aft dvd proposal detail r#40592 -...

3DD Entertainmentin association with

Lorber Media

PRESENT

The American Film Theatre

A collection of 14 classic feature films basedon great theatre works of the 20th century.

THEAMERICANFILMTHEATRE

THEICEMANCOMETH

THEHOMECOMING

ADELICATEBALANCE

BUTLEY

THREESISTERS

THEMAIDS

GALILEO

INCELEBRATION

RHINOCEROS

LUTHER

THEMANINTHEGLASSBOOTH

PHILADELPHIA,HEREICOME

LOSTINTHESTARS

JACQUESBRELISALIVEAND

WELLANDLIVINGINPARIS

THE AMERICAN FILM THEATRE

The American Film Theatre was the brainchild of producer Ely Landau. The basic philoso-phy behind AFT was original and revolutionary for its time. Landau believed that the audi-

ences “do not want to escape into sex or violence but want to think and feel”.

Like grown-up siblings, stage and screen had mostly lived their own separate lives. While films have a range and scope even the most ambitious theatre can’t challenge, there is not the same room in film for the well-shaped chat that you find in theatre where, as a rule, you do have to listen. The inherent challenge of finding middle ground between these two contrasting disciplines was met head on by Landau who married the cinematic possibilities of film with the intimacy of theatrical dialogue. And it worked. The result was a collection of 14 films made in the early part of the 1970s which have remained largely unseen since then.

The goal in making AFT films was to take a theatrical experience and turn it into a cinematic experience without changing the content. The AFT films were shown only in selected cinemas to audiences who paid a subscription fee in advance for a series of plays on film, which were rarely screened more than once. These films were not filmed stage productions. They used the text of the plays as written by their authors, but they were very much movies directed by major tal-ents such as John Frankenheimer, Joseph Losey, Arthur Hiller and Laurence Olivier

And their existence is justified by putting on permanent record an extraordinary performance like that of Alan Bates in “Butley” or a definitive production such as Peter Hall’s version of Pinter’s “The Homecoming”.

These classics have been rediscov-ered, restored and are ready for a new audience from a new genera-tion of theatre and film lovers.


INTRODUCTION

IN KEEPING WITH THE THEATRICAL ORIGINS OF AFT, PLAYBILLS (OR CINEBILLS AS THEY WERE KNOWN) WERE GIVEN TO THE AUDIENCE. CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT, THE ICEMAN COMETH, A DELICATE BALANCE, RHINOCEROS, BUTLEY, THREE SISTERS & LUTHER


starringLeeMarvin,FredericMarch,RobertRyan,JeffBridges,

BradfordDillman,SorrellBooke,HildyBrooks,EvansEvans

In 1973 when the American Film Theatre’s repertoire first played in selected cinemas in the USA, this film adaptation of the great American play “The Iceman Cometh” shone, and this beautiful production retains its effective-ness today. This is largely due to O’Neill’s genius text, John Frankenheimer’s excellent direction, and a fine cast, headed by Fredric March (in his last per-formance) and Robert Ryan. Lee Marvin was a surprise choice for the central role of Hickey but, as often was the case with Frankenheimer, his casting was inspired.

EugeneO’Neill’s

THEICEMANCOMETH

DirectedbyJohnFrankenheimer

1973Colour Running Time : 239 minutes

“John Frankenheimer’s adaptation of Eugene O’Neill’s The Ice-man Cometh is towering and deeply affecting.” NEWSWEEK MAGAZINE

“It is Jeff Bridges who supplies the tragic catharsis so crucial to O’Neill’s concept of the dramatic experience.” THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER

“The Iceman Cometh is a success indeed. It is not merely a worthy production of a great play; it also posesses moments of its own greatness. Altogether, it is a film of such extraor-dinary beauty and power...” TIME MAGAZINE

INTENDED DVD/TV PROMO EXTRAS • Trailer : 2 minutes 36 seconds

• Production Stills

• Poster

• New specially shot interviews with: Jeff Bridges Bradford Dillman Evans Evans


starringIanHolm,PaulRogers,VivienMerchant,

CyrilCusack,TerenceRigby,MichaelJayston

This is a superlative piece of 20th century drama transferred to the screen with great skill. The screenplay differs little from the original play but Peter Hall uses the camera to create new imagery and symbolism. It is clear that Hall and his cast were completely in tune with this piece as the acting is superb. Paul Rogers is the clan’s malevolent patriarch and Ian Holm is the amusing but insidious Lenny, while Vivien Merchant’s Ruth is both hypnotic and captivating. This is Pinter’s masterpiece perfectly brought to the big screen by Sir Peter Hall.

