A Farewell to Arms (1932) by Kino on Dec 27 Review

[jaaguir]

Farewell to Arms Blu-ray

A Farewell to Arms Blu-ray Review


This is the Gary Cooper movie directed by Frank Borzage.

Many years ago Image released the only good dvd edition of "A farewell to arms", an excellent one actually: no extras, but the only dvd edition ever featuring the original Paramount 1932 Pre-Code cut of the movie (from an original nitrate print, I believe).

For some reason the rights to this movie passed on to Warner some years later, and they wanted to re-release the movie in 1945. For this, the movie had to undergo numerous cuts under the Production Code. They also changed the musical score, and opening credits (then being presented as a Warner movie).

Then the rights fell into public-domain. There are a lot of worthless crappy dvd editions by different houses, and they all use this latter version of the film, the re-release version with the Warner logo and shorter running time.

So I just pray to God Kino is using the original cut for this blu-ray, the one Image used. This is the point of writing this post and starting this thread. I wish someone could confirm this with Kino!


BTW, the recently announced Kino's December wave of 4 classic titles is already up for pre-order at Amazon (including this one), and it seems they have lowered the price. Well the Keaton movie has the same price as all previous Keaton releases, I believe (excluding the box-set, obviously).

[Felipenor]

Definitely buying this one.

[Loris]

I have the DVD of this....on Laserlight. It says B/W 1932 ,, 80 minutes. Says nothing about Warner on the box.

[jaaguir]

Originally Posted by Loris

I have the DVD of this....on Laserlight. It says B/W 1932 ,, 80 minutes. Says nothing about Warner on the box.

Well, as I wrote previously, the movie fell into public-domain eventually (many years after the Warner re-release). That's why Laserlight (among many others) could release a dvd of it. Public domain material, if you have access to it in any form, you're free to dump it on a disc (in this case) an release it. That's why they always look awful. It's usually some old master tape made for tv-broadcast from a worn-out 16mm print of the movie, or whatever they have in that vein that they use.

If you watch the movie on your disc, very likely it opens with the Warner logo. It's also possible they skipped those first frames for some legal reason, but I believe it's included in the public domain versions. Nonetheless that's the cut that's always been used for public domain. The print with the longer cut was discovered some years ago and it has an owner (it was probably part of a private collection, I'm not sure). So even though the movie is public-domain, that specific print is private property. You would have to pay to use it as the source for a dvd or blu-ray. Hopefully that's what Kino has done.

[Loris]

Yes,you are right, it does open with the Warner Bros. logo.....it looks like a third generation vhs copy. Had not watched it for a long time. It will look much better on bluray. Let us hope. Thank you for your comments.

[JVB2]

Hopefully this will be region free, this sounds interesting at least. I've read Hemingway's novel a couple of years back, it's sublime!

[Deciazulado]

A Farewell to Arms Blu-ray Review

[Warbler]

The review says they released the movie with two endings. Does the blu ray have both?

[Blu-Velvet]

Originally Posted by Warbler

The review says they released the movie with two endings. Does the blu ray have both?

The Blu-ray has only the "correct" ending that's closer to the original novel, and is the uncut "precode" original release version from 1932, with beautiful picture quality and very good sound. Sadly, there are almost no bonus features.

[NoirFan]

Those debating a purchase might want to consider the upcoming BFI release, which has been given a new restoration and will include 'unique and exclusive extras'.

[NoirFan]

According to the DVD Beaver review the transfers are the same, and I must confess examining the screenshot comparisons I can't see any discernible difference.

[javi92]

Originally Posted by NoirFan

According to the DVD Beaver review the transfers are the same, and I must confess examining the screenshot comparisons I can't see any discernible difference.

Hmmm, I thought for sure the BFI would improve somewhat noticeably on the Kino. Oh well, saves me the cost of importing.

[John_Drake]

From those caps I thought that the BFI version might have a bit more grain.
I like the extras too.