Martha wrote:
SPECIAL FEATURES
• Long-awaited HD restoration of the film by Friedrich-Wilhelm-Murnau-Stiftung, with its original frame-rates and in its original aspect-ratio, in 1080p on the Blu-ray
• Newly translated optional English subtitles for the original German intertitles
• New one-hour documentary on the restoration of the film
• Lavish 56-page booklet with new and vintage writing, rare archival stills, and more!
Well, that's rather disappointing. Perhaps it was the years of hype, but I expected a lot more of this release. I know the booklet will be excellent, but only a restoration documentary? No interviews or discussions on the film (one could have a field day with the Nazi links)? What about that missing scene that was uncovered (where Brunhilde shows up at the end with a spear)? Yeah, I know it was a longshot, but no Carter organ score? (he uses a more Wagner rendition, which makes for an interesting issue - especially in regards to its' later implications a few years later - still it's sad to see the man get continuously shafted over the years. Yeah, original score exists, but Criterion included the Glass score on Beauty and the Beast, and it seems most silents have several scores - one could even look to the latest dvd release of Metropolis).
Last complaint- it does seem odd to not give any special edition to this release. I mean, Testament of Dr. Mabuse gets a steelbook, but nothing here? Sure, this film doesn't have the popularity of Metropolis, but I would have at least expected something.
Yeah, I should be happy with the new restoration and the booklet, but this hardly seems to be the release we were all waiting for.
/ranting
And yes, I'll still buy several copies of this thing, cause I love the film enough.