What, no Libertine?

I saw a world premiere rough cut of The Libertine at the Toronto International Film Festival back in September 2004 (that's how long it's been sitting on the shelf). I found the picture a total mess: confused plot, no sense of pace, sloppy direction, wooden dialogue... the performances were decent, but nothing it seemed could save this film (not event the subsequent Weinstein re-cut, agreed when the brothers bought the US rights that very night for a much smaller sum than initially anticipated).



There are many excellent films that do not get released because distributors are too timid, so I don't feel terrible about this one going straight to DVD. This project, despite its few qualities, will get a lot of attention (though perhaps not on the big screen), thanks to Johnny Depp's name above the title. In an ideal world, any artistic project which hundreds of people spend months working on should get some sort of exposure. Many don't.

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the above comment notwithstanding, how about this for a theory? Disney is paying someone something somewhere to make sure it doesn't come out until AFTER Pirates II, as they want Johnny Depp's rep to remain PG rated until then...

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I have to disagree. I saw the premiere of the finished film in LA. While the movie may have some faults, if you are familiar at all with Jeffries play and the real John Wilmot, you can't help but be swept up by the characters. It won't play in Peoria but it deserves to be seen on the big screen.

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Would Once Upon a Time in Mexico have made a dime without Johnny Depp? I think not; certainly not the $55 million or so that it cleared. The Weinsteins need to give more credit to Johnny and release this movie.

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I also was fortunate to see The Libertine when it layed in LA and was fascinated during the entire film. How refreshing to see characters that didn't do imitations of other people and the dialogue moved the film. The acting performances were outstanding and I agree, this movie isn't for everyone, but with the talent of Johnny Depp, this film deserves to be released.

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I saw the premiere and found the movie quite artistic. It has its flaws, but so do Brokeback Mountain. But Johnny Depp was flawless in his betrayal of the Earl of Rochester. Anyone who has read the play by Jeffries would have to agree. I personally think that this is Johnny Depp's best performance to date. And that alone should be reason enough to allow the public access to it.

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I live in the UK where luckily this film WAS released. Johnny Depp gives the best performance of his career, and this film deserves to be seen on the big screen. It does have some faults, probably because of it's first-time director's inexperience, but it is still a wonderful film that deserves nominations in the upcoming awards season.



My pet theory about this film not being released at the moment has to do with ratings. The film was originally given an NC-17 rating which the Weinsteins rejected and had to cut some of the film to get it down to an R rating. My theory is that they aren't happy with the cut and so are holding onto the film until they feel they are happy with what will be shown. Here in the UK the film had an 18 certificate which I dont think caused any problems. Everyone who wants to deserves to see this film, and I hope it does get shown.

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I have not been lucky enough to see this film yet. I do however follow Johnnys career path & have learned alot about this movie. I think from what I have see it will be a good movie & I think Harvey Weinstein is underestimating the power Johnny Depp!

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The Libertine should be not be shelved as Weinstein has seen fit to do. It is artistic and in keeping with the Restortaion Period in England, including Nyman's musical score. Yes, it may appear dimly lit;which actually adds to the beauty of the movie. Did England have flourescent lighting back in the 17th century?

I saw this movie in Toronto 2004 and have anticipated its release since then.

The entire cast gives glowing performances but Johnny Depp's is the epitome of acting. His portrayal of the Earl of Rochester, from his British accent to his body language,is flawless.

This movie deserves to been on the big screen

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For those of us in the US Midwest, the wait has been terribly frustrating. Each time a release date was announced, the Weinsteins would postpone. This movie has received some very positive reviews, as well as negative. What movie doesn't? Come on folks at Weinstein, give us a break and release the movie!

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How terrible that "as promised" a release date of January 13, 2006, that the Weinstein Brothers failed to put out a movie Johnny Depp fans everywhere have been waiting to see. How unfair to post a false date on The Libertine web page itself, on movie meters, movie web pages, reviews, ect... Johnny Depp held up to his end of the deal, he made the movie. The Weinstein Brothers failed. Why can't this movie be released? No matter how many failed grades or bad reviews it got, Johnny Depp can always pull off a movie as A+ even if critics down it. Just because the movie didn't receive a nomination doesn't mean the Weinstien Brothers should not show it! If the movie would of been released "Nationwide" back in NOVEMBER instead of limited, MAYBE it would of had a shot at a nomination. Waiting until the last minute to put a Johnny Depp movie out for a nomination and then only have it out 5 days in just 2 cities is just not right! And then to top it off, now not release the movie on January 13th, 2006 as promised and as advertised. Millions of Johnny Depp fans everywhere have been waiting for the release of his film. Put The Libertine out in theaters in the U.S. Weinstein Brothers, you might be surprised of how you have underestimated the power Johnny Depp can have on people and how many of millions of dollars that man can make for his great acting. Johnny Depp has a charm no other actor in this day in age has and always will top out as the best no matter what the critics say about him. Millions just love Johnny Depp. So, put The Libertine out in the U.S.

