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S E A R C H    D V D B e a v e r

http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film/direct-chair/ulmer.htm
U.S. 1945

The kind of film (made in six days, almost entirely in a Poverty Row studio, its extensive road scenes shot with back projection) that would be impossible to make today, even as a TV movie. Now it would require 100% locations (the 'art' of studio shooting having been discredited and thus lost), and the minimal narrative would never justify a go-ahead (pianist Neal is bumming from New York to rejoin his girl in California until tripped by hostile fate and the literally amazing femme fatale Savage). Neither pure thriller nor pure melodrama (though it has its true complement of doomed lovers, dead bodies, and a cruel sexual undertow), on an emotional level it most resembles the wonderful purple-pulp fiction of David Goodis. Passion joins with folly to produce termite art par excellence.

Excerpt from Timeout Film Guide located HERE


Posters (CLICK to enlarge)

Theatrical Release: November 30th, 1945 - USA

Reviews                                                                     More Reviews                                                     DVD Reviews

 

Comparison:

Paramount (EU) - Region 0 - PAL vs. Alpha, Gotham Distribution - Region 0 - NTSC vs. Image - Region 0 - NTSC vs.  Siren (UK) - Region All - PAL vs. Cinémalta - Region 2 - PAL vs. Criterion - Region 'A' + 'B' - Blu-ray

 

Big thanks to Ole of DVD-Basen for the PAL Screen Caps and Gregory Meshman for the Alpha DVD Caps !

 

1) Paramount - EU - Region 0 - PAL LEFT

2) Alpha - Region 0 - NTSC SECOND

3) Image - Region 0 - NTSC - THIRD

4) Siren - Region All - PAL - FOURTH

5) Cinémalta - Region 2 - PAL - FIFTH

6) Criterion - Region 'A' + 'B' - Blu-ray RIGHT

 

Box Covers

Distribution

Paramount (EU)

Region 0  - PAL

Alpha, Gotham Distribution

Region 0 - NTSC

Image

Region 0  - NTSC

Siren
Region All - PAL

Cinémalta

Region 2 - PAL

Criterion - Region 'A' + 'B' - Blu-ray
Runtime 1:07:32 1:07:32 1:07:50 1:07:50 1:07:40 1:09:05.224
Video 1.33:1 Original Aspect Ratio
Average Bitrate: 4.58
PAL 720x576 25.00 f/s

1.33:1 Original Aspect Ratio
Average Bitrate: 6.50 mb/s
NTSC 704x480 29.97 f/s

1.37:1 Original Aspect Ratio
Average Bitrate: 6.90 mb/s
NTSC 704x480 29.97 f/s

1.37:1 Original Aspect Ratio
Average Bitrate: 6.30
PAL 720x576 25.00 f/s

1.37:1 Original Aspect Ratio
Average Bitrate: 6.97
PAL 720x576 25.00 f/s

1.37:1 1080P Dual.-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 43,701,099,958 bytes

Feature: 20,674,295,808 bytes

Video Bitrate: 35.73 Mbps

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

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

Bitrate:

Paramount (EU)

 

Bitrate:

Alpha

 

Bitrate:

Image

 

Bitrate:

Siren

Bitrate:

Cinémalta

 

Bitrate:

Criterion - Region 'A' + 'B' - Blu-ray

 

Audio English (Dolby Digital 2.0 mono). English (Dolby Digital 2.0 mono). English (Dolby Digital 2.0 mono).

English (Dolby Digital 2.0 mono).

English (Dolby Digital 2.0 mono). LPCM Audio English 1152 kbps 1.0 / 48 kHz / 1152 kbps / 24-bit
Subtitles French, None None None None French, None English (SDH), None
Features Release Information:
Studio:
Paramount (EU)

 

Aspect Ratio:
Fullscreen - 1.37:1

Edition Details:

• Photo Gallery

• Trailers for 4 other noirs.

DVD Release Date:
April 14th, 2005
Slim transparent keep case

Chapters 10

Release Information:
Studio: Alpha, Gotham Distribution

Aspect Ratio:
Fullscreen - 1.33:1

Edition Details:

• none

DVD Release Date: October 22, 2002
Keepcase
Chapters 5

Release Information:
Studio: Image

Aspect Ratio:
Fullscreen - 1.37:1

Edition Details:

• none

DVD Release Date: September 26th, 2000
Snapper Case

Chapters 12

Release Information:
Studio: Siren

 

Aspect Ratio:
Fullscreen - 1.37:1

Edition Details:

• "The Fast and the Furious" (1954) and "D.O.A." is included in the Box Set.

DVD Release Date: February 3, 2003
Fold out Box Set.

