New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

PSYCHO to Blu Ray

post #1 of 175
Thread Starter 

According to ClassicFlix, PSYCHO is coming to Blu-Ray on October 19th.

Gear mentioned in this thread:

post #2 of 175

It makes sense with it being the 50th Anniversary this year.

 

 

 

 

 

Crawdaddy

post #3 of 175

Sounds great! Psycho and The Exorcist for Halloween this year! Now if Universal would release the Classic Monsters Collection, I would be in Halloween Heaven!

post #4 of 175

Here's hoping they treat this classic with the care it deserves.

post #5 of 175

Instant buy here. One of my favorite films, and I never bothered to upgrade my 1998 non-anamorphic DVD since I knew the HD version was relatively around the corner.

post #6 of 175

A horror classic by the master of suspence and a must buy on Blu.

 

50 years old? Wow!

 

 

Psycho 1960.JPG

 

 

post #7 of 175

According to Blu-ray.com:

Quote:
Universal Studios Home Entertainment has announced Alfred Hitchcock's horror classic Psycho for release on Blu-ray on October 19, in a "meticulously restored" 50th Anniversary Edition, with a new 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack (the original mono audio track will be included as well). It will be presented in a single-sided BD50.Psycho will also be honored during its landmark anniversary by the upcoming 2010 Cannes Film Festival. 

Special features include:
  • Feature-length audio commentary with Stephen Rebello (Author of Alfred Hitchcock and the making of Psycho)
  • The Making of Psycho: A feature-length documentary on Hitchcock's most shocking film
  • In the Master's Shadow – Hitchcock's Legacy: Some of Hollywood's top filmmakers discuss Hitchcock's influence and why his movies continue to thrill audiences.
  • Hitchcock/Truffaut Interviews: Excerpts from a 1962 audio interview with Alfred Hitchcock.
  • Newsreel Footage: The Release of Psycho: Vintage newsreel on the unique policy Alfred Hitchcock insisted upon for the release of the film.
  • The Shower Scene: A look at the impact of music on the infamous "shower scene."
  • The Shower Scene: Storyboards by Saul Bass: Original storyboard design.
  • Production Notes: Read an essay on the making of the film.
  • The Psycho Archives: See the gallery of on-set photo stills from the film's production.
  • Posters and Psycho Ads: See a gallery of original posters and ads from the theatrical campaign.
  • Lobby Cards: View a gallery of promotional lobby cards from the film's theatrical campaign.
  • Behind-The-Scenes Photographs: View rare photos showing the cast and crew at work.
  • Psycho Sound: A never-before-seen piece that looks at the re-mastering process required to create a 5.1 mix from the original mono elements using Audionamix technology.
  • Theatrical Trailer: Watch the original promotional trailer from the film's theatrical campaign.
  • Re-Release Trailers: Watch the promotional trailer created for the re-release of the film.


The sound remastering process was started by Universal's in-house post production sound facility started the re-mastering process with the film's previously preserved and restored soundtrack to create a new 5.1 mix. BluWave then contracted Audionamix, a Paris-based audio technology company, to split the original mono music source into quasi-orchestral tracks. Audionamix, a leader in soundtrack separation, then applied their breakthrough proprietary technology enabling BluWave to create a discrete 5.1 split music mix. BluWave's creative talent gathered the original sound effects from the Studios' extensive effects library and, using these source materials, created a 5.1 up-mix to bring Psycho's soundtrack up to the expectations of contemporary audiences while maintaining the original integrity of the filmmaker's vision. 

The mono audio track will also be available for viewers who want to experience the film in its original form.
post #8 of 175

Sold

post #9 of 175

Sold! The inclusion of the original mono track bodes well for the inevitable Jaws Blu-Ray release.

post #10 of 175

Why don't they release the mono in 1.0. Why is it often 2.0? Only WB seems to do a good job of presenting the mono through the proper channels, so to speak.

post #11 of 175
Quote:
The sound remastering process was started by Universal's in-house post production sound facility started the re-mastering process with the film's previously preserved and restored soundtrack to create a new 5.1 mix. BluWave then contracted Audionamix, a Paris-based audio technology company, to split the original mono music source into quasi-orchestral tracks. Audionamix, a leader in soundtrack separation, then applied their breakthrough proprietary technology enabling BluWave to create a discrete 5.1 split music mix. BluWave's creative talent gathered the original sound effects from the Studios' extensive effects library and, using these source materials, created a 5.1 up-mix to bring Psycho's soundtrack up to the expectations of contemporary audiences while maintaining the original integrity of the filmmaker's vision.


