French Macbeth DVD?

[Joshua]

Does anyone have a copy of the Wild Side French Macbeth 3 disc DVD set for sale--or perhaps know where I can purchase one? Any help would be greatly appreciated, can't seem to find this anywhere.

[Joshua]

If anyone else is interested in this set, I think that I managed to purchase a copy from amazon france--it's amazing what you can do with babelfish. It was the last copy they had in stock, but I checked a few weeks ago and they didn't have one in stock, so perhaps they simply get a few from time to time--you may have luck if you keep checking.

[Alan Brody]

So how is that French Macbeth set? Wasn't there supposed to be an American release of it, like about three years ago?

[Joshua]

The picture quality of the version I watched is very nice, as is the sound. There are two other versions of the film that I haven't had time to watch yet. There is a book included with the set as well, of course it is in french, so I'll probably spend a portion of my summer attempting to translate it using an online translator! The only real negative is that it you cannot turn off the french subtitles. I would say it is well worth the price considering you get three versions of the film.

I have no idea of the status of an American release for this set--but it is easy enough to get from Amazon.fr if you don't want to wait.

[Alan Brody]

Three versions? Interesting. I've only heard of two: the 86-minute release version and the 108 minute preview version, restored in 1980. What's the third?

[Kane76]

We need this in the US!

[tonyw]

They ought to. A colleague recently informed me that an academic journal (MICHIGAN QUARTERLY REVIEW?) has devoted a recent issue to this film.

[Alan Brody]

That article is by Catherine Benamou, no less:

http://www.umich.edu/~mqr/Pages/currentIssue.html

[Joshua]

Three versions? Interesting. I've only heard of two: the 86-minute release version and the 108 minute preview version, restored in 1980. What's the third?

Yes, you are right, there are two versions included, but three discs. My mistake--sorry about that--I simply thought that there were three versions since there are three discs and I can't read french! Here is a list I just found written by Jonathan Rosenbaum of his 12 favorite non-region 1 box sets, Macbeth makes the list, and you can see all of what is included in the set without trying to translate everything:

http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film/articles/ ... oxsets.htm

Macbeth seems to one of the least appreciated Welles films; and it is probably the one I personally know the least about. Considering the very short time that Welles took to make the film, and although some of the outdoor sets and costumes in particular show what kind of limited budget he had to work with, I think the film can still be called a success. Can't wait till this summer when I can sit back, relax and enjoy all the extras from this set. Isn't it a shame that Chimes hasn't gotten this sort of box set treatment?

[The Night Man]

I'm a little confused now - The JR link above talks about a 114 minute version, hence there are three versions...

Peter, I suspect the 114 min. version may be the longer cut + the overture.

I, too, have been considering this set, but forced French subtitles on top of PAL speedup and no English subs on the extras is a dealbreaker for me since I already own the UK Second Sight release. Joshua, are you absolutely certain those French subs are not removable?

[Jeff Wilson]

The French set has the two versions we're all aware of, the original Scots accent cut on Disc 1, the shorter version on Disc 2, and Disc 3 is dedicated to extras, including a comparison of the two versions, the Mercury recording of the play released elsewhere on CD, and other stuff. The forthcoming re-release appears to be the same minus the 80-page book that came with the first edition. In regards to the subtitles, they are removable only by ripping the discs without the subtitles and then burning a new disc. A hassle, but the only option at this point.

[Joshua]

The French set has the two versions we're all aware of, the original Scots accent cut on Disc 1, the shorter version on Disc 2, and Disc 3 is dedicated to extras, including a comparison of the two versions, the Mercury recording of the play released elsewhere on CD, and other stuff. The forthcoming re-release appears to be the same minus the 80-page book that came with the first edition. In regards to the subtitles, they are removable only by ripping the discs without the subtitles and then burning a new disc. A hassle, but the only option at this point.

Correct on all counts. Nightman is also right about the 114 minute version simply being the longer cut. I couldn't believe it when my DVD player wouldn't let me turn the subtitles off--may not bother some people, but I find it rather annoying. The re-release is probably going to be a nice buy if you pay a little less and don't get the book. It may have some nice photos but unless you can read french, it's kind of pointless.

I don't have the equipment or know how to burn a dvd without the subtitles unfortunately.

[Alan Brody]

I don't either. I would think it would be a falrly easy matter for some American company to translate the 80-page book into English, put English subs on the French docus included on the third disc, make the subtitles on the films optional, and release it in the U.S.. I'd buy it, although I'm not sure how many other people would.