No, not the guy from the 80's "The Thing," Ken Russell was one of Britain's great surrealist directors. "Altered States" played the Marathon.

"Before that he was a sane, likable TV director," (Oliver) Reed said. "Now he's an insane, likable film director." ;)


http://omg.yahoo.com/news/british-film-director-ken-russell-dies-84-092929369.html

R_F_Fineman wrote on Nov 28^th, 2011 at 5:46pm:

No, not the guy from the 80's "The Thing," Ken Russell was one of Britain's great surrealist directors. "Altered States" played the Marathon. "Before that he was a sane, likable TV director," (Oliver) Reed said. "Now he's an insane, likable film director." ;) http://omg.yahoo.com/news/british-film-director-ken-russell-dies-84-092929369.html

I don't think Altered States has graced our screens. Plenty of times in the audience perhaps... :-X

Metaluna is correct. Believe it or not, ALTERED STATES has never played the Marathon. A few years back I tried to rectify that by locating a print. I did track one down that had played in L.A..
http://www.ifc.com/news/assets_c/ken-russell-11282011.jpg

Agh, what rotten news.  Here's the posting I just made over at the Columbus board:

It's a tremendously sad day for fans of gonzo cinema everywhere, as legendary madman director Ken Russell has shuffled off this mortal coil at the age of 84.  Over the course of his wildly eccentric career, he forged an enduring and tempestuous artistic partnership with fellow worshipper at the altar of excess Oliver Reed, who starred in Russell's film version of D.H. Lawrence's Women in Love and co-starred in the day-glo, psychedelic, emotionally powerful screen adaptation of The Who's Tommy.  Russell also reteamed with Roger Daltrey for the bizarre Lizstomania, which echoed his earlier interest in bringing the lives of classical composer to life with the Tchaikovsky-centric The Music Lovers and 1974's Mahler.  You could say that the ebbs and flows, the manic emotions and dramatic lulls of classical music perfectly mirrored Russell's own auteurist bent.

But, of course, the two films that give Russell explicit relevance in this thread are 1988's Lair of the White Worm (which holds the honor of being the first ever premiere at a Columbus Horror Marathon) and none other than what is possibly his strongest collaboration with Reed: The Devils.  In many ways, the film is not a traditional horror film, and there are still longtime Nightmarathoids whose only memory of it involves glimpses of naked nuns invading their half-conscious vision during its late night screening at the 1992 Night of the Living Drexel.  But The Devils remains a deeply disturbing film, ever more relevant as the years pass for its depiction of religious hysteria and some very real human monsters.  It's also one of the more difficult films to see today, never released on legitimate DVD and still scorned by the suits at Warner Brothers (for an excellent look at the enduring controversy, check out longtime friend of the Marathon Marc Edward Heuck's blog post on the topic.)  It's no secret that Bruce and I have been dying to show this again for years; maybe now we'll find some way to make it happen.

Altered States played the Columbus Marathon in 1997.  To say that it was a highlight would be an understatement.

Joe Neff wrote on Nov 28^th, 2011 at 9:30pm:

But The Devils remains a deeply disturbing film, ever more relevant as the years pass for its depiction of religious hysteria and some very real human monsters.  It's also one of the more difficult films to see today, never released on legitimate DVD and still scorned by the suits at Warner Brothers

     I ran an IB Tech print of that at the Harvard Square Theatre, many, many years ago.  The movie is drawn from a stage play, which itself was drawn from Aldous Huxley's only non-fiction book (I believe), The Devils of Loudon, which was first published in 1952.  I have a first edition.
     If you think the movie is disturbing, you should read the book.  You will go blind with outrage & fury.
     Russell, as was his out-sized habit, made something of a mess of things: what with the bathroom tiles for sets & Oliver Reed chewing up the scenery for all he was worth.  But nothing could smash out the power of the play or the book, not even Russell, & the film remains effective in spite of its multitudinous faults.


Quote:

Altered States played the Columbus Marathon in 1997.  To say that it was a highlight would be an understatement.

     Only if you can get me a 70mm print, in MEGASOUND!!!!  I think they were all printed on SP stock, so youd have to find one that was well-stored.

David the Projectionist wrote on Nov 28^th, 2011 at 10:03pm:

The movie is drawn from a stage play, which itself was drawn from Aldous Huxley's only non-fiction book (I believe), The Devils of Loudon, which was first published in 1952.

