Hitchcock's Notorious from Criterion (1 Viewer)

Robert Harris · Oct 16, 2001

More positive news re: classic cinema.
Criterion's new release of Notorious is brilliant.
It perfectly represents the film with a full rich gray
scale and deep blacks.
RAH

Ugo Scarlata · Oct 16, 2001

Excellent! I was just looking for comments on this disc... Now I can shop with confidence!

I have high hopes for Criterion's Rebecca as well, which should be out in less than a month...
Cheers,
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Dave Barth · Oct 16, 2001

Thanks for the excellent news Mr. Harris.

Randy_M · Oct 16, 2001

I've been waiting a long time for this one, and am real happy with the quality...too bad Hitch had to use a couple of grainy stock shots (plane coming in to Rio)...
I'd also really like to see Criterion put their magic touch to the rest of the sound British titles, at least starting with The Man Who Knew Too Much.
Have Rebecca on order and will also be looking for Spellbound.
Anyone know if Criterion is going to do The Paradine Case? Although it's rather a maligned film, I kind of liked it. Can't go wrong with Charles Laughton....
Cheers

SteveGon · Oct 16, 2001

Thanks Mr. Harris. Amazon shipped my copy today so I should have it in my eager little hands in a couple of days. I've already got Rebecca pre-ordered and can't wait for it to arrive. Now, when does Spellbound street?

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-- Charles Frazier, Cold Mountain

Brook K · Oct 17, 2001

Great to hear, I have it on order but it won't arrive until next week when some other titles on the same order are released. I'll be getting Rebecca too.
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PatrickM · Oct 17, 2001

Excellent news Mr. Harris. I'm really looking forward to this one and even more for Rebecca. Gotta love the old black and white's.
Patrick
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My DVD Collection
Patrick The 69th most popular name for boys according to the Social Security Administration.

Rich Malloy · Oct 17, 2001

Just got mine yesterday and plugged it in for a quick peek - WOW!
I also can't wait for REBECCA (which will be a 2-discer). And SPELLBOUND will follow shortly (no streetdate yet).

Rich Malloy · Oct 17, 2001

Just in case anyone's not familiar with these loaded special editions, here's the scoop (details on SPELLBOUND not yet available):
NOTORIOUS

About the Transfer
The picture for Notorious was restored and preserved from the original 35mm nitrate camera negative, a 35mm nitrate fine-grain master, and a 35mm nitrate copyright print. A newly printed 35mm fine-grain master, and the 35mm nitrate fine-grain master for Reels 4A and 5B, were used for the digital film-to-tape transfer. Inherent film artifacts were corrected in video with the MTI Digital Restoration System.
The soundtrack for Notorious was restored and preserved from a 1954 35mm acetate release print, a 35mm nitrate fine-grain master, and a 35mm nitrate optical music & effects track positive. New 35mm magnetic analog masters and DA-88 digital masters were created utilizing Sonic Solutions noise reduction software.
Special Features

Commentaries by Hitchcock film scholar Marian Keane and film historian Rudy Behlmer, editor of Memo from David O. Selznick
Complete broadcast of the 1948 Lux Radio Theatre adaptation, starring Ingrid Bergman and Joseph Cotten
Rare production, publicity, and rear projection photos, as well as promotional posters and lobby cards
Production correspondence
Collection of trailers and teasers
Script excerpts of deleted scenes and alternate endings
Excerpts from the short story “The Song of the Dragon,” source material for Notorious
Rare newsreel footage of Bergman and Hitchcock
Subtitles for the deaf and hearing impaired

REBECCA

About the Transfer
Rebecca is presented in its original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.33:1. The picture was restored and preserved from the original 35mm nitrate camera negative, a 35mm nitrate fine-grain master, and a 35mm original nitrate print. A newly printed 35mm fine-grain master was used for the digital film-to-tape transfer. Inherent film artifacts were corrected in video with the MTI Digital Restoration System.
The soundtrack for Rebecca was restored and preserved from the original 35mm nitrate optical soundtrack negative, a 35mm acetate dupe negative, and a 35mm magnetic music and effects master. New 35mm magnetic analog masters and DA-88 digital masters were created utilizing Sonic Solutions noise reduction software.
Special Features
DOUBLE DISC SET

Commentary by film scholar Leonard J. Leff, author of Hitchcock and Selznick: The Rich and Strange Collaboration of Alfred Hitchcock and David O. Selznick in Hollywood
Isolated music and effects track
Rare screen, hair, makeup and costume tests including Vivien Leigh, Anne Baxter, Loretta Young, Margaret Sullavan, and Joan Fontaine
Hitchcock on Rebecca, excerpts from his conversations with François Truffaut
Phone interviews with stars Joan Fontaine and Judith Anderson from 1986
Hundreds of behind-the-scenes photos chronicling the film’s production from location scouting, set photos, and wardrobe continuity to ads, posters, and promotional memorabilia
Production correspondence and casting notes
Deleted scene script excerpts
1939 test screening questionnaire
Essay on Rebecca author Daphne du Maurier
Footage from the 1940 13th Annual Academy Awards™ ceremony
Re-issue trailer
Three hours of complete radio show adaptations:
-1938 Orson Welles and the Mercury Theatre broadcast, including an interview with Daphne du Maurier
-1941 Lux Radio Theatre broadcast starring Ronald Colman and Ida Lupino, including an interview with David O. Selznick
-1950 Lux Radio Theatre broadcast starring Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh
22-page booklet, including liner notes by Robin Wood, author of Hitchcock’s Films and Hitchcock’s Films Revisited, and George Turner’s essay “Du Maurier + Selznick + Hitchcock = Rebecca”
English subtitles for the deaf and hearing impaired

