Chaplin At Keystone: An International Collaboration of 34 Original Films

I bought this set so I could have a high quality version of "Tillie's Punctured Romance" and for that, I am not disappointed. The rest of the movies (and there are many) are all kind of hit and miss. This collection is extremely interesting if you're a film history fan or a Charlie Chaplin enthusiast, for you can witness first hand the birth and growth of one of films most cherished characters. Not sure if anyone other that Chaplin fans would really appreciate this set otherwise, unless, they are a fan of knock-about comedy. Even then, some of the films are a bit tedious. I'm a fan of Chaplin and early comedy, so for me, this set is exactly what I expected. My one disappointment is that the very first film, "Making a Living" had no musical score. The film says that a score was written by Frederick Hodges, but on my disc there is no musical accompaniment. All of the other films on the 4 disc set have one. Overall I'm pleased with my purchase.

Chaplin at Keystone is the recently released four DVD set of all of Chaplin films except one,"Her Friend the Bandit".I own a few sets that I consider exceptional,and this is now on that list.This is,very simply put,a phenomenal and comprehensive release of Chaplin's Keystone's that I bet even the most seasoned screen aficionados will not have seen in this condition;both in look and completeness.The archivists and preservationists first duty,besides restoration,has been to recompile each film to as close as they could possibly get to the original presentation.There are no original camera negatives in existence anymore,so they have gone to the next level and sought after 35mm prints from the camera negs.When that hasn't been possible they have sought out dupe negatives(i.e.neg's made from positive prints).When they exhausted that route they used the best 35mm prints.When that failed they have had to settle for 16mm prints,and on and on.What they have accomplished is nothing short of extraordinary,and mind opening and boggling at the same time.It is a peeling away of the washed out,fuzzy and frenetically paced prints of yesteryear.They now are slowed to a more proper speed.The prints are generally good to very good,though there are some scenes where they fall short,especially when the 16mm prints are used.And unfortunately with new inter titles inserted in re-issues the pictures tend to jump,i.e.if Chaplin goes to throw a pie,the next shot might show the receiver already on the ground.Overall though we can finally appreciate one of the world's greatest comedy film superstars,in his halcyon days and in rising mode,in all his glory.We can also appreciate the talent Sennett had on hand at Keystone in 1914,much more underrated than previously thought.Chaplin is ably backed by talented Ford Sterling and Mabel Normand,a young Edgar Kennedy and we also see another rising superstar Roscoe Arbuckle,who equals and even betters Chaplin at times.The entire story of this DVD set's release would be a book in itself,but suffice to say it is a story that stretches from the Cineteca in Bologna,Italy,to Lobster Films in France,to the BFI in Britain and to UCLA in California.They have,for years,been painstakingly scouring worldwide film archives for these films/prints,to be able to finally present to you what you will see in these four discs.Included with these DVDs is a 39 page,copiously filled booklet with notes on the films and Chaplin,by Jeffrey Vance.The DVDs themselves come in four individual single DVD slip cases(RHI Entertainment who released the still born "Essential Laurel and Hardy",take note!)and they are all packaged in a sturdy box with a sepia toned front cover of a very young Chaplin.Very classy.I must mention the fourth disc also has some very special Chapliniana on it,including a featurette and an old Chaplin cartoon!I won't bore you with any more detail on this set,because once you have it you will discover it all on your own anyway!All in all it is a superb must have for every one interested in "silent" film and/or Chaplin.Just before I go I must mention the price.My U.S. readers can rejoice in the cost of their set.But my Canadian counterparts will find this a very hard pill to swallow.As of this writing,it is over 50% higher there than in the States,and that while the exchange rate is almost on par with the U.S.! Go figure.Folks,Chaplin is awaiting your presence for a fresh rediscovery of exactly where his exceptional comedic talents would take him and why.And to think,these films are just a hair shy of 100 years old! This is a 10 out of 5 stars!

For anyone interested is seeing the start of Chaplin's film genius this restoration of his Keystone period will be the way to study his beginnings. Film elements from collectors and film archives all over the world have be brought together in an attempt to restore these films to this best possible viewing state. Some elements come together better than others but in all cases we are now able to see the Keystone work better then we have ever been able to before. They are now more complete and properly titled and best of all contain delightful musical scores. Also they are projected at the proper speed. Any student of early film or anyone loving the history of film will find this collection to be well worth studying. Highly recommended.

While these movies have been restored keep in mind that the original films were mostly 16mm nitrate negatives that were 100 years old. You will be disappointed if you expect 21st century DVD quality. They are very viewable but most have "scratches" and marks on them. Each movie shows a description of what format the original was and how it was restored prior to the movie. I found that this was very helpful. I recommend these movies to any Chaplin fan. You just need to know that the quality is not 100%.

Good work on sourcing available prints for this project. Of varying quality technically, yet interesting to see Charlie's early work. Impressive work put into digital restoration of ancient film elements.

La Colección Chaplin at Keystone completa, en DVD, toda la filmografía existente del genio de la comedia (solamente uno de sus cortos no ha sobrevivido hasta nuestros días). Los cuatro discos contienen los primeros filmes de Chaplin, la mayoría realizados en 1914, tras su llegada a Hollywood, incluyendo su primer largometraje (Tillie’s Punctured Romance) . Junto con la Colección Chaplin’s Essanay Comedies (1915) y la Chaplin’s Mutual Comedies (1916-1917) constituye el mayor esfuerzo de conservación realizado para traer el cine de Chaplin al siglo XXI, casi con la misma calidad con que se exhibió originalmente hace más de 100 años. Por supuesto, el resto de su filmografía (la más famosa) está disponible tanto en Blu-Ray como en DVD. Quizás lo único que se puede lamentar es que, por lo pronto, la Colección Keystone solamente está disponible en DVD, pero su calidad es impecable.