Customer Reviews

Brink Of Life

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

First off, I knew I was taking a chance by purchasing this DVD. The fact is, I'm in love with Ingmar Bergman, Ingrid Thulin, and Bibi Andersson, so I absolutely had to get it.

The packaging is this: A clear, single disc DVD case. No artwork (just a sticker with a barcode and the name of the movie, year, and country on the front), and literally a DVD-R. The text on the front of the DVD-R itself says: (At the Top: BRINK OF LIFE (1957-Sweden); At the bottom: Published By: Mad Phat Enterprises 2009 Copyright: Video Yesteryear 1983).

Considering this item was being shipped from Amazon, I expected a more official, quality product. I was warned on the item page, so I hold no bad feelings.

Then for the movie: There is no title menu, or main menu. The feature itself is a transfer from a videotape that has been put onto the DVD-R you end up buying. At the very beginning of the disc, you see the word "PLAY" in the top left-hand corner of the screen. The picture quality isn't great, but if you really want to see the movie, it will work.

The movie is amazing, the packaging is whatever. I was warned, and you have been too. I give it three stars.

This rare Bergman film from 1956 is beautifully produced from an excellent 35mm print with optional English subtitles. It is worth it to get an all region multi format DVD player for the Bergman lover.

***1/2 1958. This film was based on two novels by Ulla Isaksson and directed by Ingmar Bergman. Two prizes in Cannes (Best actresses and best director). The whole action of the film takes place in a maternity hospital. Three women are occupying the same room: Ingrid Thulin has just lost her child after three months of pregnancy and is about to leave her husband, Bibi Andersson doesn't want to become a single mother but is afraid to tell the truth to her mother and Eva Dahlbeck is on the verge to give birth to a baby she and her husband are waiting with impatience for. But, when the night ends, the life of these three women will have changed forever. I recommend this film to Ingmar Bergman completists only. If you aren't, you may as well directly skip to the masterpieces of the Swedish master.

As this Swedish DVD release is for the time being unavailable, I had to surf a lot to finally find a zone 2 DVD of BRINK OF LIFE in Spain. Swedish spoken yes but with Spanish subtitles only. The copy is average. No more, no less.

It has a feel of a theatrical play, which wasn't unusual for Bergman as his love for theater is well-known. It could be even that it was conceived as a play. On the other hand, it presents an excellent study of human psychology that can only be achieved in cinema with close camera shots. Hopefully they will release it on DVD soon.

I ORDERED THIS THINKING THAT THIS WAS THE ORIGINAL JANUS FILMS VHS RELEASE, IT IS NOT. I HAVE RETURNED IT TWO WEEKS AGO FOR A FULL REFUND. THIS IS A KNOCK OFF OF VERY VERY POOR QUALITY LOOKS LIKE A CONSUMER VHS CAMERA POINTED AT A HOME SCREEN WITH AN OLD 16MM PRINT PLAYED TO MAKE THE VHS, NOT AN OFFICAL VHS OF THIS FILM. PLEASE REFUND AS THIS SHOULD HAVE ARRIVED AT AMAZON BY NOW.

DENNIS E PIES