'Wonderful' is an understatement to describe this DVD set. I never owned the first 'Treasures..." and feel I definitely should now. What we are privy to in this boxset is the primordial soup of the medium of film.... experimentation, initially conceived ideas still in place today, trailers for lost films, first use of coordinated sound, first use of color, early advertising films, international newsreels, innovative animation and much more. The commentaries are magnificent and extremely important to appreciating and understanding what you are watching.

The book (almost exactly the size and shape of a DVD) is the 'programme notes' for the films that are being shown. It is golden. A wealth of information useful to browse while you are watching or preparing to turn on your Home theatre system with keen anticipation.

The image varies from severly damaged (as expected) to surprisingly intact. But aspect ratios have been maintained and occasional black bars down the side are exhibited dependant on the film and its original format.

Menu navigation is easy and the best option is the "Play All" where you can simply sit back and watch it unfold in front of you. Commentaries can be accessed on the fly.

All the films are presented with two-track sound. The newly recorded musical accompaniments are glorious, however those with pre-existing sound tracks are monaural and recorded on two track mono. Commentaries are in two track stereo. There are no subtitles and all inter-titles are in English. 

It is so refreshing to see what can be done with the DVD medium as opposed to creating a stream of "Legally Blond' discs that undoubtedly will always outsell something like this. This DVD Boxset is so professionally created that it almost brings me to tears. This is the history and evolution of film. It can be given nothing butout of  

Gary W. Tooze