Winter Light Blu-ray - Ingrid Thulin

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S E A R C H D V D B e a v e r

(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

Posters

Theatrical Release: February 11th, 1963 - Sweden

Reviews More Reviews DVD Reviews

Comparison:

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

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

1) Svensk - Region 2- PAL LEFT

2) Tartan - Region 0 - PAL - SECOND

3) Criterion - Region 0 - NTSC - THIRD
4) Criterion - Region FREE - Blu-ray RIGHT

Box Covers

Distribution	Svensk Filmindustri (Sweden) Region 2 - PAL	Tartan DVD Region 0 - PAL	Criterion Collection - Spine # 210 Region 0 - NTSC	Criterion - Region FREE - Blu-ray
Runtime	1:17:42	1:17:27 (4% PAL speedup)	1:21:06	1:21:35.515
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	1.37:1 1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray Disc One: 48,218,779,023 bytes Feature: 24,631,621,632 bytes Video Bitrate: 35.88 Mbps Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video
	NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.
Svensk	NOT AVAILABLE
Tartan
Criterion DVD
Criterion Blu-ray
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)	LPCM Audio Swedish 1152 kbps 1.0 / 48 kHz / 1152 kbps / 24-bit DUB: Dolby Digital Audio English 192 kbps 1.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps
Subtitles	Swedish HoH, Finnish, Danish, Norwegian and None	English, 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 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	Release Information: Studio: Criterion 1.37:1 1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray Disc One: 48,218,779,023 bytes Feature: 24,631,621,632 bytes Video Bitrate: 35.88 Mbps Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video Edition Details: • "Ingmar Bergman Introduction" (03:39) • "Exploring the Film" Peter Cowie (10:11) • "Ingmar Bergman Makes a Movie" (2:27:25) • "U.S. Theatrical Trailer" (01:51) Blu-ray Release Date: November 20th, 2018 Custom Blu-ray Case Chapters 15

Comments:

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

The Criterion Blu-ray of Winter Light is part of the their Ingmar Bergman’s Cinema 100th Anniversary 30 Blu-ray Boxset (reviewed, as a work in-progress, HERE). See comparative captures, a listing of technical details, extras etc., on this page.

NOTE: Yes, as has been leaked, we can now confirm that this Blu-ray set is Region FREE!

***

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 - Subtitle Sample - Criterion - Region FREE - Blu-ray

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

Screen Captures - Subtitle Sample - Criterion - Region FREE - Blu-ray

1) Svensk - Region 2- PAL TOP

2) Tartan - Region 0 - PAL - SECOND

3) Criterion - Region 0 - NTSC - THIRD
4) Criterion - Region FREE - Blu-ray BOTTOM

1) Svensk - Region 2- PAL TOP

2) Tartan - Region 0 - PAL - SECOND

3) Criterion - Region 0 - NTSC - THIRD
4) Criterion - Region FREE - Blu-ray BOTTOM

1) Svensk - Region 2- PAL TOP

2) Tartan - Region 0 - PAL - SECOND

3) Criterion - Region 0 - NTSC - THIRD
4) Criterion - Region FREE - Blu-ray BOTTOM

1) Svensk - Region 2- PAL TOP

2) Tartan - Region 0 - PAL - SECOND

3) Criterion - Region 0 - NTSC - THIRD
4) Criterion - Region FREE - Blu-ray BOTTOM

1) Svensk - Region 2- PAL TOP

2) Tartan - Region 0 - PAL - SECOND

3) Criterion - Region 0 - NTSC - THIRD
4) Criterion - Region FREE - Blu-ray BOTTOM

Look at the stucco'ed wall to the left - The Criterion shows it superior sharpness.

1) Svensk - Region 2- PAL TOP

2) Tartan - Region 0 - PAL - SECOND

3) Criterion - Region 0 - NTSC - THIRD
4) Criterion - Region FREE - Blu-ray BOTTOM

More Blu-ray Captures

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Image:	Blu-ray
Sound:	Blu-ray
Extras:	Blu-ray

Box Covers

Distribution

Svensk Filmindustri (Sweden)

Region 2 - PAL

Tartan DVD

Region 0 - PAL

Criterion Collection - Spine # 210
Region 0 - NTSC

Criterion - Region FREE - Blu-ray

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Gary Tooze