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S E A R C H    D V D B e a v e r

Directed by Robert Altman
USA 1973

 

Possibly my favorite Altman film - filled with equal parts Noir homage, parody and the director with his best sardonic witticisms. Elliott Gould is a Philip Marlowe, but circa 1970, and he does a perfect job injecting Raymond Chandler's pulp private-eye hero (or anti-hero) by a perverse form of subversion as he floats through the new sexually open environment of viciously unbalanced criminal leaders, coquettish neighbors and a writer, played by Sterling Hayden, who appears the most comfortable in Marlowe's unbalanced time lines. The action starts as Marlowe’s buddy’s wife is dead, and he is viewed as a remote accomplice by the authorities. With code of honor in full force he sets out to prove his pal innocent.... even if he is deceased. With deadpan absurdities but full faith to respecting the noir roots, Altman creates a stunning catalyst of the sublime elements into a powerhouse of fun, suspense, intrigue and darn true machismo values. The "Hooray For Hollywood” played over the opening and closing titles is no mistake. Bravo!

 

  Posters

Theatrical Release: March 7th, 1973

Reviews                                                                                   More Reviews                                                                       DVD Reviews

Comparison:

MGM - Region 1 - NTSC vs. Potemkine Films - Region 'B' - Blu-ray vs. Arrow Films - Region 'B' - Blu-ray vs. Kino (2014) - Region 'A' - Blu-ray vs. Kino (2021) - Region 'A' - Blu-ray

 

Box Cover

 

  

Bonus Captures:

Distribution MGM Home Video - Region 1 - NTSC Potemkine Films
Region 'B' - Blu-ray
Arrow Academy
Region 'B' - Blu-ray
Kino (2014) Video
Region 'A' -
Blu-ray
Kino (2021) Video
Region 'A' -
Blu-ray
Runtime 1:52:00  1:52:10.765  1:52:11.182  1:52:10.390 1:52:14.769
Video 2.30:1 Aspect Ratio
Average Bitrate: 5.86 mb/s
NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s 

1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 34,926,168,280 bytes

Feature: 28,892,921,856 bytes

Video Bitrate: 29.77 Mbps

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 47,607,423,797 bytes

Feature: 34,964,555,328 bytes

Video Bitrate: 35.00 Mbps

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

1080P Single-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 23,114,902,755 bytes

Feature: 20,237,813,760 bytes

Video Bitrate: 20.96 Mbps

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 43,850,139,419 bytes

Feature: 36,819,769,344 bytes

Video Bitrate: 39.46 Mbps

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

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

Bitrate:

Bitrate: Potemkine Blu-ray

Bitrate: Arrow Blu-ray

Bitrate: Kino (2014) Blu-ray

Bitrate: Kino (2021) Blu-ray

Audio English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono), DUB: French (Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono) DTS-HD Master Audio French 1744 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1744 kbps / 16-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 16-bit)
DTS-HD Master Audio English 915 kbps 1.0 / 48 kHz / 915 kbps / 16-bit (DTS Core: 1.0 / 48 kHz / 768 kbps / 16-bit)
LPCM Audio English 1152 kbps 1.0 / 48 kHz / 1152 kbps / 24-bit
Isolated Score: LPCM Audio Undetermined 1152 kbps 1.0 / 48 kHz / 1152 kbps / 24-bit
DTS-HD Master Audio English 1692 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1692 kbps / 16-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 16-bit)

DTS-HD Master Audio English 1973 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1973 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit)
Commentary:

Dolby Digital Audio English 192 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps / DN -31dB

Subtitles English, Spanish, French, None French, None English (SDH), None English, None English, None
Features

Release Information:
Studio: MGM Home Video

Aspect Ratio:
Original Aspect Ratio 2.30:1

Edition Details:

• Rip Van Marlowe (24:31)
• Vilmos Szigmund Flashes The Long Goodbye (14:22)
• American Cinematographer reprint of 1973 article
• Radio Spots
• Theatrical Trailer

DVD Release Date: September 17th, 2002

Keep Case
Chapters: 16

Release Information:
Studio: Potemkine

Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1

1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 34,926,168,280 bytes

Feature: 28,892,921,856 bytes

Video Bitrate: 29.77 Mbps

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

 

