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S E A R C H    D V D B e a v e r

(aka "Indiscretion" or "Station Terminus" or "Stazione Termini" or "Terminal Station Indiscretion" or "Terminus Station")

http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film/direct-chair/desica.htm
Italy 1953

"The volatile collaboration between director Vittorio De Sica and producer David O. Selznick resulted in two cuts of the same film. De Sica’s magnificent neo-realistic version, Terminal Station, following the true timeline of the characters of the film. It was screened at a one-and-a-half hours. After disappointing previews, Selznick, married to the star Jennifer Jones (until his death in 1965), severely re-edited it to 69 minutes and changed the title to the more salacious Indiscretion of an American Wife without De Sica’s permission. What we are left with is a buried classic known as "Terminal Station" and its infinitely inferior bastardization with much financed marketing, known as "Indiscretion of an American Wife". A truer obvious example of the flaws and hurdles in the business world of cinema, especially the Hollywood system, could rarely be found. De Sica's "Terminal Station" is a magnificent work in his body of filmatic achievements. He was working at the heights of his powers, while Producer David O. Selznick was floundering at a time where he had lost total touch of what it meant to create art and beauty in film. "Indiscretion of an American Wife" would prove to be the last film he had input on. The disparity shows what a staggering blunder his ham-fisted manipulations were. Many have called it an attempt at "Americanization" of De Sica's film, but I feel it goes much further. If nothing else, projects like "Terminal Station" prove that they do not exist as brief sporadic cuts, but the entire breadth of intertwined segments that form the essential and complete puzzle of a film. Specific examples are the almost total removal of extraneous characters from the Selznick version. I can't for the life of me understand why this was done. The final clowning mark of the Selznick version was to bring it up to certifiable theatrical screening length by including two Patti Page songs at eight minutes 15 seconds (not dissimilar to an MTV video) to start the film. It has virtually no relation to the story that would follow but an obvious attempt to capitalize on the singers popularity and fulfill the requirements to derive profit from viewing audiences. My final suggestion is never to see "Indiscretion of an American Wife" until you have first seen "Terminal Station" and only then if you are a film student wishing to derive the differences yourself. I noted how similar "Terminal Station" was to David Lean's classic "Brief Encounter'... both centering on a decision of leaving a spouse for infatuation, and both with a train station prominent in the films locales. I also remarked  the similarity in the use of music - both choosing classical themes that dominate emotional scenes in place of dialogue. "Terminal Station" is a masterpiece -out of and "Indiscretion of an American Wife" gets no grade at all as it is barely 2/3's of a film."

***

From Vittorio De Sica, the legendary director of The Bicycle Thief, Umberto D., Two Women, Marriage Italian Style, The Garden of the Finzi-Continis and Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow, comes this heartrending romantic drama starring screen icons Jennifer Jones (Portrait of Jennie, Gone to Earth, Duel in the Sun) and Montgomery Clift (Red River, A Place in the Sun, Judgment at Nuremberg). An American housewife (Jones) vacationing in Italy reluctantly decides to put an end to her brief affair with an Italian academic (Clift). She flees to Rome’s Stazione Termini, where she bids him farewell, but he begs her to stay. The film’s plot is simple; its production was not. The troubled collaboration between De Sica and producer David O. Selznick (Gone with the Wind) resulted in two cuts of the same film. De Sica’s version, Terminal Station, was screened at a length of one-and-a-half hours, but after disappointing previews, Selznick severely re-edited it and changed the title to Indiscretion of an American Wife without De Sica’s permission. This Special Edition includes both versions of this controversial release.

Posters

Theatrical Release: Stazione Termini - April, 1953 - Italy *  Indiscretion of an American Wife - May 10th, 1954 -USA

Reviews                                                                                                       More Reviews                                                                                       DVD Reviews

 

Comparison:

Criterion (Terminal Station) - Region 0 - NTSC vs. Roan Group - Region 1 - NTSC vs. Criterion (Indiscretion...) - Region 0 - NTSC vs. Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray

Box Cover

  

 

(Kino Reversible Sleeve)

Bonus Captures:

Distribution

Criterion Collection - Spine #202

Region 0  - NTSC  

Roan Film Group

Region 1  - NTSC

 

Criterion Collection - Spine #202

Region 0  - NTSC

Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray
Runtime Terminal Station  - 1:28:33       Indiscretion of an American Wife - :04:08 1:11:30 (film) MINUS  0:08:15 (Patti Page songs) = 1:03:15 Terminal Station 1:28:42.191 Indiscretion of an American Wife - 1:11:43.882 (including Patti Page opening)
Video 1.33:1 Original Aspect Ratio
Average Bitrate: 5.1 mb/s
NTSC 704x480 29.97 f/s

1.33:1 Original Aspect Ratio
Average Bitrate: 7.94
NTSC 704x480 29.97 f/s

1.33:1 Original Aspect Ratio
Average Bitrate: 5.1
NTSC 704x480 29.97 f/s

Terminal Station:

1.33:1 1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 47,354,828,472 bytes

