|
Firstly, a massive thank you to our Patreon supporters. Your generosity touches me deeply. These supporters have become the single biggest contributing factor to the survival of DVDBeaver. Your assistance has become essential.
What do Patrons receive, that you don't?
1)
Our
weekly
Newsletter
sent to your Inbox every
Monday morning!
Please consider keeping us in existence with a couple of dollars or more each month (your pocket change!) so we can continue to do our best in giving you timely, thorough reviews, calendar updates and detailed comparisons. Thank you very much.
|
|
Search DVDBeaver |
S E A R C H D V D B e a v e r |
Controversial Classics Collection Boxset (7 disc)
directed by Otto Preminger,
Arthur Hiller,
John Sturges, Richard Brooks, Elia Kazan, Fritz Lang,
and Mervyn
LeRoy
USA 1932 -
1964
Advise and Consent The Americanization of Emily (Reviewed on Blu-ray HERE) Bad Day at Black Rock (Reviewed on Blu-ray HERE)
Blackboard Jungle A Face in the Crowd (Reviewed on Blu-ray HERE) Fury (Reviewed on Blu-ray HERE) I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang
out
of
DVD Review: Warner Home Video Boxset - Region 1,2,3,4 - NTSC
|
CLICK logo to order |
|
| Distribution | Warner - Region 1,2,3,4 - NTSC (except where noted below) |
| Audio | English
(Dolby Digital original), DUB: French
(Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono)
NOTE: I am a Fugitive From a Chain Gang, Fury and A Face in the Crowd have no French DUB. |
| Subtitles | English, Spanish, French, None |
| Features |
Release Information: Studio: Warner Home Video Aspect
Ratios: Edition Details: • Advise
and Consent (1962) • The
Americanization of Emily (1964)
• Bad
Day at Black Rock (1955)
• Blackboard
Jungle (1955) • Number of discs:
7 |
|
Comments: |
Comments are included below for each individual release, but I will note some of the exceptions in the overall set. All these DVDs are encoded for Regions 1 - 4 NTSC except "Advise and Consent" and "A Face in the Crowd" which are Region 1 only. "I am a Fugitive From a Chain Gang", "Fury" and "A Face in the Crowd" have no French DUB where the other 4 titles in the set do. Each individual release here is tight (no borders limiting horizontal resolution), 16X9 enhanced (not the two 1.33 ratios), they are all progressive with excellent subtitles, static menus, original audio and all have commentaries except "A Face in The Crowd". Marginal film grain is visible most prominently on the two oldest releases - "Fury" and "I am a Fugitive From a Chain Gang" which also show the most damage. I think "The Americanization of Emily" may have the sharpest transfer, but all are of a very high standard.
The best value in this
boxset are these films which many may rank as 'unrevealed classics'.
Warner has again done them justice and this may be the leading contender
for DVD of the Year. No-brainer purchase folks. Warner are bordering on
Criterion-level status.
|
directed by Otto Preminger
USA 1962
|
Probably my favorite film from the Boxset, I rank this with Frankenheimer's powerful "Seven Days in May" as a favorite political film. A dynamic plot shows the deceitful inner workings of Washington - Robert Leffingwell (Henry Fonda) is the president's (played by Franchot Tone) number one candidate for Secretary of State. Prior to his approval, he must first go through a Senate investigation as part of the approval process. Leading the Senate committee is idealistic Senator Brig Anderson (Don Murray), who soon finds himself unprepared for the political dirt that's revealed, including Leffingwell's admitted affiliations with a Communist organization. Cloaked blackmail and self-serving 'patriots' surface to conclude the hearings with shocking results. Along with Fonda and Tone we have a dream cast of supporting player - Charles Laughton, Lew Ayres, Walter Pidgeon, Don Murray, Peter Lawford, Gene Tierney and Burgess Meredith. Typical Preminger precision heeds a forgotten masterpiece. A true gem! out of
Gary Tooze |
Posters etc.
 |
 |
 |
 |
Theatrical Release: June 6th, 1962 - USA
Reviews More Reviews DVD Reviews
|
Cover and
Individual purchase link:
|
|
|
|
Controversial Classics Collection purchase links:
|
| Runtime | 2:17:55 |
| Video |
2.34:1
Aspect Ratio Chapters : 35 |
| Extras: |
Commentary by film historian Drew Casper |
| Bitrate:
NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes. |
|
| Comments: |
Excellent transfer and minutely softer than
I was anticipating as it is a favorite film. Great grey-tones and the overall contrast is superb. 16X9
friendly subtitles and Warner maintained the 2.35 original widescreen
ratio. NOTE: This Disc is only encoded for Region
1 and there is only original English as the audio track. I will report
back on the commentary as I complete it. Great film and another strong
DVD.
