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Robert Harris on The Bits: Resurrecting and Restoring the Alamo! - Page 3

post #61 of 298
8/16/09 at 9:34am
It's very encouraging to read that work has actually got underway.
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post #62 of 298
8/16/09 at 10:57am
Quote:
Originally Posted by John Hodson View Post

It's very encouraging to read that work has actually got underway.

Not necessarily underway.  More in line with the first flight of the Wright Brothers -- touching down every 150 feet or so.
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post #63 of 298
8/16/09 at 1:03pm
Mr Harris if the issue is with securing the funding, specifically corporate, surely the original idea of fan or public funding would be the way to go as it seemed as if there was a lot of public support and perhaps it would fill the shortfall...glad to hear that some of the more pressing parts of the restoration have been able to be started.

Best wishes

M
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post #64 of 298
10/9/09 at 10:40pm
Is 8k equal in quality to 70mm ? I obtained information from this site before on digital restoration but am still confused about where the resolution tops out. I know the comparison to still shots does not tell the complete story but it looks like there is allot more resolution possible from a 35mm negative than 4k and even 8k if its a very good shot. Now 70mm must have more info to bear than 8k HD doesn't it ?
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post #65 of 298
10/10/09 at 4:46am
Quote:
Originally Posted by snoopy28574 View Post

Is 8k equal in quality to 70mm ? I obtained information from this site before on digital restoration but am still confused about where the resolution tops out. I know the comparison to still shots does not tell the complete story but it looks like there is allot more resolution possible from a 35mm negative than 4k and even 8k if its a very good shot. Now 70mm must have more info to bear than 8k HD doesn't it ?

8k captures everything in older 65 negatives, although I haven't personally tested anything created within the lifetime of most posting here.

4k does nicely capturing image for 35, although again, I have not personally examined 6k scan to 4k for work.  Keep in mind that once an image goes to film and projection, the losses pile up.

RAH
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post #66 of 298
10/25/09 at 10:14pm
Robert,

I was wondering if you have a status report on the restoration process.  I run a forum that every member is a fan of The Alamo and the legend who made the film.  Do you have something that I can take back to these fans since the 50th anniversary year is fast approaching?
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post #67 of 298
10/26/09 at 5:04am
Quote:
Originally Posted by DakotaSurfer View Post

Robert,

I was wondering if you have a status report on the restoration process.  I run a forum that every member is a fan of The Alamo and the legend who made the film.  Do you have something that I can take back to these fans since the 50th anniversary year is fast approaching?
With the aid of MGM, we have done preservation of the original six track magnetic audio of the short version of the film.  All else is on hold until corporate or charitable entities come forward with total funding, as we are not accepting personal donations.
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post #68 of 298
12/5/09 at 6:47pm
 Robert, 

Any further progress on the Alamo? 

Peter
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post #69 of 298
12/6/09 at 5:31am
While ready to move forward, still waiting for a major sponsor or three for financial support.

Quote:
Originally Posted by clownjuggles View Post

 Robert, 

Any further progress on the Alamo? 

Peter
 
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post #70 of 298
12/6/09 at 8:36am
Robert - Have you reached out to corporations not associated with the film industry? I know at least one financial institution (that I work for ) that has provided grants and funding for arts releated projects through the years as part of their philanthropic programs?
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post #71 of 298
3/22/10 at 11:42pm
March 2010 has almost come and gone...and, unfortunately, no restored "Alamo".  Could this have something to do with the vicarious state of MGM, or was certainly not enough money to rescue this film from oblivion?  One thing's for sure...the only extant version of the roadshow cut remains only on digital video.
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post #72 of 298
3/23/10 at 9:19am
I still have my fingers crossed we'll see Alamo soon!
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post #73 of 298
3/23/10 at 2:18pm
I doubt that anything will move forward until the dust settles and MGM finds itself in a more stable atmosphere.

For the record, the actual roadshow version of The Alamo has never been released in any home video format.

RAH 
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post #74 of 298
3/23/10 at 6:33pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Robert Harris View Post

For the record, the actual roadshow version of The Alamo has never been released in any home video format.

RAH 

I thought the two-tape VHS version with all the (unrestored and faded) inserted footage was the roadshow version. There was certainly a bunch of new footage.
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post #75 of 298
3/23/10 at 7:08pm
Besides the VHS Tape version there was a 'Roadshow' version available on Laserdisc.  Also, TCM has shown this same version.  Thus, it is quite a surprise to learn that this 'long' version is not the original Roadshow version.  I had assumed that this was the version found in Canada some years back...
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post #76 of 298
3/23/10 at 8:37pm
Maybe Robert Harris meant the actual roadshow version as in including the original Todd AO credits since all 70MM Todd  AO prints of Todd AO films have this credit.
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post #77 of 298
3/24/10 at 8:09am
At thedigitalbits.com Mr. Harris said:

"For over thirty years, the original Roadshow version of the film was feared lost, until in 1991 a lone surviving 70mm print was found in remarkably good condition in a film exchange in Toronto."

and

 "That print was used as the basis of what was called the Roadshow for release on laser disc."

