Ingmar Bergman's - Winter Light

(aka 'Winter Light')

Sweden 1963

"The middle part of Ingmar Bergman's faith trilogy (bookended by THROUGH A GLASS DARKLY and THE SILENCE) is probably his most clear minded examination of how a lack of faith can test orthodox religion. Nary a smile is evident in this succinct (80 minutes), bleak, and focused chamber piece where each character has a fraught relationship with God and over the course of the film desperately tries to come to terms with the nature of this relationship. Far from the dull mess it could have been, this film is a tour de force on every level by a filmmaker at his peak. A remarkable achievement, with tight direction, crisp cinematography, career-best performances and a sure-footed freshness. Its existential soul-baring can be hugely rewarding."

Nick Wrigley of http://www.mastersofcinema.com/

Poster

Theatrical Release: February 11th, 1963 - Sweden

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DVD Comparison:

Svensk (Sweden) Region 2- PAL vs. Tartan Region 0 - PAL vs. Criterion - Region 0 - NTSC

Big thanks to Per-Olof Strandberg for the Svensk screen captures!

(Svensk - Region 2- PAL LEFT vs. Tartan - Region 0 - PAL - MIDDLE vs. Criterion - Region 0 - NTSC - RIGHT)

DVD Box Covers
Distribution	Svensk Filmindustri (Sweden) Region 2 - PAL	Tartan DVD Region 0 - PAL	Criterion Collection - Spine # 210 Region 0 - NTSC
Runtime	1:17:42	1:17:27 (4% PAL speedup)	1:21:06
Video	133:1 Original Aspect Ratio Average Bitrate:? mb/s PAL 720x576 25.00 f/s	137:1 Original Aspect Ratio Average Bitrate:4.88 mb/s PAL 720x576 25.00 f/s	1.37:1 Original Aspect Ratio Average Bitrate: 8.34 NTSC 704x480 29.97 f/s
	NOT AVAILABLE
	NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.
Tartan
Criterion
Audio	Swedish (Dolby Digital 1.0 Mono)	Swedish (Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono)	Swedish (Dolby Digital 1.0 Mono), DUB: English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono)
Subtitles	Swedish HoH, Finnish, Danish, Norwegian and None	English, and none	English and none
Features	Release Information: Studio: Svensk Filmindustri (Sweden) Aspect Ratio: Standard - 1.37:1 DVD - 5 Edition Details: • Introduction by Ingmar Bergman (03:50) According to the cover the DVD is restored from the original negative and sound-mix! DVD Release Date: 6/11/03 Keep Case Chapters 15	Release Information: Studio: Tartan Video Aspect Ratio: Standard - 1.37:1 Edition Details: • Trailer/Advertisement for Tartan's 'The Ingmar Bergman Collection' - 2:53 • Stills Gallery - 5 poorly done stills • Bergman on 'Winter Light' - 23 static pages of transcript and questions to Ingmar Bergman ( from 'Images - My Life In Film') • Philip Strick Film Notes - 7 Static pages • Filmographies of Bergman, Bjornstrand and Thulin DVD Release Date: November 19th, 2001 Transparent Keep Case Chapters 20	Release Information: Studio: Criterion / Home Vision Aspect Ratio: Standard - 1.37:1 Edition Details: • New high-definition digital transfer • Exploring the film: Video discussion with Ingmar Bergman biographer Peter Cowie • Essay by Peter Cowie • Original theatrical trailer • Optional English-dubbed soundtrack • New and improved English subtitle translation • Optimal image quality: RSDL dual-layer edition DVD Release Date: August 19th, 2003 Box set Chapters 16 Box Set includes the following films: • Through a Glass Darkly, 1961 (91 minutes) • Winter Light, 1962 (80 minutes) • The Silence, 1963 (95 minutes) • Ingmar Bergman Makes a Movie • Number of discs: 4

Comments:

ADDITION: The Svensk DVD image appears to have some green in it to me... not as pure black and white as the Criterion or the Tartan (especially Criterion). Add to that it has no English subs and it is not for most people. Wish I had the Bergman interview though.

The Criterion is sharper, darker, slightly cropped and a shade softer. In direct comparison it appears that the Tartan has been contrast boosted... but it does not seem to have any noticeable artifacts because of this, IF in fact it has. The only evidence that might conclude this is the grain removal from the Tartan in comparison to the Criterion. So it is very hard to know positively if it has or the Criterion has been slightly dampened to hide deficiencies. The Criterion has much better shadow delineation and also shows some very nice film grain. I suspect that these two editions used the same print, but did their own subtle manipulations. What we have is two different, but still very strong DVDs. Now, the aspect ratio: I see Criterion cropping up top and Tartan cropping on the side (left edge)... again impossible to tell which is more incorrect. My eye says Criterion is not totally right, but you may see it differently. The more I look at the captures, the more I feel Criterion has the edge and that is whom we are recommending. The English audio dub seems uncharacteristic for Criterion, but may be welcome for some purchasers. Their Extras are a big plus with essays and video discussions etc. Some may not feel moved enough to swap their Tartan for the Criterion... and that's okay too.

- Gary W. Tooze

DVD Menus

(Svensk - Region 2- PAL LEFT vs. Tartan - Region 0 - PAL - MIDDLE vs. Criterion - Region 0 - NTSC - RIGHT)

Screen Captures