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S E A R C H D V D B e a v e r |
(aka "Nosferatu, eine Symphonie des Grauens" or "Nosferatu the Vampire" or "Nosferatu, a Symphony of Horror" or "Nosferatu, a Symphony of Terror" or "Nosferatu: The First Vampire" or "Terror of Dracula" or "Die Zwölfte Stunde") |
.
directed
by F.W. Murnau
Germany 1922
An iconic film
of the German expressionist cinema, and one of the most famous of
all
Silent movies, F. W. Murnau’s Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror
continues to haunt — and, indeed, terrify — modern audiences with
the unshakable power of its images. By teasing a host of occult
atmospherics out of dilapidated set-pieces and innocuous real-world
locations alike, Murnau captured on celluloid the deeply-rooted
elements of a waking nightmare, and launched the signature
“Murnau-style” that would change cinema history forever. In this first-ever screen adaptation of Bram Stoker’s Dracula, a simple real-estate transaction leads an intrepid businessman deep into the superstitious heart of Transylvania. There he encounters the otherworldly Count Orlok — portrayed by the legendary Max Schreck, in a performance the very backstory of which has spawned its own mythology — who soon after embarks upon a cross-continental voyage to take up residence in a distant new land… and establish his ambiguous dominion. As to whether the count’s campaign against the plague-wracked populace erupts from satanic decree, erotic compulsion, or the simple impulse of survival — that remains, perhaps, the greatest mystery of all in this film that’s like a blackout… Remade by Werner Herzog in 1979 (and inspiring films as diverse as Abel Ferrara’s King of New York and The Addiction, and E. Elias Merhige’s Shadow of the Vampire), F. W. Murnau’s surreal 1922 cine-fable remains the original and landmark entry in the entire global tradition of “the horror film”. |
Posters
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Theatrical Release: March 5th, 1922 - Germany
Reviews More Reviews DVD Reviews
Comparison:
Eureka - Masters of Cinema (2-disc) - Region 0 - PAL vs. Kino Video (2-disc) - Region 0 - NTSC vs. Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray vs. Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray vs. BFI - Region 'B' - Blu-ray |
1) Eureka - Masters of Cinema - Region 0 - PAL - LEFT2) Kino Video - Region 0 - NTSC - SECOND3) Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - THIRD 4) Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray FOURTH 5) BFI - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - RIGHT
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Box Covers |
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Also available as a Limited Edition Dual-Format Steelbook: |
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Distribution |
Eureka - Masters of Cinema Spine #64 Region 0 - PAL |
Kino Region 0 - NTSC |
Masters of Cinema - Spine #70 Region 'B' - Blu-ray |
Kino Region 'A' - Blu-ray |
BFI Region 'B' - Blu-ray |
Runtime | 1:34:33 | 1:34:09 | 1:35:11.205 | 1:35:29.755 | 1:28:32.125 |
Video |
1.33:1
Aspect Ratio |
1.33:1
Aspect Ratio |
1080P Dual-layered Blu-rayDisc Size: 42,122,868,845 bytes Feature: 31,192,747,584 bytes Video Bitrate: 34.83 MbpsCodec: MPEG-4 AVC Video |
1080P Single-layered Blu-rayDisc Size: 22,641,476,351 bytes Feature: 22,641,476,351 bytes Video Bitrate: 25.99 MbpsCodec: MPEG-4 AVC Video |
1080P Dual-layered Blu-rayDisc Size: 31,169,923,731 bytes Feature: 22,645,495,488 bytes Video Bitrate: 28.13 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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Bitrate:
Eureka |
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Bitrate: Kino (disc 1) |
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Bitrate: Kino (disc 2) |
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Bitrate: MoC Blu-ray |
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Bitrate: Kino Blu-ray |
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Bitrate: BFI Blu-ray |
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Audio |
Hans Erdmann score in 5.1 stereo |
Hans Erdmann score in 5.1 stereo and 2.0 |
LPCM Audio Undetermined 2304 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 2304 kbps
