"Napoleon, Abel Gance (1927)" Topic

Hi

I made another attempt to watch Abel Gance's 1927 cult classic, Napoléon, on DVD. Yet again I couldn't finish it! I've posted my thoughts on it over at my blog:

Napoléon, Abel Gance (1927) – Film Review

It looks like it'd be amazing to see on the full sized (triple) screen cinema, and it's a goldmine for dramatic stills of amazing Napoleonic scenes.

But on the DVD as presented in the edition I have, I find it pretty much unwatchable. Anyone here seen it on the big screen(s)? If so what did you think?

Best, Sebastian

PS – comments on my blog review, here, or at the shorter Amazon UK review I did, always welcomed.

Amazon UK review

I have a version on dvd and I saw the film when it toured the US in 1981 just after its restoration. There is no comparison. The dvd I watch from time to time, but mainly for the nostalgia of remembering the "live" performance.

I am a huge silent film fan, and I still think the dvd version is watchable, but it greatly loses its epic feel on the small screen. The version I have has the twenty minute two screen part simply divided into three shots on the screen. And when the three shots blend into one the effect is not nearly as dramatic as on the (really) big screen.

The soundtrack is the same as I saw in 81, Carmine Coppola´s work, and I think it is fine.

You should have spent the small fortune.

Also saw it when it toured in 1981. Loved silent films and was blown away by it live with real music. About the same time the USS Constitution museum used to have showings of the silent film Old Ironsides. Well worth the evening.

Saw it with full orchestra, sadly don't remember much…..

Saw a music video using parts of "Napoleon" in it on Classic Arts Showcase,music of Beethoven,Symphony #3(Eroica) ,1st Mvt.

Saw it at Radio City Music Hall with the orchestra back in the day. I was more impressed with the music than the film. No surprise the film didn't do well in 1927 after the wonders of the Western Front. It must be rather boring on the small screen.

IMHO, the film is more of a technical achievement than a work of art.

I haven't seen the DVD but I saw the film at the Kennedy Center, with the National Symphony Orchestra providing the music. It was epic. I can't see it doing well on the small screen.

LT

I saw it years ago with a score. Don't really remember it either.

Loved it with the live orchestra and even bought a poster I still have.

Saw the live production at the Empire Cinema in leceister Square London with Carl Davis conducting the orchestra..a visual masterpiece…so long it was split into two halves

I saw it in manchester in the 1980s with full orchestra, it was unbelievably good. The scene with the snowballs is fantastic

TCM showed it a few years back,I recall. With the Carmine Coppola score