On to the discs!
Sherlock, Jr. / Three Ages
Sherlock, Jr. is one of Keaton's more well known features, and thankfully, of the three features I watched it is the best looking. The restoration hasn't worked quite the miracle it did with The General, but it is very clean and stable nonetheless. Kino have provided two different scores for the film, both of which are excellent, with the Mont Alto Motion Picture Orchestra score provided in DTS-HD 5.1, though I'm pretty sure there wasn't a whole lot of motion in the surrounds when I listened to it. The A/V presentation was very pleasing, and Kino have really done a fine job with this film.
The second film on the disc is actually Keaton's first feature length effort, Three Ages. Three ages doesn't fare nearly as well as Sherlock, Jr. but it is still enjoyable to watch. The film features some really fun stunts and a neat little piece of stop-motion animation. Overall, a great film. The main issue with Three Ages is the video; I'm sure the master was in pretty rough condition, and it has surely been restored to the best of Kino's ability, but it is a bit wobbly. Kino have also included a selection of live scores for Three Ages, any of which are perfectly appropriate and fit nicely.
The extras on this disc are fantastic! Sherlock, Jr. gets a wonderful commentary from film scholar David Kalat that is both informative and entertaining, I really great track. There is also a documentary on the making on the film and a tour of the filming locations. Three Ages also gets a tour of filming locations, adding a re-cut version of the film to reintegrate the three story lines, as well as an excerpt from the DW Griffith film that inspired Keaton's prehistoric sequence.
Our Hospitality
Our Hospitality is a wonderful film also given Kino's loving touch on Blu-ray. The video part of the presentation is very good, with minimal damage and appropriate tinting. Like the above features, Our Hospitality also gives viewers their choice of two different scores, with the Thames Silents Orchestra version given preference and a DTS-HD 5.1 track. This track seems to be the jauntier of the two, while the Donald Hunsberger track is a bit more mellow.
The extras on this disc are also very informative and well worth watching. There is a documentary on the making of Our Hospitality that runs roughly 30 minutes with lots of great behind the scenes photos and explanations of Keaton's gag and stunt work that I found riveting. Also included is The Iron Mule, a short film from one of Keaton's associates that features the train from Our Hospitality. This short isn't nearly as good as the film, but it has it's moments. Finally, Kino have provided a 49 minute alternate cut with introduction, also in HD.
These two discs are absolutely fantastic, I have no qualms at all about recommending them to any film lover. The visual presentation is fantastic, the audio choices are compelling, and the extras do a wonderful job of contextualizing the films and enhancing your appreciation of what it was like to make movies in the 1920's. Buy these now!
By the way, Kino have just announced that they are releasing a three disc set of Keaton's short films in July, I would guess that will be a winner, as well!