Search DVDBeaver

S E A R C H    D V D B e a v e r

Carl Theodor Dreyer Special Edition Box Set (4-disc)

Day of Wrath       Ordet      Gertrud     Carl Th. Dreyer - My Métier

directed by Carl Theodor Dreyer *
Denmark 19
43, 55', 64'

( * Torben Skřdt Jensen directed Carl Th. Dreyer - My Métier)

 

Following the release of Carl Th. Dreyer’s The Passion of Joan of Arc, The Criterion Collection renews its commitment to this major director with a Special Edition box set of his sound films, Day of Wrath, Ordet, and Gertrud. Each is an intense exploration of the clash between individual desire and social expectations, with Dreyer’s famously perfectionist attention to detail shining throughout. With brand new digital transfers supervised by Gertrud director of photography Henning Bendtsen, the Criterion Collection is proud to present these Dreyer masterpieces on DVD for the first time. The fourth disc in the set presents the masterful 1995 documentary on Dreyer by Danish filmmaker Torben Skřdt Jensen, Carl Th. Dreyer—My Métier. Extensive interviews with collaborators and actors provide fresh insight into the life and work of one of cinema’s great masters. Included is a 30 page liner notes booklet filled with cast photos and production notes.  out of   

 

Criterion  - Region 0 - NTSC

DVD Box Cover

   

CLICK to order from:

Distribution Criterion Collection - Spine # 124 - Region 0 - NTSC

 

(aka 'Day of Anger' or 'Day of Wrath')

directed by Carl Theodor Dreyer
Denmark 19
43

Filmed during the Nazi occupation of Denmark, Carl Dreyer’s Day of Wrath (Vredens dag) is a harrowing account of individual helplessness in the face of growing social repression and paranoia. Anna, the young second wife of a well-respected but much older pastor, falls in love with her stepson when he returns to their small 17th-century village. Stepping outside the bounds of the village’s harsh moral code has disastrous results. Exquisitely photographed and passionately acted, Day of Wrath remains an intense, unforgettable experience.

Posters

Theatrical Release: November 13th, 1943

Reviews    More Reviews    DVD Reviews

DVD Review: Criterion - Region 0 - NTSC

Cover of keep case within the Boxset

Only available in Criterion's Carl Theodor Dreyer Special Edition Box Set which includes Day of Wrath, Ordet, Gertrud and Carl Th. Dreyer - My Métier available here:

    

    

Production Criterion Collection - Spine # 125 - Region 0 - NTSC 
Runtime 1:37:27 
Video 1.33 Original Aspect Ratio
Average Bitrate: 8.1 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:

Audio Danish (Dolby Digital 2.0) 
Subtitles English, None
Features

Release Information:
Studio: Criterion / Home Vision

Aspect Ratio:
Original aspect Ratio 1.33:1

Edition Details:

• Deleted footage of interviews from Torben Skjřdt Jensen’s documentary Carl Th. Dreyer—My Metier, with actors Lisbeth Movin and Preben Lerdorff Rye
• Stills gallery

DVD Release Date: August 21st, 2001

Keep Case inside The Dreyer 4-disc Cardboard Box
Chapters: 27

 

 

Comments:

Although the worst transfer in the Boxset and noting its history (shot in wartime over 60 years ago) we really couldn't ask for it to be any better represented on DVD. Minor flickering - relative sharpness - infrequent speckling damage - excellent contrast (deepest black levels I can remember) and shadow detail! Wonderful grain shows through and being picky I much prefer Criterion's current choice of subtitle font - grayish with a black border and slightly smaller to this bolder and brighter one. The deleted footage from the Jensen documentary is interesting and a great build for the final disc.   out of       

Gary W. Tooze

 



DVD Menus


 


Subtitle Sample

 

 


 

Screen Captures

 

 


 

 


 

 


 

 


 

 


Recommended Film reading (CLICK COVERS or TITLES for more information)

(aka 'The Word')

Directed by Carl Theodor Dreyer
Denmark 19
55

 A farmer’s family is torn apart by faith, sanctity, and love—one child believes he’s Jesus Christ, a second proclaims himself agnostic, and the third falls in love with a fundamentalist’s daughter. Putting the lie to the term “organized religion,” Ordet (The Word) is a challenge to simple facts and dogmatic orthodoxy. Layering multiple stories of faith and rebellion, Dreyer’s adaptation of Kaj Munk’s play quietly builds towards a shattering, miraculous climax. 

