(remade in he U.S.A. as "The Wild Heart")
UK 1950
The title "Gone to Earth" is taken from the Fox Hunter's bellow when the sought after target is no longer obtainable. Emeric Pressburger adapted Mary Webb's story and with backing from the legendary David O. Sleznick, this film, with its fairy tale qualities, was directed by Michael Powell. Shot, on location in the Shropshire countryside, I don't think I have seen a more beautiful film in my life.
Set at the turn of the Century, we are introduced to Hazel Woodus (Jennifer Jones), a very desirous, superstitious and simple country lass who loves all the creatures who inhabit her small village. Objectified for her striking beauty by the local squire, arrogant Jack Reddin, who comments "she is mine - head to foot" even though she has already taken marital vows with Edward Marston (Cyril Cusack).
This is a story about innocence, desire, small town religious oppression, values, forgiveness, arrogance, and standing up for one's beliefs and love at all costs. The cinematography is some of the best I have ever seen and the outdoor colors will make you swoon - and if that doesn't Jennifer Jones will. I was so wrapped up in this film that I am prepared to continue to make sweeping and superlative statements about it - enough to fill this page. I will, for everyone's sake, stop here. In short, THIS is MY type of film.
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NOTE: Sleznick, in his infinite wisdom, took Powell and Pressburger to court for not adhering to the script, eventually losing, but as he had obtained the western hemisphere rights to the film. He re-shot many scenes using the California countryside and mercenary Rouben Mamoulian as director filling in the plot with a higher than required melodramatic tone. The new film was called The Wild Heart. As with his interference in Terminal Station, converting it to Indiscretion of an American Wife, he again bastardized an original masterpiece creating a flawed and unnecessary reproduction.
Posters, Book Covers
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Theatrical Release: November 6th, 1950 - UK
Reviews More Reviews DVD Reviews
DVD Review: P T Video / Fremantle - Region 2 - PAL
| DVD Box Cover |
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CLICK to order from:
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| Distribution | P T Video / Fremantle - Region 2 - PAL | |
| Runtime | 1:46:28 | |
| Video | 1.37:1
Original Aspect Ratio Average Bitrate: 4.77 mb/s PAL 720x576 25.00 f/s |
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NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes. |
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| Audio | English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono) | |
| Subtitles | None | |
| Features |
Release Information: Edition Details: •
Powell's Home Movies (Behind-the-scenes footage) (24:55) |
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| Comments: |
Colors,
so important to this particular film, are the highlight of this DVD
where contrast is its failing. The image can be extremely dark at times
lightened only by the vibrancy of the Technicolor objects in the frame.
Its almost as if the color was lighting the film - the effect, as it turns
out, works wonderfully well, simply because of the manner in which it
was shot. It would not be of benefit in most other films. The outdoor
Shropshire countryside envelops yours eyes. Aside from the black level
flaws, I was really blown away by this image. Sharpness is not at
Criterion levels, but it will satisfy most. There are some keen Extra
features with lovely music playing during the Powell Home Movies. I
mentally make another deduction for lack of subtitles. The accents and
dialogue are so thick it would be a benefit for some. Original audio is
quite soft at times. Other than that I quite strongly recommend this
DVD. The only one available Digital Versatile Discs for this masterpiece
film that I am aware of.
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Screen Captures
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| DVD Box Cover |
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CLICK to order from:
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| Distribution | P T Video / Fremantle - Region 2 - PAL | |
Associated Reading (CLICK COVERS or TITLES for more information)
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A Life in Movies: An Autobiography by Michael Powell |
Michael Powell: Interviews (Conversations With
Filmmakers Series) by David Lazar |
Arrows of Desire: The Films of Michael Powell and
Emeric Pressburger by Ian Christie |
The Films of Michael Powell and the Archers by Scott Salwolke |
The Red Shoes: The Classic Story by Michael Powell, Emeric Pressburger |
Black Narcissus by Rumer Godden |
Powell and Pressburger: A Cinema of Magic Spaces
(Cinema & Society S.) Andrew Moor |
Gone to Earth (Virago Modern Classics)
Mary Webb, Erika Duncan |
I Know Where I'm Going! (BFI Film Classics S.)
