Alastair Sim A CHRISTMAS CAROL November 3, 2009 - (UPDATE New 11-1-2011 Release)

Andrew:  Isn't this likely the same disc we got a year or so ago (with the 4:3 and the butchered 16:9 versions)?

It looks like the same basic idea.

Oh my.

I just noticed that you posted this in the high-def section.  I completely missed that when I first checked things out because of where I found the thread listing!

Now THAT'S exciting! 

Is there an MSRP?

This post is confusing as I thought it was posted in the HD software section by mistake because NO ONE mentioned it was on Blu-ray and the picture didn't show it.

Amazon has the Blu-ray cover:


A definite buy for me.

Paul

Lossless audio, I wonder?  It would be really interesting to hear if it makes any difference with this title. 

Well, that is good to know.

Well, Andrew...we are just days away!

Has anyone heard/seen anything about this release? 

I am very much looking forward to it.

No review on this one yet?
Don't want to pull the trigger on buying this until I know a little more on how it looks.

I'll be surprised if it doesn't look good since the last DVD release was pretty good. 

But, I agree.  It sure would be nice to know for sure...or at least as sure as you can trust in a review...

I am especially curious to hear about the audio track...

There's a rather poor review of a supposedly different ("emerald") Canadian blu-ray version at blu-ray.com http://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=104728&page=3
 
But nobody knows if the upcoming VCI version will be from the same restoration.

In any case, I've already sold my DVD so I'm in for the BD, for better or worse.

Thanks a bunch, Marvin.  Like you say:  It ain't much of a review...but at least it's something. 

At least the reviewer, who doesn't seem to bring a lot to the table, says it looks better than any of the DVD iterations he's ever seen.  Like I said, I thought the last VCI effort (DVD) was pretty good. 

Keeping fingers crossed.

The last dvd was okay...but the 4x3 version was literally choppy, cutting out the ends of shots. There was an entire shot of Fred's wife missing at the end, as well as a scream on the soundtrack when Marley shows up.

Actually by "poor review" I meant the reviewer's opinion of the DVD, not my opinion of the review. Sorry for the confusion.

But it seems nobody knows if the version he reviewed will end up being the same transfer as the upcoming one.

DVD Beaver now has their review up:

http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film2/DVDReviews47/a_christmas_carol_blu-ray.htm

Oh my...DVD Beaver makes this look like an even more dramatic improvement than the BD of It's a Wonderful Life!

This one will be scarfed up the minute I see it. 

Thanks, Marvin! 

While it looks promising, I have been burned by VCI before. I want to know if the missing audio and shot of Fred's wife have been put back into the film. They went missing on the last "restored from the original 35mm elements" release.

So if you can find out that those problems remain, you won't buy this BD, Eric?

I doubt it. The previous dvd was the best the film has looked despite the problems. However, there were other shots in which the ends of shots were cut off in weird glitches (but oddly they were present on the 16x9 cropped version on the same disc.) It will suffice, especially since so much is coming out that I have to have. BTW, those screenshots compare an older dvd...not the version I am speaking of. I don't know why they aren't comparing the most recent restoration to the new Blu.
Edited by eric scott richard - 10/31/09 at 9:22pm

Looks like I'll be upgrading my terrible "Emerald Edition" dvd. At last I'll be able to own a watchable copy of this excellent movie.

Eric, I too noticed the missing scream on the last dvd but that was only on the 5.1 track. On the original mono I believe it is still there.

While it certainly looks promising, DVDBeaver is comparing ot to a really crap 10 year old version on dvd. NOT the restored one from 2 years ago.

Okay, I got confirmation that this release is indeed uncut. The missing scream has been restored, as has the shot of Fred's wife. So, I went ahead and ordered from Amazon, along with MGM's dvd release of L&H's Babes in Toyland/March of the Wooden Soldiers. I got free shipping on this order and paid around $27 (give or take a few cents.) Not bad.

Where'd you get that confirmation Eric?

A friend.

Gotcha.  Did they have any reaction to the BD presentation?

They said it looks better than it ever has. Not perfect, but I don't think this film ever was or ever will be. They said that the contrast is improved, as well as the framing. That's good enough for me! I'm a Christmas Carol lover....I have 10 versions and will probably add the Jim Carey version when it hits Blu.

The '51 is the only one for me... 

I haven't found a PERFECT version yet. The '51 does come closest, though. I love the 1938 MGM version because it is so cozy on a cold winter's night. I like the Finney version for the scope. The Scott version captures the time period well. Sims is the best Scrooge ever, though.