The Stranger: MGM R1 DVD 7/10

[Michael O'Hara]

Digital bits reporting MGM to release "The Stranger" on 7/10/07.

Digital Bits

[purplepines]

What's MGM's record, again?

As far as quality of DVDs released, that is.

[Michael O'Hara]

They tend to be a little lite on the extras. In fact, I can't think of any MGM dvds that have knocked my socks off. They tried their best with my favorite film "Midnight Cowboy", although the transfer wasn't hi-def, which is irritating. But for an old movie like The Stranger? We'll be lucky if they include a theatrical trailer.

[atcolomb]

MGM i think has the record for the least amount of extras on their dvd's and the prints they use are not the best but i hope they can do better with The Stranger release. It's too bad Criterion can't get their hands on it!!

[Kevin Loy]

I don't have many MGM DVDs, but they generally include at least a trailer and a featurette or two. Of course, that doesn't even begin to compare with the lavish bonuses that Criterion generally includes with DVDs, but MGM isn't nearly as bad (in my opinion) as Sony/Columbia when it comes to bonus features. I'm still floored by the fact that their release of Gloria featured just one trailer, and it wasn't even for the film on the DVD...

[Michael O'Hara]

Listed on Amazon....no special features listed......yet....

AMAZON

[colwood]

I don't really expect any extras, except for maybe the trailer. But as far as quality goes, wasn't it MGM that released a German R2 dvd of the Stranger some time ago that (at least at dvdbeaver.com) is considered the best print on any Stranger dvd?

[Michael O'Hara]

So did anyone else pick up the new Stranger DVD? I got it a couple of days ago. The picture quality is quite good. The only other version I’m familiar with is the Roan version, which itself wasn’t half bad, but this is definitely a superior release, and I suppose it will banish those public domain prints into oblivion. I am still annoyed that MGM/FOX couldn’t even be bothered to include a trailer. I mean, this package is as bare-bones as you can get. This DVD will sit on my shelf with shame beside the complete Mr. Arkadin. Don’t these studios realize the importance of Mr. Welles? Each of his films should be presented as historically significant and have a healthy supply of extra features. What, was Peter Bogdonovich busy that week or something? Gimme a commentary, a trailer, anything. Jeesh. Well, at least we have the film, and it’s a terrific little picture and now it looks better than ever. Now where the hell is Chimes At Midnight?

[purplepines]

Was there a special trailer made for The Stranger that you're talking about? Because if not, you have the movie - why mourn a trailer? Unless the making of a movie or the background of its topic is really noteworthy, or if all the extras lend a VASTLY informative perspective to a film, I have to side with David Lynch - a movie is what matters for a DVD release. Spend your resources on its restoration/preservation, not ephemera. An opinion, merely.

[Michael O'Hara]

I agree, it's the movie that matters, it just seems that they could have included some form of bonus features, especially since they wanted $17.99 for it. Typical MGM/FOX. But yes, the clean print of the film is the most important thing, and it's worth every penny.