Laila
OK, now I know what it is. Thanks. If you look again the Hughes Silents are also listed as Coming Soon? I don't know if there has been any progress in getting those released or not? Maybe so? That would be terrific news.
Having Laila on DVD is fanstastic news, and a bold move by Flicker Alley. This is how I reviewed it when it showed at Pordenone in 2008:
The rediscovery that sent us out into the streets, if not with the intention of dragging in passers-by then certainly floating on air, was unexpected. Laila (1929) is a late Norwegian silent, a daunting 165 minutes long. Expectations were not high from those like me who knew little of this period of Norwegian cinema, though the presence of George Schnéevoigt, cinematographer on a number of Carl Th. Dreyer film, as director, had aroused curiosity.
So, we’re amid the snowy wastes of Norway, at some time in the past. It’s nighttime. Merchant Lind and his wife are being drawn by dog sleigh through the snow, taking their baby daughter Laila to her christening. A pack of wolves attackes them. In the frantic chase, the baby falls out of her sleigh. With the dawn, they seek desperately for the child, only to find an empty papoose. The child must have been devoured by the wolves. But the baby had been found by Jåmpa, the wild-looking servant of the wealthy Lapp Aslag Laagje, whose wife is childless. They decide to adopt the child, but then learn of her true identity. Sorrowfully, they return Laila to her true parents. But then her parents die of the plague…
We were gripped, and we stayed gripped throughout, as this immaculately-paced drama in the remotest of landscapes held you like only the best of silent films can. Exoticism was certainly part of the appeal – age-old, etched faces, rampaging wolves (running over the camera at one point), clashes between Lapps and Norwegians (disparagingly referred to by the former as ‘daros’), some fine ski-ing, and an awful lot of reindeer. Lying just underneath the narrative was a miscenegation theme, as the grown-up Laila (brightly played by Mona Mårtenson), kept in ignorance of her Norwegian parentage, is brought up to expect marriage to Laagje’s foster son Mellet. The film seeks to rescue her from this fate, preferring that she marry instead her first cousin, Anders Lind (Harald Schwenzen), who ends up rescuing her at the altar in a satisfyingly dramatic conclusion, thanks to an intervention from Jåmpa (Trygve Larssen), who puts Laila’s happiness above loyalty to his master (and gets savaged by a pack of wolves for his pains).
This was a work on both an intimate and an epic scale (it is based on a novel by J.A. Friis), excellently played in a fine naturalistic style by all concerned. It was good human drama. It’s hard to make a dull-looking film when you have so much snow to work with, and Schnéevoigt did not fluff a single scene. The only disappointment was the print, which was a TV print with rounded corners. This was something of a distraction. Presumably it is the only material that survives. We were told that the film had previously only been available in sound speed form, but has now been re-photographed at 16fps. Fresh, unusual and soundly executed throughout, Laila was the outstanding feature film of the Giornate.
http://bioscopic.wordpress.com/2008/10/ ... 8-day-six/
The rediscovery that sent us out into the streets, if not with the intention of dragging in passers-by then certainly floating on air, was unexpected. Laila (1929) is a late Norwegian silent, a daunting 165 minutes long. Expectations were not high from those like me who knew little of this period of Norwegian cinema, though the presence of George Schnéevoigt, cinematographer on a number of Carl Th. Dreyer film, as director, had aroused curiosity.
