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"It's Bloody Marvellous"
Widescreen Weekend 2011, Pictureville, Bradford, UK |
Read more at in70mm.com The 70mm Newsletter
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By the "Widescreeners"
& photographed (unless otherwise noted) by : Thomas Hauerslev |
Date:
06.04.2011 |
Tony Sloman, England:
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Tony
Sloman (right) talking with a fellow widescreener
28.03.2011
What do I think about the Widescreen Weekend? It's absolutely, to use David
Lean's quote, "It's bloody marvellous". There is nothing like it
anywhere in the world, that's for sure. Believe me, I do festivals
regularly. I even participated in helping with a 3D festival in Los
Angeles and I have done retrospectives in over 50 programs for the
National Film Theatre on the South Bank. There is nothing like Bradford
at Widescreen Weekend time.
There is an excitement, there is an enthusiasm. People do come from
quite literally - and I am amazed - all over the world to see the films
as they were meant to be projected. It's absolutely wonderful. The choice
of film tends to be exquisite.
We all have those we desperately want to see, "The Big Fisherman",
"La
Fayette", still missing, and blow ups to 70, like "Wild Rovers",
"The Carpetbaggers", its a long list, and so therefore it should go on
forever because, I have my son here now, which I couldn't have imagined
when I started coming. It's a new generation. And it's very exciting
that people still get the chance to see, in a purpose-built cinema -
which is very important - Cinerama and 70mm with stereo, as it was meant
to be projected
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More in 70mm reading:
Widescreen Weekend 2011
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Gallery:
2011
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Mission
Report
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WSW Home
• Through the Years
• The Best of WSW
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Academy of the WSW
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Creating the WSW
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Planning the WSW
• Projecting
the WSW •
Home of
CINERAMA
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Projecting CINERAMA
Widescreen Weekend Mission Report 2011
Internet link:
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I am of course totally opposed to the substitution of digital
projection, although I am learning to live with 4k hard drive, but its
not the same, it lacks resolution, it lacks luminescence, so its really
great to be able to come back to Bradford, especially. It's difficult
for those of us who don't live in Bradford, to come up and stay and to
be looked after by the Bradford team.
The team are wonderful. The projectionists really know what they are
doing. And this is what it should be like in the Cinematheque Française, and
the National Theatre on the South Bank as well because the atmosphere is
terrific. The most important, and most important of all, its the films
you have come to see. And when you see them in this condition projected
like this, all aesthetic judgement goes out the windows, it is
tremendous to see them as they were originally intended in 70mm with full
stereo at Pictureville, which is one of the best screens, with the best
crew, I think not just in the country, not just in the UK, but also in
the world.
I just wish they [projectionist team] take a little more care - they
seem eager to show off the marvellous tabs, which is great. But those of
us who grew up knowing that the performance really starts with the first
frame of the censor certificate would like to see it, and of course that
leads to the logos. I don't want to see the curtains open OVER Leo the
Lion. I want the curtains to open, and WOW, there comes Leo the Lion,
and also they seem in a hurry to draw the tabs at the end, but for for
those of us who worked on the picture, and for those of us who are
really interested want to see the copyright date and where it was shot,
I don't want curtains. And I especially don't want - I know they have to
show it - the Bradford logo, as soon as possible. But I like a moment with a
blank screen, especially when there is play-in and play-out music. Which,
by the way, is also a great pleasure to hear in full stereo.
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It always surprises me how much I enjoy it, "How the West Was Won",
which this time shown complete with censor cuts. I have never seen the
tomahawk before, and certain other things.
Again seeing "How the West Was Won". I didn't expect it. I thought I
knew it from previous festivals. I've not bothered with it because I saw
it when it came out. I've only ever seen it in 3-strip, I don't watch it
in any other way. Not on television, not the 35mm release, even though
the joins have seamlessly been put together, it's still not the film I
remember. And I sat through it and I was absolutely enthralled. The
sheer quality of the sound, the technique, the excellence of the way
this film was made. And the fact that it works. Its about a family
growing together with a country growing together. And this time I really
appreciated the John Ford material before the civil war. Previously I
just thought, "Oh John Ford, civil war, its great". But all this stuff
with George Peppard and the most moving performance by Carrol Baker.
