Along with Francis Ford Coppola (The Godfather, Apocalypse Now), Jean-Luc Goddard (Breathless), and Eli Wallach, Kevin Brownlow will be receiving an Honorary Academy Award on November 13th. As David Lean fans already know, Mr. Brownlow has written what many consider the definitive biography on Lean and has also been a celebrated film historian who was instrumental in reviving Abel Gane’s “Napoleon.”

On a personal note, Brownlow was also extremely helpful to me in helping with my “David Lean: Interviews” book, providing me with unedited transcripts of his many hours of interviews with Lean.

Congrats, Kevin!!

(Taken from Digital Bits) Here’s one we've all been waiting for! You may recall that a few weeks ago we reported Sony was prepping a Blu-ray version of Sir David Lean's Bridge on the River Kwai for release before the end of this year. Well... Sony has just finally announced the title as a 2-disc Blu-ray Disc/DVD Combo Collector's Edition, due to street on 11/2 (SRP $34.95). In addition to HD and SD versions of the film (presented in the original 2.55:1 aspect ratio, fully restored and mastered from a 4K scan with audio in newly-remixed DTS-HD MA 5.1), extras on the 2-disc set will include a new Crossing: Picture-in-Graphics viewing mode, an exclusive new retrospective documentary covering everything from the adaptation of the original Boulle novel to the restoration, 2 featurettes (An Appreciation by John Milius and Rise and Fall of a Jungle Giant), rare audio of William Holden narrating the film's premiere events, a USC short film introduced by Holden, footage of holden and Alec Guinness on The Steve Allen Show and a photo gallery. The package will also include a 35-page book with liner notes and production photos, as well as original lobby card replicas.

Following the El Paso presentation, The Bridge on the River Kwai will be shown at the famous Castro Theatre in San Francisco. The showings are from September 10th - 16th. This is a great theatre to see this classic film. More info here.

On August 8th, the Plaza Theatre in El Paso Texas premiered the brand new digital print of “The Bridge on the River Kwai.” To accompany this show, the El Paso Times posted an interesting article on its third reconstruction and digital scanning process. Interesting reading.

DavidLean.com now has a Twitter account where you can add us and find out all the latest information on David Lean and his films. You can follow us by clicking here.

Taken from Oswell Blakeston’s book, Working for the Films (published in 1947), “Film Director” is an interesting chapter specifically written by David Lean for the book. This chapter is now online and available for reading.

We are excited to announce that Lean’s masterpiece, The Bridge on the River Kwai is being readied to make its appearance on Blu-Ray. It has not been officially announced (that’s very soon) but it appears that it will have the following features: 35 page book with stories and photos from the production; Replications of the original lobby cards; Bonus DVD version of the movie; William Holden and Alec Guinness on The Steve Allen Show; Newly Discovered archival audio of William Holden Narrating The Bridge on the River Kwai Premiere; Crossing the Bridge: Picture-in-Graphics track and more.

Archivist Robert Harris offers some interesting insights regarding the “restoration” of Dr. Zhivago for the recent Blu-ray release. This is part of a forum discussion that continues for several pages. Definitely worth a read.

Doctor Zhivago will arrive on 5/4 on both formats as a new 45th Anniversary Edition.

As per Warner's usual, the film has been lovingly restored by Warner Bros. Motion Picture Imaging to exacting detail. Both the DVD (SRP $24.99) and Blu-ray (SRP $35.99) will include audio commentary with Omar Sharif, Rod Steiger and Lady Sandra Lean (the wife of the film's director, Sir David Lean), an introduction to the film by Sharif, 2 newly-produced featurettes (Doctor Zhivago: A Celebration and Doctor Zhivago: The Making of a Russian Epic), 11 vintage featurettes (including Zhivago: Behind the Camera with David Lean, David Lean's Film of Doctor Zhivago, Moscow in Madrid, Pasternak, New York Press Interviews Omar Sharif, New York Press Interviews Julie Christie, Geraldine Chaplin Screen Test, This is Omar Sharif, This is Julie Christie, This is Geraldine Chaplin and Chaplin in New York) and the film's theatrical trailer.

The Blu-ray will also come packaged in a 44-page booklet (with essays and cast photos), that also includes an 8-song soundtrack selection CD.

(Synopsis taken from thedigitalbits.com.)