
to
On Sunday, June 24, 2012 10:39:21 PM UTC-4, Igenlode Wordsmith wrote:
>
> I was very impressed by this film when we saw it a couple of years ago
> at the BFI - the presenter mentioned that it had been re-edited for US
> release by cutting out most of the unacceptably lengthy reaction shots,
> at which prospect my heart sank (we were to see the original version).
> But in fact it has no longeurs. My memory is of being on the edge of my
> seat for much of the film, totally engaged with the characters and
> desperately concerned for the outcome; my other impression of it was of
> a film of shimmering visual beauty. Definitely one to watch again.
Have you seen "The Street"? I'm trying to find that one now. Love that Weimar stuff.
>
> I was very impressed by this film when we saw it a couple of years ago
> at the BFI - the presenter mentioned that it had been re-edited for US
> release by cutting out most of the unacceptably lengthy reaction shots,
> at which prospect my heart sank (we were to see the original version).
> But in fact it has no longeurs. My memory is of being on the edge of my
> seat for much of the film, totally engaged with the characters and
> desperately concerned for the outcome; my other impression of it was of
> a film of shimmering visual beauty. Definitely one to watch again.
Igenlode Wordsmith
Jun 30, 2012, 8:28:49 AM6/30/12
to
William <wlah...@gmail.com> wrote in message <c8d7e86b-a91d-4e39...@googlegroups.com>
> On Sunday, June 24, 2012 10:39:21 PM UTC-4, Igenlode Wordsmith wrote:
>
> >
> > I was very impressed by this film when we saw it a couple of years ago
> > at the BFI
> >
[snip]
> Have you seen "The Street"? I'm trying to find that one now. Love that
> Weimar stuff.
http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0014516/reviews ?
I don't recognise the plot points mentioned, so probably not. (I seem to
remember being told that the exterior scenes in "Asphalt" were shot
entirely on studio sets as well, although you certainly wouldn't guess
it.)
--
Igenlode Visit the Ivory Tower http://ivory.vlexofree.com/Tower/
> On Sunday, June 24, 2012 10:39:21 PM UTC-4, Igenlode Wordsmith wrote:
>
> >
> > I was very impressed by this film when we saw it a couple of years ago
> > at the BFI
> >
> Have you seen "The Street"? I'm trying to find that one now. Love that
> Weimar stuff.
I don't recognise the plot points mentioned, so probably not. (I seem to
remember being told that the exterior scenes in "Asphalt" were shot
entirely on studio sets as well, although you certainly wouldn't guess
it.)
--
Igenlode Visit the Ivory Tower http://ivory.vlexofree.com/Tower/
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