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Wayne's The Alamo; 'Deluxe Edition' for 2009?  

post #1 of 23
12/4/08 at 2:16pm
Thread Starter 
Not always the most reliable source, but, according to another forum, I see the rumour mill at Movies Unlimited is speculating about MGM pushing the boat out for John Wayne's epic 'The Alamo' next year. Says Irv Slifkin:

Word is that MGM will be issuing a new Alamo in mid-2009 with the footage that has been clipped. The regular version is now discontinued although we have lots of them in stock (we often buy as much as we can when we hear a title is going off the market). Expect a deluxe package with lots of extras...

I know Robert Harris has been pushing for this for some years, though I recall the speculation that the footage that formed the Roadshow version had become so unstable that it was unusable. It would be something of a dream come true to see the film fully restored, and the words 'deluxe package' will be music to my, and 1000s of other fans, ears...

Here's hoping that this is more than mere rumour.
post #2 of 23
12/4/08 at 2:40pm

Re: Wayne's The Alamo; 'Deluxe Edition' for 2009?

Quote:
Originally Posted by John Hodson
Not always the most reliable source, but, according to another forum, I see the rumour mill at Movies Unlimited is speculating about MGM pushing the boat out for John Wayne's epic 'The Alamo' next year. Says Irv Slifkin:

Word is that MGM will be issuing a new Alamo in mid-2009 with the footage that has been clipped. The regular version is now discontinued although we have lots of them in stock (we often buy as much as we can when we hear a title is going off the market). Expect a deluxe package with lots of extras...

I know Robert Harris has been pushing for this for some years, though I recall the speculation that the footage that formed the Roadshow version had become so unstable that it was unusable. It would be something of a dream come true to see the film fully restored, and the words 'deluxe package' will be music to my, and 1000s of other fans, ears...

Here's hoping that this is more than mere rumour.


I hope this is true been waiting to upgrade my Laserdisc for along time. I much prefer this version. It fills in all the missing story gaps and credibility such as to how they arrived at the total number of volunteers now adds up.
The restored footage on the Laserdisc for this was in much better shape than Its a Mad, Mad World was so I'm not sure what delayed this for so long.
post #3 of 23
12/4/08 at 3:37pm

Re: Wayne's The Alamo; 'Deluxe Edition' for 2009?

I agree that the restored version is much better than the cut version. I would also like this to be announced for Blu-ray when it comes.

You can read about what delayed this so long, and about the condition here, where RAH was interviewed:
John Wayne related news - 07/08/2002: "Duke's "Alamo" in decay"

And here:

http://www.hometheaterforum.com/htf/...iew-alamo.html

Where he stated that "A viable restoration and reconstruction is still possible"
post #4 of 23
12/4/08 at 3:52pm

Re: Wayne's The Alamo; 'Deluxe Edition' for 2009?

I would love to see the restored footage and a special edition of HAWAII....a very underrated epic,
post #5 of 23
12/5/08 at 1:44am

Re: Wayne's The Alamo; 'Deluxe Edition' for 2009?

I'd just be glad to know that MGM is still releasing catalog titles. Aside from a new edition of LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT, have they announced *anything* for 2009?
post #6 of 23
12/5/08 at 9:30am

Re: Wayne's The Alamo; 'Deluxe Edition' for 2009?

i never did pick up the original version, so this would be a great edition to my Wayne collection! I hope it happens!
post #7 of 23
12/8/08 at 4:06pm

Re: Wayne's The Alamo; 'Deluxe Edition' for 2009?

Quote:
Originally Posted by John Hodson
Not always the most reliable source, but, according to another forum, I see the rumour mill at Movies Unlimited is speculating about MGM pushing the boat out for John Wayne's epic 'The Alamo' next year. Says Irv Slifkin:

Word is that MGM will be issuing a new Alamo in mid-2009 with the footage that has been clipped. The regular version is now discontinued although we have lots of them in stock (we often buy as much as we can when we hear a title is going off the market). Expect a deluxe package with lots of extras...

I know Robert Harris has been pushing for this for some years, though I recall the speculation that the footage that formed the Roadshow version had become so unstable that it was unusable. It would be something of a dream come true to see the film fully restored, and the words 'deluxe package' will be music to my, and 1000s of other fans, ears...

Here's hoping that this is more than mere rumour.
post #8 of 23
12/8/08 at 4:23pm

The Alamo - Restored DVD for 2009?

