Of all the Sternberg/Dietrich films this is my favourite, a perverse and decadent vision of history with performances to match the stunningly bizarre art direction.
I could hardly wait to initiate this DVD after I was soundly impressed by Criterion’s Third Man disc with it’s tall print and oodles of extras…
Unfortunately this disc has proved the most disappointing DVD I have ever purchased. Alleged to be “A intellectual transfer, with restored represent and sound” this only is the case if the restorers were trying to reproduce the standard of a third generation VHS tape. With countless missing frames and splices, frequent audio drops and sizzles and a characterize grain which looks like you’re watching the film through sand, this is not what I question from Criterion.
Buy,Download, Or Stream The Scarlet Empress – Criterion Collection! Click Here
Considering the only other Dietrich movie on DVD – the so-so Garden of Allah – is a pretty transfer at a bargain tag, this is a broad let down.
Considering most film collectors acquire Criterion DVD’s on the strengh of the stamp alone this is an outrage that they can release such a vulgar quality disc with such a limited amount of extra features to compensate…which was the least they could have done.
After seeing this film On Turner Classic Movies, several months ago, I became a sizable fan of its grotesque imagery, and the mysterious, surreal, and almost amusing, world it created for the viewer. I found it to be a odd and provocative film. With that experience, I was more than anxious to win the DVD. So when I read the wait on of the case, where it said “Lustrous transfer, with restored report and sound”, you can imagine how I was salivating, as I ripped the plastic off, and got it in my player. My wife and I prepared to survey the magical results of digital technology.
Then I hit the PLAY button.
Buy,Download, Or Stream The Scarlet Empress – Criterion Collection! Click Here
My disappointment was beyond words. What we saw was anything but “colorful”. It was more like watching a colony of flesh-eating bacteria, wandering all round Marlene Dietrich’s face, and a swarm of locusts chewing up the scenery. I kept waitng for everything to peaceful down, so we could really witness the beauty of the film. Occasionally, that happened. But by and broad, this was a large let-down.
I’ve seen great transfers before, and have them. “Substantial Illusion” and “The Seven Samurai” are expedient examples. But this was nowhere approach those efforts. The specks and flecks were too distracting, to fully luxuriate in this masterpiece. And that’s a shame, considering the other otherwise mammoth reputation Criterion has had, in terms of image quality.
I’m a tiny confused about how one customer could say “…the print is beautiful”. (Maybe that person was “terrorized” by how awful it looked.) I sympathize more with the reviewer who conception that Criterion should be held accountable for its mediocre duplication of this film, and the fraudulent advertising. You got it fair! Five stars for the film, and the Robin Wood essay. One star for the transfer.
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