Essentials from Germany

Discuss internationally-released DVDs and Blu-rays or other international DVD and Blu-ray-related topics.
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L.A.
Joined: Thu May 28, 2009 7:33 am
Location: Helsinki, Finland

Re: Essentials from Germany

#201 Post by L.A. » Tue Jun 20, 2017 10:54 am

Eolomea (Herrmann Zschoche, 1972) was released on Blu-ray last month. I understand it has English subs but can anyone confirm is this true?

Paul Petit
Joined: Thu Dec 18, 2014 8:15 pm

Re: Essentials from Germany

#202 Post by Paul Petit » Tue Jun 20, 2017 4:22 pm

L.A. wrote:Eolomea (Herrmann Zschoche, 1972) was released on Blu-ray last month. I understand it has English subs but can anyone confirm is this true?
I wouldn't expect the BR to feature English subtitles. As far as I can see, none of the German web ressources is mentioning any subtitles, and Icestorm is not known for adding subtitles of any kind to their discs. And I also can't remember any subtitles on the German Icestorm DVD which leads me to the conclusion that the English review, which can be found on the website you've linked to, most likely refers to a different DVD, maybe to an old First Run edition from 2005.

Paul Petit
Joined: Thu Dec 18, 2014 8:15 pm

Re: Essentials from Germany

#203 Post by Paul Petit » Tue Jun 20, 2017 4:36 pm

L.A. wrote:Eolomea (Herrmann Zschoche, 1972) was released on Blu-ray last month. I understand it has English subs but can anyone confirm is this true?
Oh dear, I shouldn't have raised my head here. I read on a bit, came across Icestorm's new homepage and had to read here that the Blu Ray would really include English subtitles. Well then, I haven't seen the disc and I won't do it in the nearest future.

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L.A.
Joined: Thu May 28, 2009 7:33 am
Location: Helsinki, Finland

Re: Essentials from Germany

#204 Post by L.A. » Wed Jun 28, 2017 5:08 pm

Paul Petit wrote:
L.A. wrote:Eolomea (Herrmann Zschoche, 1972) was released on Blu-ray last month. I understand it has English subs but can anyone confirm is this true?
Oh dear, I shouldn't have raised my head here. I read on a bit, came across Icestorm's new homepage and had to read here that the Blu Ray would really include English subtitles. Well then, I haven't seen the disc and I won't do it in the nearest future.
Since the site promised "Untertitel: Englisch", took the gamble and ordered it. Received the disc and checked; the feature film has EN subs but unfortunately not the interviews (including one from the director).

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Aunt Peg
Joined: Fri Dec 21, 2012 5:30 am

Re: Essentials from Germany

#205 Post by Aunt Peg » Sun Feb 25, 2018 8:16 am

Complete works of Ulrich Seidl from 1980 to 2017 is available in Germany for around 200 euros. English subtitles are included as well as an interview with John Waters who is a big fan (surprise, surprise) of Siedl.

DVD only I'm afraid but a great opportunity to fill in all the missing gaps.

Paul Petit
Joined: Thu Dec 18, 2014 8:15 pm

Re: Essentials from Germany

#206 Post by Paul Petit » Fri Mar 02, 2018 9:15 am

Very spectacular - and obviously English-friendly and export-oriented - DVD box set with African films engaging with the struggles against colonialism, which will be released by Filmgalerie 451 in cooperation with the Arsenal institute somewhat later this month: link.

McCrutchy
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Re: Essentials from Germany

#207 Post by McCrutchy » Sat Mar 03, 2018 2:16 am

Paul Petit wrote:Very spectacular - and obviously English-friendly and export-oriented - DVD box set with African films engaging with the struggles against colonialism, which will be released by Filmgalerie 451 in cooperation with the Arsenal institute somewhat later this month: link.
Ah, so this is what Arsene Wenger has been focused on that they have dropped out of the top four. No wonder, I didn't know he was trying to bring culture to the Premier League!

