Part of Restoration Roundup
75th Anniversary – Gloria Swanson as Norma Desmond, an aging silent film queen, and William Holden as the struggling writer who is held in thrall by her madness, created two of the screen’s most memorable characters in Sunset Boulevard. Winner of three Academy Awards, director Billy Wilder’s orchestration of the bizarre tale is a true cinematic classic. From the unforgettable opening sequence through the inevitable unfolding of tragic destiny, the film is the definitive statement on the dark and desperate side of Hollywood. Erich von Stroheim as Desmond’s discoverer, ex-husband and butler, and Nancy Olson as the bright spot in unrelenting ominousness, are equally celebrated for their masterful performances.
To mark the film’s diamond anniversary, SUNSET BOULEVARD has been meticulously restored in 4K using the highest quality surviving element — a 35mm duplicate negative — and every step of the restoration was approached with great care to faithfully honor Billy Wilder’s original vision. The Library of Congress provided a 35mm print from its archive to serve as a reference for color accuracy throughout the restoration.
“SUNSET BOULEVARD remains the best drama ever made about the movies because it sees through the illusions, even if Norma doesn’t.” —Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times “The icicle-sharp, endlessly quotable script is one of the greatest ever written, and the film remains relentlessly entertaining.” —The Playlist “Measured against any reasonable index, the 1950s were Billy Wilder's miracle decade. But perhaps the most extraordinary thing of all is that after SUNSET BOULEVARD had gnawed the hand that feeds it down to a bloody stump, it is a wonder Hollywood ever let Wilder work again…. SUNSET BOULEVARD should stand for as long as Hollywood stands because of the simple reminder it posts for studio executives and humans alike: the emotions that are hardest won are the only ones worth keeping.” —Colin Kennedy, Empire Magazine “That rare blend of pungent writing, expert acting, masterly direction and unobtrusively artistic photography which quickly casts a spell over an audience and holds it enthralled to a shattering climax.” —New York Times (Aug 11, 1950)
