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S E A R C H D V D B e a v e r |
directed by Peter Weir
Australia 1979
What an interesting and obscure film by Peter Weir. Made for TV in the late
1970s it easily shows the directors keen eye for detail and expression of
understated emotions. The three main actors (Judy Morris, Ivor Kants and Robert
Coleby) would be most familiar to Aussie Soap Opera viewers than film fans. the
plot centers on and academia-esq couple who are besot with a plumbing problem
that expands to be a total invasion of the wife's privacy. The keen dialogue
separates the wife and the plumber during the daytime with a slight sexual
undercurrent. What transpires is to people at psychological odds to each other -
both give an effort to get-along, but essentially they detest each other.
Having to work together in the same small apartment blows this situation out of
control. Is the plumber purposely extending the job to irritate the woman that
he hates? the ambiguity is a large part of the suspense element of the film...
and the ending is one to mull over extensively as a personal triumph or
guilt-ridden shameful joy? Low budget and black humor are key staples of this
exploration. I am still thinking about this film months after seeing it.
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TV Premiere: June 19th, 1979 - Australia
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DVD Comparison:
HomeVision (supplement on 'The Cars That Ate Paris' DVD) - Region 1 - NTSC vs. Gaumont Boxset (France) CTHV - Region 2 - PAL |
(HomeVision - Region 1 - NTSC LEFT vs. Gaumont Boxset (France) CTHV - Region 2 -PAL - RIGHT)
DVD Box Covers |
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Distribution |
Home Vision Region 1 - NTSC |
Gaumont -
Columbia Tri-Star HV Region 2 - PAL |
Runtime | 1:17:11 | 1:13:51(4% PAL speedup) |
Video |
1.75:1 Original Aspect Ratio
16X9 enhanced |
1.78:1 Original Aspect Ratio 16X9 enhanced |
NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes. |
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Bitrate:
HomeVision |
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Bitrate:
Gaumont
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Audio | English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Dolby) |
English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Dolby), DUB: French (Dolby Digital 2.0 Dolby) |
Subtitles | None | French, and none |
Features |
Release Information: Studio: HomeVision
Aspect Ratio:
Edition Details: New
digital transfer approved by the director Peter Weir • 2
- page each liner Notes essay for both films
Chapters 24 |
Release Information: •
Trailer (2:19) |
Comments: | There is not much to choose from here in image - almost identical sharpness. Differences are that the Gaumont skin tones are slightly redder - perhaps unnaturally so - and the ratios are slightly different (1.75 vs. 1.78). Both are anamorphic but the Region 2 images are a little wider (fatter faces) and the Home Vision's 'slimmer'. I suppose the only strongly convincing differences are in the Extras. The HomeVision is on the same disc as Weir's "The Cars That Ate Paris" where the Gaumont has 4 Weir films in a Boxset (including 'Cars..."), but as we have noted - 'Picnic at Hanging Rock' and 'The Last Wave' are inferior to their Criterion counterparts. What is a kind of keen feature on the Region 2 is the "Peter Weir Seminar' - almost 40 minutes of the director talking about film - marvelous. Correspondingly, the HomeVision has two separate interviews totally almost 20 minutes with the director. I think you'd have to be very keen, and maybe a film student, to buy the Gaunmont over the HomeVision / Criterions... either that or desire a French DUB and/or French subtitles. |
DVD Menus
(HomeVision - Region 1 - NTSC
LEFT vs. Gaumont Boxset (France) CTHV - Region 2 -PAL - RIGHT)
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Subtitle Sample (no subs on HomeVision release)
(HomeVision - Region 1 - NTSC TOP vs. Gaumont Boxset (France) CTHV - Region 2 -PAL - BOTTOM)
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Screen Captures
(HomeVision - Region 1 - NTSC TOP vs. Gaumont Boxset (France) CTHV - Region 2 -PAL - BOTTOM)
(HomeVision - Region 1 - NTSC TOP vs. Gaumont Boxset (France) CTHV - Region 2 -PAL - BOTTOM)
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(HomeVision - Region 1 - NTSC TOP vs. Gaumont Boxset (France) CTHV - Region 2 -PAL - BOTTOM)
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(HomeVision - Region 1 - NTSC TOP vs. Gaumont Boxset (France) CTHV - Region 2 -PAL - BOTTOM)
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Report Card:
Image: |
HomeVision (very slight edge) |
Sound: |
Gaumont (for the optional DUB) |
Extras: | both are very good! |
Menu: | Gaumont |
DVD Box Covers |
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Distribution |
Home Vision Region 1 - NTSC |
Gaumont -
Columbia Tri-Star HV Region 2 - PAL |