 out
of |
DVD Menus
 |
 |
 |
 |
S
ubtitle Sample
 |
Screen Captures
 |
 |
 |
directed by Arthur Hiller
USA 1964
(aka "Emily")
| During the build-up to D-Day in 1944, the British found their island hosting many thousands of American soldiers who were "oversexed, overpaid, and over here". That's Charlie Madison exactly; he knows all the angles to make life as smooth and risk-free as possible for himself. But things become complicated when he falls for an English woman, and his commanding officer's nervous breakdown leads to Charlie being sent on a senseless and dangerous mission. |
Posters
 |
 |
 |
Theatrical Release: October 27th, 1964 - USA
Reviews More Reviews DVD Reviews
|
Cover and
Individual purchase link:
|
|
|
|
Controversial Classics Collection purchase links:
|
| Runtime | 1:54:36 |
| Video |
1.78:1
Aspect Ratio Chapters : 29 |
| Extras: |
Commentary by Director Arthur Hiller |
| Bitrate:
NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes. |
|
| Comments: |
Possibly the best transfer of the Controversial
Collection boxset. Very sharp with deep, rich black levels. A bumped audio
track is included with the original mono and a French dub as options. I've
listened to portions of the Hiller commentary and it is excellent. This is
as close to a perfect DVD as you will find.
out of |
DVD Menus
 |
 |
 |
 |
S
ubtitle Sample
 |
Screen Captures
 |
 |
 |
directed by John Sturges
USA 1955
|
John J. Macreedy (Spencer Tracy) doesn't know it, but when he steps off the train at the jerkwater town of Black Rock, he will soon find himself the object of fear, hatred, and even a murder plot! The altruistic Macreedy came to Black Rock to hand over a posthumous military award to a local man whose son had died gallantly in the Second World War. What Macreedy couldn't know when he stepped off of that train was that the town had a shameful secret, one that must be kept at all costs. |
Posters
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Theatrical Release: J
anuary 7th, 1955Reviews More Reviews DVD Reviews
|
Cover and
Individual purchase link:
|
|
|
|
Controversial Classics Collection purchase links:
|
| Runtime | 1:21:27 |
| Video |
2.47:1
Aspect Ratio Chapters : 22 |
| Extras: |
Commentary by film historian Dana Polan |
| Bitrate:
NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes. |
|
| Comments: |
Colors seem a shade dull and this image may
be the least sharp of the widescreen films in the Controversial
Collections boxset. Portions of the commentary appeared informative at
times and dry in others. 16X9 friendly subtitles are excellent and the
grandiose anamorphic 2.47 widescreen is a treat. Very good DVD but colors,
although apparently non-manipulated and true seem a small degree washed
out from my recollection of seeing this film years ago.  out of
|
DVD Menus
 |
 |
 |
 |
S
ubtitle Sample
 |
Screen Captures
 |
 |
 |
directed by Richard Brooks
USA 1955
(aka "The Blackboard Jungle')
|
Richard Dadier (Glenn Ford) earns a teaching assignment at
a tough high school, where the teenagers make the rules and the staff meekly
accept the fact that they've lost control. When Dadier tries exerting his
authority, he receives much hostility from both students and faculty,
culminating with his pregnant wife receiving anonymous letters with false
accusations that he is romantically involved with another woman at school. In
anger, Dadier hurls an accusation at Gregory Miller, a black youth whom he fears
is against him. Miller doesn't deny the accusation. Instead he escalates the
confrontation, but does that mean that he was the culprit? |
Posters
|
|
|
|
Theatrical Release: March 19th, 1955
Reviews More Reviews DVD Reviews
|
Cover and
Individual purchase link:
|
|
|
|
Controversial Classics Collection purchase links:
|
| Runtime | 1:40:27 |
| Video |
1.78:1
Aspect Ratio Chapters : 28 |
| Extras: |
Commentary by co-stars Paul Mazursky and Jamie Farr, Glenn Ford's son
Peter Ford and Assistant Director Joel Freeman |
| Bitrate:
NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes. |
|
| Comments: |
Strong progressive image with excellent
contrast and a tiny bit soft. I noted no damage marks. As commonly
accepted these days ratio moved from 1.85 to 1.78 losing a negligible 4%.
I enjoyed assistant director Freeman's limited remarks on the audio
commentary. The cartoon is a nice touch and always wish this were done
more often. Original audio was consistent throughout. Another winner -
out
of |
DVD Menus
 |
 |
 |
 |
S
ubtitle Sample
 |
Screen Captures
 |
 |
 |
directed by Elia Kazan
USA 1957
|
Larry "Lonesome" Rhodes is a hobo. Discovered by Marcia Jeffries, he will become a very famous TV star. His success gives him more and more power. That power will corrupt him, turning him from a sympathetic singing vagabond into a cynical and powerthirsty egotist. |
Posters
|
|
|
Theatrical Release: May 28th, 1957
Reviews More Reviews DVD Reviews
|
Cover and Individual purchase link:
|
|
|
|
Controversial Classics Collection purchase links:
|
| Runtime | 2:05:48 |
| Video |
1.78:1
Aspect Ratio Chapters : 28 |
| Extras |
New documentary Facing the Past
(29:08) Theatrical Trailer |
| Bitrate:
NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes. |
|
| Comments: |
Never being a strong Kazan
fan, this film was new to me, but I enjoyed it quite a lot (especially as
I have always had a crush on Patricia Neal!). The 30 minute documentary "Facing
the Past" is an adequate replacement for a commentary with quite a few
talking heads and clips from the film. The image quality of the feature is
very strong with piercing blacks and good detail.
