The Stranger (1946)

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by James Luckard

If it helps, the Beaver review says the Kino disc is 50 seconds longer, dunno if it's just logos at the beginning though.

In the written part, he says this about the Olive release

"...and it has the longest running time (presumably no sequences or shots, are absent.)"

[SMOOT]

from dvdsavant at dvdtalk

"Both versions are very good but for different reasons. MGM’s archive element used for this Olive disc has been altered (for television use?), removing the ‘International Films’ logo from the front, and abruptly cutting off the ‘The End’ title at the finish, which again identifies the film as an International production released by RKO . . .

. . . The finish on the consistently clean-looking Olive disc rudely chops off the last shot. The somewhat dinged-up (but intact) Kino disc continues to the end, showing us Welles’ amusing final close-up of Edward G. Robinson, his face obscured by a cloud of pipe smoke."

[Akoutroubas]

Can you provide a link to the quotes above? I can't find it at DVDtalk.com

[SMOOT]

Originally Posted by Akoutroubas

Can you provide a link to the quotes above? I can't find it at DVDtalk.com

Glenn's column and links have now, after many years, moved (or moving) to CineSavant.com

You can find the review for The Stranger at Trailers from Hell

https://trailersfromhell.com/the-stranger-2/

[James Luckard]

Originally Posted by SMOOT

from dvdsavant at dvdtalk

"Both versions are very good but for different reasons. MGM’s archive element used for this Olive disc has been altered (for television use?), removing the ‘International Films’ logo from the front, and abruptly cutting off the ‘The End’ title at the finish, which again identifies the film as an International production released by RKO . . .

. . . The finish on the consistently clean-looking Olive disc rudely chops off the last shot. The somewhat dinged-up (but intact) Kino disc continues to the end, showing us Welles’ amusing final close-up of Edward G. Robinson, his face obscured by a cloud of pipe smoke."

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?

[SMOOT]

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 gave the Kino Blu-ray to my son so I don't have it handy. Before I try to say what few seconds continue, I will need to check it out at his house.

I kept the Olive disc.

[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.

[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

[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.

[nitin]

Kino release is oversharpened and too bright though.

[bluerthanyou]

Originally Posted by nitin

Kino release is oversharpened and too bright though.

Yes. This is the crux of my dilemma. I'm all for film grain and sharp images but it appears that some depth is lost because of boosted contrast on the Kino release. While the Olive transfer has fewer instances of damage, great depth and nuance it is not the sharpest of images. Question...To what degree can you adjust your video settings to compensate for contrast/sharpness issues or are inherent shortcomings usually beyond end user modification? Some of the screen comparisons on Dvdbeaver are quite telling.

[nitin]

You cant dial back baked in sharpening at the user end (conversely you can, if you like, add sharpness to the Olive disc at the user end). The brightness you may well be able to adjust to your liking.

[bluerthanyou]

I finally broke down and ordered the Kino release. It was a tough decision between that and the Olive but I think I'll be happy with my choice once I see it on my home set-up. You see I've only watched it on YouTube in one of it's public domain incarnations.

[bluerthanyou]

After trying numerous adjustments to contrast and brightness levels I was unfortunately never able to achieve the amount of depth that I'd seen in the Olive release's screen caps on Caps-A-Holic. While I am happy to own a hi-def version of this film after only seeing it in public domain iterations, I can not forget the images of what the Olive release looks like in comparison. I'm afraid that a double dip is in order here. At least then I can combine the Kino slipcover art with the Olive transfer thereby creating my own perfect edition.

[RICKBONDOO7]

I would love to see Kino release a Better version of ..The Red House UA 1947 one of my E.G.R Favorites that needs a restoration. Film Detective Blu is ok, but no detail or sharpness.

[floridaswamprat]

The Stranger has been on my wish list for some time. After reading reviews of the various blu-rays, with varying opinions and conclusions, I was never comfortable pulling the trigger. Finally, I read some reviews of the MGM DVD Film Noir version. Some claimed that this version was better than any blu-ray version available. So for less than $5.00 (on E-bay), I bit.

Watched it tonight and I have to say it looked great (not perfect, a few specks - and I mean very few - here and there). Contrast was excellent. Clarity was excellent. I would have no qualms about recommending this anyone who is a fan but hesitant to pull the trigger on one of the blu-rays. NOTE: No special features are included on this release.

[TravisTylerBlack]

Just a heads up for anyone who put purchasing this film on the backburner -

The remastered Olive disc has been out of stock (and only available via third party sellers) on Amazon for quite some time.

I don't mean to jump the "out of print!" gun as it's still listed as in stock on the Olive website, but I wouldn't hesitate to grab a copy of this (IMO) superior release in case prices skyrocket the way they have for some of the sold out Signature titles.

Sidenote: I can understand how some people might think the old Kino disc is superior at first glance due to the apparent sharpening that's been applied. However, the slightly softer look of the newer edition is negated by the superior contrast and noticeably cleaner image. In motion the Olive is the more pleasing presentation.

[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.

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by TravisTylerBlack

Just a heads up for anyone who put purchasing this film on the backburner -

The remastered Olive disc has been out of stock (and only available via third party sellers) on Amazon for quite some time.

I don't mean to jump the "out of print!" gun as it's still listed as in stock on the Olive website, but I wouldn't hesitate to grab a copy of this (IMO) superior release in case prices skyrocket the way they have for some of the sold out Signature titles.

Sidenote: I can understand how some people might think the old Kino disc is superior at first glance due to the apparent sharpening that's been applied. However, the slightly softer look of the newer edition is negated by the superior contrast and noticeably cleaner image. In motion the Olive is the more pleasing presentation.

It's in stock right now at Amazon

[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...