The Martin Scorsese Film Collection
March 2005 Reviewed by: Wes Marshall Format: DVD	(all ratings out of 5): Overall Enjoyment Picture Quality Packaged Extras Sound Quality

This is the second box of Martin Scorsese movies released in six months, and while the previous set had highlights like Goodfellas and Mean Streets, this one contains Scorsese's acclaimed magnum opus, Raging Bull. A masterpiece by any standard, Raging Bull is on nearly every list of the ten greatest films ever made and it tops several. Here, it gets the deluxe treatment, with a needed re-mastering (throw away your old copy), three fascinating commentaries by many of the people involved in the production, and a second disc filled with extras. Pay special attention to the running commentary by writer Paul Schrader and Jake LaMotta, the Raging Bull himself, for some fascinating insights into the character. The DVD’s picture is stunning and has all of the shadow detail you could hope for in Michael Chapman’s beautifully framed photography. Sonically, all of the mayhem in the boxing ring has the force and impact of a blow to the gut. This DVD is an absolute necessity for any serious film collection.

The Last Waltz stands with Stop Making Sense and Monterrey Pop among the best concert films ever made. It was shot in 1976 at the farewell concert of The Band. When they finally decided to quit touring and break up, instead of having some acrimonious shouting match with lawyers doing the final fighting, The Band threw a big party and invited some of their friends to come and play. The list was a who’s who of the best musicians of the day. Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, Van Morrison, Neil Diamond, Emmylou Harris, Muddy Waters, Dr. John all took a song or two, and by their very presence showed their affection for The Band. Scorsese took his cameras behind the scenes to interview the members about the history of the group and how they were connected to the guests. The whole production has a loose feel and the music is infectious. The DVD is just about perfectly mastered and the 5.1 sound is effective in opening up the soundstage. The commentary track is mostly Scorsese and Robbie Robertson, the lead guitar player for The Band. Sadly, the two weren’t in the same room at the same time for the recording.

Now, I have a confession to make. My favorite Scorsese film is one that has been critically lambasted -- New York, New York. It is a member of the producers’ Hall of Shame where it stands along with Once Upon a Time in America and Blade Runner as examples of how dim-witted producers can make idiotic demands for cuts and changes that ruin a film. Scorsese’s original cut, most of which you see on this DVD, is a glorious tribute to the musicals of his youth. When New York, New York was originally released, all of De Niro’s character scenes that defined his personality were cut, leaving the audience cold to the character. Also cut was the central musical number of the film. The best musicals have always had a huge production number, and just like Singin’ In The Rain had "Gotta Dance" and Words and Music had "Slaughter on Tenth Avenue," New York, New York had a 12-minute piece called "Happy Endings." The producers had Scorsese cut it from the film, and it wasn’t until the era of the laserdisc that we had a chance to see Scorsese’s original idea. Well, almost. It turns out he really had a four-hour version of New York, New York in mind! The version here appears to be the same mastering as the deluxe laserdisc version of the ‘90s. Unfortunately, it’s letterboxed, but the picture still looks pretty good and the sound is sumptuous, especially during those fantastic Georgie Auld tenor-sax solos.

The earliest film here is Boxcar Bertha. Now, everyone has to make a living, and Scorsese was no different in 1972. Boxcar Bertha was an American International film, and for students of film, that should be enough of a statement by itself. AI specialized in drive-in fare aimed at titillating teenagers with either sex or violence, or preferably both. The company was famous for giving lots of famous folks a start, and Boxcar Bertha was Scorsese’s first film to receive wide distribution. The acting is terrible and the script is even worse, but Scorsese’s direction shows power, competence and creativity. The DVD is beautifully mastered and the sound is clear, but there are no extras.

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