Press Release WHV Press Release: Max Fleischer's SUPERMAN 1941-1943 (Blu-ray) (1 Viewer)

[Stephen_J_H]

Screencaps, of course, don't tell us everything, but the grain scrubbing seems pretty obvious here. It lacks the appropriate "velvety" look of 3-strip.

 

[Trancas]

Screencaps, of course, don't tell us everything, but the grain scrubbing seems pretty obvious here. It lacks the appropriate "velvety" look of 3-strip.

Isn't grain scrubbing going on in all of Warner's 3 strip blu ray's? Look at any of the screen grabs of 1939's The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex - they all look relatively grain free. Those 3 layers of black and white grain are removed pretty much completely. https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/The-Private-Lives-of-Elizabeth-and-Essex-Blu-ray/288922/#Screenshots

 

[Robert Harris]

Isn't grain scrubbing going on in all of Warner's 3 strip blu ray's? Look at any of the screen grabs of 1939's The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex - they all look relatively grain free. Those 3 layers of black and white grain are removed pretty much completely. https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/The-Private-Lives-of-Elizabeth-and-Essex-Blu-ray/288922/#Screenshots
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No. The image is NOT grain free. The image beautifully mimics the velvety appearance of original dye transfer Technicolor prints, which were very free of grain as it was lost in the imbibition process.

Warner is doing superlative work on their three-strips. The trick for reviewers (or viewers) is knowing what the film originally looked like and what expectations should be.

 

[Trancas]

No. The image is NOT grain free. The image beautifully mimics the velvety appearance of original dye transfer Technicolor prints, which were very free of grain as it was lost in the imbibition process.

Warner is doing superlative work on their three-strips. The trick for reviewers (or viewers) is knowing what the film originally looked like and what expectations should be.

I agree that "Warner is doing superlative work on their three-strips". That's why I used Elizabeth and Essex as an example. It's beautiful. But grain is pretty much gone without affecting the apparent sharpness. It's sharper than the original dye transfer would have been. I'm not criticizing Warners but let's face it the grain is gone on Superman and all of the rest of the 3 strips.

 

[Robert Crawford]

I agree that "Warner is doing superlative work on their three-strips". That's why I used Elizabeth and Essex as an example. It's beautiful. But grain is pretty much gone without affecting the apparent sharpness. It's sharper than the original dye transfer would have been. I'm not criticizing Warners but let's face it the grain is gone on Superman and all of the rest of the 3 strips.

RAH just stated it’s not grain free, so are you saying that’s not true? Furthermore, what do you want Warner to do with their three strips Technicolor movies?

 

[Trancas]

RAH just stated it’s not grain free, so are you saying that’s not true? Furthermore, what do you want Warner to do with their three strips Technicolor movies?

I initially was responding to Stephen_J_H saying "but the grain scrubbing seems pretty obvious here. It lacks the appropriate "velvety" look of 3-strip."
I think Warners is doing a great job with their 3 strips. But softening (or removing) most of the grain is definitely a part of their process, whether it's Superman or Elizabeth and Essex. To complain because the grain is being removed on Superman and not notice that it's happening on their other blu rays is not looking at things honestly.

Edit. I just looked at the Elizabeth and Essex's blu ray (on TV) - up close. The image is incredible. It's so sharp and the grain is so very tiny. Amazingly beautiful. You can make out Olivia de Haviland's individual false eyelashes in the mid-shot.

 

[jbirdp]

The angry mob is back. Sigh.

 

[Robert Harris]

RAH just stated it’s not grain free, so are you saying that’s not true? Furthermore, what do you want Warner to do with their three strips Technicolor movies?

The only other way to make three-strip appear more akin to an original print, would be to de-focus the image, lose detail (high frequency information) and raise contrast.

What they’re doing is fine in my estimation.

 

[Trancas]

The only other way to make three-strip appear more akin to an original print, would be to de-focus the image, lose detail (high frequency information) and raise contrast.

What they’re doing is fine in my estimation.

I agree. I'm not fighting you on this. I earlier in the other (review) thread said the M. F. Superman on iTunes looks really good (I was surprised after all the negative reviews!). I'm pushing back on those who say Warners botched this release by over-"scrubbing" it.