http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film/direct-chair/cassavetes.htm
USA 1976

 

"Perhaps a film that should be not be over-analyzed but rather allowed to wash over you with its gritty charm. John Cassavetes's first attempt at a crime-thriller failed miserably at the box office and was re-cut to a shorter more condensed version which was released two years later. It's this short version that is most readily available in VHS and on the Pioneer 'Pan and Scan' DVD (see review below). Initially dismissed by many critics it has now come to the stature of a postnoir masterpiece. Cassavetes employed his usual cast (gruesome Timothy Carey and Seymour Cassel) and ad-hoc improvisation which gave 'The Killing of a Chinese Bookie' its realistic deconstructionist atmosphere. Typical of Cassavetes' style, the film is relentless in its demands on the viewer, never clearly revealing plot details, but inferring them as if we were a stranger on the diner stool next to the characters. Ben Gazzara plays Cosmo, a cool strip club owner who gets himself indebted to the mob in a bravado gambling spree. His demeanor throughout the film is one of passive acceptance, almost as if he is bored with his lifestyle. He is coerced into killing an enemy of the mob and fulfills his duties with calm solace. The movie completes with him soliloquizing his personal philosophy to the burlesque crew at the nightclub he owns. Underrated as a film it continues to surface in quiet back-street Art-house theatres."

Gary Tooze

Posters

Theatrical Release: February 15, 1976

Reviews    More Reviews  DVD Reviews

DVD Comparison:

Optimum (The John Cassavetes Collection - Long) - Region 2 - PAL vs. Criterion (Cassavetes - 5 Films) - Region 0 - NTSC vs. Pioneer - Region 0 - NTSC

Big thanks to Henrik Sylow and Gregory Meshman and Gary Tooze for the Screen Caps!

(Optimum (The John Cassavetes Collection - Long) - Region 2 - PAL - LEFT vs. Criterion (Cassavetes - 5 Films) - Region 0 - NTSC - MIDDLE vs. Pioneer - Region 0 - NTSC - RIGHT)

DVD Box Covers

Only available in the Boxset listed below:

Only available in the Boxset listed below:

The 6 - disc John Cassavetes Collection from Optimum includes: Shadows, Faces, A Woman Under The Influence, The Killing Of A Chinese Bookie, Opening Night with THESE LISTED EXTRAS.

The 8 - disc Criterion John Cassavetes - Five Films includes - Shadows, Faces, A Woman Under The Influence, The Killing Of A Chinese Bookie, Opening Night with THESE LISTED EXTRAS.

            

Distribution

Optimum

Region 2 - PAL

 Criterion
Region 0 - NTSC		 Pioneer
Region 0 - NTSC
Runtime 2:08:27 (4% PAL speedup) 2:14:04 1:48:36
Video

1.85:1 Original Aspect Ratio

16X9 enhanced
Average Bitrate: 6.78 mb/s
PAL 720x576 25.00 f/s

1.85:1 Original Aspect Ratio

16X9 enhanced
Average Bitrate: 6.96 mb/s
NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s

1:33 Open Matte format
Average Bitrate: 5.4 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:

 

Optimum (The John Cassavetes Collection - Long)

 

Bitrate:

Criterion (Cassavetes - 5 Films)

 

Bitrate:

 

Pioneer

 

Audio 2.0 Dolby Digital English

1.0 Dolby Digital English

2.0 Dolby Digital English
Subtitles No subtitles English, None None
Features Release Information:
Studio: Optimum

Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen anamorphic - 1.85:1

Edition Details:
• Audio commentary on selected scenes by Peter Bogdanovich and Al Ruban

• Both long and short versions of the film on separate discs.
• 36 page booklet with articles and interviews

DVD Release Date: September 12, 2005
Digipack Box

Chapters 19

Release Information:
Studio: Criterion

Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen anamorphic - 1.85:1

Edition Details:
DISC ONE—THE 1976 CUT

• John Cassavetes’ original 135 -minute edit of the film

DISC TWO—THE 1978 CUT

• Cassavetes’ 108-minute edit from the 1978 theatrical re-release,
• New video interviews with star Ben Gazzara and producer Al Ruban
• Audio interview with Cassavetes by film historians Michel Ciment and Michael Wilson conducted after the film’s release
• Stills gallery featuring rare behind-the-scenes production photos
 

DVD Release Date: September 21st, 2004
Digipack Box

Chapters 19

Release Information:
Studio: Pioneer

Aspect Ratio:
Fullscreen - 1:33

Edition Details:
• 4-page liner notes with essay by Ray Carney
 

DVD Release Date: April 6th, 1999
Keep case

Chapters 16

 

 

Comments

Again we pass on the early Pioneer disc. It is Open Matte. It has boosting and is faded. No digital extras but the included liner notes essay by Ray Carney is excellent.

