Munchhausen

Rating:
Summary: Buy this one!!!
Review: For years I have been familiar with the dog-eared 1978 reissue version of Munchhausen,apparently pieced together from different 16mm prints, from annual showings at Harvard's Carpenter Center, but this new DVD is a revelation.It almost looks new. The color is clear instead of blotchy, the image is clean instead of liney, and scenes that I had read about but not seen are now back in the film.The '78 edit had some crude jump cuts, which are smoothed over and repaired in this version,taken from an original negative that was perhaps only found some time after the previous restoration had been completed.The picture quality is amazing,the reds particularly vivid.Thanks to the F.W. Murnau foundation we can finally see what Munchhausen looked like in 1943, or at least a close approxamation.Contrary to reports, Munchhausen HAS been released on video in the U.S. previously, in a disappointing transfer [probably a 16mm print copied through a film chain]by an outfit called 'Video City'in the early 80's.But a few things about Kino's liner notes:Erich Kastner was a banned author, but he was not Jewish.Kino stresses that Munchhausen was not classified 'politically valuable'but that didn't matter very much:many films otherwise approved were not, and Munchhausen played right up to the German surrender.The bonus animation is also quite impressive, also with brilliantly preserved color.Other bonus clips will give you a glimpse of Nazi-era[and after]diva Marika Rokk, who just died at 90.

Rating:
Summary: BRAVO! DAS IST WUNDERSCHON. BRAVO!
Review: MADE when 'You know Who' ran the country [sounds like a line from 'Wicked...'] this beautifully restored little gem of a fantasy is FINALLY forgiven and available on an extraordinary DVD.

SO many fascinating extras are included not about only this vehicles resporation but others too - thanks to UFA and the WF MAURAU Institute.

There's even quite a good cartoon - 'Winter Journey' preceding the feature.

MORE OR LESS A FAUSTIAN TALE, we follow the Baron through the ages, from Cathy [Catherine] the Great ~ Brigitte Horney {stunning - literal}, to the topless - for 1943 - harem girls, etc - all very very tasteful.

I especially find the opening reels MASTERFUL - the deception about time ....

SAD history about this flic - the anonymous Jewish artists who also worked and contributed to this gem ... and here it is. The costumes are quite memorable, as is the superb score and color by AGFA.

There's also a great deal of melahcholy about the movie -or story - as immortality strikes us - we watch the loved ones fade away.

PLOTLINE [carbon of the Gilliam version - but more pathos here].

HANS ALBERTS [especially those pale green eyes] ignite the screen!

A MUST FOR THE SERIOUS AND NOT TOO SERIOUS COLLECTOR .... and really fit for all.

BRAVO KINO - keep 'em coming!

Rating:
Summary: "Emil and the detectives"
Review: Some of you might remember German author Erich Kaestner, famous for his lyrics, a novel "Fabian" and his childrens books: Emil and the detectives, Das doppelte Lottchen ... He wrote under pseudonym Bertold Buerger ("Bert Citizen") the script and all those wonderful funny dialogues. Look out for the famous Wagnerian operasinger Leo Slezak and all the other UFA-celebreties. It's a true all star vehicle in wonderful Agfa-colour. Except Russia all szenes were filmed on location: Venice and Canale Grande - Wow!

Rating:
Summary: A multifaceted treat!
Review: This movie has been one of my favorites ever since I first saw it in 1974.Last year (2003)it was released on DVD by Eureka Video in Britain(curious that the film has not yet been issued on DVD in its country of origin,being such a true classic in many ways).I bought that one and considered the picture and sound quality to be very good.That edition also contained an audio essay on the film,plus a theatrical trailer and photo gallery.I had waited long for "Münchhausen" on DVD,and the quality and contents described above were highly satisfactory in themselves.However - to those who are only familiar with the Eureka edition,all I can say is "YOU AIN'T SEEN NOTHIN' YET!"Do yourself a favor and check out this new KINO edition,as I've just done.They don't come any better! Splendid picture and sound,with a highly impressive collection of extras both as regards quality and quantity.A conoisseur's DVD,if ever there was one.First among the extras is a very well-informed spoken introduction(lasting around 20 minutes)giving details of how the film came to be made,etc.In addition to a theatrical trailer and photo gallery there is a fascinating short Münchhausen cartoon from 1944.And that's not all - also on view is an interesting description of Agfacolor restoration,using extracts from another film plus yet another extract from a 1944 Agfacolor movie.To crown it all there is an excellent gallery of Münchhausen artwork over the years,such as 19th century book illustrations by the French artist G.Doré.The KINO DVD is a must for anyone even remotely interested in this movie,and I'd say it's a fair bet that even those with no prior interest will thoroughly enjoy this lavish fantasy package - made even more rewarding when seen in its full historical context.

Rating:
Summary: Interesting German film from the Nazi era
Review: This was meant to be a spectacular offering celebrating the 25th anniversary of the great UFA German film studios. Parts of it are impressive - extravagant set pieces that could match anything that Hollywood was doing at the time. Parts of it drag. It is definitely worth seeing if you love historically interesting films or the UFA product. There is nothing in it even hinting at the vast Nazi machinery backing it (Joseph Goebbels had his hand in most of the production). It is a light, well budgeted, sometimes amusing fantasy. The script has its moments but doesn't sustain interest for the length of the film. Best sections: the dinner party, Venice, the trip to the moon, the early agfacolor color film technique (which was quite good). One of the best WWII UFA films. Comes with a bundel of extras: introduction, restoration examples, drawings, etc.