Lets hope we get "Cheyenne Autumn" which was also shot in 70 with the
similar cast, Carrol Baker and Richard Widmark of course, its in the
period.
There are those like "Cheyenne Autumn" that are still out there.
I say I'm still missing a Cinerama film. I think we are all missing the
same one "South Seas Adventure", be lovely to see that. And "La
Fayette" and especially if we can get "The Big Fisherman" out
of Disney's vault, so there is a lot to look forward to for our children
and our children's children.
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Paul Shackleton, England:
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28.03.2011
Just wanted to drop you a line to say how much I enjoyed the Widescreen
Weekend 2011 in Bradford. (the Cineramacana events a highlight)
This was my first full weekend after watching Die Hard, Alien, 2001 &
2010 at last years festival.
I can honestly say that after this weekend I am hooked on 70mm and
Cinerama. As someone who is new to the format I found the mix of films
and talks a real pleasure.
I hope to bring my wife and son in future years (he's only 2!) so he can
see how films should be projected and presented.
Roll on 2012
Regards
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Peter den Hanhn, The Netherlands:
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28.03.2011
This is my third widescreen weekend, and we are planning to come here
next year again. I really enjoyed it.
The highlight for me was, I think "Doctor Zhivago", it the first
time I saw it, especially in this surrounding and on this screen, it's
beautiful.
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Francois CARRIN, France:
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Francois
Carrin and the Pope of Panorama
28.03.2011
I'm widescreen enthusiast since 16 years, and I think in 2011, this is
one of the best widescreen weekends.
Choice of the film, the mixing between academy print and digital and you
know that for the future, it will be a digital screening, recognizing
it's a good solution to mix two systems.
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Lee Pfeiffer, Cinema Retro Magazine, USA:
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28.03.2011
The Widescreen Weekend, it's a wonderful event, its a wonderful
tradition. Film fans from all around the world, they mingle, they
socialize, we all enjoy the common love for classic cinema in Europe's
last remaining theatre that shows Cinerama. It's a wonderful experience
and you really should take the effort to attend next years festival
The highlight for me, I would have to say is, I never get tired of
seeing "How the West Was Won" in its original 3-panel
presentation. Our magazine sponsored a showing of it last year, not
during the film festival, so I thought perhaps, maybe it would be a
little boring to me, but when I saw it again it was just as thrilling as
it was the last time I saw it, so that's something that I always enjoy;
seeing a true Cinerama presentation
And I think part of the highlights are really the camaraderie, and the
friendships, see the same people every year, like meeting old friends. Different countries, different cultures all united by a common love for
classic cinema.
I have no disappointments at all. They do an excellent job. Duncan
McGregor and his staff work themselves to the limit trying to put this
together. Obviously not every film appeals to every person, but I think
this is a very good mix, and from my standings, there is a wide range of
movies that have great interest to me
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Mike Taylor, England:
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Mike
Taylor
28.03.2011
It's my 13th Widescreen festival, and excellent presentations all
around. The highlight was "How the West Was Won". I'm not a fan
of digital presentations, it's got to be film.
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Klaus Neubauer, Germany:
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28.03.2011
It's bloody marvellous, that's it!
Highlights for me; "Doctor Zhivago" and "How the West Was Won"
of course.
Disappointments? Not in the cinema. Maybe more food in the evening. I
think that's a problem, because they close 6 or 5, and then you can only
get small things.
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Andrew King, England:
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Andrew
King.
28.03.2011
Widescreen Weekend - superb weekend. This weekend, as good as any of the
others. A very interesting program and particularly to see "How the West
Was Won" in 3-strip again, it's absolutely superb, and look forward this
morning to seeing "The Great Race", which I have not seen for, probably
30 years in the UK in 70mm. Most enjoyable.
