directed by Stanley Donen
USA 1954
There are a few things I don’t understand: physics, women, and how
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers gets excluded from the American Film
Institute’s 100 greatest movies of all time. Quite frankly, I’m bound to
figure out the other two topics sooner.
Watching Stanley Donen’s exuberant, musical masterpiece again gives me more
reason to picket the next AFI event. This movie has aged better than Susan
Sarandon. The songs are still great, the dancing still dazzles, and the
whole family can enjoy it. Parents, forget whatever kid-friendly fare
disguised as a toy commercial is playing at the multiplex this week, and go
back to a simpler time.
Well, 1850 to be exact. High from his farm in the rugged Oregon Territory
countryside, Adam Pontipee (Howard Keel) makes a trip to town to pick up
some goods for the long months ahead, including a wife. He’s able to find
most of what he needs at the general store, but his afternoon is looking
fruitless until he stumbles upon a serving girl (Jane Powell) with passion
and sass to spare.
Excerpt from the review by Pete Croatto at filmcritic.com located HERE
Posters
 |
 |
Theatrical Release: July 22, 1954
Reviews More Reviews DVD Reviews
DVD Comparison:
Warner (cinemascope version - SE) - Region 1 - NTSC vs. Warner (alternative flat version - SE) - Region 1 - NTSC
Big thanks to Henrik Sylow for all the Screen Caps!
(Warner (cinemascope version) - Region 1 - NTSC - LEFT vs. Warner (alternative flat version) - Region 1 - NTSC - RIGHT)
| DVD Box Covers |
|
|
|
|
||
| Distribution |
Warner Region 1 - NTSC |
Warner Region 1 - NTSC |
| Runtime | 1:41:56 | 1:41:48 |
| Video |
2.55:1 Original Aspect Ratio
16X9 enhanced |
1.78:1 Aspect Ratio
16X9 enhanced |
|
NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes. |
||
|
Bitrate:
Warner (cinemascope version)
|
|
|
|
Bitrate:
Warner (alternative flat version)
|
|
|
| Audio | 5.1 Dolby Digital English, 1.0 Dolby Digital French Mono, 2.0 Dolby Digital English (commentary) |
2.0 Dolby Digital English Mono |
| Subtitles | English, French, Spanish, None | English, French, Spanish, None |
| Features |
Release Information: Studio: Warner Aspect Ratio:
Edition Details:
Chapters 31 |
Release Information: Studio: Warner Aspect Ratio:
Edition Details:
DVD
Release Date: October 12, 2004 Chapters 31 |
| Comments |
The 2-disc SE DVD contains two versions of the film. First the 2.55:1 cinemascope version, which isn't as stunning as for instance "Robin Hood" or "Easter Parade", and there are minor problems. Its very grainy, its not colour corrected (snow appears blue-ish to pink-ish), and colours appears very tame. The second is the "notorious" flat version, shot side by side with the scope version, and was a studio back-up, in case scope turned out to be a fad. The OAR was 1.85:1, but here its been cropped into 1.78:1 (16x9). Sad, because, as far as I know, the source was the original hard-matte 1.85:1 print, so why Warner had to go "anamorphic" on it, I don't know. The real treat is to compare the compositions between the two. On the scope version, the sound has been remixed into a new 5.1 Dolby Digital track. Dialogue is, as far as I can hear, kept in mono center, while the orchestral sound is blown out. I really like this form of updating these old musical tracks. Extras is a commentary by Stanley Donen, who brings his personal insight to the film. A very insightful and warm commentary. Disc 2 has a few fillers and a making of documentary. |
DVD Menus
(same for both)
(Warner (cinemascope version) - Region 1
- NTSC - LEFT vs. Warner (alternative flat version) - Region 1 - NTSC
- RIGHT)
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
 |
 |
Screen Captures
(Warner
(cinemascope version) - Region 1 - NTSC - TOP vs. Warner (alternative
flat version) - Region 1 - NTSC - BOTTOM)
Captures resized to 800px
from 960px native resolution
|
|
|
|
(Warner (cinemascope version) - Region 1 - NTSC - TOP vs. Warner (alternative flat version) - Region 1 - NTSC - BOTTOM)
|
|
|
|
(Warner (cinemascope version) - Region 1 - NTSC - TOP vs. Warner (alternative flat version) - Region 1 - NTSC - BOTTOM)
|
|
|
|
(Warner (cinemascope version) - Region 1 - NTSC - TOP vs. Warner (alternative flat version) - Region 1 - NTSC - BOTTOM)
|
|
|
|
(Warner (cinemascope version) - Region 1 - NTSC - TOP vs. Warner (alternative flat version) - Region 1 - NTSC - BOTTOM)
|
|
|
|
(Warner (cinemascope version) - Region 1 - NTSC - TOP vs. Warner (alternative flat version) - Region 1 - NTSC - BOTTOM)
|
|
|
|
(Warner (cinemascope version) - Region 1 - NTSC - TOP vs. Warner (alternative flat version) - Region 1 - NTSC - BOTTOM)
|
|
|
|
Mail cheques, money orders, cash to: or CLICK PayPal logo to donate!
|
Gary Tooze
|
|
Thank You!
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers Stanley Donen DVD Review Howard Keel Warner Seven Brides for Seven Brothers Stanley Donen DVD Review Howard Keel Warner Seven Brides for Seven Brothers Stanley Donen DVD Review Howard Keel Warner Seven Brides for Seven Brothers Stanley Donen DVD Review Howard Keel Warner Seven Brides for Seven Brothers Stanley Donen DVD Review Howard Keel Warner Seven Brides for Seven Brothers Stanley Donen DVD Review Howard Keel Warner Seven Brides for Seven Brothers Stanley Donen DVD Review Howard Keel Warner Seven Brides for Seven Brothers Stanley Donen DVD Review Howard Keel Warner Seven Brides for Seven Brothers Stanley Donen DVD Review Howard Keel Warner Seven Brides for Seven Brothers Stanley Donen DVD Review Howard Keel Warner Seven Brides for Seven Brothers Stanley Donen DVD Review Howard Keel Warner Seven Brides for Seven Brothers Stanley Donen DVD Review Howard Keel Warner
