Ingmar Bergman's - Fanny and Alexander (TV version)

(aka "Fanny and Alexander" )

Sweden / France / West Germany 1982

Through the eyes of ten-year-old Alexander (Bertil Guve), we witness the great delights and conflicts of the Ekdahl family—a sprawling, convivial bourgeois clan living in turn-of-the-century Sweden. Intended as Ingmar Bergman’s swan song, Fanny and Alexander (Fanny och Alexander) is the legendary filmmaker’s warmest and most autobiographical film, a triumph that combines his trademark melancholy and emotional rigor with immense joyfulness and sensuality.

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Theatrical Release: 17 December 1982 - Sweden

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DVD Comparison:

Bergman was quoted as saying Fanny and Alexander is “the sum total of my life as a film-maker”. Initially there was a three hour theatrical release (winner of 4 Academy Awards in 1982). From all of the reels of shooting Bergman created a 5-hour cut of the film to eventually be shown on television. This 300 minute version is the one on this 2 disc DVD set by Artificial Eye (region 2 - PAL) and included in the Criterion Boxset (Region 0 - NTSC) along with the Theatrical version (which can be purchased separately).

Artificial Eye - Region 2 - PAL vs. Criterion Collection (5 hour TV version) - Region 0 - NTSC

Big thanks to Gregory Meshman for all the Screen Caps!

(Artificial Eye - Region 2 - PAL - LEFT vs. Criterion Collection - Region 0 - NTSC - RIGHT)

DVD Box Covers

Only available in the Boxset

The Criterion Boxset also includes the Theatrical version. Buy the entire Boxset:

The Criterion Boxset includes the Theatrical version which may be purchased individually.

Distribution

Criterion Collection

Region 0 - NTSC

Criterion Collection - Spine # 261 (includes # 262)
Region 0 - NTSC

Runtime

Disc • 1 - 2:45:48 + Disc • 2- 2:20:11 ( both have 4% PAL speedup)

2:47:54+ 2:20:27

Video

1.56:1 Original Aspect Ratio
Average Bitrate: 6.55 mb/s Disc 2- 6.5 mb/s
PAL 720x576 25.00 f/s

Original Aspect Ratio

16X9 enhanced
Average Bitrate: 5.70mb/s + 4:37 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: Artificial Eye - Disc 1
Bitrate: Artificial Eye - Disc 2
Bitrate: Criterion Collection Disc 1
Bitrate: Criterion Collection Disc 2

Audio

Swedish Dolby Digital Mono 2.0

Subtitles

English (non-removable)

English, none

Features

Release Information:
Studio: Artificial Eye - (UK)

Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen letterboxed - 1.56:1

Edition Details:
• Ingmar Bergman Filmography
• Sven Nykvist Filmography

Disc 2

• Stills Gallery

DVD Release Date: February 25, 2002
Keepcase

Chapters 14+14+9+13 = 49

Release Information:
Studio: Criterion Collection

Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen anamorphic - 1.66:1

Edition Details:
• A Bergman Tapestry: Fanny and Alexander, a new documentary featuring exclusive interviews with cast and crew

• New high-definition digital transfers of both the television and theatrical versions, with restored image and sound
• Ingmar Bergman's feature length documentary The Making of Fanny and Alexander, presented here for the first time on DVD in a new high-definition transfer
• Ingmar Bergman Bids Farewell to Film, a 60-minute conversation between Bergman and Nils Petter Sundgren made for Swedish television in 1984
• Audio commentary on the theatrical version by film scholar Peter Cowie
• New video interviews with producer Jorn Donner, production manager Katinka Farago, art director Anna Asp, assistant director Peter Schildt, and actors Bertil Guve, Ewa Froling, Pernilla August, and Erland Josephson
• Introductions by Bergman to eleven of his films
• A selection of Bergman theatrical trailers
• Costume sketches and video footage of the models for the film's sets
• Stills gallery
• New and improved English subtitle translation
• Plus: a booklet featuring new essays by novelist Rick Moody, documentarian and film historian Stig Bjorkman, and film scholar Paul Arthur

• The Theatrical version
• Number of discs: 5

DVD Release Date: November 16th, 2004

Box set
Chapters 16+13+10+16 = 55

Comments

I had heard rumors that the Criterion was severely cropped, but looking at these captures, it is the Artificial Eye version that has been bastardized - quite severely on both sides. It was bad enough that they put non-removable subtitles (poorly appointed), but now we can finally see what they decided to exclude from our vision.

The AE is pretty poor all around... image quality appears to get slightly better as the film progresses - with the second disc being far superior. Overall though, it has contrast boosting, and the image is hazy. Criterion has again shown their true colors with a strong release that includes the theatrical version as part of the Boxset. It is quite dark at times but a revelation compared to the PAL edition. Contrast is above grade and the extras overflow. It should be noted that the Criterion is slightly cropped on top and bottom edges but nothing untoward. We whole-heartedly recommend the Criterion as we can safely say that it you won't see this landmark masterpiece in any superior form.

- Gary W. Tooze

DVD Menus

(Artificial Eye - Region 2 - PAL - LEFT vs. Criterion Collection - Region 0 - NTSC - RIGHT)

Disc 2

(Artificial Eye - Region 2 - PAL - LEFT vs. Criterion Collection - Region 0 - NTSC - RIGHT)

Subtitle Samples

(Artificial Eye - Region 2 - PAL - TOP vs. Criterion Collection - Region 0 - NTSC - BOTTOM)

(Artificial Eye - Region 2 - PAL - TOP vs. Criterion Collection - Region 0 - NTSC - BOTTOM)

Screen Captures

(Artificial Eye - Region 2 - PAL - TOP vs. Criterion Collection - Region 0 - NTSC - BOTTOM)

DVD Box Covers

Only available in the Boxset

The Criterion Boxset also includes the Theatrical version. Buy the entire Boxset:

The Criterion Boxset includes the Theatrical version which may be purchased individually.

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Report Card:

Image:	Criterion
Sound:	Criterion
Extras:	Criterion
Menu:	Criterion

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Gary Tooze

Many Thanks...