ForgotPassword?
Sign Up
Search this Topic:
Forum Jump
Jan 14 12 2:49 PM
Well, the 'Screen Edge' White Zombie arrived about a week ago, and although I haven't had time to watch it all the way through as yet, I think I've analyzed it closely enough to be able to relate a few salient points that'll hopefully be of interest:
First off, I'll say again, the cover artwork is excellent (see the link in post No.54). It's a reproduction of one of those 1930's style, line drawing, U.S. newspaper ads. Variations of it are shown on pages 126 & 153 of Gary D. Rhodes' seminal work; White Zombie: Anatomy of a Horror Film.The DVD features an on-screen menu with a nine chapter scene selection and a three page (six paragraphs) WZ film synopsis and short history. There are also three movie stills.
Picture quality:Sorry, I don't know how to do screen-grabs so a description will have to do. The print is quite soft, and this 'Vaseline smeared on the lens effect' seems more apparent in the movie's long distance shots. However, I wouldn't say it was overly excessive or too blurry: for example, the copyright 'small print' text that appears at the bottom of the opening credits screen is quite legible, which is more than you can say for some WZ transfers. Film damage, dirt, marks and scratches are evident in certain sections of the movie, but again, not too excessive or distracting. It has a decent contrast too; not too dark, which is a criticism sometimes levelled at the 'Roan' transfer. All in all, a very watchable print, which, image-wise kinda reminds me of Carl Dreyer's Vampyr. I'd score it a '6' or maybe '6.5' out of '10'.Sound quality:This is where the 'Screen Edge' really has the 'Roan' (and probably all other versions) beat all ends up....Aurally, this print is positively hi-fi in comparison! I honestly think it has the cleanest, clearest soundtrack of any WZ released to date: Background hiss, rumbles and pops are absolutely minimal, and it has none of the 'listening to it underwater' effect that so blights the 'Roan'...To me, it was like hearing it for the first time....You can even hear the crickets chirping during the dialogue!Cuts, splices & running time:Strange this....According to the timer on my Sony S480 blu ray player, the 'Roan' clocks in with a running time of 1: 06: 52, while the 'Screen Edge' runs for 1: 04: 37. Yet I can't find evidence of any cuts in the SE whatsoever. In fact, it seems to be more complete: for instance, the dialogue scene with Beaumont and Silver, which has a couple of nasty jump-cuts in the Roan transfer (as pointed out by Japfeif, in post No.14 of this thread), is complete in the SE. It also has the final note of music that's missing in the Roan. I suppose the only really accurate way to compare running times would be to run both films from start to finish and timing them from an outside source.Incidentally, before the film's opening credits start rolling, a title screen appears which states: 'Approved by the Maryland State Board of Censors'. and below that, the prefix number: DU-37141. Maybe someone here might've seen this on another DVD print somewhere?IMHO, Although the 'Roan' transfer is excellent picture-wise,...the SE's very acceptable picture quality, put together with its most excellent sound quality, gives the 'Roan' a serious run for its money in terms of overall viewing pleasure. I'm definitely keeping my copy.Hope this helps.Bucky
Share This