|
|
List Price: $39.95Amazon.com's Price: $35.99 You Save: $3.96 (10%)Prices subject to change.
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Buy Now!
Aspect Ratio: 1.66:1
Audience Rating: Unrated
Binding: DVD
EAN: 0720229912358
Format: Color, DVD-Video, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
Label: First Run Features
Manufacturer: First Run Features
Number Of Items: 3
Publisher: First Run Features
Region Code: 1
Release Date: October 24, 2006
Running Time: 345 minutes
Sales Rank: 27264
Studio: First Run Features
Theatrical Release Date: 2001
Editorial Review:
Description:
The films of Peter Watkins are events, and LA COMMUNE may be his magnum opus. Revolutionary in form as well as content, LA COMMUNE captures the historical moment of the Paris Commune of 1871, when a revolutionary government spontaneously formed by the people of Paris defied the national authorities during the Franco-Prussian War. A cast of hundreds re-create the events, and competing camera crews - one from the 'official' government station, the other run by the Commune - capture the drama as it unfolds, from different perspectives. An exhilarating experience with special relevance to our media-saturated present, Watkins sweeps us up into the events, showing the aspirations and mandates of the revolutionary government, even as the fighting continues that will bring it to an inevitable bloody end. A penetrating critique of modern media, no one who meets the challenge of LA COMMUNE will be unchanged by the experience.
Amazon.com:
Peter Watkins, in his ambitious epic, La Commune, tells the riveting story of the French revolutionary, proletarian group established by Parisian citizens in 1871, as rebellion against the National Assembly lead by Adolphe Thiers during the Franco-Prussian War. In his inimitable style, Watkins builds a meta-narrative around a journalist whose propaganda is destroyed by Communard broadcasts, as they document abject poverty and chaos throughout their beloved city. Over 200 non-actors were recruited to play Parisian revolutionaries, as the camera follows them for interviews, showing how they have organized a small military, food banks, housing, and makeshift offices. Watkins gives viewers tours of the sets, to remind us of how our present reality mirrors what was happening historically, and to formally challenge standard-format documentary filmmaking. As journalism's aim, often, is to present facts objectively, La Commune captures the essence of the Communards' rage, while showing the nuances of the conflict from both sides, as a way to more personally present the story. Nearing six hours in length, the film is excruciatingly detailed, leaving one with what feels like a complete picture. A bonus documentary, 'The Universal Clock,' educates about Watkins' directing style and about the making of La Commune. Mustering up the patience to watch this feature will result in an education about revolutionary thought, from the angles of both the Parisians and Peter Watkins himself. --Trinie Dalton
Customer Reviews
Average Rating: 
Rating: - Peter Watkins' Final picture: La Commune
La Commune was the final picture from fillmaker Peter Watkins. With a small film crew and a cast of amatuers, Watkins recreates the Paris Commune. During this epic, we witness the rise and eventual fall of the commune.
What prevents this movie from being a 5 star film was the lack of a tighter version of the film. The behind-the-scenes looks at the making of film were of some interest, it took away from the deep dramatic aspects of the film. Still an entetaining picture none the less.
Rating:  - Engrossing
This is one of the most engrossing and challenging and in the end rewarding films I have seen in a very long time. It is well worth the effort and the time to get into it.
Rating:  - A College Seminar Costume Drama that needs patience
Fans of Peter Watkin's earlier films, especially his brilliantly directed THE WAR GAME, and the cleverly recreated
faux documentaries, PUNISHMENT PARK and CULLODEN need to pull in their expectations when approaching LA COMMUNE. A lot of time has passed since those earlier triumphs, and there is very little "riveting re-creations of dramatic events to be had"---everyone TALKS about dramatic events, have just participated in them, or are going to --but the recreations take place in a large warehouse ... Read More
|
|
