7.2 | / 10 |
Users | 4.5 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.2 |
A handful of city dwellers enjoy a weekend outing.
Starring: Erwin Splettstößer, Brigitte Borchert, Wolfgang von Waltershausen, Kurt GerronForeign | 100% |
Drama | 99% |
Romance | 28% |
Comedy | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080i
Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.33:1
Music: LPCM 2.0
Music: LPCM 2.0
English
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region A (locked)
Movie | 4.5 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 3.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Robert Siodmak and Edgar G. Ulmer's "Menschen am Sonntag" a.k.a "People on Sunday" (1930) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Criterion. The supplemental features on the disc include Gerald Koll's documentary "Weekend am Wannsee" and cinematographer Eugen Schufftan's short film "Ins Blaue Hinein" (1931). The disc also arrives with a 28-page illustrated booklet containing Noah Isenberg's essay "Young People Like Us" and reprints by scriptwriter Billy Wilder and director Robert Siodmak. With German intertitles and optional English subtitles. Region-A "locked".
At Wannsee
Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.33:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080i transfer, People on Sunday arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Criterion.
The following text appears inside the booklet provided with this Blu-ray disc:
"This new digital transfer was created from a 35mm mute print struck from the restoration negative provided by the EYE Film Institute Netherlands. It was scanned in 2K resolution on a Spirit 4K Datacine, played at 24 frames per second, and then digitally converted to the EYE Film Institute's recommended speed of 22 frames per second. Color correction was done using DaVinci Resolve software. Thousands of instances of dirt, debris, scratches, splices, warps, jitter, and flicker were manually removed using MTI's DRS system, while Digital Vision's Phoenix system was used for small dirt, grain, and noise reduction.
Telecine supervisor: Maria Palazzola.
Telecine colorist: Gregg Garvin/Modern Videofilm, Los Angeles."
Considering the history of the film, the presentation is indeed very impressive. Despite occasional clarity and contrast fluctuations, detail is very good, with many of of the close-ups coming close or being on par with what we have seen in some of the best Blu-ray release of silent films (Sunrise, Coeur Fidèle). Additionally, many of the outdoors scenes also convey very pleasing depth (see screencaptures #5 and 17). Color reproduction is also good - there is a good range of gentle grays and whites, while the backs relatively stable. Various damage marks, splices and cuts have been eliminated, and the majority of the time the film looks surprisingly healthy. Some traces of damage, however, still remain (see screencapture #8) because apparently it was impossible to eliminate them without affecting the integrity of the film. Lastly, there are some small frame transition issue as well. All in all, for an 81-year old film, this is indeed a mighty impressive presentation. (Note: This is a Region-A "locked" Blu-ray disc. Therefore, you must have a native Region-A or Region-Free PS3 or SA in order to access its content).
There are two LPCM 2.0 audio tracks on this Blu-ray disc: one for a silent-era-style score performed by the Mont Alto Orchestra and another for a contemporary score composed by Elena Katz-Chernin and performed by the Czech Film Orchestra. For the record, Criterion have provided optional English subtitles for the main feature.
I prefer Elena Katz-Chernin's contemporary score. I believe that it enhances the film slightly better with its wider range of melancholic and upbeat melodies, particularly where the busy streets of Berlin are the focus of attention. Thankfully, the LPCM 2.0 track handles the score very well - the winds and strings are very well balanced, while the lovely piano, clarinet, and bassoon solos are never too bright or overexposed. The terrific aria in the beginning of Chapter 4 also sounds beautiful.
The silent-era-style score was first performed by the Mont Alto Orchestra at the 2009 Telluride Film Festival and consequently recorded for Criterion in 2011. It has a distinctive retro feel that works well for many of the hilarious scenes from the second half of the film. The LPCM 2.0 track is once again very strong, with the violin and trumpet solos sounding notably rich. Overall, however, this score has stronger chamber qualities favoring a slightly more compact sound.
People on Sunday is a very important early silent German film that offers a unique look at Weimar Berlin. It has been meticulously restored and now brought to Blu-ray by Criterion. I must say that it looks quite remarkable. These are the type of releases that I can't get enough of. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
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