Criterion's disc had more extras, but it was an even older transfer and had no color.

I can't wait for this DVD.

Regarding the isolated score track... I don't think this is such a big deal considering that Rhino's release was complete, but I'll consider it an excellent perk.

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Originally posted by Swashbuckler:
Criterion's disc had more extras, but it was an even older transfer and had no color.

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No color? Oh...

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I can't wait for this DVD.

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Regarding the isolated score track... I don't think this is such a big deal considering that Rhino's release was complete, but I'll consider it an excellent perk.

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Yes, but while the score is amazing in the film, it's a bit too repetitive for me to play the CD often. Seeing the film only with the score playing will be cool. And, as John Morgan said on another thread, the restoring of the bad tapes may even be better than on the Rhino disc.

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(Marian, I think and hope you were joking about not knowing who Ernest Lehmann is)

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Err...I really didn't know. *g* But after looking him up at the IMDb, of the few works of him that I've seen, the only really impressive one was NBNW (not that the others are bad, though).

I'm surprised you weren't impressed with Lehmann's filmography...
"Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?"
"The Sound of Music"
"Black Sunday"
"West Side Story"
"Sabrina"
"The King and I"
"The Prize"
"Executive Suite"
...and of course "North by Northwest"

I would note again that those who never could afford to get the old Criterion laser discs with the great supplements should check out e-bay because you'll find a lot of people dumping them at cheap rates!

• The picture quality is outstanding. It blows away the previous MGM-UA laserdisc in sharpness, color and detail. This is a great transfer of a VistaVision picture. The colors are spot-on. The film has a very natural appearance now, though not at the expense of some of the glossier moments.

  Of particular interest, the new transfer seems to make the special effects in the Mount Rushmore sequence more effective. Although this seems to be counter-intuitive (many people believe that a better transfer make it easier to see the mismatches; this isn't always so), the greater detail and improved color actually smooth out these scenes, causing their flaws to be diminished.

  Unfortunately, my laserdisc player is in the shop at the moment, so I was unable to make an A-B comparison of the framing. Since the MGM-UA disc was in the 1.66:1 aspect ratio, and the Criterion disc was at about 1.76:1, it would be interesting to see how the framing changes from transfer to transfer. However, the framing on this disc looks fine.

• The sound is well-done, punching up the score in the mix. A restoration of the original mono track would have been nice, but the original balances haven't been tinkered with the way they were with Jaws. In fact, even though it is more elaborately panned than the bogus stereo version on the analog tracks of the MGM-UA laserdisc, it certainly sounds closer to the original.

  Note: I had no problems with the DTS mix of Vertigo, which was done using Hitch's original notes and with the participation of several of the original production's members. This mix was criticized when that film was re-released because it "overpowered the visuals." I saw the film in a 70 millimeter print at the Ziegfield, and failed to find the sound overpowering anything. The original balances were there, only in stereo. Furthermore, as it is mentioned in the documentary on that film's laserdisc and DVD incarnations, great care was taken that the score would be mixed at the proper levels.

• The isolated score track is fantastic, with a good, fatty sound that is perfect for this score. The Rhino disc is still indispensible, but the DVD solves many of the aforementioned deterioration problems heard in the main titles and Mount Rushmore sequence.

• The documentary is okay. It is hosted by Eva Marie Saint (who's sign-off is a wonderfully nostalgic moment), and it is clear that everybody involved with the film is quite happy with it. An interesting tidbit is revealed: Bernard Herrmann introduced Alfred Hitchcock to Ernest Lehmann.

• Lehmann is obviously quite proud of the film, and enjoys reminiscing on the commentary track. His plodding pace and elderly voice may put off some listeners, but people should pay attention to his comments. He did, after all, write one of the most crackerjack movies in history
  

What this all adds up to is this:

BUY THIS DVD

If you're a fan of the film, you'll want to see it look like this.

If you're a fan of the score, you want to hear it sound like this.

If you've never seen this film, then you're in for a treat. Combining Hitch's mastery of the cinematic medium with awesome star power, razorsharp VistaVision photography by Robert Burks and one of Bernard Herrmann's most fun scores, this film one of the most entertaining ever.

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For those who are wondering what "VistaVision" was...

During the big widescreen race of the 50s (i.e. combating television), VistaVision was in competition with 70 millimeter and anamorphic (squeezed) formats.

The format consisted of using standard 35 millimeter film, which was cheaper than the 70 millimeter stock, which was exposed horizontally instead of vertically (as in a still camera). Since the frame itself was larger, the picture quality of the negative was highly detailed, rivaling in quality 70 millimeter and blowing anamorphic away (which also had optical distortion problems at the time). Prints were made of these for roadshow presentations.

This was usually followed by a wide release, consisting of dupes reduction printed for standard 35 millimeter release. The prints would feature better picture quality than a standard 35 millimeter film.

Recently, Vertigo was restored using the original VistaVision elements onto 70 millimeter, allowing the restored prints a level of clarity and detail previously unseen.

But that reminds me of your offer regarding the De Palma movies, I had nearly forgotten I'm afraid. Anyway, I realized that I actually have no way to find out if my recorder can play NTSC cassettes. But I'm happy to say that I've seen Carrie in the meantime (although in pan & scan ), and I intend to borrow Snake Eyes from a friend when he's back from his hollidays. But of course, thank you very much for the offer! And thinking of it, it's high time for me to order the Carlito's Way DVD!