ADDITION: This is pretty much akin to The Metropolis comparison that we did HERE. Both Eureka and Kino received the transfer from the German Stiftung restoration - but Kino, once again, have translated the intertitles to English and created an interlaced transfer (see evident combing throughout - and last capture sample). It appears as though they actually did the costly conversion to NTSC but didn't bother to make it progressive - potentially instilling a real visual distraction to anyone with an advanced viewing system (widescreen TV, LCD, plasma, projection etc.) Sigh. Both show the same damage marks (mentioned in comments below) but they have different levels of prominence - once again I give this nod to Master of Cinema - it is possible they boosted contrast at times to hide some of the extensive marks. The PAL disc has a more film-grain appearance. Kino shows more rounded corners (hidden by all theatre projectionists) as well.

Kino provides a short talkie comedy, Windy Riley Goes Hollywood with Louise Brooks and directed by Roscoe 'Fatty' Arbuckle - while Masters of Cinema have the advanced liner notes (see below).

You will want the Masters of Cinema release in the end as the DVD(s) will last longer than your current system plus the liner notes are a joy! Ohhh the MoC is cheaper too!

***

Gary on the MoC: A film of this age, and condition, has obvious issues for a digital transfer. There are plenty of scratches, both light hairline and heavier, some flickering contrast, other more prominent marks, but the bottom line is that most will find this visually acceptable considering... and very watchable. It uses the master from the Friedrich Wilhelm Murnau Stiftung print. MoC may have boosted black levels a shade. The screen captures below give a fair representation of how it will look on most systems. 

This seems to be a rarity for MoC in that there are no digital supplements - but the good news is that they have included their usual large liner notes booklet keepsake with vintage reprints and new material including writings from Louise Brooks, Lotte H. Eisner, Louella Interim, Craig Keller, and R. Dixon Smith.

The DVD inferiorities don't take away from the magnificence of the film one iota. Louise Brooks is her usual hypotonic self. For those keen on film history or the silent era it is an easy must-have and although I don't own the Kino Region 1 NTSC edition - I have done enough comparisons to know that this PAL edition would easily be judged the best. If the Kino is not a PAL->NTSC combing/ghost festival then I would be more than shocked - most likely catatonic. I recommend this MoC release on the strength of the film and the production company's sterling track record. This will be the best English subbed version available. You need to buy it. At the writing of this review it is 38% OFF!

Gary W. Tooze