Brave New World Revisited!

I bought a copy of Devils of Loudon many years back, but I've never gotten around to reading it.  Maybe now's the time.

Ken Russell - I dunno all too often his work wanders into the pretentious or preachy  with a few too many dollops of artifice.  I include Tommy, the Devils, The Music Lovers, Lisztomania, Women in Love.  Flashes of genius that never really develop into great movies. 

     And dont forget his unexpected appearance as Walter in The Russia House!
     Perfect casting, if you knew who he was (& most people didnt).

...and while we're rambling on, let us not forget that bizarre production of "The Boyfriend" with Tommy Tune and Twiggy!  :)

Jon wrote on Nov 30^th, 2011 at 1:09pm:

...and while we're rambling on, let us not forget that bizarre production of "The Boyfriend" with Tommy Tune and Twiggy!

     If Russell was directing, "bizarre production" was de rigueur!  How many titles of his can you name that were not "bizarre productions?"
     No time limit on this.
     Perhaps RF can use that in the next trivia quiz!

A nice 35mm print of ALTERED STATES played in L.A. within the last year or so. I will certainly push for it this February.

Ken Russell is certainly an acquired taste. I might agree that he is more eccentric than coherent, but, what eccentricity! I wasn't a big fan of GOTHIC, but LAIR OF THE WHITE WORM is a kinky funky genre film as well as the quite good ALTERED STATES. Russell was too much for even it's screenwriter Paddy Chayefsky to handle, but Paddy's script certainly gave Russell more structure than he often had, and it's a vibrant melange of the two men's styles.
A bit less bizarre (and not a genre film) that folks might want to seek out: SAVAGE MESSIAH.


https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kNGP12ekcFI/TXd6HogdRrI/AAAAAAAAEtU/1Om1mqBDyvs/s1600/lair-white-worm.jpg

L.A. Connection wrote on Nov 30^th, 2011 at 8:58pm:

A nice 35mm print of ALTERED STATES played in L.A. within the last year or so. I will certainly push for it this February.

     Altered States in 70mm ONLY.  Not negotiable.  Did you ever hear the SOUND of that movie in 70?  No comparison: 35 hasnt a chance.
     Dont make me hurt you.

Joe Neff wrote on Nov 29^th, 2011 at 1:31pm:

I bought a copy of Devils of Loudon many years back, but I've never gotten around to reading it.  Maybe now's the time.

    You wont be sorry!  In fact, I predict youll thank me if you do sit down & read it all!

Dave:

Quote:

How many titles of his (Russell's) can you name that were not "bizarre productions?" No time limit on this.      Perhaps RF can use that in the next trivia quiz!

Good idea but bizarre is kind of a relative term. Back in the 90's I dated a woman sort of like Amanda Donohue's character in "Lair of The White Worm". ;)

Speaking of bizarre, Garen posted on his facebook page that the theme this year would be "Steampunk". I guess that means for the music I'll have to do a redux of "Big in Japan" and "WTF Was That" ;)

R_F_Fineman wrote on Dec 1^st, 2011 at 12:55pm:

Good idea but bizarre is kind of a relative term. Back in the 90's I dated a woman sort of like Amanda Donohue's character in "Lair of The White Worm". ;)

That's good bizarre!!!!

R_F_:
Quote:

Good idea but bizarre is kind of a relative term. Back in the 90's I dated a woman sort of like Amanda Donohue's character in "Lair of The White Worm".

Oh, really?  I am very interested in seeing that film now.  ;)

Most of the guys I dated before I met and married Mr. Right were like Tucker and Dale, only dumber.

And, finally -- Garen -- SteamPunk!?  I need to get new meds, at least for the day of the 'thon.

Concerning Altered States never screening at the Marathon, it was supposed to show at one of the last years at the Coolidge, but Warner Bros. informed Garen late in the game that the print was unshowable. 

Unfortunately, with the WB drastically de-emphasizing their 35mm repertory catalog, the 'thon's best best would likely be a digital screening...and the WB DVD of the film was one of its first wave of product, so the image would probably look somewhat cruddy blown up that large. 

