directed by Jan Svankmajer
Czech Republic / UK / Japan 2000

 

Based on a Czech folk tale, Jan Svankmajer's most accessible film is the story of Karel and Bozena, a married couple who long to have a baby. Whilst digging up an tree stump, Karel decides to carve the roots into the image of a child; when his melancholy childless wife sees it her love brings the wooden form to life...

Poster

Theatrical Release: January 25, 2001

Reviews    More Reviews  DVD Reviews

DVD Comparison:

Zeitgeist Video - Region 0 - NTSC vs. FilmFour (UK) - Region 2 - PAL

Big thanks to Pavel Borodin for all the Screen Caps!

(Zeitgeist Video - Region 0 - NTSC - LEFT vs. FilmFour (UK) - Region 2 - PAL - RIGHT)

DVD Box Covers

 

  

 
Distribution

Zeitgeist Video

Region 0 - NTSC

 FilmFour (UK)
Region 2 - PAL
Runtime 2:06:00 (PAL sourced) 2:06:08 (4% PAL speedup)
Video

1.33:1 Original Aspect Ratio
Average Bitrate: 6.31 mb/s
NTSC 704x480 29.97 f/s

1.33:1 Original Aspect Ratio
Average Bitrate: 7.37 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:

 

Zeitgeist Video

 

Bitrate:

 

FilmFour (UK)

 

Audio Czech (Dolby Digital 2.0)

Czech (Dolby Digital 2.0)
Subtitles English (burned in) English (burned in)
Features Release Information:
Studio: Zeitgeist Video

Aspect Ratio:
Fullscreen - 1.33:1

Edition Details:
• Svankmajer Interview (text)
• Production Diary
• Photo Gallery
• Theatrical Trailer
• Short film 'The Flat' (1969, 12:35)

DVD Release Date: January 21st, 2003
Keep case

Chapters 18

Release Information:
Studio: FilmFour (UK)

Aspect Ratio:
Fullscreen - 1.33:1

Edition Details:
• none
 

DVD Release Date:
Keep case

Chapters 22

 

 

 

 

Comments

The Region 1 release has some prevalent ghosting issues, as it was not taken from the correct source (PAL - not converted to NTSC first). It is also less sharp than the FilmFour release and slightly cropped. I don't like the Zeitgeist subtitles as much as I do the Region 2 ones - although both are, unfortunately, non-removable. The only thing the NTSC release has going for it are some extra features, albeit weak ones. The PAL edition has none. Skin tones of the FilmFour look a little red to me. Go with the PAL edition.

- Gary Tooze

 

 




DVD Menus

(Zeitgeist Video - Region 0 - NTSC - LEFT vs. FilmFour (UK) - Region 2 - PAL - RIGHT)


 

 

 

 

Screen Captures

(Zeitgeist Video - Region 0 - NTSC - TOP vs. FilmFour (UK) - Region 2 - PAL - BOTTOM)

 

 

(Zeitgeist Video - Region 0 - NTSC - TOP vs. FilmFour (UK) - Region 2 - PAL - BOTTOM)

 

 

(Zeitgeist Video - Region 0 - NTSC - TOP vs. FilmFour (UK) - Region 2 - PAL - BOTTOM)

 

 

(Zeitgeist Video - Region 0 - NTSC - TOP vs. FilmFour (UK) - Region 2 - PAL - BOTTOM)

 

 

(Zeitgeist Video - Region 0 - NTSC - TOP vs. FilmFour (UK) - Region 2 - PAL - BOTTOM)

 

 

(Zeitgeist Video - Region 0 - NTSC - TOP vs. FilmFour (UK) - Region 2 - PAL - BOTTOM)

 

 

 

Hit Counter

Report Card:

Image:

FilmFour

Sound:

-
Extras: Zeitgeist
Menu: Zeitgeist
DVD Box Covers

 

  

 
Distribution

Zeitgeist Video

Region 0 - NTSC

 FilmFour (UK)
Region 2 - PAL

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Gary Tooze

Many Thanks...