The 5th String -- Dwight Diller movie

Subject: The 5th String -- Dwight Diller movie
From: Uncle_DaveO
Date: 19 Apr 05 - 10:32 PM

I recently bought, and just tonight watched a wonderful movie, called "The Fifth String", with the great banjo/fiddle player and teacher, Dwight Diller, and the wonderful old-time fiddler, John Morris.

Diller's character, Daniel Greenfield, is from Appalachia, but has been away (in academia, a PhD in music and folk culture) for about thirty years, and has in effect rejected his mountain roots. When his uncle (who raised him and his brother, played by Morris) dies he flies back for the funeral. The culture and the music which he had put out of his life for years comes back, I suppose you could say to his "spiritual salvation". When I say "spiritual" I'm not talking about religion.

There are no professional actors in the movie, but I didn't feel any lack of convincing characterization. The old-time music throughout is absolutely first-rate, including an great deal of it done by Diller and Morris, and the plot is very affecting. The Appalachian culture is well and convincingly presented, along with the great scenery you'd expect to find in that neck of the woods.

I cannot recommend this movie enough. It's an independent film, and you'll probably never see it in a movie house or the rental stores. It costs $14.95, and money well spent too.   You can get it through Amazon.

Dave Oesterreich

Subject: RE: The 5th String -- Dwight Diller movie
From: Guy Wolff
Date: 19 Apr 05 - 10:41 PM

Great to hear of this.. I will keep a look out for it !! Thanks Dave

Subject: RE: The 5th String -- Dwight Diller movie
From: GLoux
Date: 20 Apr 05 - 08:53 AM

Here's a link to amazon

Subject: RE: The 5th String -- Dwight Diller movie
From: BanjoRay
Date: 20 Apr 05 - 09:07 AM

I just tried to order it on Amazon - they refuse to send it to the UK - I presume because the region's wrong, even though I can hack my machine to play it. Maybe Dwight'll bring some over when I see him in November.
Cheers
Ray

Subject: RE: The 5th String -- Dwight Diller movie
From: Uncle_DaveO
Date: 20 Apr 05 - 10:22 AM

I assume the reason they won't send it to the UK is the following, copied from Amazon:

# Encoding: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. This DVD will probably NOT be viewable in other countries. Read more about DVD formats.)

So unless you have a DVD player that runs on the US/Canada encoding, you'd be out of luck even if Dwight brought a supply.

Dave Oesterreich

Subject: RE: The 5th String -- Dwight Diller movie
From: BanjoRay
Date: 20 Apr 05 - 11:49 AM

My DVD'll run anything from anywhere - I found a hack on the net that overrides the region-specific stuff. Surely it should be up to me whether I buy the DVD or not, not Amazon.com. Our version, Amazon.co.uk don't recognise it as an item, so it's probably not out in Pal format. UK machines have no trouble with US formats, just the regional code.
Cheers
Ray

Subject: RE: The 5th String -- Dwight Diller movie
From: oombanjo
Date: 20 Apr 05 - 03:49 PM

Ray,If you get Dwight to send some over, put me down for one. While I'm on this thread with Guy Wolff, I got your Cd "Out and About" from Bill Sables and there is not a single track that I do not enjoy. Cheers Oombanjo.

Subject: RE: The 5th String -- Dwight Diller movie
From: Burke
Date: 20 Apr 05 - 04:06 PM

Dwight's recordings can be purchased online & shipped overseas from his wife's store. Morning Star Folk Arts.

I can't find The 5th String listed there, but maybe if you send an e-mail, they can help you.

Subject: RE: The 5th String -- Dwight Diller movie
From: GUEST,Russ
Date: 20 Apr 05 - 07:15 PM

I've watched the movie several times. Thoroughly enjoy it every time. John's a natural.

Subject: RE: The 5th String -- Dwight Diller movie
From: Uncle_DaveO
Date: 20 Apr 05 - 09:11 PM

Commenting on the acting, I have to say, in all honesty, I thought John Morris was the better actor.

Dave Oesterreich

Subject: RE: The 5th String -- Dwight Diller movie
From: GUEST,Russ
Date: 21 Apr 05 - 11:57 AM

John just had to be John. Dwight had to try to be someone else.

Subject: RE: The 5th String -- Dwight Diller movie
From: Black Diamond
Date: 09 Sep 10 - 07:29 AM

Hi
Six years further on, does anyone know if we can buy this DVD for English players yet .. I would love to see it

thanks
Lin

Subject: RE: The 5th String -- Dwight Diller movie
From: GUEST
Date: 09 Sep 10 - 07:50 AM

Lin,

Look here: www.dwightdiller.com:

We also have the movie, "The 5th String" which is a feature length film starring Dwight, welknown Clay County WVa fiddler John Morris, a West Virginia cast and filmed in rural West Virginia.'' Email Elaine ([e-mail]) or call her at 304-653-4397 for catalog information or to place an order for a particular item.

Subject: RE: The 5th String -- Dwight Diller movie
From: Black Diamond
Date: 09 Sep 10 - 10:45 AM

thanks Guest, but I had already tried that.
the link to their morning star folk music doenst work, so I have emailed them. However as in the conversati0ns above, I cvan only find the DVD on American Amazon and not English. I guess I was just kinda hoping ...........
Lin

Subject: RE: The 5th String -- Dwight Diller movie
From: Black Diamond
Date: 09 Sep 10 - 10:48 AM

ah I have just had a reply from my email to Elaine. she is no longer agent for Dwights merchandise
Lin

Subject: RE: The 5th String -- Dwight Diller movie
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 09 Sep 10 - 11:00 AM

They've just got the link to Morning Star made badly, here it is: Morning Star Folk Arts.

They do ship to the UK, unfortunately, I don't see the movie listed in their music section.

The Amazon listing is for a "manufactured on demand" disk. Interesting -- I didn't know they did that.

~ Becky in Tucson

Subject: RE: The 5th String -- Dwight Diller movie
From: Slag
Date: 09 Sep 10 - 09:17 PM

DaveO, just between you and me it IS religion. If the love for this music and what it does to and for the folks isn't religion then I've wasted my life studying the phenomenon.

Subject: RE: The 5th String -- Dwight Diller movie
From: YorkshireYankee
Date: 09 Sep 10 - 09:48 PM

Lin,

I live in Sheffield but get back to the US every year or two. I could order it from Amazon (or wherever) while I'm there & bring it back to the UK with me for you. Come to think of it, I could bring back more than one, if there's anyone else over here who's really keen on having a copy.

YY (Vikki)

Subject: RE: The 5th String -- Dwight Diller movie
From: Black Diamond
Date: 10 Sep 10 - 07:24 AM

Hi Vikki
That is very kind of you. Im not sure what all this talk about regions is though, will it play on my DVD player do you know??? If it will then I would take up your offer gladly.
Lin

Subject: RE: The 5th String -- Dwight Diller movie
From: YorkshireYankee
Date: 10 Sep 10 - 08:35 AM

Will check with my beloved Hubbie -- who is an alpha geek & can prolly hack 'tweak' it to work just about anywhere -- and post back here this evening...