Indiscretion of an American Wife/Terminal Station [Criterion Collection]

Vittorio De Sica

Overview

Criterion's side-by-side presentation of the two edits of Vittorio De Sica's Terminal Station -- the original European release and David O. Selznick's dumbed-down Hollywood hack job, Indiscretion of an American Wife -- provides a fascinating look at what is, in any version, one of the director's more intriguing minor efforts. Loaded with Freudian analysis, film scholar Leonard Leff's commentary is somewhat dry and academic, but he points up even the most minute differences between the two edits of the film, and is sure to include plenty of dishy anecdotes about leads Jennifer Jones and Montgomery Clift. (The best is Clift's remark comparing Jones to a faulty briefcase: "It's beautiful but it doesn't quite work.") As always, the transfer and sound mix of both versions are impeccable, and the trailers and promotional items point up the difficult marketing task posed by De Sica's subtle, contemplative film. Also included with the film is a two-song Patti Page musical prelude, which Selznick tacked on to U.S. prints of Indiscretion to pad out its scant length. Though corny and static, the songs are beautifully framed by master cinematographer James Wong Howe's inventive, high-contrast compositions.

Product Details

Release Date:	08/19/2003
UPC:	0715515014229
Original Release:	2003
Rating:	NR
Source:	Criterion Collection
Presentation:	[B&W]
Sound:	[Dolby Digital Mono]
Language:	English
Time:	2:41:00
Sales rank:	27,846

Special Features

High-definition digital transfers of both films, with restored image and sound; Commentary by film scholar and writer Leonard Leff on "Indiscretion of an American Wife"; Original theatrical trailer; Publicity sketches and original newspaper ads; English subtitles; RSDL dual-layer edition for optimal image quality

Scene Index

Side #1 --
1. "Autumn in Rome" & "Indiscretion"
2. Opening Credits
3. Dear Giovanni...
4. Next Train for Milan
5. A Gift for Kathy
6. All Aboard
7. Giovanni Appears
8. A Place to Talk
9. To Be Alone
10. "Good-bye, Giovanni"
11. Too Late
12. Good Wife, Good Mother
13. Across the Tracks
14. An Indiscretion
15. Common Criminals
16. Office of the Commissariat
17. There's Not Much Time
18. Last Train for Paris
19. Color Bars
1. Logos/Opening Credits
2. A Moment of Hesitation
3. Next Train for Milan
4. "Forced to Leave, Child Sick"
5. A Gift for Kathy
6. All Aboard
7. Giovanni Appears
8. A Place to Talk
9. To Be Alone
10. "Good-bye, Giovanni"
11. Too Late
12. Good Wife, Good Mother
13. Across the Tracks
14. An Indiscretion
15. Common Criminals
16. Office of the Commissariat
17. There's Not Much Time
18. Last Train for Paris
19. Color Bars

Menu

Side #1 --
   Indiscretion of an American Wife: Play Movie
   Indiscretion of an American Wife: Chapters
   Commentary
      Commentary On
      Commentary Off
   Theatrical Trailer
   Promotional Gallery
   Terminal Station: Play the Movie
   Terminal Station: Chapters