HaroldPinter’s

THEHOMECOMING

DirectedbyPeterHall

1973 Colour Running Time : 114 minutes

“I often find myself seeking solace from this film. Its poetry and twisted sense of compassion and humor have assuaged many moments of despair and confusion. Other people have religion. I have my copy of The Homecoming” ATOM EGOYAN

The leached-out color and the impassive glide of David Wat-kin’s camera bind the piece in what has to be called definitive form...” THE VILLAGE VOICE, July 30th 2002

INTENDED DVD/TV PROMO EXTRAS • Trailer : Duration TBC


• US Poster

• New specially shot interviews with: Peter Hall Harold Pinter Ian Holm Paul Rogers David Watkin (Cinematographer) “Ely Landau’s production of The Homecoming is nothing less

than suberb.” VARIETY


starringKatharineHepburn,PaulScofield,LeeRemick,

KateReid,JosephCotten,BetsyBlair

Edward Albee’s hugely emotive Pulitzer prize-winning play is a relentless tour de force of familial angst, definitively transferred to the big screen by Tony Richardson. Hepburn gives one of her truly great performances as the wife and mother trying to maintain the “delicate balance” of her household. Oscar winner David Watkin’s rich cinematography, an all round exceptional cast and Albee’s wonderful way with words make this a moving piece of film making.

EdwardAlbee’s

ADELICATEBALANCE

DirectedbyTonyRichardson


“Hepburn balances the movie, an emblem of strength, in what is surely her most precise and well-rounded performance since her return to the screen in Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner” THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER

“A Delicate Balance remains a fascinating exercise in cinematic theatre.” MONTHLY FILM BULLETIN

“A Delicate Balance is a rare treat for any lover of Edward Al-bee. Paul Scofield and Katharine Hepburn are stupendous as the dysfunctional couple who have the misfortune of hav-ing permanent houseguests.” TIME OUT NEW YORK, 25 July 2002



• Poster

• New specially shot interviews with: Edward Albee Paul Scofield David Watkin (Cinematographer)


starringAlanBates,JessicaTandy,MichaelByrne,GeorginaHale,

JohnSavident,RichardO’Callaghan,SusanEngel,SimonRouse

It’s a filmed play, almost totally shot in one room, all talk. Ah, but what talk, what dynamics between characters, what vicious game-playing and ruthless-ness and humor. Simon Gray’s never written a better play. Harold Pinter makes a very impressive film directorial debut, creating intricate characterisa-tions in a movie that is necessarily theatrical but not stagy. Bates recreates on celluloid his Tony award winning performance which is simultaneously hilarious and heart-breaking.

SimonGray’s

BUTLEY

DirectedbyHaroldPinter


“The complex story has been expertly fashioned by Gray and just as expertly vivified by Pinter through his strong cast.” VARIETY

“Alan Bates’ stage triumph in Simon Gray’s Butley has been superbly recreated on the screen with the added excellence of Harold Pinter’s topnotch film directorial debut.” VARIETY

“In its cracklingy brilliant way, Simon Gray’s Butley is out-standing... Alan Bates magnetically repeats his devastating tour de force as the English Don in whom the fire of inspira-tion has died...” MONTHLY FILM BULLETIN



• US Poster

• New specially shot interviews with: Harold Pinter Simon Gray Alan Bates Richard O’Callaghan


starringJoanPlowright,JeanneWatts,LouisePurnell,LaurenceOlivier,

DerekJacobi,AlanBates,SheilaReid,RonaldPickup

Plowright shines as Masha, playing opposite her husband, Olivier, who puts in a first-class performance as the alcoholic Dr. Chebutikin. Two of Britain’s finest actors, Alan Bates and Derek Jacobi give flawless supporting performances as do Jeanne Watts and Louise Purnell as the other sisters. Photography by the great Geoffrey Unsworth is magnificent, and the simplistic production design makes you feel like you’re actually in a theatre. This was Olivier’s first time behind the camera since “The Prince and The Showgirl” and we see here that he does more with filming theatre than any other movie director could.

AntonChekhov’s

THREESISTERS

DirectedbyLaurenceOlivier


“Plowright is superb as the angry, love-torn middle sister... Bates is marvellously self-deluding as her lover.”

