Mr. Arkadin on DVD soon

[catbuglah]

I enjoyed the commentary track - especially by the pro-Arkadin guy - lots of interesting insights - I hadn't noticed the El Greco 'View of Toledo' echo - The painting is also featured prominently in Eisenstein's essay on El Greco in his Cinema and Painting book, by the way.

[Tony]

Who's the anti-Arkadin guy? ???

[Tashman]

Who's the anti-Arkadin guy?

Rosenbaum. At least, we know Naremore is "pro-". Ergo...

Course, no one told these guys there would be a comprehensive version disc when they were commenting.

[Tony]

You sure about that? I remember Rosenbaum mentioned (in an e-mail) they were going to do the commentary specifically for that set, I think, last year; and don't they mention the comprehensive version in their commentary? I believe they mention that the reason they decided to do commentary for the version they do is that it is the closest to Welles's vision, in that he edited the first 10 minutes or so. Nevertheless, what does the presence or absence of the "comprehensive" version in the set have to do with liking Arkadin? After all, it was Rosenbaum who wrote that classic article on Arkadin "The Seven Arkadins", which more than anything else influenced the recent release. What makes you think he doesn't like it? Sorry, but where's the ergo? ???

[Tashman]

Serves me right for butting in. But the ergo was Catbuglah's. If Naremore is pro-Arkadin (pretty sure that's the guy Cat meant), then Rosenbaum was the other guy. He is a Welles scholar and an Arkadin scholar. He said he was never crazy about the picture. And, no, I'm not sure they didn't know there would be a third DVD, that was simply the impression I had. :;):

[catbuglah]

That's fine by me, Tashman - I wasn't too sure who was the good cop and who was the bad cop, but I do feel they complimented each other quite well - thanks for clarifying that.

I also liked the observations of how Welles juxtaposes elements from the old world with the modern world and the notion that how considered as an independant filmmaker, Welles' career was overall quite successfull, and how the female characters provide an important humanizing element to the procedings.

[Roger Ryan]

EDIT - A quick check of the Criterion Forum showed that Rosenbaum stated that he was aware the "Comprehensive Version" would be included in the box set prior to the commentary being recorded.

The only allusion to the "Comprehensive Version" in the commentary is the vague reference to the Sophie/Arkadin Mexico scenes being switched in "some versions". It appears that Welles shot the film intending to have the Arkadin Mexico scene lead into the Sophie scene, then he (or someone else) determined the scenes should be switched creating a slight continuity problem with the reference to the police officers and to Oscar's true relationship to Sophie. Naremore and Rosebaum prefer the sequencing as it appears in "Corinth" and "Confidential Report". I can see their point since Van Stratten's "you belonged to Sophie" line to Arkadin is more poignant coming after Sophie's long monologue, but I prefer the "Comprehensive" sequencing that doesn't create continuity problems.

Also, both commentators appreciate the film and point out numerous things they like about it. Rosenbaum didn't think Welles' performance was particularly strong and I believe Naremore agrees with him.

[Tony]

When I saw the stills on the set included with the box set, I was shocked to see Welles hadn't had his huge weight gain yet; in fact, he looked very good still. Which got me to thinking that if he had really wanted to capitalize on Harry Lime, a role he did with no makeup, in Arkadin, then he should have also gone without makeup in Arkadin. This might have elevated his performance, as I often feel he's just buried under all that hair and nose, etc., and at the least made it more accessible. In fact, he could have started out with the costume at the party, then removed it later. At least one commentator has observed that since the hairnet of the wig is clearly visible, it's possible that Welles wanted the audience to realize Arkadin was always in disguise. At any rate, as has also been observed, there's really no sympathetic characters in the whole movie, except maybe Paxinou's, and this makes it tough on the audience to identify. A Welles as Arkadin without makeup might have allowed the audience the guilty pleasure of identifying with a charming scoundrel, as they did so easily with Lime.

[Terry]

What's up with that car in the stills section? Looks cool, whatever it is. Wouldn't mind seeing any footage of it, but not even that 5-hour thing featured any.

[Tony]

Just thought someone might be interested in buying a Mr. Arkadin poster: it's on Spanish eBay, and is really large: it's an original one-sheet: 39 x 27 inches, and though from the early 80s, looks like it's from an earlier era. The price is good to: US$9.90.

Here's the URL:

[url=http://cgi.ebay.es/MISTER-ARKADIN-orson-welles-tamiroff-auer-van-eyck_W0QQitemZ7629204857QQcategoryZ60350QQrd
Z1QQcmdZViewItem]http://cgi.ebay.es/MISTER-....iewItem[/url]

[catbuglah]

Interesting outtakes - fascinating to see the Maestro at work - the improvisation and experimentation in both acting and directing is cool - very cool indeed...

[ToddBaesen]

Criterion asked noted critic Robin Wood to pick his ten favorite Criterion DVD's and he picked Mr. Arkadin as his #3 choice.


3. The Complete "Mr. Arkadin" - Orson Welles

ROBIN WOOD: The critics of Cahiers du cinéma once chose this over Citizen Kane for their “Ten Best Ever” list. I am inclined to agree. The three versions suggest an endless, fascinating “work in progress.”

[Tony]

Todd: I'll take the bait: are you saying "Kane is a better film than Arkadin, but I personally enjoy watching Arkadin more" or are you saying "Arkadin is a better film than Kane"?

PS: Remember, it was Welles who said that of all his films, it was Ardkadin that had been screwed up the most by producers, even worse than Ambersons. Not that this should influence your response.

[ToddBaesen]

Actually, I'm saying neither. Sorry if this was unclear, but the statement is from critic Robin Wood, (and also the opinion of the editorial board of Cahiers du Cinema), who Wood quotes as having chosen Mr. Arkadin over Citizen Kane for their Ten Best films list.

[Tony]

Quote Todd: "I am inclined to agree"