So, we’re amid the snowy wastes of Norway, at some time in the past. It’s nighttime. Merchant Lind and his wife are being drawn by dog sleigh through the snow, taking their baby daughter Laila to her christening. A pack of wolves attackes them. In the frantic chase, the baby falls out of her sleigh. With the dawn, they seek desperately for the child, only to find an empty papoose. The child must have been devoured by the wolves. But the baby had been found by Jåmpa, the wild-looking servant of the wealthy Lapp Aslag Laagje, whose wife is childless. They decide to adopt the child, but then learn of her true identity. Sorrowfully, they return Laila to her true parents. But then her parents die of the plague…
We were gripped, and we stayed gripped throughout, as this immaculately-paced drama in the remotest of landscapes held you like only the best of silent films can. Exoticism was certainly part of the appeal – age-old, etched faces, rampaging wolves (running over the camera at one point), clashes between Lapps and Norwegians (disparagingly referred to by the former as ‘daros’), some fine ski-ing, and an awful lot of reindeer. Lying just underneath the narrative was a miscenegation theme, as the grown-up Laila (brightly played by Mona Mårtenson), kept in ignorance of her Norwegian parentage, is brought up to expect marriage to Laagje’s foster son Mellet. The film seeks to rescue her from this fate, preferring that she marry instead her first cousin, Anders Lind (Harald Schwenzen), who ends up rescuing her at the altar in a satisfyingly dramatic conclusion, thanks to an intervention from Jåmpa (Trygve Larssen), who puts Laila’s happiness above loyalty to his master (and gets savaged by a pack of wolves for his pains).
This was a work on both an intimate and an epic scale (it is based on a novel by J.A. Friis), excellently played in a fine naturalistic style by all concerned. It was good human drama. It’s hard to make a dull-looking film when you have so much snow to work with, and Schnéevoigt did not fluff a single scene. The only disappointment was the print, which was a TV print with rounded corners. This was something of a distraction. Presumably it is the only material that survives. We were told that the film had previously only been available in sound speed form, but has now been re-photographed at 16fps. Fresh, unusual and soundly executed throughout, Laila was the outstanding feature film of the Giornate.
http://bioscopic.wordpress.com/2008/10/ ... 8-day-six/
Luke McKernan
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rogerskarsten
- Posts: 536
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- Location: Hildesheim, Germany
I saw this in Norway in 2006. Interesting to note that the restoration was done digitally and then transferred to film. Also built in to the restoration is the film's transfer speed: 16 fps. This was done, I believe, so that more venues would be able to show the film without the need for variable speed projection. I found it odd to run a 1929 silent at 16 fps, but if anyone's wondering why the thing clocks in at 165 minutes...
Ben Model: website | emails | performances | podcast
Undercrank Productions - rare silents on Blu-ray, DVD, and DCP
Undercrank Productions - rare silents on Blu-ray, DVD, and DCP
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Richard M Roberts
- Posts: 1385
- Joined: Fri Dec 21, 2007 6:56 pm
Another Norweigan laughfest and at 16 fps to boot! They really know how to have a good time.silentfilmmusic wrote:I saw this in Norway in 2006. Interesting to note that the restoration was done digitally and then transferred to film. Also built in to the restoration is the film's transfer speed: 16 fps. This was done, I believe, so that more venues would be able to show the film without the need for variable speed projection. I found it odd to run a 1929 silent at 16 fps, but if anyone's wondering why the thing clocks in at 165 minutes...
RICHARD M ROBERTS
If you give me your attention, I will tell you what I am:
I’m a genuine philanthropist – all other kinds are sham.
Each little fault of temper and each social defect
In my erring fellow-creatures, I endeavour to correct.
To all their little weaknesses I open people’s eyes;
And little plans to snub the self-sufficient I devise;
I love my fellow creatures – I do all the good I can –
Yet everybody says I’m such a disagreeable man!
And I can’t think why!
To compliments inflated I’ve a withering reply;
And vanity I always do my best to mortify;
A charitable action I can skillfully dissect;
And interested motives I’m delighted to detect;
I know everybody’s income and what everybody earns;
And I carefully compare it with the income-tax returns;
But to benefit humanity however much I plan,
Yet everybody says I’m such a disagreeable man!
And I can’t think why!
I’m sure I’m no ascetic; I’m as pleasant as can be;
You’ll always find me ready with a crushing repartee,
I’ve an irritating chuckle, I’ve a celebrated sneer,
I’ve an entertaining snigger, I’ve a fascinating leer.
To everybody’s prejudice I know a thing or two;
I can tell a woman’s age in half a minute – and I do.
But although I try to make myself as pleasant as I can,
Yet everybody says I’m such a disagreeable man!
And I can’t think why!
-- W. S. Gilbert, "Princess Ida." (1884)
(This post from David Shepard is dedicated to RMR)
I’m a genuine philanthropist – all other kinds are sham.