Feature: 20,895,399,936 bytes

Video Bitrate: 26.43 Mbps

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

Indiscretion of an American Wife:

1.33:1 1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 47,354,828,472 bytes

Feature: 22,324,131,840 bytes

Video Bitrate: 37.89 Mbps

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

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

Bitrate Criterion Terminal Station:

Bitrate Roan Indiscretion:

Bitrate Terminal Station Blu-ray:

Bitrate Indiscretion Blu-ray:

Audio English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono) English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono) English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono) DTS-HD Master Audio English 1554 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1554 kbps / 16-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 16-bit)
DTS-HD Master Audio Italian 1554 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1554 kbps / 16-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 16-bit)
DTS-HD Master Audio English 1553 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1553 kbps / 16-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 16-bit)
Subtitles English, None None English, None English, None English, None
Features Release Information:
Studio:
 Criterion

Aspect Ratio:
Full Screen (Standard) - 1.33:1

Discographic Information:
Dual Layer

Edition Details:
Includes new digital transfers of both version of the film:
Terminal Station, Vittorio De Sica's original 89-minute version

DVD Release Date: August 19, 2003

Click Case

Chapters 19

Release Information:
Studio: Roan Group

Aspect Ratio:
Full Screen (Standard) - 1.33:1

Discographic Information:
Single Layer

Edition Details:

Film Background (2 text pages)

Cast and Credits

 

DVD Release Date: September 6, 2001

Keep Case

Chapters 14

Release Information:
Studio:
Criterion

Aspect Ratio:
Full Screen (Standard) - 1.33:1

Discographic Information:
Dual Layer

Edition Details:
• Theatrical trailer
Includes new digital transfers of both version of the film:
Indiscretion of an American Wife, David O. Selznick's 72-minute cut
• Exclusive audio commentary on Indescretion by film scholar Leonard Leff
• Promotional materials

DVD Release Date: August 19, 2003

Keep Case

Chapters 19  

Release Information:
Studio:
Kino

 

Indiscretion of an American Wife:

1.33:1 1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 47,354,828,472 bytes

Feature: 22,324,131,840 bytes

Video Bitrate: 37.89 Mbps

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

 

Terminal Station:

1.33:1 1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 47,354,828,472 bytes

Feature: 20,895,399,936 bytes

Video Bitrate: 26.43 Mbps

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

 

Edition Details:

• 8-Minute Prologue “Autumn in Rome,” with Patti Page: Page Sings “Autumn in Rome” and “Indiscretion” (directed by William Cameron Menzies; photographed by James Wong Howe)
• Theatrical Trailer (2:16)


Blu-ray Release Date:
March 31st, 2020
Standard Blu-ray Case

Chapters 9 / 10

 

 

Comments:

NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc.

ADDITION: Kino Blu-ray (March 2020): Kino have transferred Vittorio De Sica's Terminal Station to 1080P Blu-ray. This has a 4K-restoration of Selznick's bastardization Indiscretion of an American Wife (1:11:42) and a 2K-restoration of the original longer version, Terminal Station (Stazione Termini - 1:28:42) both from "the best surviving film elements". The former includes the 8-Minute prologue “Autumn in Rome,” with Patti Page singing “Autumn in Rome” and “Indiscretion” (directed by William Cameron Menzies; photographed by James Wong Howe.) Indiscretion gets the 4K and dies look better than Terminal Station (similar to the Criterion DVD set), but the disparity doesn't seem as pronounced in 1080P. The difference, often, is a shifting in the frame to the left (for Indiscretion), and the damage/scratches on Indiscretion seem to be more noticeable. Contrast may be the biggest beneficiary to the HD rendering with the Blu-ray having more pure black and whites making the SD transfer appear greenish. It seems to be the same source as the Criterion DVD package but Indiscretion has a max'ed out bitrate over 7X that of the Criterion DVDs. Terminal Station gets the lesser technically robust transfer having some green infiltration itself. Both, though, have richer and more prominent film textures. It's a significant bump over SD.

NOTE: Both credit sequences on the Blu-ray has rounded corners exposed.

NOTE: We have added 40 large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE

On their Blu-ray, Kino uses DTS-HD Master 2.0 channel mono tracks (16-bit) for both films with the option of the Italian track for Terminal Station included. Terminal Station has always sounded imperfect to me (especially the opening credit theme that sounds staggered and may be intentionally echo-ey) but, overall, it is another advancement in the film's audio and earthy score by Alessandro Cicognini (Sica's Bicycle Thieves, Shoeshine, Umberto D.), sounding both richer and deeper as do the train whistles etc.. Kino offer optional English subtitles (see samples below) on their Region 'A' Blu-ray.

The Kino Blu-ray is advertised as including the 8-Minute prologue “Autumn in Rome,” with Patti Page singing “Autumn in Rome” and “Indiscretion” (directed by William Cameron Menzies; photographed by James Wong Howe) and it is in 1080P and the supplements do have an SD theatrical trailer for the film. No commentary, though. There is a reversible sleeve with different artwork (see above.)

