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http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film/direct-chair/fellini.htm
Italy 19
78

 

Made in 1978 for Italian television, Orchestra Rehearsal is possibly Fellini's most satirical and overtly political film.

An allegorical pseudo-documentary, the film depicts an Italian television crew s visit to a dilapidated auditorium (a converted 13th-century church) to meet an orchestra assembling to rehearse under the instruction of a tyrannical conductor. The TV crew interviews the various musicians who each speak lovingly about their chosen instruments. However, as petty squabbles break out amid the different factions of the ensemble, and the conductor berates his musicians, the meeting descends into anarchy and vandalism. A destructive crescendo ensues before the musicians regroup and play together once more in perfect harmony.

Abounding with its director s trademark rich imagery and expressive style, Orchestra Rehearsal marks the last collaboration between Fellini and the legendary composer Nino Rota (due to the latter s death in 1979) who provides one of his most beautiful themes in the film s conclusion.

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Director Federico Fellini's Orchestra Rehearsal (Prova d'Orchestra) was originally made for Italian TV, then given a limited theatrical release in the US. Using a symphony orchestra as a metaphor for Mankind, Fellini explores the various joys, sorrows, frustrations and triumphs of the musicians. The orchestrations heard throughout are handled by Nino Rota.

 Excerpt from Barnes and Noble located HERE

Posters etc.

Theatrical Release: November, 1978 (Chicago International Film Festival)

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Review: Arrow - Region FREE - Blu-ray

Box Cover

 

   

 

 

Distribution

Arrow
Region
FREE Blu-ray

Runtime

1:12:14.204 

Video

Disc Size: 29,692,626,729 bytes

Feature Size: 18,020,745,216 bytes

Average Bitrate: 29.99 Mbps

Dual-layered Blu-ray MPEG-4 AVC Video

Bitrate:

 

Arrow Blu-ray

 

Audio

LPCM Audio Italian 1536 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1536 kbps / 16-bit

Subtitles English, None
Features Release Information:
Studio: Arrow

 

Disc Size: 29,692,626,729 bytes

Feature Size: 18,020,745,216 bytes

Average Bitrate: 29.99 Mbps

Dual-layered Blu-ray MPEG-4 AVC Video

 

Edition Details:
• Richard Dyer on Nino Rota and Orchestra Rehearsal, the film scholar talks about the great composer and his last collaboration with Fellini (29:47)
• Orchestrating Discord, a visual essay on the film by Fellini biographer John Baxter (23:10)
• Gallery featuring rare poster and press material on the film from the Felliniana collection of Don Young
• Reversible sleeve featuring two original artwork options
• FIRST PRESSING ONLY: Illustrated collector s booklet featuring new writing on the film by Adrian Martin

Blu-ray  Release Date: February 13th, 2018
Transparent Blu-ray case

Chapters: 8

 

 

Comments

NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc.

Arrow's transfer is cited as a "Brand new 2K restoration from original film elements, produced by Arrow Films exclusively for this release".

This is the another Arrow Blu-ray release that is being simultaneously released in both region 'A' (US) and 'B' (UK). It is the exact same transfer, extras etc. in both Europe and North America.

 

NOTE: As Michael Brooke informs us on Facebook in regards to Day of Anger: 'As the producer of Arrow's release, I can confirm first hand that the UK and US discs are absolutely identical: we only paid for one master, so there's no doubt about this at all! Which means that no matter which package you buy, the discs will play in any Region A or B setup (or Region 1 or 2 for DVD - and in the latter case the video standard is NTSC, to maximise compatibility). The booklets are also identical, but there are minor cosmetic differences on the disc labels and sleeve to do with differing copyright info and barcodes, and the US release doesn't have BBFC logos.' Orchestra Rehearsal is the same situation.

 

The new 1080P image is in the 1.78:1 aspect ratio. No gloss, film-like textures, and the overall image is pleasing with some depth and solid contrast. There are some prevalent earthy/greenish tones but I don't know that this is not accurate. The image quality was consistent throughout without damage or artifacts. It looked quite good in HD.

 

The audio is transferred via a linear PCM track (16-bit) in the original Italian. There are a handful of effects (wrecking ball etc.). The score is by Nino Rota (Il Bidone, 8 1/2, I Clowns, Purple Noon, The Leopard etc.). It's fairly light supporting the film's shifting moods from serious to delirious anarchy and back again. Arrow add optional English subtitles on their Region FREE Blu-ray disc.

 

In the supplements Arrow have a 1/2 hour video piece; Richard Dyer on Nino Rota and Orchestra Rehearsal where the film scholar talks about the great composer and his last collaboration with Fellini - as Rota died the following year. Orchestrating Discord, is an excellent 23-minute visual essay on the film by Fellini biographer John Baxter (author of Fellini.) There is also a gallery featuring rare poster and press material on the film from the Felliniana collection of Don Young and the package has a reversible sleeve featuring two original artwork options. For the first pressing only consumers get an illustrated collector's booklet featuring new writing on the film by Adrian Martin.

 

Orchestra Rehearsal is hilarious. It is fantasy in a Bunuel sort of context. It's a perfect latter Fellini film with structure devolving into passion and freedom. Fun and life affirming... the Blu-ray is a super way to watch, and appreciate, this gem. Thanks Arrow for putting it out. 

 - Gary Tooze

Arrow - Region FREE - Blu-ray


 

CLICK EACH BLU-RAY CAPTURE TO SEE ALL IMAGES IN FULL 1920X1080 RESOLUTION

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 

Box Cover

 

   

 

 

 

Distribution

Arrow
Region
FREE Blu-ray

 




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