Search - Peer Gynt on DVD

"Peer Gynt (1941) ... Charlton Heston ... VCI Home Video"

J. Lovins | Missouri-USA | 01/27/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"VCI Entertainment presents "PEER GYNT" (1941) (100 min. B/W)...under David Bradley (Director/Producer), Henrik Ibsen (the play), Edvard Grieg (Original Score), David Bradley (Cinematographer), Robert Cooper (Cinematographer), Richard Roth (Cinematographer), Sally Hyde (Costume Design) ------ the cast includes Charlton Heston (Peer Gynt), Betty Hanisee (Aase), Mrs. Hubert Hyde (Old Woman), Lucielle Powell (Kari), Sue Straub (Old Woman), Katharine Bradley (Solveig), Charles Paetow (Aslak), Morris Wilson (Haegstad), George B. Moll (Drunk/Bedouian Chief), Betty Barton (Ingrid), Rose Andrews (Anitra), Alice Badgerow (Cowherd Girl), Anty Ball (Cowherd Girl), Thomas A. Blair (Button Moulder/Thin Person), David Bradley (Herr Trumpeterstraale/Bailiff), Francis X. Bushman (1965 rerelease) (voice), Robert Cooper (Man in Mourning), Alan Eckhart (Mads Moen), Roy Eggert Jr. (Dovre-King/Mons. Ballon/Priest), Alan Heston (Ugly Urchin), Rod Maynard (Lad), Warren McKenzie (MacPherson), Sarah Merrill (Woman in Green, as a Hag), Audrey Wedlock (Woman in Green), Jane Wilimovsky (Old Woman), John Jerrard (Troll) ... In 1941, upon being drafted into the Army, Bradley had to hurriedly wrap post-production ... the film had its premiere in its rough version in Aug 1941, it was not until 1965 that Bradley was able re-edit the film the way he desired and add new material, including the voice of silent movie star Francis X. Bushman as "The Boyg." ... the credits for the 1965 version, which was released by The Willow Corporation, also include Katherine Bradley, Anty Ball, Alice Badgerow, Robert Cooper, Rod Maynard and Jane Willanovsky, but it has not been determined if these actors appeared in the 1941 version without credit, or appeared for the first time as part of the new footage added to the 1965 version. The 1965 version also names Thomas A. Blair and Roy Eggert, Jr. as associate producers ... Bradley shot the film entirely in black and white, except for the section in the kindgom of "The Boyg," which is tinted first green, then blue, and finally red when "Peer" is under attack ... Director/Producer David Bradley was only 21 years old when he made this movie ... also note this was the feature film debut of Charlton Heston.

Special footnote, Peer Gynt is a play by the Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen. It was written in 1867, and first performed in Oslo (then called Christiania) on 24 February 1876, with incidental music by the composer Edvard Grieg. Ibsen wrote Peer Gynt while traveling in Rome, on Ischia and in Sorrento. It was first published on November 14, 1867, in Copenhagen. The first edition comprised 1,250 copies. It was followed by a re-print of 2,000 copies after 14 days. The large sales were mostly due to the success of Ibsen's previous play, Brand. Unlike Ibsen's other later plays, Peer Gynt is written in verse. This is because it was originally intended to be a written drama, not for stage performance. Difficulties due to rapid and frequent change of scene (including an entire act in pitch darkness) render the play troublesome to perform. It is also unlike Ibsen's later plays in that it is a fantasy rather than a realistic tragedy ... (as noted from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia).

SPECIAL FEATURE BIOS:
1. Charlton Heston (aka: John Charles Carter)
Birth Date: 10/04/1924 - Evanston, Illinois
Died: Still Living

2. David Bradley (Director/Actor/Producer/Cinematographer)
Birth Date: 4/06/1920 - Winnetka, Illinois
Died: 12/19/1997 - Los Angeles, California

Great job by VCI Entertainment for releasing the "Peer Gynt" (1941) - Charlton Heston , digital transfere with a clean, clear and crisp print...looking forward to more of the same from the '50s vintage...order your copy now from Amazon or VCI Entertainment, stay tuned once again with the classics that only VCI Entertainment (King of the Serials) can deliver...just the way we like 'em!

Total Time: 100 mins on DVD ~ VCI Home Video 8390 ~ (1/30/2007)"

Loved It!

Film Lover | United States | 11/19/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"What a rare opportunity to view a glimpse of the young Heston, not yet affected by Hollywood. Also, David Bradley's talent is apparent in this early classic. Beautiful performance by Anitra. A wonderful film and an important piece of film history!"