Man with a Movie Camera Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		5.0
Video		2.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		3.5
Overall		3.5

Man with a Movie Camera Blu-ray Movie Review

A great film -- and a so-so Kino Lorber disc.

The Man With a Movie Camera is regarded as one of the greatest achievements in the history of cinema. A breathtaking acheivement which pulls viewers in with ease, the silent film is simplistic at first glance: the entire production revolves around the city explorations of an adventurous cameraman (Mikhail Kaufman) as he traverses around the land that surrounds him (while documenting his strange journey). Despite the lack of a traditional plot-line, the filmmaking is engaging from start to finish. The film is about the journey. As in life itself, the journey is full of surprising wonder.

Written and Directed by Dziga Vertov, the pioneering filmmaker pushes the envelope of cinematic techniques with this experimental documentary. There are so many compelling sequences in the film which showcase remarkable camera-angles and unique stylistic shots that are surrealist and sublime. The cameraman films the movement of vehicles (showcasing the action in all of its glory), the splendor of waterfalls (with astonishing photography), and even the movement of a train (in which the cameraman sits on steadily with camera in tow). These scenes (and so many others) are so cutting-edge that one might forget they are watching a silent film.

A visionary experimental classic.

The score on the Kino Lorber edition differs from the option included on the Flicker Alley edition (which featured a top-notch experimental score composed by the Alloy Orchestra). The score on Kino's edition is more traditional and a lot less experimental than the Flickey Alley edition. Some viewers will prefer it; the music is what one would expect for a silent era production. While I enjoyed the music on the Kino release (which is from the great Michael Nyman), the music set an entirely different tone that was not my preferred version between the two editions – even though Nyman's score is certainly well done in every regard.

While cinema has come a long way since the days of The Man with a Movie Camera (as our technology and techniques have continued to advance), to see a film with such a remarkable style and vision produced in 1929 is simply breathtaking. The film stands head-and- shoulders above many modern productions and is simply undeniable in its innovative construction. Film enthusiasts with a love for experimental filmmaking should consider this a must-see masterpiece. For those few viewers who haven't yet experienced it, consider putting the film at the top of your to-see list. A gem.

Man with a Movie Camera Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Arriving on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber, The Man with a Movie Camera is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high definition in the theatrical aspect ratio of 1.34:1 (full frame). The release features a presentation which closely mirrors a previously-released edition from the BFI (as made available for the British market). The scan is un-restored and looks radically different compared to Flicker Alley's edition (reviewed here).

The Flicker Alley edition looked phenomenal and was downright beautiful throughout the presentation. By comparison, the Kino presentation leaves one wanting more. The scan consists of many examples of dirt, debris, and scratches. The black levels are inferior and are not as impressive as on the Flicker Alley edition. The visuals have less of an impact – and the filmmaking is thereby less effective (at times) as well. The release feels like something one would find in a bargain bin compared to the Flicker Alley release. While certainly still watchable, when compared side-by-side, the Flicker Alley presentation wins by a landslide.

Man with a Movie Camera Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The Kino Lorber release is presented with a music-only uncompressed PCM soundtrack. The score by Michael Nyman (The Piano) sounds lovely and makes a big impression with great instrumentation throughout. While I certainly preferred the score included with the Flicker Alley edition of the film, some viewers will prefer the score by Nyman (which is far more traditional for a silent-era feature). The score sounds clear, crisp, and engaging. There are no egregious issues in regards to the score presentation.

Man with a Movie Camera Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Audio Commentary by Film Historian Adrian Martin

The Life and Times of Dziga Vertov (HD, 46:33) is an in-depth interview with Ian Christie.

Dziga Vertov: Non-Fiction Film Thing (HD, 20:18)

Man with a Movie Camera Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The Man with a Movie Camera is a must-see masterpiece of experimental filmmaking. Yet the Kino Lorber edition of the film pales in comparison to the exceptional edition released by Flicker Alley. The Kino release includes a different scan of the film which is far less impressive than the restored presentation available by Flicker Alley. The score is different as well. I vastly preferred the score on the Flicker Alley release, though I also enjoyed the music by Michael Nyman (as included by Kino). Some viewers may prefer the Nyman score (as it is more traditional compared to the more- experimental compositions included on the Flicker Alley).

Kino has included some new supplemental materials. However, the Flicker Alley edition comes with a more robust supplemental package. Nonetheless, Kino did make an effort to include some different supplements (and I commend the label for the effort in this regard).

If viewers are to choose only one edition of The Man with a Movie Camera, I thoroughly endorse the Flicker Alley edition, which I reviewed here. The Flicker Alley presentation is vastly superior and so much more invigorating to watch. The Kino Lorber edition is not as impressive but the film itself is still worthwhile. As a lower-cost option, some might find the Kino disc worthwhile, but it is by no means a definitive presentation and viewers seeking the best should opt for the Flicker Alley release.