The White Countess

[Benny Holiday]

I wonder if anyone else has seen this movie? I caught it in a 1930's Art Deco picture palace the other day, which was fitting given the movie's setting in 1936/37.

I found it a bit slow in places, and I was wondering where it was going at times, but all in all it was an interesting story. For the most part, the clothing and scenery looked quite period correct. I couldn't help but think of Wild Root when Ralph Fiennes appears at the racetrack in a cream linen beltback suit!

The story revolves around the relationship between a blind American diplomat and a Russian Countess who'd fled to Shanghai after the Revolution. She's been forced by circumstance to support her family by earning money as a taxi dancer (and the movie hints at worse), but she becomes the 'centerpiece' of the diplomat's dream nightclub, a woman of beauty and sorrow to add atmosphere and mystique to his venue.

Of course, as the movie moves along, and the year shifts from '36 to '37, the Japaneses invasion of China looms ever closer . . .

 

[renor27]

good film

A nice film yet there was a big problem with a prop that got to me. Once again a director wanted to put a motorcyle with sidecar in a film ( not really sure just why ) any way the bike that was used was a copy of the BMW R71. Which started production in 1938. The R71 has an interesting history built by BMW some say stolen by the USSR some say blue prints give to the USSR and the USSR built them durning the war. In the 1950s the USSR gave the blue prints to the PCR. The Russians still build the bikes to day they are known as Urals or R72s, the PRC also builds the bike and uses them with their military. The bike in the movie is a PRC copy. As a rider of vintage BMW with sidecar it drives me nuts when directors put the copies in films, there are plenty of real vintage BMW out there and many of the owners would be happy to " leand " the bike to a film just to make sure that the bikes used are historicaly correct
David

 

[Baggers]

A nice film yet there was a big problem with a prop that got to me. Once again a director wanted to put a motorcyle with sidecar in a film ( not really sure just why ) any way the bike that was used was a copy of the BMW R71. Which started production in 1938. The R71 has an interesting history built by BMW some say stolen by the USSR some say blue prints give to the USSR and the USSR built them durning the war. In the 1950s the USSR gave the blue prints to the PCR. The Russians still build the bikes to day they are known as Urals or R72s, the PRC also builds the bike and uses them with their military. The bike in the movie is a PRC copy. As a rider of vintage BMW with sidecar it drives me nuts when directors put the copies in films, there are plenty of real vintage BMW out there and many of the owners would be happy to " leand " the bike to a film just to make sure that the bikes used are historicaly correct
David

Was the bike featured prominently, or was it only in one or two scenes? If it wasn't being used like the bike in "Motorcycle Diaries," then I'm willing to bet that it was simply a budget call. If the film was shooting in the PRC, it would be a no brainer to use a Chinese made copy if a real one wasn't available locally. In fact, if I were the Producer I'd fire the guy who thought it was a good idea to spend money shipping in a classic BMW for one or two shots. If I'm making a picture about motorcycles, maybe I can justify it. But if I'm shooting a movie about people and relationships, I'm probably going to place my budget priorities elsewhere. Unless you're willing to ship your bike anywhere in the world ON YOUR OWN DIME as a service to the moviemaking community, this situation will not change.

I'm all for historical accuracy, but sometimes it just doesn't make fiscal sense. It's all about the illusion. Be happy they used the clone and not something that was totally out of place!

Cheers!