Chapters 12

Release Information:
Studio: Siren

 

Aspect Ratio:
Fullscreen - 1.37:1

Edition Details:

Edward G. Ulmer: The Man Off-Screen (1:17:00)

Second DVD with The Hitch-Hiker
 

DVD Release Date: December 6th, 2006
Fold out Box Set

Chapters 12

Release Information:
Studio:
Criterion

 

1.37:1 1080P Dual.-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 43,701,099,958 bytes

Feature: 20,674,295,808 bytes

Video Bitrate: 35.73 Mbps

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

 

Edition Details:

Edgar G. Ulmer: The Man Off-Screen, a 2004 documentary featuring interviews with actor Ann Savage and filmmakers Roger Corman, Joe Dante, and Wim Wenders (1:15:36)
New interview with film scholar Noah Isenberg, author of Edgar G. Ulmer: A Filmmaker at the Margins (21:11)
New program about the restoration (11:02)
Janus Films rerelease trailer (1:32)
PLUS: An essay by critic and poet Robert Polito 


Blu-ray Release Date:
March 19th, 2019
Transparent Blu-ray Case

Chapters 11

 

 

Comments: NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc.

ADDITION: Criterion - Region 'A' + 'B' - Blu-ray - February 19': This is advertised "New 4K digital restoration". Before the film starts it has this information (hence why it is longer than the other editions): Detour (1945) was restored in 2018 by the Academy Film Archive and The Film Foundation in collaboration with Cinematheque Royale de Belgique The Museum of Modern Art Cinematheque Francaise.

 Restoration funding provided by the George Lucas Family Foundation.

The primary picture and audio source for this 4K digital restoration of Detour was a 35mm nitrate composite print with French and Flemish subtitles from the Cinematheque Royale de Belgique.

A 35mm safety duplicate picture negative from The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) was used as a compositing source to remove the subtitles. Digital painting techniques were used when the MoMA source did not contain the necessary frames.

One shot was missing in both the Cinematheque Royale and MoMA sources. This shot was incorporated into the restoration from a 35mm safety composite print from the Cinematheque Frangaise.

Gosh Dang. As the screen captures indicate the restoration is a huge success as the film takes on the clarity and contrast (shade faint at tims) the presentation deserves. There are some less-consistent scenes but considering what film fans have put-up with in regards to the shoddy DVDs - this is a revelation for Noir fans. The grain is prevalent (although, obviously, not as much as on my 16mm print! :).

Criterion use a linear PCM mono track (24-bit) and the audio has never sounded clearer or more consistent. The score by Leo Erdody with Claudia Drake singing I Can't Believe That You're in Love with Me, Chopin 's Waltz Op. 64 No. 2 in C Sharp Minor, Brahms' Waltz Op. 39 in A Flat Major and Al on the piano (dubbed by Erdody) sound so much crisper in the uncompressed. Criterion add optional English subtitles with Al's narration in italics. The Blu-ray is Region 'A' in North American and 'B' in Europe.

Firstly, I'm disappointed that there weren't any commentaries offered but we do get Edgar G. Ulmer: The Man Off-Screen, the 1 1/4 hour, 2004, documentary exploring the the life and career of director Edgar G. Ulmer featuring interviews with daughter Arianne Ulmer Cipes; filmmakers Peter Bogdanovich, Roger Corman, Joe Dante, John Landis, and Wim Wenders, and actor Ann Savage - also found on the French DVD. There is a new 21-minute interview with film scholar Noah Isenberg, author of the British Film Institute's monograph on Detour and Edgar G. Ulmer: A Filmmaker at the Margins, was recorded by the Criterion Collection in New York in November 2018. There is an 11-minute piece new program detailing the challenges that the Academy Film Archive and The Film Foundation, in collaboration with the Cinematheque royale de Belgique, the Museum of Modern Art, and the Cinematheque francaise faced in the restoration of Detour. Criterion include a Janus Films rerelease trailer - that looks sweet - plus the package has a liner notes booklet with an essay by critic and poet Robert Polito.

No one needs me to endorse this - a favorite Noir and the Criterion Blu-ray, even without a commentary, is a must-own. How many times will I watch it? Our highest recommendation!

***

ADDITION: Cinémalta - Region 2 - PAL - June 11': This comes in a 'Coffret' (boxset) with Ida Lupino's The Hitch-Hiker. If you'd like a DNR'ed, boosted, cropped DVD version from an unconverted standard - then, yeah! the Cinémalta is for you! Okay, enough of the sarcasm - obviously this is a terribly weak transfer - one that doesn't approach the Wade Williams one on the Image Entertainment DVD.

Audio seems clean and clear enough and there are optional French subtitles. The disc is coded region 2 in the PAL format.

The included 2004 Michael Palm documentary Edgar G. Ulmer - The Man Off-screen has Bogdanovich, Wenders, Joe Dante, Roger Corman, John Landis, daughter Arianne Ulmer Cipes, Ann Savage and is in English and some parts in German and there are optional French subtitles. It's quite thorough and interesting. It would be one reason to consider buying the French Box.

NOTE: Confession: in April of 2009, from Ann Savage's Estate, I purchased her original (1945) 16mm print of Detour. It is presumed to be a reduction print of the Wade Williams one (Image Entertainment) and the second best source of the film in existence. It has very good density and healthy grain structure. In most spots it shows less damage than the WW. Through a reputable Post House in Toronto I transferred in HD (twice!) - creating a personal Blu-ray for myself with the intention adding up to 7 commentaries (I've spoken to many including Dave Kehr, Jonathan Rosenbaum, from Eddie Muller to Guy Maddin) and making it available, through the DVDBeaver site, to fans of the iconic film. Unfortunately, I don't have the funds to restore it to a significantly high enough level to make it viable. I've added three captures below as examples (see very bottom for third sample).