/ 24-bit DTS-HD Master Audio Undetermined 3912 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 3912 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit) Commentaries: Dolby Digital Audio English 192 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps Dolby Digital Audio English 192 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps |
DTS-HD Master Audio English 2077 kbps 5.1 / 48
kHz / 2077 kbps / 16-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 16-bit) LPCM Audio English 1536 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1536 kbps / 16-bit |
LPCM Audio English 2304 kbps
2.0 / 48 kHz / 2304 kbps / 24-bit DTS-HD Master Audio English 1984 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1984 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 768 kbps / 24-bit) |
Subtitles / Intertitles | Original German with optional English subtitle translation. | Translated Intertitles on Disc 1 and original German with optional English subtitle translation on disc 2. | Original German with optional English subtitle translation. | Original German with optional English subtitle translation. | English intertitle translations |
Features |
Release Information: Edition Details: • Commentary
track by
Silent film historian and bookseller R. Dixon Smith with
freelance film critic Brad Stevens. |
Release Information: Edition Details: • Two
versions of the film - with the original German intertitles as well as
with newly-translated English intertitles. • 'Nosferatu: Historic Film Meets Digital Restoration' - a 3-minute documentary • Lengthy excerpts from other films by F.W. Murnau: Journey Into the Night (1920), The Haunted Castle (1921), Phantom (1922), The Finances of the Grand Duke (1924), The Last Laugh (1924), Tartuffe (1925), Faust (1926), and Tabu (1931)
• Photo
Gallery |
Release Information:
1080P Dual-layered Blu-rayDisc Size: 42,122,868,845 bytes Feature: 31,192,747,584 bytes Video Bitrate: 34.83 MbpsCodec: MPEG-4 AVC Video
Edition Details:
• Stereo and 5.1 scores |
Release Information: 1080P Single-layered Blu-rayDisc Size: 22,641,476,351 bytes Feature: 22,641,476,351 bytes Video Bitrate: 25.99 MbpsCodec: MPEG-4 AVC Video
Edition Details: • Two
versions of the film - with the original German intertitles as well as
with newly-translated English intertitles. • Promotional Teaser (:59) • Lengthy excerpts from other films by F.W. Murnau: Journey Into the Night (1920), The Haunted Castle (1921), Phantom (1922), The Finances of the Grand Duke (1924), The Last Laugh (1924), Tartuffe (1925), Faust (1926), and Tabu (1931)
• 16 Photo
Gallery
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Release Information:
1080P Dual-layered Blu-rayDisc Size: 31,169,923,731 bytes Feature: 22,645,495,488 bytes Video Bitrate: 28.13 MbpsCodec: MPEG-4 AVC Video
Edition Details:
• Christopher Frayling on Nosferatu (Lynne
Wake, 2002, 24 mins): a video essay on Murnau and the production of
Nosferatu (24:08) |
Comments: |
NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc. ADDITION: BFI - Region 'B' - Blu-ray (October 2015): BFI's new Nosferatu restoration looks very different from the other two Blu-ray editions. Tinting (especially the green) is minimized or removed being replaced with sepia or more pure black and white. Although it is still there in the title:
This can tend to heighten the damage (which I have no problem with) and remove detail - notably shadow detail - which can be lost. Also too bright segments remove detail (turning head capture). I don't have issue with either as the expression of the film remains intact and is actually exemplified, IMO. The damage exports the age and rustic characteristic of the film - example, I wouldn't even want to see it looking glossy and pristine - and detail being more limited simply adds a new aura augmenting the atmosphere. There are still some tints (purple sky):
BFI use translated and new intertitles in a very cool font. Their 1080P presentation is accompanied by James Bernard's acclaimed score via either linear PCM or a DTS-HD 5.1 sounding exemplary. So, basically, this is a whole new presentation combining audio and video - and I thoroughly enjoyed it! It IS region 'B'-locked. Extras include 24-minutes with Christopher Frayling, from 2002, talking about Nosferatu and its production. It is excellent. We also get Jean Painlevé's 1945 Le Vampire - the study of the South American vampire bat, as an allegory of the Nazism running 8.5 minutes and Percy Stow's 1904 The Mistletoe Bough which is the oldest film version of a classic Christmas ghost story recently restored by the BFI, featuring a new score by Saint Etienne's Pete Wiggs. There is also a stills gallery, featuring some of Albin Grau's original production drawings. So, no commentary - but I appreciated the different look. For those who can't get enough of this film - this particular viewing really impressed me. I have always been less-a-fan of tints and the vibrant uncompressed score and no subtitles (already translated intertitles) can give it a new face. To that select group of cinema fans - this Blu-ray is certainly recommended! