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.

[The Driver]

Only €12,99 now http://www.amazon.fr/Barber-Blu-ray-...dp/B001FY2MKQ/

Disc review (in English): http://www.dvdtherapy.com/review_info.php?id=2012

Only ever known the film in B&W and this transfer is sumptuous. There's a word I don't use everday

Returned to this last night after reading about their new project http://us.imdb.com/title/tt1019452/ and it's still a joy. No sub removal problem on my PC but if I get time I'll see if I can figure out a way to remove them on a standalone player. Odd that BAC release Region free (apparently) but lock the subs. Maybe a nasty old habit from DVD.

PC's best way as you Have no Region worries either. Saying that if a multiregion player with user prohibitions removed came along I'd take a look.

[wilky61]

Ordered this from Amazon.fr earlier this month for about $23 shipped and very happy I did. This is one of my favorite movies by the Coen brothers, after Blood Simple, and any fan of the film should buy the French release with confidence. The hardcoded subtitles are the least intrusive subtitles I've ever seen, quite small and white on a black-and-white picture. Not a concern at all. Otherwise, the picture looks quite strong.

[The Driver]

We have a new The Barber http://www.amazon.fr/dp/B005P3NRPW/

Back with Universal Pictures = no forced subs.

January 2012.

[Bruce Morrison]

Originally Posted by The Driver

We have a new The Barber http://www.amazon.fr/dp/B005P3NRPW/

Back with Universal Pictures = no forced subs.

January 2012.

Sorry if I've missed something, but how do you know it's being released by Universal? The Amazon page is showing the studio as unknown.

[The Driver]

Originally Posted by Bruce Morrison

Sorry if I've missed something...

No, just an assumption as TMWWT is part of the new Universal Pictures' catalogue (via Gramercy/Working Title and the break-up of Vivendi-Universal né PolyGram).

That's an educated guess since it's exactly what happened with BAC's Wild at Heart. Forced subtitles before the Universal re-release but not in the Universal one.

It may even be the Malcolm McDowell film with the same name. There's no facts posted or claimed about the January release -it's wait and see. Just chit chat. Like you get on forums.

[Jarfa]

It's a Seven7 edition (in fact a bunch of them announced) but as usual in Amazon.fr without any clues about the movie... price is there anyway

Originally Posted by The Driver

No, just an assumption as TMWWT is part of the new Universal Pictures' catalogue (via Gramercy/Working Title and the break-up of Vivendi-Universal né PolyGram).

That's an educated guess since it's exactly what happened with BAC's Wild at Heart. Forced subtitles before the Universal re-release but not in the Universal one.

It may even be the Malcolm McDowell film with the same name. There's no facts posted or claimed about the January release -it's wait and see. Just chit chat. Like you get on forums.

[The Driver]

Originally Posted by Jarfa

It's a Seven7 edition (in fact a bunch of them announced) but as usual in Amazon.fr without any clues about the movie... price is there anyway

Thanks

That would be these guys then http://www.sevensept.com

Some confusion out there as there also seems to be 2 DVD versions in January. Same film or an error?

Where did you see the info about Seven7?

[phildearly]

We have a new The Barber http://www.amazon.fr/dp/B005P3NRPW/

Back with Universal Pictures = no forced subs.

January 2012.

Has this been confirmed to be region free and without forced subtitles?

[The Driver]

Looks like they've fubared it as there's a comment "En VF seulement, la VO a disparu!" ie French langauge only. Seems a bit unlikely that but it's not unheard of for French releases.

BAC have re-released a few titles this month.

So stick with the original http://www.amazon.fr/dp/B001FY2MKQ unless you hear different.


Old release UPC 3700447503276

New release UPC 3512391370299

[tylergfoster]

Originally Posted by The Driver

Looks like they've fubared it as there's a comment "En VF seulement, la VO a disparu!" ie French langauge only. Seems a bit unlikely that but it's not unheard of for French releases.

BAC have re-released a few titles this month.

So stick with the original http://www.amazon.fr/dp/B001FY2MKQ unless you hear different.


Old release UPC 3700447503276

New release UPC 3512391370299

Was there any update about the newer version lacking English? I would prefer one with non-forced subs.

Also, are there any extras?

[tenia]

Originally Posted by The Driver

Looks like they've fubared it as there's a comment "En VF seulement, la VO a disparu!" ie French langauge only. Seems a bit unlikely that but it's not unheard of for French releases.

The commentator seems not to have the disc, but only relies on Amazon which only states the french dub.

It would be very unlikely not to have the original dub since it was there on the first release but one never know.