Speaking of past films...
steve
SPOILER alert, I suppose.
On the strength of a positive review given by our own Denise Noe
(http://www.epinions.com/mvie_mu-1018061/display_~reviews) we rented "The
Sadist" (1963). Although I also enjoyed the film, my take is a bit
different than DN's (with due respect, of course). She was taken with the
performances, while I felt they were marginal. Arch Hall plays it over the
top... not all bad considering he's a psycho killer..but the performance
comes off a bit campy and comical for my taste, and that doesnt fit with the
general character of the film. The rest of the cast is adequate at best,
and the dialog is similarly unimpressive. What really makes this film, IMO,
is the direction, camera work, and editing.
Take, for example, the scene where Arch shoots the older guy. Again, the
acting isnt great, yet the scene sizzles with tension. The teacher is on
his knees begging for his life as Arch and his squeeze suck on bottles of
Grape Nehi. The camera catches the girl in the forground casually sipping
her drink while the humiliated teacher pleads (in deep focus) in the
background. The contrast, casual vs. tragic, is effective. Moments later
we get a similar shot of Arch, in extreme closeup, with his girl (again,
both in focus) in the background. Arch's sweaty face is dramatically lit.
As he wraps his fat lips around the bottle his face becomes distorted and
his animal noises are discernable. It's quite properly grotesque.
The most impressive bit, however, follows immediatly after the shooting.
Until this moment, the editing is relatively tame, i.e. each shot lasts
several seconds. Just after the shooting, Miss goody two shoes and the
somewhat craven hero erupt in alarm and anger. They appear in a two shot
with the camera motionless. In contrast, Arch is shown in medium close up
with the camera moving back as he moves forward. For whatever reason, this
type of shot (actor advancing towards a retreating camera...like Kirk
Douglas walking the trenches in "Paths of Glory") always seems to convey
power to the actor. The film is edited so that the (moving camera) images
of Arch advancing are interspersed with the (steady camera) shot of the two
panicking hostages. Relative to the pre-shooting seqiuence, he pace of the
editing is increased. It's only a few seconds of film, but all this creates
tremendous tension.
That's just an example, but it's this type of attention to technical detail
that elevates this low budget thriller above it's station. It's quite an
achievement given that the other elements of the film (actors and script)
are of questionable value.
steve
--
"The accused will now make a bogus statement."
James Joyce
G. M. Watson
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In article <VOydndec8L_owY3Y...@rcn.net>, "steve"
<st...@steve.com> wrote:
> ...and not a lot of that happening lately...
>
> SPOILER alert, I suppose.
>
> On the strength of a positive review given by our own Denise Noe
> (http://www.epinions.com/mvie_mu-1018061/display_~reviews) we rented "The
> Sadist" (1963).
Yeah, sure, OK, but what did you think of "Le Jour Se Leve"??
GMW
steve
<gm...@pop2.intergate.ca> blindly formulated
the following incoherence:
> > On the strength of a positive review given by our own Denise Noe
> > (http://www.epinions.com/mvie_mu-1018061/display_~reviews) we rented
> > "The
> > Sadist" (1963).
>
> Yeah, sure, OK, but what did you think of "Le Jour Se Leve"??
> GMW
Good morning, Dr. W.
I was being coy and waiting to see if anyone else watched and might comment.
Nuthin. But since you ask...
Pretty incredible. The painfully slow dizzolves kind of say it all. The
film aches with fatalism.
For me, the standout performance here is Jules Berry as Valentin. This is
one complex and frightening character who seems to represent an aspect of
personality that few would dare to see within themselves. He also
represents those corrupt influences that deceive the faithful and innocent.
And what's amazing is that he's all these things with so little screen time.
It's clear (isnt it?) that Valentin comes to see Gabin hoping to get
plugged. He even supplies the gun. What a moment when Valentin bends over
the table as he alludes to sex with (the female) Francoise. I wanted to
shoot him myself.
And the ending of the film is too cool...sunrise backlit tear gas rising
over the dying anti hero. Fuckin' amazing.
What are your thoughts on the film?
G. M. Watson
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In article <SuydnbQsTvv30IzY...@rcn.net>, "steve"
<st...@steve.com> wrote:
Well given that it's more than fifteen years since I last saw it and as such
many of its finer points are lost in the fog, I'm forced to agree with you
on all counts. I mainly remember Gabin's performance (and his demise),
possibly his definitive doomed-antihero role. How I love the Gabin of the
30s.
Damn, it's way past time for another viewing! It goes on the list *now*.
Thanks for providing the inspiration..
GMW
steve
On 21-Sep-2006, smacked up and reeling, "G. M. Watson"
> Damn, it's way past time for another viewing! It goes on the list *now*.
> Thanks for providing the inspiration..
> GMW
I could provide the DVD if you speak french and can play region 2 PAL.
Recall I bought the wrong one from french amazon and couldnt cancel the
order. It's been sitting here unopened for months. If it will work for
you, Id be willing to give it to you in appreciation for hipping me to this
poetic realism stuff. Say the word.
fha...@gmail.com
steve wrote:
> I could provide the DVD if you speak french and can play region 2 PAL.
> Recall I bought the wrong one from french amazon and couldnt cancel the
> order. It's been sitting here unopened for months. If it will work for
> you, Id be willing to give it to you in appreciation for hipping me to this
> poetic realism stuff. Say the word.
>
> steve
If the esteemed Mr, Watson declines, I'd be interested. I also happen
to be a first-language French speaker, which helps.
G. M. Watson
Sorry to respond so slowly-- didn't see your post until yesterday.
Thanks for the offer. Yeah, sure, I'd love a copy of "Le Jour", even in
French and PAL-- I've yet to acquire a multi player but I seem to be slowly
acquiring discs that require one, so eventually I won't be able to put it
off any longer. As for the dialogue, I read French better than I speak it,
and I don't read it very well. However, I do have an English-language copy
of the screenplay, so no real problem there.
I had no idea "Le Jour" was so hard to find at the moment in home formats in
NA. Criterion ought to get off their collective ass on this one. I have an
ancient VHS copy which is pretty much unwatchable; I've never gotten past
the first ten minutes-- washed-out print and illegible subtitles.
Anyway, if you're serious about this, drop me a line at my e-mail address
and let me know how you want to go about it.
GMW
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In article <Arudnffd-dE1Ao_Y...@rcn.net>, "steve"