Roberto Rossellini on Blu-ray and DVD
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- not perpee
- Joined: Tue Nov 02, 2004 3:41 pm
Roberto Rossellini on Blu-ray and DVD
Rome, Open City (Rossellini) R2 UK Arrow Films
Poor print, unrestored, no digital cleanup, large ingrained subs, US intro.
However, there's a really, really good 47 minute Italian documentary (made in 2005) which is the sort of quality piece Criterion would jump at. No expense spared, great archive footage, Rossellini home movies, interviews with Magnani's son, Rossellini clan, Tag Gallagher, etc.
Just about worth the price of the disc alone.
Poor print, unrestored, no digital cleanup, large ingrained subs, US intro.
However, there's a really, really good 47 minute Italian documentary (made in 2005) which is the sort of quality piece Criterion would jump at. No expense spared, great archive footage, Rossellini home movies, interviews with Magnani's son, Rossellini clan, Tag Gallagher, etc.
Just about worth the price of the disc alone.
- kieslowski_67
- Joined: Fri Jun 17, 2005 5:39 pm
- Location: Gaithersburg, Maryland
I recently revisited some of the Rossellini-Bergman collaborations: "Stromboli", "Europa 51", "Viaggio in Italia", and was shocked to realize how good these movies are. And am I the only one that believes Ingrid Bergman gave better performances here than in her more heralded Hollywood pictures?
I knew the story why Bergman was shut out of Hollywood for 8 years, and some of Rossellini's colleagues had issues with him using a top Hollywood star in the lead role. However, I just don't understand why these movies generally received so poor reviews when they were first released, and still have not garnered the attention that they deserve. The Japanese DVDs I used to view these movies have decent image quality which lead me to believe that the concern on the source material is not an issue.
Now why is it that no one in US or Europe is willing to release these movies on DVD (with the exception of R2 'voyage to Italy')?
I knew the story why Bergman was shut out of Hollywood for 8 years, and some of Rossellini's colleagues had issues with him using a top Hollywood star in the lead role. However, I just don't understand why these movies generally received so poor reviews when they were first released, and still have not garnered the attention that they deserve. The Japanese DVDs I used to view these movies have decent image quality which lead me to believe that the concern on the source material is not an issue.
Now why is it that no one in US or Europe is willing to release these movies on DVD (with the exception of R2 'voyage to Italy')?
- ellipsis7
- Joined: Tue Nov 02, 2004 1:56 pm
- Location: Dublin
Apparently EUROPA 51 has been spotted preceded by a Janus Films logo, maybe an early indication of a CC DVD release sometime in the future... Doug Cummings of MoC has also indicated that a release of it had occurred to them too...
I still rely on a BBC off air VHS recording circa 1990 for STROMBOLI...
I still rely on a BBC off air VHS recording circa 1990 for STROMBOLI...
- subliminac
- Joined: Sun Jul 17, 2005 1:21 am
- Location: Columbus, OH
- backstreetsbackalright
- Joined: Fri Dec 17, 2004 6:49 pm
- Location: 313
- Cinephrenic
- Joined: Tue Nov 02, 2004 2:58 pm
- Location: Paris, Texas
- backstreetsbackalright
- Joined: Fri Dec 17, 2004 6:49 pm
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- Donald Trampoline
- Joined: Fri Feb 11, 2005 3:39 pm
- Location: Los Angeles, CA
The BFI Journey to Italy/Viaggio in Italia DVD was really great and I had a similar reaction to kieslowski_67 where I just wanted TONS more Rossellini on DVD! I rented it from Niche Flix, and they didn't have anything else of his at the time (they've since added the MoC Flowers of St. Francis and a copy of Rome: Open City). But I think it's the Bergman-era films that also most interest me.
Of course, I could just go rent the damn VHS's and get satisfied that way. (I think sometimes we can put off watching great films too long if we wait for people to put them on DVD.)
But it really is a shame more of these aren't out on DVD yet. Journey to Italy certainly needs a R1 Criterion version ASAP. It's really a landmark film. (The commentary on the BFI disc helped make this case rather strongly.)
Of course, I could just go rent the damn VHS's and get satisfied that way. (I think sometimes we can put off watching great films too long if we wait for people to put them on DVD.)
But it really is a shame more of these aren't out on DVD yet. Journey to Italy certainly needs a R1 Criterion version ASAP. It's really a landmark film. (The commentary on the BFI disc helped make this case rather strongly.)
