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Schindler's List - Collector's Widescreen Gift Set

Schindler's List - Collector's Widescreen Gift Set

List Price: $34.98
Your Price: $24.49
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Disappointing DVD Presentation
Review: I was REALLY REALLY thrilled when I learned that this movie was going to be released on DVD and placed order instantaneously. However, I was REALLY REALLY disappointed when I received it because the movie is split into 2 on a 2-side disc!!!

This is clearly an insult to the customers. I wish Amazon could've indicated earlier, so that I could avoid buying it. I'd rather wait until they release a more decent version with the whole movie on 1 disc and the extras on another disc! Shame on you, Universal Studios, for doing this kind of "unethical" thing!

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: I'LL KEEP MY LASERDISC COPY!!!!
Review: I don't have to get up and flip over my laserdisc copy of Schindler's List- the player switches sides automatically. There's NO excuse for having a DVD which requires you to have to get up and flip it over, when there are two layers on one side available, even for a long movie such as this. It's not that I'm lazy, but techonologically there's no excuse.

The movie is absolutely fantasic (5 stars) but the dual sided "flipper" DVD and the shoddy packaging get 1 star, for an average of 3 stars. The DVD was very dusty as packaged inside the shrinkwrap (like the DVD's sat around at the factory a long time before they were eventually packaged). The packaging looked to be a rush job, even though this movie should have been released on DVD already. Universal apparently is trying to maximize profits because they know this film will sell anyway even with shoddy packaging.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Frustrating Interruption
Review: The critics are right. The case is cardboard, most shocking because it won't hold up over time. The critics are also right about the break in the film.

The break is at a critical point in the film and the interruption is extremely frustrating. So what, its a flipper, I can live with this, but the breaking point that was chosen really is terrible.

More whining, maybe, but everyone have a valid point - this DVD definitely could have been done better.

5 star film. Presentation 2.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: This is one of the greatest movies ever made
Review: Spielberg's control is so powerfully present in this film that every shot of the movie feels like a documentary with us as merely observers rather than judges. We see the carnage presented to us without sentimentality.
One of the greatest extended shots in cinema history is present in this movie. The little girl in the red jacket is a marvel of technical achievement and an emotionally wrenching movie device. There's nothing much to say except this film should be watched and discussed for what it is, a document of an intolerable time.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Quit the bitching arealdy...
Review: Jesus Christ people, it's not that hard to get off of your fat, lazy asses and flip a DVD over. Reading some of these reviews makes me think of pre-pubescent little girls whining and whining. You give the release 1 star because it asks you to flip the disk over, my god, what has this world come to?!

I for one could not have been any happier with this release (I bought just the Widescreen edition, not the Collectors one) and loved every second of it's 3 hour and 16 minute presentation.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Not sure about 2nd copy
Review: My first DVD froze and skipped during the Liquidation of the Ghetto. I just received a replacement copy from Amazon (thanks for the speedy delivery). Watched it and it all seems okay. But I'm not sure. During the exact same spot where the first DVD froze and skipped, it doesn't do it now. However, it freezes for 2-3 seconds before continuing. Is this right? Could it be because the DVD was shifting to the 2nd layer? And there's another question. Is this a double-layer, double-sided disc? Great movie, but disappointing production. Another case of trying to get the most profit from the least input?

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Very overrated... as sophisticated as a made-for-TV movie
Review: I disagree with the majority of viewers. This is no masterpiece. It is a pretty good movie with a story that is moving.

Spielberg never uses subtlety. He hits you over the head with each point and I find it insulting to a viewer's intelligence. Shots linger too long... characters explain their actions..

If you can get over Spielberg's in your face style this is a great and sometimes moving story. The acting is above average but nowhere near approaches the performances in "Sophie's Choice", "Europa, Europa" or even the made for TV mini series "Holocaust"

This movie is worth seeing but given the choice I would first view the others I have mentioned.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Great Movie - Disappointing Set
Review: I was very excited to see the DVD of Schindler's List finally released. So excited, in fact, that I bought the Collector's Edition. To my dismay, it was not a very exciting collection.

