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Rather than review the pronounce of this almost universally beloved film, I’m impartial going to comment about the quality of the 2006 60th Anniversary Edition DVD itself. I’ve since written an updated review about a recent edition of this title, now available in a “Two-Disc Collector’s Situation.” Please regain that review — which was posted on December 13, 2008. (Amazon has posted my 2006 review in both places — even though the “60th Anniversary Edition” DVD is DIFFERENT from the “Two-Disc Collector’s Residence”. Read my write-up for the “Two-Disc Collector’s State” — again, it’s DATED 2008 and too early to scandalous among the “most agreeable” reviews — to better resolve which product you assume.)
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I’ve owned nearly every version of this title in almost every format available on home video during the past 25 years. It’s just that the State of this Viacom/Paramount DVD — including its special features — is identical to the Republic Pictures Home Video release more than 10 years ago.
However, this 60th Anniversary edition is spectacular for several different and extremely notable reasons. (I’ll address the criticisms some people have leveled about the sound on this 2006 DVD in a exiguous bit, so stick with me.)
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You don’t have to be a technical expert to immediately scrutinize the striking improvement of the recount AND sound in this 2006 edition. The print is crystal-clear and in my conception, has more vividness and sharpness than ALL other previous releases of this title on home video.
Proof? I keep my “former” THX-version DVD issued by Republic Pictures / Artisan Home Video (the customary DVD gold standard for this title) — into my Sony multi-changer DVD player — and watched and listened to every frame of this film AND its special features. I stopped and started this “older” DVD in several spots — and stopped and started the original 2006 Paramount edition repeatedly — so I could compare quality almost “side-by-side.”
Hands down — this 2006 version is astonishing. The spots and dirt have been wiped trim, the sharpness and incompatibility are arguably better than what film audiences saw 60 years ago. There are no stale spots, no jumped frames and no lint, fiber or hair fragments along the edges or jumping across the mask. I contain the technicians at Paramount (which acquired Republic Pictures Home Video) — digitally cleaned EVERY frame of the last DVD release — so that the film now looks like a million dollars. It’s almost too pristine, if there is such a thing. No jump cuts, no “jump ahead” sound breaks, no fogged-out scenes, nothing archaic — with the result being the cleanest and purest version of “It’s A Incredible Life” ever issued in home video history.
It gets better. English subtitles were available on older DVD versions of this title, but the 2006 version has a cleaner typeface, wiping out some of the confusing and unnecessary attributions of “who’s saying what” that were disruptive to some hearing-impaired viewers. In this 2006 version, you’ll bag a mostly straight, line-by-line reading of what’s being said — as it’s being said.
Meanwhile, the DVD’s special features — which include the same pair of documentaries produced in 1990 and 1991 — are identical in that they were shot on video tape hence there isn’t great improvement in relate quality. However, subtitles that WERE NOT available for these special features — are NOW available in this 2006 edition. The only “extra” to the previous “gold standard” that remains unchanged — is the novel 1946 trailer. Subtitles are not available and it has the same raggedness and dirt commonly seen with vintage trailers stored separately from the films they worn to advertise.
I’m highly principal of re-issued DVDs that seem nothing more than an excuse to squeeze more dollars out of buyers for the same material with unusual packaging. But this 2006 Paramount DVD version of “It’s A Astounding Life” is the best to date. It is NOT in color. (I maintain a colorized version for younger people who can’t stand black-and-white. Despite controversy surrounding colorization, know that the 2007 “Two-Disc Collector’s Residence” has the same 2006 60th Anniversary black-and-white edition you contemplate here — plus a unique “colorized” version. This version uses the same pristine print — but has the added bonus of boasting the best “color” hues ever seen for this film, using the latest image technology available. Despite my preference for black-and-white, the quality of this recent colorized version is impressive.)
Meanwhile, let’s address the criticisms about the sound on this novel DVD. Go attend a dinky bit. Mighty was made when Republic Pictures Home Video got the THX LucasFilm sound system seal of approval for “It’s A Incredible Life” during the 1990s. But it was tranquil two-channel mono with negligible equalization of sound effects. In this 2006 DVD, you’ll gain consistent two-channel mono and decent sound equalization to minimize “booming” and over-modulated portions in the film. In the mature versions, you had to turn down the volume a notch during the musical portions — and turn it help up when the dialogue came attend. It’s a nit-pick, but you really study the contrast if you’re crazy enough to do a side-by-side comparison like I did.