Each little fault of temper and each social defect
In my erring fellow-creatures, I endeavour to correct.
To all their little weaknesses I open people’s eyes;
And little plans to snub the self-sufficient I devise;
I love my fellow creatures – I do all the good I can –
Yet everybody says I’m such a disagreeable man!
And I can’t think why!
To compliments inflated I’ve a withering reply;
And vanity I always do my best to mortify;
A charitable action I can skillfully dissect;
And interested motives I’m delighted to detect;
I know everybody’s income and what everybody earns;
And I carefully compare it with the income-tax returns;
But to benefit humanity however much I plan,
Yet everybody says I’m such a disagreeable man!
And I can’t think why!
I’m sure I’m no ascetic; I’m as pleasant as can be;
You’ll always find me ready with a crushing repartee,
I’ve an irritating chuckle, I’ve a celebrated sneer,
I’ve an entertaining snigger, I’ve a fascinating leer.
To everybody’s prejudice I know a thing or two;
I can tell a woman’s age in half a minute – and I do.
But although I try to make myself as pleasant as I can,
Yet everybody says I’m such a disagreeable man!
And I can’t think why!
-- W. S. Gilbert, "Princess Ida." (1884)
(This post from David Shepard is dedicated to RMR)
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Richard M Roberts
- Posts: 1385
- Joined: Fri Dec 21, 2007 6:56 pm
DShepFilm wrote:If you give me your attention, I will tell you what I am:
I’m a genuine philanthropist – all other kinds are sham.
Each little fault of temper and each social defect
In my erring fellow-creatures, I endeavour to correct.
To all their little weaknesses I open people’s eyes;
And little plans to snub the self-sufficient I devise;
I love my fellow creatures – I do all the good I can –
Yet everybody says I’m such a disagreeable man!
And I can’t think why!
To compliments inflated I’ve a withering reply;
And vanity I always do my best to mortify;
A charitable action I can skillfully dissect;
And interested motives I’m delighted to detect;
I know everybody’s income and what everybody earns;
And I carefully compare it with the income-tax returns;
But to benefit humanity however much I plan,
Yet everybody says I’m such a disagreeable man!
And I can’t think why!
I’m sure I’m no ascetic; I’m as pleasant as can be;
You’ll always find me ready with a crushing repartee,
I’ve an irritating chuckle, I’ve a celebrated sneer,
I’ve an entertaining snigger, I’ve a fascinating leer.
To everybody’s prejudice I know a thing or two;
I can tell a woman’s age in half a minute – and I do.
But although I try to make myself as pleasant as I can,
Yet everybody says I’m such a disagreeable man!
And I can’t think why!
-- W. S. Gilbert, "Princess Ida." (1884)
(This post from David Shepard is dedicated to RMR)
Ah C'mon David, I want to hear you sing it!
RICHARD M ROBERTS (That would be as entertaining as watching someone be savaged by wolves at 16 fps)
Whene'er I spoke sarcastic joke,
Replete with malice spiteful,
These people mild politely smiled
And voted me delightful.
Now when a wight sits up all night
Ill-natur'd jokes devising,
And all his wiles are met with smile,
It's hard, there's no disguising.
Ah, don't your day seem dank and long
When all goes right and nothing goes wrong?
And isn't your life extremely flat
With nothing whatever to grumble at?
Ibid. From memory, so pray forgive any error.
Bob
Replete with malice spiteful,
These people mild politely smiled
And voted me delightful.
Now when a wight sits up all night
Ill-natur'd jokes devising,
And all his wiles are met with smile,
It's hard, there's no disguising.
Ah, don't your day seem dank and long
When all goes right and nothing goes wrong?
And isn't your life extremely flat
With nothing whatever to grumble at?
Ibid. From memory, so pray forgive any error.
Bob
The past is a foreign country. They do things differently there.
— L.P. Hartley
— L.P. Hartley
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Mike Gebert
- Site Admin
- Posts: 9369
- Joined: Sat Dec 15, 2007 3:23 pm
- Location: Chicago
- Contact:
Well, I for one am excited as heck by any European silent being made available, even moreso by one from a country off the silent movie map and a movie unknown until just moments ago. Thanks, David Shepard and Flicker Alley for this, as for Miss Mend last year (which sent me on a tear to learn more about Fedor Ozep, the results of which will appear here eventually).
