Warner Home Video has released the second volume of its Controversial Classic set this time focusing on “the power of the media” with three of the most explosive films from the 1970's - All the President's Men, Network, and Dog Day Afternoon.
The set includes two-disc special editions of each title and comes loaded with special features.
All The President’s Men follows the run-up to the 1972 elections and follows Washington Post reporter Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein as they cover what seems to be a minor break-in at the Democratic Party National headquarters. They quickly find there is more to the story as the two reporters discover more and more layers to the story and a trail leading higher and higher in the Republican Party -eventually into the White House itself.
The movie stars Dustin Hoffman and Robert Redford, was adapted by screenwriter William Goldman, and director Alan Pakula. It also features a great performance by Jason Robards – who won an Oscar for his performance as Washington Post editor Ben Bradlee.
The two-disc special edition comes loaded with features including Commentary by Robert Redford; Telling the Truth About Lies: The Making of All the President's Men; Out of the Shadows: The Man Who Was Deep Throat; Woodward and Bernstein: Lighting the Fire; Vintage featurette Pressure and the Press: The Making of All the President's Men; Vintage Jason Robards interview excerpt from Dinah!, hosted by Dinah Shore; and Alan J. Pakula thrillers trailer gallery.
Network follows the change of Network television in the wake of terrorist violence in 1975. Terrorism is the stuff of network nightly news programming and the corporate structure of the UBS television network is changing. Meanwhile, Howard Beale, the aging UBS news anchor, has lost his once strong ratings share and so the network fires him. Beale reacts in an unexpected way. We then see how this affects the fortunes of Beale, his coworkers (Max Schumacher and Diana Christensen), and the network.
The movie has a cast of Hollywood legends including Peter Finch, Faye Dunaway and Beatrice Straight (who each won Oscars), and Oscar nominee William Holden – who delivers one of his best performances.
The DVD comes with several special features including Commentary by Director Sidney Lumet; The making of Network: A 6-Part Anniversary Documentary; Vintage Paddy Chayefsky Interview excerpt from Dinah!, Hosted by Dinah Shore; Turner Classic Movies' Private Screenings with Sidney Lumet, with host Robert Osborne; Theatrical Trailer.
Dog Day Afternoon is based upon true events and follows a New York man and two accomplices that are besieged in a bank with all the bank employees after his attempt to rob enough money to pay for his male lover's sex change operation goes awry. What results is a two-day media circus in which his private life and the humiliation of the police is laid bare for the whole city.
The movie stars a young Al Pacino, John Cazale (who played Pacino’s brother in The Godfather films), and Charles Durning. It also scored several Oscar nomination including best picture, actor, supporting actor (Chris Sarandon, as a surprise figure from Sonny's past), editing, and a director nomination for Sidney Lumet.
The DVD’s extra features include Commentary by Director Sidney Lumet; The Making of Dog Day Afternoon: A New 4-Part 30th Anniversary Documentary featuring Al Pacino; vintage featurette Lumet: Film Maker; theatrical trailer.
Controversial Classics, Vol. 2 - The Power of Media is now available at Amazon . As of yet, there is not a release date for the UK. Visit the set’s database for more information. Each two-disc special edition is available separately.
All The President’s Men Two-Disc Special Edition is available at Amazon and AmazonUK . Visit the DVD’s database for more information
Network Two-Disc Special Edition is available at Amazon . As of yet, there is not a release date for the UK. Visit the DVD’s database for more information.
Dog Day Afternoon Two-Disc Special Edition is available at Amazon and at AmazonUK . Visit the DVD’s database for more information.
There are currently no comments for this article. Be the first to comment! (no registration required)