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The colors are fantastic! Where in the original the colors appear to be washed out, here they are much more vibrant. You get to see more colors that you otherwise would not have seen. This greatly improves the wide views of the scenery and makes it even more wonderful. I have pictures below because, especially in this instance, a picture can speak a thousand words.
Audio
You will notice upon first viewing that the sound is a little bit different from the original release of Pride and Prejudice. The soundtrack sounds lower than the original, and even some of the speaking parts might sound a little lower, though the speaking parts are less noticable. I have read elsewhere that people have found Mrs. Bennet's voice very high and shrill, so they like that her voice isn't as piercing as it was. I didn't mind Mrs. Bennet's voice in the original release: if I did think it was high, I would have thought that it would be in her character to sound shrill (and maybe even a bit hystarical). Some of the singing parts have a noticable lower pitch compared to the original. It is a bit different from the original.
Comparison
Personally, between the original DVD release and the restored edition, I prefered the picture quality of the restored edition, but the audio of the original. I probably prefer the audio from the original because I personally never found anything wrong with it in the first place, though now I know some people thought Mrs. Bennet's voice was a little high. I do love the improved picture quality; it does the scenery a great justice.
Overall
I would recommend this DVD. Though I am still partial to the original audio, the new audio isn't bad at all; people new to Pride and Prejudice would most likely not find the audio a problem. The picture quality is very stunning and a great improvement. You get about the same quality of picture as the Blu-Ray version but for the price of a DVD. It's really great if you want Blu-Ray quality, but don't have a Blu-Ray player nearby.
Pride and Prejudice: Restored Edition is available online and in the stores. Below are the screenshots comparing the original to the Restored Edition.
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The only other thing I like better about the original DVD release is that it didn't play the credits as often. On the original release, you only saw the credits at the end of each of the two discs. In this new release, the credits play at the end of each part of the mini series, which gets a bit old if you're used to the other version. The picture quality is a lot better, though. I also liked having the option of subtitles. It's amazing the extra things you pick up when you watch a movie with subtitles. :)
ReplyDeleteI also really enjoyed the special features on this, although in both this version and the original, there were no interviews with Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle. Why is that, I wonder? This was a very successful movie for both of them...you'd think they'd like to make the time to do an interview or two. I'd love to hear their thoughts on the production, too. Oh well...overall it's a great DVD set. I enjoyed your review. :) I hadn't even noticed the sound difference. Now I'll have to go back and check it out!
beast'sbelle,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment. I heard that there weren't interviews of Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle on the DVDs. I think it was at Amazon that one of the people who wrote reviews found that disappointing. I know in the behind the scenes book that I got with the collectors edition (which you can also buy separately at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Making-Pride-Prejudice-BBC/dp/014025157X/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1293605028&sr=8-2), Colin Firth has a separate section that's an interview with him. It's an interesting book if you want to check it out.
I actually have that book. That's right, at least there are some interviews in there...I'd forgotten! :)
ReplyDeleteMmmm...I want that book. :) A button is coming for Austenitis, but I haven't gotten that yet (waiting for my "designer" :). However, I'd better save how much I love your button for when I get to that post. I was away from home for several days (scheduled posts) and missed your blog!
ReplyDeleteNot impressed with the colors in the stills. Still 1 and 3 both appear too blue, like the color was applied to the sky and all of the landscape, and Elizabeth's face in the last. Other reviewers have said the film quality was grainy.
ReplyDelete