films—including 3-D Wide range of new films—including 3-D

Press, 30 June 1983, Page 14

films —including 3-D

Wide range of new films —including 3-D

After a few weeks in the doldrums, there will be a wide selection of new films starting tomorrow.

Notable are two European films: “Das Boot” (“The Boat”) from Germany, which starts at the Regent; and “The Last Metro,” Truffaut’s French film, also set during the Second World War, which will begin at the Academy.

“Das Boot” was nominated as best foreign film this year in the Academy Awards.

It is the most expensive and most commercially successful film ever made in Germany, costing nearly sl3 million and opening to packed houses in 200 theatres in that country. Based on a best-selling, semi-autobiographical novel, it follows a daring patrol by U-96, one of Admiral Doenitz’s famed submarines, from its lusty send-off party in the occupied French port of La Rochelle to its startling return several months later. It was a member of the German fleet of submarines, known as the “grey wolves,” which prowled the North Atlantic, challenging the British Navy at every turn. Another interesting film starting at the Regent is an American version of “Breathless,” staring Richard Gere, of “An Officer and a Gentleman” fame. This is based on Jean-Luc Goddard’s classic existen-

tialist drama, “Un Bout de Souffle,” of about 20 years ago. This film also was called “Breathless” in Eng-lish-speaking countries. The plot is crazy, or almost non-existent, but Gere, who is on screen virtually all the time, gives it much vibrancy with his powerful performance.

Two other films of note which start tomorrow are “Friday, the 13th” (Cinerama) and “Treasure of the Four Crowns” (Westend) — both in 3-D. Three-dimensional films still have a bad name in Christchurch after the screening of “Cornin’ at Ya” about six months ago.

These two films claim to use a much more refined 3D technique. Whether this is true, however, remains to be seen.

There is plenty of action in both. Particularly in “Friday, the 13th,” in which gouged-out eyeballs fly out over the audience. I have heard various rumours about these two 3-D movies being made by a different technique, which could prove expensive if you have to pay 50 cents at both cinemas for different sets of polarised glasses.

Since then, I have been told that both films were made with the same system, meaning that you are not obliged to pay for a second set of spectacles. However, do not take my word for this.

I was first told that one system was being used with horizontal overlapping of images, while the other used the vertical method. In that case, if you wanted to see both films with the same glasses, you would have to watch it at a 90-degree angle, with your head resting on your shoulder. Here again, I do not recommend this.

Another major addition is the screening of the “Rocky Horror Picture Show” at the Academy every Friday and Saturday at 11.30 p.m. This film has developed an amazing cult-type following overseas and in Auckland, with people dragging themselves along each week dressed in outrageous gear.

For its premiere screening in Christchurch tomorrow evening, many show business and media people have been invited, while more than half of the Academy’s seats have been set aside for the general public. It all sounds silly but great fun.

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