" Young Torless " Criterion - Region 0

(aka "Young Torless" )

directed by Volker Schlöndorff
Germany 1966

At an Austrian boys’ boarding school in the early 1900s, shy, intelligent Törless observes the sadistic behavior of his fellow students, doing nothing to help a victimized classmate—until the torture goes too far. Adapted from Robert Musil’s acclaimed novel, Young Törless launched the New German Cinema movement and garnered the 1966 Cannes Film Festival International Critics’ Prize for first-time director Volker Schlöndorff.

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Theatrical Release: 20 May 1966 (West Germany)

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DVD Review: Criterion - Region 0 - NTSC

DVD Box Cover		CLICK to order from:
Distribution	Criterion Region 0 - NTSC
Runtime	1:27:42
Video	1.70:1 Original Aspect Ratio 16X9 enhanced Average Bitrate: 6.97 mb/s NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s
	NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.
Bitrate
Audio	German Mono (Dolby Digital 1.0 192Kbps)
Subtitles	English, none
Features	Release Information: Studio: Criterion Aspect Ratio: Widescreen anamorphic - 1.70:1 Edition Details: • New, restored digital transfer • 2004 video interview with writer-director Volker Schlöndorff in which he talks about the making • Rare presentation of the original score by acclaimed composer Hans Werner Henze (The Lost Honor of Katharina Blum, Swann in Love), with a video introduction by Volker Schlöndorff • Stills Gallery • Original theatrical trailer • New and improved English subtitle translation DVD Release Date: March 15, 2005 Keep Case Chapters 18

Comments

The packaging (and Criterion website) states that this film is presented in a 1.75:1 aspect ratio, when in reality it measures closer to 1.70:1. To the naked eye this looks like a 1.66:1 anamorphic presentation with the expected thin black bars on the sides. At any rate the image is very very nice and the disc is Director Approved. Criterion delivers typically excellent contrast with deep blacks and beautiful grey scales. The presentation shows a lot of film grain throughout while retaining an amazing amount of detail. This is as it should be and I greatly prefer this approach to heavy digital grain reduction which softens the image. The print used does show more damage than I had expected, however I suspect this could only be corrected with an extensive physical restoration. Criterion's digital restoration work is always more than anyone else would do, especially with a film of this stature. Overall the image looks much better when in motion and the screen caps do not do it justice. The mono soundtrack is clear and free of significant hiss or distortion.
The recently filmed interview is very interesting as is the original score presented separately. I'm not sure that many will take the time to listen to this, but it's still a welcome addition. A commentary would have been nice, but considering the lower price point I'm not complaining. out of

- Mark Balson

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Distribution

Criterion

Region 0 - NTSC

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