Best version on DVD? - The General (1927) Discussion

[–] oz-33 18 years ago

It looks like the best dvd is the one from Image, restored by David Shepard.
It also has Steamboat Bill on it so is doubly good value.
Next would be the KINO version but their print shows more damage than Image.
There's a comparison on dvdbeaver.com

Remember to ask only those questions to which we have answers

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[–] 18 years ago

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[–] SinemaGirl 18 years ago

"What's the "Thames Silent Version" like?"

I have that on laserdisc and it's my favorite. If the transfer is the same on the DVD, it probably shows a bit more wear at times than newer releases, but the image is crisp and sharp, made from an original nitrate print (with no toning). The reason it's my favorite is the wonderful Carl Davis score. Like all his scores for the Thames Silents series, it's lush and sweeping.

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[–] tolaram 17 years ago

Does this version have the original score? Or does the original score not exist anymore?

Thanks

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[–] vdowndude 18 years ago

The best version on dvd is the region 0 Mk2 version. Similarly, if you don't want the french menu titles, get the director's suite version released in Australia which has the same transfer as the Mk2. All other versions are inferior as they are sepia-toned. Follow this link: http://www.michaeldvd.com.au/Reviews/Reviews.asp?ID=6162

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[–] 18 years ago

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[–] KubricksRube 17 years ago

I have the Catcom version. The *what* version? Yeah, it's a dirt-cheap, VHS-quality DVD (better than Madacy though) I found at Value City years ago (American dirt-cheap department store).

I prefer it to other versions I've seen on VHS and DVD because the speed feels more natural, not so fast as you sometimes see in other silents.

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[–] weblen 17 years ago

I have the Kino version. A plus to this version are two shorts starring Keaton, one of which is called The Playhouse. This is hysterically funny! Absolutely! And this short features a dream sequence in which multiple exposures are used, and every actor seen is Keaton. The General + The Playhouse makes a great combination. I can highly recommend the Kino version because of this.

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[–] farge-tv 17 years ago

My version (The 2 disc Region 2 MKII version) is great.
It has a remastered and restored picture without the sepia tone, and it looks spectacular. You can choose between two soundtracks, the 2004 version by Joe Hisiashi and the Tokyo philharmonic orchestra and the 1995 version. The 2004 score is in my opinion brilliant, and fits the movie perfectly.

As for extra content, here's the extensive list:
* An introduction by David Robinson
* The short "The Railrodder" with an old Buster Keaton
* "Buster Keaton Rides again" - A really nice documentary about making The Railrodder and the last part of Keaton's life
* "Filming the General" - short clips from the production, which shows us Keaton directing
* Excerpts from the tinted version, to show the difference
* A presentation by Orson Welles (really nice!)
* Keaton's filomgraphy, showing clips from all his movies
* "The return of the General", a short documentary about the restoration of the original locomotive
* http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0049279/
* http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0015953/
* http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0015564/

This is by far the best edition I have owned, and I recommend it strongly!

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[–] Kinematico 17 years ago

MK2 DVD is the best edition available.

I saw this movie in a crappy DVD that I bought in Spain, later I rented the MK2 DVD and the differences in terms of audio and video quality are huge! not to mention the "extras" department.

It is as good as Chaplin's Collection also released by them

buy the MK2 DVD if you can, although I don't now if it's available on region 1 and NTSC.

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[–] Rothwell19 17 years ago

Hey guys, a quick question: do any of the dvd releases have narration?
My dad taped a PBS special called "Chase Scenes" from the early 90s and it was a compilation of all the greatest action sequences from the 20s and 30s. It had The General in its entirety but was narrated (as were all of the chase scenes that were shown). It actually did not take away from the experience at all, and was quite informative.

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[–] 17 years ago

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[–] lincolnmark8 16 years ago

Actually the newest DVD version is coming out very soon. You can buy it here http://filmcrave.com/movie_page_main.php?id=12117. It looks like a slew of special features are on it.

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[–] 16 years ago

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[–] TyGB 16 years ago

I haven't seen the new Kino set yet, but from what I've heard the MK2 is superior in picture quality. My problem with the MK2, however, is that it's in B&W. The sepia tinting is absolutely essential to The General, to me, giving it that old-photograph feel that enhances the sense of period re-creation. I have a hard time watching the movie in black and white, personally. Plus, the Kino has the Carl Davis score.

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[–] 16 years ago

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[–] TyGB 16 years ago

"Even in black and white, with a crisp, clear image like the MK2 DVD, the period detail is astounding. It feels like stepping back in time."

I agree. I didn't mean to imply that the sepia tinting was the extent of the period detail (or that it was lacking in B&W), just that it adds a warmth and nostalgia to the evocation of that era that I sorely miss when viewing it in B&W.

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[–] 16 years ago

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[–] exodus_laughing 16 years ago

im very happy with the new kino version.
i impulsively grabbed it when i saw "Buster Keaton" in big letters out of the corner of my eye while walking past the movies.. then i noticed "kino" and got sad... but when i asked the lady at the counter if they had another keaton movie that wasnt "a kino".. she told me that it was the newest version and it was remastered from original blah blah blah.. and continued to go on about silent movies for a minute or ten... i figured she must know what the heck shes talking about.. and it was really cheap anyway...

when i got it home i dreaded watching it.. so i first looked on dvdbeaver.com and saw what the "best" version looked like, which i guess was MK2, the old kino version looked like what i expected.... but when i popped the new version in..

YAY!
im the opposite of that other guy who hates sepia tone/color tinting... im such a purist/history buff.. i dont think i could have tolerated watching it in black in white knowing the whole time its not right... and the artifacts dont really bother me... im so used to seeing them at this point... its the crip and bright and clear quality of it thats important. and this new kino version is great.

i hope kino continues with this amazing new concept of having standards...

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[–] 16 years ago

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[–] exodus_laughing 16 years ago

history buff =/= film historian

thanks for that one tid-bit of info about both versions being out at the same time... i had heard that about silent films before but not everything i learn always stays floating at the top...

i dont know about "every source" you speak of, but i form my opinions on my own without help or validation. thanks anyway. i think it would be rather ridiculous to buy both versions simply because one is "more pristine". decay = history after all... its the difference between living in a restored house versus a remodeled house.... between brand new silver and tarnished silver... an old painting with dust on it verses a painting someone scrubbed clean with windex.... sometimes the flaws are what make it valuable..

no one else would agree of course.. so you should feel entirely safe and secure in finding my opinion invalid.

thanks again.

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[–] 16 years ago

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[–] 16 years ago

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[–] colt_89 16 years ago

The only copy I've seen of it here is the MK2 version, the Buster Keaton directors suite one. It's great, very good quality, two discs full of stuff and an incredibly score by Joe Hisaishi.

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