Before I get to that, I will just state that the movie is as good as ever and it has been some time since I have seen it. The quality is clean and clear, while sound is great. This is a film that utilizes the widescreen aspect and should be seen in this format (why they even offer a full screen is beyond my comprehension). Nonetheless, it is an amazing film; certainly Spielberg's finest to date.

The collection that comes with the DVD does not quite meet the films quality. What you will receive in the set is a picture disc of the soundtrack. The soundtrack is from John Williams, and perhaps one of his most moving scores I have heard from him. While he instills his usual thematic sound, the music in this film has a deeply personal emotion that is carried with it, along with Itzhak Perlman's violin solos. Truly beautiful music, however sad it may sound.

Along with the soundtrack is a senitype, which is a reproduction of one of the 35mm frames. I imagine they are the same pictures, one of the girl in the red coat walking along the streets. Its a nice photo, but why do I want it? What am I going to do with it?

Also is a small hardcover book of images from the film. A nice book as well, but with a book that shows photos of the movie, why look at the book when you can just watch the movie? Very little in the making of the film.

Finally is a Certificate of Authenticity. Now this just tops the cake. I mean, a Certificate that says this is a real AND official collector's set, because if I did not get one of these, I was going to assume this was a bootleg of some sort. There is not even a printed autograph! It just brags about the film and tells you what the set offers, which, if you did not open the set to see what was in it, you could not read this little certificate to see what was in it. Completely stupid.

If that does not thrill you enough, then you will also get a little pamphlet that tells you about the SHOAH organization which you can send some money to support them. Ugh.

The DVD offers some extras. No commentary, no behind the scenes footage. Can't break that fourth wall, now!! Keep it real! But you will get stories of the real Schindler Jews who have survived. You will also learn about the SHOAH organization. Furthermore is a video on Schindler's life, which is probably the best extra on the disc. The DVD is two-sided which is another unfortunate aspect which takes me back to the laser-disc days when I had to flip the disc over to continue the film. That annoyws me that I have to do that.

The best part of the collection is the case, which is a plexiglass casing with the names of the list printed in gray. Its pretty cool. While all this stuff is held in a slip case, which does not hold it very well, the plexiglass case has some metal dowels to keep it all in place.

In all, a poor set and for the price, definately not worth it. If I had known it was going to be a disappointing set, I would have just saved my money and bought the movie only version.

The ratings are 5 stars for the movie, and 2 stars for the set, which culminates to about 3 stars overall. If you love the movie, get the movie, not this set.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: had not seen film previous to dvd..
Review: I'm glad I purchased this dvd from Amazon considering they respond quickly pertaining to defective merchandise. Also, it's comforting to know they provide prepaid return labels not leaving the customer to foot the bill.

Unfortunately the first copy froze during "Voices of the List" featurette and Amazon responded quickly by immediately rushing out a second copy (thank you Amazon!!). Upon intently watching the movie and all the bonus material for the second time everything appears fine (wonderful video!!). Although, it's dissapointing to find the plastic insert that holds the dvd appears to have been glued on crooked not allowing the dvd case to fully close. Unlike others, I love the hard book cover design but the crooked insert astetically detracts and shows little care and concern for packaging.

It's no longer an issue, really. And, to be honest I don't think I could put myself through a third watching of Schindler's List in a span of a week looking for video glitches. However, I can only wonder why the folks who created this dvd would allow for such packaging woes which have been confirmed here as well as other forums on the web. And, even though the movie should transcend all other issues is even more reason to me for the justification of it's critisizism..

peace,

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Spielberg's Diamond
Review: Schindler's List is, simply put: Steven Spielberg's finest piece of work. Putting aside the heart-renching story of the holocaust, Spielberg has managed to muster some of the most amazing visuals ever--with an equally visually enticing cast (Neeson & Fiennes). This is one of Spielberg's last great films where he eloquently controlled the camera and actor's movements (sound like Raiders of the Lost Ark?) with uncanny precision. Kaminsky's B/W cinematography reminded me of the older, intricately lit films of the 1920's and 30's (the ones shot w/nitrate film). Buy the movie--and experience it.


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