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S E A R C H    D V D B e a v e r

(aka "Fellini Satyricon" or " The Degenerates")

http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film/direct-chair/fellini.htm
Italy / France 1969

Federico Fellini’s career achieved new levels of eccentricity and brilliance with this remarkable, controversial, extremely loose adaptation of Petronius’s classical Roman satire, written during the reign of Nero. An episodic barrage of sexual licentiousness, godless violence, and eye-catching grotesquerie, Fellini Satyricon follows the exploits of two pansexual young men—the handsome scholar Encolpius and his vulgar, insatiably lusty friend Ascyltus—as they move through a landscape of free-form pagan excess. Creating apparent chaos with exquisite control, Fellini constructs a weird old world that feels like science fiction.

 

Posters

Theatrical Release: September 3, 1969

Reviews                                                                                          More Reviews                                                                                DVD Reviews

 

Comparison:

MGM (US) - Region 1 - NTSC vs. MGM (Europe) - Region 2, 4 - PAL vs. Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray vs. Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray

Big thanks to Peter Mann and Pavel Borodin for the DVD Screen Caps!

1) MGM (US) - Region 1 - NTSC - LEFT

2) MGM (Europe) - Region 2, 4 - PAL SECOND

3) Criterion Collection - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - THIRD

4) Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - RIGHT

 

Box Covers

  

   

Distribution

MGM (US)

Region 1 - NTSC

MGM (Europe)
Region 2, 4 - PAL
Criterion Collection, spine #747 - Region 'A' - Blu-ray Masters of Cinema - Spine #112
Region 'B' -
Blu-ray
Runtime 2:09.27 2:04:08 (4% PAL speedup) 2:09:42.983 2:09:42.983
Video

2.35:1 Original Aspect Ratio

16X9 enhanced
Average Bitrate: 5.84 mb/s
NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s

2.35:1 Original Aspect Ratio

16X9 enhanced
Average Bitrate: 8.13 mb/s
PAL 720x576 25.00 f/s

1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 46,412,783,564 bytes

Feature: 29,006,026,752 bytes

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

Total Video Bitrate: 25.89 Mbps

1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 40,622,769,661 bytes

Feature: 40,271,250,816 bytes

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

Total Video Bitrate: 34.93 Mbps

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

Bitrate:

 

MGM (US)

 

Bitrate:

 

MGM (Europe)

 

Bitrate: Criterion

Blu-ray

 

Bitrate: Masters of Cinema

Blu-ray

 

Audio Italian (DD 2.0 mono), English (DD 2.0 mono)

French (Dolby Digital 2.0 mono), German (Dolby Digital 2.0 mono), Italian (Dolby Digital 2.0 mono), Spanish (Dolby Digital 2.0 mono)

LPCM Audio Italian 1152 kbps 1.0 / 48 kHz / 1152 kbps / 24-bit
Commentary:

Dolby Digital Audio English 192 kbps 1.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps

LPCM Audio Italian 1152 kbps 1.0 / 48 kHz / 1152 kbps / 24-bit
LPCM Audio English 1152 kbps 1.0 / 48 kHz / 1152 kbps / 24-bit
Subtitles English, French, Spanish, none English (HOH - only), French, German, Spanish, Finnish, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Portuguese, Hungarian, Greek, none English, none English, none
Features Release Information:
Studio: MGM (US)

Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen anamorphic - 2.35:1

Edition Details:
• Theatrical Trailer

DVD Release Date: September 7, 2004
Keep case

Chapters 16

Release Information:
Studio: MGM (Europe)

Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen anamorphic - 2.35:1

Edition Details:
• Theatrical Trailer

 

DVD Release Date: April 28, 2003
Keep case

Chapters 16

Release Information:
Studio: Criterion

Aspect Ratio:
Original aspect Ratio 2.35:1

1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 46,412,783,564 bytes

Feature: 29,006,026,752 bytes

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

Total Video Bitrate: 25.89 Mbps

Edition Details:

• Audio commentary featuring an adaptation of Eileen Lanouette Hughes’s memoir On the Set of “Fellini Satyricon”: A Behind-the-Scenes Diary
• Ciao, Federico!, Gideon Bachmann’s hour-long documentary shot on the set of Fellini Satyricon (1:00:15)
• Archival interviews with director Federico Fellini (Gideon Bachman - 10:48, audio only - French Television 1:39, Gene Shalit, 1975 - 2:08)
• New interview with cinematographer Giuseppe Rotunno (7:39)
• New documentary about Fellini’s adaptation of Petronius’s work, featuring interviews with classicists Luca Canali, a consultant on the film, and Joanna Paul (23:51)
• New interview with photographer Mary Ellen Mark about her experiences on the set and her iconic photographs of Fellini and his film (12:57)
• Felliniana, a presentation of Fellini Satyricon ephemera from the collection of Don Young (0:31)
• Trailer (2:24)
• PLUS: An essay by film critic Michael Wood
 

Blu-ray Release Date: February 24th, 2015
Transparent Blu-ray Case

Chapters 25

Release Information:
Studio: Masters of Cinema

 

1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 40,622,769,661 bytes

Feature: 40,271,250,816 bytes

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

Total Video Bitrate: 34.93 Mbps

 

Edition Details:
Trailer (2:24)
48-PAGE BOOKLET featuring a new essay by Pasquale Iannone on Fellini and his usage of the 'Scope frame; rare archival imagery

Blu-ray Release Date: April 27th, 2015
Standard Blu-ray case

Chapters:

 

 

 

Comments

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

ADDITION: Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray April 15': The video looks the exact same in our static capture frame comparisons, but as the Masters of Cinema is more technically robust it may look a bit smoother in-motion (dependant on your system). It must be from the same restoration and, like the Criterion, looks very impressive. Without the supplements - the UK transfer has a max'ed out bitrate and is, essentially, superior in terms of image quality (9 Mbps higher bitrate) although noticing this may be dependant on your size of screen and how discerning your are.

The big issue is why Criterion did not include the English language track - repeating Samuel's comments: Unlike the original MGM DVD, there is no English language track on the Criterion Blu-ray, As Samuel tells us in email "The 3 principal characters are English or American, spoke their lines in English, and the film I saw in theaters in 1969 was in English (most Italian actors dubbed of course)." (Thanks Samuel!)

But Masters of Cinema have included the English-language track as well as the Italian - both lossless linear PCM. It also has optional English subtitles and is region 'B'-locked.

Their only extras are a, rougher looking, trailer and large liner notes booklets featuring a new essay by Pasquale Iannone on Fellini and his usage of the 'Scope frame; rare archival imagery; and more.

So The Masters of Cinema wins for the a/v presentation and Criterion gets the nof for the extras.

***

ADDITION: Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - February 2015': The Criterion image not only offers a far more authentic shift in the color scheme, but also significantly more information in the frame (edges). Along with the tighter, richer colors (noble reds, blues and golds), the HD image exports a pleasing depth and film-like feel. There is more detail and every visual aspect has improved over the flatter, duller DVDs. Bravo!

Criterion opt for a linear PCM in original 1.0 channel mono at 1152 kbps. Authentic, clear and consistent. The score has contributions from a few including Nino Rota (8 1/2, I Clowns, Purple Noon, The Leopard etc.) and pieces like The Drums for the Niegpadouda Dance. It all benefits from the lossless and there is some minor depth to appreciate. Criterion have optional English subtitles on their region 'A'-locked Blu-ray disc.

NOTE: Unlike the original MGM DVD, there is no English language track on the Criterion Blu-ray, As Samuel tells us in email "The 3 principal characters are English or American, spoke their lines in English, and the film I saw in theaters in 1969 was in English (most Italian actors dubbed of course)." (Thanks Samuel!)

Extras are extensive. Recorded by Criterion in 2014, we get an audio commentary that is a dramatic reading from Eileen Lanouette Hughes’s 1971 memoir On the Set of “Fellini Satyricon”: A Behind-the-Scenes Diary and makes for a highly interesting re-viewing of the film. Ciao, Federico!, Gideon Bachmann’s hour-long, highly remarkable 1970, documentary shot on the set of Fellini Satyricon captures Fellini at work interspersed with interviews, comments from some of the performers and members of his entourage. It shows rants (after one of the set designers), an actress - and then a yelled apology, reassuring concerned Capucine while morphing into a flirtatious and sprightly character not unlike the protagonists of Satyricon's colorful, ancient, murals. While he claimed to hate to give interviews, Federico Fellini rarely declined to take part in them. Criterion include several conversations with the director - a 10-minute, audio only, archival segment conducted by Gideon Bachman, a short French Television piece from 1969 and 2-minutes with Gene Shalit from 1975. From 2011, Criterion add their 7.5 minute interview with cinematographer Giuseppe Rotunno who shot nine different projects for Fellini but he claimed that Satyricon was the most challenging of them all. He described the production of this epic film. There is a new, 24-minute, documentary - produced by Criterion - about Fellini’s adaptation of Petronius’s work, featuring interviews with classicists Luca Canali, a consultant on the film, and Joanna Paul author of the article Fellini-Satyricon: Petronius and Film. More new Criterion-produced video - we get a 2014 interview with world-famous photographer Mary Ellen Mark, who was just 20 when Look magazine assigned her to document the production of Fellini Satyricon. She shares her experiences on the set and her iconic photographs of Fellini and his film for about 13-minutes. We also get Felliniana, a presentation of Fellini Satyricon ephemera from the collection of Don Young's memorabilia, the Felliniana Archive. There is also a trailer and the package has a liner notes booklet with an essay by film critic Michael Wood.

