1776 not coming to Blu-ray in 2012 (See post #286) - Page 3

Thanks to this thread I was able to track down a copy of the PSE LD (which I didn't even know existed). It was really cool to see the added sequences. I doubt I will be replacing my annual July 4th DVD viewing with the LD version (the PQ is too much of a step down for me), but I'm glad to have access to it.

 

Of all the differences, I would like to see a version that restores the full "Twiddle" sequence, the overture, the intermission/entr'acte, and the full seqence of Adams sleeping outside of TJ's abode. The "Lees" reprise is fun, but it doesn't make any sense to me. Lee is shown riding off and then all of sudden he's hiding in the bushes? Strange. But a restored version would be a nice extra.

 

BTW, early in this thread someone seemed to imply that the intermission was original to the LD. Did I read that right? If so, the producers of the LD did a good job of integrating it into the film.

(Blu-ray is always the perfect opportunity to release all the versions, documentaries, etc.)

The "Lees" reprise is of a comic Broadway reprise tradition.  It might be funnier in a staged production (it was totally hilarious in a couple that I've seen), but that's why it's there.

I'm not surprised to find the "Lees" reprise came from the show (I've spent enough hours attending as well as playing for musicals to spot one). I can definitely see that it would work really well on stage, but it seems a little out of place in the movie because of the staging, IMHO. But it's not a huge deal to me.

 

BTW, I forgot to mention a couple of other things I really liked on the LD that are missing on the DVD. During the scene with John and Abigail in the bell tower, the LD has a very nice underscore that is missing on the DVD. Similarly there is missing underscore in the scene following the South's walkout. There are probably more, but those are the ones I noticed.

 

I would really like to see this released as a multi-version BD before next July 4th.

I really enjoyed the "Lees" reprise.  While it did not move the plot along, it gave a little more insight to John Adams and Ben Franklin.  I vote and sign the declaration with you for a release by next July 4th.
 

 

And this is one instance in which New York does not abstain...courteously.  But votes a hearty YES!

 

Now excuse me...as I must go refresh the missus. 

I perceived the 1992 Pioneer Special Edition release of 1776 to be, as close as humanly possible at the time, the Peter Hunt roadshow cut planned for the movie's initial theatrical engagements, since printed on the interior of the laserdisc gatefold jacket is a note from the director in which he waxes enthusiastic about the release of the laserdisc: "I am extremely excited to have 1776 at last intact thanks to Pioneer LDCA, Inc., and in particular the remarkable work done by Joseph Caporiccio and Michael Matessino." (I think he is thanking the two gentlemen for their hard work, but his sentence structure interferes with that approbation.) Hunt goes on to say: "So, here it is, the complete, uncut, full-screen (sic), stereo 1776." He also expresses similar thoughts throughout the audio commentary which accompanies the PSE version, and the liner notes echo his sentiment, informing the reader that footage excised prior to the film's premiere was now restored, so, in theory, the LD version is Hunt's original cut, not the 2002 DVD release. The reversal of his opinion, stating that the DVD is his vision of 1776, is difficult to comprehend. Is he schizophrenic? Here's hoping for a Blu-ray release of the roadshow version.

 

 

 

I was the producer of the 1992 laserdisc version.   My idea was to just letterbox the existing film and remix the film for stereo.  It was Peters Idea to put the whole damn thing back together, when I started finding bits of the footage.

To that end, he gave to me his leatherbound scopt of the long version, and was, thrilled, to put it mildly, when I did the job - the complete restoration of his one and only theatrical film.

 

Schizophrenic is an understatement.

Took me forever to snag a copy of that LD on eBay a few years ago, but boy was it worth the patience.

Don't be mad at him--if it's his only feature film, it makes sense that he'd want to recut and re-release it five times...!

 

My two cents: it's bluray, and there's room for 2 versions of the film. So make a huge expanded Roadshow version and then the shorter dvd version. And let's never see the short-short version that I grew up with again, because I've grown to hate it.

 

 

 

 

Interesting you say this, because I feel the same way.

 

Have no interest in ever seeing the theatrical version again.

 

The extended cut is much better.  You can't say that about

a lot of films, but seeing that material put back into the film

made it even better.  

 

This is why we have been fighting so hard to have Peter

Hunt put both versions on Blu-ray via branching.  This will

be the very last time the Director has the opportunity to

preserve this film for himself and the fans that have supported it.

Has anyone heard of any movement on a Blu-Ray release of 1776?

 

I have nothing to add except a twinge of sadness that it appears another July 4th will pass without this great film on Blu-Ray. 

