Hitchcock on Blu-ray? - Page 4

Quote:

Originally Posted by benbess 

 

As a big Hitchcock fan, it's distressing to me to how many of his titles are owned by Universal. Even with RAH's measured and diplomatic words about their operation, I'd say there's trouble in river city...
 

Tell me about it. I assumed they would be forced to remaster "Spartacus" because of that studio fire that destroyed many of the existing telecine masters and release prints in the vault. Regretfully, that's one of the ones that survived.

Thought I'd bump this thread.

I'd be curious to see what we have on blu ray so far: And is coming. 

These are the titles I know of. What else?

1. North By Northwest

2. Psycho (UK now and US in October)

The 39 Steps (UK)

Weren't Vertigo and The Birds already mentioned as being prepared in HD? I hope so because I already traded in my DVD copies.

Vertigo is the other one I want to see! And if Mr. Harris is involved, that would be even better!

I'd also like to see Rear Window, The Birds, Dial M for Murder and the Selznick films, Notorious, Spellbound and Rebecca. And To Catch a Thief of course!

I've seen other sites mention these titles as well as a lot of the older ones like Strangers on a Train and Lifeboat.

Didn't know about The 39 Steps in the UK!

Universal probably wants to wait and see how well Psycho will be doing on Blu-ray. I can't imagine that it won't do well, since it looks to be a great disc, so we can probably look forward to more Hitchcock on BD.

DVD Beaver has its review of the UK Blu-Ray of "Psycho" up, with screen shots.  The reviewer said it should be the same transfer as the US vesrion.  He also had some discussion with Robert Harris about it, and says both agree it looks fabulous:

http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film/DVDCompare6/psycho.htm

Though it is framed at 1.85.  There was some discussion here somewhere that the proper aspect ratio for "Psycho" is 1.78.

1.85:1 and 1.78:1 are basically interchangeable when it comes to home video releases. Most studios don't even recognize them as different aspect ratios. Same with 1.33:1 and 1.37:1, or 2.35:1, 2.39:1, and 2.40:1.

Some of those screen grabs from the blu-ray looked like really good black and white prints!

I can imagine what his older films will look like.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nelson Au 

Some of those screen grabs from the blu-ray looked like really good black and white prints!

 

I can imagine what his older films will look like.

Max has recently shown most of the Universal HItchocks in HD.  I recorded them and am currently going through them.  They look pretty good, but are obviously older masters.  TMWKTM is the same master used on the DVDs, with egregious boosted contrast and sharpening.  They do look better than the DVDs, obviously, but as I watch them I'm imagining how much better they could look as 1080p BDs from new masters.

Doug

I've been pretty disappointed with the Hitchcock broadcasts on Max. To me they look very soft.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jerauf 

I've been pretty disappointed with the Hitchcock broadcasts on Max. To me they look very soft.

So far, I've watched Saboteur, TMWKTM, and most of Vertigo.  Aside from the problem w/ the master for TMWKTM, I think they look very good.  They don't seem soft to me.  Vertigo, especially, looked wonderful, and with the original soundtrack, it sounded lovely as well.

Doug

What is this Max your referring to.  Is it Cinemax?

Yes, Cinemax. This week they showed The Birds, Frenzy, Vertigo, and I think The Man Who Knew Too Much (although I'm not sure about the last).

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doug Otte 

So far, I've watched Saboteur, TMWKTM, and most of Vertigo.  Aside from the problem w/ the master for TMWKTM, I think they look very good.  They don't seem soft to me.  Vertigo, especially, looked wonderful, and with the original soundtrack, it sounded lovely as well.

 

Doug

I'd like to modify my opinion.  I tried Rear Window last night.  It was a 4:3 P&S version.  I deleted it so fast I didn't even see if it was HD, but I doubt it.  Next, I tried The Birds.  It was HD and 16:9 (can't remember if the original was wider), but it was problematic.  It was an old master, very soft, with large bloblike grain.

So, I'm back to only Saboteur looking good, and Vertigo looking great.  Psycho will be recorded in a few days.  I didn't try Frenzy yet.

Doug
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doug Otte 

 

I'd like to modify my opinion.  I tried Rear Window last night.  It was a 4:3 P&S version.  I deleted it so fast I didn't even see if it was HD, but I doubt it.  Next, I tried The Birds.  It was HD and 16:9 (can't remember if the original was wider), but it was problematic.  It was an old master, very soft, with large bloblike grain.

 

So, I'm back to only Saboteur looking good, and Vertigo looking great.  Psycho will be recorded in a few days.  I didn't try Frenzy yet.

