View Full Version : Wilder : "The Apartment" ; "The Fortune Cookie"
Under18/Splash have a tempting deal on these gems at the moment, at £7.49 each all-in. However, it seems that MGM's transfers on the US releases may leave much to be desired. I cannot find a single review of either of the UK releases (next best thing was one of the French release of "The Apartment").
Can anyone offer a critical opinion or otherwise help? :)
"The Apartment" (R1):
http://www.digitallyobsessed.com/showreview.php3?ID=1358
http://www.dvdtalk.com/dvdsavant/s266apart.html
"The Apartment" (R2: France):
http://www.dvdrama.net/fiche.php3?1930
"The Fortune Cookie" (R1):
http://www.digitallyobsessed.com/showreview.php3?ID=1003
Kevin Harper
11-02-2002, 11:01
I would have to disagree with some of the reviews of the R1 version of The Apartment - whilst this disc isn't exactly reference quality it certainly isn't as bed as some of the reviews make out. The picture is sharp and in no way unwatchable as one of the reviews said. This film is 40 years old and hasn't been restored like many others but it is the best version I have seen and for a basic film only disc is pretty good. I suppose a lot of this depends on the equipment used for the review.
John Hodson
11-02-2002, 18:29
I'd be interested in a reply to this from anyone that owns either or both of the R2s - up!
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So many films, so little time...
Originally posted by Kevin Harper
I would have to disagree with some of the reviews of the R1 version of The Apartment - whilst this disc isn't exactly reference quality it certainly isn't as bed as some of the reviews make out.
Thanks for the reply. It is a great shame that MGM did not deem these films worth of greater attention to detail, but your words are encouraging nevertheless.
From the French review of "The Apartment", it would seem - oddly - that a different (and not necessarily better) transfer may have been used by MGM in that territory - and possibly therefore in this part of the world, too.
Can anyone offer opinons on those versions sold by Splash (i.e. R2 UK)?
(BTW, for anyone interested, they also have the lesser "Irma la Douce" for the same money at the moment.)
I've got the Fortune Cookie on R2.
Not a lot of extra's, but the picture is ok - It's anamorphic ( I can't remember if it's 16:9 or 2:35:1 ).
I think the sound's mono.
It's a great film, and at that price it's worth getting even if it's a bare bones release.
Martin
Thanks, Martin.
Anyone else...? :)
John Hodson
13-02-2002, 18:18
Couldn't wait any longer; I'll let you know more when my copies arrive from under18 (and they've been mailed today).
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So many films, so little time...
Originally posted by John Hodson
Couldn't wait any longer; I'll let you know more when my copies
Very charitable of you! Even at these prices, I do hope that the transfers are not as poor as some of the reviews suggest. Many thanks for your input, and I look forward to your update on the matter. :)
These forums are not what they were, but not all members horizons stop at "Buffy" and "Legally Blonde"... :(
Just in case anyone else is interested, a review of "Irma la Douce" Noel Megahey has been published here: http://www.dvdtimes.co.uk/index.cgi?page=Review&id=373&story=2362 .
From what I can gather, it looks like all the other Billy Wider releases are very much like the transfer on <b>Irma La Douce</b>. At least that's the impression I get from the people who have responded here. If that is the case then I'd say that <b>The Apartment</b> and <b>The Fortune Cookie</b> probably have the same basic good quality transfer, but with nothing extra and no restoration of the picture or sound. It would have been nice if they had put a little more into the DVDs, but I think you'll find the releases more than adequate. At a price of £7.99 from Play, these are bargains.
Originally posted by Noel M
From what I can gather, it looks like all the other Billy Wider releases are very much like the transfer on <b>Irma La Douce</b>.
Thanks for contributing. More or less, this is the conclusion that I have drawn. It does puzzle me that the French review indicates that that transfer comes off second best to that on the NTSC disc... And it simply amazes me, whether the discs are second rate or not, that none of these has been widely reviewed.
At a price of £7.99 from Play, these are bargains.
They may be had from Splash for £7.49. :)
John Hodson
14-02-2002, 18:21
Almost OT; I've just finished reading Cameron Crowe's book on Billy Wilder (Conversations with Wilder and quite fascinating it is too). At one point Crowe muses with Wilder over the possibilities that DVD have opened up to film-makers, but Wilder doesn't seem too enthusiastic, and I think the fact that we've have the Some Like it Hot SE and no Wilder, indicates that he's got better things to do with what little time he has left.
A Billy Wilder boxset, complete with Director's commentary - would have been nice though wouldn't it?
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So many films, so little time...
Originally posted by John Hodson
A Billy Wilder boxset, complete with Director's commentary - would have been nice though wouldn't it?
Wouldn't it just...
Agreed on the book, too: excellent stuff.
John Hodson
22-02-2002, 11:09
Both finally have arrived from under18. 2:35:1 transfers, and neither are exactly reference quality, but certainly not that bad.
The Fortune Cookie suffers from a fair amount of dust and scratches, and a little damage here and there (it could stand - and surely deserves - to be restored).
But The Apartment postively glows in comparison; very nice unrestored transfer with a good solid contrast.
Mono sound in both case is adequate. Walter Matthau, Jack Lemmon, Billy Wilder - for £7.49 delivered. Bargain.
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"On the wall of his small Beverly Hills office are no garish posters of his masterpieces, Some Like It Hot, The Apartment, Sabrina, or even Sunset Boulevard. Just a small sign by his door, reading: How would Lubitsch do it? "
Originally posted by John Hodson
Both finally have arrived...
Many thanks for the upbeat update. I couldn't resist taking a chance on "The Apartment" myself. It has been posted, but not delivered, and I am now looking forward to its arrival all the more.
I think I'll go for "Cookie" now, too.
Coincidentally, I came across another review of the R1 "Apartment" today, published yesterday: http://www.dvdauthority.com/theapartment.asp . Another (relative) thumbs up.
:)
I have the R2 of The Apartment. Wonderful film and IMO the picture quality is fine. Lemmon shows what a brilliant actor he was. Shirley MacLaine looks fantastic in it (as she does in Gambit). How times change......
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