"A Performance of Macbeth" (1979)

Conception (and sometimes version attributed to) Trevor Nunn
Director:  Philip Casson [The Royal Shakespeare Company Production]
Starring Ian McKellen and Dame Judi Dench


Performed with no set, dark/minimal lighting, minimal props, and in current/modern dress of the day (when it was filmed).  Even the costumes used are limited to the spectrum of white to black.  Almost done as theater-in-the-round.  Almost.

It is a performance that focuses on the acting of the lines, on the actor, as opposed to a grand staging of the story.  It strips the story to the core of the story itself--the words, and with this ensemble engages a group as a story teller of old would sit around the proverbial fire and spin a yarn to capture the ears of the listeners solely on the words of the story, the story itself, and the art of the storytelling.

This version captures well the growing crazy, increasing guilt, the change in character, and the change in relationship especially to each other of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth.  This Macbeth is played as truly gone mad (crazy).

This Macduff seems to despair more for his country.
Cut from the production:  The scene at the end where Siward hears of his son's death.

"The Rescuers" (1977)--Revisited

The very first movie that I saw in movie theaters that I can actually remember the title of is The Rescuers.  I remember my Dad recounting afterwards how I'd gotten "tickled" at the chase scene near the end.  And now, X-number of years later, I still find that chase scene grinningly funny.  The only difference is then it was brand new and the here-and-now I can put words to why it was funny--or I can try.  For me, it's not the slapstick, not so much.  Instead, some of it is the unexpected.  Some of it is actually managing to capture irony.  The moment that most captures my funny bone?  When the jack rabbit snaps his fishing reel back to snag the turtle and the turtle says, "I don't need no one's help" when he very clearly does.  The turtle snaps and the jack rabbit doesn't bat an eye taking it all in stride and helps him anyway.  That's the moment that does it.  Every. Time.  lol.  :D    And the music in that section just adds to it.  Music/sound adds SO much to a movie.  Don't let anyone ever tell you otherwise.

"Escape to Witch Mountain" (1975)

Rewatched this childhood favorite.  Thoroughly enjoyed it.

How come they don't make more movie plots like this?  I couldn't imagine anything better--little bit of humor, but not stupid comedy.  Characters unique and different--personable yet each has stuff they can or can't do, stuff they know about themselves, or are figuring out as they go.  Touch of imaginative sci-fi.  And the tone of the whole thing isn't dark and depressing.  No murderous alien races or world stomping terrorist groups.  In fact, no one gets hurt--not even the "bad guys".  Simple plot, just a touch of mystery without being too complicated; yet, enough complexity of dialogue and background to avoid being shallow.

How come they don't make more movies like this?

"Convoy" (1978)

A trucker movie.  So, I should've known I was in for a puzzle when in the OPENING CREDITS it advertises the music as by Chip Davis.  Not in the end credits.  The opening credits.

and Chip Davis.

As in Mannheim Steamroller composer, Chip Davis.

I'd read some film theory book summaries talking about music as a key component/integral part of movies.  I believe it.  But I couldn't imagine a more mismatched pairing than a smash 'em up trucker-talking action flick visual and Mannheim Steamroller style are-you-sure-there-isn't-a-Christmas-tree-in-there music.  And the pairing worked.  Kinda.  I think.

And then there's the fact the there was an original song to begin with.  The movie was based on the song.

Not sure I've conveyed exactly how strange the music was at times.  And how it kinda fit at others.

I'm going to like this field.

Sure makes an interesting puzzle.

"Apocalypse Now" (1979)

I normally don't care for war movies (understatement)--especially modern-day anything-after-color ones. Knowing this was an adaption of the novel "Heart of Darkness" set me up better, I guess, because I liked this movie--or at least as much as one can "like" war. In theater, plays are adapted to different times and places all the time, so the shift with this story didn't bother me. An adaptation of "Heart of Darkness" set during the Vietnam War. It fit and it was Done very well.

Guess I have one musical comment. You want to put a loaded piece of music into a film, than they certainly did it with this one. "Ride of the Valkyries"--and not as background music. One of the commanders deliberately plays this music out of a helicopter as they attack. Yeah. That choice has some loaded connotations with it.

"Days of Heaven" (1978)

repeated use of Saint Saens's "Aquarium". ? I don't have anything else about this film figured out--not without being snarky--except the nature shots. Yeah, they're close to gorgeous; nothing snarky about that.