Robert Redford - Is it time for a DVD revaluation?

[Barney_Tabasco]

I know he's seen as a pretty boy and boring/conservative director, but anyone who believes the 70's to be 'the second golden age of cinema™' will probably agree that he sure churned out some top films during the decade - The Candidate, All the Presidents Men, Three Days of the Condor, The Sting, even The Way we Were (yes, i know it's a love story, but can you imagine a modern mainstream Hollywood romance position the lead female as a communist compromised against the civil war in Spain and the rise of Hitler in Europe?).

Unfortunately, as far as i can tell, the DVDs are pretty poor - either not available or, if available, then without any extras or remastering etc. The only one i can think of is Butch Cassidy (yes, i know it was made in '69, but along with Midnight Cowboy, i think it was the start of the 70's movement).

Is there any news on upcoming SEs or have i missed something?

[charlie angel]

I haven't heard anything about any SE's, but I would be extremely happy if just The Sting & All The President's Men were redone out of that lot.

[Barney_Tabasco]

Yeah, All the Presidents Men could be chockablock full of historic extras, similar to Thirteen Days.

[Creamstick]

I'm a big fan of Redford.. Barefoot in the Park is my favourite. Is that available on DVD does anyone know?

[Barney_Tabasco]

Yeah, that is a good one - old fashioned Neil Simon Rom Com - i'm not sure if it's out, have to check.

[Paul2]

Originally posted by Barney_Tabasco
Unfortunately, as far as i can tell, the DVDs are pretty poor..

I'm not sure I entirely agree. Three Days of the Condor has a very acceptable R1 anamorpic edition, and both R1 and R2 'The Way We Were' have an excellent transfer and rather good extras (commentary, deleted scenes, documentary etc).

I agree that his 70's output is currently vastly under-rated (including 'A Bridge Too Far'!!).

[Barney_Tabasco]

Yes, A Bridge too Far, forgot that.

I guess you have Three Days of the Condor then? I'll take your comment as a recommendation :)

[Rob]

How about "The Natural".

Saw this on video about 15 years ago and thought it was a terrific (and different) story. It was released on DVD in May, but I haven't seen it on DVD yet.

[Barney_Tabasco]

Yeah, outside of the 70's he has also done some ntable work such as Barefoot in the Park, The Natural, Brubaker, Sneakers etc. I actually think Legal Eagles was underrated.

[aprout]

The Natural is fantastic. The R1 disc is pretty good picture & soundwise, but the main extra is a documentary about some American baseball player I've never heard of. I think a commentary was originally announced, but never arrived. Shame. Classic film though.

Creamstick - pretty sure Barefoot in the Park is available on R2

Andy

[whitty]

You might already know... But just in case


There is a new film coming out soon with Robert Redford and it looks VERY Good..

"The Last Castle"

http://www.apple.com/trailers/

[Creamstick]

Originally posted by aprout
Creamstick - pretty sure Barefoot in the Park is available on R2

Andy

OOOHHH!!!!! Mr. Credit Card, meet Mr Hammer!

[Barney_Tabasco]

Following cm-9s comment here (http://www.thedvdforums.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=274024), i thought i'd bring this back up for further discussion :)

[Rob]

This is an old thread!!!!

Since I last posted on here, I've seen Spy Game and The Last castle. TLC was good but Spy Game was even better.

Also worth mentioning Quiz Show which is another quality Redford film.

[John Hodson]

Caught Mr Redford paying homage to Mr Hoffman in a Beeb interview the other night and I was slightly startled to realise that the latter is now more handsome than the former (!), though both are 'gentlemen of a certain age'.

I'd love an SE of All The President's Men, there's certainly enough Watergate material floating around to make it a fascinating 2-disc set. I'd also like to put in another word for The Natural; that blend of mysticism and baseball :thumbs:

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So many films, so little time...

[MarcusUK]

I thought Sneakers was a good film :thumbs:

[cm-9]

:)

I think RR is great in intelligent thrillers like All the President's Men, Sneakers and Spy Game. He could be said to be playing almost the same character in all three, but then again you could say the same about many of the greats. Spy Game is my personal favourite.

[jonathan.e]

Originally posted by John Hodson
Caught Mr Redford paying homage to Mr Hoffman in a Beeb interview the other night and I was slightly startled to realise that the latter is now more handsome than the former (!), though both are 'gentlemen of a certain age'.


I had the same thoughts. Too much sun is to blame I reckon - Redford is beginning to resemble an elderly matron!

Can’t for the life of me understand why Downhill Racer hasn’t been released. For me the rot set in with Legal Eagles and a few exceptions aside I don’t rate his post ’80’s acting output much. I still don’t think he’s been properly punished for the crime against cinema that was Up Close and Personal.

[John Hodson]

Originally posted by jonathan.e
Can’t for the life of me understand why Downhill Racer hasn’t been released...

Or why The Candidate hasn't had a proper release. Quite agree with you about most of the '80s and '90s output; and while I'm here again, I'll also admit I'm partial to Jeremiah Johnson, The Hot Rock and Three Days of The Condor.

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So many films, so little time...

[GrossePointeJack]

I think the world needs a special edition of Jeremiah Johnson myself.

[SIMON ADEBISI]

Has Brubaker turned up yet?

[cervaro]

Was released in the US last November. $9.98 before discounts at DVD Soon. Sure I bought it in fact! Brubaker (R1) (http://www.thedvdforums.com/jump.php?url=http://www.dvdsoon.ca/show-title-details.xml^QS^uid=48477^QA^partner_id=10040)

[SIMON ADEBISI]

Nice one. Any extras on it?

[cervaro]

Nothing that I remember in the way of extras to be honest.

[dixpix]

The R2 Germany version of "Three Days of the Condor" is better than the R1. It is also anamorphic and includes a full length audio commentary from Sydney Pollack.

[jamiesd]

I would like to see Downhill Racer on Dvd

[Alan b]

This is probably better suited to the Classic Forum

Moving

[John Hodson]

I caught The Candidate on cable the other day; it looked superb (wonder if this augers well for a DVD release; a Robert Redford boxset?), and as a commentary on modern day politics I thought it hadn't lost an iota of its sharpness or relevence.

Great last line too...

[Mike]

I saw "A River Runs Through It" again the other day and thought it was a lovely film, beautifully directed and stunning to look at.

[John Hodson]

According to MovieMail (http://www.thedvdforums.com/jump2.php?url=http://scripts.affiliatefuture.com/AFClick.asp?affiliateID=17278&merchantID=848&programmeID=2665&mediaID=0&tracking=), Paramount is releasing Downhill Racer in R2 come August.