Blu-ray Review The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse (1921) Blu-ray Review (1 Viewer)

[Matt Hough]

Rex Ingram’s The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse earns its reputation as a star-making vehicle for Rudolph Valentino and offers a mix of melodrama and antiwar sentiment.



The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse (1921)



Released: 01 Apr 1921
Rated: Passed
Runtime: 150 min




Director: Rex Ingram
Genre: Drama, Romance, War



Cast: Rudolph Valentino, Alice Terry, Pomeroy Cannon
Writer(s): Vicente Blasco Ibáñez, June Mathis



Plot: An extended family split up in France and Germany find themselves on opposing sides of the battlefield during World War I.



IMDB rating: 7.1
MetaScore: N/A





Disc Information



Studio: Other
Distributed By: Warner Archive
Video Resolution: 1080P/AVC



Aspect Ratio:...

Continue reading...

 

[Jeff Fearnside]

Appreciate the great review, Matt! I'm especially stoked to hear that the PQ on this release is stellar (though that's not necessarily surprising, given WAC's track record). Just to double check something: The runtime is listed as 150 minutes up top, but in the review proper you mention the film being two and a quarter hours long. Is it really 135 minutes long? A quick check on the internet shows a variety of different runtimes given for this film, and I'm not sure what's accurate.

 

[Matt Hough]

It’s 134 minutes. Any other listings vary according to their own sources. This movie has been released in several versions, hence the differing running times.

 

[richardburton84]

It’s 134 minutes. Any other listings vary according to their own sources. This movie has been released in several versions, hence the differing running times.

And with this being a silent film, there’s also differing frame rates to take into consideration, which could make a film seem either longer or shorter without losing any footage. What sort of frame rate was used here out of curiosity (I imagine whatever frame rate was used, it had to sync perfectly with the Davis score)?

 

[Joel Arndt]

Thanks for the excellent review Matt. Pleased to hear it looks so good, but this is the Warner Archive, right? Mine should arrive by the end of the week, so I'm really looking forward to checking it out.

 

[warnerbro]

I can't wait, but I'm disappointed in the mono score. I love any Carl Davis score and they bring the silents alive!

 

[Patrick McCart]

I have the laserdisc edition and it says it's stereo on the back. I'll check it out when I have a chance.

 

[Patrick McCart]

Was able to check the laserdisc against the Blu-ray, which just arrived today. Looks like a mistake - the laserdisc is definitely in stereo (also seems to be surround encoded), while the Blu-ray is monaural. Even the back cover says it's stereo, so I'm guessing someone clicked the wrong button in the authoring process (probably an honest mistake considering the bulk of Warner's Blu-rays of older films are mono).

 

[warnerbro]

Disappointed in the mono, but the score brings it alive as do all Carl Davis scores. Can he please just score every silent film? The picture itself is stunning! It's crystal clear, sharp, and looks brand new.

 

[Robert Harris]

Disappointed in the mono, but the score brings it alive as do all Carl Davis scores. Can he please just score every silent film? The picture itself is stunning! It's crystal clear, sharp, and looks brand new.

Unfortunately, no longer.

Carl Davis obituary

Prolific conductor and composer whose work spanned film, ballet, television and oratorio

www.theguardian.com

 

[Stefan Andersson]

From the Warner Archive Announcements Thread, p. 486:

"I contacted Warner Archive about the error in the score on The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse being encoded as mono instead of stereo. They got back to me and confirmed a replacement disc will be available, with instructions to follow."

Source:

Warner Archive Announcements Thread

But Warners will keep "tossing plums" to Criterion because Warners probably makes more money licensing and receiving royalties on certain key titles than if they released them themselves. A Warner catalog title released into the Criterion ecosystem is amplified in a way that a title simply...

www.hometheaterforum.com

 

[warnerbro]

Can someone post when instructions for a replacement comes?

 

[compson]

As Stefan posted in the Warner Archive thread, a replacement disc is available for this title—with 2.0 stereo audio—and a few other titles. Movie Zyng is handling the replacements regardless of where you bought the disc. I sent an email to Movie Zyng this morning, and I’ve now received a reply and ordered the replacement. Here is Warner’s announcement:

Important news : Recently, we upgraded the audio tracks to five releases (listed below). These changes were what we call, "running changes" so many customers already have the upgraded Audio. But if you were one of the early purchasers of these titles you may be eligible to receive a free replacement disc that includes the upgraded audio.

Here are the titles and how to spot if a new disc will improve your listening experience.

WARNER ARCHIVE COLLECTION RELEASES:
Clean and Sober (Blu-ray) is eligible for a replacement disc that will include DTS-HD MA 2.0 stereo audio. To know if you’re eligible for the replacement, check your purchased disc. If it does not have DTS-HD MA 2.0 stereo, you’re eligible for a replacement.