In all seriousness, the release does look great. Here it is on Amazon.de, where it has a €17,98 price, and an April 13th, 2018 release date (though I'd suppose ordering direct would get it sooner):

https://www.amazon.de/dp/3946274145

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Lost Highway
Joined: Thu Aug 29, 2013 7:41 am
Location: Berlin, Germany

Re: Essentials from Germany

#208 Post by Lost Highway » Wed Mar 14, 2018 3:11 am

I had not realised David Lean‘s Summertime is out on blu-ray in Germany ( the German title is Traum meines Lebens/Dream of my Life) and judging from this, it looks good:

https://caps-a-holic.com/c.php?d1=11557&d2=11556&c=4563" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Just ordered it and not because I'm a Lean completest but because this actually is my favorite film of his.

Pepsi
Joined: Mon Aug 23, 2010 1:01 pm

Re: Essentials from Germany

#209 Post by Pepsi » Thu Mar 15, 2018 7:37 am

Even tough it looks better than the old DVD, i'm sure it's a open matte print, and it should be in widescreen without the headroom above the actors.

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Lost Highway
Joined: Thu Aug 29, 2013 7:41 am
Location: Berlin, Germany

Re: Essentials from Germany

#210 Post by Lost Highway » Thu Mar 15, 2018 9:15 am

Pepsi wrote:Even tough it looks better than the old DVD, i'm sure it's a open matte print, and it should be in widescreen without the headroom above the actors.
I don’t know of a DVD/BD release of the film which had an aspect ratio other than 1:33. I’ve seen this argument in regard to aspect ratio about several mid-50s movies which was a transitional period. From what I understand films were matted for some theatres and not for others, depending on their set up.

In any case, even if the only correct ratio is a wider one, this is the only option. Even the Criterion DVD framed this at 1:33. I’d rather have this than wait for a release at the ”correct” aspect ratio which may never materialise. It‘s just arrived I’ll probably watch it tonight.

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tenia
Ask Me About My Bassoon
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Re: Essentials from Germany

#211 Post by tenia » Thu Mar 15, 2018 10:02 am

Keep in mind that it looks to be an older HD master, which while better than the old DVD, might need an update, and maybe this will generate a review of what is the appropriate AR (which, as I understand, wasn't particularly the case in the past).

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Lost Highway
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Re: Essentials from Germany

#212 Post by Lost Highway » Thu Mar 15, 2018 3:39 pm

tenia wrote:Keep in mind that it looks to be an older HD master, which while better than the old DVD, might need an update, and maybe this will generate a review of what is the appropriate AR (which, as I understand, wasn't particularly the case in the past).
True, but for that it looks surprisingly good and it is a noticeable upgrade over the DVD. As to the framing, it is the case that there is a lot of headroom, but at least you get to see more of Venice. :D

The film itself is a great vehicle for Hepburn who does slightly uptight vulnerability so well. She gives one if her most understated performances here. I far prefer this to Lean’s more celebrated romance, Brief Encounter.

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andyli
Joined: Thu Sep 24, 2009 4:46 pm

Re: Essentials from Germany

#213 Post by andyli » Tue Feb 26, 2019 12:12 am

I just found out that Menschen am Sonntag and Das Testament des Dr. Mabuse were released as limited blu-ray editions last year in Germany, both billed as 2014 restoration/digitization. So in theory they should look better than Criterion/MoC's older releases. Has anyone been able to grab and evaluate them?

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andyli
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Re: Essentials from Germany

#214 Post by andyli » Wed Jul 03, 2019 10:13 am

Under the Bridges is up for pre-order.

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fdm
Joined: Fri Apr 21, 2006 1:25 pm

Re: Essentials from Germany

#215 Post by fdm » Sun Jul 21, 2019 2:33 pm

Margarethe von Trotta's Die bleierne Zeit (aka Marianne & Juliane) finally has an English friendly disc release, on blu-ray no less. (Looked quite decent to me, no English subs for the supplements though.)