You're the top
you're the... well, we'll let it go at that.
You're the top
you're the... well, we'll let it go at that.
Cinema has no voice, but it speaks to us with eyes that mirror the soul. ―Ivan Mosjoukine
Up for pre-order now on Flicker Alley. Release date April 11. Not much concrete info about the film or the presentation yet (for subtitle questions), though they do say:
Recently resurrected by and proudly presented in conjunction with the Norwegian Film Institute, Laila boasts a restored transfer and all-new subtitles as well as a brand new theater organ score by renowned composer Robert Israel. Original diary manuscript of actor Tryggve Larssen (Jampa in the film) made during the production of Laila; brand new illustrated essay by film historian Casper Tybjerg; rare photo galleries and more.
Scott Cameron
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Mike Gebert
- Site Admin
- Posts: 9369
- Joined: Sat Dec 15, 2007 3:23 pm
- Location: Chicago
- Contact:
So plenty of attention for the scraps of lost films shown on TCM the other night, and that's fine, but for me, the most intriguing things are not the movies I can't see, but the movies I didn't even know I wanted to see until someone made them available. And that's what Laila was.
I'm astonished to read that it was restored at 16 fps, because there's nothing of the ponderous Scandinavian about it; it's a years-spanning romance that zips along on energy, movement, joie de vivre, and the grandeur of the outdoors, brimming with life even when the plot takes a melodramatically dour turn (as when plague arrives at one village via a canoe full of the dead). Basically it's an ethnographic romance about the nomadic Sami, or Lapps as they're better known to us, with a secondary role given to the Norwegians and their general prejudice against intermarrying with Lapps; with their four-pointed hats and tendency to do healthy outdoor things like lasso reindeer, the cheerfully silly-looking, hearty and simple Lapps make the movie come off like a cross between a Leni Riefenstahl mountain film and Elf.
Laila is actually Norwegian, but she's lost as a baby during a wolf attack and raised by a wealthy Lapp herder, who looks like a Klingon. Various complications follow including plague, but years later she's set to be married to her adoptive brother Mellet, but then she sees a big handsome Norwegian and listens to him play music, and her simple reindeer-herding heart grows three sizes that day. Will their love (and her actual civilized Norwegianness) win out before she settles down to a life of reindeer milking? This being a Scandinavian film, I was prepared for her to cast herself off a cliff at any moment, but this is an unusually sunny saga, and can be safely watched by those allergic to the former mentor of director George Schneevoigt, Carl Dreyer, for whom he shot several mid-20s films.
One of the stock phrases of old film reviewing, back before we'd all seen everything and grown jaded about the miracle of silver emulsion capturing distant lands for our eyes, is "The pictorial values are excellent." Well, if ever there was a movie where the pictorial values are excellent, it's this one, about 90% of which is set against the pristine gorgeousness of Finnmark in upper Norway. Though the main cast are professional actors, there are obvious actual Lapps seen in several scenes of daily life. And though Schneevoigt's technique is not masterful in a way you'd say other 1928-9 late silents achieve, it's effective enough, and shows a distinct liking for moving camera shots whenever a character is being towed by a reindeer, rowing, or doing anything else that allows for such shots. Except maybe when Laila and the Norwegian Gene Raymond are first mooning over each other, there's not a dull moment, and if that's one, this is the sort of movie where romance can't last ten minutes without involving a breathtakingly realistic waterfall rescue.
Robert Israel, with the help of Edvard Grieg, provides a splendid score. Print quality, digitally restored by the Norwegian film institute, is superb with only a few vertical lines at points. Laila is a sunny, energetic charmer, and if you missed it on TCM, Flicker Alley's DVD comes out next Tuesday.