The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse (Blu-ray) is eligible for a replacement disc that will include DTS-HD MA 2.0 Stereo Audio. To know if you’re eligible for the replacement, check your purchased disc. If it does not have DTS-MA HD 2.0 Stereo Audio, you’re eligible for a replacement.

Just Friends (Blu-ray) is eligible for a replacement disc that will include all special features and DTS-MA HD 5.1 audio. To know if you’re eligible for the replacement, check your purchased disc. If it has only 2.0 audio and one special feature – the trailer - you’re eligible for a replacement.

WARNER BROS. DISCOVERY HOME ENTERTAINMENT RELEASES:
Batman Ninja vs Yakuza League (4K UHD) is eligible for a replacement disc that will include 5.1 DTS-HD MA Audio. To know if you’re eligible for the replacement, check your purchased disc. If it does not have 5.1 DTS-HD MA, you’re eligible for a replacement.

Judas and the Black Messiah (4K UHD) is eligible for a replacement disc that will include Dolby ATMOS Audio. To know if you’re eligible for the replacement, check your purchased disc. If it does not have Dolby ATMOS Audio, you’re eligible for a replacement.

To receive your replacement follow these instructions:
Email [email protected] with your request. Be sure to include your original purchase receipt in your initial email to Movie Zyng.

Movie Zyng is working with Warner Bros. and AV Entertainment to facilitate the replacement even if you’ve purchased it elsewhere. If you include your purchase receipt with your email, you will receive instructions on how to order your replacement disc at no charge.

Again, your original purchase receipt must be attached or included as part of your initial email in order to receive instructions. We're delighted to get original purchasers taken care of. Please follow the instructions above to start the process.

 

[Patrick McCart]

Got my replacement disc "order" in. Really nice to see Warner resolve this fairly quickly and without much hassle.

 

[donniecasali]

Got my order in on Sunday and received the corrected disc this morning. Satisfied customer here!

 

[ahollis]

Requested replacement this morning and this afternoon I received a shipping notice. Now this is service at its best.

 

[Patrick McCart]

Replacement disc arrived today!
edit: Just checked out the new disc and it sounds fantastic. Proper stereo and seems to even be matrix surround encoded. Actually sounds even better than the analog track on the laserdisc!

 

[Robert Harris]

Appreciate the great review, Matt! I'm especially stoked to hear that the PQ on this release is stellar (though that's not necessarily surprising, given WAC's track record). Just to double check something: The runtime is listed as 150 minutes up top, but in the review proper you mention the film being two and a quarter hours long. Is it really 135 minutes long? A quick check on the internet shows a variety of different runtimes given for this film, and I'm not sure what's accurate.

There are no accurate running times for silent films. Many times it’s merely up to theater scheduling, the Fates or whomever is accompanying.

Pre-talkies were generally referenced via footage, or earlier in reels.

AFI references this film at 132 Minutes or 11 Reels.

I was researching a film yesterday that runs 5 Reels or 4,855 feet.

For decades viewers/writers have been referencing Beau Geste as 10/11 reels, and 101 minutes.

Why?

Because all available prints (usually worn 16mm) ran 101 minutes at 24fps.

Of course, once we get to 2k disc, speed is locked, and running time is what it is, which may or may not be correct for the film, as them discs is just buckets ‘o data.

 

[Jeff Fearnside]

There are no accurate running times for silent films. Many times it’s merely up to theater scheduling, the Fates or whomever is accompanying.

Pre-talkies were generally referenced via footage, or earlier in reels.

AFI references this film at 132 Minutes or 11 Reels.

I was researching a film yesterday that runs 5 Reels or 4,855 feet.

For decades viewers/writers have been referencing Beau Geste as 10/11 reels, and 101 minutes.

Why?

Because all available prints (usually worn 16mm) ran 101 minutes at 24fps.

Of course, once we get to 2k disc, speed is locked, and running time is what it is, which may or may not be correct for the film, as them discs is just buckets ‘o data.

Thank you! I hadn't thought of the variable speeds of silent films being a factor. It makes perfect sense. Add to that how undercranking/overcranking might have been utilized for speed-up/slow-mo effects and how speeds were often not recorded, it really takes a master sleuth today to know how to properly transfer the old celluloid to newfangled digital discs at the proper speed. It makes me appreciate all the more the work you do, Mr. Harris, as well as Ben Model at Undercrank Productions, the good people at WAC, and many others!

 

[Robert Harris]

Thank you! I hadn't thought of the variable speeds of silent films being a factor. It makes perfect sense. Add to that how undercranking/overcranking might have been utilized for speed-up/slow-mo effects and how speeds were often not recorded, it really takes a master sleuth today to know how to properly transfer the old celluloid to newfangled digital discs at the proper speed. It makes me appreciate all the more the work you do, Mr. Harris, as well as Ben Model at Undercrank Productions, the good people at WAC, and many others!

Everyone in the field deals with these problems. And no easy way control speed in the digital world. In analogue it’s easy. Many films ran at varied speeds throughout projection.