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S E A R C H D V D B e a v e r |
directed
by Stanley Kramer
USA 1967
Guess Who's Coming to Dinner is
remembered today for two significant
reasons: It was the first Hollywood film to
portray an interracial romance that had an
optimistic ending, and the film featured a
dream cast that included Spencer Tracy's
final screen performance. Although Tracy was
seriously ill at the time, Hepburn knew
that, with her help and a restricted
shooting schedule, he would be able to work.
According to Kramer, Tracy "had no physical
energy for the shooting of this film, and so
we had to film it only in the morning.
Columbia doesn't know to this day that we
shot only half days. They didn't believe the
film would be a commercial success anyway,
and if they'd known our schedule they would
have been doubly furious." |
Posters
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Theatrical Release: December 11th, 1967
Indicator (Powerhouse) initial slate of Blu-rays | |||||
Spine #001 | Spine #002 | Spine #003 | Spine #004 |
Spine #005 |
Spine #006 |
Spine #008 | Spine #010 | Spine #012 | Spine #013 | Spine #019 | Spine #020 |
Reviews
More
Reviews DVD
Reviews
Comparison:
Sony Pictures - Region 1 - NTSC vs. Sony Pictures (2-disc - 40th Anniversary Edition) - Region 1, 4 - NTSC vs. Twilight Time - Region FREE - Blu-ray vs. Indicator (UK) - Region FREE - Blu-ray vs. Sony (50th Anniversary) - Region FREE - Blu-ray |
1) Sony - Region 1 - NTSC - LEFT 2) Sony (Anniversary Edition) - Region 1, 4 - NTSC - SECOND 3) Twilight Time - Region FREE - Blu-ray - THIRD4) Indicator - Region FREE - Blu-ray - FOURTH 5) Sony - Region FREE - Blu-ray - RIGHT
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Box Covers |
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The Standard Edition (no book) Blu-ray coming in May 2020: |
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Distribution |
Sony Pictures Region 1 - NTSC |
Sony Pictures (40th Anniversary Edition) Region 1, 4 - NTSC |
Twilight Time Region FREE - Blu-ray |
Indicator (UK) Region FREE - Blu-ray |
Sony Region FREE - Blu-ray |
The Anniversary 2-disc is also available in the Stanley Kramer Film Collection which includes Ship of Fools, The Member of the Wedding, The Wild One, The 5,000 Fingers of Dr. T and Guess Who's Coming to Dinner. |
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Runtime | 1:48:00 | 1:47:56 | 1:48:06.354 | 1:48:10.275 | 1:48:08.482 |
Video |
1.85:1 Original Aspect Ratio
16X9 enhanced |
1.85:1 Original Aspect Ratio
16X9 enhanced |
1.85:1 Disc Size: 46,586,664,143 bytes Feature Size: 29,802,835,968 bytes Total Bitrate: 29.98 MbpsDual -layered Blu-ray MPEG4 - AVC |
1.85:1 Disc Size: 47,498,691,372 bytes Feature Size: 36,710,483,520 bytes Total Bitrate: 34.96 MbpsDual -layered Blu-ray MPEG4 - AVC |
1.85:1 Disc Size: 42,877,670,771 bytes Feature Size: 29,401,565,184 bytes Total Bitrate: 27.93 MbpsDual-layered Blu-ray MPEG4 - AVC |
NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes. |
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Bitrate : Sony Pictures |
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Bitrate: Sony Pictures (Anniversary Edition) |
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Bitrate: Twilight Time Blu-ray |
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Bitrate: Indicator Blu-ray |
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Bitrate: Sony Blu-ray |
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Audio | English (Dolby Digital 2.0), English (Dolby Digital 3.0), French (Dolby Digital 2.0) | English (Dolby Digital 2.0), DUB: French (Dolby Digital 2.0), Spanish (Dolby Digital 2.0) |
DTS-HD Master Audio English 2066 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 2066 kbps / 24-bit
(DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit)
DTS-HD Master Audio English 977 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 977 kbps / 24-bit
(DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 768 kbps / 24-bit) DTS-HD Master Audio English 1548 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1548 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 768 kbps / 24-bit) |
LPCM
Audio English 1152 kbps 1.0 / 48 kHz / 1152 kbps / 24-bit LPCM Audio Undetermined 2304 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 2304 kbps / 24-bit |
DTS-HD Master Audio English 3309 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 3309 kbps / 24-bit
(DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit)
Dolby
Digital Audio French 192 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps |
Subtitles | English, French, None | English, French, Spanish, None | English (SDH), None | English (SDH), None | English (SDH), French, Spanish, None |
Features |
Release Information: Studio: Sony Pictures Aspect Ratio:
Edition Details: Chapters 28 |
Release Information: Studio: Sony Pictures (Anniversary Edition) Aspect Ratio:
Edition
Details:
Disc 2
• Stills Gallery
DVD
Release Date: February 12th, 2008 Chapters 14 |
Release Information: Studio: Twilight Time
1.85:1 Disc Size: 46,586,664,143 bytes Feature Size: 29,802,835,968 bytes Total Bitrate: 29.98 MbpsDual -layered Blu-ray MPEG4 - AVC
Edition Details: Teaser trailer (1:04) • 8-page liner notes by Julie Kirgo Limited to 3,000 units Blu-ray Release Date: August, 2015White Blu-ray case Chapters 24
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Release Information: Studio: Indicator 1.85:1 Disc Size: 47,498,691,372 bytes Feature Size: 36,710,483,520 bytes Total Bitrate: 34.96 MbpsDual -layered Blu-ray MPEG4 - AVC
Edition Details: Transparent Blu-ray Case Chapters: 12 |
Release Information: Studio: Sony 1.85:1 Disc Size: 42,877,670,771 bytes Feature Size: 29,401,565,184 bytes Total Bitrate: 27.93 MbpsDual-layered Blu-ray MPEG4 - AVC
Edition Details: Trailer (2:37)
DigiBook case with essay by Gil Robertson, photos Blu-ray DigiBook Chapters: 16 |
Comments: |
NOTE:
The below
Blu-ray captures were
taken directly from the
Blu-ray
disc.
