Customer Reviews

Essential Classics - Dramas (The Maltese Falcon / Citizen Kane / Ben-Hur)

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I recently purchased this dvd collection, and am very pleased with it. This collection contains the film-only discs from the multi-disc releases of Maltese Falcon, Citizen Kane, and Ben Hur. All have top-notch video and audio quality, and they all have very interesting alternate commentary tracks. If you want all the extra features for these films, you should buy the discs separately. If you are primarily interested in the films and commentaries, then this is a great way to get all three for a very reasonable price.

No frills, just 3 great films for a good price. I like the documentaries but usually only once so I like films sold like this for about 9 bucks a film.

As I read some reviews they claim there are no extras. The Maltese Falcon and Citzen Kane come with a slew of extras that are really good. Ben Hur has commentary and thats it. The picture and audio quailty is excellent and it seems like these movies were made just yesterday. Three of the greatest movies ever made for $23? How can you go wrong? Highly recommend this set.

I bought this set in great anticipation. I'd wanted The Maltese Falcon in my collection for a long time: Wanted to replace my VHS copy of Ben Hur. Citizen Kane; considered by some the greatest movie ever made: was just a bonus ! Upon receipt I viewed all : Citizen Kane last. Unfortunately it was a defective disc. It would pop and skip and stall ; often missing huge chunks of the feed ; blotted out by digital sqares on the screen. It was terrible. I requested a replacement which they promptly sent. The replacement was the same: Defective ! Just like the other one. I wanted to keep the Maltese Falcon and Ben Hur ; they were good and asked them to either replace or refund what it would cost to replace Citizen Kane w/ a new (single)disc version. About $15. plus shipping. They refused. This would be a great package and a great bargan if it weren't for the faulty Citizen Kane disc. After receiving two defective copies I suspect the whole run is bad and I wouldn't reccommend anyone buy this package unless you don't care if Citizen Kane is unwatchable.

I don't think I can add anything to the review of these movies that hasn't already been said. But I can rave about the two commentary tracks for Citizen Kane that are part of this DVD package. There are two different versions. The one by Robert Ebert provides loads of historical background and technical information. The commentary by Peter Bogdanovich gives personal insight into how the movie came into being using facts he gathers from personal conversations with Orsen Wells. Both commentaries provided valuable and interesting information for serious students of this film. The other extras for this film also are helpful including storyboards, ad campaigns, call sheets and production notes.

As for the other two movies, I really enjoyed The Maltese Falcon and Eric Lax' commentary which provided some interesting facts about Bogie's life. I found Ben-Her more challenging to watch because of the period acting seemed unnatural to me. But certainly the grand epic scenes are as thrilling today as they were in 1959, recognizing that the technology available then certainly makes you appreciate the challenges the cinematographer had to overcome to get these extraordinary shots.

You you are a serious student of classic films, you won't be disappointed with this DVD set.

Great Deal, 3 in 1. Have never seen these movies, Citizen Kane, Maltese Falcon, Ben Hur,and this 3 in 1, no excuse to not get these movies. Now I have them in my collection and can finally see these great films and share with friends and family.

Of course those movies are one of the best made, talking about drama.
I' ve always wanted to watch Citizen Kane; because I heard it is considered the best picture ever made. If you have not seen it, I recomend it to you.

This is by far one of the best movies of all times. You need to watch it in order to say that you've watched a movie and appreciate the cinema!
Highly recommended...

Bought this package for CITZEN KANE alone . . . other two movies are bonus.

Watched CITZEN KANE from package and it played just fine . . . 100% perfect.

I bought this DVD as a gift for my mother for Christmas. It was actually cheaper than buying just one movie by itself. It shipped in plenty of time for Christmas, and I saved quite a bit of money even with shipping.
I would definitely but a prouduct like this in the future.