Back To The Future W/S Framing Issues Here- (1 Viewer)

[Mike_Richardson]

I did an A/B comparison of the BTTF I DVD (Region 1) and the Widescreen LD I had and, at least for the first 15 mins., they're identical to one another. In fact, other than the colors being superior on the DVD, there's no difference whatsoever between the two transfers.

Havent checked II or III yet...

 

[David Lambert]

James, have you thought of the idea that perhaps it wasn't the not-yet-released R1 version that brought it to the attention of the powers-that-be, but rather the months of complaints from the other regions? Maybe, after a quarter of this issue fighting its way up the chain-of-command, it finally got to where it needs to be?

 

[James Reader]

David I don't really want to continue on this topic because I can see I seem to be making myself unpopular, so this will be my last post on the matter on either this or Ron's BTTF Trilogy review thread:

James, have you thought of the idea that perhaps it wasn't the not-yet-released R1 version that brought it to the attention of the powers-that-be

This may be possible, but the timing does seem to be a coincidence don't you think?
The fact that I'm becoming jaded with my own region releases isn't down to release windows or disc content, but general customer service.
Living as I do in England, I know first hand that - to put it bluntly - 9 out of 10 companies in the UK (at least) couldn't care less about faulty or defective products as long as they have got their money, and the same seems to be true of Australia. I'm still amazed that companies such as Disney in America will actually call you back if they are unable to answer any questions immediately on the phone, while the UK branch has failed to reply to my e-mails or snail mails regarding a widescreen Sleeping Beauty release. If they expect my support buying the products, then I expect them to support me.
For all my complaints I feel I must say something positive, so let me say that both Fox and Columbia are putting out fantastic UK DVDs and have tremendous customer support.

 

[Robert Crawford]

James,
Unpopularity has little to do with it because this is simply a difference of opinion in which others might challenge your assertion as I've done.
Crawdaddy

 

[Joshua Clinard]

I agree with Robert. What about all the R2 - R4 DVD's that are released in OAR, while the R1 version of the same films are in P&S!!

Back on topic. There has been no confirmation that there is anything wrong with the transfer. I have compared the shots, and everything seems to be perfect. We do have a rumor that someone overheard Mr. Gale say that there would be re-call, but it's just that, a RUMOR!

 

[Michael Reuben]

It appears to me that new prints were made from the original Super35 negatives (a good thing)

None of the BTTF films were shot in Super35. All of them were shot flat for 1.85:1 projection, with effects hard-matted to 1.85:1.

M.

 

[Joe6pack99]

Ok bottom line guys....is this transfer utterly screwed? Tuesday is almost here and the question is do we buy this?

 

[MarcinL]

Yes we do

There is only 2 scenes I REPEAT 2 scenes that are framed wrong vs. the LD and proper aspect. just 2 scenes, and the word from around is that UNIVERSAL, will not do recall or replacement or nothing, BOTTOM LINE, its 2 scenes, most people wont catch it, those that do some wont care, and most never had LD or watched it widescreen and wont know, and some will buy PAN and SCAM so, UNIVERSAL will not waste money redoing 2 freaking scenes, stop moping about them and enjoy the movies, and if you want to boycott, than go ahead but youll be alone, cause im getting my copy tuesday.

 

[Damin J Toell]

and if you want to boycott, than go ahead but youll be alone, cause im getting my copy tuesday.

If I'm not in your company, I'm alone...?

DJ

 

[Vince Maskeeper]

Everything you've said here is false.

I have spoken with several people who have made the comparison and it's a LARGE PORTION OF THE FILM that is misframed. The theory is that only the hard matted effects shots were correct and the rest had centered mattes when they needed to be in other areas--- so only shot with VFX would be correct. This means hundred of shots, not two. The problem does not seem to happen for Part 1, but is glaringly obvious in Parts 2 and 3.

I'm not sure where you get your "word from around"-- but I would assume if it can be confirmed that the transfers are incorrect (and a word from a producer would be a good indicator) that Universal will do the right thing and offer a replacement version. I guess time will tell what the truth is here and what Universals reaction will be- but if I were a gambling man, I'd place my money on you being wrong.

-Vince

 

[Nate Anderson]

And I'm placing my money on you being right, Vince, since I will probably be getting the current versions for Christmas and the opportunity to get replacements of the corrected versions would be very appreciated by me.

 

[NickFoley]

I guess I'll pass on this version, and wait to see what Universal does about the screwed up framing.

 

[TonyD]

i will buy this now and have ($28 thanks amazon.ca)
because i may not be able to buy it this cheaply if it is re-issued.
and it probably won't be re-issued but will have a "mail us your bad copies and we'll mail you the fixed copies"

and eventually the corrected versions will be in the stores but will it be discounted? i doubt it.

it will be regular price about $40.

 

[Mike_Richardson]

I have the MCA Letterboxed laserdiscs and the new DVD box-set, and did a quick comparison between them all this morning (for the first 10 mins. or so of each film):
1. BTTF II & III are *BOTH* cropped at the top of the frame and a little on the sides. It's as if the entire frame has been blown-up for DVD. The framing on the LDs seems much better balanced to me, IMHO.
2. This does NOT apply to the original BTTF...it looks IDENTICALLY framed to the laserdisc on all sides.
What gives??

 

[Justin Lane]

Is the LD actually faithful to the original theatrical release? It is obvious that the DVD is different from the LD is some scenes, but assuming the DVD is incorrect is only valid if the LD was 100% correct itself. Who here has compared the LD to the theatrical print? Until I see such a comparison, it is really hard to pass judgement as to which transfer is the best.

J

 

[Vince Maskeeper]

Uh, isn't that the definition of "re-issued"?

-Vince

 

[TonyD]

true i didnt word what i meant to say very well but i hope the giste of what i wanted to say came htrough. :b

 

[John H Ross]

get it right the first time.

What's that in your signature? "Get it right the first time"? Oh the irony!

See now this is why I couldn't care less about HD-DVD at this point. The studios can't even get their movies out on DVD properly!

This BTTF fiasco is absolutely infuriating. Yet strangely typical. Why do we continue to throw our hard-earned cash away on this garbage? :-(

John

 

[David Lambert]

Is the LD actually faithful to the original theatrical release?

I think what people are trying to say is that we can assume that the LD is more faithful to the theatrical print than the DVD, based on the idea that jokes seen in the theatrical print like II's "self-adjusting clothes" and III's "cowboy outfit with sneakers" were visible in the LD but not in the DVD.

I haven't seen the LD or - yet - the DVDs, but I tend to agree with that logic.

 

[Aaron Cohen]

I want a statement from Mr. Gale and Universal.....anything at all. This makes me sick, I will be buying this dvd set on Tuesday, I've waited too long for it and we already invited people over to watch the trilogy Tuesday night....but I will be very sour about my purchase now knowing about all of these framing issues... I'm almost afraid that this will make some of the die-hard BTTF fans that I'm inviting over hate widescreen....the shot of Marty's tennis shoes in BTTF Part 3 is one of their favorites and they will catch on to that being gone immediately and say something akin to "see, widescreen does cut off a lot of the movie!". And I won't have any snappy rebuttal to give them because Universal obviously couldn't get their damn act together and botched what should be one of the greatest dvd sets ever.

Geez, this is rubbish. With this case, with pan and scam we practically get more of what the director intended us to see than with OAR and that's just wrong...