I'm astonished to read that it was restored at 16 fps, because there's nothing of the ponderous Scandinavian about it; it's a years-spanning romance that zips along on energy, movement, joie de vivre, and the grandeur of the outdoors, brimming with life even when the plot takes a melodramatically dour turn (as when plague arrives at one village via a canoe full of the dead). Basically it's an ethnographic romance about the nomadic Sami, or Lapps as they're better known to us, with a secondary role given to the Norwegians and their general prejudice against intermarrying with Lapps; with their four-pointed hats and tendency to do healthy outdoor things like lasso reindeer, the cheerfully silly-looking, hearty and simple Lapps make the movie come off like a cross between a Leni Riefenstahl mountain film and Elf.
Laila is actually Norwegian, but she's lost as a baby during a wolf attack and raised by a wealthy Lapp herder, who looks like a Klingon. Various complications follow including plague, but years later she's set to be married to her adoptive brother Mellet, but then she sees a big handsome Norwegian and listens to him play music, and her simple reindeer-herding heart grows three sizes that day. Will their love (and her actual civilized Norwegianness) win out before she settles down to a life of reindeer milking? This being a Scandinavian film, I was prepared for her to cast herself off a cliff at any moment, but this is an unusually sunny saga, and can be safely watched by those allergic to the former mentor of director George Schneevoigt, Carl Dreyer, for whom he shot several mid-20s films.
One of the stock phrases of old film reviewing, back before we'd all seen everything and grown jaded about the miracle of silver emulsion capturing distant lands for our eyes, is "The pictorial values are excellent." Well, if ever there was a movie where the pictorial values are excellent, it's this one, about 90% of which is set against the pristine gorgeousness of Finnmark in upper Norway. Though the main cast are professional actors, there are obvious actual Lapps seen in several scenes of daily life. And though Schneevoigt's technique is not masterful in a way you'd say other 1928-9 late silents achieve, it's effective enough, and shows a distinct liking for moving camera shots whenever a character is being towed by a reindeer, rowing, or doing anything else that allows for such shots. Except maybe when Laila and the Norwegian Gene Raymond are first mooning over each other, there's not a dull moment, and if that's one, this is the sort of movie where romance can't last ten minutes without involving a breathtakingly realistic waterfall rescue.
Robert Israel, with the help of Edvard Grieg, provides a splendid score. Print quality, digitally restored by the Norwegian film institute, is superb with only a few vertical lines at points. Laila is a sunny, energetic charmer, and if you missed it on TCM, Flicker Alley's DVD comes out next Tuesday.
Cinema has no voice, but it speaks to us with eyes that mirror the soul. ―Ivan Mosjoukine
Silent Era.com and the Flicker Alley website say that LAILA has a Theater Organ score? But I didn't hear any organ on TCM at all. It was entirely Piano. So what is the story on this I wonder? Maybe they were trying to trim production cost's because the film is so long? I thought that the second half of the movie was really excellent, with some exceptional cinematography. But the first half went on a little to long I felt. Taking quite awhile to introduce the leading lady. Seeing the Stark Naked Children rolling around in the snow, that I could have done with out.
The leading man looked so much like Lars Hanson. Even looked like he borrowed his hair from Lars. The Star of the picture, Mona Martison was delightful, and a very talented actress.
Wanted to mention, I got a note from Flicker Alley last night that my Pre-order of LAILA was pushed back a couple weeks. The new release date is April 26th. Here is a quote:
"Unfortunately, due to an unexpected manufacturing error, we're experiencing an issue with the subtitle playback. To ensure complete quality, we have opted to repress the discs and, unfortunately, have to amend the anticipated release date.
While we are working closely with our publishing partners, this delay is expected to push the publication and order shipment date back until April 26, 2011 - two weeks later than the original release date."
Laila
Flicker Alley seem to have problems over time with their replicators or mastering people. I have had two sets with unplayable discs, one being Valentino & the other Dougie Fairbanks. I was not prepared to pay for a replacement disc for a know fault and corrected the problem myself as I did the British Chaplin Keystone Disc 1.
I have not currently been advised by Amazon of this delay but usually they post an update when release times change. Maybe this does not effect them yet as I believe direct from Flicker Alley might be before the official release date.
In reference to the German release of the all-starrer The Stolen Jools. This has been delayed again and now mid-year has been given for its release. We will see when it happens.