Edition Details:
• RIP Van Marlow, with Robert Altman and Elliot Gould (24:34)

• Vilmos Zsigmond, DoP, Flashes The Long Goodbye (14:25)

• Interview with Jean-Baptiste Thoret (22:27)

Blu-ray Release Date: October 2nd, 2012
Standard Blu-ray Case

Chapters 12

Release Information:
Studio: Arrow Academy

Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1

1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 47,607,423,797 bytes

Feature: 34,964,555,328 bytes

Video Bitrate: 35.00 Mbps

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

 

Edition Details:
• Isolated Score

• RIP Van Marlow, with Robert Altman and Elliot Gould (24:35)

• Robert Altman: Giggle and Give In (56:32)

Interviews:

• Elliot Gould (53:05)

• Vilmos Zsigmond (14:23)

• David Thompson (21:04)

• Tom Williams on Raymond Chandler (14:29)

• Maxim Jakubowski on Hard Boiled Fiction (14:33)

• Radio Spots (3:24)

Blu-ray Release Date: December 16th, 2013
Transparent Blu-ray Case

Chapters 12

Release Information:
Studio: Kino

 

1080P Single-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 23,114,902,755 bytes

Feature: 20,237,813,760 bytes

Video Bitrate: 20.96 Mbps

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

 

Edition Details:
• RIP Van Marlow, with Robert Altman and Elliot Gould (24:38)

• Vilmos Zsigmond (14:23)

• American Cinematographer 1973 with Intro (article - text screens)

• Five Radio Spots (3:29)

• Trailer (2:31)

Blu-ray Release Date: November 25th, 2014
Standard Blu-ray Case

Chapters 8

Release Information:
Studio: Kino

 

1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 43,850,139,419 bytes

Feature: 36,819,769,344 bytes

Video Bitrate: 39.46 Mbps

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

 

Edition Details:
• NEW Audio Commentary by Film Historian Tim Lucas
• Rip Van Marlowe: Featurette with Robert Altman and Elliott Gould (24:33)
• Vilmos Zsigmond Flashes THE LONG GOODBYE: Featurette (14:23)
• David Thompson on Robert Altman: Featurette (21:02)
• Tom Williams on Raymond Chandler: Featurette (14:27)
• Maxim Jakubowski on Hard Boiled Fiction: Featurette (14:31)
• American Cinematographer 1973 Article with Animation
• TRAILERS FROM HELL with Josh Olson (2:42)
• Radio Spots (3:24)
• TV Spots (0:31)
• Two Theatrical Trailers(2:31 / 2:50)

Blu-ray Release Date: December 7th, 2021
Standard Blu-ray Case

Chapters 9

 

 

 

Comments:

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

ADDITION: Kino (2021) Blu-ray - December 2021': Kino have updated their own 2014 1080P transfer of Robert Altman's "The Long Goodbye" with a new 4K restoration. The differences are obvious - much richer contrast, deeper black levels, fuller colors on the new transfer. I don't know what the original film looked like theatrically, but I do understand that the contrast was meant to look flat and the colors slightly faded. But there are varying degrees to that and how much cinematographer Vilmos Zsigmond and Altman would have wanted. But the new 4K restoration certainly has significantly richer colors, whether this is more accurate to the original intentions - I am unaware. I did appreciate this new appearance regardless of its authenticity.  

NOTE: We have added 44 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE

On their Blu-ray, Kino use a DTS-HD Master dual-mono track (24-bit) in the original English language. This is an upgrade over their own 16-bit transfer from 2014. The audio is flat with minor aggression (gunfire.) The score is credited to John Williams (The Screaming Woman, Fitzwilly, The Eiger Sanction, The Secret Ways, The Rare Breed, The Missouri Breaks, War Horse, The Fury, Images, Sleepers, The Cowboys, Conrack, 1979's Dracula.) The Long Goodbye theme itself, by John Williams and Johnny Mercer, is performed throughout by The Dave Grusin Trio, Jack Sheldon, Clydie King, Jack Riley, Morgan Ames, Aluminum Band, The Tepoztlan Municipal Band etc. and the film opens with "Hooray for Hollywood" performed by Johnnie Davis. The audio is clean without flaw and some intentional scattering as per Altman's style. Kino offer optional English subtitles on their Region 'A' Blu-ray.

