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Direct Graphic DVD Comparisons now Online! - Page 7

post #181 of 2333
3/8/03 at 4:23pm
Quote:
He is thinking of the Universal Studios Region 1 "Brazil"... vs. the Criterion...


Then why mention either Anchor Bay, UK, or R2? My instincts tell me that he made one mistake (title) instead of three.

DJ
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post #182 of 2333
3/9/03 at 6:55am
yes, I wrote Brazil instead of Time Bandits!!
I had just written a question about the coming R2 Brazil
and I mixed threads together...
Sorry about the confusion here!

So, what I meant was a comparison between Time Bandits!

But comparing Brazil could also be of great interest!!
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post #183 of 2333
3/9/03 at 8:36am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
My instincts tell me that he...
Keep goin with those instincts

I'm sure we will do both Brazil and Time Bandits in the future!
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post #184 of 2333
3/12/03 at 10:55am
Thread Starter 
Criterion Region 1 - NTSC - "The 39 Steps" vs. Carlton Region 2 - PAL
Roan Film Group Region 0 - NTSC 'The Stranger' vs. Eureka Region 0 - PAL

http://www.compare.dvdbeaver.com/

Cheers,
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post #185 of 2333
3/12/03 at 11:09am
Is there any chance you could provide comparisons between the R1 and R2 versions of Joe Dante's Piranha?
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post #186 of 2333
3/12/03 at 1:56pm
It would also be nice to see a comparison of Freemantle's R2 "Straw Dogs" vs. Criterion Collection R1 "LE Straw Dogs".
If there is really a big difference picturewise when a whole disc is only used for the film (Criterion) compared to a fully stuffed 1-disc R2-edition ?
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post #187 of 2333
3/14/03 at 11:25pm
Thread Starter 
Vanguard Pictures Region 1 NTSC "Tesis" (Thesis) vs. Tartan Region 0 PAL vs. Sogepaq Region 2 - PAL

Universe - Region 3 - NTSC "Brother" vs. Film Four - Region 2 - PAL

http://www.compare.dvdbeaver.com/

Cheers,
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post #188 of 2333
3/18/03 at 5:31am
Thread Starter 
Columbia Tri-Star Region 1 NTSC- Open Matte 'Anatomy of a Murder" vs. Columbia Tri-Star Widescreen Region 2 / 4 - PAL

This is similar to the 'Red Violin' comparison. We have one edition filling the screen with substantially more information (Open Matte) and the other cropped to suit widescreen theatrical audiences. I would, of course, prefer the correct aspect ratio that the director intended, and in this case Preminger shot it in Full frame. The "Anatomy of a Murder" Region 1 NTSC DVD image is cropped but shows substantially more than the Region 2/4 PAL disc. The Region 1 disc is shown as it was filmed in "Open Matte". I believe it was shown in the theaters in 1.85 widescreen. Now, aside from that, the Region 1 is also miles ahead in picture quality. It is clearer, sharper with better contrast and black levels. Widescreen is nice but not at the expense of distributing less information than the director filmed it in. The first capture tells the entire story; the image is hardly cropped on the vertical but severely cropped on the horizontal. Why would you want less information in your image?... and less sharp? No, this is a no-brainer. Region 1, in Open Matte and slightly cropped, all the way. The Extras, menus and chapters are essentially the same in both DVDs.

also:

Anchor Bay - Region 1 - NTSC - Director's cut "Army of Darkness" vs. MGM Director's cut - Region 3 - NTSC

UPDATED: Universe - Region 3 - NTSC "Brother" vs. Bandai - Region 2 - NTSC vs. - Film Four - Region 2 - PAL

UPDATED: Vanguard Pictures Region 1 NTSC "Tesis" (Thesis) vs. Tartan Region 0 PAL vs. Sogepaq Region 2 - PAL

http://www.compare.dvdbeaver.com/


Cheers,
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post #189 of 2333
3/18/03 at 8:09am
Thanks for the comparisons for Anatomy of a Murder. While 1.66:1 may be the correct matting, 1.85:1 kills the composition.
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post #190 of 2333
3/18/03 at 10:14am
Gary Tooze, THANK YOU SO MUCH for this work, it is extremely valuable. I'm sure you aren't praised enough.

Coming up: Criterion's Charade versus the one included with The Truth About Charlie. I own the Criterion, but it isn't anamorphic, so I'll be interested in your opinion whether (or not) I should get the new disk set.
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post #191 of 2333
3/18/03 at 11:51am
When you post the captures of Charade,
I can add captures of a nice UK R2 SE version
(it might be OOP, too bad).
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post #192 of 2333
3/18/03 at 3:18pm
Quote:
While 1.66:1 may be the correct matting, 1.85:1 kills the composition.
Based on those screenshots, I would have to disagree.

The full frame stills show an inordinate amount of headroom. In comparison, nothing looks cropped or tight in the matted shots.

