Faces Blu-ray Gena Rowlands

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S E A R C H D V D B e a v e r

USA 1968

The disintegration of a marriage is dissected in John Cassavetes’ searing Faces. Shot in high-contrast 16mm black and white, the film follows the futile attempts of captain of industry Richard (John Marley) and his wife, Maria (Lynn Carlin), to escape the anguish of their empty marriage in the arms of others. Featuring astonishingly powerful, nervy performances from Marley, Carlin, and Cassavetes regulars Gena Rowlands and Seymour Cassel, Faces confronts suburban alienation and the battle of the sexes with a brutal honesty and compassion rarely matched in cinema.

Poster

Theatrical Release: November 24, 1968

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Comparison:

Optimum (The John Cassavetes Collection) - Region 2 - PAL vs. Criterion (Cassavetes - 5 Films) - Region 0 - NTSC vs. Pioneer - Region 0 - NTSC vs. BFI - Region FREE - Blu-ray

Big thanks to Henrik Sylow and Gregory Meshman for the DVD Screen Caps!

1) Optimum (The John Cassavetes Collection) - Region 2 - PAL - LEFT

2) Criterion (Cassavetes - 5 Films) - Region 0 - NTSC - SECOND

3) Pioneer - Region 0 - NTSC - THIRD

4) BFI - Region FREE - Blu-ray RIGHT

Box Covers	Only available in the Boxset listed below:	Only available in the Boxset listed below:
	The 6 - disc John Cassavetes Collection from Optimum includes: Shadows, Faces, A Woman Under The Influence, The Killing Of A Chinese Bookie, Opening Night with THESE LISTED EXTRAS.
	The 8 - disc Criterion John Cassavetes - Five Films includes - Shadows, Faces, A Woman Under The Influence, The Killing Of A Chinese Bookie, Opening Night with THESE LISTED EXTRAS.
Distribution	Optimum Region 2 - PAL	Criterion (Cassavetes - 5 Films) Region 0 - NTSC	Pioneer Region 0 - NTSC	BFI (UK) Region FREE - Blu-ray
Runtime	2:04:33 (4% PAL speedup)	2:10:00	2:09:56	2:09:53.827
Video	1.78:1 Aspect Ratio 16X9 enhanced Average Bitrate: 6.45 mb/s PAL 720x576 25.00 f/s	1.66:1 Original Aspect Ratio 16X9 enhanced Average Bitrate: 7:47 mb/s NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s	1.33:1 Original Aspect Ratio Average Bitrate: 4.52 mb/s NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s	1080P Single-layered Blu-ray Disc Size: 22,668,834,262 bytes Feature: 22,241,362,368 bytes Video Bitrate: 20.00 Mbps Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video
	NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.
Bitrate: Optimum (The John Cassavetes Collection)
Bitrate: Criterion (Cassavetes - 5 Films)
Bitrate: Pioneer
Bitrate: Blu-ray
Audio	2.0 Dolby Digital English	1.0 Dolby Digital English	2.0 Dolby Digital English	LPCM Audio English 1536 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1536 kbps / 16-bit
Subtitles	No subtitles	English, None	No subtitles	English, None
Features	Release Information: Studio: Optimum Aspect Ratio: Widescreen anamorphic - 1.78:1 Edition Details: • Seymour Cassel interviewed by Tom Charity (46:41 / 16x9) • Alternative opening sequence with audio commentary by Peter Bogdanovich and Al Ruban (20:31) Boxset has THESE LISTED EXTRAS. DVD Release Date: September 12, 2005 Digipack Box Chapters 19	Release Information: Studio: Criterion (Cassavetes - 5 Films) Aspect Ratio: Widescreen anamorphic - 1.66:1 Edition Details: DISC TWO—THE SUPPLEMENTS • 17-minute alternate opening sequence, from an early edit of the film • Cinéastes de notre temps (1968, 48 minutes): an episode from the French television series dedicated to Cassavetes, featuring rare interviews and behind-the-scenes footage • Making Faces: A new documentary including interviews with actors Lynn Carlin, Seymour Cassel, Gena Rowlands, and director of photography Al Ruban • Lighting & Shooting the Film: Ruban explains how he and the crew achieved the distinct look of Faces, illustrated with specific sequences from the film Boxset has THESE LISTED EXTRAS. DVD Release Date: September 21st, 2004 Digipack Box Chapters 19	Release Information: Studio: Pioneer Aspect Ratio: Fullscreen - 1.33:1 Edition Details: • Liner notes by Ray Carney DVD Release Date: March 24th, 1998 Keep case Chapters 23	Release Information: Studio: BFI Aspect Ratio:1.66 1080P Single-layered Blu-ray Disc Size: 22,668,834,262 bytes Feature: 22,241,362,368 bytes Video Bitrate: 20.00 Mbps Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video Edition Details: • Alternative opening sequence (17 minutes, DVD only) • Optional audio commentary on alternative opening sequence by Peter Bogdanovich and Al Ruban (17 minutes, DVD only) • Seymour Cassel interview with Tom Charity (46:41) • Fully illustrated booklet • DVD of Feature included Blu-ray Release Date: April 23rd, 2012 Transparent thick Blu-ray case Chapters 23

Comments

NOTE: Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc.

ADDITION: BFI - Region FREE - Blu-ray (April 2012): The story here is all about `grain`. The 1080P transfer supports the 16mm textures and gives the image such richness - looking light years apart from its SD counterparts - this is most prevalent in-motion. Same source - same damage marks exist but the BFI Blu-ray image is intoxicating in its film-like qualities. Any noise is overwhelmed by the film grain.