***

ADDITION: Paramount (EU) - Region 0 - PAL - March 07': This may very well be my favorite Noir film and I thought as the French regard Ulmer so highly that they might have created a decent DVD release for this - arguably - his best film.

It's a shame - the French Paramount DVD is from an NTSC source (see ghosting/combing in the last screen capture) because it has better contrast than the Alpha or Siren editions. It does win the extras as it has a nice photo gallery but really the Image Entertainment DVD is still the one to own at present.

***

ADDITION: (July - 04) - Looks like the Alpha edition is the worst of the lot. Hazy green tinge to the  image, similar scratches and damage marks as the Image. I still say - buy the Image Entertainment Disc.

***

Hmmm... looks like the exact same print (same damage spots) but the Image Entertainment was telecin'ed in NTSC and the Siren has just ported from it (total time is same) as opposed to doing their own in PAL. It has suffered in sharpness because of this. The Siren looks to have a shade of contrast boosting as well. No Extras on either edition, so obviously choose the Image DVD while it is still in print

- Gary W. Tooze


Recommended Reading in Film Noir (CLICK COVERS or TITLES for more information)

DVD Menus

Paramount - EU - Region 0 - PAL

 


(Alpha - Region 0 - NTSC LEFT vs. Image - Region 0 - NTSC - MIDDLE vs.  - Siren - Region All - PAL - RIGHT)

 

 

 

Cinémalta - Region 2 - PAL

 

 

Criterion - Region 'A' + 'B' - Blu-ray

 

 


CLICK EACH BLU-RAY CAPTURE TO SEE ALL IMAGES IN FULL 1920X1080 RESOLUTION

Subtitle Sample - Criterion - Region 'A' + 'B' - Blu-ray

 

 

1) Paramount - EU - Region 0 - PAL TOP

2) Alpha - Region 0 - NTSC SECOND

3) Image - Region 0 - NTSC - THIRD

4) Siren - Region All - PAL - FOURTH

5) Cinémalta - Region 2 - PAL - FIFTH

6) Tooze-owned - Region FREE Blu-ray - SIXTH

7) My Print 'B' Blu-ray transfer - ratio-corrected - contrast tweaked (not teranex'ed) SEVENTH

8) Criterion - Region 'A' + 'B' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 


1) Paramount - EU - Region 0 - PAL TOP

2) Alpha - Region 0 - NTSC SECOND

3) Image - Region 0 - NTSC - THIRD

4) Siren - Region All - PAL - FOURTH

5) Cinémalta - Region 2 - PAL - FIFTH

6) Criterion - Region 'A' + 'B' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 


1) Paramount - EU - Region 0 - PAL TOP

2) Alpha - Region 0 - NTSC SECOND

3) Image - Region 0 - NTSC - THIRD

4) Siren - Region All - PAL - FOURTH

5) Cinémalta - Region 2 - PAL - FIFTH

6) Criterion - Region 'A' + 'B' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 


1) Paramount - EU - Region 0 - PAL TOP

2) Alpha - Region 0 - NTSC SECOND

3) Image - Region 0 - NTSC - THIRD

4) Siren - Region All - PAL - FOURTH

5) Cinémalta - Region 2 - PAL - FIFTH

6) Criterion - Region 'A' + 'B' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 


1) Paramount - EU - Region 0 - PAL TOP

2) Alpha - Region 0 - NTSC SECOND

3) Image - Region 0 - NTSC - THIRD

4) Siren - Region All - PAL - FOURTH

5) Cinémalta - Region 2 - PAL - FIFTH

6) Criterion - Region 'A' + 'B' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 


1) Paramount - EU - Region 0 - PAL TOP

2) Alpha - Region 0 - NTSC SECOND

3) Image - Region 0 - NTSC - THIRD

4) Siren - Region All - PAL - FOURTH

5) Cinémalta - Region 2 - PAL - FIFTH

6) Criterion - Region 'A' + 'B' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 

 

 

1) Image - Region 0 - NTSC - TOP

2) Tooze-owned - Region FREE Blu-ray (after Terrenex cleaning, NOT ratio adjusted) SECOND

3) Criterion - Region 'A' + 'B' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 

More Criterion - Region 'A' + 'B' - Blu-ray Captures


 Hit Counter


Report Card:

Image:

Criterion Blu-ray

Sound:

Criterion Blu-ray

Extras:

Criterion Blu-ray

 

Box Covers

Distribution

Paramount (EU)

Region 0  - PAL

Alpha, Gotham Distribution

Region 0 - NTSC

Image

Region 0  - NTSC

Siren
Region All - PAL

Cinémalta

Region 2 - PAL

Criterion - Region 'A' + 'B' - Blu-ray





 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Gary Tooze

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