Extremely bad DVD quality
James C. Tarleton | New Orleans, La United States | 09/19/2002
(1 out of 5 stars)
"This movie is 1930's history. It's always fun to see a great cast like Boyer & Lamarr. But this print that was put on DVD is unwatchable. Grainy, jumpy, inaudible, faded - and this is being kind. At one point, there was even a double soundtrack being heard. I strongly advise - let's put a stop to this type of DVD being offered to the public. DVD's are a marvel to watch. It's a crime when you are subjected to this type of mess!!DO NOT BUY IT!"
Buy THIS copy not the other!
S. Moseley | Chicago burbs | 10/20/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Apparently Amazon sells two DVD versions of this movie. I bought this version because the reviews of the other version (ASIN: B00006II5I) reported extremely poor video and audio quality, and warned people not to buy it. This version has none of those reported problems.
As far as video and audio quality, it is obvious that this DVD was recorded directly from one of the old 1938 copies of the film. It has NOT been restored in any way. You see a few scratches in the film every so often, and there is a slight hiss in the audio just as you would expect while watching a movie this old. If you went to an old theater and they were running one of the original 1938 copies of this movie, this DVD is exactly what you would see. It's a matter of personal choice if you will like the authentic look of this DVD or prefer your old movies to be visually restored with enhanced audio.
The movie itself is a classic. It's a "must own" for anyone who is a collector of 1930's movies or a fan of Charles Boyer/Hedy Lamarr. This is the movie that really introduced Hedy Lamarr to American audiences after she moved to the U.S. and left her Ecstasy days behind."
Don't Buy Alpha Version, Buy Another
Proxlie | Washington, DC | 06/20/2005
(1 out of 5 stars)
"First, 4 stars for the film, 0 for this version! This Alpha Video version (DVD) has a dreadful 20 minute sequence where some stupid Sci-Fi movie's audio dominates this movie's sound. Alpha should not produce/sell any more of these unless they correct the problem. Amazon sells another version, ASIN: B0002CR4GY (Release date 09/28/2004, one of the ones without a picture as of this review date, you can see the picture on another site perhaps) that does NOT have that problem. Buy that one instead if you want to see this film.
As enticement... the film opens thus: "Algiers. Where blazing desert meets the blue Mediterranean, and modern Europe jostles ancient Africa. A stone's throw from the modern city, the native quarter, known as the Casbah, stands like a fortress above the sea. Its population includes many tribes and races, drifters and outcasts from all parts of the world --- and criminals who find this a safe hiding place from the long arm of the law. Supreme on these heights rules one man --- Pepe le Moko --- long wanted by the French police."
I loved it. This is a remake of the foreign film "Pepe le Moko" about this criminal (Charles Boyer) who is the ruler of what is also his prison, the Casbah, a dark and layered labyrinth that frustrates all of the French and Algerian authorities, except for one man. Slimane (Joseph Calleia), Pepe's rival and friend, slyly introduces the stunningly beautiful Gaby (Hedy Lamarr) to entice Pepe to leave the protection of the Casbah. Will it work? Or will the conniving plans of others get in the way? If you want to know, then as Boyer said (actually, the cartoon character Pepe LePew said this), you'll have to "Come with me to the Casbah!""
Buy the other DVD version!
S. Moseley | Chicago burbs | 10/20/2006
(1 out of 5 stars)
"After reading the EXTREMELY bad reviews here of this DVD copy, I bought the other version (ASIN: B0002CR4GY) for sale here on Amazon.
The other version has none of the quality problems reported here. Don't be fooled into thinking this is a better version just because the photo on this DVD case is in color and the other in black & white. See my review on the other version for more information.
BUY THE OTHER DVD VERSION THAT AMAZON SELLS!!!"