Jan Svankmajer DVDs

[Theodore W. Corona]

I have Alice and Faust and would like to buy more of his work and especially his 'shorts'. I love the claymotion of Darkness Light Darkness.
Does anyone know of a comprehensive listing of his stuff available on DVD and a good supplier.

Thankyou in advance.

[Mister Chalk]

Michael Brooke's site at www.illumin.co.uk/svank (http://www.illumin.co.uk/svank) is comprehensive up to '98, which appears to be the last time it was updated.

Typing "Svankmajer" in the amazon.com search box reveals that Conspirators of Pleasure is also available on R1 DVD. I vaguely remember hearing somewhere that Little Otik is out on Czech DVD, but can't recall any details.

If you're interested in bonkers animation, you could do worse than look at the Brothers Quay (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/6305957681/qid=1009814146/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_10_1/104-6103176-0567166)

[Michael Brooke]

There are four Svankmajer DVDs that I'm aware of - <I>Alice, Faust</I> and <I>Conspirators of Pleasure</I> are all out on various US labels, while <I>Otesánek</I> is out on a Region 2 Czech disc (with English subtitles). I've reviewed all but the last of these for DVD Times - see the link at the top of the page for further details.

Sadly, just two of the 26 shorts are available - <I>Darkness/Light/Darkness</I> accompanies <I>Alice</I> while <I>Food</I> is the support for <I>Conspirators of Pleasure</I>. I'd be amazed if there wasn't a shorts compilation in the offing - though as Krátky Films, the producer of most of them, went bust a few years ago, there may be complications.

[Gromit]

can't help with your question but welcome to the forums Theodore W. Corona :)

[Theodore W. Corona]

Michael Brooke and Mister Chalk, thankyou again for your help, it's much appreciated.
I will add the two DVDs to my must have list for 2002. A great way to start my new year purchasing.

Incidentally Michael, congrats on a very interesting and informative web site.
I'll check out the reviews when time permits.

Thanks for the welcome Gromit.

;)

[Julian K]

Theodore, you may want to petition the British Film Institute, whose Connoiseur label released two VHS volumes of Svankmajer shorts. They may still have rights to the material in the UK.

[blessthemess]

Im new to animation....

juss started off wif THE BROTHERS QUAY's 10-shorts on DVD.... no, no INSTITUTE BENJAMENTA yet.... nor the other newer one.... anyone seen those???? Anyone care for a commentary?

where should i start wif SVANKMAJER???? :D

[Michael Brooke]

Although I have plenty of reservations about it, I think <I>Alice</I> would be as good a starting-point as any - if only because it has more animation than any other Svankmajer feature (the rest are mostly live action), and also because the DVD contains the outstanding claymation short <I>Darkness/Light/Darkness</I>.

<I>Institute Benjamenta</I> is out on DVD, but is not recommended for beginners or indeed animation fans: there's virtually none of the latter, and it's most likely to appeal to fans of Tarkovsky, Dreyer and other European arthouse directors of a similar slow-paced, deliberate feel.