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: 4.378788 / 5 from 66 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.
"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
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)
Fascinating odd-ball 70s character study.
"Fascinating odd-ball 70s character study. A real curiosity I would've never known about it not for the disc."
— Jacob K. (4/5)
Cute and crushing
"Don't listen to anyone comparing this to Taxi Driver. It's more like The Leather Boys"
— Avery E. (5/5)
Great
"A great collection of movies . Worth getting for the special features alone"
— Matthew R. (4/5)
The Ernie Game
"Really enjoyed this one from CIP. The bonus remastered version of the Leonard Cohen documentary was the icing on the cake. Long live CIP!!!"
— Adam K. (5/5)
Good movie
"Good movie, didn't quite click for me as much as some others. Particularly the director's other film in the CIP collection, Nobody Waved Goodbye, which is fantastic. Great bonus content."
— Scott P. (3/5)
another packed CIP release
"Ne'er-do-well flounders in self-made dissatisfaction. A great flawed-character study set in mostly snow-covered Canada. A NAKED for the free-love set. ERNIE GAME is a great film rescued from obscurity by CIP & loaded down with additional features. A further selection of shorts from the filmmakers and era are one of my favorite kinds of special feature & CIP is very generous on this front. I missed out on the slip but prefer the dark-colored artwork anyway!"
— Isaac W. (4/5)
Oh Canada
"Love that I can get these Canadian movies on blu-ray"
— gabriel j. (5/5)
not for me
"not for me"
— Jermaine M. (2/5)
Canadian International Pictures
"What a great movie !! Another partner label gem from CIP ……"
— richard c. (5/5)
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