Dylan composes for Civil War picture

reuters ^ | 6/26/2002 | reuters

[TLBSHOW]

Archerd: Dylan composes for Civil War picture

HOLLYWOOD (Variety) - Bob Dylan, who warbled his "Things Have Changed" for "Wonder Boys" and won an Oscar last year, is coming back to compose for another picture, the highly dramatic "Gods and Generals," set in the first two years of the Civil War. Ron Maxwell, who wrote, directed and produced the picture for Ted Turner Pictures and WB distribution, tells me Dylan will sing his song at the film's finale "to further capture the mood of the film -- the tragedy, the American identity. It gives him a chance to look back to his own roots, his family."

Dylan gave "a very strong response" when asked to be a part of the film depicting a memorable part of our history. The song (as yet to be heard by the filmmaker) will play over the end titles and will be part of the film's soundtrack album -- and available to Dylan for any of his own future albums.

"Gods and Generals" was shot entirely in the U.S., but it will be scored in London by Randy Edelman ("Gettysburg") and John Frizzell. Part of the unique music will be by Chieftains frontman Paddy Moloney on the Uilleann pipes and fiddler Mark O'Connor.

The epic film, which will bow either at year's end or early next year, is now down to three hours and five minutes, says Maxwell. And it looks like Ted Turner, who plays Col. Patton in the pic, may be left on the cutting room floor -- even though he put up the $55 million to film -- and a guarantee of another $25 million for prints and advertising.

"He put his money where his mouth is," Maxwell said. "And we talk regularly on all aspects of the film." And Maxwell assured me they speak of no other subject. Except teaming on yet another film, "The Last Full Measure."

[Paul Atreides]

Here is how it will sound...

Wuh wuh wuh wuh

Muh muh muh muh

Bluh bluh bluh bluh

[dts32041]

No matter what you think of Turner, the boy does put his money where his mouth is and has produced some very good historical films, Gettysburg, Andersonville, and The Rough Riders.

That being said he has produced some klinkers Buffalo Soliders and Geroninmo.

Best seen is Gettysburg BTW is when he is nailed in pickets charge.

[moodyskeptic]

I hope he does at least an hours research... he certainly did NOT research the Hurricane Carter case before he jumped into that story. Cool, Dylan may be, but politically astute?

[RightWhale]

Sure, he is not a vocalist. Pretty good lyricist, though.

[kellynla]

Well then Turner needs to stuff some more money in his mouth because you can still hear idiocies coming out of it...

[Hugin]

Yeah, Gettysburg was excellent. Jeff Daniels, Sam Elliot and Tom Berringer were all outstanding. I heard this time Robert Duvall will play Robert E. Lee, which should be a big improvement over (gag) Martin Sheen.

[RJCogburn]

Robert Duvall

Lucky Ned Pepper!!

[jejones]

Sure, he is not a vocalist. Pretty good lyricist, though.

Yeah...but at least some of his other work for soundtracks is, um, less than his best, e.g. from Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid: "They say that Pat Garrett has got your number/So sleep with one eye open when you slumber..."

[Guennie]

I might go see it if Turner is on the cutting room floor :^

[dennisw]

Sam Elliot only gets involved in high quality projects. I like those adverts for Southern Pacific railway where he does the voice over.

[mlibertarianj]

And don't forget the Hunley! That was a good TV Movie!

[dts32041]

Never saw it, is that a turner production also.

The question that all these projects leads one to ask.

Is why is turner sponsoring this stuff when he is so globalists in outlook?

[mlibertarianj]

I know what you mean, I think there are two Teds! It seems he does have a soft spot for the Confedracy. In some of his movies, with the exception of Andersonville, the South is not seen as the heavies. If you get a chance to see it on video, please do!