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. *** ADDITION: Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray (November 2013): Okay Kino are kind of straddling here by giving 2 Blu-rays (both with essentially the same technical transfer) - one with the original German intertitles and one with translated English intertitles. This is the same route they went with their 2007 DVD package. The Kino transfer(s) are (essentially single-layered -although the first disc is dual-layered because of the supplements) significantly less robust than the Masters of Cinema - but both are from Friedrich-Wilhelm-Murnau-Stiftung. So they have the same damage marks etc. We'd have to give the image to the UK 1080P with the superior transfer. This might be notable in artifacts and support of grain. At best the Kino is equal to the MoC visuals but those with more discerning eyes, or systems, will see the MoC superiority.
Kino have Hans Erdmann's original 1922 score in 5.1 Surround (DTS-HD) or 2.0 Stereo (LPCM). It sounds great but, again are both technically less robust than the MoC, which focused entirely on one strong dual-layered disc and the original German intertitles.
Kino have no commentaries, but include the same The Language of Shadows documentary available on all other digital versions in this comparison. It also has the same excerpts from other films by F.W. Murnau and same 16 image photo gallery. The only thing I see new is a 59 second Promotional Teaser.
Kino should have offered two different packages - one with German intertitles and one with translated-to-English. I doubt there are many films fans who would want both. We recommend the Masters of Cinema to those in region 'B' or with region freedom - for the superior video and audio, commentaries and liner notes. It's a slam dunk winner over the Kino, IMO.
***
ADDITION: Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray (November 2013): Firstly, this comes in both a standard Blu-ray and 'steelbook' editions. It is a new 1080p high-definition restoration by Friedrich-Wilhelm-Murnau-Stiftung. It is clearer, has more textures and, as with HD, shows the damage marks a shade more. I love these visuals - they are richer and have superior contrast supporting better detail. We seem to get a smidgeon more information in the frame. This is the best I have seen the film to date. I look forward to comparing to the upcoming Kino - Region 'A' Blu-ray for, what we hope is, a telling image comparison.
Audio is an option between 5.1 (DTS-HD) and 2.0 stereo (LPCM). I listened to
the latter and it sounded fabulous and atmospheric.
Masters of Cinema maintain the original German intertitles. Most of the
original intertitles and inserts are preserved in a saftey print from 1962
frrom Bundesarchiv-Filmarchiv Berlin/Koblenz, originating from a print in
1922. Missing intertitles and inserts were redesigned on the basis of the
original typography by trickWilk, Berlin. They are marked at the bottom with
F.W.M.S. The lab work was carried out by L'Immagine Ritrovata, Bolgna. This
From their past DVD release Masters of Cinema add more - now we get two
audio commentaries: one newly recorded by film historian David Kalat; the
second, found on the last DVD, by historian R. Dixon Smith and critic Brad
Stevens. Fans will love the new one as much as they did the 2007. The
Language of Shadows (also found on the 2007 DVD) is a 53-minute
documentary on Murnau’s early years and the filming of Nosferatu. We
get a new, 20-minute, video interview with
BFI Film Classics: Nosferatu author Kevin Jackson. There is the an
exclusive, 12-minute, video piece taped by and featuring filmmaker Abel
Ferrara - looking a bit rough. MoC add one of their impressive booklets - a
56-page one featuring writing by Gilberto Perez, Albin Grau, Enno Patalas,
and Craig Keller; notes on the restoration; and rare archival imagery.
