Review by Gary Tooze

Production:

Disc:

Video:

Audio:

• Stills Gallery (37 images)

• Two vintage recordings of the folk song Steamboat Bill (Edward Meeker - 1911 + Irving Kaufman - 1919)

Bitrate:

 

Description: The last of the independent features made in the prime of Buster Keaton's career, STEAMBOAT BILL, JR. is a large-scale follow-up to The General, substituting a Mississippi paddlewheel for the locomotive, and replacing the spectacle of the Civil War with a catastrophic hurricane. Keaton stars as William Canfield, Jr., a Boston collegian who returns to his deep-southern roots to reunite with his father, a crusty riverboat captain (Ernest Torrence) who is engaged in a bitter rivalry with a riverboat king coincidentally, the father of Willie s sweetheart (Marion Byron). Keaton s athleticism and gift for inventive visual humor are in top form, and the cyclone that devastates a town (and sends houses literally crashing down around him) is perhaps the most ambitious, awe-inspiring and hilarious slapstick sequence ever created. In the Silent era, it was common practice for filmmakers to create two separate negatives of their films, each comprised of differing takes and camera angles. This definitive Blu-ray edition contains both versions of STEAMBOAT BILL, JR. the Buster Keaton Estate version and the Killiam Shows Archive version each mastered from archival 35mm materials. All new Special Features include: Complete alternate version of Steamboat Bill, Jr., comprised entirely of variant takes and camera angles, Music by The Biograph Players presented in DTS-HD, Master Audio 5.1, Organ score by Lee Erwin, Piano score by William Perry, Documentary on the making of the film, Stills Gallery, Why They Call Him Buster (a montage of pratfalls), and Two vintage recordings of the folk song Steamboat Bill.

 

 

The Film:

Excerpt from Jay Seaver's review at Efilmcritic located HERE

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

Despite not reaching the lofty heights of City Girl on Blu-ray I have to admit Steamboat Bill Jr. looks mighty impressive in 1080P. I'm not a fan though of rounded corners showing - I doubt any projectionist would show a film this way - but they didn't bother me too much. Predictably, there are speckles and scratches - perhaps a shade more than The General. Contrast and visibility of grain are excellent on this dual-layered transfer. There is no tinting - occasionally whites may be excessively bright. Black levels are generally very strong but titles cards aren't pitch nor opening credits. This is were I noticed some blotchy noise-like weaknesses. The overall image is quite strong and seeing an 80+ year old film showing this level of detail and grain is a true treat. There are even instances of depth. I was pleased with the video transfer.

Sent by MW in email: "I have seen original prints of Keaton's films (although not of STEAMBOAT BILL) and they were not as flat looking as the captures. The captures are too low in contrast and not dense enough. This may be the fault of the source material. Most of Keaton's negatives survived at least into the 70s." (Thanks M!)

CLICK EACH BLU-RAY CAPTURE TO SEE ALL IMAGES IN FULL 1920X1080 RESOLUTION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Audio gives three options - a strong DTS-HD Master 5.1 at 3673 kbps by The Biograph Players as well as the same score in 2.0 stereo and a mono organ score by Lee Erwin with feisty piano by William Perry. I sampled the HD and the mono and couldn't state a preference at this stage - I tend to be a fan of the lone channel but the surround was nicely mixed. Both main scores were clean and crisp. There are no subtitles and the titles cards and, obviously, in English. My Momitsu has identified it as being a region FREE disc playable on Blu-ray machines worldwide.

 

 

BOTTOM LINE:
This Blu-ray produced a very special viewing for me. Something about the HD format really transforms your presentation - almost transporting you back as if you were seeing this in a classy old theater back in its heyday. This is, obviously, the best viewing of Steamboat Bill, Jr. that I have ever had. The grain is wonderful and makes up for the other weaknesses in the appearance. I won't be complaining much as I look forward to much more like this from Kino. Price may appear exorbitant but for fans of Keaton this will be worth every penny and then some. Recommended! 

Gary Tooze

July 6th, 2010