Both Optimum and Criterion have included both the long and short versions in their respective packages and the image quality of the two is strikingly similar. Criterion has removable subs, the Optimum doesn't. Obviously those sensitive to PAL speed-up will have this as an issue in the Optimum.

For this film(s) of the package it boils down to extras with the Optimum having a scene selected commentary with Bogdanovich and the Criterion having extensive audio and video interviews. This one really wouldn't be the one to sway a decision one way or the other. We suggest you check out the other comparisons.

- Gary Tooze

 

 

Recommended Reading on Cassavetes (CLICK COVERS or TITLES for more information)

Check out more in "The Library"





DVD Menus
(Optimum (The John Cassavetes Collection - Long) - Region 2 - PAL - LEFT vs. Criterion (Cassavetes - 5 Films) - Region 0 - NTSC - MIDDLE vs. Pioneer - Region 0 - NTSC - RIGHT)


 

 

 

 

Screen Captures

(Optimum (The John Cassavetes Collection - Long) - Region 2 - PAL - TOP vs. Criterion (Cassavetes - 5 Films) - Region 0 - NTSC - MIDDLE vs. Pioneer - Region 0 - NTSC - BOTTOM)
Captures resized to 800px from 1016px native resolution

 

Scene not in Pioneer's DVD - SHORT Version

 

 

 

(Optimum (The John Cassavetes Collection - Long) - Region 2 - PAL - TOP vs. Criterion (Cassavetes - 5 Films) - Region 0 - NTSC - MIDDLE vs. Pioneer - Region 0 - NTSC - BOTTOM)

 

 

(Optimum (The John Cassavetes Collection - Long) - Region 2 - PAL - TOP vs. Criterion (Cassavetes - 5 Films) - Region 0 - NTSC - MIDDLE vs. Pioneer - Region 0 - NTSC - BOTTOM)

 

 

(Optimum (The John Cassavetes Collection - Long) - Region 2 - PAL - TOP vs. Criterion (Cassavetes - 5 Films) - Region 0 - NTSC - MIDDLE vs. Pioneer - Region 0 - NTSC - BOTTOM)

NOTE: I had real trouble matching the Pioneer -this capture may not be in the short version - GT

 

 

(Optimum (The John Cassavetes Collection - Long) - Region 2 - PAL - TOP vs. Criterion (Cassavetes - 5 Films) - Region 0 - NTSC - MIDDLE vs. Pioneer - Region 0 - NTSC - BOTTOM)

 

 

(Optimum (The John Cassavetes Collection - Long) - Region 2 - PAL - TOP vs. Criterion (Cassavetes - 5 Films) - Region 0 - NTSC - MIDDLE vs. Pioneer - Region 0 - NTSC - BOTTOM)

 

 

Hit Counter

Report Card:

 

Image:

-

Sound:

-
Extras: Criterion / Optimum
Menu: I like Optimum

 
DVD Box Covers

Only available in the Boxset listed below:

Only available in the Boxset listed below:

The 6 - disc John Cassavetes Collection from Optimum includes: Shadows, Faces, A Woman Under The Influence, The Killing Of A Chinese Bookie, Opening Night with THESE LISTED EXTRAS.

The 8 - disc Criterion John Cassavetes - Five Films includes - Shadows, Faces, A Woman Under The Influence, The Killing Of A Chinese Bookie, Opening Night with THESE LISTED EXTRAS.

            

Distribution

Optimum

Region 2 - PAL

 Criterion
Region 0 - NTSC		 Pioneer
Region 0 - NTSC




DONATIONS Keep DVDBeaver alive and advertisement free:

Mail cheques, money orders, cash to:    or CLICK PayPal logo to donate!

Gary Tooze

Thank You!

!