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S E A R C H D V D B e a v e r |
(aka "Das Cabinet des Dr. Caligari" or "The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari" or "Dr. Caligari" or "Caligari")
directed
by Robert Weine
Germany 1920
The
4K UHD of The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari is reviewed HERE
Undoubtedly one of the most exciting and inspired horror movies ever made. The story is a classic sampling of expressionist paranoia about a hypnotist who uses a somnambulist to do his murders, full of the gloom and fear that prevailed in Germany as it emerged from WWI. There are plenty of extremely boring sociological/critical accounts of the film; best to avoid them and enjoy the film's extraordinary use of painted light and Veidt's marvellous performance. Incidentally, the influence of Caligari on the cinema is much more problematic than some historians suppose. Thematically it has rarely been copied, and the style only really infiltrated in dream sequences and other odd devices. |
Posters
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Reviews More Reviews DVD Reviews
Comparison:
Image Entertainment - Region 0 - NTSC vs. Kino - Region 0 - NTSC vs. Universum Film - Region 'B' - Blu-ray vs. Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray vs. Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray |
All DVD captures courtesy of Pavel Borodin
1) Image Entertainment Region 0 - NTSC - LEFT2) Kino International Region 0 - SECOND 3) Universum - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - THIRD4) Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - FOURTH 5 ) Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - RIGHT |
Box Covers |
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Also coming out in a limited edition Blu-ray Steelbook by The Masters of Cinema on January 16th, 2017: |
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Distribution |
Image Entertainment Region 0 - NTSC |
Kino International Region 0 - NTSC |
Universum
Film Region 'B' - Blu-ray |
Masters
of Cinema - Spine #92 Region 'B' - Blu-ray |
Kino Region 'A' - Blu-ray |
Runtime | 1:11:36 | 1:14:18 | 1:17:12.041 | 1:17:17.716 | 1:17:16.798 |
Video |
1.33:1
Original Aspect Ratio |
1.33:1
Original Aspect Ratio |
Disc Size: 22,467,517,916 bytes Feature Size: 14,348,771,328 bytes Average Bitrate: 21.99 MbpsSingle-layered Blu-ray MPEG-4 AVC Video |
Disc Size: 36,966,099,961 bytes Feature Size: 25,157,514,816 bytes Average Bitrate: 34.94 MbpsDual-layered Blu-ray MPEG-4 AVC Video |
Disc Size: 29,271,515,073 bytes Feature Size: 17,121,718,272 bytes Average Bitrate: 24.40 MbpsDual-layered Blu-ray 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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Bitrate:
Image
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Bitrate:
Kino |
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Bitrate:
Universum Blu-ray |
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Bitrate:
Masters of Cinema Blu-ray |
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Bitrate:
Kino Blu-ray |
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Audio | (Dolby Digital 2.0) - Music only |
(Dolby Digital 2.0) - Music only |
DTS-HD Master Audio German 1535 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1535 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 768 kbps / 24-bit) |
LPCM Audio Undetermined 2304 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 2304 kbps / 24-bit DTS-HD Master Audio Undetermined 3758 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 3758 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit) Commentary: Dolby Digital Audio English 192 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps |
DTS-HD Master Audio 'University of Music, Freiburg' 1609 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz
/ 1609 kbps / 16-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 16-bit) DTS-HD Master Audio Paul D. Miller aka DJ Spooky 1745 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1745 kbps / 16-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 16-bit) |
Subtitles | English Intertitles - no "subs" - DOES NOT SCROLL! | English Intertitles - no "subs" - SCROLLS! | None | English, None | English, None |
Features |
Release Information: Studio: Image Entertainment Theatrical Release Date: March 19, 1921
Aspect Ratio: Discographic Information: Edition Details: DVD
Release Date: August 14, 2002 |
Release Information: Studio: Kino International Theatrical Release Date: March 19, 1921
Aspect Ratio:
DVD
Release Date: September 24, 2002
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Release Information: Studio: Universum Film
Disc Size: 22,467,517,916 bytes Feature Size: 14,348,771,328 bytes Average Bitrate: 21.99 MbpsSingle-layered Blu-ray MPEG-4 AVC Video
Edition Details: • Making of Der Digitalen Restaurierung (4:12) • Vergleich: Resraurierung 1984 und 2014 (2:43) • Arbeitsbeispiel Digitales Composite (1:40) Blu-ray Release Date: June 27th, 2014 Standard Blu-ray Case Chapters 12 |
Release Information: Studio: Masters of Cinema
