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Brent_Reid wrote:This is easily the most re-released and restored silent film of all. It also proliferates on more public domain DVDs than any other. Every single release falls into one of two categories though: restored and unrestored/public domain.
I've published a comprehensive new article which for the first time ever details the film's history, different versions and every single worldwide release of the restored versions:
http://www.brentonfilm.com/articles/nosferatu-the-ultimate-blu-ray-and-dvd-guide
DVD comparison correction: the Australian Force Video DVD’s stated running time of 90 minutes doesn’t tally with what it says here:
http://www.michaeldvd.com.au/Reviews/Nosferatu.asp
Additionally, conversations with restorer David Shepard lead me to believe that this is the same version as his first restoration, included on the 1999 US Image DVD. Force licensed their transfers from Eureka, who at that time were still using the shorter Shepard version. It also has the Timothy Howard organ score only featured on several other Shepard version DVDs, as you see from my article.
As an aside, in a previous thread (http://www.dvdcompare.net/forums/phpbb3/viewtopic.php?f=56&t=31538) some known releases were rejected for having too scant details. Fair enough: it’s great that things have tightened up here in that regard. But surely it would be useful to sometimes list releases with what details are available and clearly flag them with something like “Specs unconfirmed – please let us know if you can provide us with more details.”
It's especially a shame that the Spanish Divisa DVDs and BD have been omitted altogether when, along with the Eurekas, they're the best releases available. If my Spanish was a bit better, I'd have bought them myself!
Brent_Reid wrote:The Films sans Frontières DVD is a pirate.
James-Masaki_Ryan wrote:OK, updated DVD and Blu pages with relevant info and linked to your page on Brenton Film.Brent_Reid wrote:The Films sans Frontières DVD is a pirate.
Granted they are a pirate company, what are the legalities since this is a PD title? Possibly if they are using a non-PD source unlicensed. The Films sans Frontieres uses the 1995 restoration (as according to the runtime).
So, what should be done? Delete from database?
Brent_Reid wrote:I haven’t seen the Czech DVD but looking at those specs, compared to all other authorised 2006 restoration releases, I seriously doubt it’s legit. I’d ask the person who submitted it for a sleeve and disc scan or at least to tell you if the F. W. Murnau Stiftung are credited anywhere.
The Type O Negative songs soundtracking the US Arrow Entertainment DVD were used without permission and no royalties were ever paid, making it a pirate. Several friends and relatives of the band have posted about this online and despite the DVD’s popularity, the band understandably refused to publicly acknowledge or promote it.
Under the Kino Ultimate Edition DVD’s listing you could note that their latest 2-DVD set, from 2013, mirrors the 2013 BD and also has all of its problems.
The Dutch Living Colour Entertainment DVD has a 1.0 score mistakenly listed; it should be 2.0.
Re the note for the first Eureka DVD:
• Older copies of this set only had a B&W version on the second disc - no colour tinting present.
This is likely incorrect; see my article’s footnotes on the DVD.
The other note should read:
• The audio commentary is an updated and expanded version of the Lokke Heiss commentary from the Image DVD, but read by an uncredited actor.
This is stated by Lokke himself, again in my Eureka DVD footnotes.
It’s worth noting that the Australian Director's Suite release has an exclusive commentary track.
I'd recommend swapping the versions list on both pages for this:
There are multiple versions of the film available:
- Public domain version - poor quality copy of MoMA's incomplete B&W print. It's sometimes edited and/or sped-up, running anywhere between 60-84 minutes. Unless noted as being from a restored source, all DVDs use this version.
- 1987 Enno Patalas restoration
- 1991 David Shepard version - based on MoMA's print
- 1995 Enno Patalas restoration
- 2000 David Shepard version - edit of the 1987 restoration
- 2006 Luciano Berriatúa restoration
Brent_Reid wrote:I've zoomed in and can't see at all where the Czech DVD says "FW Murnau Stiftung" - are you sure?
I don't have a copy of the latest Kino DVD to hand (I wouldn't spend money on that piece of sh*t!) but am going by several chat forums. A few posters have bought the DVD then found out about the BD's issues. This has prompted them to say things along the lines of "I knew there was something off about it and having now checked it against Kino's earlier DVD, can see just how bad the problem is.
Don't forget to move the current two Kinos next to each other though!
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