Take a look back at an old trailer…
Eighteen months to film? “Magnificently” shot entirely on a backlot? I do love this movie, but I think I love how they sold it way back when even more.
Gary Cooper: definitely a selling point. Cast of 5,000 others? I guess that — and the 18 months to film thing — worked the way that “$350 million budget!” works today. Not a one of those 5,000 were CGI constructs, though, I’m guessing. How can we trust that they’re worth watching if teams of computer nerds didn’t slave over them for six months getting their hair just right? Where’s the craftsmanship?
Biggest difference: the studio clearly felt no need to find a rave from a quote whore. The studio was totally comfortable telling us straight that “it’s great.”
The upfront hucksterism is more honest, at least.
Meet John Doe is available on DVD in Region 1 and Region 2.
