6.8 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
This hilariously inventive satire of D.W. Griffith's INTOLERANCE follows the age-old story of misadventures on the road to finding love, retold in three separate eras, a structure that cleverly allowed Keaton to recut the film into three separate shorts if it failed as a feature.
Starring: Buster Keaton, Wallace BeeryComedy | 100% |
Video codec: MPEG-2
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.33:1
English: LPCM 2.0
English: Dolby Digital 2.0 (384 kbps)
None
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 3.5 | |
Video | 3.5 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 3.0 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
For 1923’s “Three Ages,” Buster Keaton wanted to prove himself as a feature-length helmer after a career crafting shorts. However, to achieve such box office dependability, he returned to the process of making shorts, transforming “Three Ages” into a study of time and comedy, capturing the wilds of human behavior in Prehistoric Times, the Roman Age, and Modern Times, identifying the evolution of society and the enduring insanity and determination of a man in love.
Billed as a "New 2K restoration by Lobster Films," the actual age of the transfer isn't entirely clear, as this is an MPEG-2 visual (1.33:1 aspect ratio) presentation. "Three Ages" is certainly a difficult nut to crack for restoration efforts, with surviving elements in rough shape to begin with, requiring delicate handling and painstaking work to bring the picture back to life. Wear and tear remains on display throughout the viewing experience, with prominent scratches, speckling, and flicker detected, and bursts of chemical damage arrive periodically. Clarity goes about as far as original cinematography allows, supplying a softer but still expressive image that highlights some texture on period costuming and facial response. Delineation is adequate, handling distances passably.
For the 2.0 LPCM sound event, listeners can choose between scores by The Mont Alto Motion Picture Orchestra and Robert Israel. While the tracks vary in ambition, they both sound as expected, with encouraging instrumentation and stable levels of excitement, supporting the onscreen action with confidence and crispness.
The passage of time plays a more important role in the "Three Ages" viewing experience, offering a rougher look at Keaton's visual growth, but the essentials of a developing filmmaker remain amusing and educational, watching the actor take control of his career.
(Still not reliable for this title)
Cohen Film Collection
1924
Remastered
1923
1936
1927
1967
1940
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