Kino add a new commentary by Tim Lucas who helps reveal new layers of the film, details on the cast, Altman and the crew including Morris, one of two cats, in The Long Goodbye - famous as the finicky feline in the commercials for '9 Lives' brand cat food. He discusses the history of Raymond Chandler's 'Philip Marlowe' character in film while delving into the film's narrative and others proposed in the cast but didn't make it in the final production. Tim is great - this is excellent with a few pauses to absorb the film's charms. Most of the rest of the supplements are on other editions including the 25 minute documentary RIP Van Marlow with Robert Altman and Elliot Gould discussing the film. Included is the informative 15-minutes with director of photography Vilmos Zsigmond, 20-minutes with David Thompson (editor of 'Altman on Altman' and producer of the BBC s 'Robert Altman in England'). There is a 1/4 hour featurette Tom Williams on Raymond Chandler, another with Maxim Jakubowski on 'Hard Boiled Fiction', a 'TRAILERS FROM HELL' episode with Josh Olson, Radio Spots, TV Spots and two theatrical trailers. The package has a reversible sleeve (see below) and an O-card slipcase.

Classic Altman Neo-Noir, - a highly intelligent adaptation and deconstructive look at dark cinema mythology. It's a masterpiece and with the Kino Blu-ray 4K look, Tim Lucas commentary and bevy of extras - it gets put in the 'irresistible' category for cinephiles. What an enjoyable package.  

***

ADDITION: Kino (2014) Blu-ray - November 14':  Cutting to the chase - the Kino is more similar to the Potemkine looking a shade lighter. I think more dependant on how this look in the static screen captures below is the size of your system. Yes, it is the least robust of the 3 - single layered but a supportive bitrate. It may show a shade of softness and a couple of less-noticeable compression artifacts but it is still a decent-enough release of the film for region 'A'-locked audiences. I've compared 6 or 7 still captures expandable to full resolution - and you may compare if you are keen. My eras don't note much of a difference in the audio - it sounded pretty good to me. The Kino does have optional English subtitles. It also has a few supplements - the 25-minute RIP Van Marlow, with Robert Altman and Elliot Gould piece as found on the Arrow - as well as the 15-minute with director of photography Vilmos Zsigmond. It has the 5 Radio Spots and a trailer and adds an article from American Cinematographer 1973 with Intro in click-thru text screens. I suspect most Altman fans will appreciate this package. A shade inferior, but still recommended!

***

ADDITION: Potemkine and Arrow - Region 'B' - Blu-rays (December 2013): The newer Arrow improves over the previous European Blu-ray. The technical transfer is more robust with a high video bitrate showing up as slightly darker and richer black levels (and warmer skin tones) in the new 1080P visuals compared below. Framing (2.35:1) seems the same on both Blu-rays both adding additional information from the older DVD. Basically, the image quality is a solid representation of the original production looking thick and, relatively, flat. Grain textures are present and contrast takes a leap forward. I saw no noise, or artefacts, on either HD edition. Generally speaking the Arrow is the best in regards to the video.

Audio technically goes to Arrow as well, but I wasn't able to notice any significant differences. Both authentically mono with no range and only minor depth exported. The Potemkine edition has a French DUB (and French subtitles when English audio is selected) and the UK Blu-ray offers John Williams, seething, score, isolated - as an option - as well as the choice of English (SDH) subtitles. Both are encoded region 'B'-locked.

All three editions offer the 25 minute documentary RIP Van Marlow with Robert Altman and Elliot Gould discussing the film. As well all three digital releases include the informative 15-minutes with director of photography Vilmos Zsigmond. The Potemkine has non-removable French subtitles for these pieces and includes a 20-minute interview with Jean-Baptiste Thoret (in French only) about the film. Arrow, as we have come to expect add further supplements. Robert Altman: Giggle and Give In is almost an hour long and fans of the director will appreciate this documentary profile of Robert Altman by Paul Joyce, with contributions from Altman, Elliott Gould, Shelley Duvall, assistant director Alan Rudolph and screenwriter Joan Tewkesbury, There are more interviews - almost an hour with, the likeable, Elliot Gould, 20-minutes with David Thompson (editor of 'Altman on Altman' and producer of the BBC s 'Robert Altman in England), 15 more with Tom Williams talking about Raymond Chandler and equal time with Maxim Jakubowski on the subject of Hard Boiled Fiction. Lastly there are 3.5 minutes of Radio Spots. The package contains a liner notes booklet featuring new writing on the film by Brad Stevens, a new interview with assistant director Alan Rudolph and an extract from American Cinematographer discussing Zsigmond's unique treatment of the film, illustrated with original archive stills and posters.

