Stranger on DVD

[Jeff Wilson]

Anyone seen the new UK Stranger disc, who can tell us who does the commentary track? I see the disc is available both alone and paired with Scarlet Street (which is also listed with commentary), but listings for these titles are devoid of useful info.

[Jaime N. Christley]

Where's the info from?

[Jeff Wilson]

The box art itself states that a commentary is present (this can be viewed at Amazon UK), and numerous UK DVD sites simply state that it's present, without going into any further detail, despite the disc being out and available.

[Jaime N. Christley]

Eureka Video hasn't updated their web page for this, so I doubt anyone will know the speaker until that happens, or the disc gets reviewed. I haven't seen any reviews for it, have you? For the non-commentary disc, yeah, but not the one you're speaking of.

Strange that they're both listed as having the same release date. Hmmm.

As awful as it sounds, my money is on Jeffrey Lyons, since he did the Americand disc. One more irony for Welles' career: the biggest whore of a critic being asked to do a commentary for one of the greatest filmmakers.

I'll email BlackStar, maybe they can get somebody to take a look.

[Jeff Wilson]

I expect that Eureka simply acquired the rights to the Lyons track as well. The disc supposedly came out March 18th, but no reviews have been forthcoming as of yet.

[jaime marzol]

...........

it's been my experience that when they say commentary track, but don't say who is doing it, it's a disposable commentary track. like the commentary track on the welles MACBETH 50th Aniversary laser disc. it's ok. great for a welles beginer, but of no particular consequence.

[dmolson]

I can't get enough of those commentary tracks (or sugar crisps, for that matter), although none of the films I've picked up have an critics' work. Peter Bogdanovich's thoughtful reminiscents on 'The lady from Shanghai' was quite engaging, lots of Orson stories and quotes, although didn't follow the movie as much as most commentaries that I've listened to usually do. The package also had a decent Bogdanovich featurette that was light but entertaining, with lots of clips and clever bits (like the casting of Glenn Anders) that add just that something extra when you're paying a good $30+ Canadian. Why Columbia didn't do the same for its other film noir series, like the Big Heat or Gilda, is ridiculous. If Chimes at Midnight is released soon, who would be best for commentary -- hopefully a little Keith Baxter and some Jeanne Moreau!

[Ecnerwal]

In the UK there are three editions of The Stranger on DVD - Waterfall, Aura and Network. I was wondering what the difference (if any) there is between these editions, and so which is closest to Orson Welles's intentions.

[Jeff Wilson]

The Stranger is in the public domain, so anyone can release it. There consequently shouldn't be any difference in the actual film, just in the quality of the discs themselves. I'm afraid I can't help with that side of it, though, as I've never seen any of the British discs of the film.

[Alan]

If it's any help - The very first UK release from 'Eureka Video' (with BRIGHT yellow artwork) looks pretty good, if perhaps a little dark, much better then my old video from 'Second Sight' anyway.

Not too sure if you can still buy it. Sorry I can't help you with the current 3 versions.


Alan

[Flint]

FYI:

DVD Beaver has a new review posted for "The Stranger", ranking the new MGM region 2/4 PAL disc above the Roan release.

-Flint

[blunted by community]

where is this dvd beaver? i'm googling it and i keep getting porn sites!

[Sir Bygber Brown]

lol

[Jeff Wilson]

DVD Beaver

Head for the "Comparisons" link.

[blunted by community]

thanks jeff.

brown, i know, i was laughing also.