- Actors: Kenneth Branagh, Jean-Louis Trintignant, Sidney Gilliat, Marie Glory, Peter Hopkinson
- Format: Black & White, Color, DVD-Video, NTSC
- Language: Danish, English, French, German, Italian, Swedish
- Region: (US and Canada This DVD will probably NOT be viewable in other countries. Read more about DVD formats.)
- Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
- Number of discs: 1
- MPAA Rating:
- Studio: Paradox
- Release Date: Oct 1 2002
- Run Time: 360 minutes
- Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
- ASIN: 6305837171
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #65,245 in DVD (See Top 100 in DVD)
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Product Details |
Product Description
From Amazon.com
British film historians Kevin Brownlow and David Gill have earned their spot in cinema heaven by painstakingly preserving the history of silent cinema in a series of expansive documentaries, most notably the 13-episode 1980 epic Hollywood: A Celebration of American Silent Film. Their partnership came to a close almost two decades later with the long-awaited companion piece Cinema Europe: The Other Hollywood, a six-hour survey of Europe's silent era. Episodes focus on the distinct development of specific countries--Sweden, Germany, France, and Britain--framed by a general introduction and conclusion. Brownlow and Gill were frustrated by a limited canvas--they had originally planned another 13-hour epic--and they only briefly touch on the rich work in Russia, Italy, and the Scandinavian countries. But the production brims with a wealth of rare films clips and interviews, and the thoughtful narration (by Kenneth Branagh) puts them in a rich historical and cultural context. Most importantly, it captures a vital period when films readily crossed borders and distinct national cinema styles flourished. It was a cinematic garden in full bloom and it cross-pollinated through ambitious and inspired filmmakers around the world. When the lure of Hollywood and the rise of fascism pulled much the talent from Europe and the coming of sound created new language barriers, the garden went into a frosty winter. David Gill died shortly after the production was completed. --Sean Axmaker
Video Details
Where the art of filmmaking all began. An exciting visual presentation of the European silent film era, "Cinema Europe: The Other Hollywood" commemorates the birth of an art that would transform the 20th century. This stylish and historical documentary focuses on the early days of the movie industry and the enormous contribution made by Europe. Included is rarely seen footage from early movies and interviews with some of the film industry's pioneers. This fascinating documentary is produced by the award-winning team of Kevin Brownlow and David Gill and serves as a companion to their definitive "Hollywood" series. This six-hour series is narrated by critically acclaimed actor/director Kenneth Branagh with music composition by Carl Davis, Philip Appleby and Nic Raine. Part I: Where It all Began (Introductory Episode). Part II: Promised Land (Sweden). Part III: The Unchained Camera (Germany). Part IV: The Music of Light (France). Part V: Opportunity Lost (Britain). Part VI: End Of An Era (Finale). "Enlightens as it beguiles...with footage seldom, if ever, seen." Variety
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Customer Reviews
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Most helpful customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant documentary on early film,
By A Customer
This review is from: Cinema Europe:the Other Hollyw (DVD)
Brownlow & Gill's documentary series was originally broadcast in 1996 by the BBC to celebrate 100 years of cinema. Not only is it incredibly interesting as a history lesson but top marks must go to the archive researchers who have dug up some incredibly rare footage (such as Dietrich's screen test for THE BLUE ANGEL). All 6 episodes are on this 1 disc and although there are no extras, you do get 6 hours of pure magic, masterly narrated by the excellent Kenneth Branagh. The quality of the archive footage is amazing and anyone contemplating studying film for education or academic reasons really should start with this disc, for it starts with footage circa 1895 (including the Lumiere bros) through to the advent of sound over 30 years later. It's all very well to read about this stuff in textbooks but seeing it on your TV really does make a difference. It is truly amazing just how much stuff has survived considering the time that has elapsed and the chemical volatility of early nitrate film stock. All in all this is well worth watching, masterfully put together and nicely presented. It is also worth noting that contrary to the technical information on the page, this disc is in fact not region coded so will play in any DVD player in any country so you really have no excuse not to get it (however the U.S. appears to be the only country where this series is available as a DVD).This disc is must for any film student or historian!.
4.0 out of 5 stars
Silent pictures with a European accent.,
By
This review is from: Cinema Europe:the Other Hollyw (DVD)
This six-part documentary is created for serious students of film, as European silent pictures would be unfamiliar (and uninteresting) to most casual viewers. The six-hour running time can also be a deterrent. But, for those who are willing to partake of this journey, it is extremely well done. An off-screen Kenneth Branagh, bridging the material to me as an American viewer, narrates each segment. And the remastered quality of the selected scenes is startling considering most have been forgotten, lost or destroyed.The first episode, entitled WHERE IT ALL BEGAN introduces the series and discusses the first movies and how they were affected by the onset of World War I. The second episode, PROMISED LAND focuses on hour on the Swedish impact on cinema. Then they discuss German expressionism in Part 3, THE UNCHAINED CAMERA. That is followed by the French contributions in THE MUSIC OF LIGHT, Part 4. Part 5 OPPORTUNITY LOST, reveals British filmmaking as sub par and only shows promise when they stylistic borrow from Germany. Alfred Hitchcock is also featured. END OF AN ERA chronicles the arrival of sound film and how it affected all the involved countries as well as the onslaught of World War II. CINEMA EUROPE is a wonderful essay on silent European films but it can be a long journey with some repetition. But, many of the clips are marvelous and the musical reconstruction is great. The DVD has no special features beyond an episode scene selection.
5.0 out of 5 stars
incomparable documentary on European silent film,
By audrey (white mtns) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Cinema Europe:the Other Hollyw (DVD)
If you are interested in film and want to learn more about the early days, you will be enthralled, from start to finish, by this remarkable six-hour documentary, the last joint project by film historians Kevin Brownlow and David Gill. Intelligently written and wonderfully narrated by Kenneth Branagh, each hour is filled with rare film clips and fantastic interviews.The only weakness here is a lack of extras. A documentary or commentary track about how these clips were found, etc., would have been wonderful. Also, a documentary package like this would be made even more valuable with the addition of a comprehensive index of the actors and films.
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