Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: "Lifeforce" in 70mm at the AFI/Silver

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Posted by Steve Guttag (Member # 268) on 08-25-2011, 09:24 PM:

This weekend, the AFI/Silver will be presenting Lifeforce in 70mm as part of their '80s series.

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 08-26-2011, 01:08 AM:

Lifeforce trailer

Cannon Films? Really? They made something in 70mm?

That movie looks reeeeeeeaaaaaalllllly bad. The AFI chose this over Cabin Boy?

Posted by Lionel Fouillen (Member # 1475) on 08-26-2011, 02:02 AM:

Combine the animatronics technology and the trailer style of 1985 and you will find the film outdated indeed. But it was convincing at that time. A good film. And it has the beautiful Mathilda May at her debut.

Posted by Mitchell Dvoskin (Member # 751) on 08-26-2011, 08:09 AM:

> That movie looks reeeeeeeaaaaaalllllly bad.

Actually, this film is quite good and a lot of fun if you enjoy this genre. In fact, it is better than many recent zombie movies. It is loosely follows the plot of Dracula, in a science fiction setting. It features special effect by John Dykstra (Star Wars) and Don Trumbull (2001: A Space Odyssey), and excellent makeup work. This was the most expensive movie Cannon Films ever made, and it bankrupted them. It opened and closed in a week, and did not find an audience until it hit video.

The American version of the film was cut by about 15 minutes, and some scenes were re-ordered. I actually think it plays better than the British version that is now the only version available on DVD. Most of what was cut was extraneous dialog scenes unnecessarily explaining what had just happened or what may happen next. The original pan & scan LaserDisc was the last time the American version appeared on video. However, both version are enjoyable. The 35mm prints were Panavision and had an awesome Dolby A soundtrack.

Posted by Michael Coate (Member # 757) on 08-26-2011, 06:43 PM:

quote: Steve Guttag
...as part of their '80s series

An '80s series sounds great. Just don't show that shitty print of Highlander I saw a couple weeks ago!

quote: Brad Miller
Cannon Films? Really? They made something in 70mm?

Yes, and Cobra, too. (Both films were produced, but not distributed, by Cannon.)

Posted by Frank Angel (Member # 248) on 08-26-2011, 07:27 PM:

There are not enuf eeeees in really to describe how bad this dog is. And I AM a fan of the genre, er... or genres -- the idiotic hodgepodge of vampires, zombies and sci-fi. I also am a fan of Peter Firth, not to mention Tobe Hooper and Patrick Stewart. The incongruity of these weird, desperate elements, none of which fit, makes for one reeeeeeeeeeeealy bad movie. I mean, a zombie movie with music by supreme elevator music composer Henry Mancini?!

Posted by Steve Guttag (Member # 268) on 08-26-2011, 07:59 PM:

The AFI/Silver runs '80s films every year so many of the more popular films have been run (and run again). I don't even remember "Lifeforce" as a movie...let alone in 70mm!

-Steve

Posted by Bobby Henderson (Member # 840) on 08-27-2011, 01:22 AM:

quote:
Yes, and Cobra, too. (Both films were produced, but not distributed, by Cannon.)

Don't forget about Over the Top. The Cannon twin towers, Menachem Golan and Yoram Globus worked on that project, got Sammy Hagar to put together a semi-hit tune and got some 70mm prints made. I'll have to do some looking, but I'm think there may be another one or two other Cannon 70mm films out there. I could (and hope) I'm wrong about that.
[Razz]

quote:
I don't even remember "Lifeforce" as a movie...let alone in 70mm!

I do. At least in terms of doing 70mm ad research. I was living in Virginia in 1985 when it was originally released, so I don't remember seeing any 70mm logos in the newspapers then. But when I did see 70mm mentioned later my reaction was "they released THAT in 70mm!?" Kinda the same reaction I had to 70mm prints of Who's That Girl.

Posted by John Wilson (Member # 269) on 08-28-2011, 06:14 PM:

AND it was directed by the same guy who directed POLTERGEIST!

No, not Spielberg...the one who got the credit. Tobe Hooper.

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 08-28-2011, 06:41 PM:

I'm curious, did the AFI even stay open during the Irene hurricane?

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 08-28-2011, 07:24 PM:

You can watch the entire Lifeforce movie on Youtube, divided into 12 parts. Surely a much better presentation than the AFI/Silver could hope for.

Posted by Jonathan Goeldner (Member # 4854) on 09-07-2011, 09:34 AM:

oh I could have sworn I made a comment on the film - I can officially say that the 70mm presentation of 'Lifeforce' at the Silver was the loudest film I've heard there. The movie was goofy as hell, but it was entertaining and with the fx and sound all reaching a tremendous crescendo at the noisey balls-to-the walls finale - wow! that was fun, not too mention the ringing in my ears.

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 09-07-2011, 04:37 PM:

Steve never mentioned where the AFI/Silver is. Are we just all supposed to magically know? And is it the AFI or the Silver? Pick one!

Posted by Rick Raskin (Member # 1561) on 09-07-2011, 05:18 PM:

Joe: Its in Silver Spring, MD. The good news is you can ride Metro from Reagan National with a transfer at Metro Center. So when are you coming?