The audio is linear PCM fully adhering to the original production mono roots. Imperfections in scattered dialogue are part of the presentation adding to the verité charms. I thought is sounded wonderfully authentic. There are optional English subtitles on the region FREE Blu-ray disc.

The single-layered Blu-ray disc as no digital supplements but a region FREE PAL DVD disc is included with both the feature and some extras including the alternative opening sequence running about 17-minutes (same as on the Criterion) and there is an optional audio commentary on this alternative sequence by Peter Bogdanovich and Al Ruban (associate producer of Faces). There is also a 47-minute Seymour Cassel interview with Tom Charity discussing Cassavetes and the film - the package contains a 30-page fully illustrated booklet with photos, essays and a Cassavetes interview.

I can honestly state that seeing Faces in the thick, heavy appearance was a revelation in appreciation of the film qualities. Some may think Blu-ray was made for film like Star Wars - but I think this 16mm masterpiece is more of a perfect match for true cinema fans. Our highest recommendation - BFI have given us a sterling package.

Gary Tooze

***

ON THE DVDs: Again we pass on the early Pioneer disc. It is Open Matte. It is badly faded. No digital extras but the included liner notes essay by Ray Carney is, again, excellent.

Criterion has removable subs, the Optimum doesn't. Obviously those sensitive to PAL speed-up will have this as an issue in the Optimum.

NOTE: The Criterion disc has black borders on the sides typical of 1.66 anamorphic (capture 2). Looks like Optimum stretched the image to accommodate anamorphic enhancement filling the whole frame. We will investigate - if this is true Optimum have marred their boxset badly. Extras are listed above.

- Gregory Meshman and Gary Tooze

Menus
(Optimum (The John Cassavetes Collection) - Region 2 - PAL - LEFT vs. Criterion (Cassavetes - 5 Films) - Region 0 - NTSC - MIDDLE vs. Pioneer - Region 0 - NTSC - RIGHT)

BFI - Region FREE - Blu-ray

DVD included in the Blu-ray package

CLICK EACH BLU-RAY CAPTURE TO SEE ALL IMAGES IN FULL 1920 X 1080 RESOLUTION

Screen Captures

1) Optimum (The John Cassavetes Collection) - Region 2 - PAL - TOP

2) Criterion (Cassavetes - 5 Films) - Region 0 - NTSC - SECOND

3) Pioneer - Region 0 - NTSC - THIRD

4) BFI - Region FREE - Blu-ray BOTTOM

1) Optimum (The John Cassavetes Collection) - Region 2 - PAL - TOP

2) Criterion (Cassavetes - 5 Films) - Region 0 - NTSC - SECOND

3) Pioneer - Region 0 - NTSC - THIRD

4) BFI - Region FREE - Blu-ray BOTTOM

1) Optimum (The John Cassavetes Collection) - Region 2 - PAL - TOP

2) Criterion (Cassavetes - 5 Films) - Region 0 - NTSC - SECOND

3) Pioneer - Region 0 - NTSC - THIRD

4) BFI - Region FREE - Blu-ray BOTTOM

1) Optimum (The John Cassavetes Collection) - Region 2 - PAL - TOP

2) Criterion (Cassavetes - 5 Films) - Region 0 - NTSC - SECOND

3) Pioneer - Region 0 - NTSC - THIRD

4) BFI - Region FREE - Blu-ray BOTTOM

1) Optimum (The John Cassavetes Collection) - Region 2 - PAL - TOP

2) Criterion (Cassavetes - 5 Films) - Region 0 - NTSC - SECOND

3) Pioneer - Region 0 - NTSC - THIRD

4) BFI - Region FREE - Blu-ray BOTTOM

1) Optimum (The John Cassavetes Collection) - Region 2 - PAL - TOP

2) Criterion (Cassavetes - 5 Films) - Region 0 - NTSC - SECOND

3) Pioneer - Region 0 - NTSC - THIRD

4) BFI - Region FREE - Blu-ray BOTTOM

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Image:	Blu-ray
Sound:	Blu-ray
Extras:	Criterion

Recommended Reading on Cassavetes (CLICK COVERS or TITLES for more information)


Cassavetes on Cassavetes by John Cassavetes	Where Does It Happen: John Cassavetes and Cinema at the Breaking Point by George Kouvaros	The Films of John Cassavetes : Pragmatism, Modernism, and the Movies (Cambridge Film Classics) by Raymond Carney	John Cassavetes: The Adventure of Insecurity (Studies in Contemporary Film) by Ray Carney, Sam Shaw	Shadows by Raymond Carney	John Cassavetes: Lifeworks by Tom Charity	Accidental Genius : How John Cassavetes Invented the Independent Film by Marshall Fine

Check out more in "The Library"

Box Covers	Only available in the Boxset listed below:	Only available in the Boxset listed below:
	The 6 - disc John Cassavetes Collection from Optimum includes: Shadows, Faces, A Woman Under The Influence, The Killing Of A Chinese Bookie, Opening Night with THESE LISTED EXTRAS.
	The 8 - disc Criterion John Cassavetes - Five Films includes - Shadows, Faces, A Woman Under The Influence, The Killing Of A Chinese Bookie, Opening Night with THESE LISTED EXTRAS.
Distribution	Optimum Region 2 - PAL	Criterion (Cassavetes - 5 Films) Region 0 - NTSC	Pioneer Region 0 - NTSC	BFI (UK) Region FREE - Blu-ray

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Gary Tooze

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