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S E A R C H D V D B e a v e r |
( aka 'Colonel Blimp' or "The Adventures of Colonel Blimp")
Considered by many to be the finest British film ever made, The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp, by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger, is a stirring masterpiece like no other. Roger Livesey dynamically embodies outmoded English militarism as the indelible General Clive Candy, who barely survives four decades of tumultuous British history, 1902 to 1942, only to see the world change irrevocably before his eyes. Anton Walbrook and Deborah Kerr provide unforgettable support, he as a German enemy turned lifelong friend of Candy’s and she as young women of three consecutive generations—a socially committed governess, a sweet-souled war nurse, and a modern-thinking army driver—who inspire him. Colonel Blimp is both moving and slyly satirical, an incomparable film about war, love, aging, and obsolescence, shot in gorgeous Technicolor. *** "It's almost impossible to define this 1943 masterpiece by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger. It was ostensibly based on a cartoon series that satirized the British military class, yet its attitude toward the main character is one of affection, respect, and sometimes awe; it was intended as a propaganda film, yet Churchill wanted to suppress it; it has the romantic sweep of a grand love story, yet none of the romantic relationships it presents is truly fulfilled, and the film's most lasting bond is one between the British colonel (Roger Livesey) and his Prussian counterpart (Anton Walbrook)." Excerpt from his review HERE at the Chicago Reader |
Posters
Theatrical Release: June 10th, 1943 UK (Premiere)
Reviews More Reviews DVD Reviews
Comparison:
Criterion - Region 0 - NTSC vs. Carlton - Region 2 - PAL vs. ITV (Restoration Edition) - Region 'B' - Blu-ray vs. Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray |
1) Criterion - Region 0 - NTSC - LEFT 2) Carlton - Region 2 - PAL - SECOND3) ITV - Region 'B' - Blu-ray THIRD4) Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray RIGHT
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Box Covers |
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Also in a Steelbook Blu-ray edition:
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Distribution |
The Criterion Collection Spine #173 Region 0 - NTSC |
Carlton Visual
Entertainment
Region 2 - PAL |
ITV Studios Region 'B' - Blu-ray |
Criterion Collection - Spine # 173 - Region 'A' - Blu-ray |
(click titles for DVDBeaver reviews) Criterion (without any extras) also available in The Essential Art House - 50 Years of Janus Films - a 50-disc celebration of international films collected under the auspices of the groundbreaking theatrical distributor. It contains Alexander Nevsky (1938), Ashes And Diamonds (1958), L'avventura (1960), Ballad Of A Soldier (1959), Beauty And The Beast (1946), Black Orpheus (1959), Brief Encounter (1945), The Fallen Idol (1948), Fires On The Plain (1959), Fists In The Pocket (1965), Floating Weeds (1959), Forbidden Games (1952), The 400 Blows (1959), Grand Illusion (1937), Häxan (1922), Ikiru (1952), The Importance Of Being Earnest (1952), Ivan The Terrible, Part II (1958), Le Jour Se Lève (1939), Jules And Jim (1962), Kind Hearts And Coronets (1949), Knife In The Water (1962), The Lady Vanishes (1938), The Life And Death Of Colonel Blimp (1943), Loves Of A Blonde (1965), M (1931), M. Hulot's Holiday (1953), Miss Julie (1951), Pandora's Box (1929), Pépé Le Moko (1937), Il Posto (1961), Pygmalion (1938), Rashomon (1950), Richard III (1955), The Rules Of The Game (1939), Seven Samurai (1954), The Seventh Seal (1957), The Spirit Of The Beehive (1973), La Strada (1954), Summertime (1955), The Third Man (1949), The 39 Steps (1935), Ugetsu (1953), Umberto D. (1952), The Virgin Spring (1960), Viridiana (1961), The Wages Of Fear (1953), The White Sheik (1952), Wild Strawberries (1957), Three Documentaries By Saul J. Turell plus the hardcover, full color 240-page book. |
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Runtime | 2:43:25 | 2:36:35(4% PAL speedup) | 2:43:49 .027 | 2:44:22.894 |
Video |
1.33:1
Original Aspect Ratio |
1.33:1
Original Aspect Ratio |
1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray Disc Size: 46,434,066,730 bytesFeature: 39,083,298,816 bytes Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video Total Video Bitrate: 28.00 Mbps |
1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray Disc Size: 48,430,958,584 bytesFeature: 37,458,837,504 bytes Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video Total Video Bitrate: 26.38 Mbps |
NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes. |
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Bitrate:
Criterion
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Carlton
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ITV
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Bitrate:
Criterion
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Audio | English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono) |
English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono) |
LPCM Audio English 2304 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 2304 kbps / 24-bit |
LPCM Audio English 1152 kbps
1.0 / 48 kHz / 1152 kbps / 24-bit Dolby Digital Audio English 192 kbps 1.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps |
Subtitles | English, and none | English (Captions), and none | English, and none | |
Features |
Release Information: Studio: Criterion Collection Aspect Ratio: Edition Details:
DVD
Release Date: October 22, 2002
