This Partner Label release is distributed through Vinegar Syndrome's sister company OCN Distribution. Vinegar Syndrome had no part in, nor are responsible for, the restoration, extras, quality control or any content(s) of this release. We hope you enjoy our growing roster of Partner Labels and the expertise and curation brought to each release by their dedicated staff!
Details
This special limited edition embossed slipcover (designed by Derek Gabryszak) is limited to 1,500 units and is only available here at VinegarSyndrome.com!
From arthouse to Canuxploitation, Canadian International Pictures (CIP) is devoted to resurrecting vital, distinctive, and overlooked triumphs of Canadian cinema. This label is focused on the country’s original cinematic boom years – spanning the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s – occasionally venturing past that period (and the country’s borders) to highlight the films of Canada’s most inspired actors and filmmakers.Vinegar Syndrome’s sister company, OCN Distribution, is thrilled to be representing CIP's brand new line of home video releases!
Following a mysterious stay in a psychiatric hospital, Ernie Turner (The Prisoner’s Alexis Kanner) decides to pursue his destiny as a writer. Hungry for inspiration and human contact, he ventures into the vibrant streets of ’60s Montreal, establishes a conflicted romance with Donna (The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz’s Judith Gault), and reunites with his frustrated ex, Gail (The Dead Zone’s Jackie Burroughs). Unable to reconcile the pieces of his fragmented existence or make any progress on the literary front, Ernie begins a new descent into madness – with shocking results.
The second feature from celebrated Canadian filmmaker Don Owen (Nobody Waved Goodbye), The Ernie Game is a penetrating, unsettling character study and an inexplicably overlooked triumph of the New Hollywood era. Predating like-minded studies of loner desperation from Midnight Cowboy to Taxi Driver in a ’60s milieu comparable to Inside Llewyn Davis – complete with a musical performance by budding folkie Leonard Cohen – The Ernie Game has a distinctly Canadian vitality and desolation.
This release also features four of Owen’s earlier films, including Notes for a Film About Donna & Gail – which introduces two of The Ernie Game’s central characters – and a remastered presentation of the landmark documentary (co-directed by Donald Brittain), Ladies and Gentlemen, Mr. Leonard Cohen.
directed by: Don Owen starring: Alexis Kanner, Judith Gault, Jackie Burroughs, Derek May, Louis Negin, Leonard Cohen 1967 / 88 min / 1.85:1 / English Mono
Additional info:
Region Free Blu-ray
Booklet
Short films:
High Steel (1965, 14 min.)
Ladies and Gentlemen, Mr. Leonard Cohen (1965, 44 min.)
Notes for a Film About Donna & Gail (1966, 49 min.)
A Further Glimpse of Joey (1966, 28 min.)
Cosmic Zoom (1968, 8 min.)
Reversible cover artwork
English SDH subtitles
Overall rating: 4.4375 / 5 from 64 reviews.
AI Generated Review Summary
This limited edition slipcover for The Ernie Game, a penetrating character study from the New Hollywood era, offers excellent cinematography and a collection of special features. Customers appreciate the film's depiction of a flawed character and its Canadian vitality. The restoration and special features are highly praised, though some find the protagonist's behavior problematic.
Summary topics
Cinematography (18%): Based on many customers, this movie is a great collection of movies with excellent cinematography.
Special Features (11%): Customers raved about the special features, which were described as fantastic and a great start into experiencing Canadian film.
Character Study (15%): Many customers expressed appreciation for the delightful and endearing character study, which was a great flawed character study.
Restoration Quality (8%): It was reported by customers that the film looks great and has excellent cinematography and a stunning restoration.
"The movie is great with interesting characters and looks great with excellent cinematography." — Mark P.
"Nice little film, solid character study." — Jason S.
"A quiet and honest little Canadian film that depicts the fear of growing up and the stress of everyday life." — Josh B.
Reviews
Awesome CIP Release
"Got this during the summer subscriber sale, CIP's first release, and it's loaded with great bonus extras and the movie itself rules! Definitely worth getting."
— Eli O. (5/5)
Great movie, huge bonus for Leonard Cohen!
"A great Canadian take on the disaffected male narrative so common in 70s independent cinema. Great performances and visuals! Plus, any amount of Leonard Cohen is an instant bonus, and the extra short film about him is an awesome bonus!!"
— Tony H. (5/5)
Interesting and packed release
"The film itself is a solid, downbeat 60s character study accompanied by a variety of neat short films, which were almost worth the price alone. Very thankful for this release though the DNR on the picture was too aggressive."
— Tyler K. (4/5)
A great film with great
"A great film with great special features, including shorts that are just as required viewing as the feature. A gem."
— Patrick L. (3/5)
Essential coming of age movie
"Essential coming of age movie"
— Ian C. (4/5)
The Ernie Game
"An enjoyable film."
— Gloria W. (5/5)
Canadian Classic
"Another buried gem. Highly recommend."
— Kyle G. (5/5)
Good CIP Release
"Another great CIP release with music form Leonard Cohen!"
— Frank M. (5/5)
Lesser Don Owen Makes for an Incredible Release
"The first time I managed to watch a copy of Ernie Game, I hated it. So, why did I pick it up? In short, because Canadian International Pictures is a brilliant label. This release, like Don Owen's other release, Nobody Waved Goodbye, includes a lot of Owen's previous work. In fact, this one is worth the purchase even if you only do it for Ladies and Gentlemen, Mr. Leonard Cohen. What is incredible is seeing these works that I had previously only seen on 16mm film or whatever other format in such crisp detail. I am glad I bought it, because I found myself appreciating the Ernie Game a little more. It is still a lesser Owen film, but its Canadian take on the disaffected "genius" reminded me of Mike Leigh's Naked and it is always so cool to see Leonard Cohen and Jackie Burroughs as practical babies. In short, this release is absolutely worth it, because you will surely find something to love in the treasure trove of available works."
— Shahbaz K. (5/5)
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