“This Three Sisters succeeds because it recreates a lot of the excit-ment of a special theatrical performance through methods that are primarily theatrical.”NEW YORK TIMES

“What cannot be faulted is the overall quality of the produc-tion down to the minutest detail, and the rich and lasting contribution it makes in firming a permanent record, for future consultation, discussion and, why not, enjoyment, of another stage gem.” VARIETY



• Poster

• New specially shot interviews with: Joan Plowright Alan Bates Derek Jacobi


starringGlendaJackson,SusannahYork,VivienMerchant

This filmed version of Genet’s play sees the two maids, Solange and Claire, hating their employers, taking turns to act out the master-slave relationship, dressing up as Madame and insulting her. Exquisite performances from both York and Jackson (reprising their stage roles with Vivien Merchant as Madame) are at the heart of this tale of fantasy, role play and dark sexuality, beautifully shot by Douglas Slocombe.

JeanGenet’s

THEMAIDS

DirectedbyChristopherMiles


“The film... is a fine vivid recording of what seems to have been a smashing theatre production of the play in London with the same cast” NEW YORK TIMES

“That it works... is a tribute to the careful direction of Christo-pher Miles and especially the beutifully toned acting of Glenda Jackson...” FILM INFORMATION

“Jackson once again registers strongly with a deeply ab-sorbed portrayal blending restless sensuality and cold re-pressed violence.” VARIETY

“Vivien Merchan’t highly polished enactment of Madame”MONTHLY FILM BULLETIN



• Poster

• New specially shot interviews with: Glenda Jackson Susannah York Christopher Miles


starringTopol,JohnGielgud,EdwardFox,TomConti,

MichaelGough,MichelLonsdale

This play is about the role and responsibility of the scientist in society. Written during the time when atomic bombs were being created, it criticises scientists who fail to bring the truth to the people because they fear the retaliation of the authorities. Losey handles Brecht’s complex and sometimes difficult text with great mastery and gets stunning performances out of the assembled cast of excellent actors. There are parallells between Brecht and Losey’s hatred of the House of Un-American Activities committee and the 17th Century astron-omer. Brecht has never been in safer hands.

BertoltBrecht’s

GALILEO

DirectedbyJosephLosey


“Landau and the AFT are to be congratulated on a film of the highest quality, confirming that there is a well deserved niche for them in the film industry.” HOLLYWOOD REPORTER

“Mr Losey knows exactly what kind of ‘filmed theater’ he wants to achieve and how to achieve it.” NEW YORK TIMES

“Losey’s Galileo... is careful, comprehensive and compelling.” MONTHLY FILM BULLETIN

“Losey is served well by a large cast headed by Topol who gives a robust earthy performance” VARIETY



• Poster

• New specially shot interviews with: Topol Tom Conti


starringAlanBates,JamesBolam,BrianCox,BillOwen,ConstanceChapman

This film has rarely been seen since its release in 1975. But this story of an English family gathering for the parents’ anniversary is a skilfully crafted screen adaptation of a stage play. Three grown sons argue over their individual prob-lems while Mum bustles about cluelessly and Dad waits uneasily for whichever crisis might erupt first. As the angry brother with some unresolved issues, Alan Bates makes his mark as one would expect. The supporting cast provides very strong support under Lindsay Anderson’s careful direction.

DavidStorey’s

INCELEBRATION

DirectedbyLindsayAnderson


“Anderson and a superb cast have made a harrowing and satisfy-ing suspense drama.” NEW YORK MAGAZINE

“...the excellence of the direction and of the screenplay is such that the drama comes across with full force.” VARIETY

“In Celebration will hold you in its grip. Within its British framework the complexity of family life, with its combina-tions of love, hope, obligation, memory and resentment, is brilliantly realized.” FILMS IN REVIEW

“Storey’s gift for language is remarkable...” LOS ANGELES TIMES



• Poster

• New specially shot interviews with: David Storey Alan Bates Brian Cox James Bolam


starringZeroMostel,GeneWilder,KarenBlack

An absurdist play by Eugene Ionesco, Rhinoceros tells the story of a French town plagued by rhinoceroses. These are not ordinary rhinoceroses, but people who have been victims of “rhinoceritis”. Or is it something else entirely? Zero Mostel (recreating the role he played on Broadway) and Gene Wilder are bril-liantly funny. This piece, however, tackles the serious theme of individuality and indiosyncracity in a world of conformity.

