Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

2015 BLU-RAY REVIEW: Triumph of the Will is a public domain film. It belongs to everyone. But Synapse and Film Preserve Ltd has attempted to assert copyright over it by inserting logo bugs in the corner of the frame every ten minutes, and burning in "explanatory subtitles" over the top throughout the film. This movie is very important to the history of film, not because it is a "Nazi film", but rather because Riefenstahl was a brilliant cinematographer. Each and every cut in the film is masterfully composed and beautifully lit. However with the constant barrage of type and logos over the top, it's impossible to follow the visual flow of the film. The film transfer and sound quality is excellent, but this blu-ray version has been rendered unwatchable by constant graphic intrusions. When I first tried to screen it, I couldn't believe that anyone would intentionally deface it like this. Surely the overwritten text was intended to be able to be turned off and this is a simple mastering error. But Robert Harris, the gentleman who restored the film has stated online that the principle reason for the barrage of subtitles was to "prevent piracy". Logo bugs and burned in, non-removable graphic markings are what I expect in dollar store DVDs, not full priced blu-rays billed as "ultimate editions". Marking films that belong to the public like a dog marks a tree only cheats the customer who buys the product. It doesn't prevent piracy. Recently, large studios have resorted to reworking and re-editing films and removing the original from circulation in an attempt to extend their control over copyright. It is very discouraging to see Film Preservationists following their lead. Imagine if the Louvre put their logo in the corner of the Mona Lisa and wrote some explanatory text over the top of the painting. If art belongs to the world, it belongs to the world. We shouldn't deface it to try to claim it as our own. I can't express how disappointed I am. I'm returning this disk to Amazon for a refund. I suggest that if you are interested in Triumph of the Will, buy the most recent DVD release instead. It is identical to this release, albeit in standard definition, and has no burned in subtitles or logo bugs in the corner.