|
|
Post by Virgil Reality on May 26, 2004 23:47:19 GMT 8
There are more screen captures from Deathwatch now online, including behind the scenes and deleted scenes and other goodies from the DVD extras such as the mudwrestling scene. It's interesting how much older Hans looks there than in the pics of Nero and the publicity shots from Nero, considering it's over two years ago - must be the short hair. |
|
|
|
Post by Robin on Jun 24, 2004 10:55:45 GMT 8
What I would love to know, but have yet to find out:
Why did our beloved, talented Hans opt to take such a minor role with virtually no dialogue and an early exit?
Deathwatch has some pretty heavy themes about war and religion to ponder, so why didn't Hans choose a role that was integral to the plot?
|
|
|
|
Post by Elizabeth on Jun 25, 2004 3:51:47 GMT 8
Good question. Hm, perhaps Hans wasn't interested in any of the larger roles?
|
|
|
|
Post by Xavier on Jun 25, 2004 11:34:25 GMT 8
Maybe he joined the project too late.
Was he filming Zhivago at the same time he was filming Deathwatch?
Look at his full head of hair in Deathwatch, compared to the crew cuts of the other actors. His hair was really long, and he was almost wearing it the same way in Zhivago.
I think both films were shot partially in the Czech Republic.
Why was this film initially banned in the U.S.A.?
|
|
|
|
Post by Virgil Reality on Jun 25, 2004 15:43:03 GMT 8
Deathwatch was filmed late 2001 and Doctor Zhivago from Feb- May of 2002 - both in Prague (though the first shooting location for DZ was Slovakia). But the director and producer of DZ had to go to Prague to audition Hans, according to the DVd interviews so he would have be preparing, keeping his options open, I would think. I'm also guess that he's a guy who likes to keep his hair longer- I can imagine him saying "What's the shortest I can get away with"
Actually the reasons he accepted that project intrigue me, assuminghemakes choices and isn't just grateful for any job that comes up. I also wonder how much this DZ casting possibility impacted on his participation. He must have been reading scripts,distracted by the possibilities etc and there was a lot of on- the- spot improvising on the set - the impression I've gained from listening to Michael Basset's comments.
I kind of assume he was attracted by the potential War is horror theme cos I would place him as a pacifist (yeah, Like I know - just extrapolating but so far my strike rate's pretty good) I also get the impression from Andy Serkis's commentary that they had to flesh out some fairly underwritten roles. It's obvious from MBs commentary who his favourites were and they have the larger roles -I think it was cast that way.
I never heard it was banned in the US Maybe it was bad timing, what with Iraq and all that?
|
|
|
|
Post by Shars on Jun 25, 2004 23:14:38 GMT 8
I don't think it was ever actually banned in the US, but we seem to have a problem getting foreign films in general. I like to joke that we never get to see British films because Americans don't like to read subtitles! Shars  |
|
|
|
Post by Robin on Jun 26, 2004 7:59:46 GMT 8
Zan:
Deathwatch wasn't banned. The film studio that produced Deathwatch was held back in releasing it in the U.S. due to a dispute over the title.
You may buy it in the U.S.
|
|
|
|
Post by Virgil Reality on Jul 4, 2004 13:22:22 GMT 8
 Released in the US on June 22nd by Lion's Gate |
|
|
|
Post by Elizabeth on Jul 5, 2004 1:46:24 GMT 8
Thanks  |
|
|
|
Post by Robin on Jul 11, 2004 12:05:49 GMT 8
I was thinking about the full head of hair comment that was made earlier.
There's a reason why Hans had long hair in this one.
Deathwatch explores religious themes, Heaven, Hell, Purgatory.
Hans combs back his beautiful, dark locks during the opening credits. Vanity. Pure vanity. Plus the harmonica, for pleasure. He's the first one killed, thanks to his vanity. His character is more concerned with his looks than the enemy soldier being tortured.
Each British soldier who's killed has committed a moral sin. Except for Shakespeare (Jaime Bell).
|
|
|
|
Post by Xavier on Jul 13, 2004 8:24:08 GMT 8
Yes, I understand that, and I read messages over on imdb about this.
There'a a flaw, though.
Isn't it a moral sin for the 16 year old Shakespeare to enlist himself in a war, thinking that he's man enough to handle it? Arrogance against Death, isn't it? He's taking on Death, and that is also a moral sin.
|
|
|
|
Post by Robin on Jul 13, 2004 11:39:19 GMT 8
"Isn't it a moral sin for the 16 year old Shakespeare to enlist himself in a war, thinking that he's man enough to handle it?"
According to the director, Shakespeare is talked into enlisting (by none other than Hawkstone himself, played by Hans!). Ergo, he's innocent. A sacrificial lamb.
Not to mention that director Bassett is a young kid himself, so of course Shakepeare is a perfect, innocent, person.
Mind you, we don't SEE Shakespeare enlisting, we have to take the director's word for it.
|
|
|
|
Post by Virgil Reality on Jul 13, 2004 19:27:04 GMT 8
I hadn't really thought of it quite that way. Did you mean that each character represents one of the "Seven Deadly Sins" or just flawed mmorality generally
When does this happen? He's grooming his hair during the credits. I always got that he was supposed to be the pretty boy and the cynical one but I never really felt he did anything that made him deserve to be one of the victims.
I missed this too. Did he mention this - that it was Hawkstone who convinced Shakespeare to enlist- in the directors sommentary or elsewhere?
|
|
|
|
Post by Robin on Jul 14, 2004 6:15:52 GMT 8
Just flawed morality. I didn't see a representation of each sin. There is another seen in which Hawkstone is playing his harmonica, after the German soldier is captured. Plus, with the exception of Shakespeare, the Minister, and the wounded guy, none of the soldiers attempt to "be nice" to the German soldier; they either abuse him, or ignore the abuse. Michael said this (Shakespeare's enlistment) on his own website, it was in one of the articles, and his journal. www.michaelbassett.com/pages/layout.htm
|
|
|
|
Post by JenoWhatIMean on Feb 4, 2005 4:45:16 GMT 8
Was at my local Blockbuster today and saw Deathwatch oin the new releases shelf! Don't know how long it's been there, but it was cool to just stumble across it!
|
|