Was it Travis who said "It does seem like a dream come true. But we can only admit our doubts in the privacy of this room and not outside in front of the men"
The problem MGM face is the task of not only salvaging film that is almost 50 years old but also how to dub the deleted scenes into foreign languages in order to market the project abroad. Without the benefit of foreign sales the project won't have much of a chance of recouping its investment let alone make a profit.
Imagine the project in the hands of Criterion or Anchor Bay? I'd gladly pay a hundred bucks if either had put their efforts behind a restored version.
All power to Sony/Columbia for doing a good job with Major Dundee in 2005 - well worth the effort.
I hope that the project comes to fruition for all concerned. Good luck !
post #9 of 23
12/8/08 at 6:40pm

Re: The Alamo - Restored DVD for 2009?

Quote:
Originally Posted by mondrega
The problem MGM face is the task of not only salvaging film that is almost 50 years old but also how to dub the deleted scenes into foreign languages in order to market the project abroad. Without the benefit of foreign sales the project won't have much of a chance of recouping its investment let alone make a profit.
What about subtitles?
post #10 of 23
12/8/08 at 8:44pm

Re: Wayne's The Alamo; 'Deluxe Edition' for 2009?

Subtitles are stigmatised in foreign countries in much the same way that we shun English dubs of foreign language movies. Go figure.
post #11 of 23
12/9/08 at 10:40pm

Re: Wayne's The Alamo; 'Deluxe Edition' for 2009?

If MGM is giving The Alamo the works, it its way over due that It's A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World gets the works.
post #12 of 23
12/10/08 at 2:39pm
Thread Starter 

Re: Wayne's The Alamo; 'Deluxe Edition' for 2009?

Movie Irv is now back-tracking. Reported to another forum:

"Fox just called and told me there are no “current” plans for The Alamo’s release in 2009. My feeling is the year 2010 will mark the film’s 50th anniversary warranting the restoration and a jam-packed special edition. That’s a long time to wait, but it all makes perfect sense in the DVD scheme of things."
post #13 of 23
12/10/08 at 4:21pm

Re: Wayne's The Alamo; 'Deluxe Edition' for 2009?

I had thought that the amount of cash MGM would be required to spend to get the film back into decent condition, prohibited them from undertaking the task. Well, certainly hope one day it'll happen. I burned my Laserdisc copy before selling it off, but the PQ still leaves a lot to be desired.

I know I'm probably in the minority, but to me, this was Wayne's greatest film...
post #14 of 23
12/10/08 at 9:22pm

Re: Wayne's The Alamo; 'Deluxe Edition' for 2009?

I would love to see The Alamo restored to its roadshow version on DVD and BR. It's a beautiful film. I could be wrong, but I believe the Wayne family have to give their blessing and open their vaults to any restoration effort, and as I've learned recently, they're not keen on dredging up old times.

As an aside, the set John Wayne built is still standing and open for business. I've been there a few times. It's very practical for shooting, with a ready and able supply of rolling stock, tack, minders, and some support services, although you have to undergo the additional expense of flying dailies back and forth to and from the lab. It is surrounded by one spectacular western landscape offering many pictorial possibilities. It's the best-designed, best-looking, most historically accurate western town set still standing in the USA. Most of them are torn down or in disrepair. Check out Alamo Village here:

AlamoVillage
post #15 of 23
3/14/09 at 6:04pm

Re: Wayne's The Alamo; 'Deluxe Edition' for 2009?

Just thought I'd pop in here to let everyone know that Turner Classic Movies (TCM) is presenting the extended cut of "The Alamo" on Tuesday, March 17. You can refer to their online schedule *here*.

If anyone here who has DVR'd this movie (from earlier TCM airings) knows, what was the audio format of the TCM presentation? Was it stereo, Dolby Pro-Logic Surround, or Dolby Digital 5.1 surround? This would be interesting to know, as the Director's Cut laserdisc had Dolby Pro-Logic suround in digital PCM, and also 384kbps Dolby Digital 5.1. I'm thinking of DVR-ing the TCM broadcast to see if it is of better quality than the laserdisc. Anyway, if somebody knows and could provide the answer, it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
post #16 of 23
3/15/09 at 4:28am

Re: Wayne's The Alamo; 'Deluxe Edition' for 2009?

And on this same vein...TCM yesterday showed a coming attraction trailer for The Quiet Man, which is being shown immediately after The Alamo. Not sure if it's just my 40-year old eyes playing tricks on me, but the print of the trailer looked to be remastered. So, on the off-chance that this presentation will not just be the same old washed out, blurry print that is always shown, I set the DVR for this Tuesday night at 8pm. Here's hoping!
post #17 of 23
3/15/09 at 2:39pm

Re: Wayne's The Alamo; 'Deluxe Edition' for 2009?

