This is prompted by seeing the Redemption reissue of 'Valerie and her Week of Wonders' last night. I've read the literary source material for these other movies, and I know they exist, but I don't know if they have ever been available subtitled on tape or DVD.
'Szindbád'('Sindbad'), Hungary, 1971, Zoltán Huszárik Adventures of a supernatural Don Juan figure in turn-of-the-century Budapest. I’ve read translations of the stories by Gyula Krudy on which it is based; wild stuff, magic realism before its time. Krudy is a hugely important and popular writer in Hungary. I’m sure no effort will have been spared to ensure the film does him and his alter-ego Sindbad justice.
'Sanatorium pod klepsydra' (Eng. 'Sandglass' or 'The Hour-Glass Sanatorium'), Poland, 1973, Wojciech Has. Apparently the most expensive film made in Poland to that date. Based on the fantastic work of Bruno Schulz. The narrator’s dying father is kept alive in a hospital where time is suspended. The director’s 'Saragossa Manuscript' (1965) was a favorite of Jerry Garcia, who managed to get it reissued. I’ve seen the cyclops-skull poster for 'Sandglass' offered for sale a few times, but no sign of a DVD.
So, anyone seen these, or got any suggestions as to where I might source copies?
― Soukesian, Monday, 25 April 2005 16:11 (twenty years ago)
I tried once to see the Hour-Glass Sanatorium, but I
got my times mixed up and saw The Doll instead.
― Ken L (Ken L), Monday, 25 April 2005 17:07 (twenty years ago)
How was it? Prus' novel was part of the same series of Central European Classics that published Krudy, I'll have to check that out.
And thanks for the link - loads of other stuff in the Has filmography I just have to see. Hadn't realised this, but his THE MEMOIRS OF A SINNER is a version of James Hogg's CONFESSIONS OF A JUSTIFIED SINNER, thee classic Scots Gothic novel. I had no idea it had ever been filmed, far less by Has. I wonder if it has ever been screened here in Scotland.
― Soukesian, Monday, 25 April 2005 19:23 (twenty years ago)
It was really good, although it took a while before I stopped waiting for them to get to the Sanatorium. But the best one that I saw was
How To Be Loved.
― Ken L (Ken L), Tuesday, 26 April 2005 01:49 (twenty years ago)