I am always fascinated by De Sica's humanist techniques used in Terminal Station... that must have been oblivious toy Selznick. Great to see this reach Blu-ray despite the bare-bones status. Fans wishing a 1080P viewing experience with lossless audio should definitely consider. I found the film's impact much improved in HD.

Gary Tooze

ON THE DVDs: There were two different Criterion transfer teams working on these uniquely different films and this is why we are comparing them regardless that they are on the same DVD.

I am making the assumption that "Indiscretion..." is in the Public Domain hence why The Roan Group are also putting this film out (?!?). For that matter, perhaps both films are. The Criterion versions are extremely similar in quality with the same damage spots, but 'Terminal Station' has more wonderful film grain. It is brighter and slightly less sharp than its counterpart on the same DVD. The Roan is right out of the competition when it comes to image and sound - its hazy picture and lackluster audio are not match for the Criterions - as expected. You can see the Criterions are a little cropped on the left edge again. I still don't have an answer for this but it is a common element running through many Criterion DVDs.

There are two issues with the Criterion "Terminal Station". I rate both as minor, but there may be a recall/replacement in the future. In the beginning of Terminal Station there was some fairly drastic strobe-ing (in the opening credits). I assumed it was the television that I was watching, but it appeared again on my computer screen as I made the screen captures. There is a slight audio sync problem with "Terminal Station" as well. The voices are a micro-second behind the lip movements of the actors. Now there was dubbing in this film, but I notice the audio sync when Jennifer Jones is speaking (no dub). Again this occurs near the beginning OR I just became accustomed to it rather quickly.  In certain segments on both Criterion versions there is a rather violent echo-effect that appears out of place and difficult to hear properly. It is not as prominent on the Roan version, but still there. So, I am a tad disappointed at these circumstances because I LOVE this concept of two alternate versions of films on one DVD. Criterion is the way to go, but perhaps they will produce a new pressing with this corrected. Regardless it is a very worthy purchase for film student and fans in general. I was reveling in the ability to compare the two films (De Sica's and Selznicks') on one DVD. 

 - Gary W. Tooze

 


Criterion (Terminal Station) - Region 0 - NTSC - LEFT -. Roan (Indiscretion...) - Region 1 - NTSC MIDDLE -. Criterion (Indiscretion...) Region 0 - NTSC - RIGHT

 

 

Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray


 

Opening Credits

Terminal Station LEFT - Indiscretion of an American Wife - RIGHT

 

 

 

CLICK EACH BLU-RAY CAPTURE TO SEE ALL IMAGES IN FULL 1920X1080 RESOLUTION

 

1) Criterion (Terminal Station) - Region 0 - NTSC - TOP LEFT

2) Criterion (Indiscretion...) Region 0 - NTSC - TOP RIGHT

4) Kino (Terminal Station) Region 'A' - Blu-ray  THIRD

5) Kino (Indiscretion...) Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 

 

1) Criterion (Terminal Station) - Region 0 - NTSC - TOP

2) Roan (Indiscretion...) - Region 1 - NTSC SECOND

3) Criterion (Indiscretion...) Region 0 - NTSC - THIRD

4) Kino (Terminal Station) Region 'A' - Blu-ray  FOURTH

5) Kino (Indiscretion...) Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 

 


1) Criterion (Terminal Station) - Region 0 - NTSC - TOP

2) Roan (Indiscretion...) - Region 1 - NTSC SECOND

3) Criterion (Indiscretion...) Region 0 - NTSC - THIRD

4) Kino (Terminal Station) Region 'A' - Blu-ray  FOURTH

5) Kino (Indiscretion...) Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 

 


1) Criterion (Terminal Station) - Region 0 - NTSC - TOP

2) Roan (Indiscretion...) - Region 1 - NTSC SECOND

3) Criterion (Indiscretion...) Region 0 - NTSC - THIRD

4) Kino (Terminal Station) Region 'A' - Blu-ray  FOURTH

5) Kino (Indiscretion...) Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 

 


1) Criterion (Terminal Station) - Region 0 - NTSC - TOP

2) Roan (Indiscretion...) - Region 1 - NTSC SECOND

3) Criterion (Indiscretion...) Region 0 - NTSC - THIRD

4) Kino (Terminal Station) Region 'A' - Blu-ray  FOURTH

5) Kino (Indiscretion...) Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 

One of the few scenes that are actually extended in' Indiscretion...' - a long walk on an empty platform by Mary (Jennifer Jones)

 

 


 

More full resolution (1920 X 1080) Blu-ray Captures for DVDBeaver Patreon Supporters HERE

 

Indiscretion of an American Wife" starts with an 8:15 minute segment called "Autumn in Rome" . Two unrelated Patti Page songs... in one brief moment she sings in front of a model of Roman ruins.

 

 

 More Kino  Blu-ray Captures

 

 

 
Box Cover

  

 

(Kino Reversible Sleeve)

Bonus Captures:

Distribution

Criterion Collection - Spine #202

Region 0  - NTSC  

Roan Film Group

Region 1  - NTSC

 

Criterion Collection - Spine #202

Region 0  - NTSC

Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray


 


 

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Gary Tooze

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