3 Women [Criterion Collection]

MOVIE DESCRIPTION:

Robert Altman's visually striking exploration of the intermingled personalities of two women finally gets its long-awaited debut on home video with this DVD edition from The Criterion Collection, and the superb results were certainly worth the wait. 3 Women has been given a letterboxed transfer to disc in the widescreen aspect ratio of 2.35:1, which has also has been enhanced for 16 x 9 playback on anamorphic monitors; Altman approved the transfer, which beautifully recreates the color palate and textures of Chuck Rosher's cinematography. The original single-channel audio mix has been preserved for this edition, mastered in Dolby Digital Mono. Bonus materials include a full-length commentary from Robert Altman about the film and his creative process, as well as an extensive gallery of production photos (including shots of the late artist Bodhi Wind creating the murals shown in the film). Criterion's DVD release of 3 Women is a loving presentation of an often-overlooked film, and deserves a place in the library of any fan of Robert Altman's work. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

DVD FEATURES:

• Number of Discs: 1
• Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 (Cinemascope)
• Audio: Dolby Digital Mono
• Screen: Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV
• Features:
  • cc New high-definition digital transfer, with restored image and sound and enhanced for widescreen televisions
  • Audio commentary by director Robert Altman
  • Stills gallery of rare production and publicity stills
  • Original theatrical trailers and television spots
  • English subtitles for the deaf and hearing impaired
  • Optimal image quality: RSDL dual-layer edition

AWARDS

• Cannes Film Festival

•     Won Best Actress - 1977 (Shelley Duvall)

• Los Angeles Film Critics Association

•     Won Best Actress - 1977 (Shelley Duvall)

• New York Film Critics Circle

•     Won Best Supporting Actress - 1977 (Sissy Spacek)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

• Cast:

  
       Shelley Duvall - Millie
       Sissy Spacek - Pinky
       Janice Rule - Willie
       Robert Fortier - Edgar
       Ruth Nelson - Mrs. Rose

• Director:

  Robert Altman

• Producer:

  Robert Altman, Scott Bushnell

• Screenwriter:

  Robert Altman

• Cinematographer:

  Charles Rosher Jr.

• Editor:

  Dennis M. Hill

• Art Director:

  James D. Vance

REVIEWS:

• Few filmmakers short of Luis Buñuel have made better onscreen use of dreams than Robert Altman, and 3 Women is the film in which he most successfully (and disturbingly) captured the hazy logic and off-kilter visual perspectives of the unconscious state. Shelley Duvall delivered the best work of her career as a woman so shallow that it never occurs to her that people are laughing at her behind her back, and Sissy Spacek is brilliant as Pinky, the naive girl who worships her; their emotional give and take as they begin to exchange personalities exemplifies the kind of risky but satisfying performances that Altman knows how to draw from actors. Gerald Busby's quietly troubling, discordant score and Bodhi Wind's surreal artwork are singularly appropriate aural and visual backdrops, while Charles Rosher Jr.'s cinematography layers the images in intoxicating washes of yellow and blue. While Altman has made a career out of endings that don't spell themselves out, the conclusion of 3 Women is both vague and provocative -- have we witnessed the aftermath of a tragedy, a descent into insanity, or a quiet but defiant call to arms? Altman isn't telling, but one can read 3 Women in a number of ways and still walk away convinced that it's a work of singular vision and emotional power from one of the most gifted American filmmakers of his generation. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
• Few filmmakers short of {$Luis Buñuel} have made better onscreen use of dreams than {$Robert Altman}, and {#3 Women} is the film in which he most successfully (and disturbingly) captured the hazy logic and off-kilter visual perspectives of the unconscious state. {$Shelley Duvall} delivered the best work of her career as a woman so shallow that it never occurs to her that people are laughing at her behind her back, and {$Sissy Spacek} is brilliant as Pinky, the naive girl who worships her; their emotional give and take as they begin to exchange personalities exemplifies the kind of risky but satisfying performances that {$Altman} knows how to draw from actors. {$Gerald Busby}'s quietly troubling, discordant score and {$Bodhi Wind}'s surreal artwork are singularly appropriate aural and visual backdrops, while {$Charles Rosher Jr.}'s cinematography layers the images in intoxicating washes of yellow and blue. While {$Altman} has made a career out of endings that don't spell themselves out, the conclusion of {#3 Women} is both vague and provocative -- have we witnessed the aftermath of a tragedy, a descent into insanity, or a quiet but defiant call to arms? {$Altman} isn't telling, but one can read {#3 Women} in a number of ways and still walk away convinced that it's a work of singular vision and emotional power from one of the most gifted American filmmakers of his generation. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

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