 

see the " "One" SONY title" thread

2012 will be an anniversary year for the film (40th), and while I think the reliance on those 5/10 year anniversary titles is silly, the marketing departments obviously do not, so if we're going to get '1776,' any time soon, that will likely be the year.

2012 is also a national election year. There will never be a better time to release it (hint, hint).

 

 

If I had to venture a guess I would guess 2012 will bring the following (all in anniversary editions)

 

"Lawrence of Arabia" (yeah, like the transfer's not ready now)

"Mutiny on the Bounty (Same)

"Singing in the Rain" (Same)

"1776" (40th year)

"Cabaret"

"Gypsy" (Same)

"The Posideon Adventure"

"E.T. the Extra Terrestrial"

"Annie" - Broadway revival will be playing & last time it played Broadway we got an anniversary edition (even though it was for the stage show)

"Tootsie"

"An Officer and a Gentlemen"

"Yankee Doodle Dandy"

"Whatever Happened to Baby Jane"

"The Music Man" (Special Edition/Digi Book)

"The Longest Day" - new transfer - this time With the Grain

"The Greatest Show on Earth" (Paramount also turns 100)

 

"Titanic" (100 - the actual sinking not the film - but really kind of a morbid tie in on Paramount's part)

 

Other will be celebrating their 5th's (75th, 65th, 55th, 45th etc)

I hope they restore the underscoring - I hated when Hunt cut it from the dvd, esp when Franklin;s having his portrait painted.  Also I really want ALL of "Piddle Twiddle - and Resolve"  cutting it down again was criminal to Sherman Edward's magnifcent score

Now...If only they could include Radio City Music Hall's Christmas show as an extra ...just like when I saw it back in 1972

It'll be the 15th anniversary of the movie in 2012 too. I think the 3-D re-release in April guarantees a Blu-ray more than any anniversary though.

Gotta love those meaningless "Anniversary" releases.  Especially when the new Ben Hur blu ray is being touted as "The 50th Anniversary" edition. LOL.

uh....why do you think the 3-D re-release is coming in April 2012?

 

that's when the ship sank - April 1912........

 

 

That's my favorite one....film released in 1959, 50th anniversary blu-ray released in 2012

 

yeah...so much for those anniversary dates...........

 

Thanks, I'm well aware of that. My point is that the theatrical re-release is what is going to guarantee a Blu-ray release not the anniversary of the event.

I hope that means what I think it means (and it has nothing to do with a sinking cruise ship...surely that's the subject of another thread somewhere ).

 

I think that the director has indicated that he hopes to release the 3-D version in time for the 100th Anniversary of the sinking.  I have been interested in the Titanic since I saw the 1953 Clifton Webb movie on TV in the late 1970s.  I'm up for the 3-D version.
 

 

 

I haven't seen the Laserdisc version so I can't comment on that, but I think that the Theatrical version is superior to the DVD version.  Although I like some of the short sequences on the DVD (the fire fighting sequence), the song Cool Conservative Men really makes no sense in terms of the overall film.  As a song it's good, and I would like it as an extra, but one minute they are all dancing with Dickenson, and the next they are all voting for independence.  It doesn't make sense.  I think that Richard Sherman included that song and Momma Look Sharp in response to some of the intellectual currents of the early 1970s and they don't fit the rest of the musical.  IMO Jack Warner was right to cut Cool Conservative Men.
 

 

 

I dunno, Ray.  I think the undertones of Cool Considerate men were just as prevalent in the 1770s as they were in the 1970s.   The song rings true for me and is a favorite of mine in the show/film.

 

And as much as I LOVE Richard and Robert Sherman...it was Sherman Edwards who was responsible for 1776. 
 

 

Well, remember that the songs were part of the original stage show; so it is fitting and proper that they be in the film. Both songs are musically (IMO) quite good. I think "Momma Look Sharp" is quite moving, and serves to remind the audience that the 18th Century "Lace wars" were just as bloody and tragic as anything before or since.

"Cool Cool Considerate Men" is one of the best songs in the show/film, IMO. It serves to give some background to those who opposed breaking from the parent country. We hear a lot in the film about why Adams favors Independence; but the other side needs to have its day as well. The song shows that some men were loathe to break entirely with England because they might be ruined financially, and did not appreciate the fact that men with lesser fortunes were willing to risk the fortunes of the "cool considerate men" so freely.

The vote on Independence does not come as quickly after the number as you imply. After "The Egg" number, we see the final debates begin. By including "Cool Cool Considerate Men" beforehand, and showing what is at stake for these men; it has more meaning when the delegates vote unanimously to pledge "their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor" for the support of the Declaration.