Easy to choose, especially if you consider that some players may not be able to remove the French subtitles when English audio is chosen on the Potemkine.  Arrow come through again!  

***

ON THE DVD: Very decent if not stellar transfer from MGM. It is always hard to judge image on Altman films as so much of the seemingly weak production characteristics are intentional. For, usually lackluster, MGM, I'd say this package is fabulous. Extras are stacked with featurettes, articles, radio spots. Audio and subtitles are pretty good. Nice to see such a hidden classic be given some digital respect. Even if the package was bare bones I'd recommend based on the film, but with these relevant supplements its a must-own DVD. Both the 'Rip Van Marlowe' and 'Vilmos Szigmund Flashes The Long Goodbye' are entertaining and educational. Noir devotees will get the biggest entertainment value.

Gary W. Tooze

 


Menus


 

Potemkine Films Region 'B' - Blu-ray

 

Arrow Academy - Region 'B' - Blu-ray

 

Kino (2014) Region 'A' - Blu-ray

 

 

Kino (2021) Region 'A' - Blu-ray

 


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

 

Subtitle Sample

 

1) MGM Region 1 - NTSC TOP

2) Potemkine Films Region 'B' - Blu-ray - SECOND

3) Arrow Academy - Region 'B' - Blu-ray THIRD

4) Kino (2014) - Region 'A' - Blu-ray FOURTH

5) Kino (2021) - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 

Screen Captures

 

1) MGM Region 1 - NTSC TOP

2) Potemkine Films Region 'B' - Blu-ray - SECOND

3) Arrow Academy - Region 'B' - Blu-ray THIRD

4) Kino (2014) - Region 'A' - Blu-ray FOURTH

5) Kino (2021) - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 


1) MGM Region 1 - NTSC TOP

2) Potemkine Films Region 'B' - Blu-ray - SECOND

3) Arrow Academy - Region 'B' - Blu-ray THIRD

4) Kino (2014) - Region 'A' - Blu-ray FOURTH

5) Kino (2021) - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 


1) MGM Region 1 - NTSC TOP

2) Potemkine Films Region 'B' - Blu-ray - SECOND

3) Arrow Academy - Region 'B' - Blu-ray THIRD

4) Kino (2014) - Region 'A' - Blu-ray FOURTH

5) Kino (2021) - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 


1) MGM Region 1 - NTSC TOP

2) Potemkine Films Region 'B' - Blu-ray - SECOND

3) Arrow Academy - Region 'B' - Blu-ray THIRD

4) Kino (2014) - Region 'A' - Blu-ray FOURTH

5) Kino (2021) - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 


1) MGM Region 1 - NTSC TOP

2) Potemkine Films Region 'B' - Blu-ray - SECOND

3) Arrow Academy - Region 'B' - Blu-ray THIRD

4) Kino (2014) - Region 'A' - Blu-ray FOURTH

5) Kino (2021) - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 

 


1) MGM Region 1 - NTSC TOP

2) Potemkine Films Region 'B' - Blu-ray - SECOND

3) Arrow Academy - Region 'B' - Blu-ray THIRD

4) Kino (2014) - Region 'A' - Blu-ray FOURTH

5) Kino (2021) - Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 


More full resolution (1920 X 1080) Blu-ray Captures for DVDBeaver Patreon Supporters HERE

 


Box Cover

 

  

Bonus Captures:

Distribution MGM Home Video - Region 1 - NTSC Potemkine Films
Region 'B' - Blu-ray
Arrow Academy
Region 'B' - Blu-ray
Kino (2014) Video
Region 'A' -
Blu-ray
Kino (2021) Video
Region 'A' -
Blu-ray

 




 

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Gary Tooze

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