Joe Neff wrote on Dec 4^th, 2011 at 9:02pm:

Unfortunately, with the WB drastically de-emphasizing their 35mm repertory catalog, the 'thon's best best would likely be a digital screening

    NO WAY.  I would actually refuse to run it.  Sparks would fly but I would win ("accidentally" breaking the disc in two would aid me in my quest).  Some of us take pride in our work, & putting on a good show!
     And I fail to find any ambiguity in the sentence "Altered States in 70mm ONLY."


Quote:

and the WB DVD of the film was one of its first wave of product, so the image would probably look somewhat cruddy blown up that large.

     No sh!t, Sherlock!

Concerning the ALTERED STATES print that almost was shown. It came from a lead to a 70mm print that had played in California at a film festival. Either that print became unplayable or was found to be when they showed it there. Not sure if we checked on a 35mm print at the time.

Like I noted earlier, a 35mm print has played in L.A. and elsewhere in recent years. No 70mm print has played anywhere I know of since that "unplayable" print a number of years back. If it is "playable" and rentable in February, we should show it. We can dream about a 70mm 6-track print all we want, but we shouldn't let a near impossible dream get in the way of the here and now. ALTERED STATES deserves a Marathon slot after all these years.

L.A. is right.

Yeah, go ahead....quote me on that one.

L.A. Connection wrote on Dec 6^th, 2011 at 8:19pm:

We can dream about a 70mm 6-track print all we want, but we shouldn't let a near impossible dream get in the way of the here and now. ALTERED STATES deserves a Marathon slot after all these years.

     I am trying like crazy to have the 70 at least partially ready before the thon this year; right now, we're incapable of showing anything: the equipment I have labouriously found has yet to be installed.  I'll keep everyone updated when there is something I can update (I recently got hold of some major missing pieces).
     That said, a 35mm Altered States print would have only the standard Dolby A soundtrack.  Has anyone on this board actually seen & heard a 70mm presentation of this movie?  Because if you had, you really wouldnt want to see it any other way, and if that means waiting for SF38, it would be well worth it, believe me.

from the looks of things it appears that this kent russell guy is going to get himself a tip o' the hat at this years marathon. i will just repeat my previous statements about alterred states. it sucks. he takes a shower and grows chicken feet. hallucination maybe? ...or maybe noooooot? i never figured out the symbolism of the chicken feet.

I don't love the movie, but it is a far cry from "sucks". 

I would rather see the movie in 35mm this year if it is really  available.  I am as fussy as others about formats.  If the print is relatively clean, intact and clear, I will watch it.

The point of my post is that there are no known 70mm prints out there. L.A. has 70mm fests every year, and the last time a 70mm print of ALTERED STATES played it was years ago (and that was reportedly "unplayable"). If a 70mm print magically appears, I'm sure we'll try and book it.*

However, we do know that rather recently a 35mm print has played in theaters. If we can get it - we should. When you think of all the mediocre (and less) films that have played the 'thon since ALTERED STATES came out in 1980, it's a pretty big oversight that needs to be corrected.


* And, yes, I saw ALTERED STATES in 6-track 70mm at the Sack 57 back when it was released. A college buddy of mine  came out of the theater literrally shaken. He said that he had been "completely blown away" by the experience. Sure, I'd love to re-create that again at the Marathon, but it just doesn't seem likely that such a print exists.

L.A. Connection wrote on Dec 7^th, 2011 at 6:56pm:

The point of my post is that there are no known 70mm prints out there. L.A. has 70mm fests every year, and the last time a 70mm print of ALTERED STATES played it was years ago (and that was reportedly "unplayable"). If a 70mm print magically appears, I'm sure we'll try and book it.* However, we do know that rather recently a 35mm print has played in theaters. If we can get it - we should. When you think of all the mediocre (and less) films that have played the 'thon since ALTERED STATES came out in 1980, it's a pretty big oversight that needs to be corrected. * And, yes, I saw ALTERED STATES in 6-track 70mm at the Sack 57 back when it was released. A college buddy of mine  came out of the theater literrally shaken. He said that he had been "completely blown away" by the experience. Sure, I'd love to re-create that again at the Marathon, but it just doesn't seem likely that such a print exists.

