506 Dillinger is Dead

[Doctor Sunshine]

Janus has unveiled their one-sheet (which might also be their home video cover a la PIERROT LE FOU). I'm so happy they're giving this film a serious push.

That's amazing. Is that image an actual blow up from the film or did they stage that like the Yi Yi cover? I want that gun.

[kaujot]

As I recall, that's an actual still.

[FerdinandGriffon]

Oh God. I must have it. This'll go up for sale on the criterion website, right? Otherwise I may have to take a trip to NY film Forum to snatch this up.

[Jean-Luc Garbo]

"The Most Incredible Film You've Never Seen" is quite a boast! I've been interested to see it since the thread was posted here so I hope it makes a good show in the theatres before Criterion releases it.

[Fiery Angel]

It's playing at BAM in Brooklyn:

BAMcinématek Revival: Dillinger Is Dead, Feb 27—Mar 5

Dillinger Is Dead (Dillinger è morto)

Fri, Feb 27 at 2, 4:30, 6:50, 9:15pm
Sat, Feb 28 and Sun, Mar 1 at 6:50, 9:15pm
Mon, Mar 2—Thu, Mar 5 at 4:30, 6:50, 9:15pm

Directed by Marco Ferreri
With Michel Piccoli

(1969) 90min

“In Dillinger we see the full ripeness of Ferreri’s poetics and aesthetics and at the same time a springboard towards a cinema less and less tied to the real but rather increasingly stylised and abstract.” –Vertigo Magazine

Long unavailable, this exclusive engagement of Ferreri’s masterpiece will be presented in a new 35mm print courtesy of Janus Films. Michel Piccoli stars as Glauco, an alienated industrial designer yearning to break free from his materialistic, humdrum existence. When he discovers a revolver tucked away in a kitchen cabinet one night— wrapped in old newspapers announcing the death of John Dillinger, the notorious bank robber and murderer—the gun becomes a symbol of redemption and freedom as he ritualistically sheds the vestiges of his bourgeois life. A scathing critique of middle-class values loaded with ironic, pop-art imagery—a handgun painted red with polka dots, a lawn statue wearing a gas mask—and set to a kitschy 60s AM pop soundtrack, Dillinger Is Dead is playful, powerful social commentary.. In Italian with English subtitles. New print courtesy of Janus Films.

[jaredsap]

Oh God. I must have it. This'll go up for sale on the criterion website, right?

I've confirmed yes.

[Murdoch]

David Thomson's entry on the film on the CC website.

[kaujot]

Please let that mean it's close to a release.

[Cde.]

This is what Criterion should be about: not only producing wonderful editions of established classics, but using the prestige the label has built by doing this in order to bring overlooked masterpieces to the attention they deserve.

[Barmy]

Finally caught this. I've long been a fan of his--Ferreri would be somewhere in my Top 20 director list. The Godard/Antonioni analogy is apt, although this is probably better than anything Godard ever did.

Great to see with an audience--a lot of cackling--couldn't figure out if it was appropriate or inappropriate.

[kaujot]

I have to know: did you make it through without snoozing?

[Barmy]

I was too busy chortling to snooze.

[kaujot]

I'm...almost proud.

[knives]

I think an angle has earned its wings. Barmy's next comment will probably cause it to lose them though.

[Matt]

Finally announced. First post updated.

[James]

This is one of the best movies ever made. Everyone who has an appreciation for cinema should see it.

[HerrSchreck]

Bravo-- insert handclapping smiley!

I've been meaning to see this for a few years now, and somehow never got around to it. Good on CC for a lovely month!

[Jean-Luc Garbo]

Excellent news! The lower tier price was a lovely sight as well.

[Person]

It will be great to finally see this film. I don't like the cover though.

[James]

I just watched La grande bouffe and while it's not as good as this (few movies are), it's still great. Anyone who wants to get an idea for Ferreri's style before seeing this could probably do worse than to catch it, it's Michel Piccoli in gluttony mode.

[Powell&Pressburger]

Just sad a release like this doesn't get a day and date Blu ray release. Get sick and tired of criterions restored High Definition masters being shown in standard definition.

[perkizitore]

I hope late 2011 they will ditch DVD forever.

[Caged Horse]

Just in time for the end of the world, thereby saving me the trouble of ever going Blu.

[Wood Tick]

Just in time for the end of the world, thereby saving me the trouble of ever going Blu.

I'd put my money on the world outlasting blu, from what certain sellers have indicated in recent months, which is pretty much that blu sales peaked about a year ago.

Every time I hear the announcement "BLU-RAY.... THE BEST WAY TO WATCH MOVIES AT HOME... EVER!" I get the suspicious feeling the industry's growing desperate. Of course I wouldn't put it past them to one day up and pull the plug on SD-DVD.

Regarding Dillinger Is Dead, does anybody know if we'll be hearing Piccoli's voice, or, this being an Italian production, is he dubbed by another actor?

[kaujot]

As far as I know, it's his real voice.