Considering these shots, the fact that the film was released in 1959 and the fact that IMDB also lists the OAR as 1.85:1, I'm inclined to think 1.85:1 is correct.
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post #193 of 2333
3/18/03 at 3:27pm


This doesn't look right. I put the 1.33:1 screenshot in my image editor and then added space on the sides for the extra side information on the 1.85:1 transfer.

Then, I matted it to 1.66:1. It still looks tight. The composition looks very unbalanced in both 1.66:1 and 1.85:1
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post #194 of 2333
3/19/03 at 10:20am
Quote:
The composition looks very unbalanced in both 1.66:1 and 1.85:1


Why/how does it look unbalanced?

As has been noted in another thread the opening titles from Saul Bass are a dead give away that Anatomy Of A Murder was intended to be projected at 1.85:1.
Columbia admitted as much in the below statement (from DVDfile.com's archive July 17, 2000):

ANATOMY OF A MURDER aspect ratio update

There's been quite a bit of email on Columbia's recent release of the James Stewart classic ANATOMY OF A MURDER. While the disc is full frame and originally announced as widescreen, many have written that the original theatrical aspect ratio is everything from 1.66:1 to 2.35:1. After putting an inquiry in to Columbia, the word we received was that the film was matted to 1.85:1 for some theatrical showings but Columbia decided to go with a full frame, open matte transfer only. No reason was given, but since this is an Oscar-nominated film and too long (over 2 1/2) hours) to allow two aspect ratios to fit on a single dual-layer disc, I would have hoped Columbia would have chosen to release an anamorphic widescreen version instead. In any event, the disc is full frame only, so let the buyer beware...

I think you can safely assume that AOAM was matted to 1.85:1 for most theatrical showings. After all, as Rain also noted, this movie is from 1959. Most theatres would have changed over to wider screens by then.
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post #195 of 2333
3/19/03 at 2:18pm
Quote:
Why/how does it look unbalanced?

Look at the top of the frames. There should be a little more headroom than that.
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post #196 of 2333
3/19/03 at 3:10pm
Quote:
As has been noted in another thread the opening titles from Saul Bass are a dead give away that Anatomy Of A Murder was intended to be projected at 1.85:1.


How Saul Bass composed his titles may have little relationship to the AR that was intended for the rest of the film during principal photography.

DJ
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post #197 of 2333
3/19/03 at 3:46pm
The amount of headroom in the 1.85:1 screenshots is not at all unusual.
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post #198 of 2333
3/20/03 at 5:59pm
Thread Starter 
I have finished the comparison of the Mei Ah vs. the Fox Lorber "Madadayo"... and what a sorry drag it is... but a cool poster!
Thanks to Gregory for F/L screen caps...

and an UPDATE: Notorious... here is an updated
comparison of the Criterion vs. the Anchor Bay...
I was surprised at the amount cut off the right edge by Criterion... unusual...
http://www.compare.dvdbeaver.com/

Coming next... Gentleman's Agreement, How Green Was My Valley ( old vs. new ) and the Ice Storm R1 vs. R2...

Cheers,
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post #199 of 2333
3/24/03 at 6:52am
Thread Starter 
Four new comparisons at:

http://www.compare.dvdbeaver.com/

Image Entertainment - Region 0 - NTSC "The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari" vs. Kino - Region 1 - NTSC
Kino is better (except for the first 5 minutes!) - see captures!

20th Century Fox - Region 1 - NTSC "The Ice Storm" vs. Buena Vista (UK) / Sandrew Metronome - Region 2 - PAL
A polarizing and favorite film of mine, Region 1 rules this release...

UPDATED: Anchor Bay - Region 0 - NTSC "Spellbound" vs. Criterion - Region 1 - NTSC
An update of one of our first comparisons... nabbed the excat frames and the Criterion and its good film grain show it is the best...

20th Century Fox - Region 1 - NTSC "How Green was My Valley" vs. RESTORED 20th Century Fox - Region 1 - NTSC
Although the restored version is darker with better contrast, I, personally, don't see it as a huge difference. The problem with the original release of the 20th Century Fox Region 1 "How Green Was My Valley" was in pixelation, especially in highly
detailed areas like stone walls, etc. This seems to have been vened out nicely in the new release which is superior in that respect. Both versions are derived from the same film elements. The restored has better extras (with a commentary), but if you can get the old version cheap, you might want to go for it if you are only moderately keen on this film. The new version does look great though.

Still looking for answers on "Gentleman's Agreement"... I have RAH on the case!

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the wonderful DVD/film fans who are helping with this database of valuable comparisons. Markus of ChiaroScuro, Gregory Meshman ( who also does the Criterion Review Database! ), Ole of now returned DVDBasen!, Steffen Bieker, Kevin Parent, Kin Ho, Enrique B Chamorro, Pavel Borodin and Mark Wilson. Excuse me, if in my haste, I have forgotten someone...

