I guess I'm just a sucker for a good western. I have, at one time or another, owned every version of 'Silverado' available. First, there was the original full screen version from RCA/Columbia. Then I just had to have the Criterion CAV edition because it was letterboxed but I hated all the interruptions with side breaks and platter breaks so I had to have the Criterion CLV. I was never completely enamored of the Criterion transfer, though. The framing was off, both the aspect ratio (only a little over 2:1) and shifted slightly to the left. Also, the colors seemed a bit dull. Columbia/Tristar, in their quest for the hearts and minds (and dollars) of laser collectors everywhere, has come up with yet another edition of Lawrence Kasden's star-studded epic of the old west.
Those of you out there that could never quite justify Voyager's price for their editions of 'Silverado' can be pleased with yourself for showing economic restraint. Those of you (like me) that don't know what 'economic restraint' means now have the dilemma of either selling the Criterion you already have (at a loss, no doubt), or coughing up another $40.
Why do I have to do that, Robert, you say? Well, because. That's your job. Okay, actually, despite an imperfect transfer, this new edition of 'Silverado' is the most watchable (for lack of a better word) of any I have yet seen.
First the bad news. The transfer on this new disc lacks the clarity and smoothness of the Voyager transfer, but not by that much. That being said, it appears part of the reason for this is that the colors are much more saturated. This alone makes the new disc more attractive to look at. Also (and more importantly to me), the framing is much improved. The ratio is about 2.20:1 and makes a noticable difference in the compositions, and the image is centered properly. This new transfer has sharpened the image considerably over the Voyager transfer and this often appears to add a bit of graininess, but is adds considerably more detail as well. Columbia/Tristar has also included the theatrical trailer and seven, count 'em, seven TV trailers. You say you want chapters? We got chapters. 80 of them suckers, counting the trailers.
The soundtrack has always been quite good and I can't tell much difference in the audio department. Certainly this new one doesn't lose anything, even if it doesn't gain anything. All this at $20 less than the Criterion CLV. One minor nit, however. Side three runs only 26 minutes but is in CLV. Shame on you, Columbia <G>.
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