Rating: 
Summary: Keaton DVD Collection- Almost Perfect
Review: The 11-disc set of Buster Keaton's work is, of course, a must-have for Mr. Keaton's fans in particular and silent film fans in general (sorry..). Having all these wonderful films on DVD is truly a dream come true.
That being said, I must point out one or two things with which I was disappointed. The set is said to be "digitally mastered from archival prints". Then why are there so many sections of film that are in such poor condition? While digital technology cannot replace lost film, even on my home computer I can touch-up photographs; surely a film restoration company should have better and more extensive resources at its disposal. Another sore spot is the scoring. I have been spoiled by a brilliant musician who plays at the Silent Movie Theatre here in Los Angeles, Dean Mora. He is the perfect accompanist for silent films. Some of the scoring for the DVD set is, forgive me, atrocious. The worst offense is the use of the James Bond theme for one part of SHERLOCK, JR. Of only slightly less heinous nature is the use of thematic elements from other (read "future") time periods. I may sound like an old fogey (I'm 43), but I think that a piano is fine, a violin and maybe one or two other chamber pieces sufficient. I am not averse to full orchestration, but music choice and coordination with the film is paramount. Musical cues should reflect on-screen action. One last point; sound effects are not needed.
Even with the flaws, I say: buy this set. It's wonderful to have Mr. Keaton in your home.
Rating: 
Summary: Buster's in the house
Review: The definitive buster collection. Buster was the great surrealist of the USA, facing the obstacles of life with a deapan look and amazing athleticism. By far the greatest comedian in cinema.If u know Buster give him a home! If u don't know Buster introduce yourself.
Rating:
Summary: indespensable set of hollywoods first modernist
Review: the old chaplin vs keaton thing seems all the more pointless upon viewing the bulk of keatons work.
comparing them is a bit like the old apples and oranges thing.
chaplin was certainly the better actor.
he was more emotional and stirred your feeling far more than keaton.
but chaplin was not really an innovator like keaton was and in keatons best work his revolutionary aesthetics stand out.
works like 'playhouse' (in my opinion his greaest accomplishment)
and sherlock jr.
try comparing these to chaplins easy street and it simply cant be done.
this set was long overdue and it is a treasure to have, and i think to appreciate keaton you simply cant watch one of his films, you have to watch a group of them.
of course keaton paid the price for being just 'too artistic' and was duly punished in time by the system (for a while chaplin knew how to deal the sytem better than keaton did,).
invest in it and see the evolution of an important artist.
Rating: 
Summary: The music is the problem here ...
Review: The problem Jerry Kokich (previous reviewer) found with the music is a problem for me too. The scoring for these wonderful Keaton films ranges from irritating to atrocious to absolutely unbearable. It completely misses the subtleties in Keaton, the softer moods, the very art of Keaton. Everything seems to be ha-ha-ha to these folks; music for silent movies is supposed to enhance, accent, etc.---not draw attention to itself over the film. Carl Davis's scoring for the version of The General and Our Hospitality that appeared on PBS in the late 1980s shows great sensitivity to this material and sometimes can even be rather euphoric; however, it never "intrudes" on Keaton. Unfortunately, those versions don't appear to be on DVD yet. Keaton was a genius, and at least we have him on Kino. But why do all this, and then use such irritating music? The films themselves are terrific and the DVDs good (not great). But these are indeed silent movies, and it is a truly lamentable shame that the folks at Kino don't themselves seem to respect the level of genius they're dealing with.
Rating:
Summary: Already bought 10 of these? Wait For "Keaton Plus" Release
Review: These are all great movies and look great on DVD. But for those who already spent all their money on the individual DVD's, don't buy this just for the extra DVD. Kino Video is releasing the extra disc "Keaton Plus" separately on October 15. I'm glad they are doing this because the "Keaton Plus" DVD is a must-have for Buster Keaton fans.
Rating:
Summary: A great box set
Review: This is a dream for Buster Keaton fans. All of is greatest
work is in this box set, such movies as The General, Sherlock Jr, Steamboat Bill Jr, Seven chances and if some
of the other features are a little weaker, you get you're money's worth with the 19 shorts wich are included in the package. The majority of these short films are hilarious and you can watch them often and never get tired. A nice addition to this box set is the 11th disc wich include a short film who was not complete until recently and a melting pot of tv appearances, tv commercials and 2 short films with an older Buster but still as funny. Also a virtual tour of the Keaton studio and locations all around california where he used to shoot his work. The quality of the transfer by Kino Video is quite remarkable knowing that these movies are about 75 years old, it's obvious that this is a labour of love. If you're a fan of Buster like me this is a must buy. If you don't know Buster Keaton, get to know him, he's a comic genius.
Rating:
Summary: Good stuff, but a few oversights...
Review: This is a very good collection of the "essentials" of Keaton. One problem I have is that the bonus disk includes the complete "Hard Luck" (it adds back in the heretofore misplaced final gag), but the unrestored "Hard Luck" is on another disk. While interesting to see how Kino overcame the problem of the unfound film (it describes the gag and shows a still), I would rather have had the restored "Hard Luck" on one disk and had some bonus disk space freed up for the entire "This is Your Life" program (which sounds interesting in Keaton bios). The Thames TV/HBO Video three-parter "A Hard Act to Follow" has a better variety of rarities, including samplings of Keaton's final works (including Samuel Beckett's "Film", an industrial safety film, "The Railrodder", and some decent interviews and behind the scenes). On the picky side, one of my brand new DVDs had a scuff on it. I contacted Kino and they offered a replacement in return for the damaged disc, which I appreciate. Many of the discs also had fingerprints on them, which they will contact their manufacturer about. A small matter, perhaps, but the relatively high cost of this set and the reputation of Kino as a premier film reissue company means to me that such sloppiness should not be an issue.
Rating:
Summary: Good stuff, but a few oversights...
Review: This is a very good collection of the "essentials" of Keaton. One problem I have is that the bonus disk includes the complete "Hard Luck" (it adds back in the heretofore misplaced final gag), but the unrestored "Hard Luck" is on another disk. While interesting to see how Kino overcame the problem of the unfound film (it describes the gag and shows a still), I would rather have had the restored "Hard Luck" on one disk and had some bonus disk space freed up for the entire "This is Your Life" program (which sounds interesting in Keaton bios). The Thames TV/HBO Video three-parter "A Hard Act to Follow" has a better variety of rarities, including samplings of Keaton's final works (including Samuel Beckett's "Film", an industrial safety film, "The Railrodder", and some decent interviews and behind the scenes). On the picky side, one of my brand new DVDs had a scuff on it. I contacted Kino and they offered a replacement in return for the damaged disc, which I appreciate. Many of the discs also had fingerprints on them, which they will contact their manufacturer about. A small matter, perhaps, but the relatively high cost of this set and the reputation of Kino as a premier film reissue company means to me that such sloppiness should not be an issue.
Rating:
Summary: Keaton silents greatest.
Review: Watched entire set over two nights with preview copy of
Keaton's oeuvre. Holds up incredibly; best silent features
from the 1920's.
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