8.3 | / 10 |
Users | 5.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.5 | |
Overall | 4.7 |
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 | 82% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.34:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.33:1
Music: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
Music: LPCM 2.0 (48kHz, 24-bit)
English
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (1 BD, 1 DVD)
DVD copy
Region B (locked)
Movie | 5.0 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 5.0 | |
Extras | 4.5 | |
Overall | 4.5 |
F.W. Murnau's "Nosferatu, eine Symphonie des Grauens" a.k.a. "Nosferatu, a Symphony of Horror" (1922) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of British distributors Eureka Entertainment. The supplemental features on the disc include a brand new audio commentary by film historian David Kalat; second audio commentary by film historian R. Dixon Smith and critic and author Brad Stevens; documentary film directed by Luciano Berriatua; video interview with author Kevin Jackson; and video introduction by American director Abel Ferrara. The release also arrives with a 56-page illustrated booklet featuring writings and rare imagery. With optional English intertitles for the main feature. Region-B "locked".
Your wife has a lovely neck
Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.34:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, F. W. Murnau's Nosferatu arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of British distributors Eureka Entertainment.
The following text is included before the film's opening credits:
"Nosferatu was restored by Luciano Berritua on behalf of Friedrich-Wilhelm-Murnau-Stiftung, Wiesbaden in 2005/06. A tinted nitrate print with French intertitles from 1922 from the Cinematheque Francaise, Paris, was used as a basis for the restoration.
Missing shots were completed by a safety print from 1939 from Bundesarchiv-Filmarchiv, Berlin/Koblenz, drawn from a Czech export print from the 1920s. Other shots were taken from a nitrate print from a nitrate print of the 1930 version, distributed under the title Die Zwolfte Stunde (The Twelfth Hour), preserved at the Cinematheque Francaise, Paris.
Most of the original intertitles and inserts are preserved in a safety print from 1962 from Bundesarchiv-Filmarchiv, Berlin/Koblenz, originating from a print from 1922. Missing intertitles and inserts were redesigned on the basis of the original typography by trickWilk, Berlin.
They are marked with F.W.M.S. The lab work was carried out by L'Immagine Ritrovata, Bologna."
The restoration and reconstruction of Nosferatu have produced marvelous results. If you previously have experienced this film only on DVD, or VHS, you are indeed in for a very special treat as the improvements in image depth and clarity are quite dramatic. Even the traditionally problematic 'nighttime' footage now boasts impressive clarity (see screencapture #2). Image stability is is also improved - edge flicker and various density issues have been addressed as best as possible. This being said, light wear marks, vertical lines, some splices, and minor scratches remain. Obviously, these are inherited source limitations and many of them cannot be addressed with current digital tools. The important thing to remember is that the film has a very solid organic look. As a result, viewers with large screens and projectors, in particular, will be enormously pleased with the way it looks on Blu-ray. (Note: This is a Region-B "locked" Blu-ray release. Therefore, you must have a native Region-B or Region-Free PS3 or SA in order to access its content).
There are two standard audio tracks on this Blu-ray release: LPCM 2.0 and DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1. For the record, Eureka Entertainment have provided optional English subtitles for the German intertitles used in the film.
The audio is gorgeous. I prefer the LPCM 2.0 track, but the 5.1 track has marginally better depth. On both tracks, however, the strings sound equally lush and well rounded. There is also a fantastic range of nuanced dynamics that further enhance the already special atmosphere. For the record, there are absolutely no dropouts or distortions to report in this review.
Folks who have been patiently waiting for F.W. Murnau's legendary horror film Nosferatu to transition to Blu-ray are in for a very special treat. Restored and reconstructed, the film looks simply beautiful in high-definition. Indeed, I will be very surprised if Nosferatu did not appear on various Top 10 lists at the end of the year. Buy with confidence, folks. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
Nosferatu, eine Symphonie des Grauens / Masters of Cinema
1922
Nosferatu, eine Symphonie des Grauens / Dracula
1922
Nosferatu: Phantom der Nacht
1979
Der Golem, wie er in die Welt kam / The Golem: How He Came into the World | Masters of Cinema
1920
Dokhtari dar šab tanhâ be xâne miravad / دختری در شب تنها به خانه میرود | Includes Limited Edition Graphic Novel
2014
Faust - Eine deutsche Volkssage / Masters of Cinema
1926
I tre volti della paura | Special Edition
1963
Masters of Cinema
1932
[•REC]: Apocalypse | [•REC] 4: Apocalipsis / [•REC] 4: Apocalypse
2014
Dèmoni 2: L'incubo ritorna
1986
The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari / Masters of Cinema
1920
Quella villa accanto al cimitero | Limited Edition
1981
Terrore nello spazio | Special Edition
1965
The Grim Reaper
1980
Вий / Spirit of Evil | Masters of Cinema
1967
La maschera del demonio / The Mask of Satan
1960
Horror of Dracula / Double Play
1958
Lust of the Vampire | Limited Edition
1957
Les démoniaques / Curse of the Living Dead | Indicator Series | Limited Edition
1974
Horror
1963
幽霊屋敷の恐怖 血を吸う人形 / Chi o suu ningyô
1970
呪いの館 血を吸う眼 / Noroi no yakata: Chi o suu me
1971