And so ends a controversial, but influential career.
De Laurentiis is certainly a divisive and polarizing figure. His vast resume is clear, and his financial input has led to many successful films, even some cult classics. He's certainly well known for the many fantasy, science fiction and action-packed movies. However, his infamous creative ideas have resulted in cinematic disasters like Dune, Orca, the first remake of King Kong and... well, let's just say his films' quality is all over the map.
Conan the Barbarian may well have suffered a similar fate if de Laurentiis had his way, with rumours of his desire for a pop soundtrack instead of Poledouris' phenomenal score scaring the bejeezus out of me. Luckily, John Milius isn't the sort of guy to kowtow to Hollywood types - unluckily, it means he wasn't asked onboard for Conan the Destroyer, and Richard Fleischer seemed a lot more likely to adopt de Laurentiis' ideas. What we got was a more family-friendly Conan - one that Roger Ebert seemed to advocate and even prefer over Conan the Barbarian - and arguably, one that led to the crashing halt of the Conan film franchise. Then Red Sonja came along and soured Arnold on the very idea of doing new Conan movies.
It seems unfair to discuss the "warts and all" aspect of a man after his death, but in my mind, it just showed how powerful and influential he became. He could make or break a film based on his input. Sometimes his gambles paid off, sometimes they didn't: sometimes a film benefitted from his input, sometimes it didn't; sometimes he backed off and let a director do his thing, sometimes he didn't.
Whatever one thinks of the man's handling of beloved franchises like Dune, King Kong and, yes, Conan, it is clear that de Laurentiis had a part in the creation of some truly fantastic films. Not only the magnificent, flawed, infuriating Conan the Barbarian, but the likes of Manhunter, Death Wish, Blue Velvet, Serpico, and others. Truly a remarkable career.
To repeat what I said over at the REH Forum...
ReplyDeleteWell said, Al.
I will admit to seeing his Konk in the theatre, and liking it (up to the point they called back the fighters.) And to preferring his version of Dune over the SeeFail version.
As for Flash Gordon, it's rather like my views on CtB--GREAT music, hot babes, and cool visuals (and, of course, Brian-THE MAN-Blessed being, well, himself.)
In the end, people will remember him the way they remember Lew Grade; a combination of "What was he thinking when he made that?" and "Damn! That was a great movie!"
Tex
(having trouble wrapping his brain around the fact that it's 30 years next month since Flash Gordon was released)
I agree with Tex--well said, Al. Conan the Barbarian, Flash Gordon, Blue Velvet (a truly great film) and Manhunter are among my favorite movies, and I even enjoy the heck out of Dune though I realize its considerable flaws.
ReplyDeleteCheers, guys.
ReplyDeleteI will admit to seeing his Konk in the theatre, and liking it (up to the point they called back the fighters.)
I still prefer it over the Jackson version. Jackson's is much better made technically, but it's just a film I'm never going to like.
And to preferring his version of Dune over the SeeFail version.
Has Siffy even made a film worth a damn? You'd think a channel dedicated to science fiction would do a better job.
As for Flash Gordon, it's rather like my views on CtB--GREAT music, hot babes, and cool visuals (and, of course, Brian-THE MAN-Blessed being, well, himself.)
Don't forget Timothy Dalton, he was great. I also think my man Max von Sydow does a fantastic job.
In the end, people will remember him the way they remember Lew Grade; a combination of "What was he thinking when he made that?" and "Damn! That was a great movie!"
Pretty much, yeah.
I agree with Tex--well said, Al. Conan the Barbarian, Flash Gordon, Blue Velvet (a truly great film) and Manhunter are among my favorite movies, and I even enjoy the heck out of Dune though I realize its considerable flaws.
Oh, me too. It's just a shame Dune was so sabotaged (by Dino in many cases), because it really could have been wonderful. The music rules, too.
King Kong of 1976 is a version that see the natives in the island as human beings, Orca is another great favourite of mine
ReplyDeleteFrancisco
King Kong of 1976 is a version that see the natives in the island as human beings, Orca is another great favourite of mine
ReplyDeleteI liked that version of Kong more than Jackson's for the very simple and arbitrary reason that Kong doesn't fight any dinosaurs in it. It's interesting that the '76 version is the only one to portray the islands as something other than berserk mindless savages.
Plus Jessica Lang.
I haven't seen Orca, myself, though the idea of an animal hunting down the people responsible for the death of a family member intrigues me. After all, I like Benchley's The Beast.