This is another strongly recommended Masters of Cinema
*** ON THE DVDS: I'll try to be as concise as possible here. Kino have two versions of the film on two separate discs (with original German intertitles or with English translated Intertitles - see samples below).
Here are the similarities: 1) Both use the 2007 restoration by the F. W. Murnau-Stiftung. 2) Both are interlaced although the MoC is far less noticeable (see combing samples in very last capture). 3) Both are in the full-frame 1.33 aspect ratio for most of the film (segments appear pillarboxed). 4) Both are 2 disc packages with double thick keep cases (MoC has overlapping disc holders - Kino separate compartments). 5) Both offer the original German intertitles and both offer the Hans Erdmann score in 5.1 stereo (NOTE: Kino's first disc offers the film with English translated intertitles). 6) Supplement-wise they both give The Language of Shadows — a 53-minute German documentary by Luciano Berriatúa and both give the 3-minute short on the restoration process. 7) Both have the same running time - We suspect that the companies both made their masters from sources running at the original speed of 18 fps.
The
differences: 1) The
Eureka MoC disc is in the PAL standard (region 0). The Kino is in the NTSC
standard (also region 0). 2) The
MoC appears to have superior compression with far less artifacts than both Kino
versions but the Kino tends to look sharper at times. I'm unsure why this is. 3)
MoC's original German intertitle version is on a dual-layered disc sharing only
with commentary. Kino original German intertitles edition (second disc) is
on a single-layered edition. 4)
Supplements - MoC have added a very worthwhile commentary and a gorgeous 80-page
liner notes booklet. Kino added excerpts from other Murnau films and a photo
gallery. 5)
Contrast and color tinting can be slightly different in the two releases. 6) The
MoC shows more information in the frame. I hope
we have included enough comparison captures below to help you distinguish finer
point differences. I can't understand why even the single-layered Kino (disc 2 -
with original German intertitles) appears sharper than the MoC (honesty it was
not overly significant though on my system). I still rate the PAL version higher
as a package because of the commentary and the booklet. It's a fabulous DVD set
folks. I suppose many will also be very happy with the Kino - it was smart of
them to provide the original as an optional disc and it does look quite good
even beyond the heavier artifacts. Price isn't too different right now with the
slumping U.S. greenback. I'd like to endorse both - my heart is with the
wonderful Masters of Cinema package with the extras worthy of a Criterion.
Gary Tooze |
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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 |
Family Secrets: The Feature Films of D. W. Griffith by Michael Allen |
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
(Eureka - Masters of Cinema - Region 0 - PAL - LEFT
vs. Kino Video - Region 0 - NTSC - RIGHT)
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Disc 2
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Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray
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Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray 1
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Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray 2
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BFI - Region 'B' - Blu-ray
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CLICK EACH BLU-RAY CAPTURE TO SEE ALL IMAGES IN FULL 1920X1080 RESOLUTION
1) Eureka - Masters of Cinema - Region 0 - PAL - TOP2) Kino Video (Disc 2 - German Intertitles) - Region 0 - NTSC - SECOND3) Kino Video (Disc 1 - translated Intertitles) - Region 0 - NTSC - THIRD4) Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray FOURTH5) Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray FIFTH6) BFI - Region 'B' - Blu-ray BOTTOM |
NOTE: The SECOND Kino Intertitle actually dissolves into an English translated one (none of the others do).
