The Masters of Cinema Series version vs the Kino version

I have seen both the Kino version and the Masters of Cinema Series version of the film. Now, I don't remember exactly how the transfer was on the Kino DVD but I believe the Masters of Cinema Series has a better transfer. The music is also quite nice (I don't remember the music on the Kino DVD).

I was hugely disappointed when I found out that they had just used the American print of the film on the Masters of Cinema Series DVD (The Kino version uses the same print). The American version has the best quality of the film but there are some scenes missing from it that can be found in the other 3 prints that exist of the film. I can't for the life of me understand why they did not include these scenes from the other prints. It can't be that much work.

The "Making of" documentary on the Masters of Cinema Series DVD is quite interesting but it dwarfs in comparison with the documentary on the Kino version (on Murnau's life). The booklet that comes with the Masters of Cinema Series DVD is however quite good and it has some nice pictures.

So if you are a fan then get both of the versions, otherwise go for the Kino DVD (because of the documentary on Murnau's life).


- This comment is most likely authentic and fairly close to what I intended to say -