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Broadway actress Myrtle Gordon (Gena Rowlands) rehearses for her latest play, about a woman unable to admit that she is aging. When she witnesses the accidental death of an adoring young fan, she begins to confront the personal and professional turmoil she faces in her own life. Featuring a moving performance by Rowlands (and with some scenes shot on stages with live audiences reacting freely to the writing and performing), John Cassavetes’ Opening Night exposes the drama of an actress who at great personal cost makes a part her own. |
Posters
Theatrical Release: December 22, 1977
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Comparison:
Optimum (The John Cassavetes Collection) - Region 2 - PAL vs. Pioneer - Region 0 - NTSC vs. Criterion (John Cassavetes: Five Films) - Region 0 - NTSC vs. BFI - Region 'B' - Blu-ray vs. Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray |
Big thanks to Henrik Sylow and Gary Tooze and Gregory Meshman for the Screen Caps!
1) Optimum (The John Cassavetes Collection) - Region 2 - PAL - LEFT 2) Pioneer - Region 0 - NTSC - SECOND3) Criterion (John Cassavetes: Five Films) - Region 0 - NTSC - THIRD 4) BFI - Region FREE - Blu-ray FOURTH 5) Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray RIGHT
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Box Covers |
Only available in the Boxset listed below: |
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Only available in Criterion John Cassavetes: Five Films Blu-ray set: |
The 6 - disc John Cassavetes Collection from Optimum includes: Shadows, Faces, A Woman Under The Influence, The Killing Of A Chinese Bookie, Opening Night with THESE LISTED EXTRAS. |
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The 8 - disc Criterion John Cassavetes - Five Films includes - Shadows, Faces, A Woman Under The Influence, The Killing Of A Chinese Bookie, Opening Night with THESE LISTED EXTRAS. |
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Distribution |
Optimum Region 2 - PAL |
Pioneer Region 0 - NTSC |
Criterion Region 0 - NTSC |
BFI - Region 'B' - Blu-ray |
Criterion
Collection - Spine #255 Region 'A' - Blu-ray |
Runtime | 2:18:08 (4% PAL speedup) | 2:22:36 | 2:24:10 | 2:24:03.676 | 2:24:22.612 |
Video |
1.85:1 Original Aspect Ratio
16X9 enhanced |
1.33
Open Matte format |
1.82:1 Original Aspect Ratio
16X9 enhanced |
1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray Disc Size: 44,372,158,637 bytesFeature: 43,560,904,704 bytes Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video Total Video Bitrate: 35.00 Mbps |
1080P Dual-layered
Blu-ray
Disc Size: 49,047,238,490 bytesFeature: 38,943,086,592 bytesVideo Bitrate: 31.98 MbpsCodec: MPEG-4 AVC Video |
NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes. |
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Bitrate:
Optimum (The John Cassavetes Collection)
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Pioneer
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Bitrate:
Criterion (John Cassavetes: Five Films)
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Bitrate: BFI
Blu-ray
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Bitrate: Criterion
Blu-ray
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Audio | 2.0 Dolby Digital English |
English (Dolby Digital 2.0) |
English (Dolby Digital 1.0) |
LPCM Audio English 1536 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz /
1536 kbps / 16-bit Commentary: LPCM Audio English 1536 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1536 kbps / 16-bit |
LPCM Audio English 1152 kbps 1.0 / 48 kHz / 1152 kbps / 24-bit |
Subtitles | No subtitles | None | English, None | English, None | English, None |
Features |
Release Information: Studio: Optimum Aspect Ratio:
Edition Details: Chapters 20 |
Release Information: Studio: Pioneer Aspect Ratio:
Edition Details:
DVD
Release Date: March 24th, 1998 Chapters 11 |
Release Information: Studio: Criterion Aspect Ratio:
Edition Details:
DVD
Release Date: September 21st, 2004 Chapters 28 |
Release Information: Studio: BFI Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray Disc Size: 44,372,158,637 bytesFeature: 43,560,904,704 bytes Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video Total Video Bitrate: 35.00 Mbps
Edition Details: • Memories of John (29:02, DVD only) • Falk on Cassavetes: The later years (13:56, DVD only) • Fully illustrated booklet featuring interviews and essays from Tom Charity, Al Ruban and Peter Bogdanovich
Enclosed PAL DVD
(2:18:09) Chapters 12 |
Release Information: Studio: Criterion Aspect Ratio: 1.82:1 1080P Dual-layered Blu-rayDisc Size: 49,047,238,490 bytesFeature: 38,943,086,592 bytesVideo Bitrate: 31.98 MbpsCodec: MPEG-4 AVC Video
Edition Details:
Blu-ray Release Date:
October 22nd, 2013
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Comments |
NOTE:
The below
Blu-ray
captures were ripped directly from the
Blu-ray
disc.
ADDITION: Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray
(September 2013): Of the
***
ADDITION: BFI - Region 'B' Blu-ray
- May 2013': A magnificent transfer on the new 1080P BFI. The higher
resolution advances the detail and the visuals show some instances of
depth. There is a shade of background grain. The 2.5 hour film is housed
on a dual-layered disc and has a max'ed out bitrate. It supports the
colors of the Criterion/Optimum SD transfer with the true skin tones,
but contrast rises notably improving the image. In toggling back and
forth with the Criterion DVD - it is quite a visible difference. The BFI
is clean and provides a marvelous video presentation.
The audio is via a linear PCM 2.0 channel track at 1536 kbps. Likewise
it has no flaws and comes through a bit crisper with a touch of depth.
There are optional subtitles.
