WB Chaplin DVDs
07-13-10 | 03:43 PM
#27
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Re: WB Chaplin DVDs
I suppose if you live in the UK, those dvdbeaver links will be relevant. All my versions are NTSC, not PAL, so they don't apply. In any case, from what I know, Warner did a pretty amazing job with their releases that I doubt you'll find much better quality with the Image, with the exception of:
Chaplin Revue
Apparently Chaplin messed with the speed, which affects the timing and therefore harms the comedy (according to some fans). Image's First National Collection collects these same short films at the original speed. Unfortunately whereas the Revue is only $17 used, the First National Collection is typically $75+.
Chaplin Revue
Apparently Chaplin messed with the speed, which affects the timing and therefore harms the comedy (according to some fans). Image's First National Collection collects these same short films at the original speed. Unfortunately whereas the Revue is only $17 used, the First National Collection is typically $75+.
Last edited by izatright; 07-13-10 at 03:46 PM.
07-13-10 | 03:57 PM
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Re: WB Chaplin DVDs
Per wbshop.com, CITY LIGHTS has been back ordered due to an "overwhelming demand." I e-mailed them as I got a little nervous after seeing the product listing vanish from the site following my order for it.
I suspect it's the same case for other Chaplin listings now removed: MODERN TIMES and Vols 1/2 of the Chaplin Collection.
I suspect it's the same case for other Chaplin listings now removed: MODERN TIMES and Vols 1/2 of the Chaplin Collection.
07-13-10 | 04:00 PM
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Re: WB Chaplin DVDs
Per Gary Tooze of DVD Beaver:
Well, in short the image on the Warner Region 2 is the best. There is no "ghosting" as in the Warner Region 1's. I would like to point out that I, personally, wouldn't trade in the Image Entertainment discs for the Warner Region 2's. I am happy with the Image discs - no PAL speedup - less cropping. This is not counting the valuable Extras on the Region 2 and the extra disc with "The Life and Art of Charlie Chaplin" that you don't even get on the Warner Region 1 set. It would be nice to own that.... and the 5.1 sound... ohh who am I kidding, I'll be getting the R2's as well.
On normal viewing on a television I saw some PAL to NTSC 'ghosting' on the Warner Region 1 discs. It was more prevalent while obtaining captures (as it always is), but not overly obtrusive during normal screenings. By judging the times we can see that Warner has not accounted for the PAL speedup and we have the infamous "blurring" occurring in rapid motion scenes (many examples below). We are seeing the film at 4% faster than normal.
One of these DVDs is out of ratio. The Mk2 characters appear slimmer and taller. I don't know which is wrong, but my guess is the Mk2's. The PAL versions are probably the same. I suspect that the 1.28:1 is more correct than 1.33:1.
What a waste. Obviously the Warner image is sharper than the Image Entertainment image, but I am very disappointed in the blurring which is more prevalent here than in the Modern Times DVD. The contrast levels in the new Warner discs seem artificial to me. The blacks sure are blacker and the whites are definitely whiter but my bet would still be to buy the European versions. I am very disappointed in my purchase of this Region 1 DVD. It does have quite an array of Extra Features, but the "ghosting" is extremely visible on the Warner 'The Great Dictator' DVD.
Instead of doing the transfer from the original source themselves, Warner let someone else do it (Mk2) then took THEIR PAL transfer. Now we get the worst of both worlds: 4% PAL speedup from original source and lower NTSC resolution (AND "ghosting"). It looks to me to have excessive digital processing. I'm glad I still have my Image discs, but will look into the PAL Mk2 versions soon.
07-13-10 | 05:04 PM
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07-19-10 | 06:08 PM
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08-30-10 | 01:22 AM
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Re: WB Chaplin DVDs
I know it's technically off-topic, but a late-night perusal for current interest in/values of the Chaplin DVDs sent me to this thread through Google.
I've been sitting on a complete collection of sealed copies of the IMAGE Chaplin releases for many years, and I've just lately been debating whether I should unload them or not. I was always planning on picking up the WB sets, but I never did, and now before Criterion no doubt 'has their way' with Chaplin (in a good way, I'm hoping), I'm wondering how worth it these IMAGE releases are to me. They have such nice art, though!
Everything is "new" and sealed, one box set with City Lights/Great Dictator/Modern Times/Gold Rush, and the four others individually, Limelight, etc. I see the one box goes for extraordinary money on Amazon and eBay...any idea what a complete collection would fetch?
I've been sitting on a complete collection of sealed copies of the IMAGE Chaplin releases for many years, and I've just lately been debating whether I should unload them or not. I was always planning on picking up the WB sets, but I never did, and now before Criterion no doubt 'has their way' with Chaplin (in a good way, I'm hoping), I'm wondering how worth it these IMAGE releases are to me. They have such nice art, though!
Everything is "new" and sealed, one box set with City Lights/Great Dictator/Modern Times/Gold Rush, and the four others individually, Limelight, etc. I see the one box goes for extraordinary money on Amazon and eBay...any idea what a complete collection would fetch?
Last edited by ShellBeacher; 08-30-10 at 01:30 AM.
