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S E A R C H    D V D B e a v e r

(re-edited in he U.S.A. as "The Wild Heart")

http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film/direct-chair/powell.htm
UK 1950

The title "Gone to Earth" is taken from the Fox Hunter's bellow when the sought after target is no longer obtainable. Emeric Pressburger adapted Mary Webb's story and with backing from the legendary David O. Selznick, this film, with its fairy tale qualities, was directed by Michael Powell. Shot, on location in the Shropshire countryside, I don't think I have seen a more beautiful film in my life.

 

Set at the turn of the Century, we are introduced to Hazel Woodus (Jennifer Jones), a very desirous, superstitious and simple country lass who loves all the creatures who inhabit her small village. Objectified for her striking beauty by the local squire, arrogant Jack Reddin, who comments "she is mine - head to foot" even though she has already taken marital vows with Edward Marston (Cyril Cusack). 

 

This is a story about innocence, desire, small town religious oppression, values, forgiveness, arrogance, and standing up for one's beliefs and love at all costs. The cinematography is some of the best I have ever seen and the outdoor colors will make you swoon - and if that doesn't Jennifer Jones will. I was so wrapped up in this film that I am prepared to continue to make sweeping and superlative statements about it - enough to fill this page. I will, for everyone's sake, stop here. In short, THIS is MY type of film.

 

NOTE: Selznick, in his infinite wisdom, took Powell and Pressburger to court for not adhering to the script, eventually losing, but as he had obtained the western hemisphere rights to the film. He re-shot many scenes using the California countryside and mercenary Rouben Mamoulian as director filling in the plot with a higher than required melodramatic tone. The new film was called The Wild Heart.  As with his interference in Terminal Station, converting it to Indiscretion of an American Wife, he again bastardized an original masterpiece creating a flawed and unnecessary reproduction.

 

Posters, Book Covers

Theatrical Release: November 6th, 1950 - UK

Reviews                                                                     More Reviews                                                             DVD Reviews

 

Comparison:

P T Video / Fremantle - Region 2 - PAL vs. Sky Cinema (Korea) - Region 0 - NTSC vs. Golem Video (Cineclub Classico) - Region 0 - PAL vs. Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray

Big thanks to Peter Ax for the Korean screen captures !

Box Covers

  

  

 

   

 

  

This is available at Amazons across Europe but as we have been convinced it is an illegal bootleg that we don't want to endorse.

 

Bonus Captures:

Distribution

P T Video / Fremantle

Region 2 - PAL

Sky Cinema (Korea)
Region 0 - NTSC

Golem Video (Cineclub Classico)

Region 0 - PAL

Kino

Region 'A' - Blu-ray

Runtime 1:46:28 1:46:22 (no adjustment for PAL timing) 1:46:24

Gone to Earth:

1:51:03.907

The Wild Heart:

1:26:37.066

Video

1.37:1 Original Aspect Ratio
Average Bitrate: 4.77 mb/s
PAL 720x576 25.00 f/s

1.33:1 Original Aspect Ratio
Average Bitrate: 5.76 mb/s
NTSC 704x480 29.97 f/s

1.33:1 Original Aspect Ratio
Average Bitrate: 5.1 mb/s
PAL 720x576 25.00 f/s

Disc Size: 45,224,930,169 bytes

Gone to Earth Size: 24,435,007,488 bytes

The Wild Heart: 18,721,247,232 bytes

Average Bitrate: 25.99 Mbps

Dual-layered Blu-ray MPEG-4 AVC Video / 1080P 23.976 fps

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

Bitrate:

P T Video / Fremantle

Bitrate:

Sky Cinema (Korea)

 

Bitrate:

Golem Video

 

Bitrate:

Kino (Gone top Earth) Blu-ray

 

Bitrate:

Kino (The Wild Heart) Blu-ray

 

Audio English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono)

English (Dolby Digital 2.0)

English (Dolby Digital 2.0), DUB: Italian (Dolby Digital 2.0)

DTS-HD Master Audio English 1558 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1558 kbps / 16-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 16-bit)
Commentaries:

Dolby Digital Audio English 192 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps

Subtitles None Korean, None Italian, None English, None
Features Release Information:
Studio: P T Video / Fremantle

Aspect Ratio:
Fullscreen - 1.37:1

Edition Details:
• Powell's Home Movies (Behind-the-scenes footage) (24:55)
• 5 Interview questions to Ian Christie, (Powell biographer) (Total: 10:56 min)
• Text page biographies of Jennifer Jones, David Farrer, Cyril Cusack, Michael Powell and Ian Christie
• Photo gallery (14 images in click-thru slideshow)

DVD Release Date: August 27th, 2001
Keep Case

Chapters 12

Release Information:
Studio: Sky Cinema (Korea)

Aspect Ratio:
Fullscreen - 1.33:1

Edition Details:
• Filmography

 

DVD Release Date: 2004-02-17
Keep Case

Chapters 12

Release Information:
Studio: Golem Video (Cineclub Classico)

Aspect Ratio:
Fullscreen - 1.33:1

Edition Details:
• None

DVD Release Date:
February 26th, 2014
Keep Case

Chapters 12

Release Information:
Studio:
Kino

 

Disc Size: 45,224,930,169 bytes

Gone to Earth Size: 24,435,007,488 bytes

The Wild Heart: 18,721,247,232 bytes

Average Bitrate: 25.99 Mbps

Dual-layered Blu-ray MPEG-4 AVC Video / 1080P 23.976 fps

 

Edition Details:
• Audio Commentary by Film Historian Troy Howarth for The Wild Heart
• Audio Commentary by Film Historian Samm Deighan for Gone to Earth
• Trailers

Blu-ray Release Date: June 25th, 201
9
Standard Blu-ray case

Chapters 8 X 2

 

 

 

 

Comments

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

ADDITION: Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - (June 2019) - After a few delays - we finally get Powell and Pressburger's Technicolor gem Gone to Earth (and the bastardized The Wild Heart) to Blu-ray. This was one of my most coveted DVD releases and am thrilled to have it reach 1080P. The Wild Heart is the title with the 25-minute longer Gone to Earth cited in a supplementary labelling on the cover, but, rightfully, the Powell/Pressburger original cut is superior in appearance in HD. Some of the country sequences in Shropshire, England look just amazing on my system. The image is dark with impressively rich Technicolor hues. Everything advances from the single-layered DVDs including detail. These two films are separate transfers (not seamlessly-branched) on a dual-layered disc with a supportive bitrate. The Wild Heart is softer and with duller colors and should only be seen as a curiosity. imo.

NOTE: We have added 40 more large resolution Kino Blu-ray captures for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE.

The audio is transferred via lossless DTS-HD Master 2.0 channel (for both films) at 16-bit. The effects (horses, etc.) and score by Brian Easdale who did the beautifully dramatic music in Powell and Pressburger's Battle of the River Plate, Black Narcissus, The Red Shoes and others. NOTE: From IMDb - The choir was the real choir from the local Methodist chapel. When he heard them singing, director Michael Powell said they were too good and he wanted them to sound "more ragged, like a choir of country folk" only to be told "But we ARE country folk, Mr. Powell." It all sounds quite good if not intensely deep. There are optional English subtitles (see sample) for both films. The Blu-ray disc is Region 'A'-locked.

For supplements - The Wild Heart has an optional audio commentary by film historian Troy Howarth who is detailed in citing the performers and crew with interesting stories. I was particularly keen on the audio commentary by film historian Samm Deighan for Gone to Earth. She goes into deep analysis regarding sexual awakening, nature and sexuality, Powell and Pressburger's theme of worlds in conflict and women who have two paths romance/love/sex or a vocation (see The Red Shoes and I Know Where I'm Going - with marriage as a vocational achievement in the latter) and she sees Gone to Earth as a follow up to A Canterbury Tale. The commentary is excellent with many new observations - it further enhanced my appreciation of the film. There are also some trailers but none for either film.