EugeneIonesco’s

RHINOCEROS

DirectedbyTomO’Horgan


“Zero Mostel still is the riveting object of attention in the film. The reasons are that Mostel is an audaciously surprising actor, even when you think you know his style.”VINCENT CANBY, THE NEW YORK TIMES

“Mostel, comparatively subdued, is extremely funny”

“Wilder has an innate sweetness that neutralizes a lot of the dumbness of Stanley”

“Black, like Mostel, successfully created a cartoon character out of flesh and blood”THE NEW YORK TIMES

INTENDED DVD/TV PROMO EXTRAS • Trailer : 1 minute 51 seconds


• Poster

• New specially shot interviews with: Gene Wilder Karen Black


starringStacyKeach,JulianGlover,RobertStephens,JudiDench

A sincere, accurate portrayal of the birth of Protestant Christianity that is an excellent character study of the Augustinian monk, Martin Luther, and his pivotal role in the political, social, economic and religious revolt against the medieval Roman Catholic Church. Guy Green’s film, a faithful adaptation of John Osborne’s play, is a fascinating and powerful psychological study of one of history’s most controversial figures. The uniformly excellent cast is headed by Stacy Keach who gives a sensational performance in the title role and features Judi Dench in a supporting role.

JohnOsborne’s

LUTHER

DirectedbyGuyGreen


“Guy Green and veteran cinematographer Freddie Young have found a visual style that meets the requirements beautifully.”

Green’s direction has its own strength, lending a filmic viability to Osborne’s play. Because of this, as well as Keach’s magnifi-cent performance, the screen version of Luther is compelling.”FILMS AND FILMING

“Keach is brilliant as Luther, the sounding board from whom the others play off as strings on a finely tuned bow.” VARIETY

“Movies of the quality of Luther are so rare that the oppor-tunity to see this one should not be missed. It is compelling drama - both a dramatic and cinematic experience that will stay with the viewer long afetr the final credits fade off the screen” ST LOUIS GLOBE



• Poster

• New specially shot interviews with: Stacy Keach Julian Glover Guy Green


starringMaximilianSchell,LutherAdler,LoisNettleton,LawrencePressman

Arthur Goldman is a rich Jewish industrialist, living in New York. He is arrested for being a Nazi war criminal. In his trial, Goldman forces his accusers to face not only his presumed guilt but their own. Maximilian Schell defines acting in this superlative effort for which he received an Oscar nomination while Edward Anhalt’s sharp dramatisation, based on Robert Shaw’s orginial book and play, shapes an intellectual discourse into a compelling movie.

RobertShaw’s

THEMANINTHEGLASSBOOTH

DirectedbyArthurHiller


“...the script is superbly written and to the point. The role is amongst Schell’s finest to date - it seems made for him.” VARIETY

“Maximilian Schell gives a magnificently tuned performance as Goldman - clearly of Oscar quality. Veteran Arthur Hiller’s di-rection is forceful and well-paced...” FILM INFORMATION

“A brilliantly literate screenplay by Edward Anhalt and a powerhouse performance by Maximillian Schell give this in-telligent Ely Landau production the stature of high theatrical achievment that the American Film Theatre was created to record.” HOLLYWOOD REPORTER



• Poster

• New specially shot interviews with: Arthur Hiller Maximillian Schell Lois Nettleton


starringSiobhanMcKenna,DonalMcCann,DesCave

A young man, Gar O’Donnell, debates with his alter ego whether or not he should leave the depressing environment of his home town and migrate to stay with his aunt in Philadelphia. This is a brilliant take on Friel’s masterpiece adapted for the screen with great flair. This was the first highlight of Friel’s career which is often seen as the inaugural event in contemporary Irish drama. Donal McCann delivers a truly great performance as Public Gar, the repressed antagonist who is manifested openly on screen by his extroverted (but unseen to others) alter-ego Private Gar.

BrianFriel’s

PHILADELPHIA,HEREICOME!

DirectedbyJohnQuested


“The eternal Irish dilemma - to leave or to stay, beautifully writ-ten with flashes of warm humour, well performed by a quality Irish cast.” TV TIMES

“One of the great attraction of the film are the belly laughs it encourages for most of its duration.”

