Chaplin's THE GOLD RUSH on Blu-Ray

Post by **Christopher Jacobs** » Fri Sep 10, 2010 3:15 pm

Well, reviews of the new British BluRay release of THE GOLD RUSH (Region B-locked) give it very good marks for picture and sound quality, but note that only the 1942 re-edited version is on the BluRay disc, and the original 1925 cut is included as a bonus feature on a standard DVD. I certainly hope that when Criterion ultimately puts it out on BluRay, it will include both versions in full HD, or there will be absolutely no reason whatsoever to upgrade from the last DVD release.

--Christopher Jacobs
http://hpr1.com/film
http://www.und.edu/instruct/cjacobs

Brianruns10 · Post by **Brianruns10** » Fri Sep 10, 2010 3:53 pm

I'm with you there Chris. Criterion has avoided that suspect practice that other companies have used, of putting the special features or alternate cuts on SD-DVD. I can't imagine they would do such a thing.

I do strongly suspect, if they ever release "The Gold Rush," that the '42 version will be the A side, and the B-side the '25 version. But I have little doubt it will be in high def for the BD release. Criterion just wouldn't have it any other way.

BR

Post by **Danny Burk** » Fri Sep 10, 2010 4:42 pm

I noticed this today as well. As you say, there would be no reason at all to upgrade if the '25 version is in SD. Let's hope that this isn't due to some warped thinking from the Estate that all "extras" should only be in SD.

salus · Post by **salus** » Fri Sep 10, 2010 5:48 pm

When i think of the Gold Rush i find it incredible that a no talent like Georgia Hale could criticize Virginia Cherrill for "not" being an actress in City Lights.

Brianruns10 · Post by **Brianruns10** » Fri Sep 10, 2010 6:40 pm

If Chaplin had a fault, it was for falling in love with women who couldn't act. Oh if only his fling with Louise Brooks had been something more, maybe she would have appeared in one of his pictures! But then again, her qualities of sophistication and danger might have been all wrong for Chaplin's pictures...

Nick_M · Post by **Nick_M** » Sat Sep 11, 2010 4:02 am

If Criterion puts the '25 on a BD, it may not be full HD. The English version of M is considerably less sharp than the German version; it looks like an upconvert (disappointing when I press "display" and my TV says 1080). Same with the American version of The Leopard. It's not a total loss- the alternate versions on BD don't show the compression artifacts of their DVD counterparts. Still, what a letdown!

BrianG · Post by **BrianG** » Sat Sep 11, 2010 7:02 am

My first exposure to Gold Rush was the 1942 version. However, once I saw the 1925 version, I never could rewatch the 1942 version. In these times of true restorations being released by Kino, Flicker Alley, and others, it's unconscionable that Criterion has chosen to take a step backward and release edited versions. I don't upgrade my DVD's to Blu-Ray without good reason. In the case of Chaplin, I prefer my Image DVD's to incomplete Blu-ray editions. If the Chaplin estate wouldn't agree to release of the originals, then Criterion should have walked away instead of just trying to cash in on the Blu-ray craze.

moglia · Post by **moglia** » Sun Sep 12, 2010 2:36 pm

For myself - no 1925 in HD on the Blu-Ray then no sale. I'll stick with what I have and save the funds. I know I am not alone. So you hear that Chaplin estate and Criterion - NO SALE! We should do a poll and see how many unit sales they will loose.

Brianruns10 · Post by **Brianruns10** » Sun Sep 12, 2010 5:56 pm

Agreed on the 1925 version, though I have confidence that Criterion will have it in 1080p, albeit the B disc to the 42 version.

Others have pointed out the American cut of The Leopard was apparently upscaled for the blu-ray. A good point, but I would also argue that the American cut is almost universally regarded to be inferior to Visconti's version, and so it's place and value on the disc is much more pedagogical in nature....which is why they also did not bother to give it the same degree of digital restoration as the original version.

By comparison, while the '42 version of "The Gold Rush" is certainly Chaplin's preferred cut, there are many more today who prefer the '25 version (myself included).

In fact, I'm so confident in Criterion, that I'd say that if they are not allowed to include the '25 cut in 1080p, then they may just not do a release of that film at all. It would not be too terribly difficult a decision, since there are so many Chaplins that deserve a Criterion release. They could easily focus their attention to one of those if "The Gold Rush' becomes too great of a headache.

Hopefully it won't come to that. Hopefully the Estate will recognize the value of the '25 version, and allow it to be released at some point in 1080p.

BR