MovieChat Forums > Mr. Arkadin (1962) Discussion > Brilliant film, repulsive transfer on dv...

Brilliant film, repulsive transfer on dvd...

posted 19 years ago by Charles_Bronsons_Stache
10 replies | jump to latest

I was so happy I finally bought Welles' ''Mr. Arkadin'' on dvd today. I had no prior knowledge of the different versions available, and the one I went for looked very classy ( judging by its stylish cover). Boy was I wrong. Never judge a book by its cover blabla. The transfer is so unbelievably horrible.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00004YKQE/qid=1149879264/sr=8-2/ref=pd_bbs_2/104-8855866-3871920?%5Fencoding=UTF8&v=glance&n=130

^^ It's this version and rightly so many others have complained about it.

I don't live in the US, and I don't have a region-free dvd player yet, but I'll really have to the criterion version some time soon, cause in my opinion, it's probably one of Welles' best.

Still, I'm not really that angry, cause I got it very cheap and the cover is still amazingly cool. It's something.

I know this is not really a worthy topic, but I was just very shocked is all.

Why pamper life's complexities
when the leather runs smooth
on the passenger seat?

[–] MagAmbersons 19 years ago

This is one of the reasons the Criterion set has been applauded; only the horrible looking public domain version has been available prior to the box set's release. There is one consulation: Criterion did not include the common public domain version in their box set, so those who own the cheap disc have the fourth (and most mutilated) version of the film. Go from the public domain one to "Confidential Report" to the "Corinth" version to the "Comprehensive Version" and you'll see this film get better and better.

Also, for those who live in Europe, an upgraded "Arkadin" release should be forthcoming.

[–] Charles_Bronsons_Stache 19 years ago

Thanks for the information.

''Also, for those who live in Europe, an upgraded "Arkadin" release should be forthcoming. ''

Could you perhaps ellaborate on this?

Why pamper life's complexities
when the leather runs smooth
on the passenger seat?

[–] comfortably_numb758 19 years ago

haha i love the quote from this charming man in your sig, one of my fav moz lyrics

cool to see another smiths fan with good taste in film

[–] 19 years ago

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[–] MagAmbersons 19 years ago

The R1 DVD of "The Lady From Shanghai" from Columbia looks excellent. It even has superb commentary from Peter Bogdanovich and a short behind-the-scenes featurette. A Criterion treatment might add the novel it was based on ("If I Should Die Before I Wake" by Sherwood King) and maybe a more schlolarly "making of" doc, but it's not like the Columbia disc is lacking in the same way the public domain "Arkadin" was. I'd much rather see Criterion secure the rights and release DVDs of "The Stranger", "MacBeth", Welles' original European version of "Othello", "The Trial", "Chimes At Midnight" and "The Immortal Story"; all of these are very underrepresented or non-existent in the U.S.

[–] 19 years ago

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[–] MagAmbersons 19 years ago

"I completely agree. There are so many more Welles' films that deserve the Criterion treatment. The Stranger is a good example, as I've often petitioned that title to them as a choice for a future release. Since it's in public domain, there shouldn't be anything stopping them from releasing it."

...And yet that is one of the reasons Criterion and others wouldn't be interested in releasing it. With so many companies dumping inferior versions on the market for six or seven bucks, Criterion would be reluctant to issue a qualty transfer that would retail at $25.99 or higher. "Mr. Arkadin" was different in that none of the three versions included in the box set had been the version available in the public domain. There's only one known cut of "The Stranger" and it's available cheap. Incidentally, MGM has distributed a high quality transfer of "The Stranger" in Europe, but I don't know if their rights extend to North America. All the same, I would very much appreciate this film getting a quality release in the U.S.

[–] 19 years ago

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[–] Fear_and_Loathing_62 18 years ago

Yeah, The criterion has a really good transfer.

I am not an animal! I am a human being! I...am...a man!

[–] McGonigle 18 years ago

But most importantly, I just don't want to see Criterion sell out in order to make greater profits.

O, contraire. I hope Criterion sells out early and often if it increases their profits. I can't imagine their margins are that big to begin with, and I'd much rather see the company insure its continued existence by releasing (oh, the horror) a Wes Anderson or Richard Linklater film than worry about base motives like "greater profits"! They are a business, after all, if I'm not mistaken, and one which we all undoubtedly wish to see thrive for a long time.

Hey, I'm trying to eat my lunch!