The Blu-ray
offers a commentary by Tom Charity, Mike Ferris and Bo Harwood and the
included PAL DVD has the feature (commentary) and two video pieces; 1/2 hour
Memories of John - conversation Al with Ruban and Peter Falk
reminiscing about Cassavetes. Falk on Cassavetes: The later years
runs for 15-minutes and there is a fully illustrated booklet featuring
interviews and essays from Tom Charity, Al Ruban and Peter Bogdanovich.
I've never enjoyed Opening Night so much as I did on this BFI Blu-ray.
The film really jumps to life in 1080P with the vérité aspects seeming
all that more embracing. We can certainly recommend this package. ***
ON THE DVDs: We disregard the early Pioneer disc. It is Open Matte. It has boosting but is not fatally poor (well, not as bad as the others). No digital extras but the included liner notes essay by Ray Carney is, again, excellent. In this case the Optimum looks minutely sharper than the Criterion. Colors seem exactly the same, but at times the Criterion is marginally brighter and has a glossy appearance. It's pretty close though. Criterion has removable subs, the Optimum doesn't. Obviously those sensitive to PAL speed-up will have this as an issue in the Optimum. Optimum has the superior extras edging convincingly ahead with the commentary. -Gary Tooze |
Recommended Reading on Cassavetes (CLICK COVERS or TITLES for more information)
Cassavetes on Cassavetes by John Cassavetes |
Where Does It Happen: John Cassavetes and
Cinema at the Breaking Point by George Kouvaros |
The Films of John Cassavetes : Pragmatism,
Modernism, and the Movies (Cambridge Film Classics)
by Raymond Carney |
John Cassavetes: The Adventure of
Insecurity (Studies in Contemporary Film) by Ray Carney, Sam Shaw |
Shadows by Raymond Carney |
John Cassavetes: Lifeworks by Tom Charity |
Accidental Genius : How John Cassavetes Invented the
Independent Film by Marshall Fine |
Check out more in "The Library"
Menus
(Optimum (The John Cassavetes Collection)
- Region 2 - PAL - LEFT vs. Pioneer - Region 0 - NTSC - MIDDLE
vs. Criterion (John Cassavetes: Five Films) - Region 0 - NTSC - RIGHT)
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BFI - Region 'B' - Blu-ray
BFI DVD (included in the Blu-ray package)
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Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray
CLICK EACH BLU-RAY CAPTURE BELOW TO SEE ALL IMAGES IN FULL 1920X1080 RESOLUTION
Screen Captures
1) Optimum (The John Cassavetes Collection) - Region 2 - PAL - TOP 2) Pioneer - Region 0 - NTSC - SECOND3) Criterion (John Cassavetes: Five Films) - Region 0 - NTSC - THIRD 4) BFI - Region FREE - Blu-ray FOURTH 5) Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM
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1) Optimum (The John Cassavetes Collection) - Region 2 - PAL - TOP 2) Pioneer - Region 0 - NTSC - SECOND3) Criterion (John Cassavetes: Five Films) - Region 0 - NTSC - THIRD 4) BFI - Region FREE - Blu-ray FOURTH 5) Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM
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1) Optimum (The John Cassavetes Collection) - Region 2 - PAL - TOP 2) Pioneer - Region 0 - NTSC - SECOND3) Criterion (John Cassavetes: Five Films) - Region 0 - NTSC - THIRD 4) BFI - Region FREE - Blu-ray FOURTH 5) Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM
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1) Optimum (The John Cassavetes Collection) - Region 2 - PAL - TOP 2) Pioneer - Region 0 - NTSC - SECOND3) Criterion (John Cassavetes: Five Films) - Region 0 - NTSC - THIRD 4) BFI - Region FREE - Blu-ray FOURTH 5) Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM
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1) Optimum (The John Cassavetes Collection) - Region 2 - PAL - TOP 2) Pioneer - Region 0 - NTSC - SECOND3) Criterion (John Cassavetes: Five Films) - Region 0 - NTSC - THIRD 4) BFI - Region FREE - Blu-ray FOURTH 5) Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM
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Recommended Reading on Cassavetes (CLICK COVERS or TITLES for more information)
Cassavetes on Cassavetes by John Cassavetes |
Where Does It Happen: John Cassavetes and
Cinema at the Breaking Point by George Kouvaros |
The Films of John Cassavetes : Pragmatism,
Modernism, and the Movies (Cambridge Film Classics)
by Raymond Carney |
John Cassavetes: The Adventure of
Insecurity (Studies in Contemporary Film) by Ray Carney, Sam Shaw |
Shadows by Raymond Carney |
John Cassavetes: Lifeworks by Tom Charity |
Accidental Genius : How John Cassavetes Invented the
Independent Film by Marshall Fine |
Check out more in "The Library"
Box Covers |
Only available in the Boxset listed below: |
|
|
|
Only available in Criterion John Cassavetes: Five Films Blu-ray set: |
The 6 - disc John Cassavetes Collection from Optimum includes: Shadows, Faces, A Woman Under The Influence, The Killing Of A Chinese Bookie, Opening Night with THESE LISTED EXTRAS. |
|||||
The 8 - disc Criterion John Cassavetes - Five Films includes - Shadows, Faces, A Woman Under The Influence, The Killing Of A Chinese Bookie, Opening Night with THESE LISTED EXTRAS. |
|||||
Distribution |
Optimum Region 2 - PAL |
Pioneer Region 0 - NTSC |
Criterion Region 0 - NTSC |
BFI - Region 'B' - Blu-ray |
Criterion
Collection - Spine #255 Region 'A' - Blu-ray |