This is the 1927 silent version restored in 1989 by Kevin Brownlow. Gance himself made two revised versions of his film: Once in 1935 when he shortened it and at the same time added sound; many of the original actors dubbed their voices e.g., Antoine Artaud in a mesmerizing performance. In 1971, he lengthened the film as much as was then possible, retaining much of the 1935 sound. The 1971 film "Bonaparte and the Revolution" ("Bonaparte et sa revolution") is easily one of the ten best films made. The actors' passion overcame problems in continuity and Gance's didactical manner.
I went with high hopes to the restored version the day it opened in 1989. Perhaps if I had not seen/heard the 1971 version I would have found the "new" silent version at least acceptable. Unfortunately, Gance's flaws as a director were made more apparent by the bombastic music added to the 1989 version. The actors appear in this version as silent puppets -- a lot to ask of an audience for over four hours. (The video version, which I have not seen, has apparently had parts dropped -- irony of ironies -- and has been speeded up. See comments elsewhere on this site for more details.)
Many people, as illustrated by comments on this site, are totally unaware of the 1971 version -- which is presumably the version that Gance wished to posterity to see. My memory of Gance's comments opening week in 1989 is that he was sad, but diplomatic, over the results.
My understanding is the the US copyright to the 1971 version was acquired in the course of making the 1989 version and that it has been the copyright holder's policy not to allow Gance"s "competing" version to be shown. So much for the marketplace of ideas. (Again, there is more detail on this elsewhere on the site.)
Consequently, memories of the truly superior 1971 version have already faded and will continue to.
So watch if you wish the 1989 version of the 1927 silent film. Imagine one that is ten times better.
I went with high hopes to the restored version the day it opened in 1989. Perhaps if I had not seen/heard the 1971 version I would have found the "new" silent version at least acceptable. Unfortunately, Gance's flaws as a director were made more apparent by the bombastic music added to the 1989 version. The actors appear in this version as silent puppets -- a lot to ask of an audience for over four hours. (The video version, which I have not seen, has apparently had parts dropped -- irony of ironies -- and has been speeded up. See comments elsewhere on this site for more details.)
Many people, as illustrated by comments on this site, are totally unaware of the 1971 version -- which is presumably the version that Gance wished to posterity to see. My memory of Gance's comments opening week in 1989 is that he was sad, but diplomatic, over the results.
My understanding is the the US copyright to the 1971 version was acquired in the course of making the 1989 version and that it has been the copyright holder's policy not to allow Gance"s "competing" version to be shown. So much for the marketplace of ideas. (Again, there is more detail on this elsewhere on the site.)
Consequently, memories of the truly superior 1971 version have already faded and will continue to.
So watch if you wish the 1989 version of the 1927 silent film. Imagine one that is ten times better.