Disc Size: 36,966,099,961 bytes Feature Size: 25,157,514,816 bytes Average Bitrate: 34.94 MbpsDual-layered Blu-ray MPEG-4 AVC Video
Edition Details: • You Must Become Caligari (15:38) • On the Restoration (8:47) • Re-Release Trailer(1:30) A 44-page booklet with new writing, reprints and rare archival imagery
DVD of the feature Chapters 7 |
Release Information: Studio: Kino
Disc Size: 29,271,515,073 bytes Feature Size: 17,121,718,272 bytes Average Bitrate: 24.40 MbpsDual-layered Blu-ray MPEG-4 AVC Video
Edition Details: • Restoration Demonstration 2 (2:42) • Trailer (1:07) Also available from Kino A 4-page booklet with essay by Kristen Thompson Blu-ray Release Date: November 18th, 2014 Standard Blu-ray Case inside cardboard slipcase Chapters 11 |
Comments: |
The 4K UHD of The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari is reviewed HERE NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were obtained directly from the Blu-ray disc. ADDITION: Kino Blu-ray - November 14': Okay - short story - same restoration, 1080P, but the Kino transfer is not as robust as the MoC (but slightly more than the Universum) - and the latter displays a richer image - albeit, marginally. The larger your system - the more you might notice - for those who project, the MoC is the heads-up winner. I've compared 4 or 5 below for your to toggle better the larger captures. Kino has a University of Music, Freiburg score and also offers a unique score by Paul D. Miller aka DJ Spooky - both in DTS-HD Master 2.0 channel. I really like the DJ Spooky score - very 'fresh' and it really worked for me. Its a little techno and plenty of effects (tubular bell-like) and also moves to a drum-jazz innovation. Thumbs up! The Intertitles were resumed from the flashtitles of the camera negative and a 16mm print from 1935 from the Deutsche Kinemathek in Berlin. I will verify soon - but believe this is region 'A'-locked. On the extras the same 52-minute German documentary Caligari: How Horror Came to the Cinema (titled on the MoC as - Caligari: The Birth of Horror in the First World War) with English subtitles, There is an image gallery, two short restoration demonstration pieces, a trailer and a 4-page, liner notes, booklet with essay by Kristen Thompson. I never tires of seeing this and I liked the fresh new score. Region 'A' aficionados will be pleased! *** ADDITION: Masters of Cinema Blu-ray - September 14': Masters of Cinema don't disappoint with a more robust, dual-layered, 1080P transfer. It looks superb - as good as the static Universum captures but slightly smoother in-motion. It's the same restoration by Friedrich-Wilhelm-Murnau-Stiftung but rendered with a max'ed out bitrate and the results are overwhelmingly impressive. The colored tints, appears to me - anyway, to be a shade richer. Overall the visuals are outstanding. Audio not only includes a linear PCM in lossless stereo but also a new DTS-HD Master 5.1 surround at a whopping 3758 kbps. It works amazingly well with the score, adding some subtle separations and an undeniable, imaginative, atmosphere. MoC add optional English subtitles to the original German Intertitle cards, and the Blu-ray disc is region 'B'-locked. We get an excellent new commentary by author and historian David Kalat providing a solid background education in The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari. Repeated from the Universum is the 52-minute long documentary on the cultural and historical context of the film entitled Caligari: The Birth of Horror in the First World War - but with English subtitles (and not in PAL speed-up). There is also a a new, 15-minute, video essay by David Cairns ; You Must Become Caligari with the humorous opening screen that states "The following is a work of speculative criticism. All German proper names are probably mispronounced, badly". I found it enjoyable and educational. There is 9-minutes on the restoration and a new re-release trailer. The Masters of Cinema package comes with a DVD and a 44-page booklet with new writing, reprints and rare archival imagery. Magnificent! As expected, MoC give us the definitive digital release of this masterpiece with a substantially more robust transfer, an optional surround sound track, a new commentary and excellent video extras. Our very highest recommendation! ***
ADDITION: Universum Blu-ray - July 14': Being brief, I was very anxious to see the restoration by Friedrich-Wilhelm-Murnau-Stiftung. It looks magnificent. The Universum Blu-ray is not English-friendly (not for feature nor any extras) but The Masters of Cinema group will be releasing this in September. Audio is also wonderful - supplements are all in German (no English subtitles) and deal with the restoration and a lengthy piece of The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari. *** ON THE DVDs: The first part (about 5 minutes) of Kino version has looks pretty poor. But overall it is sharper, has better contrast and is less cropped. On the Image Entertainment version "some scenes" display a translucent line near the top of the frame. This is a defect carried over from original film copy." This line is not present on Kino version.
