A few words about...™ Casablanca -- in HD-DVD

Re: A few words about...™ Casablanca -- in HD-DVD

Thanks RAH for wetting our appetites on this one!

I'm thrilled that WB is moving forward with (properly) presenting classic films... like academy aspect ratio BW films... in HD.

The clarity of some of these historic prints was mind-blowing. I expect that many modern HT enthusiasts who've only been familiar with classic BW fare on NTSC TV will have some shocks in store. Very, very good shocks, I should add.

dave

Re: A few words about...™ Casablanca -- in HD-DVD

Thanks, RAH for answering the questions about the date. I had a feeling that the answer would come when the HD arrived. I look forward to it.

Re: A few words about...™ Casablanca -- in HD-DVD

Got my shipping notice email this afternoon from amazon! Should arrive on Wednesday, Nov. 15!

Re: A few words about...™ Casablanca -- in HD-DVD

My review: http://www.digitallyobsessed.com/sho...w.php3?ID=9071

Bergman looks absolutely stunning in HD. You can see tears welling up in Bogey's eyes as he drinks over her. The way she's lit, I'd cry too.

Re: A few words about...™ Casablanca -- in HD-DVD

Mark,

outstanding review at obsessed.

Re: A few words about...™ Casablanca -- in HD-DVD

Good review Mark

Re: A few words about...™ Casablanca -- in HD-DVD

There is not one store in Chicago carrying CASABLANCA HD. Bet Buy does not even have it in their system. Very frustrating to buy HD titles in person even here in a big city.

Re: A few words about...™ Casablanca -- in HD-DVD

A nice review at Obsessed but it still makes the too-common error of assuming that old films looked bad because the reviewer a.) Has only seen the films in badly-worn retimed-for-broadcast prints on TV, or b.) Has only seen the films on video and never seen a good print in a theater.

The idea that modern digital technology somehow magically revivifies older films to a level of excellence that they never previously enjoyed is just contemporary arrogance. While prints struck with today's finer grain emulsions probably DO look better than prints struck in 1942 (if high-quality source materials are available), I have every confidence that first-run prints of "Casablanca" looked just superb, thank you.

I hope that the ongoing excellence of HD transfers of vintage films (You get ENORMOUS thanks from me, WB!) will help people understand and respect the extraordinary talent and technology that ALREADY lives in these works of art, and will derail the delusion that this "old stuff" looks good because "we" fixed it.

Re: A few words about...™ Casablanca -- in HD-DVD

Well spoken.

rah

Re: A few words about...™ Casablanca -- in HD-DVD

I hope that Warners has the infinite wisdom to consider "RYAN'S DAUGHTER for HD soon. That DVD would be simply amazing!!!

Re: A few words about...™ Casablanca -- in HD-DVD

I missed the first run prints of Casablanca by 18 years, I'm sorry to say. If there's anything you can do about that, I'm all ears.

Facetiousness aside, as I mentioned in the review I've seen theatrical 35mm presentations that didn't look as good as the DVD. I'm well aware myself that old film is not = to poor quality. I was speaking to the remarks that others have made that only current films can benefit from HD presentations, and I was trying to disabuse them of that notion. Apparently I did so clumsily. I meant to convey something akin to the following:

Re: A few words about...™ Casablanca -- in HD-DVD

Mark,

I read your review in the context that you just described. Bob, your points are well taken about the problem with many contemporary reviewers (and enthusiasts) who don't understand the first thing about the appearance of projected film. But I think that Mark's comments were more resonate with your own thoughts than you may have first gathered. My sense of his review was that he was trying to expose this myth about "old movies" not benefiting from HD the same way that you were, though his remarks and phrasing was geared towards a less film-educated audience.

Re: A few words about...™ Casablanca -- in HD-DVD

According to a dvdtown review, the film has been cropped on the top. But here's the weird thing..they say that the SD was too and that both versions have the same amount of picture info. How does the review know that the top was cropped if both versions yield the same vertical info?

Re: A few words about...™ Casablanca -- in HD-DVD

After finally sitting down and watching this disc from beginning to end, I must say that with over 100 discs either on HD DVD or Blu-ray, this is the most impressive one to me. I had a grin from ear to ear as I observed my display during those magnificent 102 minutes of pure cinema.

Warner should be very proud of their efforts!



Crawdaddy

Re: A few words about...™ Casablanca -- in HD-DVD

Mark:

My post was not specifically intended as a shot at your review. To the extent it appeared that way, then it was MY verbal clumsiness. Please accept my initial observation that it was "a nice review" (and since I'm a sometimes curmudgeonly book editor, that's more praise than I often extend to my authors. )

Rather, I selfishly used your thoughts as a jumping-off point for the issues of the longtime quality of film imagery and the widespread innocence (especially by less aware writers than yourself) of how those classic films of decades ago actually looked.

