The Last Emperor - Criterion Collection
by Bernardo Bertolucci
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DVD details
Actor: Joan Chen, John Lone, Peter O'TooleDirector: Bernardo Bertolucci
Brand: IMAGE ENTERTAINMENT
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Original Language)
Format: AC-3, Anamorphic, Box set, Color, Dolby, DVD, HiFi Sound, NTSC, Restored, Surround Sound, THX, Widescreen
Picture Format: 2.35:1
Running Time: 163 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2008-02-26
Audience Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: Criterion Collection
DVD Reviews of The Last Emperor - Criterion Collection
DVD Review: Better-than-average biopic
Summary: 4 Stars
The Bottom Line:
The Last Emperor suffers a wee bit for its oddly warm and fuzzy depiction of the Maoist officials, but that quibble aside it's an intelligent and alive biography of Puyi that's markedly better than most entries into my least favorite film genre; though it cannot be denied that it runs a little on the long side, it's well-paced enough to keep you engaged and many elements of the film (notably the costumes, set design, and music) could legitimately be called beautiful.
3.5/4
DVD Review: Criterion - How is this travesty possible?!
Summary: 1 Stars
i waited a long time before getting this criterion release of the last emperor. i read criterion's response to all the controversy about recropping the film from 2.35:1 to 2.00:1. reviews by "expert" websites also said that the cropping didn't really lose much of the picture. but they were all wrong: bodies, faces, and objects are now awkwardly cut off by the new cropping. i don't believe for one moment that storaro meant this film to be in 2.00:1. why? check out the scene called "secondary consort". this is the scene where wen xiu tells pu yi that she wants a divorce. there's some back and forth dialog and pu yi finally scoffs at her and says, "no one can divorce me." in this last frame, the picture suddenly looks different - the characters' faces and the entire picture is suddenly elongated. they squeezed the original 2.35:1 into a 2.00:1 frame! how could this happen with a company like criterion?! i didn't mind the cropping at first but squeezing the picture to fit a dubious framing is just the worst travesty! DVD Review: lavish spectacle of bygone era
Summary: 5 Stars
I have waited many years for this film to be released on DVD. I have watched this film many times over the years since its first release and have found a new perspective to enjoy each time. The direction by Bertolucci and the cinemetography are exquisite. I have recommended this film to anyone who appreciates historical fiction coupled with novel addiions.DVD Review: The cropping really doesn't work...
Summary: 3 Stars
This review will only be based on Criterion's DVD rendition. The movie itself gets 5 stars, it's one of my favorites.
I have been an avid "Criterion Collector" over the years. Their DVD's are normally well restored and the special features they include are fairly impressive. However, I myself rather see a film well restored in its original aspect ratio than having tons of special features. Like other users have pointed out, Criterion respected Vittorio Storaro's wishes in presenting this film in a 2.00:1 ratio.
To put it bluntly, there is a lot of images that we saw at the theater that won't be appearing on the DVD. Some people don't mind it, but it is my personal belief that a movie like "The Last Emperor" should be watched in its original 2.35:1 aspect ratio. Why? the sets used, specially the ones in the Forbidden City, are breathtaking. You can only get this film's grandiosity if you watch it in its original format.
To the people who want to see this movie in its original aspect ratio I recommend you buy the UK double disc version of this film on DVD.
Having said that, Criterion of course offers an unparalleled amount of special features on this DVD. One must note though, that this movie should not be used as a historical reference. They took great diligence in recreating Pu Yi's world, but many things they show in this picture never took place...Just read Pu Yi's autobiography "From Emperor to Citizen" to get an idea of what I am talking about.
DVD Review: Good for the price
Summary: 3 Stars
Item was discounted quite a bit, but, the package was smashed up a bit. DVD were in good shape and worked well. Overall a good seller.
Description of The Last Emperor - Criterion Collection
Bernardo Bertolucci s The Last Emperor won nine Academy Awards, unexpectedly sweeping every category in which it was nominated quite a feat for a challenging, multilayered epic directed by an Italian and starring an international cast. Yet the power and scope of the film was, and remains, undeniable the life of emperor Pu Yi, who took the throne at age three, in 1908, before witnessing decades of cultural and political upheaval, within and outside of the walls of the Forbidden City. Recreating Qing-dynasty China with astonishing detail and unparalleled craftsmanship by cinematographer Vittorio Storaro and production designer Ferdinando Scarfiotti, The Last Emperor is also an intimate character study of one man reconciling personal responsibility and political legacy.Special Features
* - DIRECTOR-APPROVED SPECIAL EDITION FOUR-DISC SET FEATURES:
* - All-new, restored high-definition digital transfer, supervised and approved by cinematographer Vittorio Storaro
* - All-new, restored high-definition digital transfer of the extended television version
* - Audio commentary featuring director Bernardo Bertolucci, producer Jeremy Thomas, screenwriter Mark Peploe, and composer-actor Ryuichi Sakamoto
* - The Italian Traveler: Bernardo Bertolucci, a 53-minute film by Fernand Moszkowicz tracing the director's geographic influences, from Parma to China
* - Video images taken by Bertolucci while on preproduction in China
* - The Chinese Adventure of Bernardo Bertolucci, a 52-minute documentary that revisits the film's making
* - A new, 47-minute documentary featuring Storaro, editor Gabriella Cristiana, costume designer James Acheson, and art director Gianni Silvestri
* - A 66-minute BBC documentary exploring Bertolucci's creative process and the making of The Last Emperor
* - A 30-minute interview with Bertolucci from 1989
* - A new interview with composer David Byrne
* - A new interview with Ian Buruma examining the historical period of the film
* - Theatrical trailer
* - PLUS: A booklet featuring an essay by David Thomson, interviews with production designer Ferdinando Scarfiotti and actor Ying Ruocheng, a reminiscence by Bertolucci, and an essay and production-diary extracts from Fabien S. Gerard
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