Reviews of silent film releases on home video.
Copyright © 1999-2026 by Carl Bennett
and the Silent Era Company.
All Rights Reserved. |
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Tih-Minh
(1918-1919)
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This 12-chapter serial, directed by Louis Feuillade, stars René Cresté and Mary Harald, with Georges Biscot, Édouard Mathé, Louis Leubas, Gaston Michel, Marcel Marquet, Émile André and Georgette Faraboni.
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 Kino Classics
2026 Blu-ray Disc edition
Tih-Minh (1918-1919), black & white, 383 minutes, not rated.
Kino Lorber, K27308, UPC 7-38329-27308-8.
Two single-sided, dual-layered, Region A Blu-ray Discs; 1.33:1 aspect ratio picture in pillarboxed 16:9 (3840 x 2160 pixels) 24 fps progressive scan image encoded in progressive scan image encoded in SDR AVC format at 12.2 Mbps average video bit rate; DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 stereo sound encoded at 1.6 Mbps audio bit rate; French language intertitles, optional English language subtitles; 12 chapter stops; standard two-disc BD keepcase; $39.95.
Release date: 14 April 2026.
Country of origin: USA
Ratings (1-10): video: 9 / audio: 9 / additional content: 6 / overall: 9.
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This Blu-ray Disc edition has been mastered from 4K high-definition scans of excellent 35mm archival print materials including the original 35mm camera negative. The scans have been digitally stabilized and cleaned, with virtually no dust, speckling or print damage to be seen. The source material’s intertitles have been replaced with new French digital video intertitles, with optional English subtitles. Despite the age of the surviving material, this is one of our highest-rated discs for visual quality.
The film is likely accompanied by a music score composed by Julien Bory and performed by a small orchestra, on solo piano, and on other instruments.
Supplemental material includes audio commentaries for eight of the twelve episodes by film historian Tim Lucas. Lucas presents a satisfying amount of useful information on the episodes that he addresses.
This is our recommended home video edition of the serial for North American collectors.
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This Region A Blu-ray Disc edition is available directly from . . .
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 Masters of Cinema
2025 Blu-ray Disc edition
Tih-Minh (1918-1919), black & white, 381 minutes, BBFC Certificate PG.
Eureka Entertainment,
EKA70583 (MoC 299), unknown UPC number.
Two single-sided, dual-layered, Region B Blu-ray Discs; 1.33:1 aspect ratio picture in pillarboxed 16:9 (1920 x 1080 pixels) 24 fps progressive scan image encoded in SDR AVC format at ? Mbps average video bit rate; LPCM 2.0 stereo sound encoded at ? Mbps audio bit rate; French language intertitles, optional English language subtitles; chapter stops; standard two-disc BD keepcase; £16.99.
Release date: 17 March 2025.
Country of origin: England
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This Region B Blu-ray Disc edition has been mastered from 4K high-definition scans of excellent 35mm archival print materials including the original 35mm camera negative.
The serial is accompanied by a music score.
Supplemental material includes audio commentaries on “The Potion of Forgetfulnes,” “The Mysteries of Circé Villa” and “Justice” by film historian Tim Lucas; and an interview with critic, writer and film commentator Tony Rayns.
This is our recommended home video edition of the serial for European collectors. North American collectors will need a region-free Blu-ray Disc player to view this edition.
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This Region B Blu-ray Disc edition is available directly from . . .
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 Gaumont Vidéo
2021 Blu-ray Disc edition
Tih-Minh (1918-1919), black & white, 384 minutes, not rated.
Gaumont Vidéo, EDV 1504, UPC 3-607483-290491.
Two single-sided, dual-layered, Regions ABC Blu-ray Discs; 1.33:1 aspect ratio picture in pillarboxed 16:9 (1920 x 1080 pixels) 24 fps progressive scan image encoded in SDR AVC format at 25.8 Mbps average video bit rate; DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 stereo sound encoded at 1.6 Mbps audio bit rate; French language intertitles, optional English language subtitles; 26 chapter stops (disc one), chapter stops (disc two); standard two-disc BD keepcase; unknown suggested retail price.
Release date: 8 December 2021.
Country of origin: France
Ratings (1-10): video: 9 / audio: 9 / additional content: 6 / overall: 9.
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This Blu-ray Disc edition has been mastered from excellent 35mm archival print materials including the original 35mm camera negative. The 4K high-definition scans have been digitally stabilized and cleaned, with virtually no dust, speckling or print damage to be seen. A lot of time and love went into preparing this edition and it definitely shows.
The serial is accompanied by an excellent music score composed by Julien Bory and performed by a small orchestra, on solo piano, and on other instruments to create an eerie, mysterious atmosphere by Audionetwork. The variations of musical styles and instrumentation keep the score fresh throughout the long presentation. The score is occasionally augmented with sound effects.
Supplemental material includes “Tih-Minh — un petit index” (15 minutes); and a brief featurette on the film’s restoration (2 minutes).
A true viewing pleasure. (We point out that this Gaumont Blu-ray Disc edition will play in your USA BD player without issue.)
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This Regions ABC Blu-ray Disc edition is available through . . .
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 Gaumont Vidéo
2021 DVD edition
Tih-Minh (1918-1919), black & white, 384 minutes, not rated.
Gaumont Vidéo,
unknown catalog number, unknown UPC number.
Three single-sided, dual-layered, Region 0 PAL DVD discs; 1.33:1 aspect ratio picture in full-frame 4:3 (720 x 480 pixels) interlaced scan image encoded in SDR MPEG-2 format at ? Mbps average video bit rate (capable of progressive scan upscaling to ? fps); Dolby Digital (AC3) 2.0 stereo sound encoded at ? Kbps audio bit rate; French language intertitles, optional English language subtitles; chapter stops; standard three-disc DVD keepcase; unknown suggested retail price.
Release date: 8 December 2021.
Country of origin: France
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This DVD edition has been mastered from excellent 35mm archival print materials including the original camera negative.
The serial is accompanied by an excellent music score composed by Julien Bory and performed by a small orchestra, on solo piano, and on other instruments to create an eerie, mysterious atmosphere by Audionetwork. The variations of musical styles and instrumentation keep the score fresh throughout the long presentation. The score is occasionally augmented with sound effects.
Supplemental material includes “Tih-Minh — un petit index” (15 minutes); and a brief featurette on the film’s restoration (2 minutes).
This is our recommended DVD home video edition of the serial. North American collectors will need a region-free PAL DVD player capable of outputting an NTSC-compatible signal to view this edition.
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This Region 0 PAL DVD edition is available through . . .
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Other SERIAL FILMS of the silent era available on home video.
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