It is very interesting to note, assuming the elements to the extended footage have deteriorated beyond repair or lost forever, that the only extant footage to the cut scenes is on digital video only. Perhaps if someone were to find a way to convert digital video back to film, maybe we'll have a chance to see some edition of the roadshow version. With the right know how and technology, it can be done. Converting film-on-video to film should now be no hassle.
post #18 of 23
3/15/09 at 4:33pm

Re: Wayne's The Alamo; 'Deluxe Edition' for 2009?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jo_C
Perhaps if someone were to find a way to convert digital video back to film, maybe we'll have a chance to see some edition of the roadshow version. With the right know how and technology, it can be done. Converting film-on-video to film should now be no hassle.

The LD video master probably has the equivalent SD image resolution of 720 pixels wide x 480 pixels high (someone will surely correct me if I'm wrong). When you eliminate the letterbox borders, the vertical resolution is even smaller than 480 pixels. (My digital conversion of The Alamo Director's Cut LD had a vertical image height of only 300 pixels after cropping off the letterbox bars). I doubt that such a low-resolution digital source could be used to create a new film print that's anywhere near suitable for theatrical presentation.
post #19 of 23
3/16/09 at 2:49am

Re: Wayne's The Alamo; 'Deluxe Edition' for 2009?

Quote:
Originally Posted by John Hodson
Movie Irv is now back-tracking. Reported to another forum:

"Fox just called and told me there are no “current” plans for The Alamo’s release in 2009. My feeling is the year 2010 will mark the film’s 50th anniversary warranting the restoration and a jam-packed special edition. That’s a long time to wait, but it all makes perfect sense in the DVD scheme of things."
To restore this film with the extended cut of it will take a lot of investment so releasing it on its 50th anniversary makes a good business case for getting this project approved. I just hope these poor economic times haven't stop the project in it's tracks.




Crawdaddy
post #20 of 23
3/16/09 at 6:37am

Re: Wayne's The Alamo; 'Deluxe Edition' for 2009?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Robert Crawford
To restore this film with the extended cut of it will take a lot of investment so releasing it on its 50th anniversary makes a good business case for getting this project approved. I just hope these poor economic times haven't stop the project in it's tracks.

Ten minutes ago this morning I listened to CNN report that these hard economic times are good for Hollywood. Attendance is up 15% and revenues are up 17% this year, CNN says, because Americans are looking for the lowest-priced entertainment when they go out. CNN than commented how this is consistent with attendance and revenues during the Great Depression.

How all this impacts home video, who knows. But I want very much to see the restoration of John Wayne's full-length The Alamo even if Warner Home Video has to set it up as a write-off.
post #21 of 23
3/16/09 at 7:11am

Re: Wayne's The Alamo; 'Deluxe Edition' for 2009?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Richard--W
Ten minutes ago this morning I listened to CNN report that these hard economic times are good for Hollywood. Attendance is up 15% and revenues are up 17% this year, CNN says, because Americans are looking for the lowest-priced entertainment when they go out. CNN than commented how this is consistent with attendance and revenues during the Great Depression.

How all this impacts home video, who knows. But I want very much to see the restoration of John Wayne's full-length The Alamo even if Warner Home Video has to set it up as a write-off.
I know for a fact that home video sales are down. By the way, this isn't a Warner title, but belongs to MGM.





Crawdaddy
post #22 of 23
3/16/09 at 10:04am

Re: Wayne's The Alamo; 'Deluxe Edition' for 2009?

Quote:
Originally Posted by jim_falconer
And on this same vein...TCM yesterday showed a coming attraction trailer for The Quiet Man, which is being shown immediately after The Alamo. Not sure if it's just my 40-year old eyes playing tricks on me, but the print of the trailer looked to be remastered. So, on the off-chance that this presentation will not just be the same old washed out, blurry print that is always shown, I set the DVR for this Tuesday night at 8pm. Here's hoping!

I've never seen a good colour presentation of "The Quiet Man". The transfer on Sky is just unwatchable. So I'll be interested in your report. As for "The Alamo", I love this western, & the present version is the one I saw at the cinema, so I'm not that bothered about the extra scenes. It would be nice to have them if the picture quality is not too ropey, but I don't think that's the case. MGM can do good work when they pull their finger out, just look at the Leone westerns.
post #23 of 23
3/20/09 at 3:46pm

Re: Wayne's The Alamo; 'Deluxe Edition' for 2009?

Here is the update I've been waiting on about "The Alamo" restoration project. Any further discussion about its restoration should take place in this thread. Thank you.





Crawdaddy
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