801 I Knew Her Well
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- Joined: Wed Mar 16, 2005 9:20 pm
801 I Knew Her Well
I Knew Her Well
This prismatic portrait of the days and nights of a party girl in sixties Rome is a revelation. On the surface, I Knew Her Well, directed by Antonio Pietrangeli, plays like an inversion of La dolce vita with a woman at its center, following the gorgeous, seemingly liberated Adriana (Divorce Italian Style's Stefania Sandrelli) as she dallies with a wide variety of men, attends parties, goes to modeling gigs, and circulates among the rich and famous. Despite its often light tone, though, the film is a stealth portrait of a suffocating culture that regularly dehumanizes people, especially women. A seriocomic character study that never strays from its complicated central figure while keeping us at an emotional remove, I Knew Her Well is one of the most overlooked films of the sixties, by turns hilarious, tragic, and altogether jaw-dropping.
SPECIAL FEATURES
• New 4K digital restoration, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack on the Blu-ray
• New interview with actor Stefania Sandrelli
• New interview with film scholar Luca Barattoni about the career of director Antonio Pietrangeli
• Trailer
• New English subtitle translation
• PLUS: An essay by journalist and author Alexander Stille
This prismatic portrait of the days and nights of a party girl in sixties Rome is a revelation. On the surface, I Knew Her Well, directed by Antonio Pietrangeli, plays like an inversion of La dolce vita with a woman at its center, following the gorgeous, seemingly liberated Adriana (Divorce Italian Style's Stefania Sandrelli) as she dallies with a wide variety of men, attends parties, goes to modeling gigs, and circulates among the rich and famous. Despite its often light tone, though, the film is a stealth portrait of a suffocating culture that regularly dehumanizes people, especially women. A seriocomic character study that never strays from its complicated central figure while keeping us at an emotional remove, I Knew Her Well is one of the most overlooked films of the sixties, by turns hilarious, tragic, and altogether jaw-dropping.
SPECIAL FEATURES
• New 4K digital restoration, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack on the Blu-ray
• New interview with actor Stefania Sandrelli
• New interview with film scholar Luca Barattoni about the career of director Antonio Pietrangeli
• Trailer
• New English subtitle translation
• PLUS: An essay by journalist and author Alexander Stille
- Jeff
- Joined: Tue Nov 02, 2004 9:49 pm
- Location: Denver, CO
Re: Forthcoming Lists Discussion and Random Speculation Vol.
I wonder if it might not be slated for an Antonio Pietrangeli Eclipse set.ianungstad wrote:Meredith Brody wrote:I told Alexander Payne I was sad that they hadn’t scheduled an additional screening of the 1965 Italia film “I Knew Her Well” that he’d introduced night before last, which already seems so long ago, and he told me that Criterion had picked it up (but I don’t want to wait! And I want to see it on the big screen!) And maybe he was pulling my leg, but he said something about it being scheduled at some cinematheque in his home state of Nebraska, where he lives part-time.
- Gregory
- Joined: Tue Nov 02, 2004 4:07 pm
Re: Forthcoming Lists Discussion and Random Speculation Vol.
I don't know why exactly she thought he would have been pulling her leg about that. They have special screenings like that all the time at FilmStreams in Omaha, which is the one Payne helped establish. But I guess to some critics from th' big city, hearing something like that they'd picture the film projected onto the side of a barn for a small crowd of puzzled hayseeds covering their children's eyes.Meredith Brody wrote:...And maybe he was pulling my leg, but he said something about it being scheduled at some cinematheque in his home state of Nebraska, where he lives part-time.
I don't see it on the FilmStreams calendar yet (and there's a small chance he could have been referring to the Ross Film Theater in Lincoln, but more likely FilmStreams).
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- Joined: Tue Feb 24, 2009 3:20 pm
Re: Forthcoming Lists Discussion and Random Speculation Vol.
Great news about I Knew Her Well! I caught a restored print almost exactly 3 years ago during a Cinecitta-backed rep series spotlighting legendary Italian starlets. An truly unforgettable film, easily the equal of any "New Wave" classic (Italian or otherwise) one would care to name. I did some research awhile back, discovering (via, er, a link on Sandrelli's Mr. Skin page ) that the film was only available as an expensive import dvd of dubious origin.
On a related note, most of the titles in the series I saw were/are present and accounted for in R1 (Rome: Open City, Girl With A Suitcase, Juliet of The Spirits etc.), but the following have yet to surface:
On a related note, most of the titles in the series I saw were/are present and accounted for in R1 (Rome: Open City, Girl With A Suitcase, Juliet of The Spirits etc.), but the following have yet to surface:
- Visconti's Sandra (In limbo with Columbia?)
Scola's Drama of Jealousy (imdb says Warner Bros. distributed this in the US upon it's original release; don't think this ever hit video in the states)
De Sica's Two Women (available in a pan & scan PD version, this was a restoration in proper OAR from original elements)
- TMDaines
- Joined: Wed Nov 11, 2009 1:01 pm
- Location: Stretford, Manchester
Re: Forthcoming Lists Discussion and Random Speculation Vol.
