Bronson's Epics "55 Days at Peking" & "Circus World" (1 Viewer)

[Eric Huffstutler]

The colors do look better so I will have to look at my copy to see how they compare. Could be the software used at dvdbeaver or how the capture was saved? Also remember the smaller the picture the better it looks. I can run my disc either as true widescreen or in normal mode and have a non-anamorphic effect with the widescreen shots centered on the screen. The smaller screen (normal mode) made the colors look more saturated as opposed to widescreen mode. At least that is how I remember it... will verify this evening

I also wonder if a different print could have been used? Ours was an Asian release where his is European. Or if Steve used color correcting on his pictures?

Also note that dvdbeaver reviewed a Japanese release and not a South Korean one (both used same cover art) - possibly different prints?


For those who are curious, here are the Korean version covers:


[url=https://static.hometheaterforum.com/imgrepo/5/5d/htf_imgcache_40058.jpeg][URL="https://static.hometheaterforum.com/imgrepo/5/5d/htf_imgcache_40058.jpeg"] [/url][/URL]

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Eric

 

[Steve Christou]

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The last image I borrowed from dvdbeaver. I did use some colour correcting on the screenshots, when needed I always try to adjust the colours to approximate the image I see on my tv screen. I have a folder on one of my drives with over a million screenshots taken from 300 films. And I've posted hundreds on this forum.

 

[Eric Huffstutler]

Well, I am home with a bittersweet development.

First, my copy of 55 Days had a glitch and the seller sent me a replacement. The original one has the cover I posted above and the picture looks exactly like your Dutch version. The replacement came and it has a different cover and looks like the dvdbeaver version... colors washed out, titles fuzzy and has compression noise issues. That in itself was frustrating but I went ballistic when I took my original better looking disc out and the hub started to shatter! I never had any disc shatter on me before. So now I have one that I want a good copy of that is falling apart and one that is whole but the transfer looks like crap.

But I did confirm they do look the same.. The one cover above has a 2003 copyright while the replacement with the poor transfer is from 2007.

Eric

 

[Steve Christou]

That is bad luck Eric. At least they're inexpensive dvds, well mine was anyway. I had a dvd sent to me last week with the case smashed and the sleeve ripped but luckily the dvd disc was intact and unscratched.

A major disappointment I have with many recent dvd releases of classic movies is the lack of even a single trailer. One trailer of the movie would have been nice but we get nothing, nada. I picked up the special edition of The Robe with some decent extras, the first thing I looked for was the trailer, where was it? I'm sure The Robe has a stupendous trailer but it wasn't on the SD release, maybe it's on the blu-ray?

[url=https://static.hometheaterforum.com/imgrepo/c/c6/htf_imgcache_40067.jpeg] [/url]

 

[Eric Huffstutler]

Steve, I hear you about those super deluxe sets that give you everything under the sun connected with the movie "except" the trailer for that particular one! I have older version discs with a trailer and a newer better edition without the trailer so you are stuck with two copies if you want it.

A up note... I heard from the seller and they answered almost immediately. They are doing something rare these days, bending over backwards to please a customer! Not only did they send me the replacement I received today without having to return the original but now refunded everything AND still looking for the 2003 version replacement to send me at no charge. You know I will be dealing with them again and they have hundreds of titles.

BTW, there are two different UPC codes between these versions. The one above with better picture has: 8809151401375

Avoid the 2007 version with 8809178622616

Saw this online and thought it would be of interest

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Eric

 

[RolandL]

They have two versions on eBay. One is the one pictured in post 21 above. Another says "ACADEMY AWARD WINNER BEST COLLECTION" at the top of the front of the box and is from Seoul, Korea, South. There are others, but are not region 0. Which one is better?

 

[RonDanto]

" KING OF KINGS " WAS ALWAYS MY FAVORITE AND AM GLAD IT DIDN'T GET CAUGHT UP IN THE CURRENT FIASCO LIKE THE OTHER BRONSTON FILMS.

 

[Douglas R]

Amen to that!

 

[juda]

haha same for me..i'm definitely picking this up regardless!

 

[sestamuch]

Absolutely agreed...

 

[ptb2007]

In the UK this coming Tuesday BBC2 is showing "The Magnificent Showman" which is another title for 'Circus World', unless there are two circus movies out there starring John Wayne with Rita Hayworth playing Claudia Cardinale's mother! Being on BBC2 I doubt it will be shown 2.35:1 but probably 1.85:1 as they have done on showings of FOTRE and El Cid. But who knows? We might be lucky.

 

[john a hunter]

Given the news in the press today about the dire financial state of Weinstein, it is not surprising that we have no 55 Days or Circus World. I also suspect that it is purely their present financial mess that is the cause not any "poor sales "of El Cid and Fall. Sure sales for those titles didn't go through the roof which is the only way that Weinstein could find the $$$ to release the follow uptitles now.Hopefully they may have to sell their rights to someone(Warners) who will give, at last, all these titles their just dues.

 

[Dick]

I also purchased the Korean CIRCUS WORLD disc, and find it to be borderline acceptable. It is reasonably sharp (with a fair amount of grain), but the color looks faded, and the sound is practically mono. Seeing as how this was once a 70mm fake-Cinerama release, you would think this would look better. In the absence of a restored domestic release, it'll do, but that's it.

 

[Winston T. Boogie]

I have an import dvd (Korean) of 55 Days at Peking from a company called Garry's Trading Company which looks pretty bad. So, I would recommend avoiding this version.

 

[mdnitoil]

At this point I might prefer them in Sony's hands, but I follow your meaning.

 

[ahollis]

The Weinstein Company has just made a deal to have their DVD's distributed world wide by Sony. While the news makes mention of the newer and unreleased films, such as NINE and PIRANHA 3D, I hope this can shine some light on 55 DAYS IN PEKING and CIRCUS WORLD.

I understand this is the like the same deal Lionsgate has with Universal only that Sony will handle the marketing of the product, while Lionsgate does it's own marketing.

 

[MLamarre]

I thought Universal had a distribution deal with Weinstein?

If Sony does have rights to these, its possible 55 Days could be the 5th title in a Nicolas Ray boxset. I have been waiting for this title for a while so I hope this comes to fruition.

 

[ahollis]

Originally Posted by MLamarre

I thought Universal had a distribution deal with Weinstein?

If Sony does have rights to these, its possible 55 Days could be the 5th title in a Nicolas Ray boxset. I have been waiting for this title for a while so I hope this comes to fruition.

Their distribution was with Genius. Universal only distributed INGLORIOUS BASTARDS due to it being a co-production.

 

[ptb2007]

Has anybody seen the Blu Ray of El Cid? Wonder about the quality. Is it going to be worth shelling out or is the Miriam Collection dvd going to be the one worth keeping?

 

[john a hunter]

Definately a good upgrade on the DVD. While far from perfect, there are many sequences( especially in the last half) that have that visual splendor that made CID, originally, such a great cinematic experience. The DVD was very poor and as a result I down graded this film. Wrong . The BD restores its impact.