out
of
NOTE: This Disc is only encoded for Region 1 and there is only the original English soundtrack. |
DVD Menus
 |
 |
 |
 |
S
ubtitle Sample
 |
Screen Captures
 |
 |
 |
(aka "The Mob" or "Mob Rules")
USA 1936
F
ury is compared to this DVD on Blu-ray HERE
|
Based on the story "Mob Rule" by Norman Krasna. Joe Wilson and Katherine Grant are in love, but he doesn't have enough money for them to get married. So Katherine moves across the country to make money. Through the course of the movie, Fritz Lang shows us how a decent and once civilized man can become a ruthless and bitter man. Excerpt of Andre'a M. Thompson's summary loacted on IMdb HERE. |
Posters
|
|
|
|
Theatrical Release: May 29th, 1936
Reviews More Reviews DVD Reviews
|
Cover and Individual purchase link:
|
|
|
|
Controversial Classics Collection purchase links:
|
| Runtime | 1:32:24 |
| Video |
1.33:1
Aspect Ratio Chapters : 24 |
| Extras: |
Commentary by Peter Bogdanovich, with interview excerpts of director Fritz
Lang Theatrical trailer |
| Bitrate:
NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes. |
|
| Comments: |
Considering the age of this film, the image
quality is stupendous. Yes, there is some damage and minor contrast
flickering, but overall it is exceeding sharp with good film grain showing
through. One from Fritz Lang's ouvre is a huge bonus for this already
bravisimo Boxset. I was very impressed with this film and DVD and Bogdanovich's commentary awaits - he is usually and excellent film
historian... and Lang excerpts!.
out
of
|
DVD Menus
 |
 |
 |
 |
S
ubtitle Sample
 |
Screen Captures
 |
 |
 |
 |
directed by Mervyn LeRoy
USA 1932
|
Returning veteran James Allen, rejecting a return to the old factory grind, degenerates into a hobo. Innocently involved in robbery, he is railroaded onto an incredibly brutal chain gang. Finally escaping, he makes his way to Chicago, where he finds success in the construction industry...and grasping girlfriend Marie, who threatens to expose him if he doesn't marry her. When he meets and falls for Helen, things go from bad to worse. |
Excerpt of summary by Rod Crawford on IMdb located HERE
Posters
|
|
|
 |
 |
Theatrical Release: November 19th, 1932
Reviews More Reviews DVD Reviews
|
Cover and Individual purchase link:
|
|
|
|
Controversial Classics Collection purchase links:
|
| Runtime | 1:32:27 |
| Video |
1.33:1
Aspect Ratio Chapters : 27 |
| Extras: |
Commentary by film historian Richard B. Jewell |
| Bitrate:
NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes. |
|
| Comments: |
Firstly, I LOVE the Main Menu screen art. This
film looks as good as I have ever seen it, but saying that it does have
some limitations. Contrast flickering is present throughout as are
scratches and damage marks. I liked the visible film grain showing
through, although some my find it excessive. Audio has similar
fluctuations in volume level with the occasional background hiss.
Thankfully no brightness boosting but the film is very dark at times. I
haven't made it through Jewell's commentary but what I have heard I liked.
Those keen on older films will feel this long-awaited classic is the
biggest bonus of the Controversial Collection Boxset. I suspect that
Warner did the best they could with this print.
out
of
|
DVD Menus
 |
 |
 |
 |
S
ubtitle Sample
 |
Screen Captures
 |
 |
 |
Incidental Reading (CLICK COVERS or TITLES for more information)
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
The A List: The National Society of Film
Critics' 100 Essential Films by Jay Carr (Editor) |
Film: The Critics' Choice by Geoff Andrew |
The Art of Noir: The Posters and Graphics from the
Classic Era of Film Noir by Eddie Muller |
Film Noir by Alain Silver |
The Dark Side of the Screen: Film Noir by Foster Hirsch |
How to Read a Film: The World of Movies, Media, and
Multimedia : Language, History, Theory by James Monaco |
Moving Places: A Life at the Movies by Jonathan Rosenbaum |
|
CLICK logo to order |
|
| Distribution | Warner - Region 1,2,3,4 - NTSC (except where noted above) |
CLICK PayPal logo to donate!
|
Gary Tooze
|
|
Many Thanks...