Dispatches – Tue. Dec. 30, 2014 – Recommended Viewing Tonight on TCM Hi Folks, A great picture is on TCM tonight. Watch, enjoy and learn. 8:00 PM – Topkapi (1964) – 119 min. Dir: Jules Dassin DP: Henri Alekan Commentary – Plot Teaser – A caper film about an elaborate heist planned for a jeweled dagger carefully secured in the famous Topkapi museum in Istanbul, Turkey. -- -- Set against an intriguing ambiance of colors, elegance, richness, grit, romance, and—best of all—make-believe, Topkapi is an entertaining and suspenseful thriller with great location photography throughout Istanbul, Turkey with some scene filmed in Kavala, Greece. The film hosts a superb cast including some of the most notable and beloved character actors: Melina Mercouri, Peter Ustinov, and Robert Morley. This is a must see picture for Film Students, in particular aspiring Cinematographers, Art Directors and Locations Scouts/Managers. Note the outstanding visual treatment of exterior and interior locations, especially the interior lighting, bearing in mind this film was shot in 1964 with slow speed color film. Eastman Color Negative 5251 50T, introduced in 1962, was most likely the stock of choice. Eastman Color Negative 5254/7254 100T was introduced in 1964, probably too late for “Topkapi” principle photography. Technical Note: For Film and Media Students who might not be familiar with Eastman nomenclature: 50T and 100T, etc., indicate the speed - ASA or ISO - of the film stock. The film’s color balance is indicated by T or D. “T” stands for Tungsten and “D” for Daylight. Seek out additional background information if interest motivates. Production Notes – The title of the film refers to the Topkapi palace that was built in 1459 by the Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II after the fall of the Byzantine Empire (1453). Ottoman sultans made the Topkapi palace a primary residence for 400 years. It became a museum in 1924. Its hundreds of rooms display numerous collections of historical and religious artifacts, treasures and jewelry. Topkapi means Cannon Gate in the Turkish language. Memorable Movie Lines – “Topkapi” Maj. Ali Tufan: What made you suspect they are Russian spies? Arthur Simon Simpson (Peter Ustinov): I deduced it, sir. Maj. Ali Tufan: From what? Arthur Simon Simpson: From the cook, sir. Maj. Ali Tufan: What did the cook say? Arthur Simon Simpson: That they were Russian spies. Maj. Ali Tufan: A clever deduction. --- --- --- Thoughts – (When asked what a cinematographers job really was) “To obtain psychological reactions out of mere technical means.” - Henri Alekan (1909-2001) - renowned French cinematographer, perhaps best known to American audiences for his exceptional lensing of “Roman Holiday” (1953) (Dir: William Wyler) for which he received an Oscar nomination for Best Cinematography. ---- ---- ---- ---- Enjoy and learn from the magic. Engage and absorb new ideas with respect and conviction in a 360/Spherical thought process and a dynamic sense of vision. Be safe out there – especially on the roads tomorrow afternoon and most certainly into the evening and night. Many New Year’s Eve partygoers tend to drink too much and drive irresponsibly. Frost
Posted on: Tue, 30 Dec 2014 21:57:24 +0000
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