Shadows [Criterion Collection]

Director: John Cassavetes

Overview

"The concept of independent filmmaking didn't really exist in 1957 (and underground movies were unknown to anyone beyond a tiny handful of bohemians in New York and the West Coast) when John Cassavetes gathered together some students from the acting works

Product Details

Release Date:	02/17/2009
UPC:	0037429187722
Original Release:	1959
Rating:	PG
Source:	CRITERION
Presentation:	[B&W]
Sound:	[Dolby Digital Mono]
Language:	English
Time:	1:21:00
Sales rank:	30,695

Special Features

Video interviews with actress Lelia Goldoni and associate producer Seymour Cassel; Rare silent 16mm footage of John Cassavetes and Burt Lane's acting workshop; Restoration demonstration; Stills gallery featuring rare behind-the-scenes production photos; Theatrical trailer; A booklet featuring an essay by critic Gary Giddins and a 1961 article by Cassavetes

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Lelia Goldoni	Lelia
Ben Carruthers	Ben
Hugh Hurd	Hugh
Anthony Ray	Tony,Tony
Rupert Crosse	Rupe
Tom Allen	Tom
Dennis Sallas	Dennis
Davey Jones	Davey
David Pokitillow	David
Pir Marini	Pir
Victoria Vargas	Victoria
Jack Ackerman	Jack
Jacqueline Walcott	Jacqueline
Cliff Carnell	Brawler
Jay Grecco	Brawler
Ronald Maccone	Brawler
Bob Rech	Taxi Driver
Joyce Miles	Girl in Restaurant
Nancy Deale	Girl in Restaurant
Gigi Brooks	Girl in Restaurant
Lynn Hamilton	Girl at Party
Marilyn Clark	Girl at Party
Joanne Sages	Girl at Party
Jed McGarvey	Girl at Party
Greta Thyssen	Girl at Party
David Jones	David
John Cassavetes	Actor
Charles Mingus	Composer
Shifi Hadi	Composer

Technical Credits

John Cassavetes

John Cassavetes	Screenwriter
Maurice McEndree	Producer
Nikos Papatakis	Producer,Producer

Scene Index

Disc #1 -- Shadows
1. The Pickup [:18]
2. The Rehearsal [6:19]
3. The Act [7:31]
4. The Sculpture Garden [5:45]
5. Literary Party [6:27]
6. The Date [5:21]
7. The Family [10:18]
8. A Few Cats Come By [11:33]
9. Lucky Day [8:19]
10. Slow Dance [6:45]
11. The Happiness Boys [5:06]
12. Color Bars [8:16]

Menu

Disc #1 -- Shadows
Play the Movie
Chapters
Lelia Goldoni Interview
Play
Seymour Cassel Interview
Play
Workshop Footage
Play
Restoration Demonstration
Play
Stills Gallery
Trailer

Editorial Reviews

John Cassavetes' Shadows is one of the most important and influential movies of American independent cinema. Shot on location in New York City in gritty, naturalistic black-and-white, it was one of the first American efforts to exhibit the urgent, spontaneous look and feel of French New Wave films. Cassavetes had been a reasonably well-known actor, but his first directorial effort was a world apart from the popular dramas of the era. Shadows set the tone for personal, independently made features for decades to come: it tackled controversial subject matter, featured a cast of unknowns, and had a distinctly unprofessional veneer in most technical aspects. The candidness of the performances and the audacity of the director set it apart: the script was largely influenced by the actors during their rehearsals. In initial screenings, Shadows was shunned by audiences; Cassavetes reworked much of it and re-released the film to greater success.