Search DVDBeaver

S E A R C H    D V D B e a v e r

(aka 'Winter Light')

http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film/direct-chair/bergman.htm
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


 Hit Counter


Report Card:

 

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



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DONATIONS Keep DVDBeaver alive:

Mail cheques, money orders, cash to:    or CLICK PayPal logo to donate!

Gary Tooze