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Errol Flynn boxset for April 12th

#91
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4/17/05 at 12:10pm
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<---- Doesn't have Cable anymore (wasn't watching it enough to justify $$$)

But thanks for the heads up anyway.
My DVD/BD Collection
Criterion DVD/BDs Owned: 55, Total DVDs Owned: 525, Blu-ray Discs Owned: 227
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#92
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4/17/05 at 12:48pm
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Well, IMO, Captain Blood looks a lot less than "fine" - it's acceptable, in the same way the Marx Brothers transfers are acceptable. If you have no problem with those, then I suppose it's fine to say it's fine.

The Sea Hawk, despite the twenty-two minutes, is really fine - beautifully sharp and great contrast.

Next up: Elizabeth and Essex.
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#93
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4/17/05 at 1:01pm
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Well, IMO, Captain Blood looks a lot less than "fine" - it's acceptable, in the same way the Marx Brothers transfers are acceptable. If you have no problem with those, then I suppose it's fine to say it's fine.


Now owning that Universal Marx set, which are acceptable discs, but not fine, as you say, then I now know what to expect when my Flynn set finally makes its way through customs. Which is fine. Though I have to say, Warners make a finer point by including some damn fine extras; it's a fine distinction when the film is the thing. But one worth making. Finally.
So many films, so little time...
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Harold Shand: What I'm looking for is someone who can contribute to what England has given to the world: culture, sophistication, genius. A little bit more than an 'ot dog, know what I mean?
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#94
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4/17/05 at 1:18pm
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I've seen the new CAPTAIN BLOOD DVD. I've seen the film many times, in many incarnations, and I was impressed.

I think it looks very good, and probably looks better than it has in over 50 years. I say this taking into account that it is a 70 year old film that had its original camera negative put through intense overuse for years before then having a large amount of footage removed and discarded.

While not perfect, it's certainly heads and tails far superior to the best of any of Universal's Marx Bros. recent Marx Bros. reissues.

The overall image of CAPTAIN BLOOD is sharp and clean. It suffers none of the softness that the Marx pictures were subject to.....and at least CAPTAIN BLOOD had its missing footage located and returned to the film. Something Universal did not do for HORSE FEATHERS, or the missing lyric in ANIMAL CRACKERS.

We've only heard from a few people on this, but I'd be surprised if there wasn't an overall positive reaction to this DVD, and overall enthusiasm for the whole Flynn set.

It's another outstanding release from Warner.
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#95
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4/17/05 at 1:20pm
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Well, IMO, Captain Blood looks a lot less than "fine" - it's acceptable, in the same way the Marx Brothers transfers are acceptable. If you have no problem with those, then I suppose it's fine to say it's fine.

Arthur,
I guess you and I have different definitions as to the word "fine" and yes, I was one of those that defended the Marx Brothers dvds and have little problem with them. However, I thought Captain Blood was better looking than those dvds.





Crawdaddy
G.W. McLintock: Camille, you're on your own.
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#96
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4/17/05 at 1:25pm
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Next up: Elizabeth and Essex.

I've completely watched all of the dvds and this one was the last of them. A beautiful presentation except for some softness in some scenes, particularly ones shot from a distance.
While not perfect, it's certainly heads and tails far superior to the best of any of Universal's Marx Bros. recent Marx Bros. reissues.

I know you're a big Warner supporter and all, but I wouldn't go that far in saying it's far superior to the Marx Brothers dvds. IMO, Captain Blood is better, but not far superior to those dvds.




Crawdaddy
G.W. McLintock: Camille, you're on your own.
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#97
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4/17/05 at 2:11pm
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Roger, I simply must be watching a different DVD of Captain Blood than you are. While I find the image acceptable, it is not beyond criticism, I'm sorry to say. It has many dupey-looking sections, there are many negative scratches and quite a bit of wear. If you want to directly compare it to one film in the Marx Bros. set, compare it to Duck Soup. I happen to think Duck Soup looks better.

I'm not in any way trying to be argumentative, but I'm sorry, the elements used for Captain Blood, IMO, are wanting - wanting in a way that the elements for The Sea Hawk are not. Just compare those two DVDs, Roger, and tell me there's no difference, that both are equally fine. It's no sin for Captain Blood to not be perfect, if that's the shape the elements are in. If that's the best we can have, then great, I'm thrilled we have it. But to ignore its imperfections makes one wonder, because they're there, no matter how you might like to convince me otherwise.
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#98
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4/17/05 at 2:34pm
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Not to butt in guys, but - setting aside the differing degrees of support for Warners product ( ) - the fact that you are both watching on different set ups must have some bearing on what you are seeing.

Beauty is, after all, in the eye of the beholder (and wafted by laser onto a screen or monitor of your choice)
So many films, so little time...
Film Journal Blog
Harold Shand: What I'm looking for is someone who can contribute to what England has given to the world: culture, sophistication, genius. A little bit more than an 'ot dog, know what I mean?
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#99
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4/17/05 at 2:40pm
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ArthurMy, I fully agree with you that CAPTAIN BLOOD is not beyond criticism. I also agree with you that THE SEA HAWK looks better than BLOOD. I wasn't ignoring the imperfections that are there, I agree with you that there are a few sections that have obvious problems. However, they are few and far between. Considering how many times this film was printed and re-printed for use all over the world, I was impressed. I love the movie, and what we have now, is so much better than what it looked like on laserdisc, or in 35mm release prints I used to see in repertory theaters years ago.

One reason for this could be that Eastman Kodak had not yet developed good duplicate stocks until the late 30s. (I think 1937?). This led to inevitable wear and tear on the original negative. That's why the most popular films of that era often have problematic elements.

Either way, I agree with you on another front, and that is that we are lucky to have it on DVD, and I assume, given the obvious care that has gone into these Flynn releases, that Warner Bros. put a lot of effort to try and give the best presentation possible given the elements they had to work with.
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#100
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4/17/05 at 3:31pm
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Quote:
I'm not in any way trying to be argumentative


:wink:
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#101
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4/17/05 at 3:53pm
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Oh, Will, you imp.

I'm watching on a beautiful new Mitsubishi DLP 65" thing. It's an incredible set and I love it. When there's a top-notch black-and-white or color transfer, I can't believe how glorious it looks. But, it does tend to point up imperfections, especially softness.
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#102
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4/17/05 at 3:57pm
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I'm watching on a beautiful new Mitsubishi DLP 65" thing


I wish I had access to one of those 'jaw dropping' smilies. Can you feel my envy from across The Pond? Enjoy, Arthur...
So many films, so little time...
Film Journal Blog
Harold Shand: What I'm looking for is someone who can contribute to what England has given to the world: culture, sophistication, genius. A little bit more than an 'ot dog, know what I mean?
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#103
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5/9/05 at 6:21pm
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I'm working my way through this box this week and have thoroughly enjoyed "Captain Blood" and "Dodge City". Both look terrific and are great popcorn-eating entertainment. I had not necessarily been a Flynn fan before, but this set has left me wanting more (including the films I had been familiar with "Sante Fe Trail" and "Desperate Journey").

I also want to say how much I enjoy the "Night at the Movies" feature. Warners has done a great job with this concept on the various DVDs where it's been utilized. I'm a fan of Bergen and McCarthy and to see some of their work show up here and on the Comedy Classics collection has been a real treat. Hopefully Warners will continue to use this concept in the future.

Steve
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#104
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5/10/05 at 3:10am
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Quote:
Hopefully Warners will continue to use this concept in the future.

...and hopefully with a "play all" feature
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