The Stranger (1946)

[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.

[GeoffOliver]

Just avoid the Film Chest release at all costs

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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 !!

[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?

[SeanJoyce]

Originally Posted by LaughingWindows

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?

This was far from a passion project for him, so being disinterested was surely part of it. That said, Welles was always better behind the camera than in front of it; he definitely pales next to Robinson.

By far the silliest moment remains Welles doodling a swastika while making a phone call.

[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.

[cinescot]

Yeah you'd expect it to use the same master but it doesn't.

I never bothered buying the Olive due to what I'd read about it. It's also meant to be cropped. No idea why MGM would have provided Olive a different master for release.

I have the Odeon UK release which uses the same transfer as the Kino (Library of Congress print). It's not the worst in terms of overall image quality but there is quite a lot of print damage and has missing frames but it does include the uncut last shot with the RKO credit. This is removed in most other versions and the shot ends early so the credit is not shown.

I'm hoping for a future restoration and release from Criterion, as this film definitely needs it. The fact it is streaming on Criterion Channel makes me optimistic.

[Rayjg]

It always drives me crazy to see those inserts Welles shot of himself that don't really match at all during the climax on

[Show spoiler]the roof of the church

. It clearly was a tour-de-force tracking shot but he must've been pressured to add some close-ups, like on The Lady from Shanghai.