Most of us who are old enough saw t that way.  It does not matter.  Let's just get it anyway that we can as long as it is clear, intact and clean.  Your friend did not get out much I guess if he was "blown away" by that experience.  Hyperbole much?  I don't think that is that " a pretty big oversight" but if it is available we should get it.

L.A. Connection wrote on Dec 7^th, 2011 at 6:56pm:

However, we do know that rather recently a 35mm print has played in theaters. If we can get it - we should.

     Well, I think I know where there IS a 70mm print, despite what you say, & if Garen actually books this title (a coin toss, if reality is to be acknowledged), I'll investigate & see if I can put my hands on it, provided, of course, that my system at the theatre is set up to run it.
     But, as I said, it was printed on SP stock, so there will be fading, just not to red.


Quote:

And, yes, I saw ALTERED STATES in 6-track 70mm at the Sack 57 back when it was released.

     Well, Tony, I helped to set that up, believe it or not.  The bass was not to be believed, right?

Frank wrote on Dec 7^th, 2011 at 9:39pm:

Most of us who are old enough saw it that way.  It does not matter.

     Well, actually, yeah: it does, Frank; it really does.
     As the only person on this board who has actually run both versions, the difference between the two is not small, & thats a fact.


Quote:

Let's just get it anyway that we can as long as it is clear, intact and clean.

     Heres what this boils down to: do you people want the best possible presentation of a movie or not?  And speaking as someone who does, I would want to run the version that kicks ass, & the 35 of that will not kick ass.
     Of course, this is all academic, because who knows if Garen will even book the frigging thing, so we may be arguing over how many angels can dance on the head of a pin.

David the Projectionist wrote on Dec 7^th, 2011 at 11:29pm:

Frank wrote on Dec 7th, 2011 at 9:39pm: Most of us who are old enough saw it that way.  It does not matter.      Well, actually, yeah: it does, Frank; it really does.      As the only person on this board who has actually run both versions, the difference between the two is not small, & thats a fact. Quote: Let's just get it anyway that we can as long as it is clear, intact and clean.      Heres what this boils down to: do you people want the best possible presentation of a movie or not?  And speaking as someone who does, I would want to run the version that kicks ass, & the 35 of that will not kick ass.      Of course, this is all academic, because who knows if Garen will even book the frigging thing, so we may be arguing over how many angels can dance on the head of a pin.

Dave it matters to you.  I too have seen it both ways and it does not matter to me.  Of course I would prefer 70mm to 35mm.  However, I would prefer 35mm over a promise never realized. 
It's a silly discussion for me anyway, I would not be on the hunt for a Ken Russell film as if it were going to be the crown jewel of the thon. 
If you can get 70mm up to running speed and you can get a print fine.  If it is in doubt I will go with the sure thing. 

ken wrestle or no ken wrestle, a demonstration is in order. that makes it a gild edged priority for dave to get 70 mm capabilty. then we shall see what the deal is.

I just remember that when I saw "Altered States" when it was new, downtown next to the old Ho Jo's at a preview or something, the theater was so frigid I shivered through the entire film (in about the 4th row center), and the sound was so overpowering that, although I should have liked that, I was just exhausted at the end and couldn't hear my wife complaining.  And I remember being pretty intellectually underwhelmed by the way the premise was realized when it was all said and done.
Still, even so, I'd see it again - wearing a jacket, of course.... ;)  --70mm would be de rigeur, too, of course.

FLASH!

:o

THE DEVILS is playing in L.A. on January 27th!

  :)

Print from Warner Brothers!

  :)


Small print: Digi-Beta.


  :'(


Oh, well. That's seems to be the Studios' game these days. Just last year a 35mm print of MONSTER SQUAD played a couple of venues in L.A. Now, it's scheduled to play in town on January 13th.  "Format: Blu Ray"

Grrrrrrr!  >:(

L.A. Connection wrote on Jan 2^nd, 2012 at 6:04pm:

THE DEVILS is playing in L.A. on January 27th!  Print from Warner Brothers!

    Quotes advised: "Print" from WB.


Quote:

Small print: Digi-Beta.

     They still have prints, but will they let one out?  Not if people go to see this craptacular version, they wont!


Quote:

Oh, well. That's seems to be the Studios' game these days.

     Only if we let them get away with it: if you & a whole bunch of other people dont shout & make a fuss, they have nothing to fear.  Hit them in the pocketbook: thats the only way.