UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif.,
May 28, 2015 /PRNewswire/
-- Building on its 2012 Centennial celebration, Universal
Pictures announced today its continued commitment to honor the
Studio's rich film history and cultural legacy by restoring some of
the world's most classic silent films. During the next four
years, the Studio will restore approximately 15 silent film titles
from Universal's early years. The complete list of films is
still in development in collaboration with outside film historians,
institutions, and preservationists. Partners and
collaborators in the initiative include the Library of
Congress, The Film Foundation, Academy of Motion Picture Arts &
Sciences, George Eastman House, UCLA
Film & Television Archives, Association of Moving Image
Archivists, and Hollywood Heritage. The announcement was made
at the Opening Night of the San Francisco Silent Film Festival.
"The company understands its responsibility and need to preserve
our silent film legacy," said Ron
Meyer, Vice Chairman, NBCUniversal. "This early art of
filmmaking is the foundation on which Universal Pictures was built
more than 100 years ago, and it's important we honor our rich
history."
The silent film era is best known for instantly recognizable
storylines, settings, costumes, and characters. Most early
silent films were accompanied by a full-fledged orchestra, organist
or pianist to provide musical background and to underscore the
narrative on the screen. Some even included live actors or
narrators. The major genre emphasis was on swashbucklers,
historical extravaganzas, and melodramas, although all kinds of
films were being produced throughout the decade.
According to a report released by the Library of Congress, 70
percent of the nation's silent feature films have been completely
lost. Universal's restoration team will work with archives
and collectors worldwide to secure copies of prints and additional
elements needed to complete this restoration effort and augment the
silent film titles currently in its library.
Universal Pictures silent film restoration initiative builds on
the company's ongoing restoration commitment. Since the
program was first announced in 2012, nearly 30 titles have been
restored and 25 more titles are expected to be restored by
2017. Fully restored titles to date include All Quiet on
the Western Front, The Birds, Buck Privates,
Dracula (1931), Dracula Spanish (1931),
Frankenstein, Jaws, Schindler's List, Out
of Africa, Pillow Talk,
Bride of Frankenstein,The Sting, To Kill a Mockingbird,
Touch of Evil, Double Indemnity, High Plains Drifter, and
Holiday Inn.
Universal Pictures is a unit of NBCUniversal, one of the world's
leading media and entertainment companies in the development,
production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information
to a global audience. NBCUniversal owns and operates a valuable
portfolio of news and entertainment television networks, a premier
motion picture company, significant television production
operations, a leading television stations group, world-renowned
theme parks, and a suite of leading Internet-based businesses.
NBCUniversal is a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation.
Contact:
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Aaron
Rogers
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NBCUniversal
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(818)
777-2352
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(818)
749-0316-Mobile
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aaron.rogers@nbcuni.com
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SOURCE Universal Pictures