Not sure what you linked but there's a very good proper DVD of Io la conoscevo bene out in Italy.Arthur House wrote:Great news about I Knew Her Well! I caught a restored print almost exactly 3 years ago during a Cinecitta-backed rep series spotlighting legendary Italian starlets. An truly unforgettable film, easily the equal of any "New Wave" classic (Italian or otherwise) one would care to name. I did some research awhile back, discovering (via, er, a link on Sandrelli's Mr. Skin page ) that the film was only available as an expensive import dvd of dubious origin.
Last edited by TMDaines on Tue Sep 04, 2012 7:25 am, edited 1 time in total.
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- Joined: Tue Feb 24, 2009 3:20 pm
Re: Forthcoming Lists Discussion and Random Speculation Vol.
^^It might be that version actually. I was just going on the lack of info provided by the site (libri.dvd.it), which is limited to the director, publisher (Lindau), their line (Grandi Film Restaurati), and--as I've now discovered with translate--that the disc in question is not currently for sale on their site. I'm not used to shopping for foreign dvds on native websites and perhaps let my ignorance get the better of me.
- TMDaines
- Joined: Wed Nov 11, 2009 1:01 pm
- Location: Stretford, Manchester
Re: Forthcoming Lists Discussion and Random Speculation Vol.
You linked to a book of some sort. Here's the DVD: Amazon.it.Arthur House wrote:^^It might be that version actually. I was just going on the lack of info provided by the site (libri.dvd.it), which is limited to the director, publisher (Lindau), their line (Grandi Film Restaurati), and--as I've now discovered with translate--that the disc in question is not currently for sale on their site. I'm not used to shopping for foreign dvds on native websites and perhaps let my ignorance get the better of me.
- TMDaines
- Joined: Wed Nov 11, 2009 1:01 pm
- Location: Stretford, Manchester
Re: Forthcoming: Discussion and Random Speculation Volume 7
Just bought the Italian DVD in my last Amazon.it order...Buttery Jeb wrote:Antonio Pietrangeli's I Knew Her Well also seems to be on the docket.
Still very pleased to see Criterion introducing more bonafide Italian classics to English-speaking audiences.
- Dylan
- Joined: Tue Nov 02, 2004 9:28 pm
Re: Forthcoming: I Knew Her Well
This is truly great news. I Knew Her Well is an amazing film and it has by a mile Stefania Sandrelli's greatest performance. One of the finest films ever made about party lifestyles and it's beautifully photographed by Armando Nannuzzi. Essential viewing, especially for those who love the Italian cinema of the period.
Last edited by Dylan on Mon Nov 16, 2015 11:57 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- rohmerin
- Joined: Mon Aug 07, 2006 10:36 am
- Location: Spain
Re: 801 I Knew Her Well
Sadly Sandrelli is dubbed by other actress.
The Berlusconi's Italian DVD was quite good indeed.
The song Mani bucati, near the end is beautiful.
In Italy finally La parmigiana, with Catherine Spaak, has been released.
The Berlusconi's Italian DVD was quite good indeed.
The song Mani bucati, near the end is beautiful.
In Italy finally La parmigiana, with Catherine Spaak, has been released.
- Dylan
- Joined: Tue Nov 02, 2004 9:28 pm
Re: 801 I Knew Her Well
Also great news! We need more classic Catherine Spaak films out there. I'm still waiting for a R1 of Alberto Lattuada's I Dolci Inganni, which is a brilliant film.In Italy finally La parmigiana, with Catherine Spaak, has been released.
By the way, the cover art for I Knew Her Well has fast become one of my favorites in the entire collection. Brilliantly done, and it fits the film perfectly.
- TMDaines
- Joined: Wed Nov 11, 2009 1:01 pm
- Location: Stretford, Manchester
Re: 801 I Knew Her Well
The Italian DVD market has been really good these last few years, even after Warner bought Medusa. Cristaldi Film have been releasing a lot of lesser known works and other companies have also been releasing previously unreleased works. As you say, La parmigiana is now coming out and so is Le soldatesse. We're getting to the stage now where more and more works are at least available, if only on a barebones DVD.rohmerin wrote:Sadly Sandrelli is dubbed by other actress.
The Berlusconi's Italian DVD was quite good indeed.
The song Mani bucati, near the end is beautiful.
In Italy finally La parmigiana, with Catherine Spaak, has been released.
There's been a lot of restorations in recent years and Criterion has clearly been paying attention. There's a real wealth that they could choose to release. Personally, I'm hoping for La ragazza con la valigia as the Spanish BD is cut, I believe.
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- Joined: Thu Jun 05, 2008 1:47 pm
Re: 801 I Knew Her Well
Glad to see this out on BD. I first saw this at my local Cinematheque a few years back and I was riveted throughout. It is not, I suppose, that much different from most other "doomed heroine" films about the emptiness of fame, social popularity, and celebrity, but it's executed in such a stylish manner that it still feels quite fresh despite being a familiar story. It's the little details that stick out to me the most, though, like those shots of her legs and feet while she gives her record player a swift "kick" to start it up, and of course, beautifully shot scenes of Sandrelli lounging around doing nothing in classic Italian film fashion.
