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S E A R C H    D V D B e a v e r

(aka "Rhapsody" or "EWS")

 

http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film/direct-chair/kubrick.htm
USA 1999

"Most reviews of every Kubrick picture since 2001 have been mired in misapprehensions and underestimations—many of which are corrected years later without apology, one reason he apparently gave up on critics about 30 years ago. This doesn't necessarily mean he was always ahead of his time: one of the best things about Eyes Wide Shut—evident in such artisanal qualities as the old-fashioned sound track, the grainy photography, and the exquisite color balances ...—is that it isn't a film of the 90s in most respects but something closer to what movies at their best used to be. ... This is personal filmmaking as well as dream poetry of the kind most movie commerce has ground underfoot, and if a better studio release comes along this year I'll be flabbergasted. A Masterpiece."

Excerpt from Jonathan Rosenbaum's review in the Chicago Reader

Posters

Theatrical Release: July 13th, 1999 - USA

Reviews                                              More Reviews                                            DVD Reviews


Incidental Reading on Stanley Kubrick (CLICK COVERS or TITLES for more information)

Kubrick: Inside A Film Artist's Maze by Thomas Allen Nelson Stanley Kubrick, Director: A Visual Analysis by Alexander Walker Stanley Kubrick: Interviews (Conversations With Filmmakers Series)
by Stanley Kubrick, Gene D. Phillips
Stanley Kubrick: A Life in Pictures
by Christiane Kubrick
Narrative And Stylistic Patterns In The Films Of Stanley Kubrick by Luis Garcia Mainar The Stanley Kubrick Archives by Alison Castle Stanley Kubrick Companion by James Howard

Comparison:

Warner - REGION FREE - Blu-ray vs. Warner (2-disc Special Edition) - Region 1,2,3,4 - NTSC vs. Warner - Region 1 - NTSC vs. Warner (Europe) - Region 2 - PAL

Big thanks to Markus of Chiaroscuro for the PAL Screen Caps!

1) Warner REGION FREE Blu-ray TOP

2) Warner (2-disc SE) - Region 1,2,3,4 - NTSC SECOND

3) Warner - Region 1 - NTSC - THIRD

4) Warner (Europe) - Region 2 - PAL - BOTTOM

 

DVD Box Covers

Warner Home Video Director's Series: Stanley Kubrick Collection (Special Editions of 2001: A Space Odyssey, A Clockwork Orange, Eyes Wide Shut, The Shining and Full Metal Jacket Deluxe Edition, along with the full-length documentary, A Life in Pictures) Warner Home Video

Distribution

Warner

Region FREE Blu-ray

Warner (2-disc Special Edition)

Region 1,2,3,4 - NTSC

Warner

Region 1 - NTSC

Warner
Region 2 - PAL
Runtime 2:39:01 2:38:50 2:38:50 2:32:30 (4% PAL speedup)
Video 1.78:1  Aspect Ratio
Average Bitrate: 26-30 mb/s
1080P Dual-layered
1.78:1  Aspect Ratio
Average Bitrate: 5.45 mb/s
NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s
1.33:1 (open Matte) Original Aspect Ratio
Average Bitrate: 5.62 mb/s
NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s

1.33:1 (open Matte) Original Aspect Ratio
Average Bitrate: 5.88 mb/s
PAL 720x576 25.00 f/s

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

Bitrate:

Blu-ray

NO BITRATE GRAPH FOR Blu-RAY yet

Bitrate:

 

Warner SE Region 1,2,3,4

Bitrate:

 

Warner Region 1

 

Bitrate:

 

Warner (Europe)

 

Audio English: PCM 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit), English: Dolby Digital 5.1, DUBs: French: Dolby Digital 5.1, Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1, German: Dolby Digital 5.1 English Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround, DUB: French Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround English Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround

English Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround, DUB: German Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround

On French version: DUB: French Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround, UK version - no DUBs

Subtitles English, French, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, none English (closed captioned), French, Spanish, none English, French  (both Closed captioned), none German, English, Spanish, Italian, Dutch, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Finnish, Icelandic, German (captions)

on French: French, English, Italian, Dutch, Arabic, Spanish and none

Features Release Information:
Studio: Warner
Blu-ray

Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen - 1.78:1

Edition Details:

• Featurette - The Last Movie - Stanley Kubrick and Eyes Wide Shut

• Featurette - Lost Kubrick: The Unfinished Films of Stanley Kubrick

• DGA - D.W. Griffith Acceptance Speech, 1998

• Interviews with Nicole Kidman (17:45 min), Tom Cruise (08:23 min) and Steven Spielberg (07:49 min)
• US TV Trailer: Jealousy (00:34 min), Combo (00:34 min)
• Cast & Crew

DVD Release Date: October 23rd, 2007
Standard
Blu-ray case

Chapters 38

 

Release Information:
Studio: Warner

Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen - 1.78:1

Edition Details:

• Featurette - The Last Movie - Stanley Kubrick and Eyes Wide Shut

• Featurette - Lost Kubrick: The Unfinished Films of Stanley Kubrick

• DGA - D.W. Griffith Acceptance Speech, 1998

Interviews with Nicole Kidman (17:45 min), Tom Cruise (08:23 min) and Steven Spielberg (07:49 min)
• US TV Trailer: Jealousy (00:34 min), Combo (00:34 min)
• Cast & Crew

DVD Release Date: October 23rd, 2007
Keep case

Chapters 38

Release Information:
Studio: Warner

Aspect Ratio:
Fullscreen - 1.33:1 (open Matte)

Edition Details:

• Interviews with Nicole Kidman, Tom Cruise and Steven Spielberg
• Theatrical Trailer
• US TV Trailer: Jealousy, Combo
• Cast & Crew

DVD Release Date: March 7th, 2000
Snapper case

Chapters 38

Release Information:
Studio: Warner
(Europe)

Aspect Ratio:
Fullscreen - 1.33:1 (open Matte)

Edition Details:
• Interviews with Nicole Kidman (17:45 min), Tom Cruise (08:23 min) and Steven Spielberg (07:49 min)
• US TV Trailer: Jealousy (00:34 min), Combo (00:34 min)
• Cast & Crew
 

DVD Release Date: 23 August 2001
Snap

Chapters 38

 

Comments:

ADDITION: Warner - REGION FREE Blu-ray July 08':  - NOTE: These Blu-ray captures were obtained directly from the Blu-ray disc and are linked to their 1920X1080 counterpart if you are interested to see. This Blu-ray is REGION FREE and will play on Blu-ray machines worldwide.

I'm quite prepared to stand alone here.

Unfortunately, in this case, these resized high-definition captures can't tell the complete story, but as I was able to toggle between the Blu-ray and the SE I'm able to report a few observations. The Blu-ray looks expectantly sharper, smoother and cleaner, less noise, truer skin tones (of which their are an abundance) - all these with varying degrees of subtle superiority over the SE. It's possible that the Blu-ray might be marginally darker in some scenes as well. But most notably I found it supported the grainer and diffused lighting sequences much more faithfully than in any of the SD editions.  Bottom line - with the vastly increased resolution it really has no other option but to be superior in every visual area. The more advanced system you view Eyes Wide Shut on - the more this will become apparent. Others may disagree but I truly endorse this 1080P image even though it varies so significantly from the look of standard modern films-to-DVD. It was meant to be unique folks. I revel in those grain drenched, naturally lit parts of EWS.

We've added Blu-ray ripped captures to our individual review HERE if you wish to see more screen captures samples.

Audio on the Blu-ray gives us a fairly pure sounding but undemonstratively separated English: PCM 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit) track and standard English: Dolby Digital 5.1 with some optional DUBs: French: Dolby Digital 5.1, Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1, German: Dolby Digital 5.1. The PCM was  superior to the 5.1 but it would probably depend on how sensitive you are to the subtleties of film audio. Some might say the improvement is extensive - others may not notice. It offers multiple subtitles options from English, French, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, Korean or Portuguese.

Supplements are the exact same as the SE (reported below) and are quite complete and enjoyable.

It's nice to have options - if you are a purist who wants to see the film in 1.33 and unexpurgated - you may purchase the European SD. But to see it in the best possible (uncensored) visual and aural presentation - the Blu-ray appears to be the definitive option. I'm extremely impressed with how it looks on my system and encourage fans of Kubrick and this film to indulge in that direction. Yes, I personally - on my system, found it significantly better than the SE. The hi-def image of EWS is almost addictive and once you begin to appreciate its subtle nature - you can't go back to seeing it in SD. Unsupported by most - this is my opinion.     

 - Gary Tooze  

***

 

ADDITION: Warner - Special Edition - Region 1,2,3,4 - NTSC - October 07': Warner give us Stanley Kubrick's last film in its theatrical ratio without the encumbrances of the previously digitally censored cut... in a new 2-disc Special Edition. As with most of the releases from Warner Home Video Director's Series: Stanley Kubrick Collection the image is darker and the low level of lighting is probably more accurate to its original intent - color-wise. Black levels seem richer to me. It is coded for regions 1 thru 4 in the NTSC standard. The transfer is anamorphic and progressive on a dual-layered DVD. A keep case replaces the old snapper case.

You can see by the images below that information is lost from the top and bottom of the frame, however although the 1.33 (Open Matte) ratio was preserved - it was theatrically framed for 1.85:1. It has less digital noise than older editions but doesn't appear as sharp. We often notice that full-frame transfers, of the same film, look more detailed than widescreen. It is possible the purposeful grainy photography is shining through.

Part of the benefit of this new package are the extras on disc 2. On top of the past interviews with Nicole Kidman (17:45 min), Tom Cruise (08:23 min) and Steven Spielberg (07:49 min) found on both older PAL and NTSC releases (and trailers etc.) we have two new featurettes - a 43 minute piece entitled The Last Movie - Stanley Kubrick and Eyes Wide Shut. It has input cut from many previous sources including the old interviews (1999) and other newish sources. It is worthwhile to view. I also enjoyed Lost Kubrick: The Unfinished Films of Stanley Kubrick where his work on the Napoleon film is discussed by those who were preparing for production. We also have Kubrick's Acceptance Speech for the DGA - D.W. Griffith award in 1998 (intro by Jack Nicholson).

