MovieChat Forums > Stromboli (Terra di Dio) (1950) Discussion > On TCM Tomorrow (Question)

On TCM Tomorrow (Question)

posted 14 years ago by fluffhead34
9 replies | jump to latest

I obviously am asking this question way too late, as "Stromboli" is airing on TCM in just over 8 hours (8:15am, Fri Aug. 6). I have been looking forward to seeing this Rossellini/Bergman collaberation since I saw that it was going to be played as part of TCM's "Summer Under the Stars" month. The thing is I only recentally saw that there are several versions of this film the shortest being 81 min. and dubbed heavily into english. I looked up which version they would be playing and have gotten some mixed information. The cable menu summary says 81min., the TCM guide says 106min., the TCM archives says their print is 81min. though this may not be updated, and the film lengths listed on the cable menu are frequently wrong. TCM has the film starting at 8:15am with the next film begining at 10:00am, which gives almost 105min. of space to fit the film into.
I took that as a sign that they may be playing a longer version. Now, what really got me wondering was the reviews on the TCM website. There were complaints that the last airing of this film in 2008 was not the 81 min. version although it was STOPPED at 81 min. without finishing the film! People were really upset, not that I blame them, as TCM is not known for such blunders! The viewers who complained begged TCM to air it again this time with the ending (please). All of this tells me that they more than likely will play a longer version, the only problem is the 106min. Swedish version still won't fit in the alotted time, let alone the full 107min. version. There's a French version that runs 103 min. But I am setting my DVR to record an extra 5+ min. over in case it goes over by a minute or two. I've seen this happen a couple of times on TCM and ended up missing the very ending of a movie because of it.

I RECOMMEND EVERYONE SET THIER DVR/RECORDERS TO RUN A COUPLE OF MINUTES PAST 10am!!! Sorry I didn't give more warning!
ALSO: For Ingrid Bergman and/or Rossellini fans TCM is also playing "EUROPA '51" at 6:00pm and Ingmar Bergman's "AUTUMN SONATA" at 1:30am(east. time; technically Sat.morning)

I realize that this was much too late to post a question, and it was probably a waste of time, but if this confusing post alerts one film buff to be prepared for the possibility of this film running a couple of minutes over rather than missing the very end it was worth it. Chances are they will run the 81 min. version, but better safe than sorry!

GOOD LUCK!!!!
-Gary

"asa nisi masa"

[–] Kinokima 14 years ago

You are correct the film started at 8:15 but ended at about 10:04 not 10:00. I hope people recording this caught it.

edit: Okay so there is an English and Italian version of the film. TCM definitely aired the English version. However from what I read it was the full English version (not a cut version).

This was helpful http://www.fredcamper.com/Film/Rossellini.html

[–] fluffhead34 14 years ago

Yes, the version they played was 107min. which I believe is the uncut version.
I am grateful that they played the uncut version as opposed to the 81min. version. That's a difference of 25 minutes! I can't see how this film could have made sense with such a short running time! I heard that the short English version has a narrator added which was probably necessary for the film to make any sense to viewers. It's a shame that TCM didn't pay attention to the disparity in film length vs.time alotment. From what I hear they messed up the last airing back in 2008 too! We don't expect that kind of thing with TCM.

I read in at least one of the user-reviews that the Italian archival version is dubbed all into Italian and that the actual version is multi-lingual (English & Italian) and runs 107 min. with no narrator. This seems to be the most logical style for a film in which the lack of communication is such a crucial part of the storytelling. I am one who usually prefers subtitles, but in the case of Stromboli they were not necessary, It was clear enough what the islanders were saying,(or NOT saying).

I only wish that I would have realized the possible problem with the film length sooner, so I could have let others know to be prepared.

--Gary (Fluffhead34)

"asa nisi masa"

[–] TinaKimo 14 years ago

Okay, so I have a question: Did Karen get off that volcano or what?

[–] fluffhead34 14 years ago

Rather than try and answer that, I would prefer, and recommend that you watch the actual ending. Fortunately someone posted a link from YouTube that shows the last 9 minutes of the film. Much better to see it than have me try and answer your question with a simple answer. Here is the link left for us by iNeedABetterName :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8CcwXyg-vBg&feature=related

--Gary (Fluffhead34)

"ASA NISI MASA"

[–] highwaystar50 14 years ago

Thanks for the link. My DVR cut off the last 6 minutes or so because the schedule didn't compensate for this being the longer version apparently.
KS

[–] timmy_501 14 years ago

Thanks, that's very helpful! Bad as this movie was, I did want to see the end.

The Dude abides. I don't know about you but I take comfort in that.

[–] jeezypete 12 years ago

I just watched the movie and re-watched the ending.
I have no idea if she ever got off the island.
When the movie ended, she was still on the island
and still complaining (This time to God.)

[–] Kinokima 14 years ago

Well then we saw the regular version. It was a mixture of Italian & English. The Italian was not subtitled.

Unfortunately TCM showed the dubbed version of Europa 51.

[–] fluffhead34 14 years ago

Yes I was disapointed that TCM aired the badly dubbed English version of Europa '51. I detest dubbed films for a few reasons. The obvious is the voices not fitting the characters, or mouths for that matter. Then instead of trying to translate the foriegn language as close to the English interpitation as possible they seem more concerned with matching the words to the lips than giving a correct translation. But most of all it takes away the feeling that you are watching characters that are actually in the country where the story takes place.
Especially, with a film maker such as Rossellini who was a master of neo-realism cinematography, using real locations and mostly non-professional actors, missing the characters true voices and ways of speaking took away from the realism of the film.
Thankfully, the films star, Ingrid Bergman spoke English and dubbed her own voice into the film. Miss Bergman's incredible acting combined with a moving story and Rossellini's wonderful style was more than enough to make it worthwhile. I hope to one day see the Italian version and get the whole intended effect of the film.
I found it kinda ironic that TCM aired the original uncut version of Stromboli, which was produced by RKO Pictures by the USA, a film that was planned from the start to be shown in the U.S. but with Europa '51, which was produced by Italians De Laurentis & Carlo Ponti and distributed by Janus Films (among others), we got the "English" version. I am surprised that there was still interest in Bergman & Rossellini in the U.S. after such a scandal.
Ingrid Bergman didn't make another film in the USA until 1969's "Cactus Flower" her previous in the U.S. being Hitchcock's "Under Capricorn" in 1949, her third with "Hitch".
Sorry, for rambling on so much. I never intend on doing so, but always end up with a small book!

I NEED AN EDITOR!!

--Gary (Fluffhead34)

"ASA NISI MASA"