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The ratio for this film is not 1.33:1, is it? No other info/specs yet. From new outfit, INFINITY ARTHOUSE.

Gordon McMurphy wrote:The ratio for this film is not 1.33:1, is it? No other info/specs yet. From new outfit, INFINITY ARTHOUSE.

Thanks Gordon, that's terrific news! Not sure about theatrical release OAR though the film was originally made for Italian television so this could be correct, however the running time of the TV version was much longer than the theatrical release. The last time I saw the film a little over ten years ago on the big screen it was of the longer version that I am certain ran more than three hours. One of my favorite Rosi films, a terrific adaptation and arguably Volontè's best performance.

I have been very much looking forward to this DVD. I can't find any reviews yet... Has anyone seen this and is it better than the R1 release?

Don Lope de Aguirre wrote:I have been very much looking forward to this DVD. I can't find any reviews yet... Has anyone seen this and is it better than the R1 release?

The Infinity runtime of 213 minutes vs 145 for the Facets is enough to convince me though would prefer the complete Italian version... release date was May 15, so it's still a little early for reviews though maybe DVD Beaver will eventually pick up on this.

No online reviews yet. Infinity's transfer of Night Of The Shooting Stars wasn't very good, though.

BTW: Infinity Atrhouse will be releasing a 2-disc of the Count's, Ludwig on June 19. I'm a bit worried by the 4:3 listing, though; hopefully, it's just misinformation. I mean, a gorgeous 2.35:1 PAL master of the full version exists, as their is an unsubtitled German disc from Kinowelt (?).

Received my copy today. The packaging looks very sexy -it comes with a cardboard sleeve- but as to what really counts...it's okay. It's what you expect from Infinity Arthouse...no more no less. I have only looked at this on my laptop so far, it'll look worse on the big screen...the pic is very pixelated and lacking in detail. It has that powdery look of oldish DVDs... This seems to be another typically visually ravishing film from Rosi and it really deserves a half decent transfer. I really wish they'd save the money on the extra feature (which is all ready on Criterion's Francesco Giuliano) and the bloody cardboard and spend a little bit more on what really matters....

DVD Times review

I can't seem to find a web pressence for this outfit. Are there any contact details on the case for them at all? Perhaps a friendly kick in the pants from some concerned consumers might make them consider making their offerings a little less luckluster.

Is anyone surprised by the review? That could almost have been written before the reviewer had even seen the film such is the reputation they have developed in such a short space of time!! Here are some contact details courtesy of tavernier:


Simon Fowler
Aim Publicity
7 Lightcliffe Road
London
N13 5HD

t: 020 8292 5800
e: [email protected]

and the title of this thread is completely incorrect and misleading, there is no 2 disc 213 minute version here.

There's an Italian DVD with English subs, but it seems to be out of print

tavernier wrote:There's an Italian DVD with English subs, but it seems to be out of print

Shame, as I have this and can confirm that the picture quality is very good (ie not pixelated). The feature run time is 145 mins which was the condensed theatrical release. BTW the extras on the disc are not subtitled.

I first saw this film on a PAL two-cassette video set from Artificial Eye in Britain. This was the 4-part TV series version, with beginning and end credits for each of the episodes and ran for 204 minutes.

kinjitsu wrote:The Infinity runtime of 213 minutes vs 145 for the Facets is enough to convince me though would prefer the complete Italian version

I suspect that the Infinity is the "complete" film minus the duplicated opening and end credits.

godardslave wrote:and the title of this thread is completely incorrect and misleading, there is no 2 disc 213 minute version here.

wot? huh! eh? worked for me

Edit: The Artifical Eye PAL VHS was the complete version of the film tho' different webs give different run times even asw much as 240 mins - can anyone confirm?

I have seen the complete TV version which is around 222 minutes, and that's the version we need to appear in a good transfer... along with more Rosi films in general.

kinjitsu wrote:The Infinity runtime of 213 minutes vs 145 for the Facets is enough to convince me though would prefer the complete Italian version

Kay Hoog wrote:

godardslave wrote:and the title of this thread is completely incorrect and misleading, there is no 2 disc 213 minute version here.

wot? huh! eh? worked for me

sorry but according to: http://www.dvdtimes.co.uk/content.php?contentid=61721

Please note this is not a two-disc set as originally announced.

