A Few Words About A few words about...™ Lawrence of Arabia -- in Blu-ray (1 Viewer)

[David_B_K]

Almost makes a fella want to go out and buy...      and buy again...    No!  Someone stop me!

Well, at $35, I decided to take the plunge myself. I was content with the UK 2-disc edition, and don't really care for the "big boxes". However, at that price, I decided I needed the extra discs and all the other stuff. As to storing it, I think it will fit in with my remaining laserdiscs and LPs due to its shape. My frame is of Anthony Quinn as Auda (from the end of the film, I think):

My phone is reflected in the photo.

 

[PaulDA]

Finally got a chance to open my box last night (no time to watch the film, but I did spend time with the book--very nice). My frame is from the mirage scene (just a few frames past the image on p.25 in the book, second one up from the bottom right column--Ali has just dismounted the camel and is walking towards the body of the man he shot while Lawrence looks on). I hope to clear a day of my remaining vacation to spend some time on "the ocean in which no oar is dipped" very soon.

 

[JeremySt]

Finally opened mine. Here is my film frame.

 

I finally took a picture of my frame. Sorry it isn't the best picture, but it's the best I could do. I'm thrilled with the frame I received!

 

[PaulDA]

Just finished watching Lawrence in its entirety. Had been a long time since I'd done that (at least 9-10 years). I've shown clips in class on numerous occasions, but a full run-through was long enough ago that I didn't recall much of what happens after the intermission. Spectacular. Certainly won't wait that long again for a full viewing. Tonight, off to a screening of the restored Vertigo. Two classics on the same day. A rare treat.

 

[Stephen_J_H]

Watched it on Saturday. Beautiful. New things draw my attention every time I watch it. May have to watch it again.

 

[Jacksmyname]

Hi all. I'm late to the party, but I finally received my big box edition today. Watching it as I post this, so I figure it will take a few hours to complete this post. I know some aren't fans of the big box sets, but I am. Before today, I thought the Sound Of Music set was the nicest. It's been dropped to second place now. The simplicity of the LOA box itself is just beautifull. The book alone in this set is worth the price of admission. I'm only browsing through chapters right now, as I'd rather watch when it's dark, so tonight will be the full viewing. Nothing I can add to what's been said, much better, by others. To say it was worth the wait would be a dramatic understatement. When I bought the Laserdisc set of the restored version back in'89-'90, I felt I had finally seen LOA the way it should be seen. It was terific. It was also the first time I became aware of a gentleman by the name of Robert A. Harris. Whenever I watched that set, I silently to myself said, thank you Mr. Harris. God's honest truth. Now, with this new version on Blu Ray, I'd like to repeat that again here. Thank you Mr. Harris, and to all the folks who put their talents to work with this film.

 

[Robert Harris]

Hi all. I'm late to the party, but I finally received my big box edition today. Watching it as I post this, so I figure it will take a few hours to complete this post. I know some aren't fans of the big box sets, but I am. Before today, I thought the Sound Of Music set was the nicest. It's been dropped to second place now. The simplicity of the LOA box itself is just beautifull. The book alone in this set is worth the price of admission. I'm only browsing through chapters right now, as I'd rather watch when it's dark, so tonight will be the full viewing. Nothing I can add to what's been said, much better, by others. To say it was worth the wait would be a dramatic understatement. When I bought the Laserdisc set of the restored version back in'89-'90, I felt I had finally seen LOA the way it should be seen. It was terific. It was also the first time I became aware of a gentleman by the name of Robert A. Harris. Whenever I watched that set, I silently to myself said, thank you Mr. Harris. God's honest truth. Now, with this new version on Blu Ray, I'd like to repeat that again here. Thank you Mr. Harris, and to all the folks who put their talents to work with this film.

Jack, Very pleased that you're appreciative of what's been done. Kind words are always appreciated, and are being passed along to Mr. Crisp and his crew, without whom this Blu-ray would not exist. RAH

 

Please pass along my gratitude as well. Mr. Crisp is on the short list of people I admire in this profession, along with yourself.

 

[Jacksmyname]

Jack, Very pleased that you're appreciative of what's been done. Kind words are always appreciated, and are being passed along to Mr. Crisp and his crew, without whom this Blu-ray would not exist. RAH

Thanks Mr. Harris. LOA has been one of my top favorites since I first saw it as a teenager back in the 60's. Watching it on TV over the years has been enjoyable I guess, but seeing it all but destroyed so it could fit a timeslot was truly a shame. Fortunately, your work,, and Mr. Crisp's work, and all the other craftspeople who worked on this, have saved what is, IMHO, a masterpiece.

 

[RolandL]

I'm guessing that when this was released it did not have directional dialog? The reviews of the blu-ray say it's always in the center channel.

 

[DP 70]

I know the 70mm prints of Bridge on the River Kwai and Nicholas and Alexandra were both Mono and they were Columbia films, so perhaps Columbia did not do many complete 6 Track Stereo Magnetic releases.

 

[Paul Rossen]

I know the 70mm prints of Bridge on the River Kwai and Nicholas and Alexandra were both Mono and they were Columbia films, so perhaps Columbia did not do many complete 6 Track Stereo Magnetic releases.

I believe that Bridge was originally stereo when released.

 

[DP 70]

My Brother worked at Columbia cinema in London,, and screened this and remembers it being in mono, and also the front titles being cropped on the 70mm print due to the blow up from 35mm, maybe there were different prints.

 

[Robert Harris]

Originally Posted by Paul Rossen
I believe that Bridge was originally stereo when released.

Never stereo. Mono stems.

 

[Moe Dickstein]

What was the benefit of a 70mm blowup without the stereo sound? Was it just a marketing thing?

 

[Robert Harris]

Originally Posted by Moe Dickstein
What was the benefit of a 70mm blowup without the stereo sound?
Was it just a marketing thing?

The ability to project a larger, brighter, more stable image, as well as higher frequency magnetic audio.
RAH

 

[john a hunter]

Never stereo.  Mono stems.

Given that Kwai was quite clearly shot with 2.55 in mind, were no mag prints ever used that would use that format? I cannot recall whether the reissue I saw at the haymarket Odeon in London about 1964 was in stereo save for recalling quite clearly the jungle sounds that came from the effects/surround channels during the intermission. Would this not have come from a mag print? I regret now walking out of the 70mm reissue at the Casino Cinerama after the first few minutes. At least I would have noticed then whether it was in stereo or not!

 

[john a hunter]

I know the 70mm prints of Bridge on the River Kwai and Nicholas and Alexandra were both Mono and they were Columbia films, so perhaps Columbia did not do many complete 6 Track Stereo Magnetic releases.

A friend who worked for Columbia at the time of a very fancy Sydney premiere for Nick and Alex is adamant it was in stereo.

 

[DP 70]

I spoke again with my brother re the 70mm print of Bridge he screened and he remembers it being 5 channel Mono and you could here some optical popping on the mag track .Also he remembers the front titles were squezzed to fit the 70mm frame. He also showed a 70mm print of Airport 75 at the Plaza which cropped the titles so they did not release it over here in 70mm. John, how long did Bridge play at the Casino.