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Antipolis
Joined: Fri Sep 06, 2019 2:55 pm

Re: Essentials from Germany

#216 Post by Antipolis » Fri Sep 06, 2019 3:02 pm

Murnau-Stiftung recently released a new restoration of Münchausen (1943) on a double-blu-ray set, with 3 different cuts, and the first review is up at DVDFREAK:http://dvdfreak.cz/freak.php?dz=0&p=munchhausen%2Fhd

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Tommaso
Joined: Fri May 19, 2006 10:09 am

Re: Essentials from Germany

#217 Post by Tommaso » Sat Sep 07, 2019 2:03 pm

Thanks for posting the review, Antipolis! I own that new "Münchhausen" set, and unfortunately I have to agree with the reviewer, more or less. The only version that looks truly convincing in terms of Agfacolor colours is the export version, which is artistically clearly inferior. I would, however, add that the earlier restoration that was released by Kino and Eureka in the early 2000s, attractive as it may look at the first glance, is also some sort of travesty (as it much rather looks like Technicolor than the much more earthy Agfacolor). In this respect I would even agree with restorer Anke Wilkening who points out in the booklet of this release that this earlier version was colour-timed according to what people - especially a TV audience - expected an early colour film to look like. And indeed, the export version and even the newly restored release cut show much more the typical, pastel Agfacolor colours (and let's not even talk about the much better clarity and detail even on the SD version compared to the Eureka/Kino dvd).

The problem is only that the new resto of the release version indeed looks like Agfacolor at its worst, i.e. when it's badly faded. The over-all brownish look and faded colours especially in some of the nighttime scenes simply cannot have been intended by the filmmakers, and the export version is very clear proof of this. What I don't understand is: if they have the well-preserved export version with the correct colour timing, why didn't they use it as a reference for digitally restoring the original look of the release version?

And a further question/complaint: it's great that they found the longer premiere cut, but again: why did they release it 'as is', with colours and clarity even further deteriorated so that you basically only want to watch that version once (to find out about the differences) and then return to one of the other versions to watch the film next time. A much better solution would have been to take the restored release version and simply add in the additional material from the premiere version (à la the Argentinian "Metropolis" footage) and release this as an alternative to the main version.

So while all in all this new three-cut-set is probably the one to go, it leaves a lot to be desired. And from what I've seen and read elsewhere, Murnau-Stiftung's new resto of Käutner's seminal "Große Freiheit Nr.7" has similar colour issues, turning the Agfacolor even more into a brownish mess. And this whole colour problem is somewhat surprising because the same restorers only a few years ago got everything absolutely right with the gorgeous restos of Harlan's "Opfergang" and "Immensee". These two films are a model of how Agfacolor looked when it was new (another one is the excellent new release on the Filmjuwelen label of Willi Forst's 1944/49 "Wiener Mädeln", a release in which Murnau-Stiftung had no hand).

.......

Well, but as this thread is about Essentials from Germany, let me briefly mention that Concorde Entertainment/Murnau-Stiftung have just released two of the very best German comedies of the 1930s in what look like wonderful restorations, namely Paul Martin's "7 Ohrfeigen" (1937, starring Lilian Harvey and Willy Fritsch) and even more importantly, "Ich bei Tag und du bei Nacht" (Ludwig Berger 1932, with Käthe von Nagy and Willy Fritsch). The latter film is even somewhat popular here at this forum if the 1930s listmaking is any indication. And I'm so happy that this masterpiece is now finally officially available, restored and in correct 1.19 aspect ratio. If you don't need subs, this is an absolute must-own.

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TMDaines
Joined: Wed Nov 11, 2009 1:01 pm
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Re: Essentials from Germany

#218 Post by TMDaines » Mon Sep 09, 2019 3:38 am

Yeah, colour timing issues aside, classic German films on Blu-ray looking to be ramping up. Now if only someone decent got access to the DEFA catalogue.

