DVD REVIEW: "The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp" (with screenshots) (1 Viewer)

[Gary Tooze]

Criterions "The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp" DVD, out tomorrow.

It arrived today and I had a chance to preview it:
Excellent quality. I am reminded of the Criterion "The Red Shoes". It seems to have the same soft palette. A High Definition digital transfer that was worth waiting for. This is the full-length version of the film, chocked with extras. It's about as good as any film I have seen made at this time period. In fact its almost impossible to believe that it was made in 1943. The Technicolor is superb. Great contrasts, deep blacks. Sound quality is equally impressive. Nothing but praise. Criterion at its best! 5 out of 5
Many large screen captures and further review HERE
Cheers,

 

[Rain]

Fantastic.
Once again it looks like Criterion has bested the 35mm prints going around.
This one is a no-brainer for P&P fans!

 

[Peter Apruzzese]

Gee, thanks a *lot*, Gary. Did you have to post those screenshots? Now I have no choice but to buy this one tomorrow - I hoped I'd finally get a week where I didn't buy anything...

 

[Enrique B Chamorro]

DVD Savant has a nice review at;
http://www.dvdtalk.com/dvdsavant/s649blimp.html
Another laser disc bites the dust.

 

[Matthew_Millheiser]

[SHATNER]Freewill... breaking down.... Must... have... this.... DISC![/SHATNER]
I ain't even gonna wait for cheaper online orders; I'm picking this up tomorrow at a B&M. One review and I'm sold.
BTW excellent review Gary. Your review for Children of Paradise earlier this year sold me as well -- Criterion ought to pay you a commission!

 

[Gordon McMurphy]

Great stuff, Gary!
I have the region 2 Carlton edition. Tell me, does the Criterion edition have the same transfer? Or did they do additional work to the BFI print/Carlton videomaster? What does the "About The Transfer" section of the booklet say?
I'll be buying this. No hesitation!
Now... The Tales Of Hoffmann! :wink:
G.C.M

 

[Enrique B Chamorro]

Gary,
Check out the screen caps of the UK R2 version at;
http://www.dvd.reviewer.co.uk/review...asp?Index=2338
Could it be the same transfer?
Does the extra sound the same?
I will get the US version, but could it be the same
transfer, just encoded for NTSC vs. PAL?

 

[Gary Tooze]

Could it be the same transfer?

Pretty sure it's not, those captures on DVD Reviewer seem to have way too much contrast.
If one of my listserv members has the R2 I will do a comparison in the near future and post it here:
Link Removed
Cheers,

 

[Brook K]

Looks good, mine arrived Monday, but it will probably be a month or more before I get around to watching it.

 

[Brad Nilsson]

Thanks to this thread, I ordered "Blimp." I watched it last night. Wonderful characters, beautiful production, great acting.

Thanks for bringing it to my attention.

Brad Nilsson

 

[Lew Crippen]

Thanks for the review. I agree with Rain. It’s an automatic purchase.

 

[Rain]

Brook, if you've never seen the film, I highly recommend you bump it to the top of your list.
I watched this film on the weekend with a 20 year old friend who is far from a film buff and he enjoyed it immensely.
The DVD is indeed lovely. Aside from one spot of film damage near the end, the presentation is practically perfect.
I was pleasantly surprised to see Ebert chose this as one of his DVD picks of the week on yesterday's show.