Fabulous film and although lacking a commentary I thoroughly enjoyed this DVD package. It completes the cycle of films in the Warner Home Video Director's Series: Stanley Kubrick Collection which gets our highest recommendation. 

 

NOTE: the back of the box - in very fine print it states:

"Digitally Remastered Movie - Selectable in both Rated and - for the first time in North America - Unrated Versions". There is no option for choosing the 'rated' version (that I can see on SD or hi-def versions).

****

ON THE REGION 2 vs. the ORIGINAL REGION 1: Although, the Region 2 edition used in this case is the German version, we are pleased to announce that it appears that the French and UK versions also contain Kubrick's unexpurgated edition complete with the orgy scene(s) intact. It is quite interesting to compare the Region 1 digitally censored version and see what censors thought we should not see (for NC-17 rating). Although, it may amount to very little (a few bare body parts engaging in, sometimes perverse, sexual intercourse), it is the principal of seeing Kubrick's vision, or any directors, in the manner in which it was intended to be expressed. Both DVDs have the same extras with interviews etc. . It should be noted that each individual country release has slight changes in audio (ex. optional French DUB included in the French edition etc.)

In regards to the image quality, it is really a non-issue in comparison to the censorship. In the digitally censored Region 1 scenes I find the image hazier than the rest of the film and inferior to the European release as well as poorer black levels. In the non-digitally censored scenes I find the Region 1 to have a minimal edge in sharpness. Neither are to worry over (both negligible) and both editions have the 5.1 audio, which sounds excellent (echoing piano cord). The Region 1 is slightly cropped on top and left edge - nothing to untoward.

We, of course, recommend the European releases to adhere to the original film's intended interpretation.

 - Gary Tooze

 


DVD Menus

 

Warner - REGION FREE Blu-ray - same extras as the SE

 

 

Warner (2-disc SE) - Region 1,2,3,4 - NTSC

 

Disc 2 - Warner (2-disc SE) - Region 1,2,3,4 - NTSC


(Warner - Region 1 - NTSC - LEFT vs. Warner (Europe) - Region 2 - PAL - RIGHT)

 

 


Screen Captures

 

CLICK EACH BLU-RAY CAPTURE TO SEE ALL IMAGES IN FULL 1920 X 1080 RESOLUTION

 


1) Warner REGION FREE Blu-ray TOP

2) Warner (2-disc SE) - Region 1,2,3,4 - NTSC SECOND

3) Warner - Region 1 - NTSC - THIRD

4) Warner (Europe) - Region 2 - PAL - BOTTOM

 

 


 

To avoid an NC-17 rating, the orgy scene was partially censored in the original Region 1 release with the placement of computer-generated objects and characters in front of the more sexually explicit details (see frames 3 4,5). These scenes display poor black tones, probably due to digital processing. Although not shown the SE and the European edition show the scenes unexpurgated.

 

1) Warner REGION FREE Blu-ray TOP

2) Original Warner - Region 1 - NTSC - BOTTOM

 

 

 


1) Warner REGION FREE Blu-ray TOP

2) Original Warner - Region 1 - NTSC - BOTTOM

 

 

 


1) Warner REGION FREE Blu-ray TOP

2) Original Warner - Region 1 - NTSC - BOTTOM

 

 

 


1) Warner REGION FREE Blu-ray TOP

2) Warner (2-disc SE) - Region 1,2,3,4 - NTSC SECOND

3) Warner - Region 1 - NTSC - THIRD

4) Warner (Europe) - Region 2 - PAL - BOTTOM

 

 

 


1) Warner REGION FREE Blu-ray TOP

2) Original Warner - Region 1 - NTSC - BOTTOM

 

 


4 more captures from the Blu-ray - linked to full 1920X1080 resolution

 

 

 

 


Hit Counter


Report Card:

 

Image:

Blu-ray for widescreen - PAL releases for 1.33

Sound:

Blu-ray

Extras:

Special Edition / Blu-ray

Menu:

-

 

DVD Box Covers

Warner Home Video Director's Series: Stanley Kubrick Collection (Special Editions of 2001: A Space Odyssey, A Clockwork Orange, Eyes Wide Shut, The Shining and Full Metal Jacket Deluxe Edition, along with the full-length documentary, A Life in Pictures) Warner Home Video

Distribution

Warner

Region FREE Blu-ray

Warner (2-disc Special Edition)

Region 1,2,3,4 - NTSC

Warner

Region 1 - NTSC

Warner
Region 2 - PAL

 

Kubrick on DVD (NTSC) - CLICK COVERS or TITLES for more information

 

Stanley Kubrick Boxset Eyes Wide Shut Full Metal Jacket The Shining Barry Lyndon A Clockwork Orange 2001: A Space Odyssey

Dr. Strangelove or How I Learned To Stop Worry and Love the Bomb

Lolita

Spartacus

Paths of Glory

The Killing

Killer's Kiss

 






 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Gary Tooze

Many Thanks...