Question About NON-REGION 1 DVD'S! - Region 1 DVD'S vs All other Regions.

[Shaunfon333]

I'm new here, and am very glad I found this site, being a big admirer of Welles. My question, for those who might know, is about the excellent quality regarding DVD transfers in the European market vs the US and Canada (Region 1). For example, Germany and France DVD releases of Welles' films are amazing, clear and untouchable as far as quality.
My favorite Welles' Film, The Trial, realeased by Studio Canal/Universal is excellent. I've had to settle for the Delta Version. (region 1)
I also bought an all region (0), fully restored Macbeth Korean import with removable subtitles, which is fantastic and I'm happy to own.

Needless to say, it seems strange to me that other countries, from what I can see, have access to better film negatives of brilliant movies than the US has, especially regarding Welles. Obviously, Universal and Studio Canal go hand and hand, so why can't we have the same type of quality over here in the United States?

I would love to see The Stranger and The Trail released with the same quality I see with other regions. I have not yet seen The Magnificent Ambersons and can't seem to find it on DVD (Region 1 at least). I have emailed Criterion with suggestions for some of these Orson Welles' films, hoping that they will supply. It is nice to see Mr. Arkadin being released soon by said company, so hopefully they will pile on more. They also have F For Fake out as well.

I've had to settle with The Stranger as part of a 3 movie Mystery set with two other non-Orson Welles' films. It's by a Canadian company called BFS and it's the full 95 minute version (not the 85 minute one), matching up pretty well in quality, and proably one of the best we're going to find in a region 1.

I have heard that Universal, from rumors here and there (who know's what's true regarding these) that they will be releasing The Trail and the Stranger in the coming months, but can't confirm it, certainly not on their website. Any information would be great.

[atcolomb]

The region 2 release of Chimes at Midnight from Spain is the best copy of that film on dvd so far. It is reviewed on this web site and I have a Chinese made dvd of The Magnificent Ambersons all regions which is ok but not better than the version TCM shows or the Criterion laserdisc.

[Jeff Wilson]

From what I have heard, the recent French release of Chimes is better than the Spanish disc, but it's only available in a box set right now.

Why don't we see releases of similar quality here in R1? Multiple reasons, one of which is that The Trial is pub domain, and companies usually don't invest in those titles beyond a cursory junk release.

[Shaunfon333]

Unfotunately, the "cursory junk" you refer to looks like it may apply to the upcoming Passport Int'l "Orson Welles Collection", with King Lear, The Stranger, David and Goliath and The Trial.

I was hoping it was going to be better than your typical Public Domain Garbage. We'll see, but not holding my breath.

[Store Hadji]

The copies of Stranger and Trial in the Citizen Welles set look pretty good - and it's a bargain price. I guess the Milestone Trial is pricey now, but that's the best US copy I know of.

I used to have great copy of Stranger on VHS - whoever did that release found a gorgeous copy of the print. Wonder what ever became of that print.

[colwood]

While the best version of the Stranger seems to be the German MGM disc, Roan released a region 1 disc not long ago. It has no extras and contains another non-welles movie, but the quality isn't that far behind the mgm disc and much, much better than some of the other sub $10 pub domain junk.