Writings > DVD Image Comparisons > All the Colors of the Dark/Die Farben der Nacht

All the Colors of the Dark/Die Farben der Nacht

Region 1 (USA) - Media Blasters/Shriek Show
vs. Region 2 (Germany) - Marketing-Film

Details

Bit Rate

R1 USA

R2 Germany

Screen Captures

Example 1

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US | Germany

Example 2

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US | Germany

Example 3

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US | Germany

Example 4

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US | Germany

Example 5

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US | Germany

Example 6

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US | Germany

Example 7

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US | Germany

Comments

It should be fairly clear from the screenshots that the US transfer has been taken from a cleaner source, with the German version demonstrating more print damage and noise patterns that definitely suggest some sort of analogue tape source. The US transfer also shows more information at all four edges and is anamorphic: an obvious bonus. Unfortunately, however, Media Blasters have yet again dropped the bomb on this release by encoding it interlaced, which limits the available detail and creates motion artefacts whenever there is fast movement (see examples 4 and 7). The US transfer could have looked much better than its German counterpart -- as it is they both work out about the same.

In all other areas, however, the US disc is the winner. In terms of audio, it includes the Italian dub in addition to the English dub, as well as optional subtitles for the Italian dialogue. Bonus features are also substantially better, with in-depth interviews featuring director Sergio Martino and actor George Hilton, as well as a huge gallery, the cheesy alternate American titles and a number of trailers. Overall I recommend the US release, but the interlacing is annoying. Get your act together, Media Blasters.

Summary