8.7 | / 10 |
Users | 4.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
The Tramp struggles to live in a modern industrial society with the help of a young homeless woman.
Starring: Charles Chaplin, Paulette Goddard, Henry Bergman, Tiny Sandford, Chester ConklinDrama | 100% |
Comedy | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.34:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.37:1
English: LPCM Mono
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
None
25GB Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (1 BD, 1 DVD)
DVD copy
Region B (locked)
Movie | 5.0 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 3.5 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Charlie Chaplin's "Modern Times" (1936) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of British distributors Park Circus. The supplemental features on the disc include a short introduction by Chaplin biographer David Robinson; the documentary feature "Chaplin Today: Modern Times", with special guests Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne; deleted scene; photo gallery; trailer reel; and more. In English, without optional English subtitles for the main feature. Region-B "locked".
Looking for work
Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.34:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Charlie Chaplin's Modern Times arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of British distributors Park Circus.
This is a strong high-definition transfer. Fine object detail is very good, clarity pleasing throughout the entire film, and contrast levels consistent. Occasionally mild edge-enhancement and compression artifacts pop up here and there; there are traces of mild noise reduction as well. Light film grain, however, is visible. There are no serious stability issues to report in this review. I also did not see any big scratches, cuts, warps, splices, or damage marks. To sum it all up, this Blu-ray release of Modern Times represents a solid upgrade over the R2 Warner DVD release of the film. (Note: This is a Region-B "locked" Blu-ray disc. Therefore, you must have native Region-B or Region-Free PS3 or SA in order to access its content).
There are two audio tracks on this Blu-ray disc: English LPCM 2.0 and English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1. For the record, Park Circus have not provided optional English subtitles for the main feature (there are only a couple of lines in the entire film).
The English LPCM 2.0 track is very good. Though its dynamic amplitude is rather limited, the music is vibrant and surprisingly nuanced. The few lines some of the characters utter also sound clean and stable. Lastly, while viewing Modern Times I did not detect any disturbing pops, cracks, or hissings to report in this review. There were no problematic audio dropouts either.
For obvious reasons, the English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 excels only where Chaplin's music score is prominent. The strings, in particular, sound slightly richer and better rounded than they do on the English LPCM 2.0 track.
Note: All of the supplemental features are placed on a separate DVD. They are encoded in PAL.
Introduction by David Robinson - a short introduction to Modern Times by the Chaplin biographer in which he discusses the era during which the film was shot, the impact the Great Depression had on the film industry in America, Chaplin's views on the new industrialization trends, the film's production history, etc. In English, not subtitled. (7 min).
Chaplin Today: Modern Times - a documentary, produced by MK2TV, in which film directors Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne analyze Chaplin's film. In French, dubbed in English. (27 min).
Deleted Scene - one long deleted scene with the Tramp getting harassed by a traffic cop. (2 min).
Modern Times Karaoke - a karaoke version of the Tramp's memorable performance at the end of Modern Times.
Photo Stills - a gallery of stills from the film.
Trailer reel - trailers for The Kid, A Woman in Paris, The Gold Rush, City Lights, The Circus, Modern Times, The Great Dictator, Monsieur Verdoux, Limelight, A King in New York, etc.
Together with City Lights, Modern Times is a film I always keep coming back to -- some of Charlie Chaplin's best improvisations are here. It really is a special film. The Blu-ray disc herein reviewed, courtesy of British distributors Park Circus, looks and sounds very good. It is, however, Region-B "locked". HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
(Still not reliable for this title)
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