Ahh the joys of revisiting Buster Keaton work. After producing a documentary on his glorious film, SHERLOCK JNR and then enjoying the release of it alongside many others, thanks to EUREKA, this release is eagerly anticipated. Keaton first feature that he wrote, directed, and starred in, THE THREE AGES intelligently spoofs the work of D.W. Griffith. Inspiring later works of satire from Mel Brooks, Frank Tashlin and British classics like the Carry On series. THE THREE AGES follows 3 narratives from the Stone Age and an amorous but unsuccessful caveman. To the Roman era and a rather inept man trapped in a rather unsuccessful love story across to modern life and its era of love in the explosion of future! All different historical eras, all love stories and all with the skilled magic of Buster Keaton at his best. 

So as for the set its the restoration that deserves praise. It is also fair to note that this is the Cohen restoration and so is the same as release in 2022. What Eureka have done, is out do the tepid Cohen US release with a litany of very respected and well worth listening to feature. David Cairns wax lyrical about those stunts. Fiona Watson digs into Keaton early work up to THE THREE AGES. John Bengtson short but very insightful doc on the film locations, fixes mainly on the stone age bits but is well worth watching and David Kalat, a man I interviewed for the above doc, has a lot to say that is both engaging and intelligent without being to dense or difficult for the layperson.

SPECIAL FEATURES

• Limited Edition Slipcase [2000 Copies]
• 1080p presentation on Blu-ray from a new restoration by the Cohen Film Collection
• Reconstructed original intertitles
• Brand new audio commentary by film historian and writer David Kalat
• This Side of Impossible – brand new video essay by David Cairns
• Under the Flat Hat – brand new video essay by Fiona Watson
• The Six Ages of Comedy – brand new featurette based on an essay by Keaton
• Brand new interview with Ian Lavender
• Man’s Genesis – 1912 short by D.W. Griffith that is parodied in Three Ages
• Video essay on the film’s locations by John Bengtson
• Archival recordings of Keaton
• A collectors booklet featuring new writing by Philip Kemp and Imogen Sara Smith