Days of Heaven - Richard Gere

directed by Terrence Malick
USA 1978

One-of-a-kind filmmaker-philosopher Terrence Malick has created some of the most visually arresting movies of the twentieth century, and his glorious period tragedy Days of Heaven, featuring Oscar-winning cinematography by Nestor Almendros, stands out among them. In 1910, a Chicago steel worker (Richard Gere) accidentally kills his supervisor and flees to the Texas panhandle with his girlfriend (Brooke Adams) and little sister (Linda Manz) to work harvesting wheat in the fields of a stoic farmer (Sam Shepard). A love triangle, a swarm of locusts, a hellish fire—Malick captures it all with dreamlike authenticity, creating at once a timeless American idyll and a gritty evocation of turn-of-the-century labor.

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Theatrical Release: September 14th, 1978 - USA

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DVD Comparison:

Paramount - Region 1 - NTSC vs. Criterion - Region 1 - NTSC

(Paramount - Region 1 - NTSC LEFT vs. Criterion - Region 1 - NTSC RIGHT)

DVD Box Cover
Distribution	Paramount Video - Region 1 - NTSC	Criterion Collection - Spine # 409 - Region 1 - NTSC
Runtime	1:33:27	1:33:54
Video	1.78:1 Original Aspect Ratio Average Bitrate: 6.16 mb/s NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s	1.78:1 Original Aspect Ratio Average Bitrate: 6.37 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: Paramount
Bitrate: Criterion
Audio	English (Dolby Digital 5.1), English (Dolby Digital 2.0), DUB: French (Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono)	English (Dolby Digital 5.1)
Subtitles	French, None	English, None
Features	Release Information: Studio: Paramount Video Aspect Ratio: Original aspect Ratio 1.78:1 Edition Details: • Trailer (2:11) DVD Release Date: December, 2000 Keep Case Chapters: 10	Release Information: Studio: Criterion Aspect Ratio: Original aspect Ratio 1.78:1 Edition Details: • Audio commentary featuring Weber, art director Jack Fisk, costume designer Patricia Norris, and casting director Dianne Crittenden • New video interviews with cinematographers Haskell Wexler and Bailey • Liner notes booklet featuring essays by critic Adrian Martin and director of photography Nestor Almendros DVD Release Date: October 23rd, 2007 Transparent Keep Case Chapters: 21

Comments:

ADDITION: Criterion - October 07': Firstly, the single-layered transfer from Paramount was actually quite strong for its time but in all areas the dual-layered, progressive Criterion has improved in their new package. Almendros' visuals can be so striking it can actually make the discrepancies that much more difficult to identify in the screen captures below. Sharpness may have the least superiority (although it is there) but colors, contrast and the minimalization of digital noise are readily easy to separate and identify. Without going into excessive detail - the director approved (actually - supervised and approved by director Terrence Malick, editor Billy Weber, and camera operator John Bailey) Criterion image is magnificent.

NOTE on framing: The Criterion appears to show more information on the left edge at times and the frame seems to have moved slightly downward in relation to the Paramount. I found neither significant.

Audio is also a 5.1 track (as the Paramount) but to my ears sounded that much more distinct and buoyant. I have no quantitative way of defending these thoughts - but it is my honest opinion that the Criterion is better. It is supported by optional English subtitles - the Paramount offers only French.

Criterion have included some strong supplements. Firstly the commentary is excellent with input from Billy Weber, Jack Fisk, costume designer Patricia Norris, and casting director Dianne Crittenden. The ladies have some valuable production input including a neat story from Diane on how Malick wanted John Travolta to play the lead - feeling he had the human quality that he was looking for (even promising to ship him back for his 'Welcome Back Kotter' television scenes of that week). Weber emphasized how 'Terry' (Malick) seemed to inherently understand the parameters of the film stock better than anyone - including the cinematographer Nelson Almendros or even Kodak. It is a fairly relaxed commentary and some great facts are imparted about Alberta and the performers. A very enjoyable and recommended listen.

There are bits on 'Actors' - Gere (audio only) and Shepard (12 minutes of video) - I especially enjoyed Shepard's input and his expression of Malick's vision. There is a second section entitled 'Camera' with operators John Bailey (about 20 minutes) and another with Haskel Wexler (12 minutes). Bailey focuses (no pun) on the use of 70's style with frequent hand-hand shots etc. Wexler exclaims praise for Almendros, the editing process and his impressions of Malick.

Criterion have added a 42-page liner notes booklet with color photos and essays by critic Adrian Martin and director of photography Nestor Almendros.

My final words will be a strong recommendation - close to a must-own for film fans. The ground-breaking 'magic time' visuals are discussed in detail in the supplements and this adds to the package's authoritative pluses. Tremendous DVD!

Gary W. Tooze

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(Paramount - Region 1 - NTSC LEFT vs. Criterion - Region 1 - NTSC RIGHT)