If the Movie had been Directed by Someone Else - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Lostgaeriel · 05-05-2002, 11:12 PM

Great reply, Birdland! That’s what I was looking for. Lots of food for thought. Thank you!I had thought that MGM would have been the only studio that could afford to do it (in the studio days). That was one reason I doubted that Capra could do it - Columbia was just too poor. (Capra was one of their money makers.) And as much as I love MGM musicals, I shudder to think how they would have mangled LOTR - too sweet and too brightly coloured. Maybe horrid even if MGM did it without music. Victor Fleming (Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde, Joan of Arc, Treasure Island) I’m not really familiar with his work, but there’s enough fantasy in his resumé.King Vidor – I’ll have to take your word on it. I’ve only seen his Kansas scenes from Oz.William Wyler does have real potential - I watched Friendly Persuasion again last nite on TVOntario. His range is so vast - The Big Country, The Heiress, Mrs. Miniver, The Roman Holiday, Funny Girl. I've seen all of the films that we've mentioned, but never made the connection, so I still don't know his work very well. Must watch again.Yeah, Richard Lester could definitely do the sword-fighting stuff. As for sly nods and winks, I think Peter Jackson was guilty of far too many of those himself.Of Stanley Kubrick's work I've seen Spartacus, Clockwork, 2001: A Space Odyssey and parts of Barry Lyndon and Dr.Strangelove. 2001 tells me he could also do the 'magical' and 'wonderful' elements of LOTR too. A little concerned that the movie(s) would never actually be finished on time or at all. For a career that spanned almost 50 years, he didn’t make many films. I must sheepishly confess that I've never seen any of Ingmar Bergman’s or Akira Kurosawa's films. I know I should. All I know is that The Magnificent Seven is based on The Seven Samurai. Subtitles are not my favourite thing. (Note to self: reserve videos from public library.)I wonder if the idea of narrow film categories such as 'live-action fantasy' are a (modern) construct not necessarily applicable to many directors past or present. The best film-makers like to tell stories. Period.Now I'm thinking of Ron Howard. Let me think that over and get back to you with my ideas there.

05-05-2002, 11:12 PM	#7
Lostgaeriel Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Toronto the Good Posts: 477	Great reply, Birdland! That’s what I was looking for. Lots of food for thought. Thank you!<P>I had thought that MGM would have been the only studio that could afford to do it (in the studio days). That was one reason I doubted that Capra could do it - Columbia was just too poor. (Capra was one of their money makers.) And as much as I love MGM musicals, I shudder to think how they would have mangled LOTR - too sweet and too brightly coloured. Maybe horrid even if MGM did it without music. <P>Victor Fleming (Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde, Joan of Arc, Treasure Island) I’m not really familiar with his work, but there’s enough fantasy in his resumé.<P>King Vidor – I’ll have to take your word on it. I’ve only seen his Kansas scenes from Oz.<P>William Wyler does have real potential - I watched Friendly Persuasion again last nite on TVOntario. His range is so vast - The Big Country, The Heiress, Mrs. Miniver, The Roman Holiday, Funny Girl. I've seen all of the films that we've mentioned, but never made the connection, so I still don't know his work very well. Must watch again.<P>Yeah, Richard Lester could definitely do the sword-fighting stuff. As for sly nods and winks, I think Peter Jackson was guilty of far too many of those himself.<P>Of Stanley Kubrick's work I've seen Spartacus, Clockwork, 2001: A Space Odyssey and parts of Barry Lyndon and Dr.Strangelove. 2001 tells me he could also do the 'magical' and 'wonderful' elements of LOTR too. A little concerned that the movie(s) would never actually be finished on time or at all. For a career that spanned almost 50 years, he didn’t make many films. <P>I must sheepishly confess that I've never seen any of Ingmar Bergman’s or Akira Kurosawa's films. I know I should. All I know is that The Magnificent Seven is based on The Seven Samurai. Subtitles are not my favourite thing. (Note to self: reserve videos from public library.)<P>I wonder if the idea of narrow film categories such as 'live-action fantasy' are a (modern) construct not necessarily applicable to many directors past or present. The best film-makers like to tell stories. Period.<P>Now I'm thinking of Ron Howard. Let me think that over and get back to you with my ideas there. __________________ Elen síla lúmenn’ omentielvo, a star shines on the hour of our meeting.