The Ten Commandments (1923): OFFICIAL THREAD

[Arkadin]

so hard to find anyone talking about this release inside the super Ten Commandments blu-ray boxset.
It is De Mille's earlier silent version, and is presented in 1080p on a bd disc.
(none of the reviews I've seen say much of anything about it even though it is the main attraction of the boxset)
I really think it deserves its own thread so people that are interested can easily find out what people think of the transfer.
I'll be getting my copy today and will be checking it out asap, but if you've already seen it what are your thoughts?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ten...ts_(1923_film)
http://silent-volume.blogspot.com/20...ents-1923.html

[cboy007]

I'm curious about this too. I've taken an interest in films of this era recently. I'm a little surprised there was no mention of this feature on the Blu-ray.com review.

[Arkadin]

yeah I've read numerous online reviews of the boxset and it is basically ignored completely like it doesn't exist.
imo it's a major part of this release assuming it looks somewhat respectable.
I have no idea how it turned out because no-one has mentioned the PQ quality.

[manicsounds]

I bought the 50th anniversary edition DVD 5 years ago, which has both the silent and the remake on 3 discs, which was very reasonably priced, but the only way to get the silent version on BD is to shell out for a 6 disc oversized version? Not a fan of that... and it's unlikely to be released separately.

[P@t_Mtl]

I wish it was getting a single release as well. I am not interested in the box set, I will only get the single disc release but I would like to add this 1923 version to my collection.

[Arkadin]

well I just got home with my super box, and am actually pretty stunned at everything inside.
This piece is absolutely incredible, and imo with all the extras is perhaps the most impressive blu-ray collectable package yet.
hopefully I'll be able to watch some of the 1923 film very soon and post some impressions.

[Crimson King]

Originally Posted by Arkadin

well I just got home with my box set, and honestly I would highly recommend getting it.
This piece is absolutely incredible, and imo with all the extras is perhaps the most impressive blu-ray package yet.
hopefully I'll be able to watch some of the 1923 film very soon and post some impressions.

i heard that the disc's are hard to get out of the "Commandment" cases. (there's a risk of cracking I've read)

[bboisvert]

I'm still holding out. I want a 3-disc version... not the 6, not the 2, not the trinkets and swag.

If it turns out that isn't to be, I'm sure this 6-disc set will get cheap sometime in the next 6-12 months. I'll grab it then and put together my own 3-disc set.


Definitely looking forward to any reviews/opinions of the 1923 version, though, as it's the only thing keeping me from caving and buying the 2-discer.

[Arkadin]

Originally Posted by BillyJack

i heard that the disc's are hard to get out of the "Commandment" cases. (there's a risk of cracking I've read)

yes VERY hard to get out.
it's the plastic flipper--the 1923 version is on the other side, and you think you are going to break it trying to get it to flip over.
there is a hub on the plastic that goes through the center of the flipper and that is where the issue is.
it's almost like the hub is glued to the center of the spindle.
but I finally got it to pop loose.

[Crimson King]

Originally Posted by Arkadin

yes VERY hard to get out.
it's the plastic flipper--the 1923 version is on the other side, and you think you are going to break it trying to get it to flip over.
there is a hub on the plastic that goes through the center of the flipper and that is where the issue is.
it's almost like the hub is glued to the center of the spindle.
but I finally got it to pop loose.

sounds like you might want invest in couple generic cases to put the blu discs in.

[Arkadin]

lol.
probably won't be putting all the discs back in the tablets.
but I did move the dvds to the other side of the flippers so I won't have to ever flip them again.
issue solved.

[The Duke]

Originally Posted by P@t_Mtl

I wish it was getting a single release as well. I am not interested in the box set, I will only get the single disc release but I would like to add this 1923 version to my collection.

If you get a single disc release you'll be very disappointed - the movie is spread out over 2 discs, you get the Intermission at the end of the first disc.

I'll bet Paramount releases the 1923 version in a separate release down the road, or bundles it with a 3 disc version for both movies.

Ark, those cases sound really annoying. I hated how the Back to the Future was bundled, and did manage to break off one of the holders trying to get the disc out.

Just the 2 disc version for me, even though I'd like to get the silent version. Gone With the Wind is the only big boxset I went for. I spent a few minutes looking at the book & trinkets and never bothered to look at them again. The boxset takes up too much space on my shelves, actually I have it listed on Amazon marketplace. Hope it sells, the single disc version is under $10 now.

[Arkadin]

It will be interesting to see if Paramount ever does release the 1923 version as a single blu-ray.
Given how few older films they have even released on blu-ray I just don't see it happening personally.
the box set is beyond amazing--ya'll need to just bite the bullet imo.
as for this film--I have watched a bit, but need to watch a little more before I offer my opinion of the PQ.
most likely I will be breaking out my dvd copy to compare.
that's really the only way I know to really get a good idea of how worthwhile the upgrade is, as I feel confident there was no further restoration done beyond what was originally done for the super dvd a few years back.

