Biblical-Roman-Egyptian epics not yet on Blu-ray (2 Viewers)

[Douglas R]

My Warner Archive disc is in stereo

Right. The box says mono.

 

[JPCinema]

Luckily the box is wrong. I just played the title sequence and its fantastic for an old DVD.

 

[Ed Lachmann]

I agree about Glenn Ford being wrong for the part. A few years later, Alain Delon would have been perfect. I like the film too apart from those symbolic statues toppling which, in my opinion, are just ridiculous and are the reason the film is not highly regarded.

Great call, Alan Delon would have been a wonderful choice. About as close as one could get to that Valentino charisma,

 

[Beckford]

Agree about Alain Delon. I also think he'd have been an ideal choice to replace Warren Beatty in the 1961 film of Tennessee Williams' "The Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone". Vivien Leigh and Lotte Lenya were both on fire in that picture, with Beatty's clumsily accented contribution providing the film's only false note. If they couldn't get Delon, then Giuliano Gemma, also newly on the scene at the time would probably have been very good too. Young Mr. Beatty had movie star looks, of course. But in every other way he was a bad fit for the role.

 

[RolandL]

I'll be setting my DVR for Atlas! Got an email that my Barabbas just arrived from Australia. Probably will have it in a day or so.

Watching Atlas that was just on TCM. Opening titles are letterboxed within 1.33. Then cropped to 1.33 full screen. Must have come from an old DVD.

 

[Jobla]

It looks like the same print of ATLAS that Tubi has, nothing worth preserving. I wish that somebody would find a widescreen print, as impoverished as the film is.

 

[JSLasher]

This film was notable for the mostly electronic music score composed by Mario Nascimbene. It would be great to see it released in the original Technirama format. Superb cast, not to mention the total eclipse of the sun as it was actually filmed.

 

[OliverK]

This film was notable for the mostly electronic music score composed by Mario Nascimbene. It would be great to see it released in the original Technirama format. Superb cast, not to mention the total eclipse of the sun as it was actually filmed.

You had me there for a bit as I thought your post was about Atlas but of course it was about Barabbas

Atlas is a pass for me unless there is a decent Blu-ray release - it will have to look better than the current Blu-rays of Barabbas!

 

[Ed Lachmann]

Just thought there might be some who would be interested to know that an Italian blu-ray of The Egyptian (Sinuhe L’Egiziano) for 13.19 euro is available over at Amazon.it. It’s evidently a 2.35:1 disc and is well reviewed by Italian purchasers. Usually Italy does not produce forced sub BDs, so I’m ever hopeful. Probably the same transfer as the TT disc. Will write once mine arrives. There’s also an widescreen Esther and the King (Ester E Il Re) DVD, also 2.35:1. for only 7 euro. I have this and it looks really fine.

 

[Jobla]

Just thought there might be some who would be interested to know that an Italian blu-ray of The Egyptian (Sinuhe L’Egiziano) for 13.19 euro is available over at Amazon.it. It’s evidently a 2.35:1 disc and is well reviewed by Italian purchasers. Usually Italy does not produce forced sub BDs, so I’m ever hopeful. Probably the same transfer as the TT disc. Will write once mine arrives. There’s also an widescreen Esther and the King (Ester E Il Re) DVD, also 2.35:1. for only 7 euro. I have this and it looks really fine.

I bought a widescreen copy of ESTHER AND THE KING from Spain, which may well have been a bootleg. At the time, the German DVD of ESTHER was going for more than a hundred bucks, so I guess I went the cheap route. I might consider the Italian DVD, which I assume is legit.

 

[Ed Lachmann]

I bought a widescreen copy of ESTHER AND THE KING from Spain, which may well have been a bootleg. At the time, the German DVD of ESTHER was going for more than a hundred bucks, so I guess I went the cheap route. I might consider the Italian DVD, which I assume is legit.

The odd thing about Esther, is that Fox seems only to have the 4:3 version. The film is also owned by Galatea/Titanus who also own Sodom and Gomorrah. Not sure where that leaves the rights issue.

 

[Jobla]

I went to the Amazon.It site, but most copies of ESTHER there are in the 1:33-1 aspect ratio. I think they also have a copy of the Spanish boot that I purchased which is in CinemaScope. That version was probably "borrowed" from the OOP German DVD, which was the first home video release in widescreen.

 

[Indy Guy]

Anyone know if this UK March 25 release of "The Greatest Story Ever Told" media book is an upgrade or just a repress of the subpar earlier BR?

 

[Douglas R]

Anyone know if this UK March 25 release of "The Greatest Story Ever Told" media book is an upgrade or just a repress of the subpar earlier BR? View attachment 215200

That appears to be exactly the same as the German Capelight version (see thread "The Greatest Story Ever Told renovation" above) but distributed by Altitude Films, who seem to specialise in arthouse films. It has a UK PG classification (originally a 'U' when first released) and is also available from other retailers like HMV, so it isn't just an import but is produced for the UK. The bonus Blu-ray contains: "He Walks in Beauty" Documentary, "Filmmaker" Documentary, Director's Commentary, Alternative Scene: "Judas Dies", Original Theatrical Trailer. What could the "Director's Commentary" be? George Stevens never did one did he?

 

[Konstantinos]

So pity that the studios haven't any biblical film on schedule for this Easter.
We have mentioned them several times but I'd love The Prodigal, The Story of Ruth, Barabbas (new 4k scan), Esther and the King.

 

[Jobla]

I have to assume that GREATEST STORY is NOT a restoration of the original uncut theatrical release version, although I'd love to be proved wrong.

 

[OliverK]

I have to assume that GREATEST STORY is NOT a restoration of the original uncut theatrical release version, although I'd love to be proved wrong.

Comes from the same old master as previous releases. They have a movie only disc which will help with the bitrate and all the - extensive - extras are on a second blu-ray, including an extra scene.

 

[skylark68]

Love all those films. A pity the studios don’t realize there is still a dedicated audience for these movies. Heck I wasn’t even born until well after these were made but they are my among my favorite genre.

 

[Capt D McMars]

Love all those films. A pity the studios don’t realize there is still a dedicated audience for these movies. Heck I wasn’t even born until well after these were made but they are my among my favorite genre.

I feel ya Tim, for some reason the studios seem to be the last to figure anything out as to what the audience wants. Considering that the two Steve Reeve classic Hercules films were 1958/1959 most of us were either babies or not even around yet, LOL!!!

 

[Jobla]

I was fortunate to see every 1960's Steve Reeves film first-run, other than THE AVENGER (which was incorrectlyl marketed as a reissue of THE TROJAN HORSE in my hometown).