Don't Let the Angels Fall

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!

Haunted by memories of a recent affair, securities advisor Robert Harrison (The Andromeda Strain’s Arthur Hill) feels a growing sense of alienation from his wife Myrna (Last Night’s Charmion King) and their sons Michael (John Kastner) and Guy (Jon Michaelson). As Michael embraces radical politics and Guy becomes dangerously isolated from his peers, Robert remains largely oblivious, distracted by visions of his recent mistress (Point Blank’s Sharon Acker) and other infidelities. As confidence in Robert fades, the family spirals out of control, which paves the way for a shocking, perception-shifting discovery.

The first Canadian film to compete for the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival, this remarkable feature directorial debut from George Kaczender (In Praise of Older Women, Agency) builds on the experiments of Michelangelo Antonioni and Alain Resnais to deliver an impressively modern, unsentimental look at family dysfunction and midlife malaise. The only original screenplay by celebrated novelist Timothy Findley (The Wars), Don’t Let the Angels Fall taps into the existential currents of ’60s literary icons John Updike (Rabbit, Run) and John Cheever (The Swimmer) to deliver a haunting, evocative, occasionally psychedelic experience.

CIP is proud to present this overlooked Canadian classic in a special edition featuring over two hours of equally assured Kaczender shorts, including the Michael Sarrazin (They Shoot Horses, Don’t They?) delinquent gem, You’re No Good.

directed by: George Kaczender
starring: Arthur Hill, Sharon Acker, Charmion King, Jon Michaelson, John Kastner, Michèle Magny, Monique Mercure
1969 / 99 min / 1.33:1 / English Mono

Additional info:

• Region Free Blu-ray
• Scanned and restored in 2K from the 35mm interpositive
• Audio commentary featuring actor Jon Michaelson
• Five short films directed by George Kaczender: Ballerina (1964, 28 min.), Phoebe (1964, 28 min.),You’re No Good (1965, 28 min.), Little White Crimes (1966, 28 min.), and The Game (1968, 28 min.)
• Impressions of Expo 67 (1967, 8 min.)
• Bonus short: Toys (1967, 8 min.)
• Booklet featuring a new essay by Sherrill Grace, author of Tiff: A Life of Timothy Findley
• Reversible cover artwork
• English SDH subtitles for all eight films

Purchase Original Edition From Vinegar Syndrome.