
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, April 9, 1994                   TAG: 9404090108
SECTION: SPECTATOR                    PAGE: S-9   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: By Martie Zad The Washington Post
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

VIDEO FILM THROWS LIGHT ON CINEMATOGRAPHY

Classic scenes from more than 125 memorable movies come alive in a new and almost unforgettable light in the American Film Institute's "Visions of Light, the Art of Cinematography," due for release on video next week.

This 1993 film, produced in conjunction with NHK/Japan Broadcasting Corp., is filled with intriguing insights by some of filmdom's greatest movie-makers. It also highlights vibrant and exciting performances by stars who became part of movie history, from Orson Welles and Marlene Dietrich to Marlon Brando and Jodie Foster.

The 95-minute video, priced for rental, offers a rare opportunity to watch captivating scenes that converted so many films into Oscar winners. It offers many secrets that went into making films such as "Gone With the Wind," "Annie Hall," "Camille," "The French Connection" and "Sunset Boulevard."

"Visions of Light" also showcases actors such as Richard Burton, Bette Davis, Daniel Day-Lewis, Diane Keaton, Frank Sinatra and Paul Newman in roles that have become memorable for movie buffs of all ages.

The film drew raves from critics who said, among many other things, "A must for film devotees ... reminds you why you were so excited about movies in the first place ... most gorgeous images in the history of American films ... does for cinematography what "That's Entertainment' did for musicals."

The films go back to such hits as "Sunrise" (1927), "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" (1931), "Red Dust" (1932) and "The Shanghai Express" (1932). There are many tributes to outstanding film-makers, including William Daniels, who helped mold the Garbo myth; Greg Toland, whose efforts made "Citizen Kane" into a masterpiece; Freddie Young's breathtaking landscapes in "Lawrence of Arabia"; and Vittorio Storaro's use of color and light in capturing the splendor and tragedy of a dying dynasty in "The Last Emperor."

The video includes clips from so many excellent films that it's a treat almost every time a new scene is presented. When the video is over, it's hard to hold a list of favorites down to a dozen. One thing for sure, they're very en-LIGHT-ening.

by CNB