Für eine Handvoll Dollar (Per un pugno di dollari / Fistful of Dollars)

[TheHutt]

And here is the mini-review for $1 by Tobis:



Regional Coding: codefree.

Version
Well, unlike with other Leone films, there actually seems to be just one real version (if not taking various cut editions from 1964 into consideration). And this film has just it.

Picture
Tobis has managed to secure the result of the Italian restoration which has been released by RMV in Italy. And this is a very good thing, because the Italian transfer does look glorious. I personally think that despite of its age the first film is the best-looking of all the Dollars trilogy. However, there is a minor difference in coloring: the German version looks slightly warmer.
There is also one notable difference between the two releases: the German version contains the German theatrical credits. Notable difference to Italian and English ones are the full and correct spelling of German-language actors: Wolfgang Lukschy, Sieghardt Rupp and Josef Egger. Ennio Morricone is called Leo Nichols here. Sergio Leone is Sergio Leone though (the Italian restored version uses his fake name Bob Robertson from the original negative).

Here you can compare the Italian with the German version:
- German Blu: http://www.cinefacts.de/Forum/229411...ml#post7783173
- Italian Blu: http://www.cinefacts.de/Forum/229411...ml#post7776467

Audio
Like $2, the Tobis BluRay version contains 2 German dubs, a restored English mono track and a 5.1 English upmix by MGM, all in DTS-HDMA.
- German dub 1: the original German dub released in 1965. Here, the German actors playing in the film voiced themselves.
- German dub 2: the re-relaease dub from the 80s, written by Rainer Brandt. Clint Eastwood has the same voice actor, however, dialogues have been rewritten in order to make them funnier and more "catchy" - not a good thing IMHO. But many German viewers are used to it through TV, and were discontent with its omission on DVD. As this version was censored, some dialog lines had to be filled in from dub #1.
- English restored mono. TLE films restoration of the original mono track, performed for the German DVD edition. Original stuff with no artificially added sounds.
- English 5.1 upmix by MGM. Nuff said.

There are English and German subtitles for the film and the commentary and German subtitles for the bonus features.

Bonus:
This is where this version really tops - however, some of them will only make sense for German viewers as they only have German subtitles.
- Audio commentary by Christopher Frayling, with English or German subtitles.
- MGM featurettes from the DVD/BluRay editions. The "Restoring Italian Style" featurette is missing as it doesn't apply here.
- The US TV network prologue from the MGM version and the introduction to it.

Other featurettes are not from MGM but from Italian sources and include:
- Interview mit Ennio Morricone from the italian disc (HD, 13 minutes, German subtitles). Really insightful!
- Featurettes on locations in Spain: Golden City (Hoyo de Manzanares, Madrid), Casa de Campo (Madrid), Rio Alberche (Aldea del Fresno, Madrid), Rambla del Cautivo (Almeria), Rambla Indalecio (Almeria), Da Los Albaricoques a Golden City, Cortijo El Sotillo (San José, Almeria)
- Restoration feature (17 Min) on the Italian restoration, translated into German. Self-explaining.

Trailers:
- There is a really whacky first release German trailer by Constantin which advertizes the film as a "realistic German western" and apart from Clint Eastwood lists only German actors (and also provides German pseudonyms for some foreign actors). HD.
- The second release German trailer is without narration and looks really stylish! HD.
- The US trailer is the known one. SD.
- The US double-bill trailer. HD.
- The Italian trailer is quite well restored. HD.
There are also some radio spots.

Also, there is a "trailershow" with trailers to other upcoming Tobis films: "For a Few Dollars More", "Nobody 1+2" and "Renegade".

Other stuff
The cover art is that of the second German theatrical release. The tagline "Der Western der Western" means "The Western of all Westerns".

Conclusion
The Italian BluRay was already English-friendly, so you don't necessarily have to upgrade it. But if you are not put off by German intro, you might give this disc a try, especially if you're out for a better image quality than the MGM one. It also fits well with $2, also from Tobis.