Roman Holiday: A chat with Leonard Maltin and Paramount about the upcoming release (1 Viewer)

[Adam Gregorich]

Home Theater Forum recently had the opportunity to chat with Leonard Maltin and Andrea Kalas the SVP Asset Management at Paramount Pictures to discuss Roman Holiday and the restoration work done in preparation for the upcoming Paramount Presents Blu-ray release on September 15th.

The limited-edition Paramount Presents Blu-ray Disc™ is presented in collectible packaging that includes a foldout image of the film’s theatrical re-release poster, and an interior spread with key movie moments. Newly remastered from a 4K film transfer, the ROMAN HOLIDAY Blu-ray also includes a new Filmmaker Focus with film historian Leonard Maltin, access to a Digital copy of the film, as well as previously released featurettes on Academy Award®-winner Audrey Hepburn, Edith Head’s Oscar®-winning* costumes, the blacklisting of screenwriter Dalton Trumbo, and much more.

Bonus Features:
- Filmmaker Focus: Leonard Maltin on Roman Holiday
- Behind the Gates: Costumes
- Rome with a Princess
- Audrey Hepburn: The Paramount Years
- Dalton Trumbo: From A-List to Blacklist
- Paramount in the '50s: Remembering Audrey
- Theatrical Trailers
- Four Photo Galleries: Production, The Movie, Publicity, The Premiere

Paramount had to rely on a 35mm fine grain print as well as a dupe negative for their new 4K scan as the original negative was damaged by the original lab in Rome. There is an example of the original restoration above this post showing the condition of the original source material and the final result of the restoration (left to right).

Leonard Maltin talks about the history of the film and Andrea Kalas goes into more depth about the restoration in the video below:

 

[Robert Crawford]

A great listen!

 

[Matt Hough]

Enjoyed it a lot; thanks for uploading this featurette.

 

[PMF]

Thank you, Adam.
Thoroughly enjoyed this informative primer towards a Day-One purchase.

 

[filmnoirguy]

Terrific! Paramount is certainly doing it the right way. Now I'd like to request the same for two more Paramount releases: A Place in the Sun and Hud.

 

[Robert Harris]

Nice piece...

 

[Worth]

Terrific! Paramount is certainly doing it the right way...

We'll see. To Catch a Thief was a Paramount restoration, too.

 

[Angelo Colombus]

Terrific! Paramount is certainly doing it the right way. Now I'd like to request the same for two more Paramount releases: A Place in the Sun and Hud.

Hud would be on the top of my list and overdue for a new release.

 

[AlexNH]

This is a great piece. But this wasn't a chat with HTF. It was a press event a few weeks ago.

 

[Neil Middlemiss]

This is a great piece. But this wasn't a chat with HTF. It was a press event a few weeks ago.

Actually, several of us HTFers were part of the chat with Paramount and Leonard Maltin.

 

[AlexNH]

Actually, several of us HTFers were part of the chat with Paramount and Leonard Maltin.

I don't doubt that but this is not it.

 

[Neil Middlemiss]

I don't doubt that but this is not it.

Surprised this needs to be spelled out, but Adam is sharing some of what we learned from the chat in his write up - he isn’t sharing the whole chat.

 

[Noel Aguirre]

I’ve never seen this film look particularly great and hopefully miracles do happen as it’s a lovely film.

 

[Noel Aguirre]

This is great news but I still can’t fathom why Paramount released On A Clear Day ..... looking so horrendous. I felt robbed on that one Paramount. I know it’s not Paramount “Presents” but still- show Vicent Minnelli and Cecil Beaton some respect with a better transfer than that or don’t release it as it’s basically the DVD slapped on a Blu-ray Disc. Anyway now that’s off my chest - I’m hoping the black/grey levels in this RH restoration are also better defined and purer than before in addition to what was mentioned in the short. Some B&W film I recently saw resorted was astonishing but I can t recall what it was! Maybe it was Dance Girl Dance or Showboat and I hope I get that kind of wow on this one too.

 

[Tino]

Is this the same transfer as the current iTunes stream? Or is this a second restoration?

 

[Mark-P]

Is this the same transfer as the current iTunes stream? Or is this a second restoration?

iTunes has the second revision with Dalton Trumbo getting both Screenwriting and Story credits, so that should be the latest restoration.

 

[Tino]

iTunes has the second revision with Dalton Trumbo getting both Screenwriting and Story credits, so that should be the latest restoration.

Thought so. Thanks for confirming.

 

[GerardoHP]

I hope it looks better than the disappointment that was It's a Wonderful Life recently.

 

[Tino]

I hope it looks better than the disappointment that was It's a Wonderful Life recently.

I have the 4K stream on iTunes and think it looks terrific.

Also here’s a quote from RAH’s updated comments on the 4K disc:

“Frank Capra's It's a Wonderful Life, has received a 4k make-over from the OCN, and with the help of Dolby Vision, it all seems to work for the best.

We gain a far more stable image, that's also more highly resolved, with gorgeous grain structure.”

 

[Robert Harris]

I have the 4K stream on iTunes and think it looks terrific.

Also here’s a quote from RAH’s updated comments on the 4K disc:

“Frank Capra's It's a Wonderful Life, has received a 4k make-over from the OCN, and with the help of Dolby Vision, it all seems to work for the best.

We gain a far more stable image, that's also more highly resolved, with gorgeous grain structure.”

To be clear, there were inconsistencies on my OLED between HDR and DV, which after a less than wonderful image in projection, compounded the confusion on the OLED until I segregated the two HDR variants. Also Paramount was kind enough to screen a portion of their 4k master for me.

This led to my re-writing the review.

Bottom line is, that if one has DV formatted properly on a panel, all is well with Wonderful Life.

Is it a 4k necessity?

I don’t believe so.