8.3 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.0 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
In this first-ever screen adaptation of Bram Stoker's Dracula, a simple real-estate transaction leads an intrepid businessman deep into the superstitious heart of Transylvania. There he encounters the otherworldly Count Orlok — portrayed by the legendary Max Schreck — who soon after embarks upon a cross-continental voyage to take up residence in a distant new land...
Starring: Max Schreck, Greta Schröder, Gustav Von Wangenheim, Georg H. Schnell, Gustav BotzForeign | 100% |
Horror | 86% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.33:1
Music: LPCM 2.0
None
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region free
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 3.5 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 0.5 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
F.W. Murnau's "Nosferatu, eine Symphonie des Grauens" a.k.a. "Nosferatu, a Symphony of Horror" (1922) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Reel Vault Inc. The only bonus feature on the release is a short promo for a TV screening of the film. Presented with English intertitles. Region-Free.
Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.33:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Nosferatu arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Reel Vault Inc.
The only other release of this iconic film that I have in my library is this Region-B release from British label Eureka Entertainment. It was produced in 2013.
This brand new release of Nosferatu utilizes a BD-R disc. Also, it presents the film with English intertitles in a version that is approximately 86 minutes long. The Region-B release that I referenced above presents a different reconstruction and restoration of the film that was finalized at L'Immagine Ritrovata, Bologna. Also, this version of the film has different tints and is approximately 94 minutes long.
Even though this shorter version of the film has not benefited from extensive restoration work, it looks pretty good. For example, there are quite a few close-ups, like the one from screencapture #13, that boast very pleasing delineation. Select outdoor shots can match the quality of the close-ups as well. However, the extensive restoration work that was performed at L'Immagine Ritrovata makes quite a difference. There are basic stability enhancements, for instance, that very efficiently rebalance the visuals and produce a much more attractive overall appearance for the film. On this version, right from the get-go you will notice very light weaving on the intertitles that keeps popping throughout the entire film. There are small but noticeable drops in density levels as well. The tints are good, but they do not have the consistent fresh appearance that the tints on the restored version boast. In some darker areas, there is a small loss of detail as well. Finally, the encoding could have been better because grain exposure isn't stable. I noticed that from time to time every other frame struggles to keep the grain exposure from the previous frame. I think that the entire film should have been placed on a proper dual-layer disc and the encoding optimized as best as possible. My score is 3.25/5.00. (Note: This is a Region-Free Blu-ray release. Therefore, you will be able to play it on your player regardless of your geographical location).
There is only one standard audio track on this Blu-ray release: Music LPCM 2.0. The version of the film that is offered on this release utilizes English intertitles.
The film can be viewed with an exclusive new score composed and performed by pianist Keith Taylor. This score has a bit of a modern personality, but I thought that it was quite nice. The recording has a chamber quality, which means that its dynamic contrasts are very modest. Also, it is not a big studio project, so on this version the film the music really does have a supporting role.
This brand new release of Nosferatu will likely be of interest only to completists that want to have all versions of the iconic film in their libraries. It offers a presentation of Nosferatu with English intertitles and a brand new score composed and performed by pianist Keith Taylor. However, I personally am not a fan of BD-R discs, though it has to be said that Reel Vault Inc. has placed a decent price tag on its release.
Nosferatu, eine Symphonie des Grauens / Dracula
1922
Nosferatu, a Symphony of Horror | Nosferatu, eine Symphonie des Grauens | 2006 Restoration, Hans Erdmann/Heller compilation score
1922
Preservation Cinema / Nosferatu, eine Symphonie des Grauens
1922
(Still not reliable for this title)
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1979
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1920
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2014
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1926
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1963
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1932
Temnye vody
1993
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1986
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1976
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1981
Terrore nello spazio | 2K Restoration
1965
Лептирица | The She-Butterfly | Limited Edition
1973
El jorobado de la Morgue
1973
1980
Das Cabinet des Dr. Caligari
1920
1968
Вий / Spirit of Evil
1967
Dracula / Warner Archive Collection
1958
The Mask of Satan / La maschera del demonio | The Mario Bava Collection
1960