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Got both 1900 and THE CONFORMIST - both have decent transfers (considering they're both from Paramount), with lots of dub and sub options (esp. on THE CONFORMIST). The featurettes are 40 mins. worth of Bertolucci and Storaro interviews on THE CONFORMIST and 30 mins. worth of B&S interviews on 1900.

Did you get advance copies or did they show up early in some stores?

Goodness, 70 minutes between the two of just Bertolucci and Storaro? That's marvelous!

Dylan wrote:Did you get advance copies or did they show up early in some stores?

Goodness, 70 minutes between the two of just Bertolucci and Storaro? That's marvelous!

Advance...

Of course, there are scenes from the two films interspersed among the interviews, but still....

Tav, does "1900" look better than the screencaps I posted?

Dylan wrote:Tav, does "1900" look better than the screencaps I posted?

Sorry, but those screen caps aren't visible...is it just me?

They're showing up on my monitor, and I know a few others I've spoken with about these releases saw my caps as well.

edit: just tried posting the links to my images, and the thread wouldn't properly link them.

So, here's a capture from a different photo storage I use online:

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h67/S ... 1164162139

"1900" is, visually, about the seasons and the colors that accompany each, and I look forward to seeing this film in a clean print with faithful color rendering.

Since Vittorio Storaro is featured on the DVD, and since he reportedly oversaw this transfer (as well as "The Conformist"), I'm positive the Paramount DVD is the greatest the film(s) can possibly look.

As for "The Conformist," that's my favorite Bertolucci (and damn near my favorite film of all-time), so I'm even more eager to see how that looks. I'm assuming the DVD image is miles better than the TCM print, and probably a little sharper and more colorful than the theatrical print I saw. I'm sure it won't be too long before DVD Beaver comes in and reviews these.

Are the subs yellow or white?

Are they any spanish subs also?

Lino wrote:Are the subs yellow or white?

YELLOW! #-o

Gigi M. wrote:Are they any spanish subs also?

Spanish subs on THE CONFORMIST (along with Spanish dub); English subs only on 1900. CONFORMIST also has English, Portuguese and French dub (and original Italian), along with English and Portuguese subs.

tavernier wrote:

Lino wrote:Are the subs yellow or white?

YELLOW! #-o

See, I told you Paramount was my least favorite major when it came to releasing their back catalogue titles on DVD. ](*,)

David, I don't believe Lino ever sprung for the R2/4. But I did and, as you know, I found the image quality even more disappointing than you did. The Italian DVD was much better.

I'd say that this new R1 edition will probably be more than worth a double dip. It has extras and is also the only Storaro-supervised transfer on DVD.

I just ordered both from PlayUSA.com, and had two very pleasant surprises:

1) The absurdly low prices (the total bill came to less than £20);
2) The e-mails I've just received telling me that they've already been posted, even though they're not officially released for another fortnight or so.

davidhare wrote:Lino do you think it's worh my double dipping for this 1900 against the PAL R2/4 version (which I realize is weakish?)

I wouldn't know. For now, I am perfectly comfortable with my italian DVD but I guess I'll wait for some Beaver shots. Er, right.

Lino wrote:For now, I am perfectly comfortable with my italian DVD but I guess I'll wait for some Beaver shots. Er, right.

Don't remember too many of those. Frontal male nudity, yes, but otherwise...

the extras, these interviews, are in English or in Italian? I expect they're in Italian because I doubt they have English (or Spanish) subtitles. Althought, they talk with accent, so I expect I can understand them.

the 2 films will arrive to my place after Xmas, what a long wait ! #-o

rohmerin wrote:the extras, these interviews, are in English or in Italian? I expect they're in Italian because I doubt they have English (or Spanish) subtitles. Althought, they talk with accent, so I expect I can understand them.

the 2 films will arrive to my place after Xmas, what a long wait ! #-o

In English...

Lino wrote:

davidhare wrote:Lino do you think it's worh my double dipping for this 1900 against the PAL R2/4 version (which I realize is weakish?)

I wouldn't know. For now, I am perfectly comfortable with my italian DVD but I guess I'll wait for some Beaver shots. Er, right.

I have the DVD for review at DVDTALK which should be up shortly but wanted to give you a quick summary:

The video quality on the R1 is noticeably BETTER than the R2/R4. Detail is much better as it is the actual print. The softness from the R2/4 has been addressed although I still see some minor macro-blocking. The color scheme is also addressed although there is slightly more redish on the day-light scenes. The supervised print for the R1 release is also substantially better when blown through a digital projector as definition remains solid (it does not break down as the R2/R4). To sum it all up: 1900 is definitely worth a double-dip as the print is in visibly better condition than when compared side by side with the R2/R4.

Thanks Svet, this is great news. I look forward to your review.

1900 back cover:



Conformist back cover:



I guess it's not too long before the reviews start pouring in.

I received The Conformist today, a very solid transfer with strong colours and proper ratio and good audio, I'm particularly happy Paramount included the French track.

What's the aspect ratio on these two films?

1.85:1

The Conformist is 1.66:1

I've seen it referenced as both, actually, but you're right, it's not quite 1.85: the TCM broadcast was boxed in which gave us the appearence of 1.85 on the tube.