Dusty B
The Forum doesn’t display the film that you chose and this thread is listed under, so you’re going to have to tell us what film it is for us to know.
I would love to see this in a complete version. I have just seen the odd snippet on YouTube. Does anyone know if it is available in a decent region 1 dvd format?
yes on Facets Video, you have to pay an exorbitant price on their website, but if you head over to Amazon there is one for 35 dollars.
I believe a Region 1 was released last year – I picked it up at the library. Could be better quality, but it’s decent..
Thanks Dusty & Mr King – not available at my library, so I will check out the amazon copy.
OK, so – Dusty – I think it’s a contender, but I’d say there are 10 or 12 other contenders from just the films I’ve seen. ‘Greatest’ or not, it is certainly enormous and epic by way of elevating the very small to our vision; it creates a world that shatters our normal forms of aesthetic distance.
Seeing this in the cinema is a fundamentally different experience than a dvd viewing. That’s the sort of thing we say about all films, but I can’t think of any film where the gulf is so great.
I recommend waiting, not seeing the dvd, scouring rep calendars daily of anywhere within a few hours drive, and hoping for the chance to see it. Or – seeing it appear on a far away schedule, booking a round trip flight.
Impossible to say.
METROPOLIS!!!!!
As someone who is unfamiliar with the work of Bela Tarr, was this meant to be watched in a single viewing? Or, like say Out 1 was it meant to be seen in partitions?
Scenes from a marriage
Matthias – Bela has said that the film should be seen completely unimpeded, but both DVD and theatre split the film into three parts with two intermissions.
I agree, I have never seen a film that has impressed me more. This film, and Tokyo Sotry are the only two films that after I saw it I said to myself I have to see everything this director made, like every single thing, it becomes an obsession. I was astounded and am still completely unable to descibe my experience in viewing other than it was the greatest piece of art I’ve ever witnessed. I’m so glad it’s at my library so I can watch it as many times as I want for free. One of the few perks of living in an area full of stupid people who think Hancock is highest achievment in film is actual great movies like this are always available at the library
I wonder how Satantango compares to Open 1? There is a thread for it on site. I have yet to see it either, but according to reviews on site, Open 1 is either the ‘greatest’ or 2nd greatest film. There are obviously those who love these long, quirky films. But, which of these two would be the pick for ‘greatest’? Anyone seen both that can tell us what they think?
Of course I meant Out 1 above – damn time limit for editing!!! I am open to seeing Out 1and Satantango – that’s what I meant.
If you are the type who can, um, resist the calls of nature for over 7 hours, try to watch it Satantango in one sitting. I have been at two screenings so far. One had a single 15 minute break and the other had two 10 minute breaks. Bela Tarr was present at the beginning of the second screening and he didn’t burn the theater down so I guess he was ok about it.
But, yes, do try to watch it in a single day with limited interruptions (and a pot of coffee next to you) if you can. It is a fine cinematic experience if you can see a pristine copy on the big screen.
Btw, if you are unfamiliar with the works of Bela Tarr (who has inspired most of Gus Van Sant’s recent films), try seeing something like Werckmeister Harmonies first. He is not everyone’s cup of tea.
I really didn’t find it difficult to sit through the seven hours at all. I would have done it again had I not had business to attend to early in the morning. It’s really one of the easiest films to sit through I’ve ever seen, which is one of the most impressive things about it, it never once bored me and it’s length seemed completely justified.
I read that the Facets dvd out in the US is windowboxed. Does anyone know if this is so and is it a good print?
The Facets is a, “Director-Approved” version of the film. It was letterboxed on my T.V., but it wasn’t windowboxed. I thought it was a pretty good print of the film, everything was very clear and looked good. I can’t say it’s the best print, though, as I’ve only seen the version used for Facets and none other.
Thanks, Dax. I was concerned about the windowboxing. I’m going to see about finding a cheaper copy of the Facets dvd.
Jay – I’d recommend checking the availability at the library. You can look up and see if it’s at a library near you online. It’s completely free, and if they don’t have Satantango they’ll definitely have a ton of other great films available. Then look it up on Amazon, or something.
when the lights came up at the end of the screening I attended of Satantango, I turned to the person next to me and said: “If it was playing again right now I would definitely stay.”
Dekalog by Kieslowski, the clearest mirror of the human nature. Ah, shuks ! forget the part after the comma.
2001: A Space Odyssey.
Encino Man
or Ordet.
“Those Who Love Me Can Take the Train”
Satantango.
doesn’t exist, obviously. it’s like saying cherry (or organge or grape or pear) is the tastiest fruit ever. i’m surprised people on this website post such a question and think it can be answered.
Dusty B
Satan’s Tango
Yes I am harolding this as the greatest fim ever made. I know people will contest this proclamation but of the myriad films I have seen no film respectively compares to this sublime and flawless work of art; no film parallels its elegance and betwitching beauty.