Simon Basso

Jonathan Demme's "Beloved" - how's the transfer?

My apologies for starting a new thread for this, but a search for "beloved" reveals that everyone here uses the word to describe their favourite childhood films, which I fully understand.

So can anyone venture an opinion on the transfer on this disc, as It's right cheap now, but I still don't fancy wasting my money. The UK R2 is horrible, awful ringing, almost unwatchable, but not for sale anyway, just rental.

Additionally, does anyone know of a special edition? I know this isn't a popular film, but I think it's some of Mr Demme's best work.

Kind wishes

Simon

Thomas T

The transfer is fine.

Roby Adams

I disagree it is non-anamorphic and quite crap ass on top of that. I like the film but found the transfer to be quite distracting. I wish that it would be redone.

Thomas T

Non-anamorphic it is but by no stretch of the imagination could it be called "crap ass", whatever that means. It appeared to be a accurate representation of the film I saw in theatres. Of course, it may be possible you saw a better print in your local theatre than I did but I saw it opening week in a state of the art theatre.

Simon Basso

Thanks to you both, I ordered it anyway, only £6.50 delivered so worth a punt.

Kind wishes

MarcusUdeh

2005 is approaching and it would be excellent if Ms. Winfrey whom recently grave away flat-screen TVs for her annual Christmas show would consider having Buena Vista Home Entertainment license this title over to Criterion. The dream of course was to have the Kubrickian DVD producer David Prior orchestrate the proceedings although he could do something new and exclusive for the Buena Vista’s eventual high definition optical disc version.

As for possible supplements, I would appreciate an Oprah commentary with author Toni Morrison. Absolutely no EPK material ported over in this edition. No deleted scenes either since I believe the movie in its completed form deserves one’s full attention. The movie should be a brand new high definition anamorphic transfer approved by Oprah and the 172m-feature split over two discs. For those wondering why I have not included Jonathan Demme’s input in my pipe dream specs is because I feel Jonathan was a director for hire. Oprah wanted an acclaimed filmmaker to helm her personal project.

§ Winfrey and Morrison scene-specific commentary
§ Isolated Score
§ TV Spots
§ The Oprah Winfrey Show: Beloved episode
§ All-new Oprah approved high-def anamorphic (1.85:1) transfer
§ Art Gallery: Paintings & Images inspired by the film
§ DTS 6.1 and Dolby 5.1 audio

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JulianK

Let's get this straight - you dont' want the director involved, you don't want any deleted scenes on the disc, and you want the film split across two discs?

That's not my idea of a Special Edition!

MarcusUdeh

The director’s involvement for this title is not as essential as many would suspect. This movie was a labor of love for producer/star Oprah Winfrey. Therefore, her voice and final approval is the main thrust.

Deleted scenes for this title would take away from the main feature film that was widely dismissed during its original run.

The film’s cinematography is one to behold. The current disc on the mark jams the 172m picture alongside, a brief featurette and theatrical trailer. It needs two discs. It’s not your idea of a Special Edition its mine.

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ThomasC

n/m

The man I loved - the man who vanished - he never came back at all. But maybe he's still out there, somewhere. Maybe some day, when Gotham no longer needs Batman, I'll see him again.

Ray H

Marcus, it's nice to see you rally behind your cause, but aren't you being a bit too specific?

If I wanted to see an SE of a movie, I'd simply list stuff like anamorphic, commentary, DTS, deleted scenes and documentaries. I wouldn't go as far as to indicate who the film company should license the title to, how many discs it should be split across, who should and who shouldn't participate in the disc, etc. It's nice to dream, but for all that to fall into place is beyond unrealistic.

MarcusUdeh

RE: Ray
I notice that currently studios appeal to have a basic pattern of what constitutes a title as a special edition. The “basic” audio commentary, trailers and TV spots, a new anamorphic transfer, DTS or 5.1Dolby re-mixed audio, and the worst offender of all the EPK featurette. Within the next fifteen years, almost ever movie ever released will have a deluxe edition that follows this structure. The best special edition releases have almost a non-textbook approach. I want a personal sense of touch on a supplement sprinkled release. If you do a search for “Apt Pupil”, you will know that I didn’t want deleted scenes on that title either, for me deleted material is better suited for cult and genre pictures (i.e. Gremlins 2, Matilda, Showgirls).

About Criterion: I think all would agree this particular title falls under their motto of preserving classic and contemporary films of high artistic merit.

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