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1) Eureka - Masters of Cinema - Region 0 - PAL - TOP2) Kino Video (Disc 2 - German Intertitles) - Region 0 - NTSC - SECOND3) Kino Video (Disc 1 - translated Intertitles) - Region 0 - NTSC - THIRD4) Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray FOURTH5) Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray FIFTH6) BFI - Region 'B' - Blu-ray BOTTOM |
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1) Eureka - Masters of Cinema - Region 0 - PAL - TOP2) Kino Video (Disc 2 - German Intertitles) - Region 0 - NTSC - SECOND3) Kino Video (Disc 1 - translated Intertitles) - Region 0 - NTSC - THIRD4) Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray FOURTH5) Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray FIFTH6) BFI - Region 'B' - Blu-ray BOTTOM
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1) Eureka - Masters of Cinema - Region 0 - PAL - TOP2) Kino Video (Disc 2 - German Intertitles) - Region 0 - NTSC - SECOND3) Kino Video (Disc 1 - translated Intertitles) - Region 0 - NTSC - THIRD4) Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray FOURTH5) Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray FIFTH6) BFI - Region 'B' - Blu-ray BOTTOM |
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1) Eureka - Masters of Cinema - Region 0 - PAL - TOP2) Kino Video (Disc 2 - German Intertitles) - Region 0 - NTSC - SECOND3) Kino Video (Disc 1 - translated Intertitles) - Region 0 - NTSC - THIRD4) Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray FOURTH5) Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray FIFTH6) BFI - Region 'B' - Blu-ray BOTTOM |
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1) Eureka - Masters of Cinema - Region 0 - PAL - TOP2) Kino Video (Disc 2 - German Intertitles) - Region 0 - NTSC - SECOND3) Kino Video (Disc 1 - translated Intertitles) - Region 0 - NTSC - THIRD4) Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray FOURTH5) Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray FIFTH6) BFI - Region 'B' - Blu-ray BOTTOM |
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1) Eureka - Masters of Cinema - Region 0 - PAL - TOP2) Kino Video (Disc 2 - German Intertitles) - Region 0 - NTSC - SECOND3) Kino Video (Disc 1 - translated Intertitles) - Region 0 - NTSC - THIRD4) Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray FOURTH5) Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray FIFTH6) BFI - Region 'B' - Blu-ray BOTTOM |
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1) Eureka - Masters of Cinema - Region 0 - PAL - TOP2) Kino Video (Disc 2 - German Intertitles) - Region 0 - NTSC - SECOND3) Kino Video (Disc 1 - translated Intertitles) - Region 0 - NTSC - THIRD4) Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray FOURTH5) Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray FIFTH6) BFI - Region 'B' - Blu-ray BOTTOM |
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1) Eureka - Masters of Cinema - Region 0 - PAL - TOP2) Kino Video (Disc 2 - German Intertitles) - Region 0 - NTSC - SECOND3) Kino Video (Disc 1 - translated Intertitles) - Region 0 - NTSC - THIRD4) Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray FOURTH5) Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray FIFTH6) BFI - Region 'B' - Blu-ray BOTTOM |
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1) Eureka - Masters of Cinema - Region 0 - PAL - TOP2) Kino Video (Disc 2 - German Intertitles) - Region 0 - NTSC - SECOND3) Kino Video (Disc 1 - translated Intertitles) - Region 0 - NTSC - THIRD4) Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray FOURTH5) Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray FIFTH6) BFI - Region 'B' - Blu-ray BOTTOM |
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1) Eureka - Masters of Cinema - Region 0 - PAL - TOP2) Kino Video (Disc 2 - German Intertitles) - Region 0 - NTSC - SECOND3) Kino Video (Disc 1 - translated Intertitles) - Region 0 - NTSC - THIRD4) Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray FOURTH5) Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray FIFTH6) BFI - Region 'B' - Blu-ray BOTTOM |
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1) Eureka - Masters of Cinema - Region 0 - PAL - TOP2) Kino Video (Disc 2 - German Intertitles) - Region 0 - NTSC - SECOND3) Kino Video (Disc 1 - translated Intertitles) - Region 0 - NTSC - THIRD4) Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray FOURTH5) Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray FIFTH6) BFI - Region 'B' - Blu-ray BOTTOM |
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1) Masters of Cinema - Region 'B' - Blu-ray - TOP2) Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray MIDDLE3) BFI - Region 'B' - Blu-ray BOTTOM
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