Touch of Evil on Blu-ray

[LostOverThere]

Does anyone know the specifics of why a full screen transfer of the preview version couldn't be included? I'm vaguely curious since the old laserdiscs and VHSes showed that this version was definitely available in full screen. Is it possible that the master print for the preview version got damaged, or was it a cost issue?

I'm going to guess it was a disc space issue. The Blu-Ray comes with two dual-layer blu-rays with both disc being pretty much maxed out (meaning the BD package contains nearly 100GB of Touch of Evil goodness!). I presume Masters of Cinema decided that they'd rather include higher quality transfers, than include the full screen preview version while sacrificing image quality.

Just a guess.

[Roger Ryan]

According to Nick Wrigley, the Masters of Cinema producer who oversaw the TOUCH OF EVIL Blu-ray release:

"Unfortunately, due to insurmountable technical problems with the 1.37:1 master of the Preview version, we will only be including the 1.85:1 ratio of the Preview version."

Apparently, the full-frame Preview version master was not looking acceptable in HD.

[A Sled in Flames]

"Unfortunately, due to insurmountable technical problems with the 1.37:1 master of the Preview version, we will only be including the 1.85:1 ratio of the Preview version."

Interesting info, Roger. I wonder what those "technical problems" could exactly be, and if they will prevent any further high quality release of the full screen preview version.

It's disappointing that people still need to hold on to their old LD for open matte. It's curious that the matted version is fine. I can't imagine what sort of issue only damages the top or bottom of film like that.

[Roger Ryan]

I feel certain the technical problems weren't related to the top and/or bottom of the open matte version being damaged; more likely, the entire master for the open matte version was insufficient. There were probably two complete transfers done on the "Preview" version - one for the 1.85:1 (perhaps hard-matted?) and one for the 1.37:1. For some reason, the latter wasn't acceptable. Masters of Cinema was probably dependent on masters being provided by Universal. We know that Universal did HD scans of the 1.85:1 versions for their own DVD release, but the open matte scans may have been done at Masters of Cinema's request. If the "Preview" version looked bad, there may have been little recourse (time, money) to have Universal do another scan.

[harrylime2012]

so is there an american region a version of youch of evil of any sort on blu ray?

[ToddBaesen]

No there isn't.

And isn't that ridiculous.

I don't know who to knock first, Warner Bros. for their stupid and quite idiotic release of AMBERSONS on DVD, or Universal for not releasing TOUCH OF EVIL on Blu Ray when they are celebrating their 100 anniversary!

Both companies are quite stupid when it comes to the films of Orson Welles, but WB takes the upper hand for having more Welles material, so they are the Winner!

[A Sled in Flames]

...Universal for not releasing TOUCH OF EVIL on Blu Ray when they are celebrating their 100 anniversary!

It's mad to me that Universal isn't bothering to release Touch of Evil for their 100th Anniversary, especially since Eureka showcased what fantastically good HD elements exist. I paid a visit to Universal Studios recently, and there were images of Touch of Evil proudly displayed. Some even purported that Orson Welles was one of the greatest villains of all time in this movie. Yet, it's been completely ignored for release on this anniversary. One wonders why Universal also doesn't release other Master of Cinema titles, such as The Lost Weekend and Double Indemnity.

[LostOverThere]

...Universal for not releasing TOUCH OF EVIL on Blu Ray when they are celebrating their 100 anniversary!

It's mad to me that Universal isn't bothering to release Touch of Evil for their 100th Anniversary, especially since Eureka showcased what fantastically good HD elements exist. I paid a visit to Universal Studios recently, and there were images of Touch of Evil proudly displayed. Some even purported that Orson Welles was one of the greatest villains of all time in this movie. Yet, it's been completely ignored for release on this anniversary. One wonders why Universal also doesn't release other Master of Cinema titles, such as The Lost Weekend and Double Indemnity.

Universal are bizarre with their Blu-Ray releases. Even some of their most popular and well known titles are still yet to see BD releases (Schindler's List, anyone?). Still, the fact that Masters of Cinema managed to license Touch of Evil (and Double Indemnity and The Lost Weekend) perhaps implies that Universal have no interest in doing their own BD releases.

In any case, with companies like Criterion and Masters of Cinema region locking their releases out of licensing issues, perhaps the best idea would simply to invest in a region free blu-ray player.

[Roger Ryan]

Looks like Universal is prepping a new restoration of TOUCH OF EVIL for an eventual Region 1 Blu-ray release. This quote can be found at the end of a new TIME Q & A with Michael Daruty, the head of Universal’s Technical Operations division...

We have a commitment to restore 3 to 5 new prints a year. Right now, we’re working on (A)Touch of Evil, High Plains Drifter, Double Indemnity — and we’ll probably add another title or two at the end of the year.

Great to see TOUCH OF EVIL mentioned first, but also good to hear that DOUBLE INDEMNITY is being restored as well.

Full article here:
http://entertainment.time.com/2013/03/0 ... z2MyddpRpw

[Jarpie]

Universal is one of the worst publishers when it comes to blu-rays, a lot of their blurays has been ruined either by using vastly outdated masters or then rubbing the film with DNR so when Universal eventually releases Touch of Evil, expect it to be utter gash. I'd be very surprised if they doesn't screw it up somehow.

[A Sled in Flames]

Though I just got Region Free for BD, I've recently acquired Universal's Region Free French edition of Touch of Evil. I'd definitely recommend it to anyone who has yet to own the MOC edition. It has all the special features from the Universal DVD box, though unfortunately some PAL formatted. Video-wise, the disc looks good, no grain reduction. Bitrate is good for both video and audio.

Comparing it with a rip of the UK BD (which I only got for comparison purposes though seriously ), it seems to be the same transfer. Unfortunately, there are only the 3 widescreen versions: restored (on the first disc with the special features) and theatrical and preview (on the second disc). No full screen versions like in the MOC disc. Honestly, looking at the time it was made (1958), it makes perfect sense that it was meant for widescreen, or at very least, screened theatrically in widescreen. I don't think mainstream theatres were still running full screen.

In any case, it's a good buy and much more price efficient than the UK BD. Another drawback aside from the PAL SD content is that the menus are not English-friendly (French and Dutch instead). There's also a burned-in (not forced) digital subtitle "La Soif Du Mal," the French title, underneath the English title during the credits in the theatrical version. Finally, the cover's just terrible. Absolutely no idea what they were thinking.

[Roger Ryan]

I wouldn't write off Universal's Blu-ray catalog completely. It's true that a number of their releases have looked bad (THE BIG LEBOWSKI, select Hitchcock films), but there are quite a few that look fantastic, including all of the ESSENTIAL MONSTERS set and PSYCHO (a near-contemporary of TOUCH OF EVIL). Right now, Studio Canal has a worse record for releasing poor quality Blu-rays. I hold out hope that Universal will do a respectable job on their TOUCH OF EVIL restoration.

[A Sled in Flames]

Just saying, of all the three versions on BD, video quality is best to worst as follows:
1) Theatrical
2) Preview
3) Restored
The titles are also picture-boxed on the Theatrical and Preview unfortunately.

[Roger Ryan]

Hmm, that's interesting. I hadn't realized that the quality varied on the MOC set between the different versions (I don't own it). Again, I'm hoping the new restoration will be one of Universal's more successful ones.

[Wellesnet]

http://www.wellesnet.com/?p=5639