Marketing. I know. I understand.
But it denigrates real / true / actual restoration projects.
And not to rain on Kino’s parade, or Criterion’s for who also every new master is a restoration, but at the moment, Reuben Mamoulian’s 1931 Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is my true / accurate / actual / real restoration project of 2022.
And it may just remain there.
For those unaware, Mr. Mamoulian was the Abel Gance of the early sound era. His films led the pack with the newest and best technology synchronized with extraordinary story telling.
And so it is with Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, which FINALLY can be see as it was in 1931.
The general consensus regarding film history and horror has been that two films reigned supreme that year.
James Whale’s Frankenstein and Tod Browning’s Dracula.
Warner Archive has accessed the original severely cut nitrate negative and added the missing footage now derived from a dupe negative, itself derived from a 1931 lavender which no longer survives.
The changes to this film are unimaginable, and finally the cuts from original to dupe are so well handled that they’re all but transparent.
Grain structure, black levels, shadow detail and stability are all perfect.
Time for someone to take on the mythos of these three films, and give Dr. Jekyll it’s due.
The way that Mr. Mamoulian uses effects, transitions, and sound are awe inspiring.
Add the cinematography of Karl Struss, and we’re in nirvana.
For those who already own the 1941 Spencer Tracy version, you’re in for a treat. And for the record, Robert Louis Stevenson, who wrote the original novel was known to prefer the Mamoulian.
My advice.
Grab a copy and add it to your library. But don’t just put it on a shelf. Watch it!
And please make note of the proper (very early sound) 1.19 aspect ratio.
Without a doubt one of the most important releases of 2022.
As an aside, Mr. March won two reasonably important awards for his work in film. One for The Best Years of Our Lives, and the other…
Image – 5
Audio – 5
Pass / Fail – Pass
Plays nicely with projectors – Yes
Upgrade from DVD – Seriously?
Very Highly Recommended
RAH
Robert has been known in the film industry for his unmatched skill and passion in film preservation. Growing up around photography, his first home theater experience began at age ten with 16mm. Years later he was running 35 and 70mm at home.
His restoration projects have breathed new life into classic films like Lawrence of Arabia, Vertigo, My Fair Lady, Spartacus, and The Godfather series. Beyond his restoration work, he has also shared his expertise through publications, contributing to the academic discourse on film restoration. The Academy Film Archive houses the Robert A. Harris Collection, a testament to his significant contributions to film preservation.
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