The Man Who Wasn't There (Coens)

[The Driver]

Nobody seems to have mentioned this that I can find. Anyone seen a review of it? I remember some places did a colour version on DVD. I only know the film in B&W as that's how I seen it in the cinema.

I have the disc and it's got a beautiful black and white image. English track has forced French subs which are easily removed if using AnyDVD of course.

Cover:



Disc seems to be region free.

Amazon www.amazon.fr/exec/obidos/ASIN/B001FY2MKQ

[Blu_Beast]

it should only be shown in the original B&W

[Alex DeLarge]

Beautiful B&W image, looks prisitne on my 106 inch Draper through my RS10. Very film-like without DNR or other malicious manipulation. I'm not sure if it's region free since I play all imports through my code-free player.

[pro-bassoonist]

Originally Posted by Alex DeLarge

Beautiful B&W image, looks prisitne on my 106 inch Draper through my RS10. Very film-like without DNR or other malicious manipulation. I'm not sure if it's region free since I play all imports through my code-free player.

It is Region-Free actually, and I would attempt to add up a review for it soon.

Pro-B

[discking]

Originally Posted by Blu_Beast

it should only be shown in the original B&W

The film has been available in a wonderful 3 DVD disc set in France, which includes both the released B&W version and the original color version, and a disc of extras.

The films was shot in color originally, and then processed into B&W as an aesthetic choice by the Coens. Having seen both versions, I prefer the color version. The color is very pale and low key, and quite lovely.

Sadly, the French Blu-Ray release includes only the B&W version, with forced French subtitles. The image is stunning however in Blu-Ray.

Why the French have this thing about forcing subtitles on the original language version of a film is a mystery to me. That said, the 3 disc DVD set comes in one of the most beautiful, best designed fold out packages I have ever seen, something the French do better than anyone else.

[KubrickFan]

Originally Posted by discking

The film has been available in a wonderful 3 DVD disc set in France, which includes both the released B&W version and the original color version, and a disc of extras.

The films was shot in color originally, and then processed into B&W as an aesthetic choice by the Coens. Having seen both versions, I prefer the color version. The color is very pale and low key, and quite lovely.

Not really, actually. The Coens wanted to film in black and white, but were forced by the studio to film it in color. They shot the film to be in B&W, even though it was shot in color. It was then corrected in post-production The color version was used for the international markets.

[discking]

Originally Posted by KubrickFan

Not really, actually. The Coens wanted to film in black and white, but were forced by the studio to film it in color. They shot the film to be in B&W, even though it was shot in color. It was then corrected in post-production The color version was used for the international markets.

As this film dates from after "Brother...", in which the Coens experimented heavily with digital color replacement and tonality, I would assume that MWWT was another phase of that development, and they didn't decide which way to go until they were in post. The B&W version is certainly impressive, but after repeated viewing I think the color version is superior. An under appreciated masterpiece in any case.

[Alex DeLarge]

The forced subtitles aren't intrusive at all, they are white (I despise yellow subtitles, especially with black borders) small and kept to the bottom of the screen so after a few minutes I rarely noticed them. I watch so many foreign films that my eye naturally drifts towards subtitles but it's worth it to own this film in high-definition. Really beautiful.