directed by Patrick Keiller
UK 1994 / 1997

 

Patrick Keiller's imaginative and highly original two films each document a journey undertaken by the unseen 'researcher' Robinson and his similarly unseen companion, the film's narrator (voiced by Paul Scofield). Scathing reflections on the recent past are enlivened by offbeat humour and wide-ranging literary anecdotes.

These critically acclaimed films are presented for the first time on DVD in a double-disc digipack that contains a 32-page illustrated booklet with contributions from director Mike Hodges and writer Iain Sinclair.

London is neither feature film nor documentary but a provocative essay in the form of a journal, recording fictitious journeys through a very real city. Writer, director and photographer Keiller shot the film during 1992, a year which witnessed the re-election of John Major, the continuation of the IRA bombing campaign and the beginning of the 'fall of the house of Windsor'. The narrator employed by the enigmatic and unseen Robinson, gives many wry insights into the city and its mysteries.

In Robinson in Space Robinson returns with his travelling companion and researcher to undertake a hugely enjoyable journey around England. He has been commissioned by an international advertising agency to investigate the 'problem of England'. Although this problem is never clearly stated - let alone solved - Keiller's beautifully framed images and Scofield's sly, deadpan narration take the viewer on an unpredictable exploration of the cultural and economic landscape.

 

 

Theatrical Release: February 19th 1994 (Berlin International Film Festival)

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DVD Review: BFI - Region 2- PAL

Distribution BFI Video - Region 2 - PAL
Runtime 1:21:30 (London) + 1:18:18 (Robinson) 
Video 1.33:1 Original Aspect Ratio
Average Bitrate: 5.60 + 6.66 mb/s
NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s

NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.

Bitrate:

London

Bitrate:

Robinson in Space

Audio English (Dolby Digital 1.0) 
Subtitles English, None
Features

Release Information:
Studio: BFI Video

Aspect Ratio:
Original aspect Ratio 1.33:1

Edition Details:

• The full colour booklet accompanying this DVD contains the essays The Secret City by Mike Hodges and London: Necropolis of fretful ghosts by Iain Sinclair. It also includes the text of a conversation between historian Patrick Wright and Patrick Keiller.

DVD Release Date: May 23rd, 2005

Double Digi-pak slipcase
Chapters: 12

 

Comments:

If the bitrate charts are accurate 'London' is HD-sourced where 'Robinson in Space' may be analog - as there are no horizontal pans it is almost impossible to be sure. All shots are with a static camera. I do think 'Robinson' may be slightly saturated and hazier, but it is a very small degree - both images look quite excellent. Both discs offer optional, defined, English subtitles and both have clear monaural audio. Scofield's narration is, of course, excellent. Beautifully packaged it comes with a 30-page booklet with pertinent essays, interviews and documented conversations.

These two filmic journal/essays are strongly recommended to cinema fans and those keen on both independent and historical/sociological film.  out of      

Gary W. Tooze

 



DVD Menus
(London)

 



DVD Menus
(Robinson in Space)


 


Subtitle Sample (London)

 

 


 

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Robinson in Space
Subtitle Sample
 

 


 

 

 


 

 

 


 

 

 


 

 

 





 

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