Sleeper is the 4th film written and directed by Woody Allen, first released in 1973.
Woody Allen stars as Miles Monroe, a man who has been frozen for 200 years. He wakes to find himself in a strange futuristic world, run by an oppressive, big-brother-like government force. Things get worse when he unwittingly becomes part of the underground movement and causes a revolution.
Sleeper is another in the early run of high concept set ups for Woody Allen’s comedy. But it sees Allen’s continued growth as a visual director and a writer with more than just jokes. And probably most importantly of all – it marks the arrival of Diane Keaton into his films.
Welcome to the Woody Allen Pages Podcast, by me, the creator of the Woody Allen Pages website. This week, episode 12, we look at 1973’s Sleeper. How it was conceived, how it was made, and how it’s great. Spoilers are everywhere so watch the film first, then come back.
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3 Comments
Of Woody’s early funny films, Sleeper is I think his best. Interestingly, I love the way the film reveals Woody’s burgeoning love affair with aluminum foil!! Aluminum foil makes an appearance in abundance in Sleeper and also I believe in Crimes and Misdemeanors. If that stuff can preserve a broccoli casserole overnight, it can also preserve a human being for two-hundred years as well!!! And of course it’s great to see the incredible Diane Keaton in Sleeper. Diane always does a great job in each of her film projects.
GO WOODY!!!
AND
GO DIANE!!!
Lovely! Possibly my favorite Allen film with Play it Again Sam right up there as well. I hope you cover that one as a bonus episode. Some sad news about the soundtrack. From Kritzerland Records:
“The original plan was to include Sleeper on this release, but alas the only tape was a music stem 7 1/2ips thing which had all the awful volume shifts and abrupt cut-offs that occur in the film itself. It simply wasn’t usable, save for the main title. Take The Money is a different studio and I’m not sure who owns that now.”
Also, the original script for Sleeper is for sale at Royal Books for a cool $3850.00
Great episode! Puts Sleeper into context alongside Allen’s other “early funny ones”. Good insights and lots of little facts I didn’t know. I love hearing the clips, too, they instantly take me back to the times I’ve watched and re-watched the film. And your research into the music is incredible! Very enjoyable and, like the films themselves, I find the podcast is always worth more than one visit…