'The Stranger' DVD Comparison - Parade vs. Focus-Films vs. Eureka

( aka 'Date with Destiny')

directed by Orson Welles

USA 1946

"Not considered by Welles to be one of his finer efforts, and made only as a studio concession, 'The Stranger' still has elements of film-noir greatness, both behind the camera and in front as a more svelte thespian than in his later years. Edward G. Robinson as the doggedly pursuing detective using his strong instincts to ferret out a hiding ex-Nazi war criminal in a sleepy US small-town. Loretta Young looks good even if the soft-focus on her close-ups seems a trifle too heavy. I enjoyed it immensely and the final clock-tower sequence is yet another elements that sets it, and Welles, apart from his peers."

Gary W. Tooze

Poster and 1946 LIFE Magazine article

Reviews More Reviews DVD Reviews

DVD Comparison:

Parade Region 0 - NTSC vs. Focus-Films Region 0 - NTSC vs. Eureka Region 0 - PAL

Big thanks to Pavel Borodin for the Focus Films and Eureka screen captures!

DVD Box Cover Click logo to order from:
Distribution	Parade/ Master Movies/ Region 0 - NTSC ( North America )	Focus Films - Region 0 - NTSC ( North America )	1:31:18 ( 4% PAL Speedup )
Runtime	1:34:00	1:35:48	1:31:18 ( 4% PAL speed-up )
Video	Aspect ratio: 1:37:1 Average Bitrate: 5.11 mb/s NTSC 704x480 29.97 f/s	Aspect ratio: 1:37:1 Average Bitrate: 6.90 mb/s NTSC 704x480 29.97 f/s	Aspect ratio: 1:37:1 Average Bitrate: 5.60 mb/s PAL 720x576 25.00 f/s

Bitrate:

Parade

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

Bitrate:

Focus Films

Eureka

(Parade Region 0 - NTSC - left, Focus-Films Region 0 -NTSC Middle, Eureka Region 0 -PAL - Right )

Audio	English (Dolby Digital 1.0)	English (Dolby Digital 5.1)	English (Dolby Digital 1.0)
Subtitles	Japanese and none	None	None
Features	Release Information: Studio: Parade Theatrical Release Date: May 25, 1946 DVD Release Date: May 12, 1998 Run Time: 93 minutes Production Company: Master Movies Package Type: Aspect Ratio(s): Full Screen (Standard) - 1.37:1 Discographic Information: DVD Encoding: All Regions Layers: Single Edition Details: • All Regions • Black & White	Release Information: Studio: Focus Films Entertainment Theatrical Release Date: May 25, 1946 Aspect Ratio(s): Full Screen (Standard) - 1.37:1 Discographic Information: DVD Encoding: Region 0 Layers: Dual Edition Details: • Region 0 encoding - NTSC • Black & White, Widescreen, Box set, Dolby • Commentary by film critic Jeffrey Lyons • Features fully restored and Dolby Digital 5.1 remixed versions of two Orson Welles classics, The Stranger and The Trial • 18-minute documentary, narrated by noted Welles historian Richard France and featuring a rare behind-the-scenes look at the restoration process of these two classic films • Orson Welles's first film, 1934's Hearts of Age • Theatrical trailers • Still photo gallery • Number of discs: 2 NOTE: The Stranger is part of a Box-set that contains The Trail and Orson Welles's first film, 1934's Hearts of Age	Release Information: Studio: Eureka Video Theatrical Release Date: May 25, 1946 Aspect Ratio(s): Full Screen (Standard) - 1.37:1 Edition Details: • Black & White, PAL • Special Feature: Full-length commentary Layers: Single
Comments:	Well, as each edition is produced it gets better image quality, but more and more cropping of the original image. Tsk Tsk... can't someone come out with a decent version of this Welles film without butchering it? I hate to do it, but I am recommending the most cropped version from Eureka - PAL. The contrast levels are so much brighter (probably artificially boosted) than the Parade or Focus Films editions although the Focus Films has bumped the sound to 5.1 without the option for the original mono. Both Eureka and Focus film DVDs have a full-length commentaries but see for yourself, below, how much information we are losing from the top/bottom of the frame. I don't know... very discouraging. I think there are other version of this as it appears to be in the public domain, maybe one day we have a good one come out. *Gary W. Tooze* *P.S. I have been told the Roan R1 edition is the best one, but have no evidence. You can purchase it HERE*
Sundry:	DVD Release Date: May 12, 1998 Polygram Case 11 Chapters	DVD Release Date: April 2, 2002 Double Keep Case 10 Chapters 2 Discs in Box Set	DVD Release Date: 18 Mar, 2002 Keep Case 12 Chapters

DVD Menus

(Parade Region 0 - NTSC - left, Focus-Films Region 0 -NTSC Middle, Eureka Region 0 -PAL - Right )