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A few words about...™ The Searchers -- in High Defintion
With virtually as much controversy stirring about Warners' digital restoration of The Searchers as to the proper means of handling the situation in Iraq, I can report that I've finally been able to view the film in HD DVD.
With slightly richer colors, blacker blacks, additional shadow detail, and six times the image resolution, the HD version of the film is not only a winner, but will be one of the films that spurs many to step up to the plate and purchase their HD player.
The skies in this DVD tend to track the original look of the negative. What this means is that blue skies go from a wispy off white to a rich Eastman blue, without hitting the overly saturated trademark Technicolor dye transfer look. As such, the film replicates what was on the original negative, now faded, and the preservation masters from which it was digitally derived.
Resolution-wise, I'm seeing detail that I don't recall from 16mm prints. My memory of 35mm is so untimely that it is of no value. As an example, something that I noted for the first time, is the clarity of Mr. Wayne's CSA belt buckle.
With the exception of a bit of day for night that I've noted in the past at the very end of the film, what I'm now seeing in HD is nothing less than a near miraculous re-working of the film elements into something not only quite representative of the production, but a stellar home video achievement.
While there will be those who long for the unnatural look of the dye transfer skies, this HD DVD, with its more natural look is a home video treasure, not to be taken lightly.
Highly Recommended.
RAH
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Order's been placed 