What's the highlight? I think this year "How the West Was Won" again,
it's always been my favourite film since I saw it in 3-strip Cinerama
many years ago. So yes, that was the highlight.
Any lowlight? I suppose would say the introductions. Some of them have
been interesting, but a bit long on occasions, and I think they need
somehow trimming, and I know its difficult for our guest speakers, but I
think when you are sitting there waiting for the film to start, they
keep going on and on.....
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Anders Olsson, Sweden:
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28.03.2011
I think this year's program is a little bit weaker than it has been on
previous years.
Any lowlights? Well a couple of the introductions were a bit long, very
nice, but a little bit too long
Highlights? I will say, unfortunately, I will not be able to stay here
for "The Great Race", because THAT would really be a highlight of
this weekend
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Michele De Angelis:
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29.03.2011
Geezz Thomas I wish i made it to the widescreen week end ..you did an
amazing job ...hope to come next year.
I know the website ...I check it almost every day ...next year I want to come
to film something since I'm planning a web tv dedicated to old stuff and
movies..."
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Claudy Op den Kamp,
Holland:
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29 March 2011
Let me start by saying that I had an amazing (first) time at the
Widescreen Weekend, what a truly wonderful experience...!
Congratulations on this wonderful festival!
With best wishes
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Siddique Hussain, England:
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29.03.2011
Great weekend. Best moment was the sheer joy of seeing "Dance Craze"
- a totally unexpected pleasure.
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Jasper Sharp, England:
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29.03.2011
I just wanted to say a big thanks to all of you for such a wonderful
weekend. I had a great time and learned a lot. I am positively inspired
by all of your dedication and enthusiasm.
All the best,
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Sebastian Rosacker, Sweden:
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Sebastian
Rosacker, retired opera singer, "Doctor Zhivago" fan-extraordinaire,
70mm fan from Sweden, and he has been kissed by Julie Christie!
30.03.2011
Hej Thomas,
Tusind tak for en fantastisk weekend!!! Jag är mycket glad att jag åkte
dit och har haft en dejlig tid. Såg bilderna du redan lagt in på vår
Tribut to David Lean. Och när vi tog hand om Wolfram. Haha.
Ha det gott Thomas. Du har gjort ett fantastiskt jobb!!! Vi hörs o ses
Tak tack thank you Danke schön Mercí
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Manfred Thiel, Germany:
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31.03.2011
Hallo Mr.Hauerslev,
I was on this great Festival with my son and we enjoy this very well.
Thank You Very Much, and Greetings from Germany
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Francis Barbier,
France:
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14.04.2011
Hello Bill,
Took me a while but i wanted to say that the 2011 WSW was a great one
indeed.
I came with some low expectations (wasn't a great fan of half the movies
presented there) but the projections exceeded everything. I was amazed
by DERSU UZALA and LAWRENCE OF ARABIA and glued to THE SCREEN with HOW
THE WEST WAS WON. What an experience!
I came this years with my 16 y.o godson for his first 70mm and Cinerama
experience ever - Even though it was a bit hard for him to see
English-speaking movies with hardly any subtitles but he was indeed
highly surprised by the grandeur and the width of everything he saw. He
never expected what he saw an felt, especially with HOW THE WEST WAS
WON; That's part of our job, i guess, also trying to educate the younger
generation and trying to make them appreciate what is really 70mm.
And thanks for putting SUSPIRIA - too bad not on the Pictureville
screen, though- in the program. Unforgettable.
I cross my fingers for next years having on the curved screen what i
heard on the last day : LAFAYETTE, SOUTH SEAS ADVENTURES... if I had one
wish, is to see KRAKATOA EAST OF JAVA in 70. Only saw the crappy US DVD
and always dreamt of seeing this one on a giant screen. -i know it's
only a Cinerama release, not a real Cinerama movie!-As cinerama 60th
birthday ont the way, maybe some reasons to hope?
Anyhow, Keep up the good work. and many thanks again for this wonderful
moment.
And, oh, my annual review in French of the WSW will be on line next week
on
www.devildead.com
Best regards,
Francis Barbier
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