Charlie Chaplin in The Gold Rush

After getting Modern Times (see review), I decided to get one more Chaplin film. Decided to get one that was definitely made during the Silent Era, and this seemed to be the best one. Was definitely not disappointed. The story follows Chaplin's famous "Tramp" character, this time named as "The Lone Prospector". During the Gold Rush in the Yukon region of North America in the 1890's, Chaplin's Prospector travels into the snowy mountains in the hope shared by many to strike it rich. Arriving at a cabin inhabited by a criminal on the run and also meeting up with another prospector who has actually struck it rich, Chaplin's Lone Prospector begins a strange adventure filled with starvation, hope, love, and eventually the riches he sought out. I know that seems vague, but so much happens in this film that this is probably the best description that covers everything. The film itself is very entertaining. Labeled as a "Comedic Drama", it certainly has a lot of laughs mixed in with drama in a way that only Chaplin knows how to create. This was the film that Chaplin wanted to be most remembered for, and his efforts certainly pay off. Some of his most iconic scenes are in this film such as his attempts to fend off starvation by boiling and eating his own shoe, slipping & sliding in a ramshackle cabin in the snow, and entertaining others with his "dance" using dinner rolls and forks. There are a lot of subtle comedic actions as well where it would be impossible to go over them all without going through the film itself scene by scene. The Criterion Blu-Ray presentation is great in that we're treated to two versions of this film. Originally, the film was produced in 1925 as Chaplin's first Feature Length film featuring The Tramp. As years passed by and the world entered the era of "talkies", Chaplin didn't want this film to be discarded and forgotten. So, in 1942, he re-edited the film, added a narration track with Chaplin himself providing the voice, and released into theaters. It was well-received, and Chaplin considered this to be the "definitive" version of the film. The original Silent version then went into obscurity and if it weren't for a 35 mm print saved by a private collector, we would have lost the original version altogether. Fast forward to today's era and technology where a digital recreation of the original Silent version was made, and we're now blessed with not only the original, but the 1942 version as well. The restorers of the Silent film are almost apologetic about this "Work in Progress" version that they've created, but I think they did a fantastic job. The picture is clean, sharp, and the music selections really enhance the picture. There are some flaws here and there which can be expected when restoring a film of this age. However, it's really almost flawless and very enjoyable to watch. In fact, I really prefer the Silent recreation over the 1942 narrated version even though both versions are really well done. Thankfully, both versions are available on the disc so that we can all view both and make our own decisions. As with other Criterion releases of Chaplin's work, there are plenty of behind-the-scenes special features, commentary and booklet included so that one can do a deep dive into this, one of Chaplin's best films. Not much more can be said, other than any fan of Charles Chaplin would be very happy to own this Blu-Ray copy of the film. Also recommended for those who are just learning about the great Chaplin and wish to explore his work. This will certainly not be a disappointment.

This movie is wonderful and hilarious in both the 1942 version and the 1925 version. However, if you want to watch it in all it's glory watch the 1925 version. For this reason and this reason only: The movement of the character coincides with the story. For example: In the 1925 version Georgia does not write the letter for the tramp but for Jack. Jack does not care for the letter and decides to trick the tramp into believing it was meant for him. So when the tramp starts giving Georgia a heartfelt monologue of his love for her and how he completely understands her sentiments Georgia has an expression of confusion. She doesn't know what he's talking about, and you can tell by the way she looks. But in the 1942 version they make it look like the tramp was the one intended to receive the letter in the first place. So when he gives his heartfelt monologue to Georgia her expression of confusion does not make sense. She would surely be hugging him back and have an expression of love, not one of confusion. There's also the bit where they are trapped in the Cabin at the end and they are wondering why they feel like they are rocking back and forth. The tramp claims it's the stomach first, then when they feel the house rocking again and they try jumping up and down to see if it is indeed the house the tramp makes an expression as if to say "it must be the stomach, there's no other explanation" But in the 1942 version this part is shown with Charlie in the background saying "It isn't the stomach" Which again does not make sense with the movement of the character. So yeah watch the 1925 version for the correct experience. And the best one. 1942 is good, but not the correct way to watch it.

