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Lawrence of Arabia (Superbit) / Waiting for reviews.

post #1 of 98
9/4/03 at 2:02pm
Thread Starter 
Release date 09/09/2003

No reviews yet?


Anybody?


Thanks in advance.
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post #2 of 98
9/4/03 at 3:58pm
Robert A Harris who supervised the new transfer says it is the way it should have looked on DVD but didn't the first time around. Check here.
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post #3 of 98
9/4/03 at 6:23pm
absolutely looking forward to this

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post #4 of 98
9/4/03 at 7:09pm
As someone who's never seen LOA- should I pick up this superbit version or the old version with the extras?

I loved the way the Casablanca DVD was handled- great picture, with a wealth of extras. Really excellent in my opinion.

Now with this LOA release, I'm forced to choose between better video vs. extras. Why can't they just do a proper release with great picture and extras?
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post #5 of 98
9/4/03 at 7:50pm
If you want the director's approved version go with the Superbit edition with the new 16x9 transfer supervised by Robert A. Harris.

If you want the excellent special features go with the limited edition.

If you don't care either way go with the standard edition.
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post #6 of 98
9/4/03 at 8:27pm
I picked this up tonight. Only looked at a few scenes to compare the differences and the SUPERBIT is just superb. The DTS track for one sounded more clearer and natural to me, and the video was sharper and more detailed. More fine object detail was apparent, and hte EE issue seemed resolved. Think I saw some still going on, but it was nowhere near as obvious as the two disc set I compared it to. Of course, that just may be my set.
Overall I am impressed. My roomate who normally isnt so picky over transfers and whatnot noticed a difference, so you know its something special.
I will be watching this tomorrow afternoon and will give an update on here. I am SO excited!
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post #7 of 98
9/4/03 at 8:42pm
Where in the movie does the break between discs occur? This is a definite purchase for me even though I already have the LE, but I'm just curious.
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post #8 of 98
9/4/03 at 9:07pm
Yes, I'd also like to know where the disc break occurs. I would hope it's at the intermission, but if it's not, I'll still buy it.
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post #9 of 98
9/4/03 at 10:11pm
Havent checked for that yet...was gonna be one of the first things I checked. Will keep you all posted
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post #10 of 98
9/4/03 at 11:13pm
can't wait to hear where the film ends on disc one.
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post #11 of 98
9/5/03 at 5:00am
It ends before the intermission, and there's a note about it on the chapter selection insert. If I remember correctly without actually opening the disc, it's after they invade Akaba (the intermission is then several chapters into Disc Two). But it looks quite good.
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post #12 of 98
9/5/03 at 5:44am
RAH explained the intermission issue in the companion thread I listed above. Read it!
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post #13 of 98
9/5/03 at 5:45am
Too bad.
If I have to chose between a great picture, very good extras and a correctly placed disc-break and a perfect picture, no extras and a misplaced disc-break then the old version wins.
Easily.
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post #14 of 98
9/5/03 at 6:28am
If I have to chose between a great picture, very good extras and a correctly placed disc-break and a perfect picture, no extras and a misplaced disc-break then the old version wins. Easily.


Interesting priorities . . .
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post #15 of 98
9/5/03 at 6:58am
Well... I choose correct color-timing, a corrected 5.1 track, no-EE, and a higher bitrate average
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post #16 of 98
9/5/03 at 7:50am
I'm rolling around on the floor giggling after seeing this!

This is undoubtedly one of the best DVD releases of the year, right up there with Sunrise!

The disc change occurs after Lawrence encounters the sandstorm immediately after the raid on Akaba. Or according to the insert, the Entr'acte is 27 minutes into disc 2.

Kind of interesting...the dvd sleeve talks about the "Restoration Produced and Reconstructed by Robert A Harns and Jim Painten". Yes, I definitely looked at that twice to make sure. They brought in Bob Harris to color correct Lawrence and couldn't even spell his name right on the DVD!
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post #17 of 98
9/5/03 at 7:57am
Well, I would at least hope that Disc 2 starts automatically with the movie instead of a lenghtly menu screen.
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post #18 of 98
9/5/03 at 7:59am
Just checked it...no menu screen and goes straight into the movie...
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post #19 of 98
9/5/03 at 7:59am
What's the big deal about a break? Do you always watch your movies straight through without a break to answer the phone or take a pee? Is a 30 sec break really gonna change your experience?
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post #20 of 98
9/5/03 at 8:23am
I watch Lawrence about 4 times a year. I keep trying to convince myself that for that many times, I should just keep the limited edition and not get the Superbit. I just can't see having two copies of the same movie in my collection. But, I love the book packaging and the extras.

Darn you Columbia. Why couldn't you just do it right the first time?
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post #21 of 98
9/5/03 at 8:28am
Easy way to compare this is like looking at the Universal release of Spartacus and then looking at the Criterion version. I just did this the other night and the difference is night and day. Same thing with El Aurens.

Lawrence is probably a one-time-a-year event for me. But after seeing this it is worth double dipping!!!
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post #22 of 98
9/5/03 at 11:25am
I know Mr. Harris spoke of the audio issues also being sorted out (specifically the scene with the mis-cued soundtrack as Lawrence strides along the train) - can anyone tell me if this has been resolved?

It would be nice having a disc break at the intermission, but I'd much rather have optimized video and sound.

Too much to buy!

steve
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post #23 of 98
9/5/03 at 11:44am
Quote:
If I have to chose between a great picture, very good extras and a correctly placed disc-break and a perfect picture, no extras and a misplaced disc-break then the old version wins.
"Correctly placed"? Dude, they still have the intermission in the correct place. It's not supposed to be exactly 1/2 way through, it's at an important narrative point. The movie was so long and the bitrate was high enough they had to put a break somewhere roughly 1/2 way through.

Your loss.
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post #24 of 98
9/5/03 at 12:28pm
Just watched most of the film. My god this set is beautiful. The colors seem richer in this set, at least to me. The detail is astounding. Much better fine detail in things and clothing. Not as much smearing as the two disc version. Sound is more natural sounding and enveloping as well, at least on the DTS track.
This is quite simply one of the most beautiful DVDs out there. Just simply breathtaking to watch this film the best it can be now. I cannot recommend this highly enough to people. Just simply extraordinary transfer on here.

Thank you Mr Harris! Thank you!
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post #25 of 98
9/5/03 at 4:13pm
I don't even want to choose between the CE and the Superbit. I will keep them both. It would have been nice to have the extras from the CE in the Superbit version but I will be happy to get the Superbit just for the improvement in picture and sound.

-D
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post #26 of 98
9/5/03 at 6:33pm
The first act of LAWRENCE is considerably longer then the second, so it's no surprise to me that the Superbit had to break somewhere before the intermission.
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post #27 of 98
9/5/03 at 6:50pm
Is the default track DD or DTS?
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post #28 of 98
9/5/03 at 7:17pm
DD is the default. It wouldnt work right to default to the DTS as that might cause issues with people without the proper equipment. All you have to do is hit your audio button and change it on the fly anyways
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post #29 of 98
9/5/03 at 7:26pm
Hrmph. I might just have to pick this up... of course it may need to fly under the wife radar though, she's already mad that I'm falling for the double dipping on all the Trek films.

Speaking of making DTS the default, is there any DVD player out there that can be configured to make an English DTS track the default no matter what (if one's available)? Or would that break the DVD spec?
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post #30 of 98
9/5/03 at 7:36pm
There are two titles I have that default to DTS. The Thin Red Line and Starship Troopers Superbit. However, The Fifth Element SB defaults to DD. I believe it depends on the player and/or the disc.
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