ADDITION: Sony - Region FREE -
Blu-rays (January
2017):
The
Sony
Blu-ray
is labeled as a '50th Anniversary Edition'. It has a handsome Digi-book
packaging. The a/v quality matches the other two
Blu-rays
with only some pixel-shifts supporting grain as a differentiation. They
have the DTS-HD Master 5.1 bump in lossless as well as a 3.0 channel
uncompressed plus two lossy DUB options. Subtitles are available and the
video extras match all previous excepting it does not have the isolated
score and the booklet (30-pages) is part of the Digi-book case. No
limited edition and it's very reasonably priced (32% OFF Pre-order at
the writing of this review) - so for many, pragmatic consumers, it's an
easy choice to snap-up. * **ADDITION: Twilight Time / Indicator - Region FREE - Blu-rays (November 2016): The Indicator Blu-rays we have reviewed to date - Christine, Body Double, 10 Rillington Place, To Sir, With Love do seem to have a synergy with Twilight Time - similar a/v, similar extras including isolated scores - also limited editions (3,000 or 5,000 units), Region FREE etc.. Guess Who's Coming to Dinner is the same and it certainly indicates a relationship of some sort. The 1080P image quality is very strong and I can't distinguish any strong differences with the Twilight Time. The HD advances handily beyond the SD with richer colors, depth and better grain/texture support.Where Twilight Time usually use DTS-HD Master transfers for the audio, Indicator utilize linear PCM tracks (both 24-bit.) My ears aren't capable of determining much of a difference but in this case Indicator also give the option of a DTS-HD Master 5.1 bump. I only briefly sampled it but I don't think the film lends itself to discreet separations. Frank De Vol's (The Flight of the Phoenix, The Dirty Dozen, Kiss Me Deadly, The Big Knife (1955), What Ever Happened To Baby Jane?, McLintock) poignant and gentle score is able to advance the film's drama and occasional humor. Both Blu-ray editions offer optional English (SDH) subtitles, isolated scores, and both are region FREE and limited to 3,000 units. Extras for both mimic the 2008 Anniversary DVD with the separate introductions by Spielberg, Brokaw, Quincy Jones and Karen Kramer, the 3 featurettes: A Love Story of Today, A Special Kind of Love and Stanley Kramer: A Man's Search For Truth, Kramer accepting the Irving Thalberg Award and 2007 Producer's Guild Award - a trailer and a teaser. But there are some differences - Twilight Time add a commentary with film historians Eddy Friedfeld, Lee Pfeiffer, and Paul Scrabo (and they are a good team - see our reviews of Schrader's Hardcore, The Laughing Policeman and Cat Ballou.) Indicator have a limited edition exclusive 20-page booklet with a new essay by the BFIs Tega Okiti and a critical overview by Jeff Billington and the UK package includes a second disc DVD (Dual-Format.) Both Blu-rays are great releases for this iconic film. Those keen on commentaries may wish to get the Twilight Time while they still can but the Indicator is also a formidable release. Both have our highest recommendation! *** ON THE DVDs: Back when it was 'Columbia Tri-Star', before being bought by Sony, they produced some incredible DVD transfers... and on single-layered discs too! You can see that the new dual-layered 40th Anniversary DVD is richer, better colors (perhaps some red boosting manipulation) and contrast, but the disparity is not overwhelming although many would say it is significantly better. Framing appears just about the same and overall the new edition is superior in terms of image presentation. The new edition offers a Spanish DUB (as well as the French) but loses the 3.0 track. I didn't notice a lot of (any) differences in the audio tracks - both represent the film very adequately in that regard. The new tacks on a Spanish subtitle option and seeing as that it is also coded for region 4 - it seems likely that it will be sold in South American too. The new transfer does appear somewhat cleaner - with a few less marks and speckles although I didn't consider it a significant deterrent when watching the older release (which also has a pan + scan version on the reverse side of the disc).