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fdm
Joined: Fri Apr 21, 2006 1:25 pm

Re: Essentials from Germany

#219 Post by fdm » Tue Jun 23, 2020 4:46 pm

fdm wrote:
Sun Jul 21, 2019 2:33 pm
Margarethe von Trotta's Die bleierne Zeit (aka Marianne & Juliane) finally has an English friendly disc release, on blu-ray no less. (Looked quite decent to me, no English subs for the supplements though.)
Similarly, Reinhard Hauff's Messer im Kopf (Knife in the Head) from 1978 is now on an English friendly blu-ray disc. (Looked fine, no English subs for the supplements (two interviews)).

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Telstar
Joined: Mon Apr 10, 2006 12:35 pm

Re: Essentials from Germany

#220 Post by Telstar » Sat Jul 04, 2020 5:08 pm

The back cover of the Unter den Brücken blu-ray doesn't list any subtitle options. Is that accurate? I'd love to get this if it has English subs.

Also curious if anyone happens to know if there are English subs on the German BDs of Happy as Lazzaro, Transit and Shoplifters. Thanks!

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The Curious Sofa
Joined: Fri Sep 13, 2019 6:18 am

Re: Essentials from Germany

#221 Post by The Curious Sofa » Sat Jul 04, 2020 7:27 pm

I have Shoplifters and unfortunately there are no English subs.

moreorless
Joined: Thu Apr 26, 2018 5:34 am

Re: Essentials from Germany

#222 Post by moreorless » Fri Aug 07, 2020 9:25 am

The Arthaus release of Paris, Texas I'd say deserves more focus than its gotten, very significant improvement and one of the best non UHD releases I'v seen in terms of giving an authentic film like look.

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Aunt Peg
Joined: Fri Dec 21, 2012 5:30 am

Re: Essentials from Germany

#223 Post by Aunt Peg » Fri Aug 07, 2020 10:32 am

fdm wrote:
Tue Jun 23, 2020 4:46 pm
fdm wrote:
Sun Jul 21, 2019 2:33 pm
Margarethe von Trotta's Die bleierne Zeit (aka Marianne & Juliane) finally has an English friendly disc release, on blu-ray no less. (Looked quite decent to me, no English subs for the supplements though.)
Similarly, Reinhard Hauff's Messer im Kopf (Knife in the Head) from 1978 is now on an English friendly blu-ray disc. (Looked fine, no English subs for the supplements (two interviews)).
Wow. Thanks for the news. I've ordered the von Trotta and Knife in the Head - I've been dying to see that film again for over 40 years :D

Stefan Andersson
Joined: Thu Nov 15, 2007 1:02 am

Re: Essentials from Germany

#224 Post by Stefan Andersson » Thu Sep 23, 2021 8:46 am

Upcoming German releases:

Lachende Erben (Ophuls)
F.P.1 antwortet nicht
Wasser für Canitoga
Die Grosse Liebe (Zarah Leander)
Paracelsus (Pabst)

http://www.murnau-stiftung.de/news/weit ... er-auf-dvd

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mhofmann
Joined: Sun Dec 06, 2015 7:01 pm

Re: Essentials from Germany

#225 Post by mhofmann » Thu Sep 23, 2021 3:41 pm

moreorless wrote:
Fri Aug 07, 2020 9:25 am
The Arthaus release of Paris, Texas I'd say deserves more focus than its gotten, very significant improvement and one of the best non UHD releases I'v seen in terms of giving an authentic film like look.
Same for the Arthaus release of 'The Vanishing' (Spoorloos) - a good improvement over the Criterion release, even if it's not such a jump compared to 'Paris, Texas' which was released by Criterion using a very dated telecine master. In the case of 'The Vanishing' both come from 4K restorations, but the Arthaus scan, grading, and encoding are noticeably better.

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