It's ALL True on DVD in 11/2004

[Jeff Wilson]

According to the linked post from Home Theater Forum, the documentary It's All True will see release on November 30 of this year, No details as to any potential extras, though I don't imagine there will be any, given the low profile of this title.

Paramount Catalog releases

[R Kadin]

I'm going to guess that it will just be a transfer of the 1993 VHS version, reviews of which seem to be rather conflicting. While one can always hope for things like an enhanced restoration and additional supporting materials, hard-nosed business reasons for investing the added time and trouble don't exactly over-runneth the cup, so to speak.

As a labour of love, maybe? A profile-enhancing exercise for the Paramount image, perhaps? Sure - why not leave a little room for some optimisim?

Anyway, has anyone out there had a good look at the earlier product and, if so, what's your take?

[Flint]

WOW! Great News!

R. Kadin-
I saw the video several years ago, but the thing I remember most is the striking cinematography. Especially in the "Three Men and a Raft" segment, which I believe was shot mostly by Welles himself after the studio had tried to pull the plug on the project and he opted to stay behind with a minimal crew. Extras or no, I can't wait!!

-Flint.

[savehollywood]

I have the VHS. It is actually a very nice quality. If you can find it, probably no need to buy the DVD... unless it has extra features, of course.

However, I personally found "It's All True" to be a rather static documentary... and the footage, although beautifully shot and in focus, was not something I care to invest in another edition of...

Give me the "One Man Band" DVD, then I'll giggle...

[Christopher]

The Museum of Modern Art in New York had a special showing of the "It's All True" documentary some years ago, which I saw and found more heartbreaking than anything else. The footage of the "Three Men in a Raft" sequence, even without sound, hints at what Welles's film might have been, had he been allowed to finish it. So, at best, in my view, the documentary is tantalizing, saddening and not that interesting, overall, except as a postmortem.

[Roger Ryan]

Following along the idea that even unfinished fragments should be allowed in the Welles canon proper (i.e. "The Dreamers"), I think the restoration of "Four Men and a Raft" is a wonderful addition. Apart from Welles' missing narration, the sequence feels complete and certainly shows that Welles was crafting something much more artistic than what the bad RKO press would lead one to believe.