I adore Gone to Earth and the addition of the commentaries on the Blu-ray is immensely valuable. I consider this a must own - drowning myself in the rich Technicolor exported by HD. Our strong recommendation!

***

NOTE: THIS at Brenton Film article identifies Golem Video as a bootlegger. If correct, we discourage purchasing from them.

ADDITION - Golem Video (Cineclub Classico) Region FREE PAL edition (April 2016): I absolutely love this film to death. It was such a joy to re-watch it after a few years. This newer Golem Video (Cineclub Classico) Italian, single-layered, DVD is much similar to the others - perhaps a small notch ahead - a bit tighter with a marginally higher bitrate. Colors remains full and skin tones true. Such a glorious film that I would love to see in 1080P but with the Selznick kurfuffle it probably won't ever happen. A masterpiece buried by ego.

Audio is lossy Dolby but clean.

No extras. But as the film seems destined to stay in SD we will endorse, but hope for a higher resolution one day. The other two versions have jumped up quite a bit in price. I like this dramatically funky cover too (from the French poster). It's a must-see film experience as far as I am concerned - another of my favorite Powell and Pressburger films... you are poorer for not owning this in some digital form for your film library, IMO. 

***

On the first two DVDs: My only statement is that at least NTSC viewers have the opportunity to see this fine film in Digital Versatile Disc format. Unfortunately, as with many Korean DVD ports, it is plagued with deficiencies. Firstly it is obviously taken directly from a PAL source meaning ghosting and other inherent artifacts will be prevalent. They have even copied the Chapter #'s and names.  The image is also saturated and hazier than the PAL version. I also see some edge enhancement and the blurry picture quality gives me a headache. tack onto that there is some excessive red in the NTSC image. The Sky Cinema has no Extra Features and our obvious choice is the PT Video / Fremantle release.

 - Gary W. Tooze


DVD Menus

(P T Video / Fremantle - Region 2 - PAL - LEFT vs. Sky Cinema (Korea) - Region 0 - NTSC - RIGHT)
 

 

 

Golem Video (Cineclub Classico) - Region 0 - PAL
 

 

Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray

 


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

 

Subtitle Sample - Kino (Gone to Earth)- Region 'A' - Blu-ray

 

 

 

1) P T Video / Fremantle - Region 2 - PAL - TOP

2) Sky Cinema (Korea) - Region 0 - NTSC - SECOND

3) Golem Video (Cineclub Classico) - Region 0 - PAL - THIRD

4) Kino (Gone to Earth)- Region 'A' - Blu-ray - FOURTH

5) Kino (The Wild Heart)- Region 'A' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

 


 

1) P T Video / Fremantle - Region 2 - PAL - TOP

2) Sky Cinema (Korea) - Region 0 - NTSC - SECOND

3) Golem Video (Cineclub Classico) - Region 0 - PAL - THIRD

4) Kino (Gone to Earth)- Region 'A' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

 


 

1) P T Video / Fremantle - Region 2 - PAL - TOP

2) Sky Cinema (Korea) - Region 0 - NTSC - SECOND

3) Golem Video (Cineclub Classico) - Region 0 - PAL - THIRD

4) Kino (Gone to Earth)- Region 'A' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

 


 

1) P T Video / Fremantle - Region 2 - PAL - TOP

2) Sky Cinema (Korea) - Region 0 - NTSC - SECOND

3) Golem Video (Cineclub Classico) - Region 0 - PAL - THIRD

4) Kino (Gone to Earth)- Region 'A' - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

 


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

 

Hit Counter


Report Card:

 

Image:

Blu-ray

Sound:

Blu-ray

Extras: Blu-ray
Box Covers

  

  

 

   

 

  

This is available at Amazons across Europe but as we have been convinced it is an illegal bootleg that we don't want to endorse.

 

Bonus Captures:

Distribution

P T Video / Fremantle

Region 2 - PAL

Sky Cinema (Korea)
Region 0 - NTSC

Golem Video (Cineclub Classico)

Region 0 - PAL

Kino

Region 'A' - Blu-ray




 

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Gary Tooze

Many Thanks...