Written by: Michael Den Boer on February 17th, 2007
Theatrical Release Date: London, December, 1931
Director: Alfred Hitchcock
Writers: Alfred Hitchcock, Alma Reville, Val Valentine
Cast: Henry Kendall, Joan Barry, Percy Marmont, Betty Amann, Elsie Randolph
| DVD released: | 2005 | 2007 |
| Approximate running time: | 82m42s | 82m52s |
| Aspect Ratio: | 1.33:1 Full-Frame | 1.33:1 Full-Frame |
| Rating: | NR | NR |
| Sound: | Dolby Digital Mono English | Dolby Digital Stereo English |
| DVD Release: | Brentwood | Loins Gates |
| Region Coding: | Region 0 NTSC | Region 1 NTSC |
| Retail Price: | $19.98 | $39.98 |
Brentwood’s Region 0 DVD
Fred and Emily after receiving a large inheritance embark on a trip around the world. From the outset bad things start to happen which only furthers pushes them further apart and into the arms of others. Can they overcome their differences and save their marriage or will they go their separate ways for good?
Brentwood’s transfer for Rich & Strange is blurry, cropped and nearly unwatchable. Loins Gates transfer is nothing short of amazing as details look crisp and leap off the screen. The image is properly framed and print damage is minimal. Overall Lions Gates transfer will come as a revelation to those who have suffered through budget DVD releases of this title.
Brentwood’s release presents the audio in a Dolby Digital mono mix that has some issues with hiss and other sound defects. The Lions Gates release presents the audio in a Dolby Digital mono and there are no problems with hiss, distortion or any other major sound defects. Dialog is clear and music and effects sound full.
Extras on the Brentwood release include two episodes “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” and “Chaney Vase” from the Alfred Hitchcock Presents T.V. show. The Brentwood release also comes with nine other films The Man Who Knew Too Much, Sabotage, Blackmail, Secret Agent, The lady Vanishes, The Ring, Juno & the Paycock, Young & Innocent and The Lodger. Extras on the Loins Gates release include a featurette titled “Pure Cinema: The Birth of the Hitchcock Style”. The Loins Gates release also comes with four other films Murder, The Manxman, The Skin Game and Rich & Strange.
Another Hitchcock film is rescued from sub par releases that many times looked almost unwatchable. Loins Gates release is the clear winner of the two releases. Rich and Strange has never looked or sounded better.