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I have been waiting to see this movie for almost 2 years now. I see how much the general public means to Mr. Weinstein. I don't pretend to know anything about the movie business, but promising release dates and renigging on them, twice, is horrible for fans and the business alike. This movie is so unlike most of what's out there, that I don't spend a dime on. Romantic comedies are a dime a dozen and they're all the same. Give me Biopic drama, especially with these actors! Johnny Depp, Samantha Morton, John Malkovich ~ a cast to die for. Give the public a chance to see The Libertine on the big screen!

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I was deeply saddened to see The Libertine with held from release this past Friday.



I was lucky enough to see the film at both the Toronto film festival and in it's limited New York release. The film is quite good. It's charming in depicting the 17th Century as a place with no electric lighting, Crest toothpaste, nor paved sidewalks. If only Stage Beauty had seen fit to portray the same time period in a similar light, perhaps it would have been more of a success.



I understand that getting a new company (be it film or otherwise) underway is stressful and takes great resources. However to back off it's release date in such ignominious fashion is absurd. As to whether it would play in Peoria - how will we ever know if it's not tried. There might actually be an American with a brain somewhere who would enjoy the nuances of this film.



I thoroughly enjoyed the film. I felt the performances were award worthy. It's simply a pity that The Weinstein Company has so little faith in its own product. Boo to you Weinsteins for so little backbone.

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Thankfully I managed to see it when it was realeased in the UK, all I can say is that I am very glad I did and I really feel for the people who havent yet got the chance. I loved it and I know that many others (Johnny Depp fans especially and belive me there are a lot) would also. Its criminal that this movie and Depps incrediable performance which is the best of his career has not been more widely recognised. Its not a perfect film but not many are, it still derserves a proper chance!

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I telephoned the Weinstein Comapny on Friday and spoke with Diana Peters in the Publicity department. She had no information whatsoever about why the film has been pulled from the release schedule or when it will be released. She did promise sincerely to telephone me when a date has been determined. I am not holding my breath as you can imagine. According to the receptionist, the phone has been ringing off the hook for days from outraged Depp admirers looking for this film. I suggest the Misters Weinstein may want to get this one on the screens soon, or they may need to go into hiding from the "Depp Bosses of America." There is no doubt that this is not the usual costume drama-pap that American audiences are most often subjected to. It is gritty, realistic, dark and Depply -- that and the extraordinary performances make it worth seeing. I believe that not releasing this film is merely another brick in the multi layers of dumbing down America. We don't need to be protected from art, we need to be allowed to view it in all its forms and make our own decisions about what is worthy and what is not. I fear, however, that the Weinsteins care naught about art but far more about the almighty buck and that is what is behind this cowardly business decision.

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What a shame that the best performance of Johnny Depp's career has been hijacked by the Weinsteins! They botched the release of Finding Neverland and they have completely killed The Libertine. No wonder Disney was done with them.

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I have been lucky enough to see this film at the AFI Film Festival in November, and this film definitely must be given a chance. I think the film's faults come mostly from its editting so maybe the Weinsteins, as said above, is taking this time to polish it a bit. However, if they're vying to get bigger bucks by trying to make the film more accessible to the public, I think they're wasting their time. The Libertine lives and breathes through its controversial elements and I think Dunmore and crew from the first time out wanted the film to evoke extremes out of the audience. His courageous decision in the making of this film shouldn't be downplayed but shown full out for the film audience. So no matter what, the critics will be divided and audiences will be divided. But, this shouldn't be deterring them from releasing this film. There are plenty of fans and soon-to-be-fans for this film. I also think this has one of the best performances Depp has ever given (possibly his best), and his terrifying and shocking transformation is one of the main reasons the film must be witnessed and given justice theatrically.

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It too bad that the Weinsteins seem to care more about gaining prestige from awards than finding an audience for this movie—it is out there if they would just look beyond the townsfolk with pitchforks and torches.



The Libertine takes the kind of filmmaking risks that used to be encouraged and applauded. It dares to be literate and say something about the obligations of genius to the world, it dares to define a visual style that pits vivid personalities in stark contrast to their murky existence and it dares to let an actor explore the range of his great gifts with astonishing results. No, the movie isn’t perfect; but at it’s best, it soars higher and farther than a great many movies out there, and for that it deserves the opportunity to be seen by audiences in a darkened theater.

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I was deeply saddened to see The Libertine with held from release this past Friday.

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I saw the Libertine in NY about 2 weeks ago, and while the editing was a bit choppy, the movie itself had me absolutely transfixed. At the end of the movie, I was actually speechless (which, if you knew me you know that is a miracle). I was absolutely moved and touched so deeply by this movie that it took me about a half hour before I could begin to discuss the movie. It was mezmerizing and absolutely profound. I loved it, and I cannot believe it has not been given a wide release. Shame on the Weinsteins - they obviously don't know what they're doing.

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