Last year, Kawalerowicz’s Night Train was one of my favorite first time watches and I did a video suggesting that maybe Criterion might be suitable for releasing on blu ray. Within days of that I then found out Second Run already had plans for releasing Pharoah. The restoration trailer looked stunning, hopefully I will get to see it
@@neilsmoviechannel3199 thanks Neil. I remembered someone had mentioned night train but I couldn’t remember who. Old age doesn’t come itself. Pharaoh is spectacular.
I hope to see this one. I only heard about it through Neil's review of Night Train. Sounds spectacular, but I also hope Ronin's 'Film Of The Year So Far' series continues.
This is a film that isn't widely known (at least not yet) nor widely discussed, but when it is, it's usually praised for its intelligence and richness of production (I should note that I myself have yet to experience it). I believe I've read that this was the most expensive production in Polish cinema up to that time, a record perhaps still held. As the film is an adaptation of a Polish novel, it makes sense that Polish actors were used to recite lines of Polish dialogue. I suspect the makeup was not controversial at the time, especially in the context of European exhibition, and it was applied in the goal of verisimilitude, not to mock or demean the Egyptian characters. It certainly is unfortunate that this one aspect of production might prevent some from watching a film that might otherwise prove rewarding.
@@barrymoore4470 thanks Barry for your intelligent comments. There’s certainly no caricatures in the film that sometimes pop up in films from around the time. I doubt that anyone with a sense of perspective would be offended but sometimes perspective is hard to find nowadays. It’s a phenomenal film and spectacle but also intimate enough to engage with the characters. Thanks again sir.
I would agree that this is an outstanding release from the most underrated UK label. I just got a strong feeling when I saw the release announcement and ordered. Must confess that although I knew it’s running time, I forgot and popped it in the player. As you said, the time flew by. I’d recommend this to any serious film fan. There was mention here of Night Train (?) which I’d seek if I could find a copy. When I watched Birth of a Nation I was shocked at the poor level of make-up for the White cast in blackface and shan’t watch it again. The similar make-up here is pretty good and didn’t feel offensive to me, at least, but I’m not a suitable person to express such opinions, really. I’m not sure whether the Polish population at the time included the necessary numbers of black actors that might have been needed. I don’t think Birth of a Nation even tried to find suitable performers, such was their prejudice and racism.
@@richardking3206 thanks Richard and I wish you well for 2025. I’ve never seen birth of a nation and I’m not in any rush to do so. But I think they wanted to portray the characters in a negative light. Whereas in Pharaoh there’s no such agenda. As you say we’re not the people to judge but I think it’s about context and in this case, I think there’s no malice behind it, just necessity. Thanks again for your excellent comments as always.
@ Have a great 2025 yourself! Your posts are always interesting and very watchable. Your sense of humour is great and quite self-deprecating. I always think that your subjects are your own and not reliant on releases or events elsewhere. Keep up the good work!
@richardking3206 thanks Richard. There's so many channels doing the mainstream so I just do what interests me. The pleasure in finding a film that I've never heard of and it turning out to be glorious is such a thrill. Why have vanilla all the time when you can have raspberry ripple? Thanks so much for being one of the people who put up with the rambling. I appreciate it.
Last year, Kawalerowicz’s Night Train was one of my favorite first time watches and I did a video suggesting that maybe Criterion might be suitable for releasing on blu ray. Within days of that I then found out Second Run already had plans for releasing Pharoah. The restoration trailer looked stunning, hopefully I will get to see it
@@neilsmoviechannel3199 thanks Neil. I remembered someone had mentioned night train but I couldn’t remember who. Old age doesn’t come itself. Pharaoh is spectacular.
I hope to see this one. I only heard about it through Neil's review of Night Train. Sounds spectacular, but I also hope Ronin's 'Film Of The Year So Far' series continues.
@steve4films Thanks, Steve. Only if someone bests pharaoh. No pressure, haha.
This is a film that isn't widely known (at least not yet) nor widely discussed, but when it is, it's usually praised for its intelligence and richness of production (I should note that I myself have yet to experience it). I believe I've read that this was the most expensive production in Polish cinema up to that time, a record perhaps still held. As the film is an adaptation of a Polish novel, it makes sense that Polish actors were used to recite lines of Polish dialogue. I suspect the makeup was not controversial at the time, especially in the context of European exhibition, and it was applied in the goal of verisimilitude, not to mock or demean the Egyptian characters. It certainly is unfortunate that this one aspect of production might prevent some from watching a film that might otherwise prove rewarding.
@@barrymoore4470 thanks Barry for your intelligent comments. There’s certainly no caricatures in the film that sometimes pop up in films from around the time. I doubt that anyone with a sense of perspective would be offended but sometimes perspective is hard to find nowadays. It’s a phenomenal film and spectacle but also intimate enough to engage with the characters. Thanks again sir.
I would agree that this is an outstanding release from the most underrated UK label. I just got a strong feeling when I saw the release announcement and ordered. Must confess that although I knew it’s running time, I forgot and popped it in the player. As you said, the time flew by. I’d recommend this to any serious film fan. There was mention here of Night Train (?) which I’d seek if I could find a copy.
When I watched Birth of a Nation I was shocked at the poor level of make-up for the White cast in blackface and shan’t watch it again. The similar make-up here is pretty good and didn’t feel offensive to me, at least, but I’m not a suitable person to express such opinions, really. I’m not sure whether the Polish population at the time included the necessary numbers of black actors that might have been needed. I don’t think Birth of a Nation even tried to find suitable performers, such was their prejudice and racism.
@@richardking3206 thanks Richard and I wish you well for 2025. I’ve never seen birth of a nation and I’m not in any rush to do so. But I think they wanted to portray the characters in a negative light. Whereas in Pharaoh there’s no such agenda. As you say we’re not the people to judge but I think it’s about context and in this case, I think there’s no malice behind it, just necessity. Thanks again for your excellent comments as always.
@ Have a great 2025 yourself! Your posts are always interesting and very watchable. Your sense of humour is great and quite self-deprecating. I always think that your subjects are your own and not reliant on releases or events elsewhere. Keep up the good work!
@richardking3206 thanks Richard. There's so many channels doing the mainstream so I just do what interests me. The pleasure in finding a film that I've never heard of and it turning out to be glorious is such a thrill. Why have vanilla all the time when you can have raspberry ripple? Thanks so much for being one of the people who put up with the rambling. I appreciate it.