Dale Peart's Turner Classic Movie Prints

If you've been collecting movie art prints for any length of time, you've probably noticed the recent trend (and by "recent" I really mean the last two years) of artists favoring minimalist film posters. It makes sense, doesn't it? Minimalist designs don't theoretically take all that long to complete or require many resources to create (again, theoretically), and can often be a great platform to exhibit one's intellectual prowess. That's not a condemnation or promotion of minimalism, that's just my way of saying it's popular - really popular. And since I've seen so many great minimalist designs already, a poster really needs to be better than great for me to take notice. In my opinion, Dale Peart's three Turner Classic Movie ("TCM") prints rise above the crowd, because not only do they beautifully celebrate some fantastic films, they also share a thoughtful design philosophy that's both clever and comments on the movies they seek to commemorate.

If you've looked at all three posters, I'm sure you immediately noticed that there were some similar visual elements repeated in each design. Here's what Dale had to say about his overarching approach to the TCM prints (every quote in this post was merrily lifted from his blog):

"I decided that each of my films must link visually, each must link with their idea, but they also must sum up the main message of the film, or what the film is about. Without these, the posters wouldn't succeed as a representation of the film or as a set.

I spent some time deliberating how to link all these posters together. I did so not only with the idea, but also visually. After analysing all three films, noting down important and iconic moments within each and what was the underlying message behind them all. It became apparent the main theme / subject of each, was about something or someone hiding, or chasing."

Color me impressed. I really like that interpretation and can honestly say I've never thought to group Alien, Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind, and No Country for Old Men together before.

Alien Movie Poster
Dale Peart
16.5" x 23.4" - Signed and Numbered
£16 - Limited to 15 (First Edition)

I'll start with my favorite of the set, Alien. I remember seeing this image on Tumblr a while back and really digging it, but I wasn't aware this could actually be purchased, figuring it was just concept art or something TCM had featured on their website. The following is how Mr. Peart described his inspiration:

"Ripley sets a self destruct sequence blowing up the Nostromo and seemingly wiping out the Alien in a visually spectacular explosion. Not all is as it seems though and the Alien is perfectly hidden amongst the architecture of Ripley's escape pod. Giger's design works at its finest during this scene to create one of the ultimate shock scenes in film history. I abstracted what the architecture of the pipes looked like and visually represented it using this single line, which the alien can hide within."

I remember that scene well and the idea of a predatory Alien (not the Predator) hiding in a worn, dirt-caked spaceship is wonderfully recreated here. And fear not Giger enthusiasts, even this stripped down version of the Xenomorph has retained its iconic phallic shape. Dale's Alien poster measures 16.5" x 23.4" and costs £16 (approximately $25). To purchase a print you'll need to email dale.peart@hotmail.co.uk.

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind Movie Poster
Dale Peart
16.5" x 23.4" - Signed and Numbered
£16 - Limited to 15 (First Edition)

I remember watching this film in theaters and being blown away by the creativity on screen, cementing in me a lifelong admiration for Michel Gondry and Charlie Kaufman. Dale Peart's Eternal Sunshine poster elegantly visualizes Joel's (played by Jim Carey) struggle to retain his memory and ensure he never forgets his lively Clementine (played by Kate Winslet). Dale's Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind poster measures 16.5" x 23.4" and costs £16. To purchase a print you'll need to email dale.peart@hotmail.co.uk.

No Country for Old Men Movie Poster
Dale Peart
16.5" x 23.4" - Signed and Numbered
£16 - Limited to 15 (First Edition)

Finally, we arrive at No Country for Old Men. This modern-day classic brought to life one of the most frightening characters to ever grace the silver screen, Anton Chigurh. Peart's print admirably immortalizes Chigurh's ingenious and terrifyingly mundane tool of death, the cattle gun. But beyond shaping Anton's weapon of choice, the vertical lines also call to mind the suburban picket fence slats in the film's final scene and setting. Then again, I might be reaching on that one. Dale's No Country for Old Men poster measures 16.5" x 23.4" and costs £16. To purchase a print you'll need to email dale.peart@hotmail.co.uk.

To learn more about Dale Peart, be sure to visit his website at dalepeart.co.uk. And there's a very real chance that I might have some Peart prints to give away in the near future. So that's cool!