Blu-ray Review: Another Spectacular Criterion Edition of Chaplin Classic in ‘The Gold Rush’

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CHICAGO – There are certain filmmakers who just seem to make perfect fits for The Criterion Collection. Wes Anderson’s films have been given stellar editions. David Fincher. Akira Kurosawa. And, of course, Charlie Chaplin. The Criterion editions of “Modern Times” and “The Great Dictator” are two of my personal faves and a third Chaplin classic entered the collection this month when the company inducted “The Gold Rush,” one of the most popular silent films of all time.

Blu-Ray Rating: 5.0/5.0

There was a time where Charlie Chaplin was arguably the biggest celebrity in the entire world. And he was possibly at the peak of his fame when 1925’s “The Gold Rush” hit theaters and became one of the most beloved films of all time. Not only did it make millions worldwide but Chaplin himself considered the film to be his masterpiece. He loved it so much that he went back to it in 1942 and added narration, a score, and notably changed the entire film by editing a few key scenes. Both versions (the 1925 silent one and the 1942 sound one) are available on the Criterion edition and it’s fascinating to see the differences. It’s also notable that the 1925 version was almost lost forever and has never quite been seen like it is here since it first played in theaters.

The Gold Rush was released on Blu-Ray and DVD on June 12, 2012
Photo credit: Courtesy of the Criterion Collection

As for special features, the digital restorations of both films are the real key, especially the newly recorded adaptation of Chaplin’s score for the 1925 edition. Most of the supplemental material focuses on the 1925 version (including a commentary track), but there are new programs that address both films.

The Gold Rush was released on Blu-Ray and DVD on June 12, 2012 Photo credit: Courtesy of the Criterion Collection

As for the quality of the work itself, I have to admit to being partial to “Modern Times,” “Great Dictator,” and “City Lights” over “Gold Rush.” If you’re not a Chaplin fan already, I would start with those three. “Gold Rush” does feature two of the most iconic silent film scenes of all time in the “Boiled Shoe” and “Roll Dance” sequences, but it’s not quite as transcendent as my favorite Chaplin films. I really like it. Don’t get me wrong. We’re comparing degrees of brilliance. And, honestly, I’d love to have all of Chaplin’s films in the Criterion collection. With three of them already in the series, maybe we will someday.

Synopsis:
Charlie Chaplin’s comedic masterwork—which charts a prospector’s search for fortune in the Klondike and his discovery of romance (with the beautiful Georgia Hale)—forever cemented the iconic status of Chaplin and his Little Tramp character. Shot partly on location in the Sierra Nevadas and featuring such timeless gags as the dance of the dinner rolls and the meal of boiled shoe leather, The Gold Rush is an indelible work of heartwarming hilarity. This special edition features both Chaplin’s definitive 1942 version, for which the director added new music and narration, and a new restoration of the original 1925 silent film.

Special Features:
o New high-definition digital restoration of the 1942 sound version, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack on the Blu-ray edition
o New 2K digital transfer of the reconstructed original 1925 silent film, restored in collaboration with the Cineteca di Bologna, with a newly recorded adaptation of director Charlie Chaplin’s score, presented in 5.1 surround DTS-HD Master Audio on the Blu-ray edition
o New audio commentary for the 1925 version by Chaplin biographer Jeffrey Vance
o Presenting “The Gold Rush,” which traces the film’s history
and features filmmaker Kevin Brownlow and Vance
o A Time of Innovation: Visual Effects in “The Gold Rush,” featuring effects specialist Craig Barron and Chaplin cinematographer Roland Totheroh
o Music by Charles Chaplin, featuring conductor and composer Timothy Brock
o Chaplin Today: “The Gold Rush” (2002), a short documentary featuring filmmaker Idrissa Ouédraogo
o Four trailers
o PLUS: An essay by critic Luc Sante and James Agee’s review of the 1942 rerelease

By BRIAN TALLERICO Content Director HollywoodChicago.com brian@hollywoodchicago.com