Posters

Theatrical Release: January 10th, 1955

Reviews    More Reviews    DVD Reviews

DVD Review: Criterion - Region 0 - NTSC

Cover of keep case within the Boxset

Only available in Criterion's Carl Theodor Dreyer Special Edition Box Set which includes Day of Wrath, Ordet, Gertrud and Carl Th. Dreyer - My Métier available here:

    

    

Production Criterion Collection - Spine # 126 - Region 0 - NTSC 
Runtime 2:05:48 
Video 1.33:1 Original Aspect Ratio
Average Bitrate: 7.64 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:

Audio Danish (Dolby Digital 2.0) 
Subtitles English, None
Features

Release Information:
Studio: Criterion / Home Vision

Aspect Ratio:
Original Aspect Ratio 1.33:1

Edition Details:

• Deleted footage of an interview from Torben Skjřdt Jensen’s documentary Carl Th. Dreyer—My Métier, with actress Birgitte Federspiel
• Stills gallery

DVD Release Date: August 21st, 2001

Keep Case inside The Dreyer 4-disc Cardboard Box
Chapters:
33 

 

 

Comments:

Most of us could never have dreamt that Ordet would look this perfect on DVD. It again makes me thankful that the Criterion company exist. Sharp, piercing blacks, moderate grain. I can't say enough. It defines the Dreyer Box as a must-own DVD for everyone who loves and understands film! It will one day go out of print, so don't wait.  out of      

Gary W. Tooze

 



DVD Menus


 


Subtitle Sample

 

 


 

Screen Captures

 

 


 

 


 

 


 

 


 

 


 

 

(aka 'Cradle of Fear')

directed by Carl Theodor Dreyer
Denmark 1964

Carl Dreyer’s last film neatly crowns his career: a meditation on tragedy, individual will and the refusal to compromise. A woman leaves her unfulfilling marriage and embarks on a search for ideal love—but neither a passionate affair with a younger man nor the return of an old romance can provide the answer she seeks. Always the stylistic innovator, Dreyer employs long takes and theatrical staging to concentrate on Nina Pens Rode’s sublime portrayal of the proud and courageous Gertrud.

Posters

Theatrical Release: December 19th, 1964

Reviews    More Reviews    DVD Reviews

DVD Review: Criterion - Region 0 - NTSC

Cover of keep case within the Boxset

Only available in Criterion's Carl Theodor Dreyer Special Edition Box Set which includes Day of Wrath, Ordet, Gertrud and Carl Th. Dreyer - My Métier available here:

         

    

Production Criterion Collection - Spine # 127 - Region 0 - NTSC 
Runtime 1:56:32 
Video 1.78:1 Aspect Ratio
Average Bitrate: 6.89 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:

Audio Danish (Dolby Digital 2.0) 
Subtitles English, None
Features

Release Information:
Studio: Criterion / Home Vision

Aspect Ratio:
1.78:1

Edition Details:

• Deleted footage of interviews from Torben Skřdt Jensen’s documentary Carl Th. Dreyer—My Metier, with actors Baard Owe and Axel Strřbye
• Archival footage from the time of Gertrud’s production
• Stills gallery

DVD Release Date: August 21st, 2001

Keep Case inside The Dreyer 4-disc Cardboard Box
Chapters: 25
 

 

 

Comments:

A definite blunder here by our heroes at Criterion. The original ratio of this film is 1.66 (Criterion even states it on the box!) but this DVD is in anamorphic 1.78 ratio. It is wonderfully sharp but must be cropped a significant amount - if we ever get a sampling of the proper AR of the film we will show here and compare. It would be idealistic to consider that they might re-release this in proper ratio, but it does mar an other wise monumentally perfect package. Aside from this we have a beautifully sharp image with tight lines, original audio and well-translated subtitles.  out of      Gary W. Tooze

 



DVD Menus


 


Subtitle Sample

 

 


 

Screen Captures

 

 


 

Theatrical ratio (taken from book):

 


 

 


 

 


 

 


Recommended Film reading (CLICK COVERS or TITLES for more information)

Torben Skjřdt Jensen’s elegant documentary is a collage of memories and reflections on one of cinema’s greatest directors. Visually rich and densely layered, Carl Th. Dreyer—My Métier illuminates an artist too little understood and too important to overlook. Through interviews, historical writings, and rare archival footage, a portrait of Dreyer emerges—an austere perfectionist, yes, but also a passionate man possessing a genuine sense of humor. The Criterion Collection is proud to present this in-depth study of Dreyer’s life and work for the first time on home video.

 

Comments:

This unique documentary clocks in at 1:37:33 and is of decent if not stellar quality. Non-anamorphic widescreen at a strange ratio of around 1.57:1 but its technical quality doesn't hinder viewing interest. There are other interview excerpts and text screens. There are, as on all Criterion releases, optional English subtitles. A poignant conclusion to an important and cinematically relevant DVD boxset. out of       

Gary W. Tooze

 



DVD Menus


 

Cover of keep case within the Boxset

Only available in Criterion's Carl Theodor Dreyer Special Edition Box Set which includes Day of Wrath, Ordet, Gertrud and Carl Th. Dreyer - My Métier available here:

    

    




 

Hit Counter

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DONATIONS Keep DVDBeaver alive:

Mail cheques, money orders, cash to:    or CLICK PayPal logo to donate!

Gary Tooze

Mississauga, Ontario,

   CANADA

Thank You!