The Craving Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "The Craving" by Undercrank Productions is a remarkable effort in preserving silent cinema. The film is sourced from a tinted nitrate print preserved by the Eye Filmmuseum, and restored from a 2K scan of a 35mm preservation print. Notably, the intertitles were translated from Dutch and recreated to maintain the authenticity of the original Universal Bluebird style, albeit with new digital sources evident. Despite the absence of original prints, the restoration showcases film’s natural high resolution impressively, even with over a century’s passage. The tinting varies from yellow to interesting green tones, enhancing the visual storytelling. While overall cleanliness of the print is admirable, occasional large rips, emulsion damage, noticeable warping, and frame instability are present but fleeting, adding to its vintage character.

The included shorts display varied quality levels due to differing source conditions. "When the Tables Turned" was restored at 2K resolution using nearly identical incomplete prints from the Christopher Bird Collection and the Library of Congress. Intriguingly, "The Post Telegrapher" involved integrating elements from both English and Dutch prints from the Library of Congress and Desmet Collection, with intertitles translated in the historic Bison style. "Unmasked" benefited from restoration at 2K resolution using a 35mm print from the George Eastman Museum. "Screen Snapshots" was derived from a 2K scan of archival 16mm material made by the Library of Congress lab.

Overall, this Blu-ray set is commendable for its technical dedication to preserving not just "The Craving," but also accompanying shorts, providing a rich visual experience that remains true to its historical origins with remarkable clarity given the century-old material.

The audio presentation of "The Craving" Blu-ray disc features charming music scores composed by Ben Model, delivered in Dolby Digital 2.0. While this choice may not satisfy all audiophile expectations, due to the absence of lossless audio, it remains an appropriate format for the silent film’s piano-based compositions. The fidelity throughout the recording is commendable, with no tinny sounds intruding on the upper frequencies and a robust midrange presence that maintains integrity.

Reflecting the acoustic ambiance of smaller theaters from the silent era, the stereo encoding effectively captures the essence of these historical performances. The piano accompaniments create a sufficiently spacious soundstage across the channels, providing well-suited musical cues that enhance the viewing experience. Although not orchestrally epic, this audio configuration aligns well with the film's period authenticity and offers an engaging auditory experience.

The Blu-ray extras for "The Craving" offer an intriguing look into the career and influence of Francis Ford, complemented by captivating silent-era film shorts. The content is educational and offers historical insights, particularly into the silent film era. Noteworthy technical aspects include the thoughtful presentation of each short in high-definition, showcasing impressive restoration efforts despite the age-related wear and tear. Highlights include the historical overview video essay of Francis Ford’s life and career, providing context for those unfamiliar with his significant impact on early cinema. The inclusion of surviving fragments and films, such as "When the Tables Turned" and "The Post Telegrapher," showcases Ford’s directorial versatility and the thematic complexities of his work. Each piece serves as a testament to Ford's pioneering filmmaking mastery.

Extras included in this disc:

• Francis Ford, Film Pioneer: Informational overview of Ford’s career.
• When the Tables Turned: Short film involving mistaken identity.
• The Post Telegrapher: Epic featuring U.S. cavalry vs. Indians.
• Unmasked: Caper film starring Grace Cunard.
• Screen Snapshots: Footage of Ford during film production.

"The Craving" is an intriguing exploration of early special effects and narrative stylistics from the silent film era, combining Francis Ford’s dual talents as both actor and director. The film serves as a testament to Ford's creative prowess in a period where cinema was still in its infancy. The main feature is bolstered by fascinating visual effects, particularly a standout sequence involving hallucinations linked to the protagonist's struggle with alcoholism. The effects, while dated by today's standards, were pioneering at the time, effectively depicting small women appearing in a glass—a scene heavily marketed during the film's original release. Despite the simplicity of the storyline, which involves espionage and seduction as a secondary narrative thread, it's Ford’s innovative visual storytelling that commands attention.

The film follows Carroll Wayles, a scientist aiming to develop a new explosive, who is simultaneously battling his past demons of alcoholism. His journey is disrupted by an Indian scientist, Kasarib, who schemes to steal Wayles’ work with the help of his stepdaughter, Beulah. The somewhat convoluted plot is reliant on visual storytelling common in silent films; some modern viewers may find it challenging due to sparse intertitles and an occasional lack of clear dialogue cues. This stylistic choice, however, is reflective of its historical context, illustrating filmmaking practices on the cusp of narrative innovation post-World War I.

The Blu-Ray release by Undercrank Productions presents "The Craving" on a single-layer BD-R disc, capturing the preserved legacy of early cinematic artistry. Although the quality of effects may show their age with visible insertion lines, their creative intent remains impactful. The main menu offers an organized selection of features, allowing viewers to explore Ford’s historical narrative influence and his ties to other early film figures, which are briefly touched on in the accompanying biographical supplement. For enthusiasts of early cinema and film preservationists alike, this Blu-Ray presents a comprehensive glimpse into Ford’s sometimes-overlooked contributions to early Hollywood.

"The Craving" Blu-ray presents a rare view into the prolific career of Francis Ford, whose works spanned from the silent era into the early fifties, just before his passing. The collection showcases both his acting and directorial skills and offers a window into the early developments of filmmaking techniques. As with many silent films, the video quality is variable but surprisingly well-preserved, providing viewers a nearly intact experience of Ford's oeuvre on this newer format. These restorations make it a valuable piece for cinema history enthusiasts and collectors alike.

This Blu-ray edition effectively highlights the high resolution capabilities inherent in film, demonstrating that early cinematic works can translate well into modern formats. While it acknowledges the occasional missing scene and reconstructed intertitles, it does so with a context that enhances appreciation for the preservation efforts involved. The inclusion of other short films and an insightful piece on Francis Ford's history enrich the viewer's understanding of his contributions to cinema and encourage exploration of other similar releases, such as those from Undercrank Productions.

In conclusion, "The Craving" provides a fascinating glimpse into the early 20th-century film landscape, underscoring Francis Ford's often-overlooked impact on cinema. The Blu-ray edition, despite its understandable limitations due to age, offers a compelling experience, showcasing both historical relevance and technical intrigue, making it a commendable addition for those interested in film history. Recommended.