Double DVD set

Disk 1 (7.70 Gb):

* Main feature (each part as a separate title, with seamless branching)

Disk 2 (3.91 Gb):

* Interview with Vadim Yusov (cinematographer) - 43:08, 6 chapters

* Interview with Saveli Yamschikov (consultant) - 36:20, 4 chapters

* Interview with Yuri Nazarov (actor) - 4:27

* Interview with Marina Tarkovskaya (A. Tarkovsky's sister) - 2:01

• Number of discs: 2

ADDITION: MK2 (France) - Region 0 - PAL -  May 2005 - Bottom line on this is the same as in the Mirror comparison - the MK2 is a direct port of the RusCiCo PAL, which is the same as the AE edition. Although it is anamorphic the image has a huge black border around it limiting horizontal resolution. The Lizard edition eclipses all other "shorter" versions of the film and the Criterion is still the definitive for the extended edition.

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ADDITION (Lizard edition Aug 04)

The new Lizard edition has a very good image - perhaps the best I have seen. It is one DVD9 and one DVD5 and appears (from the screen captures) far superior to both the Criterion and RusCiCo. It again shows the cropping on the Criterion and that the CC edition has weak contrast. I was expecting to find Edge enhancement but it seems clean. It is sharper, brighter and the best contrast. Unfortunately this is the 'cut version' and is only in Russian with no English subtitles, but it is quite gratifying to know that another version could be available to us with such sterling quality. Colors are different, and may possibly be the most accurate. Its hard to know for sure, but they are more vibrant. If you are very familiar with the film, and want the "cut version" the Lizard print is the way to go... even if its just for the visuals. Let's hope this ignites a fire to get a strong print "cut version" for English language audiences soon.

From Andrey Diment:

I admit, "sharp" may not be the right word. Still, a problem does exist. Contrast edges (on the Lizard) look washed out a little, kind of Gibbs effect... A good example is the Idiot Girl capture - splashes and the girl's hair look more natural on the Criterion capture.

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These two DVDs were made from different prints of Andrei Rublev. There are at least 4 version that I am aware of and the RusCiCo is a "cut version" where the Criterion is the "Director's Version" (also referred to as the 'Scorsese version' as it was with his efforts that it was snuck out of Russia). This makes a comparison all the more interesting. Both films are valid versions, both of great film historical value - both from Tarkovsky's hands. The jury is still out on what version Andrei actually preferred.

On the image quality, the Criterion displays a softer, warmer image, in comparison to the grittier harshly contrasted RusCiCo version. The Criterion is sharper. It also has more accurate colors hues in the limited sequences that have colour at the end of the film. Probably the biggest disparity between the two images is in the aspect ratio. The Criterion is cropped on various sides at different times. It is not consistent, but this is only in comparison to the RusCiCo which may also have some image placement manipulation. The RusCiCo has other issues though. It is slightly out of ratio with characters appearing slightly slimmer and taller. The RusCiCo image has some contrast boosting in spots and dampens its own detail because of this. This borders on visible edge enhancement. The Criterion is an easier winner in this category regardless of the fact that the RusCico is anamorphic and the Criterion is not. The Criterion Rublov looks as if the source element was overexposed by about 1 stop throughout - perhaps the Scorsese print is an 'answer print'.  It appears as if there is not enough shadow detail and it looks like perhaps Criterion tried to compensate for it by slightly boosting the luminance. Criterion has used a similar effect in many of their recent transfer of ilsm to DVD.

In the sound department, the RusCiCo have bumped the original mono track to a 5.1 Dolby Digital track. Although this sounds wonderful for Home Theatre aficionados, it is not accurate for the context of the director presentation of the film. The RusCiCo should have given the original mono as an option. The RusCiCo also has a French voice-over available  in place of the original Russian as an option.

Although the Criterion has a wonderful commentary track and rare Tarkovsky interview, the RusCiCo has a multitude of extensive Extras Features, many of which remain quite buried within the text screens of the filmographies. It is pretty hard to say one is better than the other in this category, but I would lean towards the Criterion, but suggest that true fans of the film may want both versions simply for the Extras. 

The Criterion menus are much cleaner and easier to navigate. Because the RusCiCo has a stipulation not to sell or rent this DVD on any former territories of the USSR, it has made set-up very cumbersome and confusing. The menu system seems designed simply to avoid any ability to watch this DVD without subtitles unless you have the French Voice-over on. Many of the extras features are displayed with a hard to distinguish, poorly colour -coded font.

Final comment: This is a majestic piece of film-making and it is impossible not to recommend the Director's Cut as the definitive viewing option. However the RusCiCo 'cut version' offers other insights into the censorship of the film and I was unable to determine conclusive reasons why certain scenes were omitted, but it was none-the-less fascinating. I look forward to Richard Malloy's eventual article/essay discussing these two versions in the near future.

 - Gary W. Tooze