 

Doug
 

The HD version of Rear Window currently making the Cinemax rounds is an open-matte transfer, NOT pan & scan.  It's definitely in HD... I did an a/b comparison with the Legacy DVD and the Cinemax broadcast was a definite improvement, PQ-wise.  I'm not sure WHY it's open-matte, though...

Any more news on blu ray releases? I see Pyscho is on the way, but was hoping for some more of the films too. 

Thanks! 

No news, but Lady Vanishes is likely to be the third Hitchcock bluray, because I think Criterion will try to get it out soon.  Hopefully they'll reissue 39 Steps at the same time.

And Rebecca?!

Quote:

Originally Posted by benbess 

And Rebecca?!

I don't think they own the rights to issue Rebecca or the other Selznick pictures any more.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattH. 

I don't think they own the rights to issue Rebecca or the other Selznick pictures any more.

You are correct.  ABC which owns the Selznick titles along with the ABC Pictures, a feature film production that more or less lasted from the mid 60's and into the early 70's, leased the DVD  rights to MGM around 2004 of which they still control.  Not sure why they were leased out for by that time Disney owned ABC, but evidently Disney had no need for them and/or they do not fit what they think their library is.  The titles were previously released by Anchor Bay before MGM and MGM just basically re-issued the Anchor Bay transfers and has not released any that were not previously released, such as The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Song Of Norway.  Not sure how long the contract lasts but if it a ten year deal then it should be up in 2014 then perhaps they can be leased to Olive.
 

Rebecca, Notorious and Spellbound are all out of print in SDDVD and thus rather unlikely to become criterion blurays due to rights issues.

However 39 STeps and Lady vanishes have remained in print and Lady Vanishes has had a swanky SD new edition reissue, criterion has gradually put out virtually all their reissues on bluray (remaining are Beauty and the Beast, Amarcord, High & Low, Salo, and The Lady Vanishes, iirc)

Criterion is also rumored to have the rights to Foreign Correspondant, so if they release Foreign Correspondant, expect it to come out in bluray as well.  From all accounts the dual bluray upgrade of the Red shoes and Black Narcissus was an immense success, so I think Criterion probably will release 39 Steps and The Lady Vanishes upgrades to bluray at the same time, probably sometime in 2011.  Of course it is entirely possible they may do FC & LV or FC and 39, but I would be shocked if we got three hitchcock blurays from them at the same time, but I would not be surprised (and expect to, actually) to get two Hitchcock blurays from them at the same time.

I hope Criterion may still have some rights to Rebecca, Spellbound and especially Notorious. My favorite of the three. If not, I hope one studio will.

"Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again..." Rebecca, one of my top favourite Hitchcocks. I have the Criterion but I might be tempted to buy it on Blu-ray if it ever gets released. The Lady Vanishes is another top 10 favourite. I've watched both films at least once every year for the past 30 years or so.

The only Hitchcock films I have on Blu-ray are North by Northwest and Psycho. I have 34 of his films on DVD.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nelson Au 

I hope Criterion may still have some rights to Rebecca, Spellbound and especially Notorious. My favorite of the three. If not, I hope one studio will.

Criterion lost the rights several years ago to the Selznick films.  MGM should have control on them until 2014 so unless they change their business model then I would think that we will have to wait until after that time.  Perhaps Criterion can re-acquire the right then.
 

Would LOVE Notorious on Blu-ray. One of my favorite Hitchcocks. 

There's a pre order for The Birds up at Amazon. No release date or announcement, but interesting none the less. Hopefully it's on the way soon!!! 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Haxton 

There's a pre order for The Birds up at Amazon. No release date or announcement, but interesting none the less. Hopefully it's on the way soon!!! 

Any further news on The Birds? I preordered it from Amazon, but there is not a date listed. Thanks! 

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00466H3I6

Lady Vanishes and 39 Steps surely are on Criterion's bluray radar? I'm hoping for a July dual release of both (ala last years dual release of Red Shoes and Black Narcissus)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adam_S 

Lady Vanishes and 39 Steps surely are on Criterion's bluray radar? I'm hoping for a July dual release of both (ala last years dual release of Red Shoes and Black Narcissus)

On the radar as they have been issued by Criterion on DVD before? Criterion also had a box set of Hitchcock films as well? 

I believe Universal commented that some of the Hitchcock titles they currently hold may take time to remaster for blu ray. Especially as they wish to get them looking as good as Pyscho. 

Is it known what is happening specifically with The Birds on blu ray? Odd that Amazon has it listed and available for preorder, but no release date.