You can't go wrong with most any film that Charlie Chaplin made, but "The Gold Rush" is one of my all-time favorites. I usually watch it once a year, preferably on a day we've experienced a lot of snow here in MI. Sets the mood. Always amazed at the range of emotions this essentially 100 year old film can evoke. This Criterion release is the one to get. It has beautiful restorations of both version of the film. If you are interested in supplemental materials, the featurettes are pretty interesting. I liked learning a bit about the cameras & techniques Chaplin's film crew used, as well as the feature on Chaplin as composer. At the risk of sounding cliche, "The Gold Rush" is a classic that belongs in every Chaplin fan's collection. :)

While this is not my favourite Chaplin movie it is still a classic of silent comedy and it is a worthy addition to any film buff's video library. I owned the standard dvd version which still had a number of picture imperfections despite an impressive restoration effort and now Critierion has had a hand at improving upon that version in 1080p format. The result while still not perfect is certainly an improvement over the standard dvd. This version has both the original 1925 silent as well as my personal preference the 1942 Chaplin-narrated version. The picture quality of the 1925 version unsurprisingly isn't nearly as good as the 1942 version while the latter version still does have a few imperfections despite the restoration efforts but is probably the best version of this film that is currently out there. The famous dance of the rolls is in this film among many classic moments that instantly endear the tramp to our hearts. This is my third favourite Chaplin film after "City Lights" and "Modern Times" but it is still an essential silent to own and in this Criterion version you get the definitive versions for now. Highly recommended!

Oh, bring back the b/w silent movies! So funny, and typically Chaplinesque, with The Gold Rush being the cream. You get two versions of this classic film, the 1925 restored version with added pianist (if you don't like sound just turn down the volume) and the later one released and edited, with Charlie Chaplin himself speaking the words we didn't hear first time around. Personally I prefer the earlier one. Who can ever forget the chicken scene, this is the one that has stayed in my mind since I was a very young child in the 1950s/60s and sat with my parents roaring with laughter at his antics. That was the usual clip shown on TV at special times, mostly at Christmas and bank holidays with other excerpts from Disney films et al. You may like to know that Chaplin decided to play the part of the chicken. After several takes using another actor, he wasn't happy with it and said it just didn't look right. I decided to watch the whole film before wrapping it for my partner's birthday and I can honestly say it was a masterpiece. I didn't realise it was about an hour long with so much more than just the frozen hut in the middle of a blizzard. Can't wait to see my partner's face when he gets this on his birthday! An absolute gem and worth every penny!

Finalmente dopo ben 25 anni (oggi 28 maggio 2020) sono riuscito a rivedere questo autentico CAPOLAVORO ASSOLUTO di uno dei più grandi attori e cineasti di tutti i tempi !! Sinceramente amo tantissimo questo film e lo amo soprattutto IN QUESTA VERSIONE : in questo Dvd "minimalista" (praticamente una volta immesso il Dvd nel lettore c'è solamente una schermata "SENZA" nessun'altra opzione, si passa direttamente al film e basta) vi è presente SOLTANTO LA VERSIONE ORIGINALE DEL FILM così come uscì nelle sale alla metà degli anni 20 ; i pannelli (ossia le didascalie) sono TOTALMENTE ORIGINALI in lingua Inglese ; la lettera di Georgia (il personaggio femminile più significativo del film) è in lingua originale, senza modifiche o "italianizzazioni" (come invece purtroppo sono presenti in altre versioni, soprattutto quelle sonore di inizio anni quaranta [ossia alcuni fotogrammi vennero letteralmente sostituiti con delle scritte in Italiano per facilitare, appunto la comprensione di alcune scene da parte del pubblico di casa nostra, scempiando però così la versione originale dell'opera, sia pure di pochissimo]) ; tutto ciò qui NON ACCADE per fortuna, essendo la versione originale USA del film. Unica concessione, una bella colonna sonora realizzata interamente al pianoforte (nel 2012) tesa a sottolineare in vario modo le varie famosissime scene di questa autentica PIETRA MILIARE della cinematografia mondiale di tutti i tempi. // Per concludere un EDIZIONE QUESTA totalmente priva di contenuti speciali, che però permette di godere appieno della VERSIONE TOTALMENTE ORIGINALE (senza tagli, senza censure, senza modifiche arbitrarie) della pellicola così come fù concepita dal GENIO del suo autore. // FILM DA 10 E LODE, uno dei più grandi film di tutti i tempi e generi ; arrivato a casa in condizioni estetiche ASSOLUTAMENTE PERFETTE ED IMMACOLATO, consegna estremamente PROFESSIONALE // Che altro aggiungere? SE AMATE IL GENIO ASSOLUTO DI CHAPLIN, SE AMATE I FILM MUTI E SE AMATE LE VERSIONI ORIGINALI DI TALI FILM, QUESTO DVD È SEMPLICEMENTE PERFETTO.

