The 2001 Golden Gavel Awards

On January 28th, 2002, DVD Verdict announced their Golden Gavel awards for the best DVDs of 2001. The reviewing staff of DVD Verdict each drafted a list of their ten picks for the best of the year, and those lists were compiled into a master list based on the rankings given to each film. Fifty-one DVDs appeared on the lists from the ten voting staff members, and from those nominees emerged the ten winners:

1. Citizen Kane
Read Our Review (by Judge Barrie Maxwell)
In a year with such high-profile, effects-laden movies making splashy appearances on DVD, it almost comes as a surprise that a 60-year-old film would be our pick for the best DVD of 2001. That is, until you consider that Citizen Kane is widely considered the best film ever, and that Warner Bros. lavished attention on the landmark film: a beautifully restored print, two commentary tracks (one by film historian Peter Bogdanovich, one by critic Roger Ebert), and a very detailed two-hour documentary. It received votes from seven of our ten voting judges, more than any other DVD.
Votes:
1st Place: 2
2nd Place: 1
4th Place: 3
7th Place: 1

2. Shrek
Read Our Review (by Judge Kevin Lee)
Every year seems to bring a surprise hit, and in 2001 it was most definitely Shrek. It was the top-grossing film of the summer, and would have been the top grosser for the year if not for that pesky bespectacled wizard apprentice. DreamWorks did their typically excellent audio and video presentation, and coupled it with more extras than you could shake a swamp slug at. Its perhaps makes the best use of DVD-ROM content on any DVD release.
Votes:
1st Place: 2
2nd Place: 1
3rd Place: 1
6th Place: 1

3. The Godfather Collection
Read Our Review (by Judge Patrick Naugle)
What can we say? Paramount made us an offer we couldn't refuse. Sofia Coppola's acting aside, the set would have rated higher with our staff if it were not for the sometimes lackluster video transfers, but the nice features on the five discs (and the threat of physical violence) balance it out.
Votes:
2nd Place: 2
3rd Place: 2
5th Place: 1

4. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Read Our Review (by Judge Michael Rankins)
Disney may not quite understand the DVD market all the time, but they knocked one out of the park with their flagship animated classic. Pristine audio and video (especially for a film from 1939) and some charming extras will leave you whistling while you work.
Votes:
1st Place: 2
2nd Place: 1
4th Place: 1
10th Place: 1

5. Die Hard: Five Star Collection
Read Our Review (by Judge Patrick Naugle)
Fox's 180-degree DVD turnaround is nowhere more evident than the difference between the original Die Hard release and this new Five Star Collection version. The attention to detail is stunning, especially with the text-based commentary that raises your impression of the film from just another action flick to a film with substance and purpose.
Votes:
2nd Place: 2
4th Place: 1
5th Place: 1

6. Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace
Read Our Review (by Chief Justice Mike Jackson)
It was a long time coming, but the wait was worth it. All the sturm und drang of the first Star Wars movie since 1983 comes right into your living room. The 100-minute documentary on the film's making is a big plus for the set.
Votes:
1st Place: 2
6th Place: 1

7. Almost Famous: Bootleg Edition
Read Our Review (by Judge Deren Ney)
DreamWorks' second release on our list is the long-promised special edition of Cameron Crowe's tribute to the rock music of the 1970s. Two cuts of the film are presented: the original theatrical cut, and an extended version named Untitled. Kudos for exerting the effort for a film that was a disappointment at the box office.
Votes:
3rd Place: 1
5th Place: 1
6th Place: 1
9th Place: 1

8. Big Trouble in Little China
Read Our Review (by Judge Harold Gervais)
Speaking of a lot of effort for a DVD of an unpopular movie, John Carpenter's cult favorite received very impressive treatment from Fox.
Votes:
5th Place: 1
6th Place: 1
8th Place: 2

9. Moulin Rouge
Read Our Review (by Judge Harold Gervais)
Baz Luhrmann's Spectacular Spectacular received spectacular treatment on DVD with its lush audio and video and extravagant extras.
Votes:
3rd Place: 1
4th Place: 1
10th Place: 1

10. Do The Right Thing: Criterion Collection
Read Our Review (by Judge Mike Pinsky)
Criterion does their best with any film they release on DVD, and here they give Spike Lee's most acclaimed film uptown treatment.
Votes:
3rd Place: 1
5th Place: 1

Other Nominees