- Joined
- Feb 8, 1999
- Messages
- 18,563
- Real Name
- Robert Harris
Apparently shot before American Graffiti, Willard Huyck's Messiah of Evil has tendrils to another film currently being discussed.
Written by Mr. Huyck and his wife, Gloria Katz, it was shot in Techniscope. The Huycks were also co-writers with George Lucas on American Graffiti.
Apparently, the OCN is missing. An IP may never have been produced. Certainly not masters. The transfer was derived from a 35mm Eastman Color print protected by The AMPAS Archive.
I'm told that the print was "moderately"faded, but color correction has brought the film back remarkably well. Can you detect the fade? Certainly. But it never gets in the way of enjoying the film.
One of the interesting attributes of Techniscope is the obvious graininess when not presented via Technicolor dye transfer prints.
The problem with 2-perf was that converting it from 35/2 to 35/4 anamorphic required an optical blow-up, and any optical blow-up slightly increases appararent grain, and adds a bit of contrast. This is a major reason why many films shot open-matte were left that way for projection - avoiding the optical step of adding a burned-in aperture.
Although mag tracks survive for the film, the optical was apparently considered good enough for the purposes of home video, and that's fine. This isn't asset protection.
As to the film, it's very low budget, with an artistic bent, trending toward a bit of giallo in style. Over the decades, possibly because of non-availability, or just fans remembering it, Messiah of Evil has been in demand, and Radiance, an English distributor has taken on the task of bringing it back from obscurity via a very high-end, quality 4k scan, and put in the requisite hours to bring back the color.
This is to be commended.
For those who may make comments about swarms of mosquitoes, be aware that grain is obvious, possibly more so because of the lifted blue dye layer. But from that oft-mentioned nominal seating distance is never a problem.
This is textbook non-dye transfer Techniscope and serves as a good reference to the tech being used in that manner.
There's a bit of instability in the image, which may go back to whatever lab created the blow-up, and by that I mean it may be baked in.
Radiance has released the film with extras befitting it's fanbase, and that should shine a light upon the company for raising the bar.
There's an included 24 page monograph, interviews, commentaries, and a superb piece by Kat Ellinger. While I reviewed the basic Blu-ray release, there is also a special boxed set, with an 80 page booklet and a hard case. The standard issue Blu is limited to 2,000 units, while the SE is 3,000.
Give this 90 days, and it will become eBay fodder.
For Those unaware of the film, this release allows the perfect opportunity to finally see the film. For fans, unless the OCN is eventually located, this is the best that will be available.
Fans of Elisha Cook, Jr. will find him in one of his typical roles. He's perfect. Got to spend some time with him in 1981. A very interesting gentleman, filled with wonderful tales - and a dislike for Bogart.
Also found in the film is the wonderful Joy Bang, a consummate hippy-type / groupie actor in the late '60s to mid-'70s. You'll find her is Cisco Pike, Play it Again, Sam, Pretty Maids All in a Row, and Red Sky at Morning. I always looked forward to finding her in a film.
Image – 7
Audio – 8.5
Pass / Fail – Pass
Plays nicely with projectors - Yes
Worth your attention - 6
Upgrade from DVD - Absolutely!
Upgrade from earlier Blu-ray - Sorry, I've not seen it.
Slipcover rating - n/a
Recommended
RAH
Written by Mr. Huyck and his wife, Gloria Katz, it was shot in Techniscope. The Huycks were also co-writers with George Lucas on American Graffiti.
Apparently, the OCN is missing. An IP may never have been produced. Certainly not masters. The transfer was derived from a 35mm Eastman Color print protected by The AMPAS Archive.
I'm told that the print was "moderately"faded, but color correction has brought the film back remarkably well. Can you detect the fade? Certainly. But it never gets in the way of enjoying the film.
One of the interesting attributes of Techniscope is the obvious graininess when not presented via Technicolor dye transfer prints.
The problem with 2-perf was that converting it from 35/2 to 35/4 anamorphic required an optical blow-up, and any optical blow-up slightly increases appararent grain, and adds a bit of contrast. This is a major reason why many films shot open-matte were left that way for projection - avoiding the optical step of adding a burned-in aperture.
Although mag tracks survive for the film, the optical was apparently considered good enough for the purposes of home video, and that's fine. This isn't asset protection.
As to the film, it's very low budget, with an artistic bent, trending toward a bit of giallo in style. Over the decades, possibly because of non-availability, or just fans remembering it, Messiah of Evil has been in demand, and Radiance, an English distributor has taken on the task of bringing it back from obscurity via a very high-end, quality 4k scan, and put in the requisite hours to bring back the color.
This is to be commended.
For those who may make comments about swarms of mosquitoes, be aware that grain is obvious, possibly more so because of the lifted blue dye layer. But from that oft-mentioned nominal seating distance is never a problem.
This is textbook non-dye transfer Techniscope and serves as a good reference to the tech being used in that manner.
There's a bit of instability in the image, which may go back to whatever lab created the blow-up, and by that I mean it may be baked in.
Radiance has released the film with extras befitting it's fanbase, and that should shine a light upon the company for raising the bar.
There's an included 24 page monograph, interviews, commentaries, and a superb piece by Kat Ellinger. While I reviewed the basic Blu-ray release, there is also a special boxed set, with an 80 page booklet and a hard case. The standard issue Blu is limited to 2,000 units, while the SE is 3,000.
Give this 90 days, and it will become eBay fodder.
For Those unaware of the film, this release allows the perfect opportunity to finally see the film. For fans, unless the OCN is eventually located, this is the best that will be available.
Fans of Elisha Cook, Jr. will find him in one of his typical roles. He's perfect. Got to spend some time with him in 1981. A very interesting gentleman, filled with wonderful tales - and a dislike for Bogart.
Also found in the film is the wonderful Joy Bang, a consummate hippy-type / groupie actor in the late '60s to mid-'70s. You'll find her is Cisco Pike, Play it Again, Sam, Pretty Maids All in a Row, and Red Sky at Morning. I always looked forward to finding her in a film.
Image – 7
Audio – 8.5
Pass / Fail – Pass
Plays nicely with projectors - Yes
Worth your attention - 6
Upgrade from DVD - Absolutely!
Upgrade from earlier Blu-ray - Sorry, I've not seen it.
Slipcover rating - n/a
Recommended
RAH