TMA Bluray to be released in Japan

[Wellesnet]

http://www.wellesnet.com/the-magnificen ... -in-japan/

[edmoney]

Although not a US release (but still playable in the US) and quite pricey, this is good news. I assume this is a legitimate release (i.e. having cleared rights, access to good film elements) and hopefully signals a US one eventually. Is anyone familiar with IVC or the quality of their Blu-ray releases?

Not sure if this was already covered elsewhere, but IVC is also releasing a Blu-ray of Chimes at Midnight on Dec.18:

http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Falstaff- ... ay/141867/

[A Sled in Flames]

I assume this is going to be the same master that's been used on the WB DVD and previously the Criterion LD.

Of course, I'd be happy to be proved wrong. Occasionally, a brand new master surfaces early in Japan like the BD for Rocco and His Brothers...

[edmoney]

I'm hoping it's the latter. I believe I read opinions on this forum that whatever was used for the WB DVD wouldn't be suitable for an HD scan. I'm hoping that some sort of restoration work was done and that a new HD scan (preferably 4K) was created.

[A Sled in Flames]

I've already ordered it, so, come January, I'll be sure to report my findings over here.

[atcolomb]

I did a comparison with the WB dvd and my two Criterion laserdiscs and the dvd was not much an improvement and was kinda disappointed. Next year will be Kane's 75 anniversary so I hope Ambersons might show up on Blu-ray with it or better yet have WB license Criterion to do it. I will wait for the reviews before I buy the Japanese version.

[A Sled in Flames]

I just received it. First impressions- It doesn't look like an upconvert. That said, overall picture doesn't look amazing. Detail is just all right; the image seems too bright (milky blacks) and there's a lot of dirt/film damage.

As per reports that the Japanese company releasing the RKO Collection BDs aren't working with Warner's, this doesn't look like the same transfer that was used for the DVD (and also for the Criterion LD?). I'm guessing that they had a 35mm print on hand and just gave it a quick/dirty HD scan.

I unfortunately won't get a chance to watch the whole thing until at earliest the weekend, but will report more then. Methinks I need to do a comparison with the WB transfer.

[atcolomb]

Lets hope Warner Bros. or Criterion will release it at some time in the future and I do hope Criterion will have the rights since they did a great job with the laserdisc release.

[edmoney]

I just received it. First impressions- It doesn't look like an upconvert. That said, overall picture doesn't look amazing. Detail is just all right; the image seems too bright (milky blacks) and there's a lot of dirt/film damage.

As per reports that the Japanese company releasing the RKO Collection BDs aren't working with Warner's, this doesn't look like the same transfer that was used for the DVD (and also for the Criterion LD?). I'm guessing that they had a 35mm print on hand and just gave it a quick/dirty HD scan.

I unfortunately won't get a chance to watch the whole thing until at earliest the weekend, but will report more then. Methinks I need to do a comparison with the WB transfer.

I'd love to hear more of your thoughts after you view the entire film. A comparison with the WB transfer would be great. Thanks very much.

[atcolomb]

Here is a link to a review by DVD BEAVER and it does look overly bright.
http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film5/blu-ray_ ... lu-ray.htm

[edmoney]

While the reviewer does mention some positives about this release, overall, it sounds like a disappointment. I'm curious why he made the following statement in his review:

"Actually, we should note that the film will never look pristine, glossy or have significant depth - even if Warner does a UHD 4K transfer - of which, we can dream."

Anyone know what he might mean by that? Is that because of the way the film was shot or because of the condition of the film elements? I thought I read awhile back that the negatives for Ambersons were known to still exist (something that can't even be said for Citizen Kane).

[atcolomb]

I did read a post made by historian and preservationist Robert A Harris on the Home Theater Forum that he did look at the original negative to Ambersons and found it in great shape and needs no restoration so i have high hopes that when Warners does release a blu-ray it will look better then what's out there now.

[Wich2]

Well, this one is disappointing.

But the Harris quote leaves hope.

-Craig

[Dan]

I don't know what WB is waiting for when it comes to a proper US Blu-ray release of Ambersons. It's Welles but there is a limited market for 74 year old classic films. So WB should release it sooner than later. I'm sure they have the technology to bring the elements they have up to HD standards. Could Ambersons be tied up in some legal mess with Welles' daughter??

[atcolomb]

I did notice that the UK Blu-ray release of the 75th anniversary Citizen Kane not have the 2 bonus discs but not The Magnificent Ambersons as was the option to buy as a Amazon exclusive here in the states. Some good news is that Warner Bros which currently owns the RKO films is releasing some films thru Criterion and I am hoping since Criterion did release Ambersons on laserdisc with a great commentary years ago can get the rights to release it on Blu-ray if Warners don't want to.