MovieChat Forums > Silent Tongue (1995) Discussion > Silent Tongue on Lionsgate DVD

Silent Tongue on Lionsgate DVD

posted 18 years ago by nowvoyager
4 replies | jump to latest

I know that many people consider Silent Tongue a bad film, and I can see their reasons especially if one is led to believe this is a western. Yes, it is set in the old west, but that is about it for it being a western. This is a ghost story. I suppose it might of made a much better one hour episode of the Twilight Zone. The cast is excellent, but the story is not developed enough to sustain a full length film. Since it is what it is, I will say that I like it, which brings me to the subject of this posting.

I recently bought the U.S. Lionsgate DVD of Silent Tongue. I don't think they could have done more to hurt this film than this very shoddy DVD version. My biggest complaint is the fact that this DVD is a pan and scan full screen version when Silent Tongue was shot with a 2:35:1 aspect ratio. The transfer is really crappy quality. There are scratches and bad edits, none of which I can recall seeing on the Vidmark VHS version. The tape also had Dolby Surround while the DVD has Dolby Stereo.

I suppose Lionsgate did not care to spend any money to properly present a poorly rated film even if it does have Richard Harris and was the last completed film by River Phoenix. Someday it is possible that this will be remedied, but I won't look for it anytime soon. On some anniverary or celebration of the life and films of River Phoenix this may happen.

[–] danae_nimue 18 years ago

here here. I agree with you.

I just bought Silent Tongue and I was very dissapointed, not with the movie, but with the horrible transfer.
Hopefully Lionsgate will see the light and give it a good transfer soon especially since it IS the last film completed by River Phoenix.

[–] HardKnock 18 years ago

They never gave Sam Shepard the backing to properly produce the film. He voiced his aggravation with that fact in an interview with the Village Voice (I think it was that one). You can sort of tell with the make-up, but I like the film especially since growing up in the South-West.

[–] wolfgirv 18 years ago

Here in Australia we have a similar Pan and Scan travesty presented by village roadshow. Worst part is that the film starts in 2.35:1 from the opening titles and then pulls out to pan and scan until when the end titles appear 102 minutes later. Obviously , by the quality, this is from a TV broadcast tape. Appalling!

But a great film apart from that.

[–] Dantana_forever 17 years ago

at least you guys can see the movie. I was six when river died so within the last year or so i have become a huge fan or his but his movies are so hard to find...especially this one. I would love to get my hands on a copy even if it is bad quality.