normandie7 Posted January 25, 2006 Share Posted January 25, 2006 I've bought a two disc special edition of "Spartacus" and must say it was worth every penny. The movie has been digitally restored, a joy to watch. It was very interesting listening to the commentary by various members of cast and production. One thing that intrigued me was the absence of any commentary by Jean Simmons. After all, she is still with us and it would have been wonderful to hear a contribution from the female perspective. All of the commentators more or less agreed that she was wrong for the role, even though she did a wonderful job and made the role her own. Who do you think would have been a better suited for the role? Dalton Trumbo's vision is of a tall, nordic, blond woman. Another comment worth noting was the fact that 50 % of all "old" movies will be forever lost, as they are already beyond the point of digital restoration, according to people who dealt with the restoration of "Spartacus". It made me very sad to hear that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vecchiolarry Posted January 25, 2006 Share Posted January 25, 2006 Hi Normandie, Gee, I guess Anita Ekberg wasn't available!!!!!!! And, Brigitte Nielson must have been holding out for more money!!!!!! So, they had to settle for Jean Simmons........ Just joking, of course. I don't think they could have had a better actress for this part. She was young, beautiful, desirable and noble; everything the role required. I love Jean Simmons in everything she's done. Bless her!!!!! Larry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lzcutter Posted January 25, 2006 Share Posted January 25, 2006 Another comment worth noting was the fact that 50 % of all "old" movies will be forever lost, as they are already beyond the point of digital restoration, according to people who dealt with the restoration of "Spartacus". It made me very sad to hear that. >> When you add that to the number of silents and early sound films that have been lost, the number becomes almost overwhelming. Film preservation and restoration should get much more support from the arts community than it does. The American Film, like the blues and jazz, is one the greatest gifts in the 20th Century to come from America. That we value it so little says a great deal about what a disposable society we have become. It is shameful, given the big dollars in Hollywood, that preservation organizations still have to go around with their hats in their hands begging for money to save our national treasures. And it seems, there is never enough money given to make a dent. It is truly sad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nsallieharding Posted January 25, 2006 Share Posted January 25, 2006 I rented this from Netflix and copied it to VHS, Spartacus is one of my favorites and I just had to have it. The commentary about getting to this film just in time before it was lost and how films of this type deteriorate faster than others was a interesting note, as was the use of black listed artists. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vecchiolarry Posted January 25, 2006 Share Posted January 25, 2006 Lynn, You are correct of course in saying that many, many films have been lost or deteriorated - especially silent ones.... However, I am heartened in the past few years in hearing that several old pictures have been found in Europe and China and Vietnam. Silent films from every country went out all over the world in the 20's and some countries preserved them. Several silent films were even discovered in the Yukon about 10 years ago in a restaurant freezer!! Years ago, Paulette Goddard told me that she and Chaplin toured a warehouse in Shanghai in 1936 and were happy to see several old Chaplin films there. Now if only the Chinese communists would release them, we may find some gems there!! Larry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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