Chapters 31 |
Release Information: Studio: Carlton Visual Entertainment Aspect Ratio:
Edition Details: DVD
Release Date: May 13th, 2002 Chapters 19 |
Release Information: Studio: ITV Studios Aspect Ratio:
Edition Details: • Martin Scorsese Restoration Piece(4:39) PAL - R2 DVD of the Film Steelcase contains 4 postcards Blu-ray
Release Date:
October 22nd, 2012 Chapters 19 |
Release Information: Studio: Criterion Collection Aspect Ratio: 1080P
Dual-layered Blu-ray
Disc Size: Feature: 37,458,837,504 bytes Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video Total Video Bitrate: 26.38 Mbps Edition Details: Blu-ray Release Date: March 19th, 2013Transparent Blu-ray Case Chapters 30 |
Comments: |
NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc. ADDITION: Criterion Region 'A' Blu-ray - (March 2013) - There is not significant difference between the two Blu-ray images. The Criterion may be a shade darker in some scenes - has a slightly lower bitrate, but this is from the same restoration, dual-layered and looks wonderful. Many of the large captures look exactly the same when toggling back and forth. M y ears weren't capable of detecting differences in the audio either - both lossless - the ITV may be shade more robust than the 1.0 channel mono Criterion. Both Blu-rays offer optional English subtitles and are coded for their respective regions.Criterion vaults ahead with their supplements. We get the previous audio commentary featuring director Michael Powell and filmmaker Martin Scorsese from the 2000 DVD release, as well as the same 24-minute A Profile of “The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp,” and the gallery of stills (behind-the-scenes and David Low’s cartoons). What is new from the older Criterion DVD is a new 14-minute video introduction by Scorsese, the 1/2 hour Optimism and Sheer Will 2012 interview with editor Thelma Schoonmaker Powell, Michael Powell’s widow. We also get the 5-minute Restoration demonstration, hosted by Scorsese as found on the ITV DVD. The Criterion package also has a liner notes booklet featuring an essay by critic Molly Haskell.
This is a magnificent to have for Region 'A'-locked
Blu-ray
audiences. A magnificent release that Powell and Pressburger fans will
hold tightly with both hands. Recommended!
* ADDITION: ITV - Region 'B' Blu-ray - December 2012: Wow, we are treated to a highly impressive image from ITV's 1080P transfer of the restored version of The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp. Colors are finally aligned, bright and true. Detail advances - as does the presentation as a closer film-like recreation. Contrast is superior with deep, rich, black levels. This is one of the most pleasant surprises of the year.Audio is a reasonably robust linear PCM 2.0 channel track at 2304 kbps. Allan Gray's score including pieces like "The Mill Went Round and Round" and the traditional march of "The British Grenadiers", plus Schubert, Mendelssohn, Offenbach and Lohengrin all benefit from the lossless rendering. There is a crispness and perceived range tucked in there. English subtitles are optional on the region 'B'-locked disc. Included in the supplements is the 24-minute documentary A Profile of The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp, including interviews with Oscar-winning cinematographer Jack Cardiff, Powell and Pressburger biographer Ian Christie and fan of the film Stephen Fry. There are text biographies, a stills gallery and 4.5 minutes with Martin Scorsese discussing the restoration with a few split screen examples. The package comes with a, second disc PAL - R2 DVD of the Film and the steelcase Blu-ray contains 4 postcards.Wonderful to see this Powell and Pressburger gem done correctly - an easy recommendation and this should make some noise on our end-of-year poll! *** ON THE DVDs: This comparison was previously posted on DVDBeaver from Markus of Chiaroscuro HERE. I had supplied him with the Criterion screen captures. I have recently purchased this DVD (in the Powell/Pressburger Boxset) so am doing a new comparison since I have had the opportunity of seeing both versions on one system. Using the "First Frame" technique I am confident that the frames are matched correctly. Both versions have strengths in certain areas. Although the sharpness is very similar - it is also quite different. The Carlton looks saturated next to the Criterion and its softer palette. I think it actually is saturated to a small degree but beside the Criterion it looks worse. I think the Criterion is slightly sharper in most of the film. The Criterion has a greenish haze to some of its image as well as skin tones appearing very red. Again, as with The Red Shoes, I won't comment on my perception of the directorial intent of the film. It may very well have been meant to look exactly as Criterion is showing... or as the Carlton is showing. I think we could spend hours speculating on which is "more right", but it comes down to personal preference. To me, the skin tones of the Carlton look much more realistic. The colors certainly appear more vibrant in the Carlton, but others may prefer the softness of the Criterion. The Carlton DVD does show more damage than the Criterion - but it is not extensive. The Carlton seems to look better the more the film progresses. The contrast is so deep in the Carlton, I began to look for Edge Enhancement - but I found none to my naked eye. The Criterion is more evenly brighter (look at outdoor scenes) and the Carlton black levels are much deeper. The Criterion is cropped on both sides and the top - the Carlton has some missing information on the bottom. Criterion shows some film grain.