received in perfect condition

Criterion Films are expensive and hence one of the criteria I use for purchase is Re-watchability. And, all of the Charlie Chaplin films are among them and you can watch them again and again. Criterion Hi-Def digital restoration is pretty good and images are good. However do not over expect as this is quite old film. Gold Rush is Charlie’s one of the best film and indeed a masterpiece. This special edition features both Chaplin’s definitive 1942 version, for which the director added new music and narration, and a new restoration of the original silent 1925 film. Though 1942 version do not lessens viewer experience by any means, I prefer little longer original 1925 release as I find title cards more interesting than the narration. Picture is better than thousand words and Charlie Chaplin’s original silent version conveys powerful message which do not need any narration in my opinion. After all Charlie Chaplin’s films symbolizes the glory of silent films. In this classic silent comedy, the Little Tramp heads north as prospectors in search of fortune in Gold Rush. After getting caught is snow storm, he hurries to only shelter he finds which is a wood cabin in the middle of nowhere. It turns out that that cabin was already occupied by a criminal Black Larson. There are countless memorable and comic situations inside cabin between Black Larson and Charlie including cooking of boots and cabin at the edge of cliff. Under the comedy lies the serious quest of Tramp for wealth and hardships he faces. He finds a beautiful dance-hall girl (Georgia Hall) and tries to get noticed by her. Again there are many comedy situation at dance halls like famous dance of the dinner rolls. Charlie becomes millionaire and meets Georgia again. In this movie Charlie brings lots of hilarious moments while highlighting various aspects human life such as Love, Kindness, Greed, Poverty, Loneliness, Hunger and societal difference created between rich and poor. It also showcases human weaknesses in tough times and at the same time showcases ability of human being to remain elevated in hard times. Charlie Chaplin’s masterpiece has numerous memorable scenes in one masterpiece, some of them are extremely hilarious while some are quite moving. “Gold Rush” is definitely is an essential viewing- probably multiple times. Charlie Chaplin is undisputed masters of cinema. Thanks Criterion for bringing this to Hi-def life (and others: Modern Times, The Kid, The Great Dictator, City Lights and Limelight) and Salute to Maestro Charlie Chaplin !

