7.4 | / 10 |
Users | 4.5 | |
Reviewer | 4.5 | |
Overall | 4.5 |
A refugee marries a Sicilian fisherman but can't cope with the harshness of her new life.
Starring: Ingrid Bergman, Mario Vitale (I), Renzo Cesana, Mario SponzoDrama | 100% |
Melodrama | 6% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.37:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.37:1
English: LPCM Mono
Italian: LPCM Mono
English, English SDH
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region A (locked)
Movie | 4.5 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.5 |
Roberto Rossellini's "Stromboli" (1950) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Criterion. The release contains two versions of the film, English and Italian. Also included on this release are: short introduction to the film by Roberto Rossellini, exclusive new video interview with Italian film critic Adriano Apra, and Nino Bizzarri's documentary film "Rossellini Under the Volcano". In Italian or English, with optional English and English SDH subtitles. Region-A "locked".
Only you can understand me, Father...
Presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.37:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Roberto Rossellini's Stromboli arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Criterion.
The release contains two versions of the film:
1. Stromboli (English-language version of the film which runs at 01.46. 34./1080p).
2. Stromboli terra di Dio (Italian-language version of the film which runs at 01.40.30./1080p).
Please note that sreencaptures #1-14 are from Stromboli, while screencaptures #15-29 are from Stromboli terra di Dio.
The following text appears inside the booklet provided with this Blu-ray release:
"Criterion's new restoration of Stromboli was created from two sources: the Cineteca di Bologna's recent 2K restoration of the Italian-language version of the film and a 35mm print from George Eastman House, which was transferred in high-definition on a Spirit DataCine and restored by Criterion. The original monaural soundtrack was remastered at 24-bit from the 35mm optical soundtrack positive of the George Eastman House print and restored by Criterion.
The digital master of Stromboli terra di Dio was produced from a restoration undertaken by Cinecitta Luce, the Cineteca di Bologna, the Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia, and the Coproduction Office. For their restoration, a digital transfer was created in 2K resolution on an ARRISCAN film scanner from a 35mm cpomposite duplicate negative. The original monaural soundtrack was remastered at 24-bit from the 35mm optical soundtrack negative and restored by L'Immagine Ritrovata.
Stromboli transfer supervision: Russell Smith.
Scanning: Prime Focus, New York.
Colorist: Alex Berman/Prime Focus.
Stromboli terra di Dio restoration by: L'Immagine Ritrovata, Bologna, Italy."
The high-definition transfer for Stromboli is a lot healthier than the one used for Europe '51. While there are still a few shaky frame transitions as well as traces of fading, there are no large cuts and damage marks. Generally speaking, contrast levels are also a lot more stable. Detail and clarity are pleasing. The daylight sequences look particularly good (see screencapture #13). Most close-ups also convey pleasing depth even when traces of fading are clearly present. The blacks and whites are well balanced and there is a good range of healthy grays (see screencapture #5). Grain is retained and rather surprisingly well resolved. Also, there are no traces of problematic sharpening corrections. Predictably, despite various inherited limitations the film does have a stable organic look.
Stromboli terra di Dio looks marginally brighter at times. During select sequences, depth is also slightly better. Again, there are no traces of problematic degraining corrections, but some areas of the film where fading has occurred look softer. Edge-enhancement is not a serious issue of concern. Like Stromboli, the Italian-language version also looks very healthy. All in all, Stromboli and Stromboli terra di Dio clearly look healthier and ultimately more convincing on Blu-ray than Europe '51 does. (Note: This is a Region-A "locked" Blu-ray release. Therefore, you must have a native Region-A or Region-Free PS3 or SA in order to access its content).
There are two standard audio tracks on this Blu-ray release: English LPCM 1.0 for Stromboli and Italian LPCM 1.0 for Stromboli terra di Dio. For the record, Criterion have provide optional English SDH subtitles for Stromboli and English subtitles for Stromboli terra di Dio.
Clarity and depth are good. It is also easy to tell that hiss has been removed and various stabilizations performed. However, the sound isn't always crisp. Some of the flute solos on the Italian-language version, in particular, are rather subdued. Clearly, however, this is a source limitation as there are no distortions or serious dynamic fluctuations to report in this review.
Criterion's Blu-ray release of Roberto Rossellini's Stromboli, a film which has not been easy to see on this side of the Atlantic for years, is a revelation. It contains two versions of the film both of which have been restored and look very good. As far as I am concerned, Criterion's 3 Films by Roberto Rossellini Starring Ingrid Bergman box set is one of the year's must-own releases.
(Still not reliable for this title)
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