We’ve had some fantastic news from Eureka Entertainment today and if like me you are a big fan of the classic silent movies from Buster Keaton then this is the news you have been waiting for.
Eureka are releasing a Buster Keaton: 3 Films, a collection of essential films from one of the greats of cinema operating at the height of his powers, as part of The Masters of Cinema Series on Blu-ray from stunning new 4K restorations in a lavish limited edition (3000 copies) 3-disc hardbound boxed set on 16 October 2017.
Between 1920 and 1929, Buster Keaton created a peerless run of feature films that established him as “arguably the greatest actor-director in the history of the movies”. Collected here are three key films from that era; Sherlock, Jr., The General and Steamboat Bill, Jr. Together they represent a true master at his peak, and The Masters of Cinema Series is proud to present all three films from stunning new 4K restorations available for the first time on Blu-ray anywhere in the world.
Sherlock, Jr. (1924)
Buster Keaton (Sherlock Jr – Eureka Entertainment))
A film projectionist (and amateur detective) offers to solve the case of a missing watch, but is instead framed for the crime himself. Desperate to clear his name, the projectionist dreams of being the great Sherlock Jr., and in one of cinemas most iconic sequences, literally steps into the screen to bring his fantasies to life.
The General (1926)
Buster Keaton (The General – Eureka Entertainment)
When union spies steal his locomotive (along with his girlfriend), a plucky railway engineer pursues them doggedly across enemy lines. Containing one of the most memorable chase sequences in the history of filmmaking, The General is widely considered to be Keaton’s masterpiece.
Steamboat Bill, Jr. (1928)
Buster Keaton (Steamboat Bill Jr – Eureka Entertainment)
A steamboat captain receives a telegram informing him that his son who he has not seen for many years will be coming to visit. Eagerly expecting a strapping young lad who will help him compete with his arch-rival, he is disappointed with the effete progeny that instead shows up. Best remembered for its climactic cyclone sequence in which Keaton performs a number of death-defying stunts whilst an entire town is destroyed around him, Steamboat Bill, Jr. was Buster Keaton’s last independent silent comedy and also one of his finest.
The Buster Keaton: 3 Films Collection Blu-ray Special Features
- 3 x Blu-ray discs plus 60-page book all housed in a hardbound slipcase
- 1080p presentations of all three films from stunning new 4K restorations
- Audio commentary on Sherlock Jr. by film historian David Kalat
- Three new video interviews with film scholar Peter Kramer discussing Sherlock Jr., The General and Steamboat Bill, Jr
- Buster Keaton: The Genius Destroyed by Hollywood (52 mins) – A new documentary on Keaton and his struggles working within the Hollywood studio system
- Buster Keaton on Wagon Train (58 mins) – an audio recording of a then 63 year old Buster Keaton in conversation with television writer Bill Cox
- Sherlock Jr. – Original music by Timothy Brock
- Sherlock Jr. – Tour of Filming Locations featurette
- Sherlock Jr. – Movie Magic & Mysteries featurette
- The General – Original score composed and conducted by Carl Davis
- The General – Tour of Filming Locations featurette
- The General – Video Tour featurette
- The General – Home Movie Footage
- The General – Introduction by Orson Welles
- The General – Introduction by Gloria Swanson
- Steamboat Bill, Jr. – Original score composed and conducted by Carl Davis
- Steamboat Bill, Jr. – A video essay on the making of the film
- PLUS: A 60-PAGE BOOK featuring a new essay by Philip Kemp; notes on each film; archival writings; Keaton Family Scrapbook, a selection of Keaton family photographs generously supplied by friends of the Keaton family; and a stunning array of archival imagery
Buster Keaton: 3 Films is available to pre-order from from Amazon and is released in the 16 October 2017.
Karen Woodham is the founder and owner of the Blazing Minds. She is also a Cinema reviewer and works with RealD 3D reviewing the latest 3D releases and IMAX, she has also had several articles published in various publications including the first edition of SFW Magazine. In 2015 she became an Award Winning Blogger and also has her website listed as one of the UK’s Top 10 Film Blogs.