Under different circumstances, I would alter my original post. But since I received a modest compliment on it from no less than Mr. Harris, there's no bloody way I'm going to change it.

But please do accept my apology for missing your full intentions.

Best,
Bob

Re: A few words about...™ Casablanca -- in HD-DVD

In an attempt not to sound like a textbook, there are a myriad of problems in restoring a film such as Casablanca photochemically.

Having been misused for decades, overprinted, shipped into questionable hands for odd reasons...

the Oneg now is at best incomplete. Old dupes are what they are, and if no old fine grain is extant, grain and contrast continue to rise as the film is restored.

It is only via digital restoration techniques, which added many new tools, that we have any ability to even out shot-to-shot problems, to literally take shots back in time, and generations, by reducing grain, contrast, dirt and wear, and to attempt to create, as Warner has, what gives the appearance of being a cohesive motion picture, all of a unit, and original.

This is why prints manufactured over the past three or four decades have been unable to replicate the look of the originals.

Then we have the reduction in silver content...

RAH

Re: A few words about...™ Casablanca -- in HD-DVD

Bob, apology accepted. Group hug!!!

Re: A few words about...™ Casablanca -- in HD-DVD

The Postman delivered my order from Amazon today and I just finished watching the HD-DVD release of "Casablanca".

Outstanding.

Luminous.

Beautiful.

This disc is a must-own for anyone who appreciates classic cinema and well crafted film making. The high definition VC-1 transfer on this release is simply breathtaking! Bravo Warner!

Re: A few words about...™ Casablanca -- in HD-DVD

I watched it tonight, and my feelings echo yours, Robert. This film is an emotional powerhouse, and those emotions are conveyed even more deeply through this beautiful presentation. What a great film, and what a tremendous high def presentation.

Re: A few words about...™ Casablanca -- in HD-DVD

Got mine today as well. Was supposed to be here yesterday....Haven't watched it yet but plan on it this weekend! Can't wait! It was really exciting opening up that amazon box and finding the treasure Casablanca inside.

Re: A few words about...™ Casablanca -- in HD-DVD

Well, my two latest editing projects -- one book on video compression techniques and one on QuickTime Pro -- ending up being more lucrative than anticipated so I purchased a new projector. "Robin Hood" and "The Searchers" looked really sweet in Westwood tonight!!

I am SO LOOKING FORWARD to putting "Casablanca" on that screen. C'mon , send me my discs!

Re: A few words about...™ Casablanca -- in HD-DVD

Is anyone else having trouble finding Casablanca and Forbidden Planet at a brick and mortar store? Best Buy says that the computer shows it being "active" but that they don't have any in the store. I get pretty much the same story no matter what store I goto.

I finely gave up and ordered it from Amazon.

Doug

Re: A few words about...™ Casablanca -- in HD-DVD

The local Best Buy had Forbidden Planet HD DVD on the shelf (but not the Ultimate with HD) on Wednesday, so at least some stores got their allocations.

Re: A few words about...™ Casablanca -- in HD-DVD

Interesting. I can't find a single store in the Phoenix area that has either Casablanca or Forbidden Planet.

Re: A few words about...™ Casablanca -- in HD-DVD

believe or not but i never seen casablance. ok, the dvd is out for some time but i never was eager to pick it up. now we have new medium which gives you the chance to see it. i just ordered the hd-dvd and i'm looking forward seeing this film for the first time

oh, btw ... the comments from mr. harris about this hd-dvd release helped me to click "place order" on this title

Re: A few words about...™ Casablanca -- in HD-DVD

Not a single B & M down here has it, or even the knowledge of its existence.

Gonna have to turn to Amazon, I spose.

Re: A few words about...™ Casablanca -- in HD-DVD

I was at Fry's Electronics on Thunderbird and I-17 this evening and saw three copies of "Casablanca." They have the widest selection of HD DVD in Phoenix with most discs priced at $19.99 except for the combos. I noticed they also had "Mutiny on the Bounty" and "Forbidden Planet" (including the collector tin version). There is also a Fry's Electronics on Baseline Rd. and I-10. I'd drive over before Black Friday... Good luck.

Re: A few words about...™ Casablanca -- in HD-DVD

A package from Amazon arrived in my mailbox today. Lo and behold it's Casablanca. I have never seen this movie before but will most likely set aside some time this weekend to watch it with my wife. She's never seen it either. I would never have purchased this either if it wasn't for this review.

Re: A few words about...™ Casablanca -- in HD-DVD

I envy you, seeing it for the first time in such a beautiful presentation. And with your wife no less! What a great way to spend an evening.

Re: A few words about...™ Casablanca -- in HD-DVD

Forgive the rather pedestrian question, but does the HD release carry all the extra features of the DVD special edition?