- Joined
- Feb 8, 1999
- Messages
- 18,428
- Real Name
- Robert Harris
Is there a more apt group of creators?
With the basis in Alexandre Dumas, George Cukor at the helm - William H. Daniels behind the camera, Margaret Booth cutting, and Greta Garbo, Robert Taylor and Lionel Barrymore leading an M-G-M all-star cast - what could go wrong?
Simple.
The film's incomparable popularity. No one knows when the original negative went south from wear. There was a lavender from which dupe printing negs were made, and presumably a safety fine grain from one of those dupes.
Which means that what survives isn't great.
The majority of Warner Archive's new restoration is derived from a nitrate dupe (third generation), and some other bits and pieces from a fourth generation fine grain.
Which means that grain is more obvious, there's a slight softness and shadow detail becomes a problem.
While none of these attributes get in the way of the story, and Garbo's wonderful turn as Marguerite Gautier, some viewers without a sufficient history in film elements may wonder what they're seeing.
As a film, we can understand why the original elements wore out. It stands the test of time in spades.
Film element problems aside, this is a film that should be in every serious collection.
As one of the extras, the Nazimova / Valentino 1921 silent from Metro.
Image – 3.25
Audio – 4 (DTS-HD MA 2.0)
Pass / Fail – Pass
Works in projection - Yes
Works up-rezzed to 4k - OK
Upgrade from DVD - Unquestionably
Very Highly Recommended
RAH
Thank you for supporting HTF when you preorder using the link below. As an Amazon Associate, HTF earns from qualifying purchases. If you are using an adblocker you will not see link.
With the basis in Alexandre Dumas, George Cukor at the helm - William H. Daniels behind the camera, Margaret Booth cutting, and Greta Garbo, Robert Taylor and Lionel Barrymore leading an M-G-M all-star cast - what could go wrong?
Simple.
The film's incomparable popularity. No one knows when the original negative went south from wear. There was a lavender from which dupe printing negs were made, and presumably a safety fine grain from one of those dupes.
Which means that what survives isn't great.
The majority of Warner Archive's new restoration is derived from a nitrate dupe (third generation), and some other bits and pieces from a fourth generation fine grain.
Which means that grain is more obvious, there's a slight softness and shadow detail becomes a problem.
While none of these attributes get in the way of the story, and Garbo's wonderful turn as Marguerite Gautier, some viewers without a sufficient history in film elements may wonder what they're seeing.
As a film, we can understand why the original elements wore out. It stands the test of time in spades.
Film element problems aside, this is a film that should be in every serious collection.
As one of the extras, the Nazimova / Valentino 1921 silent from Metro.
Image – 3.25
Audio – 4 (DTS-HD MA 2.0)
Pass / Fail – Pass
Works in projection - Yes
Works up-rezzed to 4k - OK
Upgrade from DVD - Unquestionably
Very Highly Recommended
RAH
Thank you for supporting HTF when you preorder using the link below. As an Amazon Associate, HTF earns from qualifying purchases. If you are using an adblocker you will not see link.
Last edited by a moderator:
