- Joined
- Feb 8, 1999
- Messages
- 17,038
- Real Name
- Robert Harris
Legend has it that Orson Welles' Citizen Kane was one of the early Criterion releases back in laserdisc days, so it's only fitting that it should appear in the first batch of their 21st century releases in 4k UHD, and WB has made the correct move in licensing the product to Criterion.
An extraordinary film on many levels, albeit unfortunately a film with which the world is left with only second generation film elements. Nice elements, but not perfect.
Criterion and WB has created this new digital master from (in most cases) a nitrate fine grain master, that does a superb job of replicating the look of the film.
But here's where 21st century technology rears its head, and I wish it hadn't.
There's a place in the world (especially for newer productions with living filmmakers) for Dolby Vision.
Make no mistake, it's a wonderful imaging process.
But the reality is that it has absolutely nothing to do with 4k UHD releases, even though some industry sources make it appear that it (and HDR in general ) are part of the plan (it isn't), and that they're essential toward proper viewing of 4k product (it isn't).
It seems akin to a bit of hucksterism - those highway roadsigns that proclaim "See live alligator wrestling." Think Nightmare Alley.
I love Citizen Kane, with it's brilliant screenplay - someone should do a film about that - it's extraordinary cinematography with camera located below floor levels, and sometimes exposing ceilings - something entirely new, unless one considers The Maltese Falcon - it's overlays of dialogue.
All from that new kid on the block in his first feature project.
Based upon available materials, most everything about this new release is correct to my eye, and we're lucky to be the beneficiary of the work that went into the project.
I use the word most, as I do have some minor problems with the new disc - and to most people they'll be very minor.
A shot in the screening room early should be a bit heavier, and not exposing that new actor, Joe Cotten, before he plays a role in the film. Others, who play characters later in the film are also in this sequence. I've always heard that they were used as opposed to hiring extras, and were not meant to be seen, other than in deep shadow.
In one shot in the Thatcher Library, after the guard deposits the manuscript on the desk, our first view of the papers should have a bit of detail. It's gone. Entirely blown out to white. Presumably thanks to Dolby Vision.
Those are my gripes, which leaves somewhere over 118 minutes of running time that seems fantastic.
Being an important film, Criterion has seen fit to go all in on extras, which may make this release the most important of the year for a classic (non-Marvel product).
Black levels are superb throughout. Shadow detail seems to be genrally as designed by Mr. Toland. Grain structure looks fine. Overall resolution, which is far from 4k, but who cares in this instance, is proper for the film. Everything seems to be in the correct place.
I'm thrilled with one, and Criterion's new Citizen Kane should be in collection of any serious cinephile.
Coming November 23rd, and worth the price of admission?
You betcha!
Picture - 4.95
Audio – 5
Pass / Fail – Pass
Plays nicely with projectors - Beautifully
Makes use of and works well in 4k - 3.25
Very Highly Recommended
RAH
An extraordinary film on many levels, albeit unfortunately a film with which the world is left with only second generation film elements. Nice elements, but not perfect.
Criterion and WB has created this new digital master from (in most cases) a nitrate fine grain master, that does a superb job of replicating the look of the film.
But here's where 21st century technology rears its head, and I wish it hadn't.
There's a place in the world (especially for newer productions with living filmmakers) for Dolby Vision.
Make no mistake, it's a wonderful imaging process.
But the reality is that it has absolutely nothing to do with 4k UHD releases, even though some industry sources make it appear that it (and HDR in general ) are part of the plan (it isn't), and that they're essential toward proper viewing of 4k product (it isn't).
It seems akin to a bit of hucksterism - those highway roadsigns that proclaim "See live alligator wrestling." Think Nightmare Alley.
I love Citizen Kane, with it's brilliant screenplay - someone should do a film about that - it's extraordinary cinematography with camera located below floor levels, and sometimes exposing ceilings - something entirely new, unless one considers The Maltese Falcon - it's overlays of dialogue.
All from that new kid on the block in his first feature project.
Based upon available materials, most everything about this new release is correct to my eye, and we're lucky to be the beneficiary of the work that went into the project.
I use the word most, as I do have some minor problems with the new disc - and to most people they'll be very minor.
A shot in the screening room early should be a bit heavier, and not exposing that new actor, Joe Cotten, before he plays a role in the film. Others, who play characters later in the film are also in this sequence. I've always heard that they were used as opposed to hiring extras, and were not meant to be seen, other than in deep shadow.
In one shot in the Thatcher Library, after the guard deposits the manuscript on the desk, our first view of the papers should have a bit of detail. It's gone. Entirely blown out to white. Presumably thanks to Dolby Vision.
Those are my gripes, which leaves somewhere over 118 minutes of running time that seems fantastic.
Being an important film, Criterion has seen fit to go all in on extras, which may make this release the most important of the year for a classic (non-Marvel product).
Black levels are superb throughout. Shadow detail seems to be genrally as designed by Mr. Toland. Grain structure looks fine. Overall resolution, which is far from 4k, but who cares in this instance, is proper for the film. Everything seems to be in the correct place.
I'm thrilled with one, and Criterion's new Citizen Kane should be in collection of any serious cinephile.
Coming November 23rd, and worth the price of admission?
You betcha!
Picture - 4.95
Audio – 5
Pass / Fail – Pass
Plays nicely with projectors - Beautifully
Makes use of and works well in 4k - 3.25
Very Highly Recommended
RAH
Last edited:
