A Gance's at Napoleon

For those who maybe going to Kevin Brownlow's showing of Napoleon at the Royal Festival Hall on November 30th, be thankful you got your seats, as my last look shows all the regular seats as being sold out for this special event.

But, going or not, here is a short clip of Abel Gance's film, titled Napoleon's vision of the siege of Toulon. A glimpse into director's Gance's filmmaking vision.

Max Linder and Abel Gance's 'Au Secours!'

Anyone who is a longtime Charlie Chaplin fan, knows that Max Linder was one of Chaplin's idols before Chaplin got into films. But did you know Max Linder also worked with Abel Gance?

In honor of the Napoleon showing in London on November 30th, here is look at the film Max Linder and Abel Gance made together called 'Au Secours!' (French film). Released before Napoleon, it's a good look at the style of editing so favorited by Gance's work. Besides that, it's fun film to watch.

Note: This video appeared to be recorded at a live event, as the soundtrack suggests.

Learning about Napoleon, before seeing the film

When Abel Gance's started his work on Napoleon, he envisioned doing an extended series of several films to cover his life. Due to the sheer time and cost, he did only one film. The London showing will show nearly five and half hours of the currently restored version by Kevin Brownlow.

The film doesn't cover all of Napoleon's life, only part of it. This PBS documentary on Napoleon is a great introduction to him. Part one roughly covers the years presented in Gance's film. (Personally, I found it best to watch the full documentary, as a refresher on his life.)



Just remember, Gance's film is his own version of Napoleon life, not a documentary. If you have watched other Gance's work, you already have a fairly good idea of his storytelling style. An excellent pre-film book to read is Kevin Brownlow's NAPOLEON. It goes into detail on how the film was made. It could increase your appreciation on the creating of the production, and a great edition to your silent film library, whether you are going to the film or not.

For more, here is a series of my post about NAPOLEON.

Also, for those who like reading reviews, before seeing a film, this thread on Nitrate has varies reviews about the US showing and others. I post the thread link, for those who maybe interested. As I mentioned on my blog before, if you are planning on seeing it, I think it's best to see a film through your own eyes and experiences.

Update at this posting: For the Napoleon showing at the Royal Festival Hall on November 30th, about 25 seats left.

Abel Gance et son Napoléon, behind the scenes documentary

With it only 30 days away to the showing of Napoléon at London's Royal Festival Hall, here is a great behind scenes look at the creation of the film. 'Abel Gance et son of Napoléon' was released on French television in 1984. The French documentary features behind scenes footage of the creating of Abel Gance's film.

You can see how scenes were shot on location and in the studio, with some film test of the actors to play the roles. Even if you don't speak French, it still a great introduction to the film.

Though not the full series, what is available is presented in four parts on Daily Motion. Each part about 19 minutes. It gives great insight into the production of the film, and well worth to watch, whether you plan to see Napoleon, or not.

Part One

ABEL GANCE ET SON NAPOLEON 1 STEFGAMERS by STEFGAMERS

Part Two

ABEL GANCE ET SON NAPOLEON 2 STEFGAMERS by STEFGAMERS

Part Three

ABEL GANCE ET SON NAPOLEON 3 STEFGAMERS by STEFGAMERS

Part Four

ABEL GANCE ET SON NAPOLEON 4 STEFGAMERS by STEFGAMERS

Roughly about fifty seats left for the showing by Kevin Brownlow, so a bit of time left, but not for long...

Arthur Honegger's Napoleon Suite

There has been much writing about the original music score for Abel Gance's Napoleon. Having a strong interest in music, and having studied and performed, I can easily be on the side of French composer, Arthur Honegger, when it has been said, he hated this film. The main reason he probably came to hate it, was the fact Gance's kept re-editing the film, clear up to the night it was premiered. For a composer, that is a nightmare.

This is said to be the only remaining score that exists from that original release. I have read different opinions about it too, but I don't go by other peoples opinions, but how it speaks to me, as a listener. And I must say, I really enjoyed this. I'm looking forward to finding it to add to my collection of classical music.


(This is a recording by the CSR Symphony Orchestra.)

Not seeing any of the film versions, I have read, not much of this is in the current Carl Davis score, but only a touch. If you have seen the film, or have Carl Davis's Napoleon CD, you can hear what parts.

For those going to NAPOLEON in London on November 30th, I thought you like to listen to this score, as well.

Also, here is a good article about the background of this score and the music of Napoleon. (From the Moldehauer Archives at the Library of Congress.)

Kevin Brownlow - Lecture at the 'London Television Centre'

Another re-visit, as I continue to post a collection of material featuring Kevin Brownlow and his coming showing of Abel Gance's NAPOLEON at Royal Festival Hall in London.

In 2010, Kevin Brownlow gave an informative lecture at the 'London Television Centre.' It was part of the Jane Mercer Memorial Lecture series. 'My Life in Archives' was recorded by Gerry Lewis Productions. This three part lecture is a must for people heading to NAPOLEON this November 30th, 2013 and fans of Brownlow's work.

Part One: link to program
Brownlow talks about his early years, that lead to his work with NAPOLEON.

2010 Jane Mercer Lecture part 1 from Gerry Lewis Productions on Vimeo.

Part Two: link to program
2010 Jane Mercer Lecture part 2 from Gerry Lewis Productions on Vimeo.

Part Three - link to program
2010 Jane Mercer Lecture part 3 Q&A from Gerry Lewis Productions on Vimeo.



Here is the link to the Philharmonic Orchestra site for more details on the Napoleon showing.

Note: Counting under a 100 seats still available, in the Balcony and Boxes.

Kevin Brownlow talks to Leonard Lopate about NAPOLEON

When Abel Gance's NAPOLEON shown in Oakland, California, by the San Francisco Silent Film Festival in 2012, Kevin Brownlow did some USA interviews about that showing. Here's Brownlow on 'The Leonard Lopate Show' on WNYC, discussing the film and the music.



With Royal Festival Hall showing the film in London on November 30th, great time to re-listen to this 18:05 minute program from November 2011.  LINK TO SHOW

Part of my countdown to NAPOLEON.  More about The Leonard Lopate Show.

Rarely screened NAPOLEON

If you haven't gotten your tickets to see NAPOLEON, there is only a few seats left for the November 30th, 2013 showing at the Royal Festival Hall (few box and balcony seats left). Unlike in Oakland, where there were four showings of the film, only one showing is currently on schedule for the London presentation.

NAPOLEON has only shown on the big screen, in it's restored form, a handful of times. This is the third time it will be presented at the Royal Festival Hall in thirteen years. It's also been shown in two versions, Kevin Brownlow's restored version, with the music of Carl Davis, and a shorter film version with the score by Carmine Coppola.

Without getting into the legal battles over the film, the main thing, the only way to see Brownlow's complete film, is at these rare screens, like last year in Oakland and this November in London. It's very expensive to show this film with a live orchestra, and to set up the special screens, with projectors, for the Triptych (three scenes at once, on three different screens).

While there is a shorter Francis Ford Coppola version available on DVD, the Brownlow's version, with Carl Davis score is not available on disc. And it may never be in the near or far future, due to the legal copyright situation. But at least, for those who can, these rare live music viewing do give fans a chance to see it.

Meanwhile, here is a taste of a live screening with the Coppola version in Rome.




And, if you missed this earlier, here is Kevin Brownlow's talking about Abel Gance from the early 1980s (?).

Carl Davis on creating the music for Napoleon

With NAPOLEON being presented at the Royal Festival Hall this November 30th, 2013 in London, looking back at the special showing of the film in Oakland, California by the San Francisco Silent Film Festival in the spring of 2012.

Here composer Carl Davis talks about creating the music for NAPOLEON during that 2012 presentations. Presented by SFSFF.






Again, only a few seats left for the Kevin Brownlow's restored version on November 30th in London.

Documentary of Abel Gance's first talking film 'The End of the World'

With the end of the silent era, Napoleon director Abel Gance created his first talking film called 'The End of the World.' During the making of the film, Eugene Deslaw filmed a silent documentary, which includes behind the scenes images of the filming, with clips from the picture.





But the film was not a success. With funding pulled, after nearly two years in production and five million francs, the only release US version was cut to 54-minutes. Kevin Brownlow used some surviving film clips in his history of European films in Cinema Europe.

Here's more about the film from DVD Talks.

Kevin Brownlow talking about Napoleon on PBS

In 2012, Kevin Brownlow's latest restored NAPOLÉON premiered in Oakland. With another showing planned on November 30th, 2013 in London, here is a look back to an interview with Kevin Brownlow on PBS Art Beat, talking about the making of Napoléon.

Director Abel Gance & actor Albert Dieudonné 'La Folie du Docteur Tube'

For those going to NAPOLEON in London this November, here is look at another film director Abel Gance made with NAPOLEON's star Albert Dieudonné:

'La Folie du Docteur Tube' (1915) - short restored film
Doctor Tube - played by Albert Dieudonné
Directed by - Abel Gance

Kevin Brownlow's Napoleon - Abel Gance's Classic Film (book)

If you are planning to see Kevin Brownlow's NAPOLEON in London on November 30th, 2013, or just like to learn more about the film, you may want to check out Kevin Brownlow's book 'NAPOLEON, Abel Gance's Classic Film.'

It's still available a few places used and new. You can check this link to my Hollywood Series page, with a link to books still available in the US.  I found it in two different releases from 1983 from Alfred a Knopf. The used ones maybe mixed.

In the UK? There are a variety of books still available to buy new and used. Check your used local bookstore too.

If you are on a budget or just want to see the book before buying, you can always check it out at your local library. It's available worldwide. Here's a link to World Cat for libraries it is located.

Still tickets available for the event at Royal Festival Hall, but going fast. 

Also, here's an article from Sense of Cinema from 2006, on the background of the different versions.

Update: Click this link more posts on NAPOLEON.

Napoléon - November 30th, at Royal Festival Hall

Film historian, Kevin Brownlow, will be presenting director Abel Gance's 1927 "Napoléon" at the Royal Festival Hall on November 30, 2013. This is Brownlow's restored version. It will be presented with the music by the Philharmonia Orchestra.

This nearly sold out event, still has some tickets available, at this link. Best to get now, before they do all sellout.

Meanwhile, I will be posting some videos by Mr. Brownlow, talking about the film and the director. 

Napoléon is coming to LONDON in NOVEMBER 2013!

NOVEMBER 2013

Abel Gance's 

Napoléon 

Royal Festival Hall
November 30, 2013 - London, England

with Carl Davis and the Philharmonia Orchestra

RARE EVENT! Tickets on sale soon
NOW! and it appears to be nearly sold out for Nov. 30th Check this link for seats still available
(At this update, no word on an added date)

This is the trailer from last year's presentation in Oakland, California.

Check this link at Silent London and watch for more information when available.