The Man Who Played God (1932)
Romance, Drama • 1h 20m
Overview
While giving a private performance for a visiting monarch, concert pianist Montgomery Royle is deafened when a bomb is detonated in an attempt to assassinate the foreign ruler. With his career over as a result of his injury, Royle returns to New York City with his sister Florence, close friend Mildred Miller, and considerably younger fiancée Grace Blair. After abandoning thoughts of suicide, Montgomery discovers he can lip read, and he spends his days observing people in Central Park from his apartment window. As he learns of people's problems, he tries to help them anonymously and becomes absorbed in his game of "playing God".
Director: John G. Adolfi
Directors: Ray Enright & Busby Berkeley
Directors: Ray Enright & Busby Berkeley
Director: James Whale
MoC 4K Blu-ray. Here are some screenshots that include the Cohen Blu-ray and the poor Germany 4K with terrible fake HDR. David’s DV grade is way more subtle and doesn’t blow out the highlights
Director: James Whale
MoC 4K Blu-ray. Here are some screenshots that include the Cohen Blu-ray and the poor Germany 4K with terrible fake HDR. David’s DV grade is way more subtle and doesn’t blow out the highlights
Director: Ernst Lubitsch
The 1997 LaserDisc has more high end detail in the audio than the new restoration
Director: Ernst Lubitsch
The 1997 LaserDisc has more high end detail in the audio than the new restoration
Director: Karl Freund
Universal Monster Collection Vol 2 4K Blu-ray
Universal Monster Collection Vol 2 4K Blu-ray
1993 CIC Video LaserDisc
Director: Karl Freund
Universal Monster Collection Vol 2 4K Blu-ray
Universal Monster Collection Vol 2 4K Blu-ray
1993 CIC Video LaserDisc
Director: Alfred E. Green
Director: Alfred E. Green
Directors: Louis J. Gasnier & Max Marcin
Directors: Louis J. Gasnier & Max Marcin
Director: Frank Tuttle
Director: Frank Tuttle
Director: Clarence Brown
Director: Clarence Brown
Directors: Ted Berman & Richard Rich
Directors: Ted Berman & Richard Rich
Director: Erich von Stroheim
Director: Erich von Stroheim
Director: Phil Karlson
Director: Phil Karlson
Director: Mariano Llinás
Director: Mariano Llinás
Director: Jeff Tremaine
2D version: 2011 Paramount Blu-ray
3D version: Digital release, currently available on Apple TV Vision Pro and Android XR
2D version: 2011 Paramount Blu-ray
3D version: Digital release, currently available on Apple TV Vision Pro and Android XR
The only physical release of the 3D version is an anaglyph DVD, which is worse resolution than the full colour digital HD release.
Director: Jeff Tremaine
2D version: 2011 Paramount Blu-ray
3D version: Digital release, currently available on Apple TV Vision Pro and Android XR
2D version: 2011 Paramount Blu-ray
3D version: Digital release, currently available on Apple TV Vision Pro and Android XR
The only physical release of the 3D version is an anaglyph DVD, which is worse resolution than the full colour digital HD release.
Director: Ernst Lubitsch
Director: Ernst Lubitsch
More Romance on Blu-ray
Director: Charles Walters
Warner Archive 4K Blu-ray is a VistaVision remaster, FiM encode
Warner Archive 4K Blu-ray's new Atmos is based on the original tracks and the mono is said to be excellent
Director: Charles Walters
Warner Archive 4K Blu-ray is a VistaVision remaster, FiM encode
Warner Archive 4K Blu-ray's new Atmos is based on the original tracks and the mono is said to be excellent
BFI 4K Blu-ray is significantly better than older Blu-ray however the HDR grade is questionable as it introduces black crushes, see nic's review and caps
For Blu-rays, Germany StudioCanal Blu-ray > MoC Blu-ray see caps
BFI 4K Blu-ray
All disc sourced from the 4K restoration use the same solid audio track. Older DVD releases are from a higher generation source with less detail and more hiss.
BFI 4K Blu-ray is significantly better than older Blu-ray however the HDR grade is questionable as it introduces black crushes, see nic's review and caps
For Blu-rays, Germany StudioCanal Blu-ray > MoC Blu-ray see caps
BFI 4K Blu-ray
All disc sourced from the 4K restoration use the same solid audio track. Older DVD releases are from a higher generation source with less detail and more hiss.
Criterion 4K Blu-ray see caps
Criterion 4K Blu-ray (same as all tracks since the DVD)
Criterion 4K Blu-ray see caps
Criterion 4K Blu-ray (same as all tracks since the DVD)
Director: Nagisa Ōshima
Criterion 4K Blu-ray (caps)
Criterion is a very nice uptick in detail and resolution. The color grade is very similar, but leans more neutral, reducing the greenish/blueish hues seen on the MoC disc.
Unrestored: Shochiku JP NTSC DVD
Restored: Masters of Cinema UK Blu-ray
The JP DVD track is unfiltered and sounds much more natural and detailed, but suffers from a strong CRT whine and an intermittent low-end hum. The track used on all later restorations is a bit muffled and has overemphasized bass.
Criterion applied additional EQ and roll-off to the restored track, but the audible difference is minimal.
Criterion has a different translation to MoC, but both are solid and trade blows, see comparison.
Director: Nagisa Ōshima
Criterion 4K Blu-ray (caps)
Criterion is a very nice uptick in detail and resolution. The color grade is very similar, but leans more neutral, reducing the greenish/blueish hues seen on the MoC disc.
Unrestored: Shochiku JP NTSC DVD
Restored: Masters of Cinema UK Blu-ray
The JP DVD track is unfiltered and sounds much more natural and detailed, but suffers from a strong CRT whine and an intermittent low-end hum. The track used on all later restorations is a bit muffled and has overemphasized bass.
Criterion applied additional EQ and roll-off to the restored track, but the audible difference is minimal.
Criterion has a different translation to MoC, but both are solid and trade blows, see comparison.
Director: Makoto Shinkai
Director: Makoto Shinkai
Director: Makoto Shinkai
Director: Makoto Shinkai
Director: Makoto Shinkai
Director: Makoto Shinkai
Director: Hayao Miyazaki
Director: Hayao Miyazaki
Director: Shōhei Imamura
Director: Shōhei Imamura
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