Hi, everyone. "Moriarty" here with some Rumblings From The Lab...
We’re going to have at least one representative from AICN, Andre Dellamorte, at the scene today when there’s a major DVD signing event to celebrate the release of THE BIG RED ONE: THE RESTORATION, a DVD that is simply jaw-dropping, one of the great feats of film recovery in recent memory. I’m not a fan of APOCALYPSE NOW REDUX, preferring Coppola’s original 1979 cut instead. Here, though, I think THE BIG RED ONE benefits enormously from the extra 40 minutes and how it’s been incorporated. Any fan of Fuller should make the effort today if they can:
On Thursday, May 5th, Laser Blazer will proudly host an autograph signing with the cast and crew of Sam Fuller's 1980 masterpiece "The Big Red One" in commemoration of the first DVD release of this extended edition.
This event reunites stars Mark Hamill, Robert Carradine, Kelly Ward, Ken Campbell, Joseph Clark, and Perry Lang along with TIME’s film reviewer, Richard Schickel, who assisted in the film's restoration. They’re joined by Brian Jamieson and Brian Hamblin, who produced the reconstruction, composer Dana Kaproff, and members of Fuller and Lee Marvin's families.
The DVD release marks the first time Fuller's film can be viewed as it was meant to be seen, not in the truncated and heavily edited version presently available. Working with 70,000 feet of vault film stock and Fuller's own shooting script, Schickel and team reconstructed "The Big Red One" from scratch, leaving the editing room with a cut featuring over 40 minutes of previously unseen footage.
Laser Blazer is pleased to present this latest event in our ongoing autograph series. Previous guests have included director Guillermo del Toro, musician Ray Manzarek, actor Stewart Granger and special effects wizard Ray Harryhausen. It all happens from 7 to 9 pm on Thursday, May 5th at Laser Blazer. Check out our web site RIGHT HERE for more details about this exciting, chance of a lifetime event.
The store will display a must-have collection of DVDs representing the work of our guests as well as many other classic war films. A Laser Blazer receipt will be required for participation in the autograph signing.
The event will run from 7 to 9 pm.
I’d advise you not to come if you’re going to bring STAR WARS stuff for Hamill. That’s not why he’s at the signing. THE BIG RED ONE features a pretty remarkable performance by Hamill, and this is tight cast. There’s a great documentary on the DVD that talks about the bond they formed as they worked together, and it should be great to see them all together. Me? If I go, it’ll be just to see if Samantha Fuller shows up with another cigar, like in the documentary. She almost seems to channel her father at times. It’s an amazing disc, and it should be an amazing night for Fuller freaks. Check it out.
"Moriarty" out.
