THE BIG PARADE (1925)

[mike]

For those who haven't seen this masterpiece by King Vidor, it's one of the most powerful and human war films to be produced. It hits all my buttons by focusing on innocent, tragic human beings caught up in a whirlwind of situations beyond their control which they attempt to see through to the end; bitter sweet conclusions and all. An absolute classic that maybe one day will be released on dvd if any company feels compelled to focus on the golden era of one of the best filmmakers ever..... :eusa_doh:

Meanwhile, back in the states I scored the original theatrical release press book for a whopping $12.50! Check out that beautifully painted cover!

 

[LizzieMaine]

Best war movie I've ever seen. That it isn't more widely available is absolutely criminal.

 

[scotrace]

Is it public domain? Housed on one of those silent film warehousing sites maybe? How can it be seen?

(Pressbook is amazing!)

 

[LizzieMaine]

Is it public domain? Housed on one of those silent film warehousing sites maybe? How can it be seen?

(Pressbook is amazing!)

Definitely not PD. Owned lock stock and trench-helmet by Time Warner. There was a restored version prepared for British television in the 80s, and that's been shown from time to time on TCM (and before that, on TNT.)

Supposedly there are still restoration issues holding it up from DVD release, but maybe someday. It did come out briefly on VHS, though, and you might be able to find one of those with some digging. It also plays occasional big-screen engagements with live score, and if one of these comes to your town, run -- don't walk -- to see it.

 

[KILO NOVEMBER]

THE BIG PARADE at Amazon

Amazon shows 26 copies available on VHS.

 

[mike]

I'm just baffled that some of the best King Vidor work has never been issued on dvd. Considering dvd's have almost run their course and companies have been scrounging around for any content whatsoever.

The fact that Fox was able to release the Murnau/Borzage box set before MGM/Time Warner (or Kino licensing the titles) could get around to issuing THE BIG PARADE, THE CROWD & SHOW PEOPLE together (which could even include STREET SCENE, THE CHAMP & THE WEDDING NIGHT to make the best collection issued in a long time!!)

 

[Ethan Bentley]

I'd really like to see this.

I saw that it has recently entered the IMDB Top 250 Films.

 

[vitanola]

I'm just baffled that some of the best King Vidor work has never been issued on dvd. Considering dvd's have almost run their course and companies have been scrounging around for any content whatsoever.

The fact that Fox was able to release the Murnau/Borzage box set before MGM/Time Warner (or Kino licensing the titles) could get around to issuing THE BIG PARADE, THE CROWD & SHOW PEOPLE together (which could even include STREET SCENE, THE CHAMP & THE WEDDING NIGHT to make the best collection issued in a long time!!)

Heavens! You have just listed six of my favorite films!

I would agree with Mr. Ebert that Big Parade has not yet been surpassed as a war picture.

 

[HadleyH]

Favorite of mine too!

For any admirer of King Vidor, I highly recommend his autobiography"A Tree is a Tree" which i have read and is among my book collection.

This is what he says about "The Big Parade":

"The production of The Big Parade cost two hundred and forty thousand dollars.It catapulted John Gilbert to the status of a major star, and advanced Renee Adoree and Karl Dane way up the ladder of fame.It run at the Astor Theater on Broadway and took in a million and a half dollars at that theater alone. It played for six months at Grauman's Egyptian in Hollywood... it quickly put Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer on an extremely solid foundation and with Ben-Hur pushed the new company into top place...Irving Thalberg was hailed as the production genius of the industry... and I found myself among the top directors."


Great movie indeed!:eusa_clap

 

[Bruce Wayne]

I literally just finished watching it on TCM! Easily in my top ten favourite movies of all time

 

[bunnyb.gal]

I did see it, but a long time ago (an Ebay bootleg no doubt). Anything with John Gilbert in it gets a thumbs up from me!

 

[V.C. Brunswick]

A small snippet of The Big Parade can be seen in of the episodes of the Hollywood documentary series that used to run occasionally on PBS.

 

[V.C. Brunswick]

I'm just baffled that some of the best King Vidor work has never been issued on dvd. Considering dvd's have almost run their course and companies have been scrounging around for any content whatsoever.

The fact that Fox was able to release the Murnau/Borzage box set before MGM/Time Warner (or Kino licensing the titles) could get around to issuing THE BIG PARADE, THE CROWD & SHOW PEOPLE together (which could even include STREET SCENE, THE CHAMP & THE WEDDING NIGHT to make the best collection issued in a long time!!)

And can somebody explain why many of these of old films, if they do make it to DVD, seem to be available only in the UK????

 

[Amy Jeanne]

One of the best WW1 movies ever made -- along with The Four Horsemen of The Apocalypse (1921).

 

[LizzieMaine]

And can somebody explain why many of these of old films, if they do make it to DVD, seem to be available only in the UK????

I think that has to do with the scores -- a lot of the scores being commissioned these days are being commissioned by British TV channels, and the rights agreements for these will often restrict where they can be released.

Of course, a region-free DVD player and Amazon UK can be very handy in such cases...

 

[Annichen]

One of my favorite films!
It has got it all,a shame it is so forgotten.
Gilbert is brilliant as usual..

 

[bunnyb.gal]

I think that has to do with the scores -- a lot of the scores being commissioned these days are being commissioned by British TV channels, and the rights agreements for these will often restrict where they can be released.

Of course, a region-free DVD player and Amazon UK can be very handy in such cases...

That's funny, because I'm always shelling out to get things shipped over here from the States - the recent WB releases, the TCM Pre-code sets and Kino vids come to mind off the bat. Pray tell, have I been overlooking some 4-leaf clovers in my own backyard??!

 

[skyvue]

For those within striking distance of NYC, MoMA is screening THE BIG PARADE on Thursday, June 24, at 8 p.m.