ADDITION: - Kino - Region 0 - NTSC - July 06' : - The new Kino edition appears to be from the same source as the Eureka release, including the use of English intertitles, probably a result of the restoration process. There are a few noticeable differences between this version and the Eureka release. One is the non removable English subtitles  over shots of German text (see capture #7). Another difference is that the contrast on the Eureka version is boosted resulting in increased sharpness and deeper blacks. However, the smoother Kino image displays better gray scale and, in most cases, reveals more image detail (capture #4 is an exception). I noticed some combing artifacts during the screen capture process indicating a non progressive transfer. No surprise coming from Kino.

 - Gregg Ferencz

"I imagine you will get around to the new Kino Dr. Mabuse that just came out.  It is the Transit Films version clocking at 4.5 hours, and it is tremendous, a vast improvement over the Image version, both in image quality and (I believe) in correct speeds (almost anything David Shepard touches seems to me played too fast).  However, Kino somehow managed to botch the brightness/contrast levels.  To see this most clearly, watch the extras on Disc 2, for example the one about the music.  If you play it with a normal brightness setting, the clips look wonderful, but if you watch the same parts during the DVD proper, you will see they are much brighter with things looking very washed out. Even if you don't make such a comparison, the Kino transfer is transparently wrong anyone would see it as too bright. I found when I lowered my brightness control 10 units (out of 60) below my normal setting, I was able to get a satisfactory image. There were still some problems - faces of characters in a medium or long shot tended to look a bit washed out, but I don t know if the contrast setting would have helped, or if the problem is in the source.  Anyway, please blast Kino for botching what should have been an easy transfer, since they had a superb source there was no excuse for getting the brightness/contrast wrong."

Louis Irwin (sent to us in email)
 

Just to add my own opinion - I suspect there are only a handful of people who 'know' what this release should look like - so after that it depends on personal preference. I think the Kino has had some brightness boosting - I think the Eureka has had some black-level boosting. One removes damage marks the other heightens sharpness. From the captures I like the softer look of the Kino. I am still waiting for my copy to arrive. What bothered me about the Eureka was the audio - so I will post again after I get, and watch, my Kino version. The other issue I am still working on is the time - is the Kino taken from a PAL source? or the Eureka from an NTSC source? - I suspect the former and the 'combing' Gregg noticed may be from incorrect standard transfer. More will be added to these comments as we can derive answers. At least now you can visually see the differences. Overall the Kino release would be considered a triumph for that distribution company (and their past record).

NOTE: We thanks Gregg for supplying the new Kino captures!

Gary Tooze  

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THE IMAGE DISC: The back jacket comments state that the transfer was made from a fine grain master and is at the correct speed. David Shepard takes great care in his releases. Perhaps much of the timing differences stem from the time the camera stays on the inter-title for the viewer to read. We are investigating.