Filmladen - Region 0 - PAL vs. Criterion (2-disc) - Region 1 - NTSC vs. Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray vs. Artificial Eye (Spine # 498) - Region 0 - PAL

Filmladen

Region 0 - PAL

Region 0 - PAL

1.85:1 Original Aspect Ratio

16X9 enhanced
Average Bitrate: 5.47 mb/s
PAL 720x576 25.00 f/s

1.85:1 Aspect Ratio

16X9 enhanced
Average Bitrate: 6.52 mb/s
PAL 720x576 25.00 f/s

NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.

Blu-ray

Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen anamorphic - 1.85:1

Edition Details:
• Making of (36:05)
• Interviews with Götz Spielmann, Johannes Krisch, Andreas Lust, Ursula Strauss and
• Hannes Thanheiser (5:14)
• Trailer (1:52)
• 2 Photo Galleries (63 photos total)
• All extras in German without subtitles

DVD Release Date: 2009
Keep Case

Chapters 24

Chapters 23

Chapters 12

ADDITION - Criterion DVD and Blu-ray - February 2010:  Firstly, Sean reviewed the Filmladen disc for us over a year ago (below) and I don't have much to say about the quality - it looked reasonably competent but its biggest issue was availability and ease of purchase.

Actually, I don't have a lot of difference in my findings from the Criterion Hunger Review (DVD and Blu-ray): "Looking at the Criterion Blu-ray as compared to their simultaneously released anamorphic and progressive DVD version probably the more discerning will note the 1080P visual superiority.  The SD tends to look more like video - and the Blu-ray like film. Colors don't differ much coming from the same source but the HD version is significantly sharper, better contrast and tighter lines." This remains true here as well but the Revanche Blu-ray has many instances showing desirable depth.  The higher resolution shows the outdoor sequences, of water, farm and forest trees, with crystal clarity. Colors are better separated and comparatively the DVD is hazier in this regard. Depending on the system the superiority is highly notable.

The audio has only a few instances of demonstrative separation but even the center channel, German, dialogue is crisply rendered to the DTS-HD Master 5.1 at 3860 kbps. Both the Criterion DVD and Blu-ray have optional English subtitles and my Momitsu has identified it as being a region 'A'-locked disc.

Supplements on the Criterions editions are duplicated with the video featurettes and interviews being in 1080 on the Blu-ray. The DVD has moved the supplements to a second disc with the first sharing the feature with only a trailer. Criterion conducted a new video interview with the enigmatic Spielmann for about 35-minutes and he seems fairly low key on the film's achievements and his intentions on making it. The Making of “Revanche,” is a half-hour documentary shot on the set with cast and crew sharing experiences working on the film. Foreign Land (Fremdland), is Spielmann’s award-winning student short film from 1984 (it won first price at the European Academy Awards), which runs 45-minutes. It is preceded by an optional introduction by the director for less than 5-minutes. Lastly we get the U.S. theatrical trailer of Revanche and included in the boxes is a 12-page liner notes booklet featuring photos and an essay by critic Armond White.

On the surface the film may be labeled as a "psychological thriller" but its more deliberate pacing will deter those coming in with pigeon-holed expectations. It ends up showing a rarely investigated side of humanity revisiting its characters as depressed, desperate, lonely and bored or unhappy with their current status. It's a rich piece of cinema and I share Sean's enthusiasm for it - a perfect choice for the Criterion Collection and the less expensive Blu-ray is the absolute best way to see it in the comfort of your home theater. Strongly recommended!

***

ON THE FILMLADEN DVD: Firstly, this is the same Revanche that has been picked up for U.S. theatrical distribution by Janus Films and will eventually see a Criterion release on DVD and Blu-ray (more on that HERE). This DVD from Filmladen in Austria, along with a Special Edition DVD (including a book in German) is sold through their online shop HERE, but it is presently only available within Austria. Through luck of the draw and with help via Babel Fish, I was able to purchase a copy through eBay Austria.

Filmladen have produced a strong image which is expectantly clean and usually crisp, however I noticed the occasional instance of softness, especially with skin tones. Colors are strong but not vibrant, and whether this is a fault of the transfer or a deliberate artistic choice by Spielmann has yet to be seen. The cinematography, especially the outdoor shots, can be breathtaking to see.

Audio is in German only with a 5.1 mix available, which occasionally sees some use thanks to creative use of sound effects and nature sounds. Revanche however is not a film with a dynamic or heavy sound mix, and the vast majority is dialogue-driven, all of which came through crisp and clear on my system.

Filmladen

Region 0 - PAL

Region 0 - PAL