Deep End - But I Might Die Tonight

[Deleted]

I'm creating a new thread 'cause I'd like to discuss the film as well, if anyone else has seen it. But first, I know that the film version of the song is somewhere on Majicat, but I had some time on my hands and I made this little tribute to Cat and to the film as well:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRFypEsn_Y8

Hope you like it.

Peace

[dal]

I was going to rent the film , but I read somewhere that it wasn't treleased in the U.S.

[Deleted]

Thanks LadyD. Posters and stuff I picked up on the Net. Snapshots from the movie are from my own copy. I was fortunate enough to catch it on cable last year (Canadian "Scream TV"). That movie is so elusive that I believe it was the first time in a long time (if not ever) it was shown on Canadian TV. I had seen it at a revival theatre twice in the 80s, one time with Skolimowski present in the theatre. Dal, it's quite difficult to find, it has not been released on DVD, and a limited VHS edition in the UK (and possibly the US in the early80s) makes the movie even more difficult to get. It's a darn shame because it is a great little gem of a film despite what little has been said about it over the years. It's very underrated. It's sad to think it has been relagated to furtive cable showings. It is a great example of Polish Art House cinema, Skolimowski studied at the Lodz school in the 60s along with Polanski and other famed and talented directors.

A clever script and a great acting job from Jane Asher and especially John Moulder Brown (his finest role) makes it the best coming-of-age movie I've seen. Rarely have I seen adolescence so accurately portrayed in a movie. Hey, I like the film, does it show?? (In fact, it's on my top ten favourites and best).

I could go on and on but for now I have to refrain my typing...

[Deleted]

From "Senses of Cinema":

Deep End (1970) was Skolimowski's second non-Polish feature to be based on his own original screenplay. This connects it more to his personal Polish films than to his literary adaptations. Like those films the scenario was largely improvised on the set and the free use of the handheld camera adds further to the improvisatory feel. The coming of age storyline bears thematic similarities to Le Départ although the characters are quite different. Skolimowski's blend of romanticism and a detachment bordering on cynicism, found especially in his first two features, coalesces around the figure of the naïve, questing adolescent hero (John Moulder-Brown), sexually obsessed with fellow employee (Jane Asher). Set in a run-down public swimming baths in London, it was actually filmed in Munich. The feeling of unreal impersonality is heightened to a surreal ambience, the comic edginess of frustrated sexual fantasy spilling over into unexpected tragedy as irrationality takes hold like the red liquid that washes across the frame arbitrarily at the beginning, precipitously at the end.

Of all Skolimowski's films, Deep End most had the ingredients for a modest, or at least cult, success at the box office but was poorly handled by the studio. Frequently consigned to the bottom half of double bills, it soon disappeared from view.

[Deleted]

and a good resume of the movie from IMDB:

Fifteen-year-old Mike (John Moulder-Brown) has just left school and starts a new job as a Public Baths attendant, under the wing of Susan (Jane Asher) - a streetwise twenty-something female attendant. Susan knows how to please the clients and advises Mike accordingly. A typical encounter is when he substitutes for Susan in tending to a female client (Diana Dors) who forces her attentions upon him. He quickly develops a crush on Susan that soon becomes an obsession as he stalks her around town. Jealous of anyone else who gives her attention, he is particularly incensed at her casual affair with his former sports teacher. In an attempt to promote himself, Mike hijacks a school cross-country run in the park. Observed by Susan, they engage in a playful tussle where she loses the diamond from her engagement ring in the snow. Gathering the snow, they return to the empty baths to find the diamond by melting the snow. In an unguarded moment, Mike attempts to seduce Susan but cannot follow through. His jealousy and exclusive desire reaches new proportions...

[thewind]

Interesting

[Daddy-o]

To my knowledge, Deep End has only been shown on UK terrestrial TV once and this was in pre-video days. I was fortunate enough to pick up the official VHS video release several years back. One thing you might be able to tell me Glaucus, on the copy I have, the closing credits are set to But I Might Die Tonight - the video copy is taken from a very worn copy of the film and there must be a frame or two of the film missing, hence the song actually skips slightly. Is the cable TV version any better? The instrumental music by Cat, variations of But I Might Die Tonight are really quite interesting.

[Deleted]

george2 said:

Is the cable TV version any better? The instrumental music by Cat, variations of But I Might Die Tonight are really quite interesting.

