MovieChat Forums > Il vangelo secondo Matteo (1965) Discussion > New Colorized DVD from Legend Films

New Colorized DVD from Legend Films

posted 17 years ago by Sk8erSkeeze
8 replies | jump to latest

I just got this thing in the mail today. The DVD contains a cut down colorized version and an "extended" black and white version - which is actually the original Italian version. Overall, I am not happy with the package.

Thankfully, the movie is featured in widescreen (enhanced for widescreen TVs for the colorized version, and merely letterboxed for the black and white version) . The packaging says it's 1.33:1 Full Frame, but that's incorrect. The colorized version was made from a very nice transfer of a 35mm black and white print.

Unfortunately, the colorized version has been cut down to 90 minutes. The movie now has a faster pace, and is essentially ruined because of it. The colorized version only features the english soundtrack.

Since the colorized version was made from a very nice 35mm black and white print, I figured the included "extended" black and white version would look just as nice, except it wouldn't be colorized. I was wrong however. The black and white version looks lousy - very similar, if not identical to some previous DVDs. The budget edition from Brentwood Home Video actually looks better.

The video for the black and white version has been heavily compressed, and there is constant video compression artifacting. Also - the English subtitles are burned in and cannot be removed.

I'm glad Legend Films included the original black and white Italian version, but this package could've been so much better. Overall, it's a big disappointment.

Thankfully, there is a catchphrase that makes everything okay - "Hey, it's the 21st century."

[–] 17 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Sk8erSkeeze 17 years ago

Glad I could be of some help. It's a real shame - I was really looking forward to this release. In the past, Legend Films have produced some great DVDs - IMHO. Viewing their colorizations can be like watching an old favorite for the first time - and they usually include a first-rate transfer of the film in black and white.

Oh well :*(

Thankfully, there is a catchphrase that makes everything okay - "Hey, it's the 21st century."

[–] Sk8erSkeeze 17 years ago

Here's DVD Beaver's look at the disc.

http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film/DVDCompare8/gospel-matthew.htm

Thankfully, there is a catchphrase that makes everything okay - "Hey, it's the 21st century."

[–] Doctor_Fu_Manchu 16 years ago

Where's Criterion when you need them.

"This is Fu Manchu. Once again the world is at my mercy."

[–] Trouter2000 16 years ago

Agreed, but getting the original B&W this way is far cheaper than buying it from the Pier Paolo Pasolini collection.

Last film seen: The Gospel According to St. Matthew 9/10

[–] deeveed 16 years ago

"Overall, it's a big disappointemnt"...

uh oh ...I didn't see all the comments before I just bought the Legend dvd...
please tell me I can still watch the film without losing its essence!...;-)....

[–] Falconeer 9 years ago

That shortened/butchered 90 minute, colorized and English dubbed version is disgusting. It's worthless actually. I'm grateful the original version was included too. It's an old, low budget film, so i expect the picture quality to be less than BluRay quality. People have become too demanding in recent years when it comes to film. Not too long ago it was almost impossible to get some of these titles..in any quality. I just don't see how someone could chop out a half hour of a masterpiece like this, and call it an "improvement.."

"IMdB; where 14 year olds can act like jaded 40 year old critics...'

[–] matt-382-167802 8 years ago

Hulu streams the colorized and dubbed version and I can't bring myself to watch it. They are doing a real disservice to the artist.