- kieslowski_67
- Joined: Fri Jun 17, 2005 5:39 pm
- Location: Gaithersburg, Maryland
I like his "open city", "paisan", and "German year zero" a lot. However, I feel that "open city" is a little bit outdated. Most of the main characters are one dimensional, and the depiction of Nazi officers is really cartoonish.
"Stromboli", "Europa 51", "Viaggio in Italia", all provide tremendous depth in the reflections of postwar Europe. Each of these movies features a complicated lead female character that is extremely well developed, and beautifully realized by Bergman.
"Stromboli", "Europa 51", "Viaggio in Italia", all provide tremendous depth in the reflections of postwar Europe. Each of these movies features a complicated lead female character that is extremely well developed, and beautifully realized by Bergman.
You forgot to include "Siamo donne". Although Rosellini-Bergman episode only lasted 15 min, it is great fun and divine to see Ingrid chasing that naughty chicken!cinephrenic wrote:That would make a great boxset I think. I suppose it would include Voyage to Italy, Europa '51, Stromboli, Fear, and maybe Joan at the Stake. It wouldn't be the greatest of films together, but I'd rather see Paisan and a better release of Open City.
Last edited by kieslowski_67 on Sun Aug 28, 2005 11:43 am, edited 1 time in total.
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- LightBulbFilm
- Joined: Wed Nov 16, 2005 5:11 pm
- Location: Florida
- Contact:
Paisan / Paisà
Paisan / Paisà
I finally found a region one copy. It is packaged with Two Women in a DVD set called Italian Masterworks, but the sad thing is both films are dubbed in English. Does anyone have any info on any future releases of the film?
I finally found a region one copy. It is packaged with Two Women in a DVD set called Italian Masterworks, but the sad thing is both films are dubbed in English. Does anyone have any info on any future releases of the film?
- LightBulbFilm
- Joined: Wed Nov 16, 2005 5:11 pm
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Well, I ordered it so I haven't watched it yet... But from the back of the box it says dubbed in eglish... So we will see what it really is.
Well I got the DVD today, and I'm proud to announce there is the original Italian dialgoue (with subtitles) along with the original English dialogue. I can't say much for the transfer though... But hell, it's the onle R1 version of Paisan, and that's better than not having Paisan.davidhare wrote:Lightbulb- is the whole movie dubbed into English or do you just mean the frequent Eng. dialogue scenes with the servicemen?
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- Joined: Tue Sep 13, 2005 11:00 pm
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I have never seen this film of Rossellini's, and I speak neither Italian nor French. Am I going to be completely lost with this DVD? You mention that there is interspersed English dialogue throughout, but I would not be offended in viewing an English dub of the entire film if that is the only way of seeing this seminal film of Italian cinema.LightBulbFilm wrote:Paisà
What do you guys think? Should I just hold out for a BFI, Artificial Eye or Criterion release eventually?
Thanks in advance.
- jesus the mexican boi
- Joined: Fri Nov 05, 2004 5:09 am
- Location: South of the Capitol of Texas
This DVD is uuuuuuuuuuuuuugly. Pisspoor print. I couldn't sit through it all. Compare the less-than-stellar print used in Scorsese's Viaggio en Italia -- the scene where the American GI and the Italian girl are talking when he pulls out his lighter -- that scene is truncated in the DVD print with a slo-mo bit that must have been for sanitized screenings. I'd wait on this one. Hope Criterion continues with this and, especially, Amore.Wittsdream wrote:I have never seen this film of Rossellini's, and I speak neither Italian nor French. .
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- Joined: Tue Sep 13, 2005 11:00 pm
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Jesus the Mexican boi said:
Here we are, more than 20 years after laserdiscs were first introduced, and now almost 9 years into DVD technology, and some key works in film history have still not been released yet.
Amore is one of my favorite Rossellini films. I would imagine that at some point, one of the more prestigious DVD labels in the world (Criterion, Artificial Eye, MK2, Studio Canal, BFI) must release the Bergman/Rossellini cycle in a box set, in addition to films like Paisan and Amore.I'd wait on this one. Hope Criterion continues with this and, especially, Amore.
Here we are, more than 20 years after laserdiscs were first introduced, and now almost 9 years into DVD technology, and some key works in film history have still not been released yet.