Re: 801 I Knew Her Well
I cannot wait to see this film on a great-looking release, finally. I have never had the opportunity to watch it before. For those that have already seen this film, how does it compare to another 1965 release, John Schlessinger's "Darling?" I have to admit that Darling is a guilty pleasure for me, it is repetitive at times and underdeveloped in some aspects but it sounded similar to Pietrangeli's film I am curious how they might compare and contrast. Thoughts?
- Minkin
- Joined: Thu Aug 06, 2009 11:13 pm
Re: 801 I Knew Her Well
There wasn't any "more" for this film, but they've added another extra:
Archival footage of Sandrelli’s audition
Archival footage of Sandrelli’s audition
- Minkin
- Joined: Thu Aug 06, 2009 11:13 pm
Re: 801 I Knew Her Well
Here is the Janus touring poster:
(change the 250 to 1280 in the URL to make the image larger). I say they went with the better image for the DVD/Blu.
(change the 250 to 1280 in the URL to make the image larger). I say they went with the better image for the DVD/Blu.
- domino harvey
- Dot Com Dom
- Joined: Wed Jan 11, 2006 2:42 pm
Re: 801 I Knew Her Well
Agreed, though usually it's the other way around!
- FrauBlucher
- Joined: Mon Jul 15, 2013 8:28 pm
- Location: Greenwich Village
- Minkin
- Joined: Thu Aug 06, 2009 11:13 pm
Re: 801 I Knew Her Well
blu-ray.com
In the interview with Luca Barattoni, I Knew Her Well is apparently compared to La Dolce Vita (Criterion does the same in their description). For those that have seen both films, how might this comparison hold up?
In the interview with Luca Barattoni, I Knew Her Well is apparently compared to La Dolce Vita (Criterion does the same in their description). For those that have seen both films, how might this comparison hold up?
- Cold Bishop
- Joined: Tue May 30, 2006 9:45 pm
- Location: Portland, OR
Re: 801 I Knew Her Well
There's definitely some shared millieu of the vapid Roman nightlife, but it strikes me as a lazy comparison. This film is squarely a character study, not a panorama.
- Minkin
- Joined: Thu Aug 06, 2009 11:13 pm
Re: 801 I Knew Her Well
Here's Vogue's review
I was thinking the same thing would likely apply. It seems that every Italian film somehow ends up getting compared to La Dolce Vita in one way or another - that its an easy and instantly recognizable comparison (plus you can throw in a joke about how the character is searching for "the sweet life"). Still excited to see this anyway, but just wondering how Svet's /Criterion's comparison holds up.Cold Bishop wrote:There's definitely some shared millieu of the vapid Roman nightlife, but it strikes me as a lazy comparison. This film is squarely a character study, not a panorama.
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- Joined: Thu Jun 05, 2008 1:47 pm
Re: 801 I Knew Her Well
La Dolce Vita has never popped up in my mind even once after seeing I Knew Her Well for the first time several years ago. Frankly, this is the first time I've heard it compared to LDV.
For me, I Knew Her Well follows more in the tradition of all those
For me, I Knew Her Well follows more in the tradition of all those
SpoilerShow
Pandora's Box type movies/stories featuring an innocent and lively young heroine going from man to man throughout the story, eventually leading to her ultimate destruction.
Last edited by jojo on Sun Feb 07, 2016 3:07 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- barryconvex
- billy..biff..scooter....tommy
- Joined: Fri Aug 24, 2012 10:08 pm
- Location: NYC
Re: 801 I Knew Her Well
one minor comparison i can think of to LDV is in the jaunty music ironically counter balancing the sometimes somber goings on the screen. i can't think of another cinema that used this technique as well as the italians did in the early-mid 60s with L'eclisse and Il Sorpasso springing immediately to mind but i'm sure there are others i'm forgetting. other than that any comparisons to LDV are strictly superficial. my only complaint withI knew her well as a movie is:
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the ending. why have her commit suicide? this seemed unearned and tacked on tbh...
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- Joined: Mon Jun 25, 2007 2:33 am
Re: 801 I Knew Her Well
Amen.barryconvex wrote: my only complaint withI knew her well as a movie is:
SpoilerShowthe ending. why have her commit suicide? this seemed unearned and tacked on tbh...
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- Joined: Wed Nov 11, 2015 11:50 am
Re: 801 I Knew Her Well
Re-watched "I Knew Her Well" this weekend and found it to be as profound as the first time I saw it.
I have a question, though: what's the significance of feet in this film? They're present in some of the more important scenes in the film, like
And I think the ending is fitting, since
I have a question, though: what's the significance of feet in this film? They're present in some of the more important scenes in the film, like
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Adriana's first acting gig as a shoe model, Baggini's tap dancing, Adriana's embarrassment when her filmed interview shows her pantyhose has a hole in one foot
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Adriana works as an allegory of Italy's economic boom during the sixties, its change form an agricultural to a modern society. I like the fact that the film doesn't romanticize agricultural life, but it shows that it is needed to fit the country in a continuum. Adriana is understood to be someone without past or future (according to the writer), so as she rejects her past so does she reject her future, ending in suicide.