- Joined
- Feb 8, 1999
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- 18,432
- Real Name
- Robert Harris
Olive's other Signature release for November is major to those who pray at the temple of Orson Welles.
A Shakespearean western (sort of) version of the Bard's Macbeth.
Originally released in 1948 through Republic, and produced on a budge slightly above zero, it remains of interest. It was beautifully shot, in black & white, by John L. Russell, who was second camera operator on The Stranger, and later DP for Hitchcock on Psycho.
The problem with the 1948 version, which runs 107 minutes, is that the accents make it virtually impossible to understand the dialogue. This is helped by Olive's sub-titles, but those titles also service the needs of those who are hard of hearing, and thus, have all of the stage directions for audio. Not a deal killer, but would have been nicer to have a separate sub-title band.
The 1950 re-issue has no such problem with audio, and is actually an interesting variant, with voice-over by Welles, and shortened by 22 minutes.
Fortunately, Olive has given us both versions of the film, making this an important release, inclusive of a myriad of extras.
While those living on the likes of Transformers and Independence Day probably need not apply, for the rest of us, this is an important, quality release.
Image - 4
Audio - 4
4k Up-rez - 4.25
Pass / Fail - Pass
Recommended
RAH
A Shakespearean western (sort of) version of the Bard's Macbeth.
Originally released in 1948 through Republic, and produced on a budge slightly above zero, it remains of interest. It was beautifully shot, in black & white, by John L. Russell, who was second camera operator on The Stranger, and later DP for Hitchcock on Psycho.
The problem with the 1948 version, which runs 107 minutes, is that the accents make it virtually impossible to understand the dialogue. This is helped by Olive's sub-titles, but those titles also service the needs of those who are hard of hearing, and thus, have all of the stage directions for audio. Not a deal killer, but would have been nicer to have a separate sub-title band.
The 1950 re-issue has no such problem with audio, and is actually an interesting variant, with voice-over by Welles, and shortened by 22 minutes.
Fortunately, Olive has given us both versions of the film, making this an important release, inclusive of a myriad of extras.
While those living on the likes of Transformers and Independence Day probably need not apply, for the rest of us, this is an important, quality release.
Image - 4
Audio - 4
4k Up-rez - 4.25
Pass / Fail - Pass
Recommended
RAH
