"Before Sunrise" Warner Home Video - Region 1 - NTSC vs. Sandrew Metronome - Region 2

directed by Richard Linklater
USA / Austria / Switzerland 1995

Critic/author/film journalist Robin Wood wrote quite a wonderful piece on "Before Sunrise" in an old issue of Cineaction. I happen to have it on my bookshelf and waited till I had seen the film before reading. His article boldly states...“this film belongs among the dozen or so that exemplify ‘cinema’ at its finest.” Very bold words considering the stature of the man who penned them. The film is, admittedly, extremely personal - one which might garner the description "either you get it or your don't" from bickering viewers. This is how I often described one of my favorite directors , Eric Rohmer. Both Linklater and Rohmer share a common romanticism in their works. Linklater obviously being more modern, but the same emotion is evoked. Overall "Before Sunrise" is quite flawless... perhaps its only fault being it could be considered inconclusive - but it is its obvious intent - and I consider one of its attributes.

Ethan Hawke is one of the best young actors working today. His performance in Alfonso Cuarón's unfairly judged "Great Expectations" helps make that film the hidden masterpiece that it is. Regardless, "Before Sunrise" is fabulous and I understand the sequel, Before Sunset, is likewise appealing. I can't wait.

Gary Tooze

Posters

Theatrical Release: January 27th, 1995 - USA

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DVD Comparison:

Warner Home Video - Region 1 - NTSC vs. Sandrew Metronome - Region 2 - PAL

Big thanks to Gary Tooze and Henrik Sylow for the Screen Caps!

(Warner Home Video - Region 1 - NTSC - LEFT vs. Sandrew Metronome - Region 2 - PAL - RIGHT)

DVD Box Covers	Soundtrack Available HERE
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Distribution	Warner Home Video Region 1 - NTSC	Sandrew Metronome Region 2 - PAL
Runtime	1:40:48	1:36:44 (4% PAL speedup)
Video	1.78:1 Aspect Ratio Average Bitrate: 5.61 mb/s NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s	1.78:1 Aspect Ratio Average Bitrate: 5.98 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: Warner Home Video
Bitrate: Sandrew Metronome
Audio	2.0 Dolby Digital English (dub), 2.0 Dolby Digital French (dub),	2.0 Dolby Digital English, 2.0 Dolby Digital German (dub), 2.0 Dolby Digital Spanish (dub)
Subtitles	English, French, None	English, Danish, Swedish, Norwegian, Finnish, German, Portugeuse, Turkish, Hebrew and more
Features	Release Information: Studio: Warner Home Video Aspect Ratio: Widescreen letterboxed - 1.78:1 Edition Details: • Theatrical Trailer DVD Release Date: November 7th, 2001 Snapper Case Chapters 25	Release Information: Studio: Sandrew Metronome Aspect Ratio: Widescreen letterboxed - 1.78:1 Edition Details: • Theatrical Trailer DVD Release Date: January 18, 2005 Keep Case Chapters 25

Comments

RE: The Region 1- This is a good DVD. Take into account it is from 2001 - it is anamorphic, tight lines, a little on the dark side, but appears to have avoided manipulations. Subtitles are clear yet unobtrusive. There are no extras to speak of. I am happy with the image and audio (a French DUB is offered as an option too). The price sure is right (less than $12)!

ADDITION (Metronome) - I think I disagree with Henrik in this case and find the R1 has superior sharpness - enough to make that my choice of DVD purchase! It should be stated that the image differences are quite negligible.

Gary Tooze

Comparing R1 vs. the new R2, I give the upper hand to R2. It shows no signs of compression artifacts and is very smooth in tone, whereas R1 is "grainy" and displays some edge enhancements.

Apart from that, everything else is the same, also price-range, as the Danish R2 is sold at Dkr 99, which even with the discount still is cheaper than the upcoming identical UK R2 edition.

Henrik Sylow

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(Warner Home Video - Region 1 - NTSC - LEFT vs. Sandrew Metronome - Region 2 - PAL - RIGHT)