- dave41n
- Joined: Fri Jan 13, 2006 12:17 am
- Location: CO
I watched a copy of Paisan through my local library and while I loved the film--the print was awful and almost ruined the experience.jesus the mexican boi wrote:This DVD is uuuuuuuuuuuuuugly. Pisspoor print. I couldn't sit through it all. Compare the less-than-stellar print used in Scorsese's Viaggio en Italia -- the scene where the American GI and the Italian girl are talking when he pulls out his lighter -- that scene is truncated in the DVD print with a slo-mo bit that must have been for sanitized screenings. I'd wait on this one. Hope Criterion continues with this and, especially, Amore.
Any additional Rossellini from Criterion would be nice. Germany Year Zero especially. But I've been frustrated... I can't seem to get my hands on any Rossellini/I. Bergman collaborations (Europa '51, Stromboli). Anyone seen these? or have any suggestions on where to find them?
- backstreetsbackalright
- Joined: Fri Dec 17, 2004 6:49 pm
- Location: 313
There are videos circulating. I'd check university libraries for one. I rented them at my local video store, but that store's something of an exception. There's an import DVD of Stromboli I've seen around a couple times (though I've not watched the disc itself). I'll try and scare up the info on that. Or if anyone else knows what I'm talking about, by all means, chime in.dave41n wrote:Any additional Rossellini from Criterion would be nice. Germany Year Zero especially. But I've been frustrated... I can't seem to get my hands on any Rossellini/I. Bergman collaborations (Europa '51, Stromboli). Anyone seen these? or have any suggestions on where to find them?
- FilmFanSea
- Joined: Wed Nov 03, 2004 1:37 pm
- Location: Portland, OR
From Variety:
As part of Italy's celebrations for the May 8 centennial of Roberto Rossellini's birth, Cinecitta is restoring and distributing 10 of the neorealist helmer's pics, including Rome, Open City.
The initiative comes after legal wrangling to acquire master prints and rights to the Rossellini titles by Cinecitta's rights unit, Cinecitta Diritti, in collaboration with Rossellini's son, Renzo Rossellini, who is head of the Roberto Rossellini Foundation.
Other pics include Paisa, Germany Year Zero, the Ingrid Bergman starrer Stromboli and Journey to Italy.
"Our first goal is the preservation of the film's master prints and their restoration. Secondly, we want to promote their circulation," said Cinecitta Diritti topper Michele Lo Foco.
Cinecitta Diritti is handling homevid and TV sales rights to the package.
- backstreetsbackalright
- Joined: Fri Dec 17, 2004 6:49 pm
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- ellipsis7
- Joined: Tue Nov 02, 2004 1:56 pm
- Location: Dublin
- hearthesilence
- Joined: Fri Mar 04, 2005 4:22 am
- Location: NYC
Thank GOD for this. I just rented Open City on DVD....this is possibly the worst DVD I've ever seen. Scratchy old film print with bad contrast, bad detail (faded? blown out?) with burned-in subtitles, possibly an old VHS transfer to boot...
New restored prints are great, but for everyone who's miles from a major city, they need a hi-def transfer from the original, RESTORED materials...please, somebody, make it happen!
New restored prints are great, but for everyone who's miles from a major city, they need a hi-def transfer from the original, RESTORED materials...please, somebody, make it happen!
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- Joined: Mon Dec 13, 2004 8:04 pm
Martin Scorsese's My Voyage to Italy has a wonderful section on Rossellini and in particular the Bergman pictures. It made me want to grab every one of them but I quickly discovered that vhs was going to be it for a while. The restorations and attending DVDs would be most welcome. By the way, Gordon Parks photographed Bergman and Rossellini for Life magazine on location and some of them are reproduced in Parks's book Half-Past Autumn. Also briefly shown in Craig Hill's film of the same title. They are terrific pictures taken at a time when the couple was under fire from all sides.
- kieslowski_67
- Joined: Fri Jun 17, 2005 5:39 pm
- Location: Gaithersburg, Maryland
De Sica's Two Women got a much worse treatment on DVD. Open City is not even close in that department as transfer quality is concerned.hearthesilence wrote:Thank GOD for this. I just rented Open City on DVD....this is possibly the worst DVD I've ever seen. Scratchy old film print with bad contrast, bad detail (faded? blown out?) with burned-in subtitles, possibly an old VHS transfer to boot...