Not looking god for a cinema release downunder!

[bosko]

Hello everyone

I've been reading these boards for quite a while now, but only had something to say now. I emailed Australia's independent/art house distributor/cinema (DENDY) about the project, here is what I said:

Hello there Dendy,

Just following a little english production of War of the Worlds by a studio called 'Pendragon Pictures', and enquiring about whether 'Dendy' will be the Australian Distributor of the film of the March 30th release date?

Thanks for the help.

Mike .......

(here's a link to their website and film - www.pendragonpictures.com/WOTWKEY.html )

And this was their reply:

Hi Mike,

I haven't heard about this as yet, but this email has come through to Dendy Cinemas, instead of the distributor Dendy Films. I have just gone through the Australian Calender, and as far as I can see, the film doesn't have an Australian distributor as yet.

Sorry I couldn't help you further.

Kind regards,
Trish Whitton
PA to Head of Dendy Cinemas
Marketing and Publicity Coordinator
Dendy Cinemas Head Office
261-263 King St,
Newtown NSW 2042 Australia
612 8594 9000 (t)
612 9519 8602 (f)

So I'm guessing Australia won't be getting this film on the big screen, and I will have to import the DVD from UK or US as our DVD distributors a terrible. Or I could be completely wrong

[themotile]

I applaud your efforts entirely, I think the heatray did the same thing in another thread and got the same result.

I would point however that it is not a little english production of War of the Worlds as Pendragon Pictures is based in Seatle W, most of the actors and actresses are American, the SFX are being done by Americans in America, the director is American. It was simply filmed in England as that is the correct setting.

[dudalb]

"It was simply filmed in England as that is the correct setting. "
That is incorrect.
Most of it was shot in Washington State. If they did film in England it was only some Second Unit stuff (establishing footage etc).
But it is amazing how many people are assuming ..probably from the name...that this is a UK production.
And it is not looking any better for a theartical release on March 30th.anywhere else..including the US.
It would be almost impossible to book and distriubite even on a "Art House" level between now and March 3oth.
I am witholding any judgement about the film it self, but I will state that Pendragon has dropped the ball on publicity and marketing on this film. You need at least a month to effective promote and advertise a film.
I would be flabbergasted if the film is out On the 3oth.

[themotile]

dudalb said:

"It was simply filmed in England as that is the correct setting. "
That is incorrect.
Most of it was shot in Washington State. If they did film in England it was only some Second Unit stuff (establishing footage etc).

I did not know that. If thats right then its another mental nail in the coffin as far as I am concerned. Can that be verified?

I did read that "while they were filming in England it was under the working title of the Great Boer War" was that the second unit?

[dudalb]

" did read that "while they were filming in England it was under the working title of the Great Boer War" was that the second unit? "
I am not stating for a fact they had a second unit. I have come to take everything that Pendragon says with more than a grain of salt.
I will state for a fact the pricipal photogrpahy was done in Washington state...as the thread from the Stables in Washington whose horses were used in the filming proves. It makes no sense to ship horses from Washinton to the UK when UK has more then enough horses and riders and reenactmentors to go around.
Actually, I have no problem with them shooting in Washington...parts of it do look like England (and Yes, I have spent time in England) but be honest about it.

[themotile]

Its nat that they filmed it in Washington its that they filmed it in their own back yard (so to speak) and one of the main defence points in regards to the budget was that to film over in England would have been expensive but now thats out of the window. Where did that money go, I hope the DVD is kick ass, its not as if they cant afford it.

[BrutalDeluxe]

Nice work Bosko, you already did what I was thinking of doing! I think we will get it down here. I can think of at least four independent cinemas in Victoria alone so surely one can get their mits on it.

[Gerkinman]

Theres one independant cinema up here *around Byron Bay that is* but i highly doubt we will see it surface in Aus

[bosko]

I apologise to everyone for my spelling errors, I even spelt 'good' wrong in the title of the thread

I didn't realise that it was shot mainly in the US, I don't think that should detract from the imagery of the film, as long as they get the same effect on the screen as they would if they shot in England at the turn of the last century.

Anway, hello to all those Aussie people on here, and the rest of the gang

I might try "Palace Cinemas" next, as they are another arthouse/foreign distributor in Australia. I'll post the result of the email when I hear back!

[Bayne]

[glow=red,2,300]I sure hope Australia gets a cinema release.. cause I will go totally spare if other people get to see it before me!
[/glow]

[dudalb]

Hines had stated in a interview that the film will only get a theatrical release of limited proportions in Five cities in the US, and go to DVD in June.
Some worldwide release.

[Bayne]

[glow=red,2,300]I'm saddened but...
It's better than no release at all. With all the legal squables it looked doubtful at one point whether it would be released.
[/glow]