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Frank Borzage Vol 1: Seventh Heaven + Street Angel
(aka "Seventh Heaven" or "Im siebenten Himmel" or "El 7 cielo" or "Settimo cielo" )
directed by Frank Borzage
USA 1927
...This
is an exceptionally well-acted place of work and Janet
Gaynor's performance as Diane is true and natural
throughout. This young woman was discovered by Winfield R.
Sheehan, general production manager for the Fox Film
Corporation. Never once does she falter in her difficult
task of reflecting the emotions of the character she
portrays. There is no effort to make her unduly beautiful
with a halo over her head. She is winsome from the moment
one beholds her countenance. She can cry and smile
simultaneously and she impresses one by her depiction of
faith when every day at 11 o'clock she "meets" her Chico,
who is in the trenches. Sometimes Miss Gaynor reminds one of
Lillian Gish and in other moods she resembles Lois Moran.
Yet in her acting there is nothing imitative, but always an
earnest and successful effort to impersonate the French girl
who is rescued from hardship and cruelty by that "very
remarkable fellow," Chico.... |
Posters
Theatrical Release: May 6th, 1927
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DVD Review:
BFI (Frank Borzage Volume One) - Region 2 - PAL
DVD Box Covers |
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Distribution |
BFI Region 2 - PAL |
Runtime | 1:53:44 (4% PAL speed-up) |
Video |
1.20:1 Original Aspect Ratio |
Audio |
Silent (Dolby Digital 2.0) |
Subtitles | None |
Features |
Release Information: Studio: BFI Aspect Ratio:
Edition Details: Chapters 9 |
Comments |
Although both 7th Heaven
and Street Angel were released as part of last year's
mammoth
Murnau, Borzage and Fox box set, the BFI's recent
release of the two in Frank Borzage Volume One stands out as one
of the most important releases of silent cinema this year. These
films are two of the crown jewels of late 20's Hollywood.
Borzage, a former actor himself, deftly crafts raw emotion like
almost no other director of his or any other era. Here there is
no exception. Both films, while perhaps properly labeled
melodramas, transcend the limitations of that title, revealing
the complexities and sorrows of love and loss in ways that
almost no other film has.
So, why should you consider this
package? There are are two reasons
(three if you count the ENORMOUS price difference between the
two release). First, as Craig Keller noticed
HERE, the aspect ratio of Street Angel was
artificially compressed from 1.33:1 to 1.20:1 in the Fox set. As
a result the images on screen were thinned, creating a very
unnatural look. Thankfully the BFI has restored the film to its
original aspect ratio, and it can now be enjoyed without the
previous distraction. Second, the disc comes with one of the
best booklets that I have ever come across from the BFI. It has
essays on both films and a rather lengthy one on Borzage himself
(not to mention the luscious and clear black and white stills
that we get from the film). Each essay is phenomenal, but the
real stand out here is Joe McElhaney's "Frank Borzage:
Architect of Ineffable Desires", which is essential reading
for anyone interested in the director. |
DVD
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Screen Captures
Intertitle Sample
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(Fox (Murnau, Borzage, and Fox) - Region 1 - NTSC - TOP vs. BFI (Frank Borzage Volume One) - Region 2 - PAL - BOTTOM)
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(Fox (Murnau, Borzage, and Fox) - Region 1 - NTSC - TOP vs. BFI (Frank Borzage Volume One) - Region 2 - PAL - BOTTOM)
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directed by Frank Borzage
USA 1928
A picture
of wonderful beauty, entitled "Street Angel," was presented
by William Fox at the Globe Theatre last night. This
entrancing production was directed by Frank Borsage, who
guided the destinies of the pictorial version of "Seventh
Heaven." In it the leading rĂ´les are finely portrayed by
Janet Gaynor and Charles Farrell. Never has the camera been
used quite so effectively and artistically as it is in this
subject, for in the background of the sombre side of Naples
there are the compelling shadows, the inspiring old arches,
the slender iron railings over the foot-worn steps and, in
many of the scenes, there hangs a soft mist through which
the characters sometimes fade gradually from view.... |
Poster
Theatrical Release: April 9th, 1928
Reviews More Reviews DVD Reviews
BFI (Frank Borzage Volume One) - Region 2 - PAL
DVD Menu
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Screen Captures
Intertitle Sample
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