Hi George,

The copy I recorded from cable is moderately good, considering.... It has a few video glitches. Sound is so-so but there are no skip in frames when there is music. It is a 4:3 full screen version. It is not as good as this one from RAI, which I discovered earlier today:

ATTENTION: SPOILERS ( it's the end of the film!!)

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Osi8QwHQUm8&NR

[Deleted]

And also this great improvised scene:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=yuhMKqwfqVw

[Daddy-o]

Many thanks Glaucus, I'll check those links out.

Best,

George

[Daddy-o]

Thanks Glaucus, it's a better quality print than the video I have. I'd forgotten how graphic the film was, something I should imagine Yusuf and Jane Asher would possibly want to distance themselves from. The music is great, such a short and very sweet song.

Have a great weekend.

George

[dal]

glaucus said:

Thanks LadyD. Posters and stuff I picked up on the Net. Snapshots from the movie are from my own copy. I was fortunate enough to catch it on cable last year (Canadian "Scream TV"). That movie is so elusive that I believe it was the first time in a long time (if not ever) it was shown on Canadian TV. I had seen it at a revival theatre twice in the 80s, one time with Skolimowski present in the theatre. Dal, it's quite difficult to find, it has not been released on DVD, and a limited VHS edition in the UK (and possibly the US in the early80s) makes the movie even more difficult to get. It's a darn shame because it is a great little gem of a film despite what little has been said about it over the years. It's very underrated. It's sad to think it has been relagated to furtive cable showings. It is a great example of Polish Art House cinema, Skolimowski studied at the Lodz school in the 60s along with Polanski and other famed and talented directors.

A clever script and a great acting job from Jane Asher and especially John Moulder Brown (his finest role) makes it the best coming-of-age movie I've seen. Rarely have I seen adolescence so accurately portrayed in a movie. Hey, I like the film, does it show?? (In fact, it's on my top ten favourites and best).

I could go on and on but for now I have to refrain my typing...

I will keep my eyes peeled for a copy. You know I can figure out what will happen in almost every single movie I see. It is that predictability that makes many movies boring to me. My favorite movies are usually the ones where I wasn't able to guess what was going to happen next. That freshness in movies is hard to find among what most people want to watch I think. The best movies to me are the ones I gained some kind of new insight from.

[Qizlo]

That's an excellent collage of the movie Deep End, Glaucus. I have a bootleg copy of the American release of the movie. I got it many years ago when Skolimowski came to Hollywood to screen some of his movies, inlcuding Deep End. The video quality is so-so but the sound is pretty good.
I only saw the movie once because the Jane Asher and John Moulder-Brown characters were so unlikable. It's nothing like Harold & Maude. Even Cat's "But I Might Die Tonight" has this disturbing edge to it. The movie starts with the song & ends with it. There are no credits at the end of this version of the movie, just the Motion Pictures Association of America seal.
I watched the video again tonight, and I still find the story a bit disturbing.

[Daddy-o]

Well put Qizlo and you are right, there aren't credits at the somewhat abrupt end of the film. It's so long since I've seen it too.

It is a tragic shock ending to a seedy tale of obsession. I can see why it's only shown once in a blue moon on obscure TV channels. It's become another cult film, not just for the German band Can and Cat's music and has had some great reviews. Artistically, I do find it interesting, Jane Asher's yellow raincoat for one! Diana Dors, a late and very famous UK actress has a cameo and that is pretty seedy too with sonic imagery straight from Mona Bone Jakon!! There's various bits of symbolism throughout the film and indeed splattered at the end. Sorry Dal to spoil the ending, it's not as bad as your demented bloodied typist above though!!

[Vivian]

I've seen the movie on E Bay, but never got it. I think the next time I see it, I will get a copy.

Peace,Vivian

[dal]

george2 said:

Well put Qizlo and you are right, there aren't credits at the somewhat abrupt end of the film. It's so long since I've seen it too.

It is a tragic shock ending to a seedy tale of obsession. I can see why it's only shown once in a blue moon on obscure TV channels. It's become another cult film, not just for the German band Can and Cat's music and has had some great reviews. Artistically, I do find it interesting, Jane Asher's yellow raincoat for one! Diana Dors, a late and very famous UK actress has a cameo and that is pretty seedy too with sonic imagery straight from Mona Bone Jakon!! There's various bits of symbolism throughout the film and indeed splattered at the end. Sorry Dal to spoil the ending, it's not as bad as your demented bloodied typist above though!!

