Hearts and Armour (Giacomo Battiato, 1983)

[Anthony1uk]

Thought I would start my first thread on the new forums and hopefully start a discussion on this truly lost gem of a movie.

I have actually had it on Ex Rental VHS since around the late 80's but had not watched it in around 17 years.

After reading on IMDB of a retelling of this story is being made with John Malkovich and other big names I decided to setup the old VCR to watch this again.

Needless to say I was completely knocked back with how good it was, I would probably go as far to say it is up there as one of my favorite movies now. The story, music and fight scenes were excellent (although some had some terrible, almost laughably bad, effects)

The transfer was an abomination however as it was clearly filmed as 2.35:1 and the VHS was dreadful 4:3 P/S.

In the fight scenes you could see the screen artificially panning continuously back and forth desperately trying to keep up with the action.

Character discussions had people completely cut off from view throughout also.

But forgetting the transfer the film was great, and I can't believe it has not been released onto DVD yet, especially any where in Europe given that some of the stars went on to bigger things in Europe.

Anybody else saw this one, and if so I am curious what others thought.

Also if in the future anyone hears of a Euro DVD release please post back here as this is a definite purchase for me now.

[mark meakin]

I quite liked the film apparently cut down from a much longer Italian mini-series which must have surely harmed the film in some ways.I thought the film's music is superb and though not a great actress Tanya Roberts looked gorgeous.The Warner video released in the UK is incidently missing a nasty horsefall so we will never get an uncut release over here though the original cut could be reduced with more careful editing.I also liked the armour designs for the various characters.I too would love to be informed if the film does eventually get a DVD release.