As for the digital sound “pops” that perfectionists support bringing up — they’re moral. They’re even in the spots eminent by another pretty reviewer who listed time codes where you can win them. But in my notion, unless you brace yourselves for them to reach like a booming bellow — unless you purposely crank up your speakers to carry sound throughout your house — yeah, you “might” be annoyed if you query the same perfection for a film made in 1946 as you would for a film made in 2006. Honestly, the disproportionate attention given to these digital “pops” is, in my idea, giving fence-sitters the impression that they’re supersonic cracks of lightning that will compose people jump out of their seats. I didn’t twitch at all. They almost “blended” into the 60-year-old soundtrack. Yes, I know they’re digital defects, but do you remember the zillion “pops” scattered throughout dirty prints of “It’s A Astounding Life” with filthy optical soundtracks? The audio on this 2006 DVD mild wins. You have EVERY Good to quiz perfection for your dollars. But as a person who’s more fastidious than average — I don’t absorb most buyers will care about a few “pops” in a film that’s this archaic. Combine the overall improvements with the relatively outrageous cost of this DVD — and I smooth say this is the BEST experience of “It’s A Extraordinary Life” I’ve ever SEEN and HEARD on home video.
Finally, another reason to choose this DVD. It’s former news to some, but it’s not widely known that this version of “It’s A Amazing Life” can only be broadcast by NBC. It archaic to air a zillion times during the holidays on every TV residence on earth. It was a snappy contrivance to earn tired of even a tidy film you reflect you know by heart. But Viacom/Paramount now owns this version of “It’s A Astonishing Life” outright and NBC has irregular licensing rights to air it impartial once or twice after Thanksgiving. This is a estimable thing for future generations to delight in.
So junk the stale, capture this version and be tickled. It may feel painful, but it’s worth it. And no, I DON’T work for Amazon OR for Paramount Home Video.
A beautifully crafted film that proved to be the apex of triple Oscar-winner (1934, 1936, 1938) Frank Capra’s illustrious career, and the epitome of his cycle of works celebrating the “current man”. Mr. Deeds found himself suddenly wealthy, Mr. Smith went to Washington as a Senator, and John Doe became the focus of a socio-political movement; but “Life”’s George Bailey never distinguishes himself outside of his exiguous hometown of Bedford Falls — his brother Harry is the one who becomes a war hero, and his friend Sam Wainwright is the one who achieves financial success. George’s triumph is simply his personal integrity, his code of ethics, and his strength of character — his goodness, if you will — during the unexciting course of his ordinary, mundane existence. In this respect, George is more an Everyman than any other Capra protagonist, absorbing strong audience identification and response.
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In one of the most aesthetic performances ever given in an American film, James Stewart is friendly as George. It’s not an easy role to play because so distinguished shroud time is spent focusing on George’s subtle reactions to the world around him. One wonderful moment comes at the divulge situation when George slowly begins to own the news of his brother’s new marriage and recent career opportunity, and how his brother’s fortune will kill his bear hopes of leaving Bedford Falls and the family business. Stewart’s face is astonishing in this scene, as surprised realization fades into mild disappointment and finally, gentle graciousness and acceptance. Stewart’s tour de force is given strong relieve by a edifying cast of Capra stalwarts, including Lionel Barrymore, Thomas Mitchell, H. B. Warner, and the phenomenal Beulah Bondi (as George’s mother) . And Donna Reed, in one of her first romantic leading roles after a number of years playing supporting ingenues and bits, is profitable in the warm but unglamorous role of George’s loving wife, Mary.
The Republic Home Video DVD is definitely the edition of this classic to maintain. Like the LaserDisc before it, the DVD offers a crystal sure, beautifully restored film-to-video transfer which will amaze and delight anyone who is familiar only with the sinister multi-generational VHS cassettes, or the abominable colorized version, that were commonly screened attend in the tedious 1970’s and 1980’s. There are some nice bonus features on the DVD, including a “making of” documentary and the theatrical trailer. This is one DVD that you’ll never regret adding to your home theatre collection!
Trivia note: If you’re a fan of this movie, try finding a copy of film historian David Thomson’s 1985 current “Suspects” which continues George’s narrative and relates the characters from this movie to many others (did you know that Donna Reed’s “Mary Bailey” is actually the sister of Gene Tierney’s “Laura”?!, etc.) … astronomical fun!
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