The film is presented in fullscreen format which is the correct framing as it was originally made for Italian television. The full four hour version was released in the UK by Artificial Eye on VHS back in the 1990s but what we get here is a 145 minute abridgement that is some ten minutes shorter than the version shown in British cinemas.

Running Time:
145 minutes

DVD Distributor:
Infinity Arthouse

i don't know where you guys are getting 213 mins from? thats why i'm disappointed this is only the 145 mins version...

godardslave wrote:i don't know where you guys are getting 213 mins from? thats why i'm disappointed this is only the 145 mins version...

Same here. If, according to that DVD Times review, the Infinity is only 145 minutes, then it is hardly the complete film, and is the same running time as the Facets DVD. Actually, I think 224 minutes is accurate for the original Italian (TV) version, which is quite extraordinary to see in its entirety, ditto Volontè's performance.

IMDb: Cristo si è fermato a Eboli

It is still being advertised as running 213 mins in a 2-disc edn at Play.com, Benson's World, and Amanzon.uk.

Glad I picked up the Italian now!

tavernier wrote:There's an Italian DVD with English subs, but it seems to be out of print

There are quite a few of these available from ebay.it at reasonable prices... The front cover differs from the tavernier link but I presume they are of the same quality, if not the same DVD...they both say 'Restored and Remastered Edition'. Which one do you own Kay Hoog or are they the same thing?

Don Lope de Aguirre wrote:Which one do you own Kay Hoog or are they the same thing?

Not certain - the front cover on ebay differs from my edition.

Hmm...okay.... What's this then?

From the seller (in broken english):

The dvd is practically equal to what you have indicated to me, printed from the Hobby & Work subsequently (in years '90) regarding the other. Mine, as you see, it does not have special contents, and it is possible that it has a less good support of the other but qualitatively and in the contents not is no difference.

Don Lope de Aguirre wrote:What's this then?

I recall seeing this listed a few years ago from Italian DVD etailers. However, I contest the seller's claim that it is matted WS, anyway, it's yet another so-called restored version and only 145 minutes... In the meantime, while you await a proper, fully restored edition, I suggest you read Levi's book.

saw the Infinity box - only one disc but run time on back claimed to be

approx 200 mins

.
I think I'll just read the book

Kay Hoog wrote:saw the Infinity box - only one disc but run time on back claimed to be

approx 200 mins

.

I think I'll just read the book

That's almost an hour longer than the 145-minute version so I doubt it will seem quite as truncated, although once you've read the book you'll truly appreciate watching the film in its entirety.

Kay Hoog wrote:saw the Infinity box - only one disc but run time on back claimed to be

approx 200 mins

.
I think I'll just read the book

I bought the Infinity version based on earlier information without checking further, and am most disappointed. Here are the facts. The box does say approx 200 minutes, however, the film inside is 145 minutes. It may sound strange, but it was not easy to find the actual length of the film. The film on the DVD is divided, for reasons I do not understand, in multiple titles (yes, titles, not chapters). Titles 2 and 3 are identical each with 7 chapters), and represent the first part of the film, which runs about 63 minutes. Titles 4 and 5 are identical (each with 8 chapters), and represent the second half of the film, which runs about 82 minutes. (If you let the film run, it jumps from title 2 to title 4) I have to assume the 200 minutes quoted on the box is either mis-information or includes the time associated with supplemental material. The quality of the image is not very good. I would not recommend this DVD.

thanks for the information, kekid.

My Italian DVD arrived today. For anyone thinking of buying this film this is the one to own (so far). There is no comparison between this and the Infinity Arthouse.

Both DVDs are 145 mins in length. If I remember correctly the IA AR is 1.33 (DVD5), the Cristaldi is a 1.66 (DVD9). As to which is the 'correct' AR I don't think there's any way of saying... certainly though, the difference in picture quality is almost embarrassing. Please, please buy the Cristaldi instead of the I.A. (it may even work out cheaper too)!

Don Lope de Aguirre wrote:My Italian DVD arrived today. For anyone thinking of buying this film this is the one to own (so far). There is no comparison between this and the Infinity Arthouse.

Both DVDs are 145 mins in length. If I remember correctly the IA AR is 1.33 (DVD5), the Cristaldi is a 1.66 (DVD9). As to which is the 'correct' AR I don't think there's any way of saying... certainly though, the difference in picture quality is almost embarrassing. Please, please buy the Cristaldi instead of the I.A. (it may even work out cheaper too)!

Where did you buy it? It's listed as out of print on a few sites.