Universal Reissues: Charley Varrick & Madigan (1 Viewer)

[Mark Cappelletty]

Does anyone know if the Universal reissues of CHARLEY VARRICK and MADIGAN are in anamorphic widescreen. VARRICK was released full-frame a couple of years ago and MADIGAN in a non-anamorphic widescreen/letterboxed transfer. I have a bad feeling that both are just being dumped back onto the marketplace, but can't find any news whether or not these have been fixed or improved-- or are straight reissues. It's really pathetic if nothing has been done to these titles-- I'd buy them in a heartbeat otherwise.

 

[Jeff Willis]

Originally Posted by Mark Cappelletty . The product page doesn't specify anamorphic but it is an anamorphic release. The transfer Q isn't great but it's easily watchable, imo.

 

[jdee28]

Charley Varrick is a great movie! What is it's proper aspect ratio? Was it shot full screen or widescreen?

 

[Jeff Willis]

Originally Posted by jdee28
Charley Varrick is a great movie! What is it's proper aspect ratio? Was it shot full screen or widescreen?

Well, this has been an interesting point of discussion here in the past. Here's what IMBD lists:


1.37 : 1 (negative ratio)
1.85 : 1 (intended ratio)

If I recall, the Laser Disc version was 1.85:1 .

 

[Robert Crawford]

A few days ago, I investigated those two releases and believe they're just re-releases of the same discs that came out several years ago that were letterbox, but not anamorphic.







Crawdaddy

 

[Jeff Willis]

Originally Posted by Robert Crawford

A few days ago, I investigated those two releases and believe they're just re-releases of the same discs that came out several years ago that were letterbox, but not anamorphic.


Crawdaddy

Crawdaddy,


Were you referring to the two R1 releases?

It's been a while since I watched my R2 copy and I checked it out. It's not letterbox. It appears to be 16:9 anamorphic.


It does say "letterbox" on the R2 box but it's not, as far as I can see.

 

[Mark Cappelletty]

Originally Posted by Robert Crawford

A few days ago, I investigated those two releases and believe they're just re-releases of the same discs that came out several years ago that were letterbox, but not anamorphic.







Crawdaddy

Thanks for the info, guys-- what a shame that these are STILL being treated like the proverbial redheaded stepchildren of the home video world.

 

[GregoryMesh]

According to DVD Savant review Charley Varrick disc is full frame open matte transfer.

Originally Posted by Robert Crawford

A few days ago, I investigated those two releases and believe they're just re-releases of the same discs that came out several years ago that were letterbox, but not anamorphic.



Crawdaddy

 

[chas speed]

I own the U.S. DVD and it's Full Frame. It was the ultimate "no frills" release in that it didn't even have a menu and the film just started once you put the DVD in the machine.

 

[Robert Crawford]

Originally Posted by GregoryMesh Charley Varrick disc is full frame open matte transfer.

Yes it is, but my point is that these new releases are just re-releases of those prior dvds.

 

[GregoryMesh]

Sorry, my misunderstanding. I thought you were saying that the transfers were letterboxed...

 

[Robert Crawford]

Originally Posted by GregoryMesh

Sorry, my misunderstanding. I thought you were saying that the transfers were letterboxed...

I was saying the transfers are the same as before whether it is letterbox for Madigan or full frame for Varrick.