Search DVDBeaver

S E A R C H    D V D B e a v e r

(aka 'Signs of Life')

directed by Werner Herzog
West Germany 1968

 

Stroszek is an injured soldier sent to recuperate at a remote Greek island. There, he and his new Greek wife, Nora, serve as caretakers to an abandoned ammunition dump. The newlyweds adjust to their new life on this enchanted desert isle and attend to their simple duties, but soon, the heat, the exotic locale, and the suspicious, eccentric natives push Stroszek towards insanity. He finally snaps, tries to kill his wife, then plans to ignite the ammunition dump. Ultimately, soldiers swarm the area, trying to capture the psychotic Stroszek before he blows up the whole island.

Signs of Life is the debut feature from Werner Herzog (Aguirre, the Wrath of God; Fitzcarraldo; Nosferatu), the director that both Milos Forman and François Truffaut have called "the greatest filmmaker alive today
.

 

  Posters, Alternate DVD covers...

Theatrical Release: July 5th, 1968 - Munich

Reviews                                                 More Reviews                                                  DVD Reviews

DVD Review: New Yorker - Region 1 - NTSC

DVD Box Cover

   

CLICK to order from:

Distribution New Yorker Video - Region 1 - NTSC
Runtime 1:26:36 
Video 1.37:1 Original Aspect Ratio
Average Bitrate: 5.70 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 (Dolby Digital 2.0) 
Subtitles English, None
Features

Release Information:
Studio: New Yorker Video

Aspect Ratio:
Original aspect Ratio 1.37:1

Edition Details:

• Audio commentary by Werner Herzog and Norman Hill
• Theatrical trailer
• New Yorker theatrical trailers

DVD Release Date: July 5th, 2005

Keep Case
Chapters: 20

 

Comments:

I saw some minor combing, but for a non-progressive transfer this doesn't look too bad at all. Contrast and shadow detail are quite good, looking de-saturated, and the image is fairly sharp. The big bonus from those previously owning the VHS is the commentary by Herzog and Hill. It's a good one! Hill is essentially posing questions and Herzog does most of the talking in response. It flows very well and is quite illuminating for Herzog fans. His recollections of past events is quite detailed. Although the image has weakness, mostly unnoticeable for tube owners, we still recommend the DVD for the bonus commentary. Subtitles and original audio are both adept and discernable.

NOTE: A word to the wise of New Yorker Video - I'd get a new graphics designer for your covers which are identifying themselves as the worst in the business (see Xala and Mandabi for further proof!).  

Gary W. Tooze

 


 

Also available: Herzog / Kinski Collection

Available on DVD HERE: Herzog/Kinski Collection with Aguirre, The Wrath of God, Woyzeck, Cobra Verde, Nosferatu, Fitzcarraldo, My Best Fiend

   

   



DVD Menus


 


Subtitle Sample

 

 


 

Screen Captures

 

 


 

 


 

 


 

 


 

 


Recommended Reading  (CLICK COVERS or TITLES for more information)

Check out more in "The Library"


 

DVD Box Cover

   

CLICK to order from:

Distribution New Yorker Video - Region 1 - NTSC

 

 





 

Hit Counter

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DONATIONS Keep DVDBeaver alive:

CLICK PayPal logo to donate!

Gary Tooze

Thank You!