Rating: 
Summary: A Touch of Genius!
Review: This collection adds two DVDs for the hard-core Welles fans. Disc one is "The Stranger," which is almost a rethinking of "The Third Man." Welles plays an ex-Nazi who masterminded the Holocaust, and then hid in a rural town in Connecticut, with Edward G. Robinson as the government agent sent to capture him. This film is pure Welles, although I wonder if it would have been better to have the evil-looking Robinson in the role of the fugitive. Like Peter Lorre, he just looks evil."Hear of Ages" is a very odd piece of film, which is significant only in that it is Welles' first attempt at filmmaking. If you have ever seen Spielberg's early adolescent films, you get the idea. What is significant is that you see the camera angles and cinematography that would be ignited when Welles rubbed his mind against the flint of Gregg Toland. "The Trial" is absolutely stunning. Iwas completely mesmerized by this film. Or was I hypnotized? I am a bit cautious about saying this, but I believe that in some ways, it is better than "Citizen Kane." It certainly follows the visual pattern and fell that "Citizen Kane" had, but with absolutely incredible locations. It is not quite "Theater of the Absurd," but more surrealistic, and reminds me, of all things, like "Joe Versus the Volcano," except with a nihilistic feel. It is a focused film, dealing with a very young Anthony Perkins (Psycho's Norman Bates) as he wanders around the absurd and sinister bureaucracy. He awakes in a world where he doesn't know the rules, except when he breaks them, and no one can give him a straight answer. Kind of reminds me of my childhood in a way. It is based on Kafka's "The Process," so it has the expected nihilistic ending, but, man! What a ride! And this as only Orson Wells can deliver! These are "Film Noir," which means to say that Hitchcock fans would eat them up. Black themes filmed in black. I am not an artsy-fartsy type of guy, but I do love Welles performance and interpretation of things. This is primarily for the Die Hard Welles fans and Cinema Grad Students, so watch and enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: PERFECT QUALITY - Nothing Wrong With This Copy!
Review: Why would someone *LIE* and say that the picture quality to this DVD set was bad?! The picture and sound quality (for both films) is absolutely PERFECT! If you're a fan of Citizen Kane, or Touch of Evil, take a chance.... Open your mind to the next level of Welles genius! The Trial, in particular, will blow your mind with its avant-garde flare!
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