MovieChat Forums > Mon oncle (1958) Discussion > Missing frames?

Missing frames?

posted 20 years ago by ihatejudgejudy
10 replies | jump to latest

Something I've noticed in both M. Hulot and Mon Oncle that I was hoping someone could comment on.

In both movies there are numerous 'frame cuts' - that is, a noticeable section where the film jumps as a result of a missing frame. This occurs in both movies at least a half dozen times each. Interestingly, it seems that these jumps occur during one of the many sight gags.

Because of this, I assume this is intentional. If such is the case, does anyone know why? Is it to speed up the comic pacing and make the gags better? I doubt it is a technical choice as often times the splicing is not necessary to the gag. I could understand if Tati were trying to achieve a simple camera trick - a Buster Keaton-esq stop motion sort of effect - but when these jumps happen they are unnecessary to the execution of the gag.

I have yet to see Playtime so I'm not sure if this occurs in that film as well, but if anyone could shed some light on this that would be great. Thank you.

[–] alan-morton 20 years ago

There appear to be several different versions of Mon Oncle going the rounds. The IMDB listing gives versions running at 110 minutes and (in Spanish) at 120 minutes. When the film was released in England, Jacques Tati had it dubbed because he was opposed to subtitles, and I used to have a video of that version that runs at 98 minutes -- it was a pleasant surprise viewing the recent BFI DVD of the film (110 minutes) and discovering that many scenes are longer and a bit more complicated than I was used to. They also seem to run more smoothly, but I haven't made a point of minutely comparing the different versions, so I can't say for definite that that's the case. All the same, could it be that the jumpiness is due to the version you've been watching?

[–] r-esser 19 years ago

Last weekend I bought Mon Oncle in a 2-disc version. On the sleeve of the dvd and on the bonusdisc the distributor mentions two versions of Mon Oncle. Tati made a version especially for the American market. Maybe that's why the length of the movie is different.

[–] freaktrain44 19 years ago

I have the Criterion version, which runs 116 minutes. At one point, there is a pause and a frame cut.

Match Point for Best Original Screenplay! (as it got screwed in every other category)

[–] robsinden 19 years ago

i watched the bfi dvd at the weekend, and also noticed a couple of little jumps. nothing too distracting, and i can't remember where, but they were certainly there.

[–] Chwelve 18 years ago

I think these were quite simply due to technical or physical difficulties in setting up particular gags. You get the same thing in other movies--for instance, in "A Hard Day's Night" Ringo enters the second-hand shop, the camera jumps a bit, and he emerges wearing a totally new undercover outfit. I don't think it's particularly distracting (in fact I find it rather charming and even lovely, as I do all non-computer-generated special effects) but I don't think it has any deep significant meaning.

[–] BillyFisher 18 years ago

I think it was deliberate, and Tati just didn't care if there was a jump. Bit like the New Wave directors, who just cut any old how, without particularly fussing about exact continuity.

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[–] pusterummet 13 years ago

I noticed this too.. I think it is used for comic effect... Monty Python sometimes used it too. When Terry Jones (as brians mother) falls over in the chair as the 3 wise men enter. And during the "big nose" gag.. when the first punch is thrown. Crimson permanent insurance (meaning of life) also has a few..
Maybe it is to add some extra punch to a gag

[–] chester-copperpot-1 12 years ago

Maybe it is to add some extra punch to a gag

Sorry to say, it's because the makers didn't know any better. Those are what's called in camera effects, or in camera gags. And it's literally the oldest trick in the filmmaking book. You shoot, stop, move something in or out of the picture, start shooting, and hey presto, a special effect. People growing up with a camera has literally nothing else to make effects with. Making effects at the cutting board is the next step.

The point is, Tati was a gifted amateur, but an amateur nevertheless. His knowledge of special effects were seldom more advanced than that he could make them himself, in camera, though done on a much large scale as seen in the film. Some of the films more elaborate gags should've been given out to a special effects guy for proper handling. On the other hand, he was his own man, for better and for worse. It's just one of those peculiarities that makes his films memorable.

[–] megArnold 12 years ago

Some of the films more elaborate gags should've been given out to a special effects guy

Such as?

--
Grammar:
The difference between knowing your sh**
and knowing you're sh**.

[–] chester-copperpot-1 12 years ago

Such as all those with visible jump cuts seen on screen. If a jump cut is seen in the middle of the special effect take, then that means the special effect wasn't properly executed in the first place. Jump cuts = bad special effects. Though, as said, this was simply one of Tatis peculiarities, and I for one can forgive him for that. And, as said, done right, there would be no jump cuts...