One Short Question About Glenn Gould

November 9, 2010 6:10 AM

Why can't I find "32 Short Films About Glenn Gould" on DVD? I really loved that movie -- a drama/documentary about the brilliant, eccentric Canadian pianist who played the works of J.S. Bach like no one else. I haven't seen it in 10 years though, so I'm not sure how it has held up. I tried to find it recently and it doesn't seem to be available on DVD. There are some VHS tapes on eBay, but I don't want a VHS tape and don't want it bad enough to pay $100 for it (some copies were moving for over $300 on Amazon.) Does anyone know why it (presumably) hasn't been released on DVD? A poor money risk for a studio? Rights problems of some kind? Thanks.
posted by Buffaload to media & arts (9 answers total)

Not a DVD, but Netflix has it on streaming.
posted by raygan at 6:18 AM on November 9, 2010 [3 favorites]

It's on DVD. expensive, but out there. Amazon has it. Gould's estate made a deal for the music performance. To be used for a limited DVD run within a certain time period, which is why it hasn't been reissued. It's probably at a library near you.
posted by Ideefixe at 6:55 AM on November 9, 2010

It may be at your local library.
posted by morganannie at 7:09 AM on November 9, 2010

It's on YouTube as well.
posted by nikkorizz at 7:35 AM on November 9, 2010

My local indie video store used to have it, but it was never returned, and they said it's too expensive to replace. Ditto for the Cremaster series.
posted by spikeleemajortomdickandharryconnickjrmints at 8:52 AM on November 9, 2010

Let me check my VHS box-o-movies. I don't have a VHS player anyhow. I've been offloading on my friends for months, so it might be gone, but if it's not, it's yours.
posted by Shepherd at 9:09 AM on November 9, 2010

I know this indie video rental place in Seattle has it, because I rented it from them.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 10:24 AM on November 9, 2010

It is worth viewing, btw.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 10:25 AM on November 9, 2010

You guys are great. I checked my infrequently-used Netflix account probably six weeks ago and it wasn't available for streaming (or at all) at that time. It's great to see it available there now. I began watching it today and I'm thrilled to be re-acquainted with it. Interesting info about the family and performance rights.
posted by Buffaload at 12:22 PM on November 9, 2010