Keith Cobby
Senior HTF Member
I hadn't realised we knew anything about the Exodus blu-ray from TT. Is it the same transfer as the Region B release?
In that case, I think WB is simply putting incomplete cuts like that on the backburner while focusing on complete films through the Warner Archive. That is essentially what is holding up other films such as The Sea Wolf that only have truncated cuts readily available.
A bit off subject, but I asked TT if any more roadshows were in the works after EXODUS and they said yes. Take your pick.With a screenplay by Dalton Trumbo and Daniel Taradash, George Roy Hill's Hawaii, may find interest from multiple arenas.
Based upon the monumental novel by James A. Michener, Hawaii was a roadshow production, blown up to 70mm for some venues.
The film used to have scenes of beauty, especially once it reaches the islands, but unfortunately, it was never a great film.
Twilight Time, as a licensee of MGM, must use what they're given, or not. In this case, what they've been allowed to release essentially removes many of the attributes that the film once held.
The major one would be the cinematography by Russell Harlan (To Kill a Mockingbird, Red River).
What I'm seeing on the Blu-ray appears to be typical MGM fodder. While the Roadshow version, which appears on the disc as an extra, albeit in standard definition as a 2.35 image inside of a 1.33 box, that longer cut also appears to be derived from original Eastman Color elements.
Something that it seems the HD version, or at least a number of it's parts is not.
Going to black & white separation masters is a normal affair if an original negative is lost or damaged, but since the resultant dupe is a composite of three black & white records, the idea is to get them in registration. This has seemingly eluded whatever lab created the new element. If adjustments need to be made, even shot to shot, they need to be made. It ain't brain surgery.
Unfortunately, the film is simply dupey looking, with requisite MGM dirt and instability of image.
Hawaii is a film worth viewing, and this is the only way to do so, at least for the foreseeable future.
No fingers being pointed at Twilight Time. All of the problems stem with MGM, and their eternal penchant for quality, as that lion continues to roar.
Image - 3
Audio - 4
4k Up-rez - 2.5
Pass / Fail - Pass (barely)
RAH
A bit off subject, but I asked TT if any more roadshows were in the works after EXODUS and they said yes. Take your pick.
I think TT said that Sony was working on LORD JIM . HALLELUJAH TRAIL was in bad shape. Fox said CAN CAN was in bad shape and DOLITTLE was to be given to a second party.Doctor Dolittle? Can-Can? Greatest Story Ever Told? The Hallelujah Trail? Lord Jim? Star? Or my Holy Grail .... the Roadshow cut of MacKenna's Gold!!!
Off topic but CHEYENNE AUTUMN on TCM right now. Aspect ratio is 2:20 and very sharp. Looks like this could be a 70 mm transfer. Too bad the movie itself was not better.
Don't know but this is almost LOA sharp.Isn't the DVD in 2:20?
Don't know but this is almost LOA sharp.
Off topic but CHEYENNE AUTUMN on TCM right now. Aspect ratio is 2:20 and very sharp. Looks like this could be a 70 mm transfer. Too bad the movie itself was not better.
Isn't the DVD in 2:20?
Doctor Dolittle? Can-Can? Greatest Story Ever Told? The Hallelujah Trail? Lord Jim? Star? Or my Holy Grail .... the Roadshow cut of MacKenna's Gold!!!
Two things that could have been better.
One - why is the roadshow windowboxed. It would have been better in a formate where I could fill my 50 inch screen side to side.
Why no stereo as on the laser?
this all is upsetting as the roadshow here looks ten times better than it did on the laser.
Does anyone think of what consumers want first, before diving ahead and doing this stuff?
How would you propose that Twilight Time take a 480i master, window-boxed within a 1.33 matte, and make it fit your 50" screen?
I thought the roadshow was going to be strictly a letterbox transfer, but on my disc it is 16 X9.!!!
Bruce two things-
put the roadshow and the picture on 4 x 3 playback is all squeezed in - I was more than surprised, played this on three other blu players and the same thing happens on all three. the sound, sadly, is definitely mono. Again, I ask why, again, no one answers.
Two things that could have been better.
One - why is the roadshow windowboxed. It would have been better in a formate where I could fill my 50 inch screen side to side.