Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #42424 in DVD
• Released on: 2008-01-28
• Rating: Exempt
• Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: Classical, PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 133 minutes

Synopsis
The documentary celebrates Malcolm Arnold, one of Britain's most underestimated and yet most popular composers, who wrote scores to altogether 132 films including 'Whistle Down the Wind', 'Hobson's Choice' and the Oscar winning 'Bridge Over the River Kwai'. Sir Malcolm also composed ballets, symphonies and operas. The DVD features friends and family, and includes extracts from his works, however, it does not shirk the darker side of Arnold's life full of complications caused by a mental illness he suffered from.

Customer Reviews

Marvevellous DVD but...
My disk came in NTSC format (North American) so I had to reconfigure my player to run it and then reset back to the European standard. This will have to be done every time I watch it. So best check if your player can do this and you know how to set it.

The film is splendid though some of director's views might raise eyebrows; still one can live with that. Less easy to live with is the way the music completely breaks up when above certain volumes (my player is a top-of the range Panasonic and I use headphones and its not happened before). Something to do with the NTSC? Maybe there is more tweaking to do with the settings... Curiously, the same fault was present on the C5 broadcast.

Despite its shortcomings, I still find a compelling magic about it.

MALCOLM ARNOLD CRUCIFIXION AND RESURRECTION
Toward the Unknown Region ; Malcolm Arnold - a story of survival. [2004]
Nothing wrong whatsoever with sound or vision in my copy. This wonderful documentary does tremendous credit to all involved in its production. Contains some enlightening historic clips and musical excerpts some of which are new to me. I originally watched this on the The South Bank Show presented by Melvyn Bragg in two episodes a few years ago and cursed myself that my recorder was malfunctioning at the time. Good fortune that it has been released on DVD. I won't spoil anyone's enjoyment and woe that I hope you will experience by detailing anything whatsoever. Simply to say that it includes his collaboration with Deep Purple, Benny Goodman ,and his work with brass bands and young people in addition to the music you might expect from Arnold. Maybe I am biased as he is the only composer I have ever met in person. Parts of it bring me to tears and some of the interviewees I find somewhat irritating but anyone with a heart and feeling for music and can appreciate the challenging life a composer who undergoes despise by the establishment will warm to this DON'T MISS DVD. My title I hope, will serve as an apt description of its contents

Toward the unknown region
Excellent study of the composer. However it does make uncomfortable watching if you are an "Arnold" devotee. All the more reason though to take a peek behind the surface of this truly gifted musician.