Night and the City

[Redstar]

This 1949 classic of "film noir" although financed by Hollywood and directed by the genius Jules Dassin was filmed in a London recovering from the war. Using a mainly British cast it could be rightly claimed as part "British" I watched the latest DVD version of this last night, how brilliant it is. Richard Widmark is a "tour de force" Gene Tierney quite beautiful although she had been through a bad time, Googie Withers an actress who Jules Dassin said he had never seen before he said was a joy to work with. Frances Sullivan and a young Herbert Lom make perfect villains. The atmospheric shots of post war London provide the perfect backdrop to an interpretation of a seedy story written by the British author Gerald Kersh. Dassin was shown around parts of Soho by a Scotland Yard detective, Percy Hoskins helping to choose the locations.
Jules Dassin because of his political views was blacklisted by the Mcarthyite terror and not even allowed to make editing cuts in the studio, so it was done over the phone.

[dremble wedge]

Great stuff, and Richard Widmark, Googie Withers and Herbert Lom are all still with us.

This picture looks like St Martin's Lane; the no24 didn't go down there when I used to catch it!

[Redstar]

There is an interview with Jules dassin on the dvd, he said that Douglas Fairbanks jr helped him with the casting of the British actors. The final chase scene continuously filmed with 6 cameras (an innovation in its day) along Chelsea reach is brilliantly conceived.

[Mark O]

Sounds like a movie that's up my street!........just checked play.com and it's £14.99, which I think is a little dear to be honest.......any ideas for a cheaper outlet please?

[batman]

I got an excellent dvd from Singapore off ebay for about £6. There several listed right now! No extras though.

Bats.

[julian_craster]

If you don't want bootlegs......Night & The City is available on R2 DVD from BFI (rent/buy)
and R1 from Criterion (USA), both with good extras
Is the music score on these the same ?
Didn't Fox replace the score for the US release ?

[JamesM]

Originally Posted by batman I got an excellent dvd from Singapore off ebay for about £6. There several listed right now! No extras though. Bats.

Probably made from the master materials made for the legit releases. What were you thinking Batman?

[JamesM]

Originally Posted by julian_craster Didn't Fox replace the score for the US release ?

And the ending. I have read the British version, which is also five minutes longer, has an upbeat ending!

[batman]

Originally Posted by JamesM Probably made from the master materials made for the legit releases. What were you thinking Batman?

I didn't know they were boots at the time! They are very good ones.

Bats.

[orpheum]

Richard Widmark is still alive and will celebrate his 93rd birthday on Boxing Day.He is a fine and most watchable actor not least of course for his immortal Tommy Uddo.