This DVD edition presents a representation of The Young Rajah (1922), which has been assembled for video using Paramount’s original editing continuity from a fair to good but incomplete (missing the first-third of the film) and well-worn Spanish-language 16mm reduction print, additional footage from two promotional trailers, still frames from production stills, and newly-created photographic inserts (letters reset in English, etc.).
The video transfer has been speed-adjusted for a natural-speed playback, which produces a subtly jerky movement. There is visual evidence that sections of the original source print utilized for the 16mm reduction print was lost to chemical decomposition. The reduction print is contrasty and soft in image detail, and well-marked with scratches, dust and other flaws, and while this is the roughest-quality print utilized for the disc, of the incomplete films represented, it is the most complete.
The film is accompanied by a music score composed and performed on piano by Jon C. Mirsalis.
Supplementary material includes a 12-page insert booklet featuring an essay by Emily W. Leider.
The DVD’s high video bit rate ensures that, despite how rough the source prints are, the disc will render the best-possible image, even on high-definition television monitors. We highly recommend this disc set.
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