Michael Powell's The Edge of the World Image Entertainment - Region 1 - NTSC vs. BFI - Region 2 - PAL DVD Review Michael Powell The Edge of the World DVD Review Michael Powell The Edge of the World DVD Review Michael Powell The Edge of the World DVD Review Michael Powell The Edge of the World DVD Review Michael Powell The Edge of the World DVD Review Michael Powell The Edge of the World DVD Review Michael Powell The Edge of the World DVD Review Michael Powell The Edge of the World DVD Review Michael Powell The Edge of the World DVD Review Michael Powell The Edge of the World DVD Review Michael Powell The Edge of the World DVD Review Michael Powell The Edge of the World

directed by Michael Powell
UK 1938

Shot over four arduous months in the wild, windswept Shetland Island of of Foula, a magnificent, primal landscape of high, rocky inland plains and sheer cliffs jutting out of the sea, Michael Powell's first independent production establishes the daring techniques and experimentation that would later become familiar hallmarks of his career. In this film I saw earmarks of Dreyer and Hitchcock - a masterwork film of inescapable beauty.

The Edge of the World tells the moving story of a remote island and its inhabitants, whose traditions and way of life are threatened by a rapidly industrializing world. To settle an argument over whether the islanders should give up their livelihood and move to the mainland, two childhood friends follow an ancient tradition and climb the island's highest cliff face. The outcome shatters the island's peace and splits the two clans apart.out of

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Theatrical Release: January 10th, 1938 - UK

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DVD Comparison:

Image Entertainment - Region 1 - NTSC vs. BFI - Region 2 - PAL

The BFI is on the TOP 100 List of DVDs.

(Image Entertainment - Region 1 - NTSC - LEFT vs. BFI - Region 2 - PAL - RIGHT)

DVD Box Covers
Distribution	Image Entertainment Region 1 - NTSC	BFI Video Publishing Region 2 - PAL
Runtime	1:15:15	1:11:51 (4% PAL speedup)
Video	1.33:1 Original Aspect Ratio Average Bitrate: 5.21 mb/s NTSC 704x480 29.97 f/s	1.33:1 Original Aspect Ratio Average Bitrate: 6.23 PAL 720x576 25.00 f/s
	NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.
Bitrate: Image
Bitrate: BFI
Audio	English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono)	English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono)
Subtitles	None	English, and none
Features	Release Information: Studio: Image Entertainment Aspect Ratio: Full Screen (Standard) - 1.33:1 Edition Details: • Commentary by Daniel-Day Lewis, Thelma Schoonmaker-Powell, and Ian Christie • Two short films: "Return to the Edge of the World" (22:55) and "An Airman's Letter to His Mother" (5:36) • Stills gallery (16 images in slideshow format) • DVD-ROM: Original 1937 press kit (28 page PDF file) and Milestone press kit (14 page PDF file) DVD Release Date: December 9, 2003 Keep Case Chapters 14	Release Information: Studio: BFI Video Publishing Aspect Ratio: Full Screen (Standard) - 1.33:1 Edition Details: • Commentary by Daniel-Day Lewis, Thelma Schoonmaker-Powell, and Ian Christie • Michael Powell Biography (1:54) • Michael Powell's Home Movies (6:55) • Material from the Michael Powell's Collection - images in slidehsow (3:55) • Short - "St. Kilda - Britain's Loneliest Isle" - 1928 (Commentary optional ) (16:52) • "Return to the Edge of the World" (22:57) • On location with "Return to the Edge of the World" Slideshow (:31) • The Producer - Joe Rock - slideshow with images and text - (1:59) • Sleeve notes by Ian Christie • Acknowledgements DVD Release Date: January 12th, 2004 Transparent Keep Case Chapters 15

Comments:

The Edge of the World used stems from a restoration begun by the National Film and Television Archive in 1990. At that time a previous reel of footage was re-inserted, correcting the damage present in a later reissue. Just this year, the BFI digitally restored the picture and sound. It is marvelous.

It may not be as noticeable on these individual frame captures, but the image (and sound) on the Region 2 BFI DVD are far superior to the Image Entertainment disc. What I am most surprised at is that I seem to notice different damage spots on the two discs when I assumed they were from the same print. What I expect is one has had more digital manipulation than the other. As the Image disc is also slightly cropped and hazier. The Region 2 shows more film grain. I would expect that the transfer from NTSC is not as well done as the PAL used by the BFI. I am fairly certain I have duplicated the exact frames as I used the 1st frame technique (1st frame after a sequence). The BFI disc's sound is most impressive as are their animated DVD Menus. The Region 1 has some wonderful Extras, but the Region 2 is superior again with commentary, shorts and the "Return to the Edge of the World". Magnificent - if I was to buy one - no doubt - it would be the Region 2 PAL BFI DVD. It is breathtaking. Bravo BFI !

Gary W. Tooze

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(Image Entertainment - Region 1 - NTSC - LEFT vs. BFI - Region 2 - PAL - RIGHT)

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