Review "Black Peter" Facets video - Region 0

Search DVDBeaver

S E A R C H D V D B e a v e r

(aka "Black Peter" or "Peter and Pavla")

directed by Milos Forman
Czechoslovakia 1964

After two shorts in which he gave documentary material fictional form, Forman, in his first feature, gives his fictional material documentary form. Using non-professional actors, improvised dialogue and shooting parts of the story in the streets, Forman follows the uneventful life of teenage Peter, who finds he dislikes his first job as a trainee store detective. He also has problems with his conservative father and carefree Pavla, on whom he has a crush. The sharply observed, satirical and affectionate film brought new vitality to Czech cinema and marked the start of Forman's career, leading to bigger, rather than better, things in Hollywood.

Excerpt from Channel 4 located HERE

Theatrical Release: 17 April 1964

Reviews More Reviews DVD Reviews

DVD Comparison:

Facets Video - Region 0 - NTSC vs. Filmexport Home Video - Region 0 - PAL

Big thanks to Per-Olof Strandebrg and Michael Brooke for the screen grabs!

(Facets Video - Region 0 - NTSC LEFT vs. Filmexport Home Video - Region 0 - PAL RIGHT)

DVD Box Cover
Distribution	Facets Video Region 0 - NTSC	Filmexport Home Video, Region 0 - PAL
Runtime	1:25:31	1:25:18
Video	1:1.33 Original Aspect Ratio Average Bitrate: mb/s NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s	1:1.33 Original Aspect Ratio Average Bitrate: n/a PAL 720x576 25 f/s
Audio	DD 2.0 Czech mono	DD 2.0 Czech mono
Subtitles	English (burnt-in on the film copy)	English, Czech, none
Features	Release Information: Studio: Facets video Aspect Ratio: Fullscreen - 1:1.33 Edition Details: • Milos Forman interview (titled Overseas film makers: Milos Forman) • Produced by: Australian film, Television and Radio school • Length: 30:28 • Booklet (16 pages) DVD Release Date: 17 August 2004 Keep Case Chapters 10	Release Information: Studio: Filmexport Home Video Aspect Ratio: Fullscreen - 1:1.33 Edition Details: (NB: All extras in untranslated Czech) • Pavel Taussig introduction (20:19) • Pavla Novotná (née Martinková) interview (30:17) • Pavel Sedlacek interview (8:21) • Stills gallery with music (2:35) • Publicity montage (2:03) • Biographies/filmographies for cast and crew • Bibliography • Publicity montage (2:03) • Awards list DVD Release Date: 2005 Transparent Keep Case Chapters: 12

Comments

ADDITION - Filmexport Home Video - Region 0 - PAL (August 06'): I don't think we need to say more than just observing what the screen captures can tell you. It, fortunately has optional English subtitles... but not on any of the extra features. The Facets edition is a PAL-NTSC port, ridiculously priced and we strongly recommend spending your dollars elsewhere. The Filmexport is PAL and region 0 and for those keen on the film - this is the way to go.

****

Some distributors seems to think that it's a cultural favor the release DVDs in any possible form. It's a pity that Criterion did only two of the three early films from Milos Forman.

Facet video gives BLACK PETER with a very questionable DVD version. The transfer is made from an very old tape master (made directly from a film print) titled BLACK SHEEP.

The picture reminds of old VHS cassettes (the bad ones), it's a little bit soft, dirty, and have contrast boosting. Almost like bootleg DVD's. The smaller TV set you have the better the picture looks (10 inch is recommended!).

The sound is like the picture, very thin, like coming from an old transistor radio.

- Per-Olof Strandberg

DVD Menus

(Facets Video - Region 0 - NTSC LEFT vs. Filmexport Home Video - Region 0 - PAL RIGHT)