- Note: Blu-ray discs are in a high definition format and need to be played on a Blu-ray player. To find out more about Blu-ray, visit our Hi-Def Learn & Shop store.
- Important Information on Firmware Updates: Having trouble with your Blu-ray disc player? Will certain discs just not play? You may need to update the firmware inside your player. Click here to learn more.
Frequently Bought Together
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Product details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
Reviews
Product Description
From the director of such classic masterworks as Dr. Strangelove, 2001: A Space Odyssey , A Clockwork Orange, The Shining, and Full Metal Jacket.
SYNOPSIS: Independently financed with contributions from Stanley Kubrick's family and friends in an era when an "independent cinema" was still far from the norm, Fear and Desire first saw release in 1953 at the Guild Theater in New York, thanks to the enterprising distributor Joseph Burstyn. Now, with this new restoration carried out in 2012 by The Library of Congress, a film that for decades has remained nearly impossible to see will at last appear in a proper release in the United Kingdom.
Kubrick's debut feature tells the story of a war waged (in the present? in the future?) between two forces. In the midst of the conflict, a plane carrying four soldiers crashes behind enemy lines. From here out, it is kill or be killed: a female hostage is taken on account of being a potential informer; an enemy general and his aide are discovered during a scouting mission... What lies in store for this ragtag group of killers, between their perilous landing in the forest, and the final raft-float downstream... all this constitutes the tale of Kubrick's precocious entry into feature filmmaking.
Bringing into focus for the first time the same thematic concerns that would obsess the director in such masterworks as Paths of Glory, Dr. Strangelove, and Full Metal Jacket, Fear and Desire marks the outset of the dazzling career and near - complete artistic freedom which to this day remains unparalleled in the annals of Hollywood history. The Masters of Cinema Series is proud to present Stanley Kubrick's Fear and Desire in its gorgeous new restoration on both Blu - ray and DVD.
SPECIAL BLU-RAY EDITION:
SYNOPSIS: Independently financed with contributions from Stanley Kubrick's family and friends in an era when an "independent cinema" was still far from the norm, Fear and Desire first saw release in 1953 at the Guild Theater in New York, thanks to the enterprising distributor Joseph Burstyn. Now, with this new restoration carried out in 2012 by The Library of Congress, a film that for decades has remained nearly impossible to see will at last appear in a proper release in the United Kingdom.
Kubrick's debut feature tells the story of a war waged (in the present? in the future?) between two forces. In the midst of the conflict, a plane carrying four soldiers crashes behind enemy lines. From here out, it is kill or be killed: a female hostage is taken on account of being a potential informer; an enemy general and his aide are discovered during a scouting mission... What lies in store for this ragtag group of killers, between their perilous landing in the forest, and the final raft-float downstream... all this constitutes the tale of Kubrick's precocious entry into feature filmmaking.
Bringing into focus for the first time the same thematic concerns that would obsess the director in such masterworks as Paths of Glory, Dr. Strangelove, and Full Metal Jacket, Fear and Desire marks the outset of the dazzling career and near - complete artistic freedom which to this day remains unparalleled in the annals of Hollywood history. The Masters of Cinema Series is proud to present Stanley Kubrick's Fear and Desire in its gorgeous new restoration on both Blu - ray and DVD.
SPECIAL BLU-RAY EDITION:
- New HD restoration of the film by The Library of Congress, presented in 1080p on the Blu - ray.
- Optional English SDH subtitles for the deaf and hard - of - hearing.
- Stanley Kubrick's early short film, The Seafarers, in a new HD restoration.
- New and exclusive video discussion of the film by critic and Stanley Kubrick author Bill Krohn.
- Substantial booklet containing writing on the film, vintage excerpts, and rare archival imagery.
- More features to be announced closer to the release date!
About the Director
ADDITIONAL INFO: Kubrick said of Fear and Desire: Stanley Kubrick said of FEAR AND DESIRE: "The entire crew [...] consisted of myself as director, lighting cameraman, operator, administrator, make - up man, wardrobe, hairdresser, prop man, unit chauffeur, et cetera. The rest of the crew consisted of a friend of mine, Steve Hahn, who was an executive at Union Carbide and who took his holidays with us and knew something about electricity; another friend, Bob Dierks, who was the studio assistant at LOOK Magazine, helped me set up the equipment and put it away, and did a thousand other jobs; my first wife, Toba, who tried to cope with all the paperwork and minor administration; and three Mexican labourers who carried the cases around. Particularly in those days, before the advent of film schools, Nagra [sound-recorders], and lightweight portable equipment, it was very important to have this experience and to see with what little facilities and personnel one could actually make a film. Today, I think that if someone stood around watching even a smallish film unit, he would get the impression of vast technical and logistical magnitude. He would probably be intimidated by this and assume that something close to this was necessary in order to achieve more or less professional results. This experience and the one that followed with KILLER'S KISS, which was on a slightly more cushy basis, freed me from any concern again about the technical or logistical aspects of filmmaking."
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By cinematt
Format:Blu-ray|Amazon Verified Purchase
I was lucky enough to see this in the cinema this weekend, and before the film all three of Kubrick's short films were shown - and a projection error revealed that they were all being screened directly from this disc. While the American release saw only The Seafarers as a special feature we also get Day of the Fight and Flying Padre. After Day of the Fight the projector wasn't blocked off quickly enough and it flicked back to the disc menu, it was clearly this release of the film.
As for the restoration, it's absolutely wonderful, the detail is magnificent and a real surprise for a film of this age and budget, it looked great on the big screen. Whilst far from a Kubrick classic there's still a lot to be interested in here, and Kubrick's eye for photography serves him very well. The acting and script leave a lot to be desired, though there are some interesting ideas toyed with, if the rumours of Kubrick trying to track down and destroy prints are true then you can see why, his next film was streets ahead of this.
I'm very keen to get my hands on the release, but I certainly enjoyed what I've seen of it so far.
As for the restoration, it's absolutely wonderful, the detail is magnificent and a real surprise for a film of this age and budget, it looked great on the big screen. Whilst far from a Kubrick classic there's still a lot to be interested in here, and Kubrick's eye for photography serves him very well. The acting and script leave a lot to be desired, though there are some interesting ideas toyed with, if the rumours of Kubrick trying to track down and destroy prints are true then you can see why, his next film was streets ahead of this.
I'm very keen to get my hands on the release, but I certainly enjoyed what I've seen of it so far.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Great remastering work for the first SK movie.
Good job for the short film too, even though not at the level of the movie
Good job for the short film too, even though not at the level of the movie
Format:DVD
Kubrick's first film, fear and despair, is a twilight zone-like nightmare with some uneven yet compelling performances. He attempts to show how minds are twisted on the battlefield and it plays a bit like coppola's apocalypse now. It's a must see for any Kubrick fan or serious student of film theory.
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
