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From the earliest days of radio to the golden age of television and beyond, Orson Welles has occupied a unique place in American culture. In Orson Welles, Shakespeare, and Popular Culture, Michael Anderegg considers Welles's influence as an interpreter of Shakespeare for twentieth-century American. Jan 5, 2017 - Watch Orson Welles' First Ever Film, Directed at Age 19. Young Orson Welles Directs “Voodoo Macbeth,” the First Shakespeare Production.
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Macbeth (1948)Macbeth Blu-ray delivers great video and superb audio in this excellent Blu-ray releaseIn fog-dripping, barren and sometimes macabre settings, 11th-century Scottish nobleman Macbeth is led by an evil prophecy and his ruthless yet desirable wife to the treasonous act that makes him king.For more about Macbeth and the Macbeth Blu-ray release, see published by Dr. Svet Atanasov on November 11, 2016 where this Blu-ray release scored 4.0 out of 5.Director:Writers:,Starring:,Producers:,». Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.33:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Orson Welles' Macbeth arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Olive Films.Please note that the screencaptures included with our review appear in the following order:1. Screencaptures #1-14: Macbeth 1948 Version.2. Screencaptures #16-25: Macbeth 1950 Version.The press materials that I received indicate that both versions of the film are sourced from new digital restorations.
I mention this because in 2012 Olive Films released the 1948 Version of the film on Blu-ray and on that release the 1950 Version was not included even as a bonus. (You can see our review of the first release ). Now, I don't know precisely what type of work was done, but while viewing the new presentation (including the 1950 Version) of the film and then comparing the work that was done for the French, it appears that the most obvious source limitations remain the same.
For example, the same density fluctuations are visible in virtually the same areas; the same fluctuations in terms of grain exposure are also retained. On the French release there is footage that has been cleaned up slightly better, though I can see that at some point work was also done on the current presentation. More importantly, the areas of the film where grain appears slightly toned down look virtually identical on both releases (compare screencapture #8 and screencapture #9 from our review of the French release), which makes it quite clear that this is work that was already done by different parties. (When we reviewed the French release, we confirmed that no additional degraining work was done at the time). The brightness settings are not identical. Generally speaking, the new restorations tend to look slightly darker, though it appears that brightness levels might have been slightly elevated on the French release.
The actual discrepancies, however, truly feel mostly insignificant because it is easy to tell that the surviving elements are not in optimal condition and as a result various native limitations make it impossible to produce the consistent depth and fluidity that new restorations typically deliver. To be perfectly clear, there are no drastic drops in density and fluidity, but in an ideal world all of the different versions that are currently available on Blu-ray certainly could and should have a better balanced appearance. Ultimately, the new restorations of the two versions of the film offer various good optimizations that make it easier to enjoy them and at the same time appreciate Orson Welles' artistic vision. ( Note: This is a Region-A 'locked' Blu-ray release. Therefore, you must have a native Region-A or Region-Free player in order to access its content). Both versions of the film come with English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 tracks.
Also, both version can also be viewed with optional yellow English SDH subtitles.The inclusion of optional subtitles will almost certainly make this release the clear choice for fans of Macbeth. While clarity and depth are very good, the highland accents could be quite thick at times. Obviously, on the edited shorter version this isn't much of an issue, but even there the subtitles can be helpful. Depth and clarity are very pleasing, though some sporadic 'thinness' can emerge from time to time. There are no audio dropouts or distortions to report.
Disc One. 1948 Version - presented in 1080p/English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0. Commentary - in this new audio commentary, Orson Welles biographer Joseph McBride discusses in great detail the production history of Macbeth, the different versions of the film, its reception in the United States and abroad, the film's unique visual style and atmosphere, the use of music, etc. Wonderful commentary.Disc Two. 1950 Version - presented in 1080p/English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0.
Welles and Shakespeare - in this video interview, Professor Michael Anderegg, author of Orson Welles, Shakespeare and Popular Culture, discusses Orson Welles' long and quite fascinating relationship with William Shakespeare's work, his time at Republic Pictures, and the filming of Macbeth (with some very interesting comments about the Christian elements that were introduced in the film). Professor Michael Anderegg also discusses the filming of. In English, not subtitled. (12 min, 1080p). Adapting Shakespeare on Film - in this new featurette, directors Carlo Carlei (, The Flight of the Innocent) and Billy Morrissette talk about their appreciation for Macbeth and Orson Welles' film. In English, not subtitled.
(9 min, 1080p). We Walk Again - presented here is an excerpt from We Walk Again, a 1937 WPA documentary containing scenes from Orson Welles' Federal Theatre Project production of Macbeth. In English, not subtitled. (8 min, 1080p). That Was Orson Welles - in this new video interview, actor/writer/director Peter Bogdanovich recalls his first encounter with Orson Welles in Los Angeles and discusses their rather fascinating relationship during the years. There are additional comments about Orson Welles' work, working methods, and the visual style and structure of Macbeth.
In English, not subtitled. (10 min, 1080p). Restoring Macbeth - in this video interview, former UCLA Film & Television Archive Preservation Officer Robert Gitt addresses some of the dilemmas he faced during the restoration and reconstruction of Orson Welles' original version of Macbeth. In English, not subtitled. (9 min, 1080p). Free Republic: Herber J.
Yates and the Story of Republic Pictures - in this very informative featurette, archivist Marc Wanamaker discusses the fascinating history of Republic Pictures, some of its biggest hits and stars, and the filming of Macbeth. In English, not subtitled. (7 min, 1080p). Orson Welles's Macbeth - an essay by Jonathan Rosenbaum. In text-format. Booklet - an illustrated booklet featuring Jonathan Rosenbaum's essay 'Orson Welles's Macbeth'.