Charade (1963)

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by blu-ray_girl_fan

As has been stated in this thread, the disc includes a featurette about Carl Laemmle, a featurette about Lew Wasserman, and a trailer.

...so if packaging and a commentary track are worth over $10 for you, pick up the CC version instead. I probably would have been happier with this release.

[blu-ray_girl_fan]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

...so if packaging and a commentary track are worth over $10 for you, pick up the CC version instead. I probably would have been happier with this release.

$8 vs $20 to $30? Sure.

I'm glad that the colors aren't messed up like Universal's version of Spartacus, though Criterion hasn't gotten around to releasing their version on BD.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by blu-ray_girl_fan

$8 vs $20 to $30? Sure. :

Now Fear and Loathing Uni vs. CC...major difference.

[blu-ray_girl_fan]

Slipcover back:



I wonder if Universal meant to release this as a Universal 100 title but was somehow preempted by their contract with Criterion (i.e. non-competition for a given amount of time).

[quickdraw]

Originally Posted by KilloWertz

I'm glad to see it's a solid release PQ wise for people who never got the Criterion release. Hopefully this means it will get even just a slightly wider audience on Blu-ray now. Charade definitely deserves it.

Whether it's true or not that the Universal edges out the Criterion release ever so slightly, I'm just going to stick with my Criterion release. I'm not being a Criterion fanboy or anything. I love the film, but I just don't care to buy it over again. I also doubt it includes any special features since the commentary is a Criterion exclusive.

I realize this post is kind of divided between positive and negative. In the end, it's good that it's getting another release. I was just stating reasons why I won't be getting it.

Judging by the screen caps I've seen of the Criterion release, I don't think you're missing anything from the Universal version. I too am glad some great titles from the 50's and 60's are finally being released by the major studios and hopefully we'll get more.

All in all, Charade is a fun ride although I don't consider it to be either Hepburn's or Grant's best work per se, but there's still a lot to like with this picture between the storyline, wit and scenery. Keep 'em coming Universal!

[JMK]

Charade Blu-ray Review

Note that I included screencaps from both versions for your perusal.

[PowellPressburger]

Originally Posted by JMK

Charade Blu-ray Review

Note that I included screencaps from both versions for your perusal.

Cool review... I kind of would like to compare the Criterion 1.0 PCM with the DTS 2.0 of the Universal release. But I have to admit even with maybe more "stereo" sound I would prefer the Criterion's image quality. Possibly.

[JMK]

There's no stereo here, just a mono track pumping out on two channels.

[PowellPressburger]

Originally Posted by JMK

There's no stereo here, just a mono track pumping out on two channels.

Good to know.

[James Luckard]

Originally Posted by JMK

Charade Blu-ray Review

Note that I included screencaps from both versions for your perusal.

Wow! They look nearly identical. I almost wonder if it's the same transfer. If not, it's so close it's not worht worrying about. As it's my favorite film of all time, I'll hang on to the Universal disc I got for $7.99 at BB, but I'll happily play my Criterion knowing it hasn't been surpassed.

[StingingVelvet]

Watched the Criterion if this last night and it was really lovely seeing the film again looking so nice. Hadn't seen it since DVD, and it wasn't the Criterion DVD. Such a great movie, they don't make 'em like this anymore.

[HonestJohn]

Originally Posted by StingingVelvet

Such a great movie, they don't make 'em like this anymore.

or actors ...

[KilloWertz]

Originally Posted by StingingVelvet

Watched the Criterion if this last night and it was really lovely seeing the film again looking so nice. Hadn't seen it since DVD, and it wasn't the Criterion DVD. Such a great movie, they don't make 'em like this anymore.

No they don't. Such a fun movie, and one of my first Criterions I ever bought. It was also the very first Audrey Hepburn movie I ever saw (probably Cary Grant as well if I remember correctly).

[Chloenator]

Keep an eye out at your local Dollar Tree stores. I found the Universal release of this at mine yesterday and picked it up for only $1.00! YMMV, of course.


These were all $1.00 each except for the Blades of Steel NES game.

[Shanghai Express]

I want Universal to release this on 4K.

[martydmc12]

Originally Posted by Shanghai Express

I want Universal to release this on 4K.

I popped it in the other night, and perhaps I've been spoiled with all the recent 4K scans, but this film definitely needs a new scan and restoration. Does anyone know the history of the original elements might be, original camera negative and such?

I could see Kino doing a helluva good job with a new scan.

[James Luckard]

Originally Posted by martydmc12

I popped it in the other night, and perhaps I've been spoiled with all the recent 4K scans, but this film definitely needs a new scan and restoration. Does anyone know the history of the original elements might be, original camera negative and such?

I could see Kino doing a helluva good job with a new scan.

Universal owns the film and certainly controls the negative.

The bigger issue with this film is that there was a public domain issue for many, many years. Universal forgot to put a copyright sign next to the copyright notice in the opening credits. As a result of that clerical mistake, anyone who wanted was able to release PD VHS and DVD copies for decades. That was why it was a miracle when Criterion did their first DVD, then upgraded it to anamorphic DVD. I haven't seen any PD BDs, so perhaps Universal resolved that issue.

Unfortunately the damage to the title's value in the catalog was done.

[martydmc12]

Originally Posted by James Luckard

Universal owns the film and certainly controls the negative.

This is my biggest concern/question. Is there an original camera negative still in existence, or at least in relatively good condition.

[James Luckard]

Originally Posted by martydmc12

This is my biggest concern/question. Is there an original camera negative still in existence, or at least in relatively good condition.

The liner notes for the Criterion BD say their master was created from an interpositive, but I'd be surprised if Universal doesn't have the negative.

[MovieBuff647]

Very curious if this is a new restoration (or at least an improvement on previous releases), considering StudioCanal and MK2 were involved? https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Charade-Blu-ray/233827/