• Robert Downey Sr. and Paul Thomas Anderson on Babo 73

    Robert Downey Sr. and Paul Thomas Anderson have been close friends for years. (You can see Downey in a memorable cameo as a record producer in Anderson’s 1997 film Boogie Nights.) Last month, the two directors came to the Criterion Collection offices to have a casual conversation about the making of the films in the Eclipse set Up All Night with Robert Downey Sr. In this first of four episodes, they discuss Downey’s debut, the political satire Babo 73. We’ll post the remaining parts of their conversation once a week, so keep checking back.


    Watch parts two, three, and four.

    Video, Web Exclusives

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29 comments

  • By Sachin Dharwadker
    May 17, 2012
    05:20 PM

    Criterion needs some Paul Thomas Anderson!
    Reply

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    • By Jarred
      May 17, 2012
      07:09 PM

      Agreed.

    • By jerryjuiceteria
      May 17, 2012
      10:44 PM

      hell yes

    • By Brian D.
      May 18, 2012
      03:51 PM

      Hard Eight (Sydney) would make a good Criterion edition

    • By sami90dpi
      June 28, 2012
      09:05 AM

      there will be blood is on my top 5 fav movie list!

  • By Sidney
    May 17, 2012
    06:00 PM

    Thanks, Criterion. This was very enlightening, and I can't wait for the new Eclipse box set.
    Reply

  • By julius
    May 18, 2012
    09:00 AM

    There will be blood?
    Reply

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    • By Linda
      May 18, 2012
      01:59 PM

      A CC of anyone of his movies would do. Yes please thank you very much.

  • By Adam
    May 18, 2012
    01:54 PM

    Paul Thomas Anderson movies scream Criterion Collection! You had him in your office. C'mon guys, it's a no-brainer!
    Reply

  • By Collin Green
    May 18, 2012
    02:40 PM

    I would like to see Putney Swope in the Criterion Collection Catalog. As well, as There Will Be Blood or Boogie Nights. Or all three.
    Reply

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    • By Ian
      May 18, 2012
      04:18 PM

      Putney Swope IS a part of the Eclipse set this video is promoting.

  • By adam
    May 18, 2012
    03:39 PM

    PT Anderson is a hack, but it's nice that he's hyping someone with real talent.
    Reply

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    • By Ian
      May 18, 2012
      04:17 PM

      Oh, that is sooooooooooooooooo hip of you to say!

    • By Adam
      May 20, 2012
      10:08 PM

      Speaking as a fellow Adam, you, sir, make me ashamed to share the same name. Obviously another pretentious contrarian. What's the matter, more than 500 people know who PTA is, so you don't like him anymore?

    • By Dave
      May 22, 2012
      03:53 PM

      PTA is a hack. He has nothing to say, of course you fan boys love him though.

  • By Gringo
    May 18, 2012
    04:52 PM

    Fuck "adam".
    Reply

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    • By Jarred
      May 18, 2012
      09:05 PM

      Adam clearly doesn't know what he's talking about. PT Anderson has made three films that were all individually and universally hailed as some of the greatest of the past two decades, he has won numerous awards at various film festivals, more critical ink has been spilled on him than just about any other modern filmmaker, and Criterion not only invited him for commentary here, but also appreciated his input on almost all their Max Ophuls' special features. His reputation is not at all in question, some snobby so-called film people just like to attack him for the sake of going against the crowd.

  • By Geoff
    May 19, 2012
    02:17 AM

    PT Anderson is my favorite filmmaker and I need Criterion to pick up all of his films.
    Reply

  • By Shaun
    May 19, 2012
    10:28 AM

    There Will Be Blood is better than Citizen Kane.
    Reply

  • By Scott
    May 19, 2012
    11:28 AM

    I'd love to see Hard Eight in a CC blu-ray. One of my most awaited high-def titles. Make it happen, CC!
    Reply

  • By Andrew
    May 19, 2012
    02:41 PM

    Please give us Punch Drunk Love on Criterion Blu Ray.
    Reply

  • By Andrew
    May 19, 2012
    11:02 PM

    I am another real Andrew that would like a Punch Drunk Love Bluray. Hard Eight would sell as well!
    Reply

  • By DavyWalker
    May 20, 2012
    05:54 PM

    The Master Criterion Blu-ray!!!!! Everyone knows it was being discussed!
    Reply

  • By Mike White
    May 22, 2012
    10:33 AM

    You can hear more of Robert Downey talking about the box and PT Anderson via the Projection Booth podcast on Putney Swope - projection-booth dot com
    Reply

  • By xonk
    May 25, 2012
    07:09 AM

    Please do away with the comment box, CC. Too much dumbocracy here (and everywhere else on the net).
    Reply

  • By swac
    May 25, 2012
    08:00 AM

    Dang, I was hoping this new Eclipse set would include Downey Sr.'s POUND. (I was also hoping for GREASER'S PALACE, but at least that's already out there on DVD in some form). Who doesn't want to see a young Robert Downey Jr. playing a puppy?
    Reply

  • By Brian
    May 30, 2012
    11:31 AM

    Man, if this is what happens in the Criterion offices it feels like the coolest place to work ever.
    Reply

  • By Henry D
    July 05, 2012
    04:08 AM

    This was / is great. Thank you to Criterion for finally putting out the early work of a mostly unacknowledged cinema genius. How about this: One more, a second volume, pairing POUND with GREASER'S PALACE. Or if G.P. can't be re-released because it's already on DVD, how about POUND by itself with additional docu material on Downey, Sr., his life and times? POUND is an interesting movie that simply hasn't been seen anywhere in decades.
    Reply

  • By Daniel W.
    December 15, 2012
    10:50 PM

    sorry for the above comment box, I accidently clicked the post button first. So how come Criterion would put effort on Heaven's Gate and not Hard Eight or There Will Be Blood? I think P.T. Anderson is more deserving than Cimino.
    Reply

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