Metropolis on Blu Ray in 2010 - Page 2

And the Moroder version had unique tinting.

When the BD comes out, I'll be interested to read what people more knowledgeable than I have to say about it.  I saw a digital copy of the new version on a Sony 4K projector at the Michigan Theater in Ann Arbor.  The 16 mm additions are extremely obvious because of vertical lines running throughout them, but generally the picture looks remarkably good.  Some of the exterior shots, however, had a scrubbed digital look and appeared to be devoid of grain.  They weren't offensive, and they had the pristine look that some on-line reviewers prefer, but they didn't look like the interior shots with their appropriate grain.  That is to say, they didn't look like film.  Regardless, the restoration is a remarkable achievement and an unexpected gift to movie buffs.  I'm not complaining, just curious.

I've seen some clips from the restoration and the bulk of the film does look pretty good. However with a film as important as this I'm wondering why the 'recent' 16mm sections couldn't have been digitally restored by Lowry or a similar company to really bring the film back up to pristine condition 'as new'? Surely if James Bond, Star Wars, North by Northwest etc are deemed worthy enough to get the de-scratching treatment then a film as important as Metropolis surely deserves equal if not better treatment? Is this a case of budget, or are the recently discovered elements in too bad a shape to be digitally restored?

The elements are too far gone. They did a lot of work on the 16mm newly rediscovered footage. There are some restoration clips online on the official website I believe.

 

What you'll see IS restored, by people better than Lowry. That the damaged sections still look damaged just confirms how far gone they were to begin with. Short of reanimating the scenes (recreating them), this is as good as it could get. Bear in mind Lowry is the company that screwed up the framing of the James Bond films and the colors of Star Wars films -- they aren't exactly cream of the crop.

Sorry, but Lowry had nothing to do with the awful colour of the Star Wars DVDs (pink lightsabres aside!) - that was Mr Lucas & his team who wanted the palette more in line with the garish prequals. Lowry just dealt with getting rid of dirt, and grading the grain so it looked constant between FX and non-FX scenes. Certain scenes were also sharpened too, again at the behest of Mr Lucas... It was also a rush job, Lowry themselves complaining that they really needed more time but Lucasfilm wanted a speedy release...

 

"We'd done a lot of work on the films prior to going to John," says Lucasfilm's VP Jim Ward, "re-mastering them in high-def, down-converting them into standard def, and re-color timing them. We actually took a cleaning pass through Industrial Light and Magic, as well, but then ultimately took them down to John to make them pristine."

 

http://secrethistoryofstarwars.com/savingstarwars.html

 

Sorry this is a wee bit off topic folks.

Edited by johnSM - 9/29/10 at 3:08am

I don't think I've seen any reviews here yet? This is a film I've been really curious about to see. I've never sat through it.

Also brings to mind "Things to Come". Not that I'm comparing the two films in stature. They are two early science fiction films.

According to Kino they are running a week or two behind with the release.  We will get a copy and Michael Reuben will be reviewing it as soon as they are available.

Thanks Adam. I didn't know it was delayed, saw it in the New Releases thread for this Tuesday. I had a look at Amazon and they list it for release on the 23rd, as you posted above.

Sorry if this has already been discussed, and maybe no one knows for sure yet, but:

 

Is there a rundown showing what the differences are between the US and the two UK releases?  (One is a steelbook.)  They get a nice 56-page book, which I don't see listed for the US package (this is starting to sound depressingly familiar).  Also, I was looking at the descriptions on Amazon UK and I'm confused as to number of discs, etc. -- and of course we'll want to know what's region-free and what isn't.

The [url=http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film/DVDCompare7/metropolis2.htm]DVDBeaver[/url] page shows exactly what the differences are between the two. The picture and sound seem more or less the same, but the bonus materials seem to be better on the Masters of Cinema version. But, unfortunately for the people in the US, it's region locked to region B, as per Kino's wishes (who then released their version region free).

 

Well, unfortunately for Kino, I think I'm going to have to pass, and spring for a quality region-free BD player sooner rather than later because I don't care to live with the significant disparities between their release and the Masters of Cinema.  Looks like MoC is even giving Criterion a run for their money, at least as far as "M" is concerned.  Lots of desirable material on that one.  I'm kind of afraid to look any further...

Meh.........While the book would be nice to have I won't be loosing any sleep over this. 

 

I don't get the obsession with steelbook packaging, I've no use for German language titlecards and I never have time to listen to commentaries anymore.  I can especially do without Rosenblaum blathering in my ear for 2 hours straight.

 

I'm fine with the Kino disc if it ever gets here.

The UK version is also available in a regular Blu-ray case, that has a slipcover. While the extras might not do anything for you, I would think that the original title cards would be of some importance. It's very odd that those aren't even included in the Kino version.

Some steelbooks are nice, others "eh".  In this case, I'd get the regular BD packaging because I don't need the (PAL) DVDs that for some reason come only with the steelbook, and it'll save a couple of bucks as well.

 

But I'm definitely an "extras" man, when they're worthwhile.  Of course everyone's mileage will vary on that.

Just wanted to say that my pre-ordered Kino version just shipped to me from Amazon.ca.  there was talk of a delay into December, but I'm guessing they got it sorted?

It's in stock at Amazon U.S. I'm not sure what the deal is, but I haven't received a review copy.

Was there really a delay?

 

I've had my copy (bought locally) from J&R since last Friday -- they actually had it since last Tues (11/16) and currently has it priced at $23.99, which seems to be the best price around (sans coupons).

 

_Man_

I usually buy from J&R but I found a copy for $25 at a DVD/Blu Ray discount outlet on West 14th on Nov. 14.