![Once upon a Time in Hollywood [Blu-ray]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/91yowwQ9ZEL._AC_UL160_SR160,160_.jpg)
First off, I want to make clear that, despite what the Amazon product description for this DVD presently (on 2/27/13) indicates, this movie, in this DVD release, is 89 mins. in length, not 80. I notified Amazon of the error a short while ago, so hopefully the correction will be reflected soon.
Secondly, I wish to COMPLETELY disagree with the product review posted by BAILADORA FINA on 1/7/13. I own a KINO DVD of "A Farewell to Arms". KINO released this movie as a new HD master, NOT as a restoration. Master means a best-possible straight HD reproduction from the best available picture and audio elements. A restoration, on the other hand, is when imperfections in picture and sound are corrected, as well as is reasonably possible.
As a new HD master, I consider this KINO DVD to be excellent, with overall clear, clean picture and sound, and with nicely balanced greyscale contrast.
I realize there is a conspicuous editing jump in one place, that makes it clear some footage was snipped out at some long-ago point. (You can tell as the scene begins with Catherine's mouth finishing moving from saying something before her continuing dialog begins.) Also, there are some inconsequential instances, throughout the film, where a fraction-of-a-split-second frame or two missing is just barely evident. Those issues reflect the form the reproduced old original film copy is in. As KINO's release is a new straight HD master "from an original nitrate 35mm print, preserved by the George Eastman House Motion Picture Department," we're getting the best possible as-is reproduction of THAT copy. The KINO DVD offers clear, well-balanced, flutter-free, entirely agreeable image and sound quality, that I, for one, am fully satisfied with.
This is an 80 year old movie (most of what I especially enjoy watching, and collecting, where movies are concerned, is Silent through Pre-Code movies, of which I own dozens of such on typically expensive DVD releases [Criterion, KINO, TCM Archives, Warner Archive, MGM Premiere, etc.], and I have high, but realistic, standards and expectations regarding reproduction quality, and this release compares favourably, and very nicely, with other excellent new straight digital masterings I have of movies of similar vintage). I find BAILADORA's review to not at all accurately represent the fine quality of this DVD. The KINO release easily offers the best digital reproduction, on DVD, of this movie currently available. No way can it be accurately said that this DVD's "visuals are...substandard and so is the sound." I heartily disagree with that mystifying statement by BAILADORA. For an 80 year old movie that hasn't had any restoration work done to it (that's in overall great condition, regardless), this DVD offers excellent reproduction quality, with no significant shortcomings regarding either picture or sound. Yes: There are some slight visual imperfections, here and there, regarding minor specks, scratches, upper-right-corner reel-change indicator flashes, and that type of thing, but nothing that at all intrudes upon or detracts from the viewing experience; it's the usual type visual issues that any well-seasoned frequent viewer of Pre-Code era movies knows routinely comes with the territory (except with movies that have gotten actual restorations and had those type issues eliminated or minimized). I think the job KINO has done creating the beautiful new HD digital master is commendable, and that it'll satisfy and please anyone wanting to own a high quality, easy to view and hear copy of the movie.
It appears to me that this is the very copy of "A Farewell to Arms" that TCM airs, as, to my eyes and ears, everything looked and sounded identical when I recently viewed the movie on TCM, then viewed it again, less than a week later, via my KINO DVD, and was unable to observe any differences whatsoever.
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