(aka "My Architect: A Son's Journey" )

 

directed by Nathaniel Kahn
USA 2003

 

I have always been a fan or architecture and art, but claim to know nothing of any depth about either. I found "My Architect" to be an illuminating documentary on the life of one of the most revered American craftsmen of the last half century, Louis Kahn. He died suddenly in 1974 in a bathroom in New York's Penn Station. His legacy is a collection of monumental and inspiring buildings including the Salk Institute in La Jolla, California; the Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth, Texas and the capital building in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Essentially Khan led a very sad existence filled with the hubris of the human condition. The contrariness of his work and life make for a fascinating exploratory film. Notable references from I.M. Pei and other contemporaries as well as his family give an in-depth look at the constraints of the man - his inspirations and his probable regrets. An exemplary film showing beauty and misery.

Gary Tooze

Posters

Theatrical Release: April 13th, 2003 - Philadelphia International Film Festival

Reviews    More Reviews  DVD Reviews

DVD Comparison:

New Yorker - Region 1 - NTSC vs. Tartan - Region 2 - PAL

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

(New Yorker - Region 1 - NTSC - LEFT vs. Tartan - Region 2 - PAL - RIGHT)

DVD Box Covers

Distribution

New Yorker

Region 1 - NTSC

 Tartan
Region 2 - PAL
Runtime 1:55:48 1:55:56
Video

1.33:1 Original Aspect Ratio
Average Bitrate: 6.51 mb/s
NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s

1.33:1 Original Aspect Ratio
Average Bitrate: 6.39 mb/s
PAL 720x576 25.00 f/s

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

 

New Yorker

 

Bitrate:

 

Tartan

 

Audio 2.0 Dolby Digital English

2.0 Dolby Digital English, 5.1 Dolby Digital English, DTS English
Subtitles No subtitles No subtitles
Features Release Information:
Studio: New Yorker

Aspect Ratio:
Fullscreen - 1.33:1

Edition Details:
• Question and Answer with Director Nathaniel Kahn including extra scenes and rare historical footage of Louis Kahn (11 questions of approx. 2-3 minutes each)
• 4 Theatrical Trailers for New Yorker releases
• 12- page Full-Color Booklet liner notes

DVD Release Date: February 15th, 2005
Keep Case

Chapters 11

Release Information:
Studio: Tartan

Aspect Ratio:
Fullscreen - 1.33:1

Edition Details:
• Director Q&A (11 questions - 23:20)
• Exclusive Interview with Nathaniel Kahn (33:07)
• Original Theatrical Trailer (1:59)
• Tartan Trailer Reel
• 4-page booklet liner notes
 

DVD Release Date: March 21, 2005
Keep Case

Chapters 16

 

 

 

 

Comments Very decent image from New Yorker - direct from video and sharp with excellent color balance. Audio is original 2.0 and totally adequate. Two of the extra features are marvelous - 20:00 + minutes worth of a "Q + A" with the director Khan and a stunning 12 page color booklet with fold-out pages showing Khan and his architecture. Solid DVD package from New Yorker!

Gary W. Tooze

As both images are a direct transfer from digital video (no PAL Speed-up on Tartan), the minor differences in combing is due to the differences in fps of NTSC and PAL.

The Tartan image is slightly sharper in detail than the softer New Yorker, but displays artifacts, most likely due to both the higher contrast and the presence of two additional soundtracks.

Contra the New Yorker 2.0 Dolby Digital only, Tartan comes with a 5.1 Dolby Digital and DTS. For a film like this not really needed.

Having the same Q&A, Tartan has a exclusive half-hour interview with Kahn.

Henrik Sylow  

 

 


DVD Menus
(New Yorker - Region 1 - NTSC - LEFT vs. Tartan - Region 2 - PAL - RIGHT)
 

 

 

Screen Captures

(New Yorker - Region 1 - NTSC - TOP vs. Tartan - Region 2 - PAL - BOTTOM)
PAL captures resized from 768px to 720px

 

 

(New Yorker - Region 1 - NTSC - TOP vs. Tartan - Region 2 - PAL - BOTTOM)

 

 

(New Yorker - Region 1 - NTSC - TOP vs. Tartan - Region 2 - PAL - BOTTOM)

 

 

(New Yorker - Region 1 - NTSC - TOP vs. Tartan - Region 2 - PAL - BOTTOM)

 

 

(New Yorker - Region 1 - NTSC - TOP vs. Tartan - Region 2 - PAL - BOTTOM)

 

 

(New Yorker - Region 1 - NTSC - TOP vs. Tartan - Region 2 - PAL - BOTTOM)

 

 

(New Yorker - Region 1 - NTSC - TOP vs. Tartan - Region 2 - PAL - BOTTOM)

 

 

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Report Card:

Image:

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Sound:

Tartan
Extras: Tartan
Menu: Tartan
 




 

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Gary Tooze

Thank You!

My Architect: A Son's Journey DVD Review Tartn New Yorker Nathaniel Kahn My Architect: A Son's Journey DVD Review Tartn New Yorker Nathaniel Kahn My Architect: A Son's Journey DVD Review Tartn New Yorker Nathaniel Kahn My Architect: A Son's Journey DVD Review Tartn New Yorker Nathaniel Kahn My Architect: A Son's Journey DVD Review Tartn New Yorker Nathaniel Kahn My Architect: A Son's Journey DVD Review Tartn New Yorker Nathaniel Kahn My Architect: A Son's Journey DVD Review Tartn New Yorker Nathaniel Kahn My Architect: A Son's Journey DVD Review Tartn New Yorker Nathaniel Kahn