Turner Classic Movies (TCM) digs deep into the vault with their Lost and Found series, dedicated to presenting restorations of films which represent important stepping stones in cinematic history.
On April 27, the series recognizes Abel Gance, the French director who inspired generations of filmmakers. An innovator of unquestionable talent, his mechanics and editing techniques were revolutionary in the early 1900s and almost shocking when rediscovered in the 1950s.
The tribute begins with the 1968 documentary, Abel Gance: The Charm of Dynamite, directed by Kevin Brownlow, the film historian who would restore Gance's masterpiece, Napoléon, in 1981. By reviewing the impressive use of rapid cutting, split screens and multiple screens (why use one screen when you can use three, as displayed by his triptych predecessor to American CinemaScope), his drive for perfection was matched only by his inventive resourcefulness.
The documentary samples original clips of the silent films J'accuse and La Roue, which make Sunday's world premiere of the digital restorations of both films all the more striking.
When Gance was sent to the army, they did not know what to do with the playwright and ultimately gave him the assignment of documenting World War I on film. After numerous friends died on the war front, Gance boldly chose to emphasize the folly of war in the 1919 film, J'accuse (I Accuse). He prophetically used actual French and American soldiers to portray a March of the Dead, 80 percent of whom he claimed ultimately perished in the war.
Nearly 90 years later the film looks clear and beautiful – a testament not only to the work of the Parisian Lobster Film Studios and the Netherlands Filmmuseum for their digital restoration but also to Gance himself. Subtly utilizing tricks that may seem simple now, such as overlapping frames to create ghostly characters and dancing skeletons (preceding Jason and the Argonauts by 44 years), the techniques never distract from the story. Gance carefully unfolds the love triangle enveloped by war in three parts over as many hours and packs an anti-war punch in the process as families lose fathers and husbands and those who survive are dramatically changed by the process.
Gance's 1923 film, La Roue (The Wheel), was inspired by the lost love of his life, and the filming schedule was dependent on time not spent caring for his sick sweetheart. Set the DVR, because this film (also restored by Lobster Film Studios) clocks in at four hours, but like the former film the tragic love story is worth the time taken to appreciate it.
TCM presents an era in film history that should not be forgotten and a rare chance to witness the early steps in creative cinema that are anything but amateur.
Comments (2)
I have recorded these, but have not yet had time to view them. However, I did have the privilege of seeing the first showing of "Napoleon" in 1981 after it's restoration by Kevin Brownlow, complete with live orchestral accompanyment, the orchestra being led by Carmine Coppola, father of Francis Ford Coppola. What a thrill that was.
Posted by A. Sue | May 16, 2008 8:29 AM
Posted on May 16, 2008 08:29
What a great film experience!
Posted by Deborah | May 16, 2008 12:21 PM
Posted on May 16, 2008 12:21