Ken_McAlinden · Oct 17, 2001

If you guys don't stop posting these positive reviews, I am liable to replace my CAV Criterion laserdisc of Notorious, which I decided I would not do for economic reasons. Are you trying to drive me to financial ruin! I think I can still resist as long as I pick up "The Lady Eve" and "The Ruling Class" to feed my habit over the next few weeks.
Regards,
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Ken McAlinden
Livonia, MI USA

William DAnnucci · Oct 17, 2001

Just got this one last night. Gorgeous picture. Ingrid Bergman looks like she was filmed last week. I love how the credits are window boxed and then the image gently changes to full-screen as the movie begins.
What I have seen of the extras are fantastic. I am a long-time fan of old radio shows, so the Lux Radio Theater adaption is a real treat. I like the fact that there are two seperate commentary tracks, as I prefer Belmer to Keane.
I also have been hesitant to replace some of my Criterion laserdisc sets, particulaly Brazil. I never owned the Criterion laser Notorious, but I think this is one of the best Criterion DVDs I have ever seen.
And what a great movie! Who cares about Phantom Menace? This is the release of the week!

Craig S · Oct 17, 2001

Can somebody compare this transfer to the previous DVD from Anchor Bay (which I thought was very watchable)?? I was really trying to avoid upgrading these, but...
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Jack Briggs · Oct 17, 2001

Craig, I would think that Mr. Harris's initial post should be answer enough. In matters such as these, his opinion is as good as fact. Ergo, get the Criterion disc.
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Edwin Pereyra · Oct 17, 2001

More Criterion titles to add to my collection. Thanks for all the reviews.

~Edwin
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Ken_McAlinden · Oct 17, 2001

In matters such as these, his opinion is as good as fact. Ergo, get the Criterion disc.

Unfortunately, this does not address Craig's question since Mr. Harris did not weigh in one way or the other on the Anchor Bay release.
Regards,
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Ken McAlinden
Livonia, MI USA

Click to expand...

Rain · Oct 17, 2001

Glad to hear the good news, not that I'm terribly surprised by it. I think it is probably safe to wager that the Criterion discs will be better than the Anchor Bay discs, though from what I've heard those are not bad.
I guess it's a matter of weighing how important the film is to you vs. the prices. It's Hitchcock, so to me that's a no-brainer. I almost bought the Anchor Bay discs a while back, but fortunately heard about the Criterion releases in the nick of time. Having recently replaced an as yet unwatched copy of the Universal Spartacus DVD, I'm glad I didn't have to do that again!
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Jason Hughes · Oct 17, 2001

Isnt Spellbound supposed to be on the way from Criterion?
I can't imagine they will do the Paradine Case, but I would like to know as I intend to otherwise pick up the AB version.

Wes Ray · Oct 17, 2001

*in a Homer Simpson-esque voice*
Mmmmmmmm...Criterion Hitchcock...
Can't wait to pick up Notorious and Rebecca. I too would like to know when they'll announce Spellbound. Hopefully next year.

Carlo_M · Oct 17, 2001

This is great news. However, I am in fear of the "Criterion is too expensive" posts that I'm sure we're going to get in a few days.
Oh well, I'll vote with my dollars, and here they are going to Criterion...again!

Robert Harris · Oct 17, 2001

Anchor Bay's release of Notorious was derived from an older
transfer which was perfectly serviceable.
Criterion's transfer is derived from a total restoration which the film needed. Disney's Scott MacQueen brought together all of the extant original elements and mixed and matched between them, coming up with something that is very special.
Comparing the two transfers one will immediately be aware of the increased resolution, gray scale, depth of shadows and true blacks.
One of the things that becomes more obvious in the new release is the optical in the opening scene of the film in which "doors" are placed on either side of the frame to block photographed action, which gave away information too early.
For the first time, it looks like an optical.
If one is looking at the two releases simply for story content, either will do nicely. As art and as a proper representation of the film, I personally would wish to have Mr. MacQueen's work in my library.
Whether one replaces the Anchor Bay release with the Criterion would be a matter of personal import. Since the AB release would have residual value on Ebay or other resale sites, and since there are people who simply wish to own the film without the extras, It becomes a worthy trade-in, giving someone else to own Notorious at a reduced price.
For those who do not own the AB, it would seemingly be a no brainer, as this betters the Criterion laserdisc at a portion of the price.
RAH
[Edited last by Robert Harris on October 17, 2001 at 10:38 PM]

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