Customer Reviews

Christ Stopped at Eboli

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

 

 

This is a beautiful and very moving film,but almost spolit by a very poor transfer...The picture and sound qualiy are very poor. I have noticed this by dvd's released by Facets Video,Cammina Cammina being one example.But please do not be put off this film for this reason,the film itself is beautiful and very moving,highly recommended.If possible try to track down the Italian release of this film.The quality is much better. The full uncut version of this film has now been released in the UK.

A 3 hour and 24 minute version of this magnificent film used to be available on a PAL two-cassette video set from Artificial Eye in Britain. That now appears to be out of print. It was the 4-part TV series version, with beginning and end credits for each of the episodes. A 35mm print of that 3 1/2 hour version (minus repeated credits) played in a few selected theatres in the U.S., beginning in 1982 or two years after the U.S. release of a 120 minute version in 1980.

I first watched this powerful movie on two VHS cassettes five years ago. Since then, it's come out on DVD. Unfortunately, there were, in my view, many significant editing cuts to get the film on one disc that really take away from some of the subtle scenes that make the movie great. The DVD is still good, but loses some steam from the original version...It would be nice to see movies this special reproduced in their entirety.

This film shows promise, but the transfer is so abysmal that it completely ruins the viewing experience. The sound is especially bad and annoying. Also, the film doesn't have the "feel" of being a complete creative entity. I have read that it was originally released in an extended version, which I would very much like to see.

The film takes us to southern district of Italy in 1930s. Land scape is very beautiful but the hero is obliged to be there as an exile person. S beautiful landscape is in strong contrast to his innner world. Among the pious pesants a lot of old superstitions are alive. The film gives us a strong impression!

I can only add my own voice to the clamor raised over the poor poor quality of Facets' DVD release. It's difficult to assess the film itself based on such a low-grade presentation. The print has all the appearance of having been transferred directly from a multigenerational VHS tape. It's dark, grainy, blurry, and frustrating to watch. Only the scenes shot in brightest sunlight hint at what might have once been a film of rare beauty. In addition, the DVD offers no special features at all. Finally, the English subtitles are rife with both distracting misspellings ("blackshirsts" for "blackshirts") and translation hexes that vary between merely baffling and downright risible (when the Italians conquer Ethiopia, we are told, "They'll inseminate it, with work!"). Overall, I must recommend avoiding this DVD, a product so shoddy it makes me leery myself of purchasing any other releases from Facets.

I know the story, read the book, but, this movie surpasses all my expectations. The acting is enduring and brings Carlo Levi to life. Beautiful--one to watch over again.