Best Versions of Silent Films to Get?

[DavidPla]

Being a lover of film and having those films look the best they can, I was wondering if anyone can help me out on which DVD version is the best to get for the following silent films I which to pick up. I've found many different versions from different studios and have been confused on which I would be getting the best from.

The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari
Nosferatu
The Lost World
Metropolis

Any help would be amazing! Thank you.

 

[Jeff_HR]

Are you multi-regional?

 

[DavidPla]

Unfortunately no. Region 1.

 

[Jeff_HR]

I'd recommend the Kino Video versions for:

- "The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari"
- "Nosferatu"
- "Metropolis"

There may be some reviews online. Do a search & see.

 

[EricSchulz]

Jeff:

I am multi-regional...any suggestions that are better than the Kino versions?

 

[Jeff_HR]

For the multi-regional you might check out these two versions:

- "Metropolis" R2 by Eureka
- "Nosferatu" R2 by Eureka

 

[Patrick McCart]

Caligari: Get the Kino for video, then look for Timothy Brock's score for the film on CD. Kino's scores are mediocre, but the Timothy Brock score on the Image/Blackhawk DVD is PERFECT for the film.

Nosferatu is coming from Milestone later this year, from the Photoplay/BFI restoration. It's the best looking version of the film and will have an orchestral score by James Bernard. Until then, get the Kino for image and the Image DVD for the organ score.

For Metropolis, Kino is the only option.

The Lost World: Image/Blackhawk's release. It has the most complete version and also the best image quality. It has an orchestral score by Robert Israel AND a 5.1 score by the Alloy Orchestra.

 

[Mark_vdH]

Actually, the best Metropolis dvd is probably the German release, which has proper German intertitles (with optional English subtitles). If you don't mind the English intertitles the (cheaper and besides the intertitles identical) Eureka version is the one to get.

I've owned three versions of Nosferatu including the Eureka version, and I think the current BFI version is the best choice. It features (apparently) correct tinting, much needed window-boxing (some key scenes are tightly framed) and a good (if not great) score by James Bernard. It's not quite as sharp as some other versions though. You can find a review/comparison here:
http://207.136.67.23/film/dvdcompare/nosferatu-3.htm

 

[oscar_merkx]

Mark

Thanks for the update about the German Metropolis

Is this the version you mean

http://www.amazon.de/exec/obidos/ASI...564767-3203723

 

[Jack Theakston]

Just to cover what hasn't been, the best DVD edition of THE LOST WORLD by far is David Shepard's Image edition (for now, at least).

However, if you decide to rent a print, or should it come out in the future, George Eastman House has the definitive restoration on the film.

 

[Mark_vdH]

Yep Oscar, that's the one.

Personally, I don't mind the intertitles that much (I own the R1 SE), and I'd say the following is better value for money:

http://play.com/play247.asp?page=tit...3&p=57&c=&g=72

For less money, you'll get the same version of Metropolis (except for the intertitles), and the 2 disc SE of M....

 

[oscar_merkx]

sounds very much like a true bargain

cheers

Oscar

 

[Brian PB]

Region 1 reviews from the excellent Silent Era website:

The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari
Nosferatu
The Lost World
Metropolis

 

[Mark Zimmer]

I'm not so sure that I'd consider the Eastman House restoration definitive. When Shepard did his reconstruction (since GEH wouldn't cooperate with him on a video release), he turned up additional footage that they didn't have. Unfortunately, he also snipped out the overtly racist materials too. So unless he has donated his additonal materials to GEH and they've incorporated them into their print, neither one is definitive.

 

[Jack Theakston]

I was speaking in terms of aesthetic quality, of course. I don't know what their current situation is about that extra footage, but considering they're only short about a reel, I think it's a pretty good estimation that they have almost all the material possible.

Still-- here's hoping!