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("The Best Collection" - Region 0 - NTSC - TOP vs. Paramount - Region FREE - Blu-ray BOTTOM)
directed by William A. Wellman and Harry d'Abbadie d'Arrast
(uncredited)
USA 1927
Forever granted a place in
cinematic history by winning the first ever Academy Award for
Best Picture in 1927 and the only
Silent film to do so, William
Wellman s
Silent epic Wings is more than an Oscar winner, but an
epic story of friendship with the type of thrilling action only
practical effects can imagine... *** This winner of the first Academy Award for Best Picture was also the last Silent film to receive that honor. Set against... the backdrop of the Army Air Corps, the WWI adventure features stunning aerial photography and combat flying sequences. **'
Amazing air duels and an impressive study of aviators are
depicted in "Wings," Paramount's epic of the flying fighters of
the World War, which was launched last night in the Criterion
Theatre. After the exhibition of the first half of this
absorbing subject, Commander Richard E. Byrd was noticed in the
lobby talking to Jesse L. Lasky and the words of the hero of the
North Pole and transatlantic flights evidently pleased the
producer. As the Commander turned to re-enter the theatre he
remarked: |
Posters
Theatrical Release: May 19th, 1927 (USA)
Reviews More Reviews DVD Reviews
Comparison:
"The Best Collection" - Region 0 - NTSC vs. Paramount - Region FREE - Blu-ray vs. Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray |
1) "The Best Collection" - Region 0 - NTSC - LEFT2) Paramount - Region FREE - Blu-ray MIDDLE3) Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray RIGHT
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Distribution |
"The Best Collection" Region 0 - NTSC |
Paramount Region FREE - Blu-ray |
Masters of Cinema - Spine #77 Region 'B' - Blu-ray |
Runtime | 0:49:00 + 1:29:21 = 2:18:21 | 2:24:17.648 | 2:24:17.607 |
Video |
1.33:1 Original Aspect Ratio |
1080P Dual-layered Blu-rayDisc Size: 47,569,884,811 bytes Feature: 36,886,726,656 bytes Video Bitrate: 28.10 MbpsCodec: MPEG-4 AVC Video |
1080P Dual-layered Blu-rayDisc Size: 48,810,905,622 bytes Feature: 46,114,560,000 bytes Video Bitrate: 34.99 MbpsCodec: MPEG-4 AVC Video |
NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes. |
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Second Side
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Paramount (Blu-ray)
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Masters of Cinema (Blu-ray)
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Audio | Dolby Digital 1.0 mono |
DTS-HD Master Audio English 3998 kbps 5.1
/ 48 kHz / 3998 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1509
kbps / 24-bit) * Dolby Digital Audio English 224 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 224 kbps / Dolby Surround |
James Zamecnik
Score: DTS-HD High-Res Audio English 3840 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 3840 kbps
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16-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 16-bit) Gaylord Carter Score: LPCM Audio English 1536 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1536 kbps / 16-bit |
Subtitles | Chinese, none | English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, none | Original English intertitles, none |
Features |
Release Information: Studio: "The Best Collection" Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Edition Details: Chapters 4+4=8 |
Release Information: Studio: Paramount Aspect Ratio: - 1.33:1 1080P Dual-layered Blu-rayDisc Size: 47,569,884,811 bytes Feature: 36,886,726,656 bytes Video Bitrate: 28.10 MbpsCodec: MPEG-4 AVC Video
Edition Details:
Blu-ray
Release Date:
January 24th, 2012 Chapters 22 |
Release Information:
1080P Dual-layered Blu-rayDisc Size: 48,810,905,622 bytes Feature: 46,114,560,000 bytes Video Bitrate: 34.99 MbpsCodec: MPEG-4 AVC Video
Edition Details:
• Video documentary Wings: Grandeur in the
Sky (35:58) |
Comments |
NOTE: These Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc.
ADDITION: Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray (January 2014): The Masters of Cinema transfer is more technically robust and has produced richer contrast with more pure black levels. It brings up the detail a shade but otherwise this appears to be the exact same source as the Paramount (with the same multiple 'Paramount' logos openings, Intermission, same original intertitles etc.). The 5.1 J.S. Zamecnik score sounds the same to my ears but The Masters of Cinema group have given the Gaylord Carter 2.0 score a lossless rendering with a linear PCM track. We get the same three video extras, about 50-minutes worth, as the Paramount but the UK package adds a 40-page liner notes booklet featuring a new essay on the film by critic Gina Telaroli; excerpts from a vintage interview with Wellman; a 1930 profile of stuntmen from the film; a vintage piece on the production of the film; personal anecdotes from Wellman; rare archival imagery. Well, the Masters of Cinema have, if marginally, produced the superior Blu-ray release ... advancing in all areas. It may not be worth a double-dip to most - but those who don't own this classic, and want the definitive release, the MoC is the best.
