MovieChat Forums > Napoléon vu par Abel Gance (1929) Discussion > Cinémathèque Française 2017 Restoration?

Cinémathèque Française 2017 Restoration?

posted 8 years ago by brandon-caplan
2 replies | jump to latest

What's going on with the Cinémathèque Française restoration that's supposedly due in 2017? Someone in the comments section of this article (http://www.brentonfilm.com/news/kevin-brownlows-napoleon-to-make-long-awaited-debut-on-home-video) that more footage was apparently discovered, which begs the question: why isn't Brownlow involved with this? He is arguably just as important a figure in this film's history as Abel Gance, so it seems odd that a separate restoration would be carried out with new footage (especially since he's still looking for missing footage!)

I've never seen this movie, and I'm very much hoping that I'll get a chance if it plays stateside (or, better yet, gets a Blu-ray release - this would probably be a good candidate for the first silent film to be released in 4K Ultra).

"He kidnapped me! I have Patty Hearst Syndrome!"

[–] montybritton 8 years ago

Kevin Brownlow began his reconstruction of Napoleon in 1969 and it later became a collaboration with the BFI National Archive. In 2000, a five hour version was produced, making full use of all the additional footage which had since been discovered.
Film restored in association with Cinematheque Francaise.
This version is now available from BFI on a region B blu ray you can order from the UK or other outlets.
I have the five hour blu ray and it is a phenominal restoration and belongs in any film lovers collection. Hope that helps.

[–] Line-of-Flight 8 years ago

I'm looking very much forward to watching the BluRay as well.