|
Reviews of silent film releases on DVD home video.
Copyright © 1999-2008 by Carl Bennett. All Rights Reserved.
|
A Throw of Dice
(1929)
on
|
Adapted from the Sanskrit epic poem The Mahabharata, A Throw of Dice is the tale of King Sohat (Himansu Rai) and King Rajit (Charu Roy) of neighboring kingdoms, who share a passion for life, gambling, and love for the beautiful Sunita (Seeta Devi). After a tiger attacks Rajit, Sunita focuses her attention on nursing the handsome king back to health, then agrees to become his bride. The jealous Sohat then challenges Rajit to a game of chance, with the high stakes of his freedom, his bride and even his life.
An epic production touting 10,000 extras, 1000 horses, and legions of elephants, A Throw of Dice is a prime example of German film director Franz Osten’s fascination and respect for the culture and literature of India.
|
 2008 Kino International edition
A Throw of Dice (1929), black & white, 74 minutes, not rated.
Kino International, unknown catalog number, unknown UPC number.
Full-frame 4:3 NTSC, one single-sided, dual-layered DVD disc, Region 1, ? Mbps average video bit rate, ? kbps audio bit rate, Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo sound, English language intertitles, no foreign language subtitles, chapter stops, keep case, $29.95.
DVD release date: 15 July 2008.
Country of origin: USA
|
|
This American release of the 35mm restoration version from the British Film Institute features a new orchestral score by Nitin Sawhney, and performed by the London Symphony Orchestra. Supplemental materials include an interview with composer Sawhney.
USA: Click the logomark at right to purchase
a Region 1 NTSC DVD of this edition from Amazon.com. |
 |
Canada: Click the logomark at right to purchase
a Region 1 NTSC DVD of this edition from Amazon.ca. |
 |
|
|
 2007 BFI Video edition
A Throw of Dice (1929), black & white, 74 minutes, Classification U.
BFI Video, unknown catalog number, unknown UPC number.
Full-frame 4:3 PAL, one single-sided, dual-layered DVD disc, Region 2, ? Mbps average video bit rate, ? kbps audio bit rate, Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo sound, English language intertitles, no foreign language subtitles, chapter stops, keep case, £19.99.
DVD release date: 29 October 2007.
Country of origin: United Kingdom
|
|
This original home video release of the British Film Institute’s restoration of Franz Osten’s A Throw of Dice is accompanied by a new orchestral score by Nitin Sawhney, performed by the London Symphony Orchestra.
United Kingdom: Click the logomark at right to purchase
a Region 2 PAL DVD of this edition from Amazon.co.uk. |
 |
|
|
 2007 Alive DVD edition
A Throw of Dice (1929), black & white, 76 minutes, not rated.
Alive DVD, unknown catalog number, unknown UPC number.
Full-frame 4:3 PAL, one single-sided, dual-layered DVD disc, Region 2, ? Mbps average video bit rate, ? kbps audio bit rate, Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo sound, German language intertitles, no foreign language subtitles, chapter stops, keep case, €22,99.
DVD release date: 7 December 2007.
Country of origin: Germany
|
| This German language release of the British Film Institute restoration of A Throw of Dice features a new orchestral score by Nitin Sawhney. |
