Pier Paolo Pasolini Volume One

Pier Paolo Pasolini Volume One

DVD Rating: ***1/2

Reviewed by: Themroc

Read Themroc's film review of Pier Paolo Pasolini Volume One

Original trailers are often pointless and tedious extra features, particularly when tacked onto discs of recent releases. In the case of these three films, however, they make for a fascinating insight into the way in which arthouse films were received and advertised in the early 1960s.

The films themselves have all been given pristine transfers, and Tellino Delli Colli’s monochrome photography in Accatone, in particular, looks stunning. However, the omission (due to rights complications) of Pasolini’s second film Mamma Roma (1962) is a shame, particularly given the similarities in subject matter and setting that it shares with his first. (Teorema/Theorem (1968), starring Terrence Stamp, is unfortunately omitted from the second box set for similar reasons).

Copy picture

Equally, the decision to include RoGoPaG seems a little odd, not just because it is a patchy and inferior film overall, but because, since only a quarter of its length is actually directed by Pasolini, it is questionable whether or not it deserves to be included in a collection exclusively dedicated to his work at all.

It’s also a little disappointing that none of the films feature a commentary track from a suitably chosen critic or academic, and that the opportunity has been passed up to include a primer documentary on Pasolini’s fascinating political, sexual and artistic life to give the work itself some additional context.

Nevertheless, the fact that the director’s films are finally available in such fine quality is a cause for celebration, and the welcome inclusion of Pasolini’s rarely screened feature-length documentary Comizi D’Amore/Love Meetings (1964) as well as a copy of the novel on which Accatone was based, make this first box set worth the rather steep RRP of £31.99.

Reviewed on: 21 Mar 2007
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Pier Paolo Pasolini Volume One packshot
Box set of films by the Italian neo-realist director. Featuring Accattone, RoGoPaG and Love Meetings.
Amazon link

Product Code: TVD3537

Region: 2

Ratio: Accatone is presented in Academy ratio 1:1.66. RoGoPaG and Love Meetings are presented in Widescreen ratio 1:1.85

Sound: Dolby Digital

Extras: The box set includes an original trailer for each film, scene selection and a copy of Pasolini’s novel Una Vita Violenta/A Violent Life.


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