RusCiCo and Artificial Eye

2 Discs

Widescreen anamorphic - 2.35:1

Edition Details:
• Region 0
• DISC ONE: New digital transfer, enhanced for widescreen televisions
• Audio essay by Tarkovsky scholars Vida Johnson and Graham Petrie, co-authors of The Films of Andrei Tarkovsky: A Visual Fugue.

• New and improved English subtitle translation
• Optimal image quality: RSDL dual-layer edition
• DISC TWO: Nine deleted and alternate scenes ( not restored )

• Berton's Flight ( 3:05)

• Kris' Takeoff from Earth  (4:23)

• Something to Eat (1:08)

• Beginning of Part 2 (:59)

• Kris and Harl's Meal (2:21)

• Kris' Delerium/The Mirror Room (4:25)

• Mother (6:00)

• Further Philosophy (1:02)

Video interviews with: 

• Natalya Bondarchuk (32:20)

• Cinematographer Vadim Yusov (33:54) 

• Art director Mikhail Romadin (16:46)

• Composer Eduard Artemyev (21:43)
• Documentary excerpt with Solaris author Stanislaw Lem (4:55)

DVD Release Date:  November 26th, 2002
Double Keep Case
33 Chapters ( 33rd is Color Bars )

• Nine deleted and alternate scenes ( not restored )

•  Berton's Flight ( 3:05)
•  Kris' Takeoff from Earth (4:23)
•  Something to Eat (1:08)
•  Beginning of Part 2 (:59)
•  Kris and Harl's Meal (2:21)
•  Kris' Delerium/The Mirror Room (4:25)
•  Mother (6:00)
•  Further Philosophy (1:02)

Video interviews with:

• Natalya Bondarchuk (32:20)

• Cinematographer Vadim Yusov (33:54)

• Art director Mikhail Romadin (16:46)

• Composer Eduard Artemyev (21:43)
• Documentary excerpt with Solaris author Stanislaw Lem (4:55)
• 24-page liner notes booklet featuring an essay by critic Phillip Lopate and an appreciation by director Akira Kurosawa

Blu-ray Release Date:  May 24th, 2011
Transparent Blu-ray Case
32 Chapters

Chapters 12

AE include a second Blu-ray of extras with Film Psychoanalyst Mary Wild Introduction and her 'Andrei Tarkovsky's metaphysical dream zone' - Part 3; Solaris - Hyperreality vs. The Real running shy of 14 minutes. There is also an interview with with Natalya Bondarchuk for 5.5 minutes as well as 10-minute featurette; Donatas Banionis's "Master From a Little City"  (all offer optional English subtitles) and the package has a booklet - that I have not been privy to, yet.

Criterion, with their massive extras, may get the nod for the definitive release but the AE has substantial value for region 'B'ers... absolutely recommended! - a film that will stay with you for life!

***

ADDITION: Criterion - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - May 11': The new Criterion is improved in the expected areas - but most notably the black and white sequences which, like the rest of the film, are darker and show less of the light surface scratches. On the other DVDs - MK2 (France), RusCiCo (Russia) and Artificial Eye UK - these sequences had chroma. Colors don't vary much, but they are tighter and the overall image has a bit more information in the frame and showcases a bit of depth. The original Criterion DVD was not bad - but this Blu-ray supports the film in a significantly more distinguishable way. The 1080P 'scope' is far more film-like and this is another excellent Criterion HD transfer.

Audio remains faithfully mono - but in an uncompressed form; a linear PCM track at 1152 kbps. There are some effect sounds that benefit from the lossless track and it adds another level of atmosphere to the film experience. Criterion, predictably, have optional English subtitles on the Region 'A'-locked Blu-ray disc.

Extras duplicate the 2002 DVD with the commentary by Tarkovsky scholars Vida Johnson and Graham Petrie, co-authors of The Films of Andrei Tarkovsky: A Visual Fugue, the 9 deleted and alternate scenes and video interviews with Natalya Bondarchuk, cinematographer Vadim Yusov, Art director Mikhail Romadin and composer Eduard Artemyev plus the documentary excerpt with Solaris author Stanislaw Lem. There is also a 24-page liner notes booklet featuring an essay by critic Phillip Lopate and an appreciation by director Akira Kurosawa.

Tarkovsky fans didn't need my endorsement - to have the film looking its 1080P best and sounding authentic as well as available on one lone disc makes for an easy purchase. The extras alone are worth the price - our highest recommendation!

***

***

The RusCiCo and Artificial Eye versions are slightly cropped vertically reducing it from its aspect ratio of roughly 2.25 (2.30?) to 2.20 . Although the PAL - AE is superior to the RusCiCo NTSC, it is obvious to see the striking quality of the Criterion in comparison. I have gone through all the extras of the Criterion (and they are extensive), and they blow away the RusCiCo/AE. RusCiCo/AE does offer multiple sub-titles as well as dubs in English and French (if you are into that) but I still couldn't find a way to totally remove the subs from the RusCiCo. Thank goodness the Criterion finally came around with this one, the sharpness and attention to detail are outstanding. Might be their best disc of the year!

RusCiCo also changed the mono soundtrack to 5.1. It sounds very good, but not accurate and they don't offer the ability to choose the mono.

Regarding the Menus: The Criterion have limited animation, often with a shadowy Khari appearing and disappearing. However the resonance of the 5.1 in the RusCiCo/AE menus is quite stirring. I liked the RusCiCo better. It appears as though more work has gone into them.