Coming soon... Amores Perros, UPDATED: Rebecca and Gentleman's Agreement...

http://www.compare.dvdbeaver.com/
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post #200 of 2333
3/24/03 at 3:08pm
Kino's edition looks great, even though David Shepard did a good job. The only sad thing is that Kino's edition is missing Timothy Brock's superb score.

Those first few minutes are supposedly supposed to look blown-out as if they were sort of a hazy dream. This is probably why the FPA version seems grainier during this segment.

Gary, do you think any the following movies could be compared:

Amadeus: Original and Director's Cut
A Hard Day's Night: MPI and Miramax
8 1/2: Criterion and Image

and for the not-too-distant future:

Modern Times, The Great Dictator, The Gold Rush, and Limelight: Image vs. Warner-MK2

ADDITION: I know it's redundant, but why not a comparison between the Kino DVD of Metropolis and the Madacy version. (Note: The Madacy version is only a few minutes shorter, but runs at the wrong framespeed: 16fps!!!)
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post #201 of 2333
3/25/03 at 8:21pm
Gary, how does the Lion's Gate version of Amores Perros compare to the R1 Sony release?
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post #202 of 2333
3/28/03 at 6:56am
Thread Starter 
Four more...

Mei Ah - Region 0 - NTSC "Comrades: Almost a Love Story" vs. Mei Ah - RE-ISSUE - Region 0 - NTSC

20th Century Fox - Region 1 - NTSC "Gentleman's Agreement" vs. RE-ISSUE - 20th Century Fox - Region 1 - NTSC
Big Thanks to Gregory for the Newer DVD Captures
UPDATED: Anchor Bay - Region 0 - NTSC "Rebecca" vs. Criterion - Region 1 - NTSC

Lion's Gate - Region 1 - NTSC "Amores Perros" vs. Filmax (Spain)- Region 2 - PAL vs. Madman (Australia) Region 0 - PAL
Big thanks to Ole of DVDBasen for the PAL Screen Caps!

http://www.compare.dvdbeaver.com/

Cheers,
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post #203 of 2333
3/28/03 at 7:39am
Thanks!

But we're still waiting for Jean de Flourette and Manon of the Springs R2/R1 comparisons!
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post #204 of 2333
3/28/03 at 8:10am
Charade? Criterion (non-anamorphic) and the new version (anamorphic) that comes with The Truth About Charlie
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post #205 of 2333
4/1/03 at 5:55am
Thread Starter 
Three more:

MGM/UA*- Region 1 - NTSC "Jean de Florette" vs. Pathe Region 2 - PAL

MGM/UA*- Region 1 - NTSC "Manon des Sources" vs. Pathe Region 2 - PAL

Supplement to "The Eel" comparison... New Yorker vs. German TV Transmission

Both Pathe versions are a little disappointing... I assume the Renn Productions (France) versions are the best for those two Berri films, although they don't have Eng subs.

NOTE: Any images of a naked, dancing Emmanuelle Béart are totally conicidental.

http://www.compare.dvdbeaver.com/

Cheers,
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post #206 of 2333
4/1/03 at 3:00pm
Thread Starter 
Two more:

Criterion - Region 1 - NTSC "Great Expectations" vs. Carlton Region 2 - PAL


Criterion - Region 1 - NTSC "Oliver Twist" vs. Carlton Region 2 - PAL

Criterions all the way...

Cheers,
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post #207 of 2333
4/1/03 at 4:02pm
are you doing Straw Dogs anytime soon ?


thanks
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post #208 of 2333
4/2/03 at 7:09am
Thread Starter 
New one...

FreeMantle Region 0 - PAL "Straw Dogs" vs. Anchor Bay Region 1 NTSC vs. Criterion Region 1 - NTSC

http://www.compare.dvdbeaver.com/
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post #209 of 2333
4/2/03 at 7:55am
Interesting the comparisons between MGM's R1 Jean De Flourette/Manon des sources and R2.

I have so say that I think the more saturated color (yellow/green cast) on the R2 version is more like I remember it originally. I've never seen the film projected, but I've seen in on cable many times and I have the old P/S LDs and all of them have the same warm, rich yellow/green glow. I think it may have been intentional by the film makers and certainly is preferred (IMO) to the washed-out/dull look of the *HORRID* 4x3 lbxed/compression-ridden MGM discs. Sheesh!

-dave
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post #210 of 2333
4/2/03 at 8:02am
Thread Starter 
You may be right David,

I looked at these images till I was blue in the face. If you can get over the greenish tinge then the R2's are probably for you... best course of action: learn French and get the Renn Films Production DVDs. Needless to say I was disappointed in both sets of DVd in these comparisons... What about the aspect ratio?, In my eye the R2's have been squished (fatter faces) or is it the R1' have been stretched (thinner)... ?

Cheers,
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