I will remove my cartoon avatar for you Daddy-o. I would have done so sooner had you told me you found it so offensive.

There..gone now.

[Daddy-o]

Dal, bring it back, I love it. I was jesting!!! Sorry!

[Daddy-o]

... especially the eyeball!

[dal]

george2 said:

Dal, bring it back, I love it. I was jesting!!! Sorry!

Okay I'll put it back. I thought it was making you feel disgusted or something. We are all different & what disgusts one person may not offend another . Some violent scenes in movies make me literally nauseaus , so I was wanting to take my avatar away if it was having that affect on you .

[suncatcher]

glaucus said:

I'm creating a new thread 'cause I'd like to discuss the film as well, if anyone else has seen it. But first, I know that the film version of the song is somewhere on Majicat, but I had some time on my hands and I made this little tribute to Cat and to the film as well:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRFypEsn_Y8

Hope you like it.

Peace

Hi, Glaucus!
That's an excellent tribute that you put together. I like Cat's song, but I've never seen Deep End (and not sure I want to!).

I think this is Majicat's film version of the song that you are referring to:
But I Might Die Tonight.

[Lucy13]

Only just now took the trouble to follow this thread.

Man, what a recording of BIMDT, glaucus! Thanks! Gripping and powerful, and beautiful.

I must get ahold of that film -- I've never seen it. If anyone can help, you know how to contact me!

[Vivian]

I see the VHS on E Bay from time to time. Still haven't bought it, though. I am hoping to get it on DVD!

Peace,Vivian

[Lucy13]

I don't think I can win an auction contest with you, Viv!

[butterfly]

This is a trailer of the film "Deep End"

Deep End (1971) Opening Credits

[suncatcher]

butterfly said:

This is a trailer of the film "Deep End"

Deep End (1971) Opening Credits

Thank you, Anette!

I never saw this movie and have no intention of watching it - it looks too creepy! And yet, I must say, "Wow!" - Cat showed no fear when it came to writing songs. But I Might Die Tonight is excellent.

~Sun~

[butterfly]

I never saw the movie, too. Maybe it is a little bit too creepy, but my husband says, the movie is very suspenseful and interesting. He says it is very fine film worthy reviewing from time to time. So I will do!!

[suncatcher]

butterfly said:

I never saw the movie, too. Maybe it is a little bit too creepy, but my husband says, the movie is very suspenseful and interesting. He says it is very fine film worthy reviewing from time to time. So I will do!!

I admit, I don't really know what it's about, but I've heard bits and pieces here at Majicat, and they didn't sound too encouraging. So, after you see it, would you please give us a review and let us know if you recommend that others watch it? Thank you, Anette!

~Sun~

[Deleted]

Digital channel SCREAM TV CANADA is again showing Skolimowski's "Deep End" with John Moulder Brown and Jane Asher and a soundtrack from the Cat (and The Can).

Sunday - 12/30/2007 - 7:00PM Eastern

Star Choice West CH:630
Star Choice East CH: 610
Rogers CH: 326
Cogeco CH: 148
Bell Expressvue CH:332
Shaw CH: 139
Videotron CH: 138

[Deleted]

Bringing this back up as Americans will have a chance to see this film this coming January 16 2010 at 2:30 AM EST on TCM (Turner Classic Movies). So this is one rare occasion to record the movie. It is followed at 4:00 AM by another Skolimowksi cult classic "The Shout".

You can also watch the entire movie on YouTube, but of course it's not quite the same thing as on TV (and definitely not the same as a theatre screen!):

www.youtube.com/watch?v=xb4zMypfawg

There is also talk that Criterion is trying to secure the rights for a release of "Deep End" on DVD in the near future. It seems though that they have run into some problems with securing music rights for the film. I guess we should stay tuned......

[downunder72]

Thankyou Glaucus. I never thought utube would have the full version of this movie. I don't remember the exact year I first saw this movie, '71-'72, more likely '72. My brother took me and my sister to a drive- in, which I had to beg for, as I was the youngest, and the movie had an 'R' rating then, but it was Cats music, and I wasn't going to miss this, no way. Well in the end I d him, with the help of my dear sister. I was very lucky they did not check the back seat, where I was covered with a blancket. ;D As I was very young, I really didn't pay much attention to the movie, but I always wanted to see this movie again as I got older. Thanks again for the links.