* **
ADDITION: Paramount - Region FREE - Blu-ray (January 12'): Before I owned more than a handful of DVDs - I was shopping in an Asian Mall and stumbled across this "Best of Collection" - #62 in a series - a Chinese DVD of the 1927 William A. Wellman film Wings. It was a dual-sided, single-layered disc referred to as a DVD10 (I don't recall seeing too many since). It was interlaced and offered optional Chinese subtitles. At the time, well over a decade ago, I wasn't even aware of what a bootleg was nor had any intention of starting a website called DVDBeaver. The "Best of Collection" did allow me to see the film... but now I can look at it much more critically with Paramount's new, restored Wings on dual-layered 1080P Blu-ray.
The 1080P rendition is pretty impressive. Just to get the DVD comments out of the way - the Chinese transfer is heavily cropped on the left edge, a shortened version with some scenes missing and is interlaced. Predictably, the Blu-ray wins in every category (over 5X the bitrate) with much of the damage on the SD - cleaned extensively and/or removed on the new format disc. The aspect ratio clocks in at about 1.35:1 and they have gone with the sepia tint for the majority of the feature. Detail has highly remarkable moments and this looks very desirable in-motion. Almost impossible to believe that we are looking at an 85-year old film. Grain textures aren't overwhelming (have they removed too much?) but it's nice to see some still exists. No one would be expecting perfection from the video but it looks better than many might anticipate - still some speckles, flickering and banding but the contrast layering is extremely impressive. I can't see anyone complaining about what we are supplied with here - excepting maybe too much grain removal.
We are given two tracks a DTS-HD Master 5.1 at 3998 kbps described as "re-recorded score composed by J.S. Zamecnik (orchestrated and arranged by Dominik Hauser; featured pianist Frederick Hodges) with sound effects by Ben Burtt". The other choice is a more basic Dolby stereo - "...pipe organ score composed and performed by Gaylord Carter." I tested both the lossless surround is amazingly dynamic. It really changes the viewing experience - particularly music in the dogfights. But I didn't find that it overwhelmed the video. Purist may opt for the stereo. Paramount supply optional subtitles for the English intertitles. NOTE There is an Intermission included on the Blu-ray and a short musical overture to start the film. Extras include a 26-minute piece Wings: Grandeur in the Sky in 1080P which focuses more on the historical aspect of filmmaking in that era. Restoring the Power and Beauty of Wings runs 15-minutes in HD includes segments on recreating the score as well as the work done on the video. Dogfight! is over a dozen minutes looking at the use of one-on-one aerial battles during wartime. This is an inpressive package. The film is a glorious experience with the restored audio and video. Seeing Clara Bow in 1080P seems worth the price alone - but tack on the dynamic scores and extras and this is a easy endorsement. Buy with confidence! Gary Tooze |
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("The Best Collection" - Region 0 - NTSC - LEFT vs.
Paramount - Region
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Blu-ray RIGHT)
Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray
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CLICK EACH BLU-RAY CAPTURE TO SEE ALL IMAGES IN FULL 1920X1080 RESOLUTION
Screen Captures
1) "The Best Collection" - Region 0 - NTSC - TOP2) Paramount - Region FREE - Blu-ray MIDDLE3) Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray BOTTOM
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1) "The Best Collection" - Region 0 - NTSC - TOP2) Paramount - Region FREE - Blu-ray MIDDLE3) Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray BOTTOM
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1) "The Best Collection" - Region 0 - NTSC - TOP2) Paramount - Region FREE - Blu-ray MIDDLE3) Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray BOTTOM
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1) "The Best Collection" - Region 0 - NTSC - TOP2) Paramount - Region FREE - Blu-ray MIDDLE3) Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray BOTTOM
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1) "The Best Collection" - Region 0 - NTSC - TOP2) Paramount - Region FREE - Blu-ray MIDDLE3) Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray BOTTOM
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1) "The Best Collection" - Region 0 - NTSC - TOP2) Paramount - Region FREE - Blu-ray MIDDLE3) Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray BOTTOM
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1) "The Best Collection" - Region 0 - NTSC - TOP2) Paramount - Region FREE - Blu-ray MIDDLE3) Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray BOTTOM
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1) "The Best Collection" - Region 0 - NTSC - TOP2) Paramount - Region FREE - Blu-ray MIDDLE3) Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray BOTTOM
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1) "The Best Collection" - Region 0 - NTSC - TOP2) Paramount - Region FREE - Blu-ray MIDDLE3) Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray BOTTOM
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More Blu-ray Captures
1) Paramount - Region FREE - Blu-ray - TOP2) Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray BOTTOM
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1) Paramount - Region FREE - Blu-ray - TOP2) Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray BOTTOM
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1) Paramount - Region FREE - Blu-ray - TOP2) Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray BOTTOM
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1) Paramount - Region FREE - Blu-ray - TOP2) Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray BOTTOM
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1) Paramount - Region FREE - Blu-ray - TOP2) Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray BOTTOM
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1) Paramount - Region FREE - Blu-ray - TOP2) Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray BOTTOM
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1) Paramount - Region FREE - Blu-ray - TOP2) Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray BOTTOM
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