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Oct 3 11 6:34 PM
Oct 30 11 8:04 AM
Nov 2 11 12:42 AM
japfeif wrote: the Roan copy is definitely the best one I"ve seen (and I own several from different companies).The only real problem I have with it is the awkward jump cut in the dialog between Beaumont & Silver when they are in the study and Neil & Madeline are downstairs, when they first arrive.In this version (and nearly all the other versions available right now), there is this cut during the conversation where Silver says "I wish you'd keep away from...that man, sir. He'll cause trouble for you!" Beaumont then says something like "Oh, I'm not afraid of him" and Silver replies "Well, I'm not easily frightened, sir...you should know that. But what you're planning is dangerous!" And Beaumont answers "Don't you suppose I know that Silver?"The Roan version cuts out the middle of that dialog, so that it ends up something like: Silver: "I wish you'd keep away from...that man, sir. He'll........" [JUMP CUT]Then it continues with Silver saying: "But what you're planning is dangerous!", and Beaumont replying "Don't you suppose I know that Silver?"All the part about "I'm not afraid of hiim" and "I'm not easily frightened...you should know that" is gone.However, I have some very inferior VHS tapes of the movie that have that dialog intact (but then, often instead cut part of the dialog when Beaumont goes down to meet Madeline & Neil), and/or the shot of Madeline in her underwear getting ready for her wedding.No one version seems to have all 3 of these parts intact.But other than that, the Roan version is superior...sound could definitely be cleaned up a bit but.....
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cosmicjim wrote: i'm amused how all these postings have been specific to print quality, not the film content or the film's history.
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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
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