The Tales of Hoffmann, a filmed opera from Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger, opens in a brand-new 4K restoration at The Film Forum this Friday.
Scorsese’s long-time Oscar-winning editor (and the wife of the late Michael Powell) Thelma Schoonmaker supervised the restoration.
I was so happy to get a chance to talk with her about Tales of Hoffmann. She is in Taipei, on location with Scorsese, and we hooked up via transatlantic conference call. I’ve admired her work forever. It was a true treat to get to speak with her.
My interview with Thelma Schoonmaker about The Tales of Hoffmann.
I enjoyed the interview. I knew nothing about the movie, Tales of Hoffmann, now I want to track it down.
It’s sheer spectacle. It really can’t be compared to anything else – it’s its own thing.
Thanks for reading. I loved speaking with her!
Well that was fascinating. The relationship between Director and Editor is really interesting to me, and clearly she and Marty have a special karma between them.
She edited the greatest movie ever in Goodfellas. She speaks on a commentary track about how the best editor in the world can’t create a good movie without getting strong footage from the director. She specifically mentioned the “swish pan” towards the end of Goodfellas when Ray Liotta throws the bag full of guns into his trunk and then the camera zips up to his face. She said something to the effect of “I can’t create that with editing”.
It’s interesting to me that she is on location with a production right now, I wonder how many editors do that, and what the process is like between her and Marty on set.
I love her thoughts on continuity. These people who sit around complaning about the amount of wine in a glass between shots drive me nuts. She understands the story is the thing, not the shot.
I can’t get to the movie tonight unfortunately, but I really want to see it now, knowing how influential it was to Scorcese. It cracks me up to think of him obsessively rewatching this, and fighting with George Romero over who gets the print.
Great stuff, I hope you realize how cool it is to be able to talk to someone so iconic!
Todd – It was so cool! It definitely took some organizing because of her time constraints and the fact that she is in Taipei – but it all worked out and she was so generous and open and enthusiastic. She loved talking about this movie!
The story of him and George fighting over the one print is CLASSIC. George Romero’s comments on the film are even more over-the-top enthusiastic than Scorsese’s. He’s introducing the film tomorrow at the FF and I was hoping to go and see him in person – The whole film set his imagination free. It made him realize what cinema could be, that it doesn’t have to be literal, that … Jeez … you can basically do ANYthing. It’s still inspiring to him. (Touching moment: George Romero is flying to New York on his own dime to introduce the film at the FF. He’s not being flown in by Rialto Pictures or anything like that – he’s doing it on his own dime. That’s how strongly he feels about this movie!!)
I have never listened to Thelma’s commentary track on Goodfellas – and now I MUST.
I LOVE that comment from her about the strong footage. So true. I think so many directors rely on their editors to save them – to create something from out of nothing – but her comment shows how shallow that concept really is.
I am sure he and Thelma are in cahoots at all times about their footage – since she is so brilliant and he is so brilliant – it’s a real collaboration there. I love the relationship too between director and editor – fascinating stuff.
And now I definitely need to watch it again to watch the editing in the duel sequence!!
Do you know if Tales of Hoffman is streaming anywhere? I want to check it out.
The commentary track on Goodfellas is one of my favorites. Make sure to look out for cop Jerry at the end of the movie if you watch it again. Best. Movie. Ever.
I wonder how much credit Scorcese would give her for the success of his films. I’m sure a LOT.
Yes, I agree – I’m sure a LOT. I mean, he doesn’t flit around between editors. They probably speak in total shorthand.
I don’t know if Hoffmann is streaming – Criterion did release it awhile back but it’s out of print. I would bet another DVD/Blu-Ray release will be soon to follow with this new restoration.
And look for those weathervanes when you see it. From that first second, I was “in.”
and Todd – so with you on the thoughts on continuity. Nothing bores me more than the “Gotcha!” continuity-watchers – what a terribly boring way to watch a movie.
Schoonmaker has spoken about it before – and it always made me so happy to hear her words on it. It’s very freeing. Because, honestly, who cares.
Sheila
I too never heard of Tales of Hoffmann so reading this was another learning experience. I do think of Thelma Schoonmaker as one of the all time greats, I mean I think she edited ALL of Scorcese’s films. So fascinating to hear of where they got inspiration from. There is a picture of her I saw calmly editing a film, (and I can’t remember which film it was) with Scorcese sitting next to her looking on and looking like a nervous wreck, biting his fingers. One of the all time greatest collaborations ever! I wonder what they are working on now?!
Thelma and Sheila! Great interview!
// with Scorcese sitting next to her looking on and looking like a nervous wreck, biting his fingers. //
Ha! I love their relationship. It really is such a wonderful example of collaboration – so inspiring! And her editing is breath-taking. Bold. You know? It’s such a great match for him and his audacious style.
I, too, am curious about what they are working on!