Controversial Classics Wave 2 DVD Review

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The second wave of Warner Brothers “Controversial Classics” all contain extensive retrospectives featuring key filmmakers reflecting on the work, but there’s just no passion. They cover all the aspects of the film’s making and its impact on society, but there’s no sense of why it was so meaningful. It’s all facts and talking heads, no art.

For example, on the Network DVD they have everyone talking about the “Mad as Hell” line, which is still quoted today. They recall incidents of the line catching on, but it’s still just talking heads. Even when they get passionate about it, there’s no context other than “people talking about an old movie.” Even having everyone repeat the line just feels like a gimmick, not a genuine expression.

As a historical record, you get an hour of documentary on each film. That’s recorded forever now, so in 100 years, when we’re on holographic DVD, we will have a chronicle of the films. And getting stars like Al Pacino and Faye Dunaway to do interviews is wonderful.

But as a fan of these films who happened to be born after each one was released, I wanted a sense of what it felt like to experience these films as they were unleashed on society. That’s not here. It’s just like watching a modern DVD with all the regular EPK crews.

A few of the Network extras transcend a little bit. A Walter Kronkite piece gives you a real newsman’s perspective, a Dinah! talk show appearance by Paddy Chayevsky has the most real passion, and a TCM interview with Sydney Lumet feels far more colloquial than the behind the scenes setup.

Obviously, Network, Dog Day Afternoon and All the President’s Men are important films worth owning, but unless you’re doing a report or something, I can’t see delving into all the extras.