The Stranger (1946)

[bluerthanyou]

I want to own this wonderful movie but after considering the various releases it appears that the Olive Films is the best transfer while the Kino has the most detail but I actually prefer the cover art of the dreaded Film Chest release. Anyone have a Film Chest edition they would like to sell? I hate double dipping but will if I can find a bargain.

[noirjunkie]

Originally Posted by bluerthanyou

I want to own this wonderful movie but after considering the various releases it appears that the Olive Films is the best transfer while the Kino has the most detail but I actually prefer the cover art of the dreaded Film Chest release. Anyone have a Film Chest edition they would like to sell? I hate double dipping but will if I can find a bargain.

Get the Kino release. The detail (including film grain) is indeed better, and it also features a stronger set of supplements.

[charlieray1]

Originally Posted by James Luckard

I finally got the Olive disc and watched it tonight. Brilliant movie, can't believe I let it escape me for this long.

The Olive disc ends with

[Show spoiler]a shot of Robinson, lasting maybe 1-2 seconds, where he quickly says "Goodnight Mary, pleasant dreams," in closeup, as he smokes his pipe, then cuts to a card saying "The End" on black.

Do I understand correctly? Does the Kino disc include any material after this 1-2 second shot of Robinson?

I have the Olive disc too, but from what I understand, the credits are over Robinson smoking his pipe in the other disc

[GeoffOliver]

It also looks like the Olive release is “official,” and Kino’s disc is not (though still legal since the film is technically public domain). The back of the box has MGM and FOX’s logos. MGM probably has the ancillary rights, and that means the Olive disc was probably mastered from the best surviving elements.

[jayrobb9]

I do with Blu-Ray.com had given more attention to this release. Heck, I wish it would even show up on in-site searches for The Stranger. If I knew this version existed, I would never have bought the Kino version a few months ago. Alas...

[stlcards]

I just watched this movie on Netflix. I had never seen it and always wanted to. I thought it was good. I noticed that it said "Kino" at the beginning so I guess that is who Netflix got the transfer from.

[DaBargainHunta]

I was eyeing the Kino release in the sale, but one post here says the Olive version is better, and another says the MGM DVD surpasses all Blu versions.

I'm confused and don't know what to think anymore...

[Egbert Souse]

Olive's Blu-ray uses the same transfer as MGM's DVD (as it was licensed from them). Best overall image quality to my eyes since Kino's looks too bright and not much dirt cleanup was applied.

[GeoffOliver]

Olive’s release is also officially licensed, which should be reason enough to choose that edition. There’s nothing wrong with a label releasing a public domain film on their own if they have proper materials (Kino’s release of this was sourced from a print from the Library of Congress), but an official release will most likely use the best possible materials.

[TravisTylerBlack]

The Kino disc appears to be *slightly* sharper but is overly bright as others have said. The print utilized also has far more damage in places compared to the Olive, which uses an official master prepared by MGM. Go with the Olive.

[nitin]

Originally Posted by TravisTylerBlack

The Kino disc appears to be *slightly* sharper but is overly bright as others have said. The print utilized also has far more damage in places compared to the Olive, which uses an official master prepared by MGM. Go with the Olive.

It’s not sharper, but artificially sharpened.

[GeoffOliver]

Just avoid the Film Chest release at all costs

[flyry]

On quick glance the Criterion Channel version of this is a better transfer than the Netflix/kino one. It says International Pictures Inc..is there a disc release of that version?

edit: The Amazon Prime version is god awful

[Egbert Souse]

Originally Posted by flyry

On quick glance the Criterion Channel version of this is a better transfer than the Netflix/kino one. It says International Pictures Inc..is there a disc release of that version?

edit: The Amazon Prime version is god awful

Looks like Criterion Channel has the Kino master. It's technically more complete since it has the original "compass" logo and the complete ending shot. The MGM master uses a reissue print with the "text only" International logo and the ending shot clipped to remove the reference to RKO Radio Pictures.

[Akoutroubas]

Originally Posted by Egbert Souse

Looks like Criterion Channel has the Kino master. It's technically more complete since it has the original "compass" logo and the complete ending shot. The MGM master uses a reissue print with the "text only" International logo and the ending shot clipped to remove the reference to RKO Radio Pictures.

I have both the MGM DVD and the Kino Blu. The MGM ending is slightly clipped but it's a much better transfer overall. I assume the Olive ending is also clipped?

[Egbert Souse]

Originally Posted by Akoutroubas

I have both the MGM DVD and the Kino Blu. The MGM ending is slightly clipped but it's a much better transfer overall. I assume the Olive ending is also clipped?

The MGM DVD and Olive Films Blu-ray are from the exact same HD master.

[JackLordsHair]

Originally Posted by Egbert Souse

The MGM DVD and Olive Films Blu-ray are from the exact same HD master.

Just saw this for the first time on TMC , what a great flick but its Wells so no surprise there... will have to grab an Olive copy stat !!

[markthedoctor]

Originally Posted by Egbert Souse

The MGM DVD and Olive Films Blu-ray are from the exact same HD master.

I recently purchased the Olive blu ray and did a direct comparison to my MGM dvd copy.

It does NOT appear to be from the exact same master. Right from the opening scene, you can see far more speckles and dirt on the Olive than the MGM.

I've watched the Kino as well, and the MGM dvd still looks better to my eyes. In addition, the Kino has rounded corners on the image, obviously underscanned.

Get the MGM dvd. It's currently the best version available.

My 2 cents.

[DaBargainHunta]

I've always wanted The Stranger, but figuring out which Blu-ray to buy is an exhausting headache.

I am probably overthinking it though - as my first exposure to the film was a cheap $1 DVD from Target in a flimsy cardboard case, and I still enjoyed the hell out of it.

Great movie, and highly recommended if you have the Criterion Channel.

[LaughingWindows]

Recently rewatched this on Netflix to see if it's any better than the bd I own. It isn't.

My reaction was different than all the previous times watching it. My first viewing was on TV early 80's.

This time I laughed at every moment Orson Welles was on screen due to his "put on a weirdo face from the first minute to the last" approach. Perhaps he was a litlle bit lazy or uninterested?