Best English-friendly & video release
Official HD Streaming from NFPF https://www.filmpreservation.org/preserved-films/screening-room/the-fighting-blade-1923
Updated 10 months ago
About the film
In the war-like times of Oliver Cromwell, in and around 'olde Oxford towne', Dutchman Karl Van Kerstenbrook, Dutch soldier-of-fortune and sword-for-hire, stands ready to defend his lady-love, the fair Thomsine Musgrove, and prove his nettle, and that his blade is made of the finest metal.
Kino Lorber Blu-ray, old HD master
Director: Roy William Neill
Video format: HD Streaming
NFPF HD Streaming https://www.filmpreservation.org/preserved-films/screening-room/my-lady-s-lips
Director: Louis J. Gasnier
Video format: SD Streaming
Official SD Streaming on NFPF https://www.filmpreservation.org/preserved-films/screening-room/maytime-1923
Sources: filmpreservation.org (opens in a new tab)
Four out of the original seven reels had survived
Director: Frank Shaw
Video format: HD Streaming
Official HD Streaming by NFPF https://www.filmpreservation.org/preserved-films/screening-room/the-oath-of-the-sword-1914
Director: Lee Dick
Video format: SD Streaming
Official NFPF SD Streaming https://www.filmpreservation.org/preserved-films/screening-room/men-and-dust-1940
Video format: HD Streaming
Official NFPF HD Streaming https://www.filmpreservation.org/preserved-films/screening-room/the-middleton-family-at-the-new-york-world-s-fair-1939
Sources: filmpreservation.org (opens in a new tab) · loc.gov (opens in a new tab)
The Library of Congress HD Streaming has very heavy DNR compared to NFPF and very muted colors https://www.loc.gov/item/2023600635/
Director: Scott Bartlett
Video format: SD Streaming
NFPF official SD Streaming https://www.filmpreservation.org/preserved-films/screening-room/offon-1968-2000kbps
Video format: SD Streaming
NFPF official SD Streaming https://www.filmpreservation.org/preserved-films/screening-room/t1-princess-nicotine-or-the-smoke-fairy-1909
Director: Lewis H. Moomaw
Video format: SD Streaming
NFPF official SD Streaming https://www.filmpreservation.org/preserved-films/screening-room/t1-the-chechahcos-1924
Director: Saul Bass
Video format: SD Streaming
NFPF official SD Streaming https://www.filmpreservation.org/sponsored-films/screening-room/why-man-creates-1968
Video format: SD Streaming
NFPF official SD Streaming https://www.filmpreservation.org/preserved-films/screening-room/t1-demolishing-and-building-up-the-star-theatre-1901
More Drama on Blu-ray
Director: Robert Altman
Sources: Criterion Forum (opens in a new tab) · Blu-ray.com (opens in a new tab)
Cinematrographe's HDR grading is overcooked, which is a known VinSyn tendency. Additionally, their booklet mis-credits the encode to FiM.
YMMV, but for some, the included BD encoded by Marcus Johnson—ironically may make for a more pleasing experience.
Director: Roman Polanski
Sources: Blu-ray.com (opens in a new tab)
UK 4K teased by 88 Films https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?p=24252379
Carlotta France 4K Blu-ray > Vinegar Syndrome 4K Blu-ray (better encode on Carlotta without any low-pass filtering, more extras and English subtitles on Vinegar Syndrome)
Director: John Woo
Sources: Criterion Forum (opens in a new tab) · Blu-ray.com (opens in a new tab)
Arrow has a different grade and a better encode than the Shout! Factory, though the difference in either is not major. Imprint release, which leaves Shout! Factory's master and subtitles as is, is encoded by FiM. https://forum.blu-ray.com/showpost.php?p=24473097&postcount=56
Original mix: Shout! Factory 4K Blu-ray
Alternate mix: Scanbox Nordic PAL DVD
Surround remix: HK Video France 4K Blu-ray (5.0)
Original mix: Shout! Factory 4K Blu-ray (similar to Criterion LaserDisc, but less distorted)
Alternate mix: Scanbox Nordic PAL DVD
Surround remix: HK Video France 4K Blu-ray (5.0)
Arrow used the alternate mix, but with extra filtering and lowered dynamic range. The alternate mix has much better fidelity.
Imprint presumably used the Shout! Factory original mix and left it as is, though no official confirmation.
Director: Richard Brooks
4K restoration from Original Camera Negative
Director: Vincent Sherman
4K restoration from Original Camera Negative
Sources: Criterion Forum (opens in a new tab)
Arrow 4K Blu-ray > Criterion 4K Blu-ray > Kino Lorber 4K Blu-ray
1991 Orion LaserDisc vs 2024 Arrow 4K Blu-ray
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