The Iron Mask (Douglas Fairbanks) DVD?

misspickford9 · Post by **misspickford9** » Fri Jul 24, 2009 5:16 pm

Has the official full silent restoration of The Iron Mask been released on DVD yet? Its something they literally did within the last year because it was debuted during the Fairbanks screening at the Goldwyn Theatre earlier this year.

Im very fond of that movie and would love to have a copy. Of course I guess maybe it hasnt made release yet. Does anyone know of any plans to do so? Maybe I'll just have to bug the Silent Movie Theatre to screen it so I can see it again

BrianG · Post by **BrianG** » Fri Jul 24, 2009 5:38 pm

That would be nice to see. Wonder who would put it out. Kino still only lists the 2002 version.

Gagman 66 · Post by **Gagman 66** » Fri Jul 24, 2009 6:04 pm

misspickford9,

Depends on what you mean by official? The current Kino DVD of THE IRON MASK is in-fact the Photoplay Productions version produced in 1999, for Channel Four in England and has a terrific Carl Davis musical score. One of the few Photoplay Silents, and Davis scores on commercial DVD. I am sure that that must be what you are looking for?

misspickford9 · Post by **misspickford9** » Sat Jul 25, 2009 1:18 am

Gagman 66 wrote:misspickford9,

Depends on what you mean by official? The current Kino DVD of THE IRON MASK is in-fact the Photoplay Productions version produced in 1999, for Channel Four in England and has a terrific Carl Davis musical score. One of the few Photoplay Silents, and Davis scores on commercial DVD. I am sure that that must be what you are looking for?

No not quite. Just in I want to say 2008 SOMEONE (not sure who, possibly the Academy) did a full silent restoration, all other versions apparently paled in comparison to it. It was in I believe April 2009 they premiered it at the Samuel Goldwyn Theatre, Kevin Brownlow spoke and it was the closer to the Fairbanks exhibit they had been running.

Not having seen the other versions this is all I can really say of it: we see Doug's 2 talkie intros (one for the beginning and one for intermission? Right? Been awhile) then the rest is ''silent'' while a brand new score was added, possibly Robert Israel? The speed, the sequence, all that I guess was corrected vs earlier restorations. It was quite magnificent.

R Michael Pyle · Post by **R Michael Pyle** » Sat Jul 25, 2009 5:49 am

The talkie intro - a rhyming poem Fairbanks delivers only half so well - is on the Kino version. It was the first time I'd seen it. This is my favorite Fairbanks film. The Kino version is from 1999 and is the one restored in association with the Museum of Modern Art, produced by Patrick Stanbury and Kevin Brownlow. The outtakes are worth the entire DVD! They're incredible, and it's marvelous that so many still exist.

misspickford9 · Post by **misspickford9** » Sat Jul 25, 2009 5:51 am

R Michael Pyle wrote:The talkie intro - a rhyming poem Fairbanks delivers only half so well - is on the Kino version. It was the first time I'd seen it. This is my favorite Fairbanks film. The Kino version is from 1999 and is the one restored in association with the Museum of Modern Art, produced by Patrick Stanbury and Kevin Brownlow. The outtakes are worth the entire DVD! They're incredible, and it's marvelous that so many still exist.

In this version there was another talkie intro...I cant remember if they were just both Douglas or one with Doug and one with the other 3 guys. I want to say the latter. The part wasnt of particular importance though there was nothing wrong with it. I just enjoyed this version very much. AHHH the ending. And when his lover died...so touching!

R Michael Pyle · Post by **R Michael Pyle** » Sat Jul 25, 2009 5:58 am

The 'other three guys' are in the Kino version, too, but I don't remember them speaking, although they may have. I'll have to look today sometime; then get back. I have the DVD in my hand; but unfortunately I need to leave. Sorry.

Gagman 66 · Post by **Gagman 66** » Sat Jul 25, 2009 11:30 am

misspickford9,

I am not aware of a newer restoration of THE IRON MASK? I am not saying that there hasn't been one, but you are going to have to go a long ways to top the Photoplay version. As far as I know Robert Israel has not composed a score for this movie? If you look on the Photoplay website, the Davis score is the one that is listed.

In any event, there was a screening just a few months ago that two or three friends of mine attended. The version screened that night had the Carl Davis score. And yes Kevin Brownlow was on hand. So you may be getting confused about the details?

Lzcutter · Post by **Lzcutter** » Sat Jul 25, 2009 12:06 pm

MissPickford,

I went to the screening at the Academy last April. Kevin Brownlow was indeed there and introduced the film. The score was by Carl Davis, not Robert Israel.

The print was courtesy of Photoplay according to my wonderful Fairbanks program from that evening.

Gagman 66 · Post by **Gagman 66** » Sat Jul 25, 2009 12:20 pm

Lynn,

I thought it was the Carl Davis score and the Photoplay version. Thanks for the confirmation. And it is on DVD.