tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8293273378239831747.post1303169072008692280..comments2024-02-18T08:45:16.295-08:00Comments on The Film Connoisseur: The Red Shoes (1948)Franco Macabrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10994905312221715861noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8293273378239831747.post-46193767597371737792011-01-27T02:07:07.337-08:002011-01-27T02:07:07.337-08:00Wow, I guess I got my film watching cut out for me...Wow, I guess I got my film watching cut out for me for the next couple of days. Black Narcissus, Peeping Tom and Vertigo! Thats how its going to go. Thanks for the suggestions people, this is why I love blogging!Franco Macabrohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10994905312221715861noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8293273378239831747.post-57240841153358446552011-01-26T16:26:25.686-08:002011-01-26T16:26:25.686-08:00Following on from Shaun's very well considered...Following on from Shaun's very well considered comments, have you seen Michael Powell's solo (ie. without Emeric Pressburger's involvement) film 'Peeping Tom'? The film which effectively destroyed his career in England, a film that was villified and reviled and never really got a proper appraisal until the likes of Martin Scorsese started championing it in the '80s. Watch it on a double bill with Hitchcock's 'Vertigo'. Both films severely challenge the audience's aesthetics and complicity - only Hitchcock does it implicitly while Powell comes right out and goes on the offensive.Neil Fulwoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14686296295535235988noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8293273378239831747.post-33459373651207383292011-01-26T09:59:59.564-08:002011-01-26T09:59:59.564-08:00Yeah, that was an awesome explenation. Interesting...Yeah, that was an awesome explenation. Interesting, I never saw Hammer films that way. They were seen as escapist films, fantasies to forget the political craziness going on at the time. <br /><br />Thanks for the info Shaun, much appreciated!Franco Macabrohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10994905312221715861noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8293273378239831747.post-48540332017894144032011-01-26T07:11:41.172-08:002011-01-26T07:11:41.172-08:00If you're interested in exploring this side of...If you're interested in exploring this side of British cinema Franco - send me either an e-mail or a facebook message and I'll provide a list of the key films for you.Shaun Anderson [The Celluloid Highway]https://www.blogger.com/profile/18066744649878418309noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8293273378239831747.post-56507759538324144672011-01-26T07:08:07.616-08:002011-01-26T07:08:07.616-08:00In terms of the British Documentary movement led b...In terms of the British Documentary movement led by John Grierson you're talking about films like - DRIFTERS, FIRES WERE STARTED, COAL FACE and many others. In the 40's and 50's the social problem films of Ealing Studios such as THE BLUE LAMP, POOL OF LONDON, VIOLENT PLAYGROUND, SAPPHIRE, FLAME IN THE STREETS and many more...and then the so called 'Kitchen Sink' films or 'Angry Young Men' films of the British New Wave - ROOM AT THE TOP, SATURDAY NIGHT, SUNDAY MORNING, LOOK BACK IN ANGER, THE LONELINESS OF THE LONG DISTANCE RUNNER and more! - this brand of social realism was the critically accepted face of British cinema in the 30's, 40's, 50's and first part of the 60's - the melodramas of Gainsborough, and the colourful fantasies of Powell/Pressburger & Hammer belonged to a fantastical form of British expression which did not meet with critical favour by the middle/upper class elite - hope that helps out :-)Shaun Anderson [The Celluloid Highway]https://www.blogger.com/profile/18066744649878418309noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8293273378239831747.post-84726291967298181042011-01-25T16:29:03.803-08:002011-01-25T16:29:03.803-08:00Well, this is my first Powell Pressburger film and...Well, this is my first Powell Pressburger film and I have to say I am impressed! I will be watching more of their masterpices\films in the days to follow! <br /><br />Thanks for commenting Neil.Franco Macabrohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10994905312221715861noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8293273378239831747.post-13027120280033675892011-01-25T15:44:21.346-08:002011-01-25T15:44:21.346-08:00I can only echo Shaun's sentiments.