I have not currently been advised by Amazon of this delay but usually they post an update when release times change. Maybe this does not effect them yet as I believe direct from Flicker Alley might be before the official release date.
In reference to the German release of the all-starrer The Stolen Jools. This has been delayed again and now mid-year has been given for its release. We will see when it happens.
Re: Laila
I would think Flicker Alley would replace a defective set for you, wouldn't they?moviepas wrote:Flicker Alley seem to have problems over time with their replicators or mastering people. I have had two sets with unplayable discs, one being Valentino & the other Dougie Fairbanks. I was not prepared to pay for a replacement disc for a know fault and corrected the problem myself as I did the British Chaplin Keystone Disc 1.
Laila
No Waverboy they did not. I was first under the impression that they would replace the Fairbanks set or at least the faulty disc but then came an e-mail that said the problem was more wide spread than they thought so they were going to charge for replacements which I believe was the faulty disc only. They said the mastering fault effected playback on Panasonic devices only which surprised me that they masterdiscs with various pieces of software to suit every kind of machine. More then two years has passed since that set was issued. I then went & checked the Valentino set which I got long after the actual release and found a problem in a disc or two and corrected this on the computer, so I was happy with that. Not a good outcome but...
I received an e-mail a few hours ago from Amazon US advising of the delay in the release of Laila.
Currently there has been some local talk of faulty The Godfather Box sets in Blu Ray but these seem to be UK sourced discs and not the local Australian ones or the US but Technicolor, apparently, who make these sets for Paramount are still open to replacing the faulty discs whereever you life, even though they have no control, in say, Australia. It used to be said that Taiwanese DVD plants would replace faulty discs forever but this might be a little far fetch to believe.
There was a fault of non-playing DVDs of The Godfather complete 5-disc set which I think effected two discs. Paramount was not on-line in Australia then and never did answer faxes although it was a known fault.
I received an e-mail a few hours ago from Amazon US advising of the delay in the release of Laila.
Currently there has been some local talk of faulty The Godfather Box sets in Blu Ray but these seem to be UK sourced discs and not the local Australian ones or the US but Technicolor, apparently, who make these sets for Paramount are still open to replacing the faulty discs whereever you life, even though they have no control, in say, Australia. It used to be said that Taiwanese DVD plants would replace faulty discs forever but this might be a little far fetch to believe.
There was a fault of non-playing DVDs of The Godfather complete 5-disc set which I think effected two discs. Paramount was not on-line in Australia then and never did answer faxes although it was a known fault.
More delay, and the response:
We thank you for your recent pre-order from Flicker Alley of LAILA - A Restored Scandinavian Epic by George Schnéevoigt.
We are following up on our Friday April 8th email to you regarding the delay in the publication due to a subtitle playback issue that we have opted to correct by repressing the discs. Unfortunately, this issue is taking longer to correct than we had anticipated and so we have had to reluctantly push the publication and order shipment date back an additional two weeks to May 10, 2011.
As before, we sincerely apologize for this additional delay and to show that we value your patience and support, we would like to offer the following coupon code for a flat $10 off any Flicker Alley publication ordered through our website: [coupon code redacted]
This coupon is a unique one-time use code that is good through December 31, 2011 and can be applied towards any regular or sale price item upon checkout on our site. Please be sure to use the same name when applying your coupon code as we will be verifying your original LAILA pre-order.
If you no longer want the DVD or are, for any reason, unsatisfied with this further delay, please contact us immediately and we will gladly issue a refund. You can still use the coupon code on a future order even if you decide to cancel this purchase.
Thank you once again for your patience and support,
The Flicker Alley Team
Scott Cameron
Laila
The score is piano.
Due to technical glitches in manufacture and his desire for perfection, Jeff (Flicker Alley) has had to do the manufacturing run over THREE times; and because of similar problems at a different replicator, he's had to do INFERNO twice, so cut him a break.
David Shepard
Due to technical glitches in manufacture and his desire for perfection, Jeff (Flicker Alley) has had to do the manufacturing run over THREE times; and because of similar problems at a different replicator, he's had to do INFERNO twice, so cut him a break.
David Shepard
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Harold Aherne
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