directed by Stanley Donen
USA 1954

 

There are a few things I don’t understand: physics, women, and how Seven Brides for Seven Brothers gets excluded from the American Film Institute’s 100 greatest movies of all time. Quite frankly, I’m bound to figure out the other two topics sooner.

Watching Stanley Donen’s exuberant, musical masterpiece again gives me more reason to picket the next AFI event. This movie has aged better than Susan Sarandon. The songs are still great, the dancing still dazzles, and the whole family can enjoy it. Parents, forget whatever kid-friendly fare disguised as a toy commercial is playing at the multiplex this week, and go back to a simpler time.

Well, 1850 to be exact. High from his farm in the rugged Oregon Territory countryside, Adam Pontipee (Howard Keel) makes a trip to town to pick up some goods for the long months ahead, including a wife. He’s able to find most of what he needs at the general store, but his afternoon is looking fruitless until he stumbles upon a serving girl (Jane Powell) with passion and sass to spare.

Excerpt from the review by Pete Croatto at filmcritic.com located HERE

Posters

Theatrical Release: July 22, 1954

Reviews    More Reviews  DVD Reviews

DVD Comparison:

Warner (cinemascope version - SE) - Region 1 - NTSC vs. Warner (alternative flat version - SE) - Region 1 - NTSC

Big thanks to Henrik Sylow for all the Screen Caps!

(Warner (cinemascope version) - Region 1 - NTSC - LEFT vs. Warner (alternative flat version) - Region 1 - NTSC - RIGHT)

DVD Box Covers

 

         

Distribution

Warner

Region 1 - NTSC

Warner
Region 1 - NTSC
Runtime 1:41:56 1:41:48
Video

2.55:1 Original Aspect Ratio

16X9 enhanced
Average Bitrate: 6.98 mb/s
NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s

1.78:1 Aspect Ratio

16X9 enhanced
Average Bitrate: 5.86 mb/s
NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s

NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.

Bitrate:

 

Warner (cinemascope version)

 

Bitrate:

 

Warner (alternative flat version)

 

Audio 5.1 Dolby Digital English, 1.0 Dolby Digital French Mono, 2.0 Dolby Digital English (commentary)

2.0 Dolby Digital English Mono

Subtitles English, French, Spanish, None English, French, Spanish, None
Features Release Information:
Studio: Warner

Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen anamorphic - 2.55:1

Edition Details:
• Audio Commentary by Stanley Donen
• Stanley Donen trailer gallery

DVD Release Date: October 12, 2004
Double Amarey

Chapters 31
 

Release Information:
Studio: Warner

Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen anamorphic - 1.78:1

Edition Details:
• Sobbin' Women: The Making of 'Seven Brides for Seven Brothers' (42:10)
• Radio Music Hall premiere July 22, 1954 (1:56)
• MGM 30th anniversary showreel (2:08)
• Vintage: MGM Jubilee Overture (9:44)

 

DVD Release Date: October 12, 2004
Double Amarey

Chapters 31

 

 

 

 

Comments The 2-disc SE DVD contains two versions of the film.

First the 2.55:1 cinemascope version, which isn't as stunning as for instance "Robin Hood" or "Easter Parade", and there are minor problems. Its very grainy, its not colour corrected (snow appears blue-ish to pink-ish), and colours appears very tame.

The second is the "notorious" flat version, shot side by side with the scope version, and was a studio back-up, in case scope turned out to be a fad. The OAR was 1.85:1, but here its been cropped into 1.78:1 (16x9). Sad, because, as far as I know, the source was the original hard-matte 1.85:1 print, so why Warner had to go "anamorphic" on it, I don't know. The real treat is to compare the compositions between the two.

On the scope version, the sound has been remixed into a new 5.1 Dolby Digital track. Dialogue is, as far as I can hear, kept in mono center, while the orchestral sound is blown out. I really like this form of updating these old musical tracks.

Extras is a commentary by Stanley Donen, who brings his personal insight to the film. A very insightful and warm commentary.

Disc 2 has a few fillers and a making of documentary.

 - Henrik Sylow

 

 





DVD Menus
(same for both)
(
Warner (cinemascope version) - Region 1 - NTSC - LEFT vs. Warner (alternative flat version) - Region 1 - NTSC - RIGHT)


 

 


 

Screen Captures

(Warner (cinemascope version) - Region 1 - NTSC - TOP vs. Warner (alternative flat version) - Region 1 - NTSC - BOTTOM)
Captures resized to 800px from 960px native resolution

 

 


(Warner (cinemascope version) - Region 1 - NTSC - TOP vs. Warner (alternative flat version) - Region 1 - NTSC - BOTTOM)

 

 


(Warner (cinemascope version) - Region 1 - NTSC - TOP vs. Warner (alternative flat version) - Region 1 - NTSC - BOTTOM)

 

 


(Warner (cinemascope version) - Region 1 - NTSC - TOP vs. Warner (alternative flat version) - Region 1 - NTSC - BOTTOM)

 

 


(Warner (cinemascope version) - Region 1 - NTSC - TOP vs. Warner (alternative flat version) - Region 1 - NTSC - BOTTOM)

 

 


(Warner (cinemascope version) - Region 1 - NTSC - TOP vs. Warner (alternative flat version) - Region 1 - NTSC - BOTTOM)

 

 


(Warner (cinemascope version) - Region 1 - NTSC - TOP vs. Warner (alternative flat version) - Region 1 - NTSC - BOTTOM)

 

 


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