Film

Windjammer (Digital)

Windjammer (Digital)

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Cert:(u)
Dir. Louis de Rochemont III, Bill Colleran
Norway/USA , 142 mins, 1958
Cast: Captain Yngvar Kjelstrup and the crew of the Christian Radich, Lasse Kolstad, Harald Tusberg, Kaare Terland, Pablo Casals, Arthur Fiedler and the Boston “Pops” Orchestra, Wilbur de Paris and his New Orleans Jazz Band

European Digital Premier

Come onboard the magnificent Norwegian square-rigger as it sails its spectacular 17,000 mile journey, manned by a crew of young sailors-in-training, all photographed in the widescreen splendor of Cinemiracle, Cinerama’s only true competitor to thrill 1950’s audiences by sheer size and clarity. Now digitally restored, the colour, the music, the true artistry of this classic is reborn.

Embarking from Olso, Norway, the ship sets out across the Atlantic with storm-tossed stops in Madeira, where New Year’s festivities entice the young crewmen to enjoy Portuguese musical celebrations and heart-racing rides in basket sleds down steep cobblestone streets. On to Willemstead, Curacao, the boys take part in Dutch festivities, with plenty of food and pretty girls. They catch a courtyard performance of Pablo Casals in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, they’re greeted by native steel bands and Calypso singers.

By the time they arrive in New York, the Cinemiracle cameras offer a kaleidoscopic treat of colour and sound. An encounter with the U.S. Navy Task Force makes for a grand promenade of ships, including a gigantic aircraft carrier and underwater shots of frogmen and a submerged submarine are exciting, but when the sub emerges from the depths to reveal the Windjammer, Cinemiracle becomes the star of this breathtaking story.

In the young crew’s honour, just prior to returning home to Oslo, Arthur Fiedler conducts the Boston “Pops” Symphony Orchestra, with crewman Cadet Sven Erik Libaek – then a budding pianist – playing a solo in the program. Morton Gould’s top-notch score and fine variety of music throughout the picture, sounds perfect in Cinemiracle’s 7-channel sound recording. Seen digitally, the picture hasn’t looked and sounded as good since its original theatrical engagements, over 50 years ago.

This screening sponsored by Cinerama, Inc.

Other films showing as part of the Widescreen Weekend are:

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