*レビュー掲載後追記: 【以下レビューは、北米盤Blu-ray(ASIN:B007N5YJMU)に対するものですが、Amazon.co.jpが、勝手に他メディアにも転載しています】 邦題『黄金狂時代』 ゴールド・ラッシュに沸くアラスカ。そこは、多くの者が一攫千金を夢見て押し寄せ、ほとんどの者が夢破れて去る、あるいは死ぬ場所でもある。放浪紳士チャーリー(チャールズ・チャップリン)もまた、夢を見てアラスカにやって来る。猛吹雪の中、チャーリーは、指名手配されている極悪人ブラック・ラーセン(トム・マレー)が住む小屋にたどり着く。同じ頃、やはり探鉱者のビッグ・ジム(マック・スウェイン)が道に迷い、小屋に転がり込んでくる…。 "A Dramatic Comedy"と作品の冒頭に出るように、峻厳なアラスカの自然の中での生死のドラマをコメディにした傑作。チャップリンは、友人であるダグラス・フェアバンクス、メアリー・ピックフォード夫婦邸で見せられた、アラスカの探鉱者の途切れることのない列の写真から、本作のアイデアを膨らませていったと言われている。チャップリン自身、相当思い入れの強い作品だったようで、1942年に、オリジナルのインタータイトル(字幕)を削除し、音楽とナレーションをつけて再公開した(現在では、この1942年版が最終決定版とされている)。 人間たちの欲望とその末路を描いたエリッヒ・フォン・シュトロハイム監督の『グリード』のチャップリン流パロディとも言える本作は、極限状態での人間のあらゆる本性を暴いてみせた(ただし、笑いの味付けで)古典だが、何と言っても印象に残るのは、食べるイメージの数々だ。チャップリンが、幼少期に母親と義兄シドニーと極貧の生活をしていたことはよく知られている。彼の自伝(『 チャップリン自伝 上 ―若き日々 』)の中でも、その日の糧にありつくことすら難しかったエピソードが数々綴られており、彼にとって、食べるということは、人生の重要な要素ではあるものの、楽しむという以前に、生き抜くための試練という面のほうが大きかったようだ。 そんな幼少期に染みついた食べることへの思い、いや、そんな生易しい言葉ではなく、「食いっぱぐれることの恐怖」ともいうべき食への強迫的観念は、彼の作品の食事場面となって度々現れている。もちろん、それらは、同じく食をテーマにした『 料理長（シェフ）殿、ご用心 』や『 バベットの晩餐会 』に出てくるような「美食」とは対極にあるものなのは言うまでもない。そんな中でも、本作の食事場面は、全チャップリン作品の集大成的なものになっていると言えるだろう。あまりに有名な、チャーリーが靴を茹でて食べる場面や巨大な鶏に間違えられ食べられそうになる(！)場面の壮絶なまでの飢え。まるで胃袋が悲鳴をあげているかのような、それらの場面の着想をチャップリンはこう語っている。 「カリフォルニアへ向かう途中、道に迷って雪のシェラ・ネヴァダ山中で遭難したダナー一行のことを、本で読んだことがある。百六十人の開拓者のうち、生き残ったものはわずかに十八人、しかもその大部分は飢えと寒さのために瀕死の状態だったという。飢えに耐えかねて、あるものは人肉をくらうし、あるものは靴の革まで焼いて食ったとある。この痛ましい悲劇の記録から、わたしはもっとも喜劇的なシーンの一つを考えついたのである」(『 チャップリン自伝 上 ―若き日々 』 P239-240) ゲラゲラ笑わせながらも、やがて背筋が凍りつくような笑いと狂気がブレンドされた演出は、ダナー一行の凄まじい運命を想像するだけでなく、飢えというものの恐怖を皮膚感覚で体験したチャップリンならではのものだろう。生涯に渡って、チャップリンを敬愛していた映画評論家・淀川長治氏は、「チャップリン映画は、私に愛すること、働くこと、食べること、夢を持つこと、勇気を持つことを教えてくれました」と評していたが、確かに、映画史上、本作ほど、食べることを突き詰めた作品は他に思いつかない。本作は、優れたコメディ作品であるとともに、(恐ろしくも)優れた究極の食育作品でもあるのだ。 本Blu-rayは、待望の米Criterion盤。嬉しいことに、1942年版に加え、復元された1925年版も収録。仏mk2からライセンスを受け、2Kスキャンのデータ(レストアも)から作られたHDマスターを使用している。1942年版は、白黒諧調、ディテール表現ともに、過去のDVDを上回っている素晴らしい画質。モノラル リニアPCMの音声もノイズがなく、どこまでも明瞭だ。1942年版には、英語字幕も収録。 1925年版は、伊ボローニャ・シネテークの協力の下、個人コレクター所有の35mmの他、いくつかの素材を繋ぎ合わせ、公開時のオリジナルに近い形にまで復元している。複数素材をつなぎ合わせていることもあり(1942年版とはアングルの違うカット、編集もある)、若干、ばらつきがあるものの、こちらも白黒諧調、ディテール表現が良好の画質。この質で、1925年版が観られるのだから、文句などない。5.1ch DTS-HD マスター・オーディオの伴奏音楽も素晴らしい。 米Criterionらしく、特典も満載(以下参照)。もちろん、すべて、本Blu-rayのために新規にHD画質で収録されたもの。 ●チャップリンの伝記作家、ジェフリー・ヴァンスによるコメンタリー(1925年版) ●ミニ・ドキュメンタリー3種 ・Presenting "The Gold Rush" (15分53秒) 映画史家ケヴィン・ブラウンロウとジェフリー・ヴァンスによる作品解説 ・A Time of Innovation: Visual Effects in "The Gold Rush" (19分12秒) 特撮マン、クレイグ・バロン(『 タイタニック 』など)とチャップリン作品の撮影監督ローランド・トセローに焦点を当て、本作の特殊効果を検証するミニ・ドキュメンタリー ・Music by Charles Chaplin (24分58秒) 作曲家ティモシー・ブロックによるチャップリン作品の音楽についての解説 ●Chaplin Today: "The Gold Rush" (26分57秒) 『 掟 』などで有名な、アフリカ、ブルキナファソ出身の映画監督イドリッサ・ウエドラオゴによる本作の解説 ●予告編4種 (計9分12秒) どの特典も興味深く、作品をより深く理解する助けになるだろう。個人的には、ウエドラオゴ監督のドキュメンタリーで、現代のアフリカの子どもたちが、『黄金狂時代』を観て無邪気に喜んでいる姿に、今さらながら、映画が、時空を超える「世界言語」であることを知らされた思いがする。 さらには、24ページのブックレットも同梱。作家リュック・サンテによるエッセイと”TIME”誌1942年4月6日号のジェームズ・エイジーの評論が採録されている。 本Blu-rayは、北米盤ながら、日本と同じR-Aなので、日本のBlu-rayプレーヤーで問題なく視聴可能。過去にVHS、レーザーディスク、DVDで、本作を揃えて来た人も、米Criterionならではの圧倒的な質に必ずや満足するはずだ。