Stroszek
(1977/Umbrella Entertainment/PAL Region Zero/0/Free/DVD Import)
Picture:
C Sound: C+ Extras: C+
Film: C+
PLEASE NOTE: This DVD set can only be operated
on machines capable of playing back DVDs that can handle Region Zero/0/Free PAL
format software and can be ordered from our friends at Umbrella Entertainment
at the website address provided at the end of the review.
Before
becoming lost in a world of documentaries, Werner Herzog was making notable
dramatic films with a unique edge and Stroszek
(1977) is one of the odder ones as he continues his own exploration of the U.S.
of A in this sometimes bizarre story of the title character (Bruno S.) who was
a German convict and now wants to find a better future by starting all over
again in Wisconsin. He thinks he can get
rich and has a scheme to do it with, including some friends who have traveled
from Germany
with him.
However,
he is somewhat eccentric to say least and is expecting an America of myth
and not reality, resulting in some unusual events. The film is also known as the film Ian Curtis
of Joy Division (see the documentary named after the band elsewhere on this
site with Control) watched before
killing himself and though obviously Herzog’s film is not responsible, it is
bizarre enough to push many a viewer over the edge at least from being in their
usual element.
That is
actually a good thing in that the film is meant to be off-beat and effective,
but I is also somewhat predictable, a tad trite and a later road movie of sorts
after so many good ones had been made in America that deconstructed the
country at least as well and many better.
It is still one of his more distinguished works and worth a look if you
are interested.
The anamorphically
enhanced 1.66 X 1 image barely has any black sides to frame it and a little bit
of film frame may be missing, but it is softer than it should be for a film its
age. A clean print and decent color are
two of the only redeeming qualities of the picture. The original theatrical optical mono has been
upgraded to DTS 5.1 and lesser Dolby Digital 5.1 and Dolby 2.0 mixes, but the
age of the recording (along with its low budget) cannot be hidden for
long. The combination is better than
many such art films of its time, but it has its limits.
Extras
include trailers for this and other Umbrella DVD releases and a feature-length
audio commentary by Herzog and Norman Hill.
As noted
above, you can order this PAL DVD import exclusively from Umbrella at:
http://www.umbrellaent.com.au/
-
Nicholas Sheffo