Truly magnificent and one of the most stacked Blu-ray package of the early year. So much value here - this is an easy must-have for cinephiles everywhere. Our highest recommendation!

***

ON THE DVD: Interesting comparison in that it indicates use of the same transfer for both the R1 and R2 release, with minimal differences overall. The R2 has a more substantial bit rate but includes two additional audio tracks that may make up that difference. Which one you will prefer may boil down to availability, player preference (PAL vs NTSC) and language/subtitle track.

 - Peter Mann

Peter is spot-on with his comments. The Region 1 may be slightly darker and I think the PAL version may have the superior contrast. It is possible that the NTSC may be marginally sharper, but again differences are of negligible.

Gary W. Tooze

NOTE: the PAL edition's English subtitles are only hearing Impaired!

 


Menus

(MGM (US) - Region 1 - NTSC - LEFT vs. MGM (Europe) - Region 2, 4 - PAL - RIGHT)
 

 

Criterion Collection - Region 'A' - Blu-ray

 

 

Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray

 


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

 

Subtitle Sample

1) Criterion Collection - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - TOP

2) Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

 

 

Screen Captures

 

1) MGM (US) - Region 1 - NTSC - TOP

2) MGM (Europe) - Region 2, 4 - PAL SECOND

3) Criterion Collection - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - THIRD

4) Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

 


1) MGM (US) - Region 1 - NTSC - TOP

2) MGM (Europe) - Region 2, 4 - PAL SECOND

3) Criterion Collection - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - THIRD

4) Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

 


1) MGM (US) - Region 1 - NTSC - TOP

2) MGM (Europe) - Region 2, 4 - PAL SECOND

3) Criterion Collection - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - THIRD

4) Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

 


1) MGM (US) - Region 1 - NTSC - TOP

2) MGM (Europe) - Region 2, 4 - PAL SECOND

3) Criterion Collection - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - THIRD

4) Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

 


1) MGM (US) - Region 1 - NTSC - TOP

2) MGM (Europe) - Region 2, 4 - PAL MIDDLE

3) Criterion Collection - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

 


1) MGM (US) - Region 1 - NTSC - TOP

2) MGM (Europe) - Region 2, 4 - PAL MIDDLE

3) Criterion Collection - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

 


1) MGM (US) - Region 1 - NTSC - TOP

2) MGM (Europe) - Region 2, 4 - PAL MIDDLE

3) Criterion Collection - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

 

More Blu-ray captures


 

Recommended Books on Federico Fellini (CLICK COVERS or TITLES for more information)

 

Federico Fellini
by Christopher Wiegand
Fellini on Fellini
by Federico Fellini, Isabel Quigley
The Cinema of Federico Fellini
by Peter Bondanella
The Films of Federico Fellini (Cambridge Film Classics)
by Peter Bondanella, Ray Carney
I'm a Born Liar: A Fellini Lexicon
by Damian Pettigrew
Fellini
by Lietta Tornabuoni
Fellini: A Life
by Hollis Alpert
I, Fellini
by Charlotte Chandler, Billy Wilder

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Report Card:

 

Image:

Masters of Cinema Blu-ray

Sound:

Masters of Cinema Blu-ray

Extras: Criterion Blu-ray
Box Covers

  

   

Distribution

MGM (US)

Region 1 - NTSC

MGM (Europe)
Region 2, 4 - PAL
Criterion Collection, spine #747 - Region 'A' - Blu-ray Masters of Cinema - Spine #112
Region 'B' -
Blu-ray



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Gary Tooze

Many Thanks...