'The ...I can only echo Shaun's sentiments.<br /><br />'The Red Shoes' is a gorgeous, dizzying and rule-breaking film, utterly intoxicating and delirious. It's one of the highlights in Powell and Pressburger's career - and considering they made almost nothing but masterpieces for a decade and a half, that's saying something!Neil Fulwoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14686296295535235988noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8293273378239831747.post-50223989521955103672011-01-25T11:18:07.244-08:002011-01-25T11:18:07.244-08:00Hey Shaun rattling on for ages is encouraged here ...Hey Shaun rattling on for ages is encouraged here at The Film Connoisseur man! Its the kind reply I prefer!<br /><br />Specially when your comment is so informative, I had no idea that this movie had a subversive vibe to it because it went against the grain for the films that were being made in English cinema at the time.<br /><br />Which would you say were socially conscious films that had that realistic/social attitude to them? Films like If... for example? Though that one is more a film from the 60s but I guess it fits a bit with what you were saying about the socially conscious films. <br /><br />I tell you, without a doubt The Red Shoes for me is one of the most beautiful looking films ever, the colors are really something. Im really looking forward to Black Narcissus, its already #1 on my Q, so expect a review for it in the coming weeks.Franco Macabrohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10994905312221715861noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8293273378239831747.post-7796535970577631032011-01-25T09:51:19.205-08:002011-01-25T09:51:19.205-08:00I have always seen the colourful, fantastical melo...I have always seen the colourful, fantastical melodramas of Powell/Pressburger as bedfellows to Hammer's gothic horror. Both offered an alternative to kitchen sink realism and the Griersonian attitude to documentary realism and social purpose. PEEPING TOM was made after Powell & Pressburger's relationship had dissolved, and had a look, tone and feel quite different to the ravishing melodramas of the 40's and 50's. The subersiveness in THE RED SHOES is its exploration of desire and fantasy and its attitude too emotional expression, all aspects which were ill at ease with the prevailing social realist aesthetic that dominated. In contrast PEEPING TOM was all about voyeurism and spectatorship and was more self-consciously provocative. I prefer THE RED SHOES because its rebellion lay in its daring attitude to form and aesthetics....apologies for rattling on for ages! :-)Shaun Anderson [The Celluloid Highway]https://www.blogger.com/profile/18066744649878418309noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8293273378239831747.post-13345710984698347262011-01-25T04:18:22.812-08:002011-01-25T04:18:22.812-08:00@Shaun: You are right about the films sensuality, ...@Shaun: You are right about the films sensuality, slowly as I watched this film I realized I was falling in love with Moira Shearer, wow, is she stunningly beautiful in this film or what??!<br /><br />I've heard a lot about Black Narcissus, gonna have to make it a priority to watch it. This film is a true asset of English cinema!<br /><br />@Mr.Fiendish: I need to see Peeping Tom, I remember your review for it.Franco Macabrohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10994905312221715861noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8293273378239831747.post-40159231663849122352011-01-24T13:08:57.066-08:002011-01-24T13:08:57.066-08:00Agreed. Great movie. and like Shaun, you should ...Agreed. Great movie. and like Shaun, you should really check out the Michael Powell films. Especially Peeping Tom.Mr. Fiendishhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14400272984451242034noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8293273378239831747.post-29677997932424659962011-01-24T13:08:05.389-08:002011-01-24T13:08:05.389-08:00A film of rare beauty and sensuality. A film of fo...A film of rare beauty and sensuality. A film of formal eloquence and rippling energy and beauty. An overload of style which in itself was subversive at a time when British cinema was preoccupied with social realism and documentary aesthetics. I also recommend the following Powell/Pressburger films Franco - TALES OF HOFFMAN, A CANTERBURY TALE and BLACK NARCISSUS (if you haven't seen them already) - wonderful review!Shaun Anderson [The Celluloid Highway]https://www.blogger.com/profile/18066744649878418309noreply@blogger.com