Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: "Ace In The Hole"

This is topic "Ace In The Hole" in forum The Afterlife at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 10-19-2007, 05:59 PM:

Billy Wilders 1951 film that flopped at its initial release is an understated gem and quite is possibly his best work of all. Its also a story that closly parallels the recent coal mine disaster and media carnival in Central Utah no less. Kirk Douglas is amazing in this film and he plays a self centered asshole news reporter to the very end. This film hasn't been available to see since the early 60's and the new Criterion DVD looks great and sounds great the transfer having come from a fine grain dupe negative and original optial elements. Fans of Wilder don't miss this one!! 5 out of 5 stars...

I wish movies were still made this way today!

Mark

Posted by James Westbrook (Member # 3690) on 10-20-2007, 01:22 AM:

It was also known as The Big Carnival. It aired under that title on American Movie Classics, back when that channel was still watchable.
One of the channels I miss most since dropping cable is Turner Classic Movies.

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 10-20-2007, 10:01 AM:

After watching much of the "extras" that came with the DVD I somewhat concluded that Paramount re-cut and re-titled the picture "Big Carnival" after Wilders original cut. This was the last film he made in which he didn't maintain controling rights on the final edit. I would guess that whats on the DVD is indeed his own work since its the original title.

Mark

Posted by Richard P. May (Member # 3598) on 10-20-2007, 11:14 AM:

We recently made a replacement main title for Paramount's studio print, but no other changes.
I believe that there were no changes in the content of the film.

RPM

Posted by Robert W. Jones (Member # 4228) on 11-15-2007, 05:51 PM:

Criterion's transfer and release is absolutely fantastic. Even has a newspaper insert.

Thank god they finally got it out of the vault. Billy Wilder's best film in my book.

Rob