The critics agree that Criterion’s release of Roberto Rossellini’s War Trilogy, featuring major restorations of the unassailable landmarks of Italian cinema Rome Open City, Paisan, and Germany Year Zero, is something of a landmark itself. As Dave Kehr reminds us in his New York Times review of the collection, these are films “that helped to lay the foundations of modern cinema,” and “for decades now it’s been impossible to see Rossellini’s War Trilogy, as the films have come to be called, in any kind of decent condition . . . Which is why I’m feeling particularly grateful to the Criterion Collection for its newest release.”
GQ’s Tom Carson is similarly appreciative: “Roberto Rossellini’s War Trilogy is the most thrilling DVD release I expect to write up in 2010 . . . Rediscovering how great they really are is a welcome shock. In movie terms, this was where the second half of the twentieth century began.” Also mightily impressed is DVD Beaver’s Gary Tooze, who writes, “I feel Criterion’s 500th spine number, Roberto Rossellini’s War Trilogy, is one of their most important releases . . . ever.” Tooze notes that this “may very well be the best these three films have looked for over fifty years,” and finishes his review by saying, “This has our highest recommendation as one of Criterion’s greatest releases.” And this just in, from the Los Angeles Times’ Sam Adams.
1945
100 min
Black and White
1.37:1
1946
120 min
Black and White
1.33:1
1948
71 min
Black and White
1.33:1
Categories: Press Notes
4 Comments
Tue 02 Feb at 03:59 PM
David Hollingsworth
With the release of Rossellini’s War Trilogy, Criterion continues to extremely impress me: the dedicated cinephile, the film lover, the motion picture supporter. I’m so proud to call myself a Criterion collector, and hopefully soon, I shall add some new DVDs to my collection.
Thank you Criterion for this awesome release of three of the greatest films ever made.
Tue 02 Feb at 07:43 PM
Dave Britnell
Great release—I studied these films at University of Toronto Cineam Studies
How about a release of Michael Snow and Maya Deren films two great avant-garde filmakers
you can only see these films at art houses or Universities
that would be a great set and unique
Dave
Wed 03 Feb at 10:20 AM
Hal
I’m very happy about these. If they were on Blu-ray I’d buy them.
Wed 03 Feb at 07:14 PM
christopher
I have to agree with HAL. I am loathe to buy anything that is not on Blu-ray these days except at bargain prices. Why go to the trouble to restore these great films if they aren’t on the best format available?
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