Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #5286 in DVD
• Released on: 2006-05-29
• Rating: Universal, suitable for all
• Formats: Black & White, PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 84 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
Citizen Kane is considered by many to be Orson Welles's masterpiece, but more than a few prominent critics have argued that his second film, 1942's The Magnificent Ambersons, is an even greater artistic achievement. It's certainly the source of the most painful injustice of Welles's brief career in Hollywood, having been seized from the director's control, drastically cut from over two hours to merely 88 minutes, and reshot with a different, upbeat ending that Welles vehemently disapproved of. Adapted by Welles from the novel by Booth Tarkington, it remains a truncated masterpiece, as impressive for what remains as for the even greater film it might have been. The story is set during the late 19th century and follows the rise and fall of the wealthy Amberson family of Indianapolis, Indiana. Central to the drama is George Amberson Minafer (Tim Holt), who is snobbishly to the manor born, and whose petty jealousies and truculent pride compel him to prevent a wealthy inventor (Joseph Cotten) from marrying his widowed mother (Dolores Costello). This in part is the cause of the Ambersons' downfall, and ultimately leads to George's humbling "comeuppance" at the film's dramatic conclusion. It's an absorbing tale of fading traditions and changing times, and it's also a magnificent showcase for Welles's cinematic audacity, famous among film students for its long, fluid shots and ambitious compositions. Responding to the film's drastic cutting and re-editing, Welles justifiably complained that "they destroyed the heart of the film, really." And yet, the director's stamp of genius is evident throughout--the work of a young master (Welles was only 26 when the film was made) that still shines despite its unfortunate fate. --Jeff Shannon

Synopsis
The sweeping saga of a prominent wealthy family's attempt to adapt to the changing times at the close of a decadent age. Though mutilated by studio executives before studio release, this film remains a masterpiece of directorial artistry, as Welles refined the techniques of shadow, quick-cutting, camera angles, and sound manipulation he used for the previous year's 'Citizen Kane' and actually edited the film while it was being shot. Based on a novel by Booth Tarkington. Academy Award nominations: 4, including Best Picture, Best Supporting Actress (Agnes Moorehead), Art Direction-Set Direction, and Cinematography. Winner, Best Actress (Agnes Moorehead) by the N.Y. Film Critics.

Customer Reviews

A HOLLYWOOD GREAT
I don't know what one of the other (two) reviewers has been watching.....but take it from me the quality of picture/sound on this disc is impressive. I watched this again last night and the film remains one of my favourites, and all the more so for the transfer to DVD which is quite acceptable. Stunningly shot, wonderful sets, great lighting and acting that will take your breath away. Cotten and Moorehead are simply wonderful, and there are other great peformances also from an impressive cast. This disc has been available at a 'knock down' price for some time now and includes 'An Unfinished Masterpiece' which is an interview with film critic/author Bill Krohn that is well worth watching. Sometimes you just have to sit back and enjoy the film, and in the absence of anything better at this stage I'd thoroughly recommend this DVD. I don't think that you will be disappointed.

Butchered by the studio - but still a Masterpiece
This film is almost as fresh and original as Citizen Kane but for different reasons. It's darker and more lingering, and Stanley Cortez's deep contrast black and white photography is breathtaking. The oppressive sets are shot from low angles often with minimal camera movement and should be viewed in 4:3 aspect to appreciate their carefully controlled composition. Many of the scenes consist of long uncut shots where the actors move in and out of shadows to assemble themselves, disperse, and come together again in an obviously carefully arranged manner that must have required hours of painstaking rehearsal. This - the very antithesis of 21st century jump cutting - is what stands out in Ambersons. It's a grand noir amalgam of theatre and photography and in some senses even ballet.

Some of the acting is a little wooden but more than made up for by Joseph Cotten and Agnes Moorhead's fine performances - to say nothing of Orson Welles' narration.

It's frustrating that RKO butchered the cut in Orson's absence and apparently destroyed the original (no director's cut here I fear). The print used here is not restored but nevertheless the transfer of picture and sound are pretty good. You would be wise to ignore the crass ending - re-shot without Welles, but it's remarkable that what's left still has the power to amaze after 65 years.

Great movie, crappy transfer
I am an Orson Welles fan, so I was looking forward to finally getting this on DVD. There are Spanish, etc versions out there, some pricey, but I thought that an offical Universal studios release was great. I have a multi format player just for this reason. It still has not been released here in the states.

As for the quality: sub par, low contrast and blurry.
Kudos for the release, shame on you execs for giving us this print that looks like 16mm! A great film deserves better!!