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You think you have it bad, try Oklahoma pan and scan

#1
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4/16/03 at 2:52pm
  • Joined: May 2001
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Just what are Fox up to?
They are treating us like second class citizens.

First they release a Widescreen NON ANAMORPHIC version of Oklahoma in region 1.( and hint that they have no intention of any improved re-release)

But they have now sank as low as they can get with their just released region 4 version of that movie.

Can you believe that we in region 4 have just been handed gift wrapped from FOX the most abysmal release of Oklahoma ever.
I am still steaming! They have the gall to release this 70mm classic in the full glory of PAN and SCAN 4:3 with 2 track Stereo.
Not only is it 4:3 but honestly it makes the previous VHS editions of this movie look like HD.
It has to be the worst quality DVD of any Studio released major title ever.

IT IS APPALLING TO SAY THE LEAST.
SHAME ON YOU FOX.

They also at times treat the region 1 fans very poorly.
Where are the region 1 versions of Mel Brook's "Silent Movie", "To be or not to be" and "High Anxiety"??
On region 4 of course, in Anamorphic 1.85:1/ 2 channel stereo brand new just released DVDs.

While they are to be highly praised for a lot of their classic DVD programming, they must also be the most frustrating in terms of inconsistent quality and World wide region release schedules.

FOX- When they're good they're very, very good, but when they're bad- The least said the better.
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#2
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4/17/03 at 12:32pm
  • Joined: June 2001
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There seems to be some questionable decision making going on here. I'd be more than curious as to the reasoning behind this decision. I sympathize Doug.

Cogito, Ergo Sum
My DVD Library / The BLOOD is the Life!
Pioneer Elite PRO PDP-111FD - 2/28/2009
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#3
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4/17/03 at 12:37pm
  • Joined: February 2001
  • Location: Albany, NY
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Not only that, but the fucked up the frame rate, too. Instead of taking advantage of NTSC's native frame rate of 30 frames per second and giving up the roadshow version (filmed at 30 fps at 2.20:1), they give us a cropped version of the 35 mm wide release print (originally 2.55:1) with 3:2 pulldown. They really missed the boat on this one, IMO.
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#4
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4/17/03 at 1:30pm
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Fox's R1 division doesn't call the shots for other regions.

That non-anamorphic transfer may be a missed opportunity, but it was done at great expense. It's a pity 16x9 video wasn't the norm when it was done.

Tell The Weinstein Company to release Richard Williams' animated masterpiece The Thief and the Cobbler on DVD in Panavision widescreen and uncut! See and hear what you're missing from their Bitsy Award winner of Worst Standard Edition DVD of 2006 on YouTube!
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#5
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4/17/03 at 1:35pm
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Quote:
Fox's R1 division doesn't call the shots for other regions
Isn't there a higher up executive who does call the shots for all regions?

Cogito, Ergo Sum
My DVD Library / The BLOOD is the Life!
Pioneer Elite PRO PDP-111FD - 2/28/2009
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#6
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4/17/03 at 2:41pm
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Maybe remastered R&H musicals are on the way to capitalize on the recent success of "Chicago."

But most likely they'll depend on sales of All that Jazz and Hello Dolly. If they sell well, we may get new discs.

STOP THE MADNESS! STOP THE BUTCHERING AND ABANDONMENT OF TV SHOWS ON DVD!

My DVD List at DVD Aficionado, Now Featuring Blu-Ray

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#7
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4/17/03 at 4:07pm
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i hope so Matthew.
when i was in my early 20s i didn't give a hoot about the R&H musicals. i was very satisfied w/ my Predator and Die Hards, but i'm now in my 30s and my tastes have have expanded somewhat- but still seem to be at the mercy of a 20-something demographic.
i would think that Fox would appreciate the place these films hold in their catalog and maximize their profile with some worthwile remasters. especially now after Chicago.
they claimed that they weren't big sellers before.
well...actually sell them- promote them, call attention to their importance and then maybe some of the sheep out there buying the latest p.o.s. new release because its new, may be tempted to give one of these a shot.
How bout at least enclosing a flyer in the 8/03 musicals promoting the future (but unspecified) releases of the the remastered R&H (like they did for the new Alien boxset- or the second season of MTM...) at least give us some hope.

i saw clips of Oklahoma on a PBS R&H special last year.
the clips looked like knock-outs ( i believe the special was originally broadcast in HD). the blue of the skies, the gold of the wheat, the detail in the clouds...the image was mouth watering.
all i could think of was how good this would look in true HD.
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#8
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4/17/03 at 5:30pm
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"I sympathize Doug"

Thanks Jeff, but fortunately like you I am multi regional, so I can at least suffer the non anamorphic R1 Widescreen version until a better one comes along- if ever!
(the R&H titles are the only non anamorphic widescreen titles in my collection, after vowing from day one, never to buy non anamorphic discs)

I feel sorry for all those region 4 consumers that have no choice but to buy this wretched version.
It should also send alarm bells to all region 1 customers, because, if they can get away with it in region 4, who knows what's instore for region 1

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#9
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4/17/03 at 7:18pm
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Quote:
so I can at least suffer the non anamorphic R1 Widescreen version until a better one comes along- if ever!
Yes. I'll wait until proper versions are available, no matter the region.

Cogito, Ergo Sum
My DVD Library / The BLOOD is the Life!
Pioneer Elite PRO PDP-111FD - 2/28/2009
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#10
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4/17/03 at 8:28pm
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I thought that the Fox classics, recently
rereleased, would give Fox pause
to redo their R and H collection.

If they can give us an anamorphic LOVE IS A MANY SPLENDORED THING, for heavens sake...
how about KING AND I, CAROUSEL, OKLAHOMA! and SOUTH PACIFIC?
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