Since You Went Away by David O'SleznickISBN: 0027616912022
Publication Date: 1944
David O. Selznick's epic wartime soap opera drama Since You Went Away (1944), directed by John Cromwell, was promised on laserdisc in the late '80s and was then canceled. And early in the DVD era of the late '90s, it was promised from Anchor Bay entertainment -- and was again canceled. So it was a pleasant surprise when MGM/UA, which acquired the Selznick library in 2003, promised us Since You Went Away and actually delivered it in October 2004, just in time for its 60th anniversary. The 177-minute movie is well mastered here in a rich, full-screen (1.33:1) image that looks slightly better than the best television showings that the movie received in the '60s and '70s (it was a holiday favorite for decades on TV, not only because its subject matter was endearing to audiences who remembered the war, but its nearly three-hour running time [not counting commercials] made it beloved to television station programmers who could cover a whole afternoon's airtime by scheduling it). It was also a favorite of Jennifer Jones fans. Jones was allowed to achieve womanhood in this film, and her first appearance onscreen, just seconds short of ten minutes into the movie, is the visual embodiment of spirited girlhood on the edge of marriageability. On the big screen, it was enough to stop the hearts (for one beat) of any male under the age of 85, and it's pretty impressive here, too, even if it is reduced in size and scope. And the glittering black-and-white image generally looks as good as any movie of its vintage issued to date on DVD. The 177-minute movie has been given a paltry 16 chapters, but otherwise is pretty well treated with optional English, French, and Spanish subtitles. The volume level is pitched just right with excellent fidelity, and the movie even includes the full five-minute overture, which had disappeared from theatrical showings and was never used in television presentations. The disc opens automatically to a simple, easy-to-use menu offering "play," "chapter selection," and "Subtitle" options.