Allen Garfield
(born Allen Goorwitz; November 22, 1939 – April 7, 2020)
COVID-19 has claimed a great character actor, Mr. Allen Garfield.
He’s in some key 70s films, like Coppola’s The Conversation (1974) and Altman’s Nashville (1975), along with The Candidate (1972), Friedkin’s The Brinks Job (1978) and The Stunt Man (1980). And he’s got a great part in one of my all-time favorites, Slither (1973, above).
Filed under 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, Francis Ford Coppola, James Caan, Richard Rush, Robert Altman, William Friedkin
Directed by William Friedkin
Starring Peter Falk, Peter Boyle, Allen Garfield, Warren Oates, Gena Rowlands, Paul Sorvino
After the box-office failure of his masterpiece Sorcerer (1977), William Friedkin turned out a gem of a heist picture, The Brink’s Job (1978).
It’s a shamefully overlooked movie — from a script by Walon Green who wrote Sorcerer and The Wild Bunch (1969), and I’m so happy to hear it’s getting a Blu-Ray release from Kino Lorber. Can’t wait.
Filed under 1978, DVD/Blu-ray News, Kino Lorber, Peter Falk, Warren Oates, William Friedkin
Directed by William Friedkin
Starring Roy Scheider, Bruno Cremer, Francisco Rabal, Amidou, Ramon Bieri
You may not know that William Friedkin’s Sorcerer (1977) is one of my favorite movies — so much so that I dedicated a blog to it alone.
It’s always good news to see the 4K restoration of this maligned masterpiece come available in some form in some part of the world. The latest is a special 40th anniversary edition from British label Entertainment One. It’ll be out November 6th.
Special Features and Technical Specs:
• Sorcerers – A Conversation with William Friedkin & Nicolas Winding Refn
• The Mystery of Fate – A letter from director William Friedkin
• Newly commissioned artwork to celebrate the 40th Anniversary
• Reversible sleeve containing newly commissioned & original artwork
Filed under 1977, DVD/Blu-ray News, Roy Scheider, William Friedkin
The French Connection (1971), one of my favorite films, is a long way from a Christmas movie. But here’s Gene Hackman in a Santa outfit in one of the opening scenes. “Have you ever been in Poughkeepsie?”
Merry Christmas to you all.
Filed under 1971, Gene Hackman, Roy Scheider, William Friedkin