08-30-10 | 01:41 AM
#37
DVD Talk Special Edition
Re: WB Chaplin DVDs
I unloaded all of my WB copies in anticipation of the Criterion. I sold some on ebay and some on amazon. Ebay is a quicker sell, but amazon tends to give you more, if you can be patient. The market fluctuates too much to talk of value, so just check out what the current market value is.
08-30-10 | 12:26 PM
#38
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Re: WB Chaplin DVDs
I know it's technically off-topic, but a late-night perusal for current interest in/values of the Chaplin DVDs sent me to this thread through Google.
I've been sitting on a complete collection of sealed copies of the IMAGE Chaplin releases for many years, and I've just lately been debating whether I should unload them or not. I was always planning on picking up the WB sets, but I never did, and now before Criterion no doubt 'has their way' with Chaplin (in a good way, I'm hoping), I'm wondering how worth it these IMAGE releases are to me. They have such nice art, though!
Everything is "new" and sealed, one box set with City Lights/Great Dictator/Modern Times/Gold Rush, and the four others individually, Limelight, etc. I see the one box goes for extraordinary money on Amazon and eBay...any idea what a complete collection would fetch?
I've been sitting on a complete collection of sealed copies of the IMAGE Chaplin releases for many years, and I've just lately been debating whether I should unload them or not. I was always planning on picking up the WB sets, but I never did, and now before Criterion no doubt 'has their way' with Chaplin (in a good way, I'm hoping), I'm wondering how worth it these IMAGE releases are to me. They have such nice art, though!
Everything is "new" and sealed, one box set with City Lights/Great Dictator/Modern Times/Gold Rush, and the four others individually, Limelight, etc. I see the one box goes for extraordinary money on Amazon and eBay...any idea what a complete collection would fetch?
08-30-10 | 10:11 PM
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Re: WB Chaplin DVDs
After the Criterion DVDs are released, the old Image releases will certainly drop in value on the secondary market. They indeed have nice artwork, but barely any extras and the transfers are mediocre. Criterion will release fully loaded DVDs (like the recently announced Modern Times).
Thanks for both of your opinions.
08-31-10 | 04:47 AM
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From: Building attractions one theme park at a time.
Re: WB Chaplin DVDs
After the Criterion DVDs are released, the old Image releases will certainly drop in value on the secondary market. They indeed have nice artwork, but barely any extras and the transfers are mediocre. Criterion will release fully loaded DVDs (like the recently announced Modern Times).
Originally Posted by David Shepard right before the Image editions went OOP
Since 1992, the laserdisc and DVD editions of all Charles Chaplin's films
controlled by the filmmaker's family have been as close as possible to the
original editions (although "The Gold Rush" has been available only in
Chaplin's 1941 [released 1942] narrated version).
According to an article in the British fanzine "Chaplin Courier," after the
rights move over to MK2 films for twelve years beginning January 1, 2002, the films will be available only in the final versions with the cuts and
alterations made by Chaplin between the 1930s and 1970s. Kate Guyonvarch of Association Chaplin said "Whatever Chaplin fans or cinephiles might have to say about the changes/cuts Chaplin made late in life, HE made them, so he wanted them. We must and do respect that."
The present USA DVD editions are scheduled to be withdrawn in approximately two months, although possibly some retailers may be remaindering copies until the end of the year.
These are the films which will be affected by the new policy:
A DOG'S LIFE, SHOULDER ARMS, THE PILGRIM. Running speeds will change ("The Chaplin Revue" contains considerable stretch printing) and scenes will be eliminated.
SUNNYSIDE, A DAY'S PLEASURE, THE IDLE CLASS, PAY DAY Running speeds will change. Some will be faster, some slower.
THE KID Scenes will be eliminated, running speed will change.
A WOMAN OF PARIS Scenes will be eliminated, running speed will change.
THE GOLD RUSH Aperture (cropping) will change.
THE CIRCUS (New credit sequence with song will be moved back to head of
picture).
CITY LIGHTS will be accompanied only by 1931 sound track.
MODERN TIMES Scene [final verse of nonsense song] will be eliminated.
LIMELIGHT Scene [Calvero borrowing money from armless man] will be eliminated.
A KING IN NEW YORK Approximately 30 small bits will be eliminated.
I do not know what will happen with the extras on these editions or what extras will be added to the new editions of Chaplin's final cut versions.
Those who wish to own these films in the longer versions presently available
and those who wish to own them in Chaplin's final cut versions will want to be guided accordingly.
David Shepard
From Criterion's Modern Times press release, it looks like they're going with the re-edited versions.
09-04-10 | 02:19 PM
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Re: WB Chaplin DVDs
Going by most advice/research, I'm now thinking this might be the best time of any to unload them, if one was going to do so...?
(Kind of a 'devil's advocate' bump for this thread, but I just want to get the most opinions possible before I choose to sell or not...and if anyone wants to contact me privately about them, feel free!)
Last edited by ShellBeacher; 09-04-10 at 03:01 PM.
09-04-10 | 05:21 PM
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Re: WB Chaplin DVDs
I definitely would not want to lose the original versions in favor of Chaplin's edits. I was pretty psyched to hear about the Criterions, but if they go with the later versions, I will probably pass and just keep my Image boxes.
