I believe the 1936 version on Criterion is intact as it was released. I also believe it is the best version. The MGM version is good, but the 1936 version is superior.
What I noticed most is that the 4k has a dark gray look where the HD is bright and sharp. I wonder why the difference? They are supposed to be the same version only one is 4k. Other than that, what we get is the original look of the brush strokes, the watercolor bleeding into the paper --...
What I noticed most is that the 4k has a dark gray look where the HD is bright and sharp. I wonder why the difference? They are supposed to be the same version only one is 4k. Other than that, what we get is the original look of the brush strokes, the watercolor bleeding into the paper --...
My jaw hit the floor when I saw the color and clarity of that first number. It looks so good you almost forget what a mediocre film it is. Virginia O’Brien once again is electric and steals the whole movie.
They have a two minute clip on the Criterion site that looks sensational.
https://www.criterion.com/boxsets/6911--i-freaks-i-i-the-unknown-i-i-the-mystic-i-tod-brownings-sideshow-shockers
FREAKS (1932) coming to bluray on Criterion along with THE UNKNOWN (1927) with tons of extras! What do y'all think?
COMING October 17, 2023.
Special Features and Technical Specs:
NEW 2K RESTORATION OF FREAKS, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack
NEW 2K RECONSTRUCTION AND RESTORATION OF THE...
When I see what Warner Bros. did for THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF THE BROTHERS GRIM I think anything is possible in restoring old large format films that have damaged negatives.
I do prefer how they restore the Looney Tunes shorts where we see dirt and debris moving around the cells. But these look beautiful and clean. I would prefer the Looney Tunes look, but for some reason they chose this. I would like to know more about that decision from Warner Bros.
The story goes that the original negative no longer exists and they used the best print they could find for the blu ray and it does look better than what we've ever seen.
Don't worry, DarkVader. You'll get used to Mr. Harris' acid wit eventually. He keeps things fun and always brightens up our day. This transfer is miraculous, stunning, sharp, bright, beautiful -- okay that's enough adjectives. And do I see Liza Minelli as a little girl running into the shot...
Yes, please! And please give us all the outtakes from SOMETHING'S GOT TO GIVE with the reconstruction. From what I've seen from all the pieces released, this could have been some of her best work.
Somebody please give us an HD bluray of THE BAT WHISPERS from 1930 in 70mm. The print is out there. Image released a beautiful version on Laserdisc years ago. This is probably the only movie left that I want in my collection -- other than the ones that are lost. Kino? Classicflix...
There is a version on YouTube right now that is beautiful. It looks like 4K. This German release is just fair. I guess they did the best they could with what they had.