For these reasons is quite difficult to state that one is the definitive image - winning out over the other. Your vision can tend to adjust to image color characteristic very quickly and as long as the pattern is consistent - it won't affect your enjoyment of this fine film. Both release exhibit consistency in their image color. So the final conclusion is that they are both acceptable to DVDBeaver. Personally I almost always lean towards the sharpest version - in this case the Criterion - but the Carlton is strong in many other areas (black levels, cropping, realistic color etc. ) that I am going to sit on the fence. The Extras are good on both discs, but the Criterion nudges ahead with its Commentary featuring Powell and Scorsese. One additional point - the Carlton menus are wonderfully animated! Both releases get top marks! |
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ITV - Region 'B' - Blu-ray
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Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray
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CLICK EACH BLU-RAY CAPTURE TO SEE ALL IMAGES IN FULL 1920X1080 RESOLUTION
Screen Captures
1) Criterion - Region 0 - NTSC - TOP 2) Carlton - Region 2 - PAL - SECOND3) ITV - Region 'B' - Blu-ray THIRD4) Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM |
1) Criterion - Region 0 - NTSC - TOP 2) Carlton - Region 2 - PAL - SECOND3) ITV - Region 'B' - Blu-ray THIRD4) Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM |
1) Criterion - Region 0 - NTSC - TOP 2) Carlton - Region 2 - PAL - SECOND3) ITV - Region 'B' - Blu-ray THIRD4) Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM
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1) Criterion - Region 0 - NTSC - TOP 2) Carlton - Region 2 - PAL - SECOND3) ITV - Region 'B' - Blu-ray THIRD4) Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM
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1) Criterion - Region 0 - NTSC - TOP 2) Carlton - Region 2 - PAL - SECOND3) ITV - Region 'B' - Blu-ray THIRD4) Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM |
More Blu-ray Captures
1) ITV - Region 'B' - Blu-ray TOP2) Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM
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1) ITV - Region 'B' - Blu-ray TOP2) Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM
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1) ITV - Region 'B' - Blu-ray TOP2) Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM
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1) ITV - Region 'B' - Blu-ray TOP2) Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM
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Associated Reading (CLICK COVERS or TITLES for more information)
A Life in Movies: An Autobiography by Michael Powell |
Michael Powell: Interviews (Conversations With
Filmmakers Series) by David Lazar |
Arrows of Desire: The Films of Michael Powell and
Emeric Pressburger by Ian Christie |
The Films of Michael Powell and the Archers by Scott Salwolke |
The Red Shoes: The Classic Story by Michael Powell, Emeric Pressburger |
Black Narcissus by Rumer Godden |
Powell and Pressburger: A Cinema of Magic Spaces
(Cinema & Society S.) Andrew Moor |
Gone to Earth (Virago Modern Classics)
Mary Webb, Erika Duncan |
I Know Where I'm Going! (BFI Film Classics S.)
Pam Cook |
Box Covers |
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Also in a Steelbook Blu-ray edition:
|
|
Distribution |
The Criterion Collection Spine #173 Region 0 - NTSC |
Carlton Visual
Entertainment
Region 2 - PAL |
ITV Studios Region 'B' - Blu-ray |
Criterion Collection - Spine # 173 - Region 'A' - Blu-ray |
(click titles for DVDBeaver reviews) Criterion (without any extras) also available in The Essential Art House - 50 Years of Janus Films - a 50-disc celebration of international films collected under the auspices of the groundbreaking theatrical distributor. It contains Alexander Nevsky (1938), Ashes And Diamonds (1958), L'avventura (1960), Ballad Of A Soldier (1959), Beauty And The Beast (1946), Black Orpheus (1959), Brief Encounter (1945), The Fallen Idol (1948), Fires On The Plain (1959), Fists In The Pocket (1965), Floating Weeds (1959), Forbidden Games (1952), The 400 Blows (1959), Grand Illusion (1937), Häxan (1922), Ikiru (1952), The Importance Of Being Earnest (1952), Ivan The Terrible, Part II (1958), Le Jour Se Lève (1939), Jules And Jim (1962), Kind Hearts And Coronets (1949), Knife In The Water (1962), The Lady Vanishes (1938), The Life And Death Of Colonel Blimp (1943), Loves Of A Blonde (1965), M (1931), M. Hulot's Holiday (1953), Miss Julie (1951), Pandora's Box (1929), Pépé Le Moko (1937), Il Posto (1961), Pygmalion (1938), Rashomon (1950), Richard III (1955), The Rules Of The Game (1939), Seven Samurai (1954), The Seventh Seal (1957), The Spirit Of The Beehive (1973), La Strada (1954), Summertime (1955), The Third Man (1949), The 39 Steps (1935), Ugetsu (1953), Umberto D. (1952), The Virgin Spring (1960), Viridiana (1961), The Wages Of Fear (1953), The White Sheik (1952), Wild Strawberries (1957), Three Documentaries By Saul J. Turell plus the hardcover, full color 240-page book. |
Report Card:
Image: |
Blu-rays |
Sound: |
Blu-rays |
Extras: | Criterion Blu-ray |