- Joined
- Feb 8, 1999
- Messages
- 18,428
- Real Name
- Robert Harris
I try hard not to be misunderstood.
Regardless of what you may hear from Mr. Douglas, I am not against motherhood, women having the vote, the right of a free man to wear chin whiskers - nor am I against grain manipulation in flickers, especially as an actual need arises.
Warner Archive is releasing a quite extraordinary film, which like several its brethren from RKO, has a problematic physical history.
Abe Lincoln in Illinois, directed by John Cromwell, and released in 1940, is a magnificent, huge production with a budget commensurate with the subject matter.
The original elements have been over-loved over the decades.
The original camera negative is long gone. A slightly battered nitrate fine grain has survived, albeit missing several shots, along with the corresponding track. All safety elements are based upon that same damaged fine grain, with all problems baked in.
Which means that this release is a true rara avis. An actual restoration, which I applaud.
It possesses a wonderful cast, led by Raymond Massey as Mr. Lincoln - an odd choice to play a great American, as he was born and bred as one of our neighbors from the north.
You'll find Gene Lockhart as Stephen Douglas, a younger Ruth Gordon as Mary Todd than most are used to seeing - she began in film in 1915, and a youngish Howard Da Silva, who appeared later in another political endeavor mit music.
The film was shot by James Wong Howe, who knew his way around a camera, as he began in 1919.
It's based upon the Pulitzer Prize winning play of the same name by Robert Sherwood, and starred Mr. Massey, and featured Mr. Da Silva, both reprising their roles in the film.
I'm thrilled to finally have this on Blu-ray, as I've never seen it look any better than decent in any form.
The downsides to what I'm seeing on the new Blu-ray are extremely minimal but must (in all propriety) be mentioned.
Presumably because of the overall condition of the nitrate master, the film seems to be missing its original grain, and while generally things look fine unless one prays at the shrine of original grain structure, I did make note of at least one occurrence of magnetic grain, which again is extremely minor, and will probably go unnoticed.
Because of missing footage, a few shots are replaced by 16mm, as is the track, and you'll find a couple of very minor jump cuts. These shots have been missing for decades and are a welcome addition in any gauge. We're talking about probably less than 30 seconds, and most viewers won't make note of it.
The final look and feel of the film is gorgeous.
It possesses full rich shadow detail, beautiful blacks, and absolute stability. It's also perfectly clean.
Lastly, and before anyone asks, I prefer this film to Mr. Ford's. Very different performance.
Image - 4.25
Audio - 5
Pass / Fail - Pass
Plays nicely with projectors - Yes
Upgrade from DVD - Absolutely!
Very Highly Recommended
RAH
Regardless of what you may hear from Mr. Douglas, I am not against motherhood, women having the vote, the right of a free man to wear chin whiskers - nor am I against grain manipulation in flickers, especially as an actual need arises.
Warner Archive is releasing a quite extraordinary film, which like several its brethren from RKO, has a problematic physical history.
Abe Lincoln in Illinois, directed by John Cromwell, and released in 1940, is a magnificent, huge production with a budget commensurate with the subject matter.
The original elements have been over-loved over the decades.
The original camera negative is long gone. A slightly battered nitrate fine grain has survived, albeit missing several shots, along with the corresponding track. All safety elements are based upon that same damaged fine grain, with all problems baked in.
Which means that this release is a true rara avis. An actual restoration, which I applaud.
It possesses a wonderful cast, led by Raymond Massey as Mr. Lincoln - an odd choice to play a great American, as he was born and bred as one of our neighbors from the north.
You'll find Gene Lockhart as Stephen Douglas, a younger Ruth Gordon as Mary Todd than most are used to seeing - she began in film in 1915, and a youngish Howard Da Silva, who appeared later in another political endeavor mit music.
The film was shot by James Wong Howe, who knew his way around a camera, as he began in 1919.
It's based upon the Pulitzer Prize winning play of the same name by Robert Sherwood, and starred Mr. Massey, and featured Mr. Da Silva, both reprising their roles in the film.
I'm thrilled to finally have this on Blu-ray, as I've never seen it look any better than decent in any form.
The downsides to what I'm seeing on the new Blu-ray are extremely minimal but must (in all propriety) be mentioned.
Presumably because of the overall condition of the nitrate master, the film seems to be missing its original grain, and while generally things look fine unless one prays at the shrine of original grain structure, I did make note of at least one occurrence of magnetic grain, which again is extremely minor, and will probably go unnoticed.
Because of missing footage, a few shots are replaced by 16mm, as is the track, and you'll find a couple of very minor jump cuts. These shots have been missing for decades and are a welcome addition in any gauge. We're talking about probably less than 30 seconds, and most viewers won't make note of it.
The final look and feel of the film is gorgeous.
It possesses full rich shadow detail, beautiful blacks, and absolute stability. It's also perfectly clean.
Lastly, and before anyone asks, I prefer this film to Mr. Ford's. Very different performance.
Image - 4.25
Audio - 5
Pass / Fail - Pass
Plays nicely with projectors - Yes
Upgrade from DVD - Absolutely!
Very Highly Recommended
RAH
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