[P@t_Mtl]

Originally Posted by The Duke

If you get a single disc release you'll be very disappointed - the movie is spread out over 2 discs, you get the Intermission at the end of the first disc.

That was just my mistake, it's the two discs version

[silentblu]

I'll make the assumption that it will eventually be in a 3-disc release within a year. Just like what happend with Wizard of Oz and Gone with the Wind.

[Arkadin]

so silentblu--did you get the box set?
I was wondering what your thoughts were on this bd.

[The Duke]

Originally Posted by Arkadin

as for this film--I have watched a bit, but need to watch a little more before I offer my opinion of the PQ.
most likely I will be breaking out my dvd copy to compare.
that's really the only way I know to really get a good idea of how worthwhile the upgrade is, as I feel confident there was no further restoration done beyond what was originally done for the super dvd a few years back.

Well, look forward to your impressions of the 1923 version, strange none of the reviewers have even bothered to mention it.

[tommyboy81]

Originally Posted by P@t_Mtl

I wish it was getting a single release as well. I am not interested in the box set, I will only get the single disc release but I would like to add this 1923 version to my collection.

My parents got the just disc release (no box set) from Amazon.

Got to say the PQ is really really good for a film this old.

[Arkadin]

well like I said I've only watched like 30 minutes, but so far I can offer a few things. The thing is I just have no idea how good this could look so I'm really not sure how good this upgrade really is. I've never even seen this silent version because I never opened my super dvd set once I found out it was coming to blu-ray.
the sound:
EDIT: The sound may be lossless after all.
(I had a problem with my player settings and so am checking this again).
the sound is coming out of my left and right channels, but I haven't determined if it is stereo or not.
I do know one thing--the soundtrack appears to be only organ, and as such is kinda tough to take after a while.
at least for me it is. there's just so may variations of solo organ that one can do, and the film is over 2 hours long.
I have no idea what the original soundtrack was like, so I don't know if this soundtrack is the one that accompanied the film originally or if it is completely new. Hopefully someone else will know the answer to this.
picture quality:
the main thing that sticks out PQwise is how stable the image is. It is rock solid with little to no flickering of any kind. or any other type of image distorting modulations that one might notice while watching a film of this vintage. I certainly get the sense that I am watching a 1080p presentation, but the PQ certainly is not as good as the best of the silents released on blu so far--like the phenomenal "City Girl".
then again, I didn't expect it to look that good.
Closeups certainly look the best as far as overall clarity of image, while medium and distance shots definitely show various degrees of softness and often exhibit a general unfocused appearance. Contrast seems fairly strong, but there is a lot of over-brightness--for lack of a better descriptor-- to most of the facial images.
Overall clarity of image is good imo.
Overall, I have been generally satisfied with what I've seen so far.

[silentblu]

Originally Posted by Arkadin

so silentblu--did you get the box set?
I was wondering what your thoughts were on this bd.

No. That's why I mentioned hopefully seeing a 3 disc release. I was also waiting to hear some more about the release.

Originally Posted by Arkadin

well like I said I've only watched like 30 minutes, but so far I can offer a few things. The thing is I just have no idea how good this could look so I'm really not sure how good this upgrade really is. I've never even seen this silent version because I never opened my super dvd set once I found out it was coming to blu-ray.
the sound: ok first of all the sound is not lossless unless it is pcm.
I am sending the audio via bitstream to my receiver and the hd light does not light up.
it still could be hd audio though because the light doesn't light up if the audio is uncompressed pcm.
I'm going to assume the audio is DD 2.0 MONO or perhaps stereo.
the sound is coming out of my left and right channels, but I haven't determined if it is stereo or not.
I do know one thing--the soundtrack appears to be only organ, and as such is kinda tough to take after a while.
at least for me it is. there's just so may variations of solo organ that one can do, and the film is over 2 hours long.
I have no idea what the original soundtrack was like, so I don't know if this soundtrack is the one that accompanied the film originally or if it is completely new. Hopefully someone else will know the answer to this.
picture quality:
the main thing that sticks out PQwise is how stable the image is. It is rock solid with little to no flickering of any kind. or any other type of image distorting modulations that one might notice while watching a film of this vintage. I certainly get the sense that I am watching a 1080p presentation, but the PQ certainly is not as good as the best of the silents released on blu so far--like the phenomenal "City Girl".
then again, I didn't expect it to look that good.
Closeups certainly look the best as far as overall clarity of image, while medium and distance shots definitely show various degrees of softness and often exhibit a general unfocused appearance. Contrast seems fairly strong, but there is a lot of over-brightness--for lack of a better descriptor-- to most of the facial images.
Overall clarity of image is good imo.
Overall, I have been generally satisfied with what I've seen so far.

Who is the score by? I know the DVD release and previous ones had the organ score from Gaylord Carter. I read that is might have a new score, but it is disappointing if it is just another organ score.

So are the color scenes just extras? I know they should be included in the actual film, but sounds like they aren't. How do they look in HD?