Pam Cook |
Michael Powell Emeric Pressburger's Gone To Earth P T Video / Fremantle - Region 2- PAL DVD Review Powell and Pressburger Gone To Earth DVD Review Powell and Pressburger Gone To Earth DVD Review Powell and Pressburger Gone To Earth DVD Review Powell and Pressburger Gone To Earth DVD Review Powell and Pressburger Gone To Earth DVD Review Powell and Pressburger Gone To Earth DVD Review Powell and Pressburger Gone To Earth DVD Review Powell and Pressburger Gone To Earth DVD Review Powell and Pressburger Gone To Earth DVD Review Powell and Pressburger Gone To Earth DVD Review Powell and Pressburger Gone To Earth DVD Review Powell and Pressburger Gone To Earth Michael Powell Emeric Pressburger's Gone To Earth P T Video / Fremantle - Region 2- PAL DVD Review Powell and Pressburger Gone To Earth DVD Review Powell and Pressburger Gone To Earth DVD Review Powell and Pressburger Gone To Earth DVD Review Powell and Pressburger Gone To Earth DVD Review Powell and Pressburger Gone To Earth DVD Review Powell and Pressburger Gone To Earth DVD Review Powell and Pressburger Gone To Earth DVD Review Powell and Pressburger Gone To Earth DVD Review Powell and Pressburger Gone To Earth DVD Review Powell and Pressburger Gone To Earth DVD Review Powell and Pressburger Gone To Earth DVD Review Powell and Pressburger Gone To Earth Michael Powell Emeric Pressburger's Gone To Earth P T Video / Fremantle - Region 2- PAL DVD Review Powell and Pressburger Gone To Earth DVD Review Powell and Pressburger Gone To Earth DVD Review Powell and Pressburger Gone To Earth DVD Review Powell and Pressburger Gone To Earth DVD Review Powell and Pressburger Gone To Earth DVD Review Powell and Pressburger Gone To Earth DVD Review Powell and Pressburger Gone To Earth DVD Review Powell and Pressburger Gone To Earth DVD Review Powell and Pressburger Gone To Earth DVD Review Powell and Pressburger Gone To Earth DVD Review Powell and Pressburger Gone To Earth DVD Review Powell and Pressburger Gone To Earth Michael Powell Emeric Pressburger's Gone To Earth P T Video / Fremantle - Region 2- PAL DVD Review Powell and Pressburger Gone To Earth DVD Review Powell and Pressburger Gone To Earth DVD Review Powell and Pressburger Gone To Earth DVD Review Powell and Pressburger Gone To Earth DVD Review Powell and Pressburger Gone To Earth DVD Review Powell and Pressburger Gone To Earth DVD Review Powell and Pressburger Gone To Earth DVD Review Powell and Pressburger Gone To Earth DVD Review Powell and Pressburger Gone To Earth DVD Review Powell and Pressburger Gone To Earth DVD Review Powell and Pressburger Gone To Earth DVD Review Powell and Pressburger Gone To Earth Michael Powell Emeric Pressburger's Gone To Earth P T Video / Fremantle - Region 2- PAL DVD Review Powell and Pressburger Gone To Earth DVD Review Powell and Pressburger Gone To Earth DVD Review Powell and Pressburger Gone To Earth DVD Review Powell and Pressburger Gone To Earth DVD Review Powell and Pressburger Gone To Earth DVD Review Powell and Pressburger Gone To Earth DVD Review Powell and Pressburger Gone To Earth DVD Review Powell and Pressburger Gone To Earth DVD Review Powell and Pressburger Gone To Earth DVD Review Powell and Pressburger Gone To Earth DVD Review Powell and Pressburger Gone To Earth DVD Review Powell and Pressburger Gone To Earth Michael Powell Emeric Pressburger's Gone To Earth P T Video / Fremantle - Region 2- PAL DVD Review Powell and Pressburger Gone To Earth DVD Review Powell and Pressburger Gone To Earth DVD Review Powell and Pressburger Gone To Earth DVD Review Powell and Pressburger Gone To Earth DVD Review Powell and Pressburger Gone To Earth DVD Review Powell and Pressburger Gone To Earth DVD Review Powell and Pressburger Gone To Earth DVD Review Powell and Pressburger Gone To Earth DVD Review Powell and Pressburger Gone To Earth DVD Review Powell and Pressburger Gone To Earth DVD Review Powell and Pressburger Gone To Earth DVD Review Powell and Pressburger Gone To Earth Michael Powell Emeric Pressburger's Gone To Earth P T Video / Fremantle - Region 2- PAL DVD Review Powell and Pressburger Gone To Earth DVD Review Powell and Pressburger Gone To Earth DVD Review Powell and Pressburger Gone To Earth DVD Review Powell and Pressburger Gone To Earth DVD Review Powell and Pressburger Gone To Earth DVD Review Powell and Pressburger Gone To Earth DVD Review Powell and Pressburger Gone To Earth DVD Review Powell and Pressburger Gone To Earth DVD Review Powell and Pressburger Gone To Earth DVD Review Powell and Pressburger Gone To Earth DVD Review Powell and Pressburger Gone To Earth DVD Review Powell and Pressburger Gone To Earth