Where the Anniversary editions shows its real value are the supplements as the original release only offered a trailer as the lone extra. Disc one has no commentary but gives us 4 separate 'introductions' by Spielberg, Brokaw, Quincy Jones and Karen Kramer. Each are less than 3 minutes long and are really a chance for these four to express their admiration for Kramer and Guess Who's Coming To Dinner. On disc 2 there are 3 featurettes: A Love Story of Today runs almost a half hour and like the second, A Special Kind of Love (about 17 minutes) it exports similar information about Kramer, the film and its history. In fact it was probably shot at the same time as it has input from many of the same individuals including daughter Karen Kramer. They divide these things up to pay the participants less money. Regardless, good information on Kramer and definitely worth the time invested to watch (both). The third featurette, Stanley Kramer: A Man's Search For Truth is 16 minutes long and gives further detail on the director/producer and some of his more notable films. Lastly we have Kramer accepting the Irving Thalberg award and Al Gore, on behalf of, for the Producer's Guild Award last year. There are also some stills gallery photos. So overall a bit skimpy on the extras all considering, but certainly better than just a trailer. One of the big positives about this 2-disc releases is the price. The film holds up well and is always enjoyable to watch - carried by the strong performances - regretfully Spencer Tracy's last. Certainly it is worth the price tag of less than $15 in my opinion. So, even with less-than-stellar extras, we recommend! |
DVD Menus
(Sony Pictures - Region 1 - NTSC LEFT vs.
Sony Pictures (Anniversary Edition) - Region 1, 4 - NTSC RIGHT)
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DVD Disc 2
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Twilight Time - Region FREE - Blu-ray
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Indicator - Region FREE - Blu-ray
Sony - Region FREE - Blu-ray
Blu-ray
Extras
CLICK EACH BLU-RAY CAPTURE TO SEE ALL IMAGES IN FULL 1920X1080 RESOLUTION
1) Sony - Region 1 - NTSC - TOP 2) Sony (Anniversary Edition) - Region 1, 4 - NTSC - SECOND 3) Twilight Time - Region FREE - Blu-ray - THIRD4) Sony - Region FREE - Blu-ray - BOTTOM |
Subtitle Sample: Not exact frame
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1) Sony - Region 1 -
NTSC -
TOP 2) Sony (Anniversary Edition) - Region
1, 4 - NTSC - SECOND 3)
4) Indicator - Region FREE -
Blu-ray
- FOURTH
5) Sony - Region FREE -
Blu-ray
-
BOTTOM
1) Sony - Region 1 - NTSC - TOP 2) Sony (Anniversary Edition) - Region 1, 4 - NTSC - SECOND 3) Twilight Time - Region FREE - Blu-ray - THIRD4) Indicator - Region FREE - Blu-ray - FOURTH 5) Sony - Region FREE - Blu-ray - BOTTOM
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1) Sony - Region 1 - NTSC - TOP 2) Sony (Anniversary Edition) - Region 1, 4 - NTSC - SECOND 3) Twilight Time - Region FREE - Blu-ray - THIRD4) Indicator - Region FREE - Blu-ray - FOURTH 5) Sony - Region FREE - Blu-ray - BOTTOM
|
1) Sony - Region 1 - NTSC - TOP 2) Sony (Anniversary Edition) - Region 1, 4 - NTSC - SECOND 3) Twilight Time - Region FREE - Blu-ray - THIRD4) Indicator - Region FREE - Blu-ray - BOTTOM
|
1) Sony - Region 1 -
NTSC -
TOP 2) Sony (Anniversary Edition) - Region
1, 4 - NTSC - SECOND 3)
4) Indicator - Region FREE -
Blu-ray
-
BOTTOM
1) Sony - Region 1 - NTSC - TOP 2) Sony (Anniversary Edition) - Region 1, 4 - NTSC - SECOND 3) Twilight Time - Region FREE - Blu-ray - THIRD4) Indicator - Region FREE - Blu-ray - BOTTOM
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Report Card:
Image: |
Blu-rays |
Sound: |
Indicator Blu-ray |
Extras: | Twilight Time Blu-ray |
Indicator (Powerhouse) initial slate of Blu-rays | |||||
Spine #001 | Spine #002 | Spine #003 | Spine #004 |
Spine #005 |
Spine #006 |
Spine #008 | Spine #010 | Spine #012 | Spine #013 | Spine #019 | Spine #020 |