The extras on Kino version are also better with a condensation of Wiene's Genuine: the Tale of a Vampire, Behind the Scenes promo footage of Wiene directing I.N.R.I., two musical scores, gallery of photos and artwork, samples of original German intertitles.. It also has animated menus. |
Associated Reading (CLICK COVERS or TITLES for more information)
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Metropolis (Bfi Film Classics, 54) by Thomas Elsaesser |
Movie Posters of the Silent Film Era To Color by Rex Schneider, Christopher Buchman |
American Film Cycles: The Silent Era (Bibliographies
and Indexes in the Performing Arts) by Larry Langman |
Family Secrets: The Feature Films of D. W. Griffith by Michael Allen |
The First Female Stars : Women of the Silent Era by David W. Menefee |
Silent Players: A Biographical and Autobiographical
Study of 100 Silent Film Actors and Actresses by Anthony Slide |
The Silent Cinema Reader by Lee Grieveson, Peter Kramer |
Silent Stars Speak: Interviews With Twelve Cinema
Pioneers by Tony Villecco |
Haunted Screen Expressionism in the German Cinema by Lotte Eisner |
Menus
(Image
Entertainment
R0 - NTSC Left vs. Kino International R0- NTSC - Right)
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Universum - Region 'B' - Blu-ray
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Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray
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Kino
- Region 'A - Blu-ray
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CLICK EACH BLU-RAY CAPTURE TO SEE ALL IMAGES IN FULL 1920X1080 RESOLUTION
Subtitle/Intertitle Sample
1 ) Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - TOP2) Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM
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1) Image Entertainment Region 0 - NTSC - TOP2) Kino International Region 0 - SECOND 3) Universum - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - THIRD4) Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - FOURTH 5 ) Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM |
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1) Image Entertainment Region 0 - NTSC - TOP2) Kino International Region 0 - SECOND 3) Universum - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - THIRD4) Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - FOURTH 5 ) Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM |
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1) Image Entertainment Region 0 - NTSC - TOP2) Kino International Region 0 - SECOND 3) Universum - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - THIRD4) Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - FOURTH 5 ) Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM |
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1) Image Entertainment Region 0 - NTSC - TOP2) Kino International Region 0 - SECOND 3) Universum - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - THIRD4) Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - FOURTH 5 ) Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM |
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1) Image Entertainment Region 0 - NTSC - TOP2) Kino International Region 0 - SECOND 3) Universum - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - THIRD4) Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM |
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1) Image Entertainment Region 0 - NTSC - TOP2) Kino International Region 0 - SECOND 3) Universum - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - THIRD4) Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM |
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1) Image Entertainment Region 0 - NTSC - TOP2) Kino International Region 0 - SECOND 3) Universum - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - THIRD4) Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM |
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1) Image Entertainment Region 0 - NTSC - TOP2) Kino International Region 0 - SECOND 3) Universum - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - THIRD4) Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM |
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More Blu-ray Captures
1) Universum - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - TOP 2) Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM |
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1) Universum - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - TOP 2) Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM
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1) Universum - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - TOP 2) Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM
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1) Universum - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - TOP 2) Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM
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1) Universum - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - TOP 2) Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM
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1) Universum - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - TOP 2) Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM
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1) Universum - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - TOP 2) Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM
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1) Universum - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - TOP 2) Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM
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Report Card:
Image: |
MoC Blu-ray |
Sound: |
MoC Blu-ray |
Extras: |
MoC Blu-ray |
Box Covers |
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Also coming out in a limited edition Blu-ray Steelbook by The Masters of Cinema on January 16th, 2017: |
|
Distribution |
Image Entertainment Region 0 - NTSC |
Kino International Region 0 - NTSC |
Universum
Film Region 'B' - Blu-ray |
Masters
of Cinema - Spine #92 Region 'B' - Blu-ray |
Kino Region 'A' - Blu-ray |
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