I thought that was the roadshow version.
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post #78 of 298
3/24/10 at 9:09am
"Close, but no cigar."

Quote:
Originally Posted by RolandL View Post


At thedigitalbits.com Mr. Harris said:

"For over thirty years, the original Roadshow version of the film was feared lost, until in 1991 a lone surviving 70mm print was found in remarkably good condition in a film exchange in Toronto."

and

 "That print was used as the basis of what was called the Roadshow for release on laser disc."

I thought that was the roadshow version.


 
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post #79 of 298
5/4/10 at 10:33am
I just saw a new release by Dimitri Tiomkin of The Alamo soundtrack and in the description where it states what is included in this new CD set is a statement that "New “Directors Cut” of the Complete Epic Film now in Preparation".  Are they talking about the one you are working on or is someone else doing a director's cut?  The statement was made on the SAE (Screen Archives Entertainment) website where the CD is available.
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post #80 of 298
5/4/10 at 10:45am
They're being hopeful.  I doubt that anything can move forward until M-G-M reaches their desired financial stability.
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post #81 of 298
7/11/10 at 3:44am

Robert,  Best of luck with this on-going project.  My director's cut laserdisc is one of my prized possessions.  I hope the finances are eventually there to make this restoration possible.  By the way, I just came back from a family vacation to Colonial Williamsburg, and watched a screening of the film 'The First Patriot'.  As the credits are rolling, who's name do I see up there on the screen?  None other than our old friend Mr. Harris!  I start telling my kids, but it just kind of flies over their heads.  Nice job with restoring that print...it looked and sounded great!

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post #82 of 298
7/11/10 at 3:54am

Quote:

Originally Posted by jim_falconer View Post

Robert,  Best of luck with this on-going project.  My director's cut laserdisc is one of my prized possessions.  I hope the finances are eventually there to make this restoration possible.  By the way, I just came back from a family vacation to Colonial Williamsburg, and watched a screening of the film 'The First Patriot'.  As the credits are rolling, who's name do I see up there on the screen?  None other than our old friend Mr. Harris!  I start telling my kids, but it just kind of flies over their heads.  Nice job with restoring that print...it looked and sounded great!


CWF is a terrific organization.  Pleased you were able to visit.  I first saw that film when I was 12.

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post #83 of 298
7/11/10 at 5:08am

Wasn't "The First Patriot" originally shown in a VistaVision print and then converted to 70mm?

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post #84 of 298
7/11/10 at 5:55am

Williamsburg: The Story of a Patriot was screened in a unique format from its premiere in 1957 into about the 1970s.  It was the only production to be presented in 35mm VistaVision 6-Track magnetic, with an extraordinary Todd-AO mix.  I'd now like to find a financial means of taking re-scanning in 6k toward eventual 4k projection.

 

Patriot is an extraordinary film that's been running nonstop for over fifty years, has been viewed by over 30 million Williamsburg visitors, and has a great deal of life in it.

 

RAH

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post #85 of 298
8/9/10 at 8:59am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Robert Harris View Post

They're being hopeful.  I doubt that anything can move forward until M-G-M reaches their desired financial stability.


After reading the EW article about the Bond films and other M-G-M woes it doesn't sound good for them.  No potential buyers and they are canceling projects.  Instead of Bond23 the lot is being used by the next Pirates film.  The Hobbit and The Three Stooges projects lost main actors and funding and the only thing in the can is a remake of Red Dawn. (yuck)  Could they be down for the count?  Do you see them maybe selling the rights to this for an infusion?

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post #86 of 298
8/9/10 at 2:03pm

MGM has a superb, but troubled library.  They also have some terrific execs in place.

I'm sure they'll pull through.

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post #87 of 298
8/9/10 at 2:05pm

Boy, I hate to think pessimistically, but given the delay in project funding, MGM's deep financial woes, and the fact that the deterioration by "vinegarization" of the only surviving 70mm road show print is unstoppable regardless of storage method used, I just can't help it.

 

Mr. Harris, is it nearing the "point of no return" for the 70mm deterioration, or is there still a lot of time left to begin work? It's so depressing to think that another important piece of film history may be lost.

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post #88 of 298
8/9/10 at 3:28pm

Time left?

 

Uh, no.

 

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post #89 of 298
8/9/10 at 9:14pm

If there's no time left for the vinegared elements, what would you be working from for the proposed restoration?

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post #90 of 298
8/10/10 at 5:49am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stephen_J_H View Post

If there's no time left for the vinegared elements, what would you be working from for the proposed restoration?


Interesting question.

 

One keeps the elements in the best possible environment, and prays nightly to the nitrate/vinegar gods.

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