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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
Reviews More Reviews DVD Reviews
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 |
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| 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 |
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NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes. |
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| Bitrate:
Paramount |
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| Bitrate:
Criterion |
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| 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:
Edition Details: • Trailer
(2:11) |
Release Information:
Edition Details: • Audio
commentary featuring Weber, art director Jack Fisk, costume designer
Patricia Norris, and casting director Dianne Crittenden |
| 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!
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(Paramount - Region 1 - NTSC LEFT vs. Criterion -
Region 1 - NTSC RIGHT)
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Subtitle Sample (from the Criterion)
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Screen Captures
(Paramount - Region 1 - NTSC TOP vs. Criterion - Region 1 - NTSC BOTTOM)
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(Paramount - Region 1 - NTSC TOP vs. Criterion - Region 1 - NTSC BOTTOM)
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(Paramount - Region 1 - NTSC TOP vs. Criterion - Region 1 - NTSC BOTTOM)
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(Paramount - Region 1 - NTSC TOP vs. Criterion - Region 1 - NTSC BOTTOM)
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Further Captures from the Criterion
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| DVD Box Cover |
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| Distribution | Paramount Video - Region 1- NTSC | Criterion Collection - Spine # 409 - region 1- NTSC |
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