The Cameraman (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]

The Cameraman is so much fun! Buster made it after signing with MGM and while he regretted signing with MGM for the rest of his life this film is an example of a film well suited to his comedy style and comic personality. Highlights include Buster’s pantomiming a baseball game and adopting Josephine the monkey. Buster and Josephine make a dynamic duo! Interestingly MGM kept this film on hand and had its comedy stars (like Red Skelton and the Marx Brothers) study it as the studio held it in high regard as the perfect comedy. The Cameraman is one of Buster’s last silents and a delight to watch. It’s one of my favorites!

The are two restored films included here. Criterion has produced another wonderful Blu-Ray. It is an essential purchase. For the life of me, I cannot understand why there is very little mention of "Spite Marriage" in the artwork included. I enjoyed that film every bit as much as The Camearman. I am now hooked on Buster Keaton. My love of Laurel & Hardy is what finally led me to him and now I can't stop watching and collecting everything I can find!

This review is for The Criterion Collection’s blu ray release.The Cameraman (1928) is Buster Keaton’s final masterpiece. Produced at MGM, he was able to exert control over it, sadly for the last time.The film was in disrepair for decades. An apocryphal story from Keaton biographer Rudi Blesh says that when he got a screening in the 1950s he was surprised by the sad state of the print. The projectionist explained that it was an MGM training film. It was the company’s first critically and financially successful comedy. Henceforth, when other comedians came to MGM they were shown the film to demonstrate that this was an example of how to make a comedy.That story gains veracity to those of us who saw the VHS and laserdisc release from 1991: a wretched print, and a mediocre piano score with poor sound. Sadly, there was a missing scene. Subsequent to that release, a better print showed up, although that scene was still gone. It has been seen on TCM and was released on DVD in 2004, with a new score along with the old one and bonus features, including Spite Marriage (1929) and Free and Easy (1930).The Criterion blu ray is an upgrade from the DVD. Some of the bonus features remain, some are scrapped and some new ones are added. The film has been given a 4K restoration. The first part comes from 16mm, the latter part 35mm. Overall, it looks really great. The best part is yet another new score, this time composed by the estimable Timothy Brock. Unfortunately, the short missing scene remains so. At this point, it is highly unlikely to show up. This should not dissuade anyone from purchasing this Criterion release.

I received this film on time and it was in great shape. The film itself is great. I enjoyed the story line and have become a true fan of Buster Keaton. I hope others give him a chance.

This is a great film starring the great Buster Keaton, and to answer the question you should be asking , yes it's a huge upgrade in quality from the previous DVD. Criterion also licensed the previous documentary about Keaton's move to MGM and his fall from the top of the movie star world. There are other bonus features that Criterion produced for this release you will enjoy. It is hard to find at any of the local Barnes and Noble stores now as they are running their 50% off Criterion sale and for good reason... smart film buffs need this in their collection. I wouldn't start my Keaton collection with this one but it is a must if you own the recent Cohen Film Group releases of The General and other classics.

I'm a big fan of black and white movies--especially Buster Keaton's work. And, the cameraman just happens to be one of my favorite pieces by him--it's funny, it's heartwarming, it's exciting--it's Buster Keaton at his finest. Criterion took a movie that is technically in the public domain, and, instead of pumping it out cheaply to make some easy money, managed to restore the picture and the audio beautifully. This movie is beautiful--both the movie itself and the dvd. Buy it!

.... it's a worthy addition. I think I've got most of the Buster Keaton titles that Amazon has on offer, His last Silent film...it's about as good as any of them. Worth watching, this title was made from three fragments, a partial 35mm copy, a print (on paper?) and a 16mm film copy. The restoration quality I think is as good as any I've seen, it looks about as good as if it came straight from 1928.it's Criterion instead of Kino/Lorber but you get a pretty good offering.You'll have no regrets buying it.

Fabulous Blu-Ray! Criterion restoration is excellent. AND Spite Marriage comes in as an extra, but is nearly as enjoyable as The Cameraman. You won't go wrong with this release! Enjoy!