Rather than devote an entire thread to one film, it strikes me as useful for this to be the forum for any all discussions of DVD's of films bearing R贸zsa scores (obviously, there will be many overlappings of topics here with those in other threads, but this can function as the general clearinghouse).
I recently acquired the new Australian Region 4 DVD of FIVE GRAVES TO CAIRO. It's a very good, licensed transfer from what's described as restored elements, with excellent contrast, detail and sound though, like all PAL-format transfers, it runs 4% faster than the true, proper 24-fps speed (with, in this case, the movie playing out in 92 minutes, as opposed to the correct 97-minute running time. The whole movie's here, of course; it just zips along slightly faster. It'll be 97 mins. again if Universal ever gives us a Region 1 NTSC or 60hz HD DVD).
The notes, too, are really perceptive, several cuts above what one usually gets in a DVD package (only Criterion is apt to provide anything at this level of scholarship), though there's no mention of the music or Wilder's five-picture collaboration with R贸zsa.
I strongly reommend this disc to all our Region 4 friends, who should have no trouble finding/ordering it (it's being sold at the local Amoeba Records store in Hollywood for about $23, so I imagine that the price is fairly reasonable in Australia, its country of origin).
I recently acquired the new Australian Region 4 DVD of FIVE GRAVES TO CAIRO. It's a very good, licensed transfer from what's described as restored elements, with excellent contrast, detail and sound though, like all PAL-format transfers, it runs 4% faster than the true, proper 24-fps speed (with, in this case, the movie playing out in 92 minutes, as opposed to the correct 97-minute running time. The whole movie's here, of course; it just zips along slightly faster. It'll be 97 mins. again if Universal ever gives us a Region 1 NTSC or 60hz HD DVD).
The notes, too, are really perceptive, several cuts above what one usually gets in a DVD package (only Criterion is apt to provide anything at this level of scholarship), though there's no mention of the music or Wilder's five-picture collaboration with R贸zsa.
I strongly reommend this disc to all our Region 4 friends, who should have no trouble finding/ordering it (it's being sold at the local Amoeba Records store in Hollywood for about $23, so I imagine that the price is fairly reasonable in Australia, its country of origin).