“The film gets the swing between melancholy and deter-mined joviality exactly right throughout.” FILM WEST



• Poster

• New specially shot interviews with: Brian Friel John Quested


starringBrockPeters,MelbaMoore,RaymondSt.Jacques,CliftonDavies

Alan Paton’s novel “Cry The Beloved Country” made for a dramatic musical with a score by Kurt Weill. This film adaptation of it contains excellent perform-ances and a beautifully rendered score, specially arranged by Alex North and powerfully delivered by the cast. The heart-breaking central premise of a father struggling to maintain his dignity, and a son struggling against brooding innate aggression, both set against a backdrop of apartheid, make this a truly moving film of a great musical.

KurtWeill&MaxwellAnderson’s

LOSTINTHESTARS

DirectedbyDanielMann


“Melba Moore sings ‘Trouble Man’ with extraordinary effect.” FILMS IN REVIEW

“...a fine performance by Brock Peters as the black clergyman”RADIO TIMES

“Stars is a cast expertly assembled by producer Ely Landau”VARIETY

“There are few works in the American musical theatre with the emotional impact of Lost In The Stars... Ely Landau’s American Film Theatre has gathered a fine cast of actors/singers for this screen version.” HOLLYWOOD REPORTER

INTENDED DVD/TV PROMO EXTRAS • Trailer : 2 minutes 01 second


• Poster

• New specially shot interviews with: Brock Peters Melba Moore Clifton Davies


starringMortShuman,EllyStone,JacquesBrel,JoeMasiell,ShawnElliott,JudyLander

The play ran for an astonishing 1,847 performances Off-Broadway. It com-prised 35 songs written by the famous travelling troubadour Jacques Brel (who makes a cameo appearance here) and this film version captures the humour, aching lament and relevance of his music. From the surrealistic opening, the fine cast deliver very strong interpretations of some of Brel’s finest songs, set to inventive imagery. The film centres on various aspects of life (love, marriage, death, war) and is a rare theatrical experience captured for all time on film.

JACQUESBRELISALIVEANDWELL

ANDLIVINGINPARIS

DirectedbyDenisHéroux


“The screenplay by Eric Blau is taut and imaginative in the way it links one Brel tune to the next.” LOS ANGELES TIMES

“...in ‘If We Only Had Love’ - the popular closing number which has become a favorite at worship services - Heroux at his best. He lets the three performers stand against a starry background and sing. Their singing is outstanding. Nothing else is needed.” FILMS INFORMATION

“In this film his songs and music come pouring off the screen and sweep us away in a delightful whilrl”

“Voices of the three players - Ms Stone, Joe Maisell and Mort Shuman - are suberbly strong. The big treat comes as the real life Jacques Brel sings a bittersweet chanson.” FILMS IN REVIEW



• Poster

• New specially shot interviews with: Denis Héroux Elly Stone

3DD and Lorber Media are very proud to bring this collection of classic films to the market, almost three decades after they were produced. These films are unique and extremely prestigious. They are based on some of the greatest dramatic works of the 20th Century and combine the talents of the most celebrated actors and directors from Broadway, London’s West End and Hollywood.

We intend to exhibit a season of the films at selected venues around the world start-ing in London. This will attract substantial press coverage and will provide excellent promotional opportunities for both their television broadcast and their release on DVD and Video. A sell-out season of 6 of the films premiered at Lincoln Center in New York in July this year.

We are producing a documentary to accom-pany the Collection. The documentary would be broadcast before the first film in the series airs on television, setting the scene, putting the films in context and giving a background to the films, their production and release. We will work closely with the DVD label to co-ordinate successful marketing opportunities.

We have already filmed interviews with Arthur Hiller, director of “The Man In The Glass Booth” and Edie Landau, wife of Ely Landau and Executive in Charge for The American Film Theatre. As we produce the documentary we will have access to a large number of the stars, writers and directors of these films. These will provide us with a variety of the DVD ‘extras’ detailed in the previous pages.

These hidden treasures in film history deserve to be rediscovered. 3DD & Lorber Media’s cinema re-release, DVD premiere and high profile television broadcast will achieve exactly that.


LAURENCE OLIVIER HAROLD PINTER PETER HALL TONY RICHARDSON JOSEPH LOSEY JOHN FRANKENHEIMER

INTERVIEW WITH ARTHUR HILLER

INTERVIEW WITH EDIE LANDAU

KATHARINE HEPBURN RECEIVES DIRECTION FROM TONY RICHARDSON

aft dvd proposal detail r#40592 -...

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