These few words are not meant as a review.
They are offered as simple advise to anyone with a shred of interest in the most creative elements of American cinema as it entered the sound era.
Following their immense 21 disc set of director John Ford's work at the studio, Fox Home Entertainment has taken another huge step toward bringing the early work of the studio to the public with a boxed set, that in my personal opinion, is the most beautifully and elegantly packaged in memory.
The films run from 1925 to 1932 and include Murnau's glorious 1927 Sunrise and his 1930 City Girl, plus a dozen Frank Borzage productions with 7th Heaven and Street Angel topping the list, as well as a reconstruction of The River (1929) derived from extant footage and stills. Rounding out the package is a new 106 minute documentary.
While I've sampled several of the productions, I've not yet had quality time to delve into them. Several have been restored by the likes of AMPAS, The BFI, UCLA, MOMA and the Netherlands Filmmuseum in association with Fox. Quality varies based obviously upon what has survived. A quick check of Liliom (1930), the basis for the musical Carousel, exhibited a highly resolved image, a superb gray scale, excellent steadiness, and a first in any version that I've encountered -- quality audio.
This set is coming on the 9th of December, is apt to be produced in limited quantities, and may well sell out and become an eBay staple.
It is currently available via Amazon at $180. While not an insignificant amount, especially in today's economy, the overall quality of this set -- down to the superbly designed and produced packaging -- is a rarity not to be overlooked.
More on this as time permits.
Fox's magnificent Murnau, Borzage and Fox set portends to be the home video event of the year when it comes to early, classic cinema.
All five pounds of it.
RAH
They are offered as simple advise to anyone with a shred of interest in the most creative elements of American cinema as it entered the sound era.
Following their immense 21 disc set of director John Ford's work at the studio, Fox Home Entertainment has taken another huge step toward bringing the early work of the studio to the public with a boxed set, that in my personal opinion, is the most beautifully and elegantly packaged in memory.
The films run from 1925 to 1932 and include Murnau's glorious 1927 Sunrise and his 1930 City Girl, plus a dozen Frank Borzage productions with 7th Heaven and Street Angel topping the list, as well as a reconstruction of The River (1929) derived from extant footage and stills. Rounding out the package is a new 106 minute documentary.
While I've sampled several of the productions, I've not yet had quality time to delve into them. Several have been restored by the likes of AMPAS, The BFI, UCLA, MOMA and the Netherlands Filmmuseum in association with Fox. Quality varies based obviously upon what has survived. A quick check of Liliom (1930), the basis for the musical Carousel, exhibited a highly resolved image, a superb gray scale, excellent steadiness, and a first in any version that I've encountered -- quality audio.
This set is coming on the 9th of December, is apt to be produced in limited quantities, and may well sell out and become an eBay staple.
It is currently available via Amazon at $180. While not an insignificant amount, especially in today's economy, the overall quality of this set -- down to the superbly designed and produced packaging -- is a rarity not to be overlooked.
More on this as time permits.
Fox's magnificent Murnau, Borzage and Fox set portends to be the home video event of the year when it comes to early, classic cinema.
All five pounds of it.
RAH