And yet.... no isolated music track!    Bernard Herrmann's score has never been properly released, aside from bootlegs and re-recordings.  What a missed opportunity to finally let this brilliant score shine.

post #12 of 175

Great news.  I can't wait (as long as they do it right).

post #13 of 175
Quote:
Originally Posted by Eric Scott Richard View Post

Why don't they release the mono in 1.0. Why is it often 2.0? Only WB seems to do a good job of presenting the mono through the proper channels, so to speak.



I prefer mono in 2.0, because the sound is sent to the two main speakers, which  provide a fuller soundstage across the front.  There's no loss in fidelity doing it this way over 1.0.  However, I have to admit that 1.0 soundtracks can sound pretty good, too.

 

I hope the mono mix is presented in lossless format, but I'm not holding my breath based upon recent mono mixes (The Prisoner, The African Queen).  Criterion seems to be the only company utilizing mono lossless audio.

 

Doug

post #14 of 175

An isolated music-only track would be nice.  They obviously have one, because it sounds like that's what this Paris company will work from.  Universal did a PSYCHO laserdisc boxed set once, and it had the isolated score--the only time it's been released, as far as I know.

post #15 of 175

I wonder how they intend to create a multichannel effect from a mono music track. Hopefully technology has moved beyond the bad old days of "Electronically Rechanneled for Stereo". Here's the company's website:

 

http://www.audionamix.com/

post #16 of 175

Definitely a great way to celebrate the 50th Anniversary!

post #17 of 175

Mr. Harris posted in another thread (Few Words About Elizabeth):

 

 

Quote:
 Universal Blu-rays can no longer be pre-ordered safely.  

 

Quite the shame, as I had high hopes to see BD versions of Vertigo and Rear Window at some point (in addition to the other Uni Hitchcocks).

 

Hopefully whatever issues they have going on now at Uni will be resolved prior to this disc being unleashed on the masses.

post #18 of 175

I'm in! I don't even have the film on regular DVD anymore (sold it some time ago with others when I needed some cash, knowing it might come to Blu).

post #19 of 175


 

Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve...O View Post

Mr. Harris posted in another thread (Few Words About Elizabeth):

 

 

 

Quite the shame, as I had high hopes to see BD versions of Vertigo and Rear Window at some point (in addition to the other Uni Hitchcocks).

 

Hopefully whatever issues they have going on now at Uni will be resolved prior to this disc being unleashed on the masses.


I've also heard some less-than-great things about the Spartacus BD.

post #20 of 175

The UK Blu-ray of Psycho was just released yesterday and one review of it has popped up: http://hcc.techradar.com/playback/blu-ray/hitchock-goes-hi-def-our-exclusive-psycho-blu-ray-review-05-08-10. It seems that no DNR was done to the transfer as the original grain structure is still intact. They also mention that the UK disc is Region free which is not a suprise but what suprised me is that not only is the new 5.1 track uncompressed but the original mono is uncompressed. I have read on other forums that its the default track as well. This review is the main reason why I just ordered it from the UK since I would rather have it now vs. waiting another 2 and a half months. 

post #21 of 175

This is great news, but I will stick with my domestic pre-order primarily because I like the cover better (and I'm actually starting to develop this thing called 'patience.')

 

U.S. version

 

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/images/B003IWZ1D8/ref=dp_image_0?ie=UTF8&n=130&s=dvd

 

UK version

 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/images/B003BEDT78/ref=dp_image_z_0?ie=UTF8&n=283926&s=dvd

 

(Probably fits the title better, but I just love that creepy old house, and have visited it on the lot)

post #22 of 175
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hollywoodaholic View Post

This is great news, but I will stick with my domestic pre-order primarily because I like the cover better (and I'm actually starting to develop this thing called 'patience.')

 

U.S. version

 

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/images/B003IWZ1D8/ref=dp_image_0?ie=UTF8&n=130&s=dvd

 

UK version

 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/images/B003BEDT78/ref=dp_image_z_0?ie=UTF8&n=283926&s=dvd

 

(Probably fits the title better, but I just love that creepy old house, and have visited it on the lot)

I like both personally but decided to pull the trigger since I really like the film and I would rather pay for it know during August then in October where there are more Blu-ray discs I would be interested in compared to August were there aren't as many.
 

post #23 of 175

Bought the steelcase Blu-ray of Psycho yesterday, the film looked great, dts mono and dts stereo too. Filled to the brim with extras including an episode of Alfred Hitchcock Presents. And one of my favourite extras, the subtitled commentary, which is how I watched the film last night.

 

UK DVDs nearly always subtitle their commentaries. With a few exceptions I usually prefer to read the commentary with the movie's soundtrack on. I'm glad UK blu-rays are carrying on this tradition.

post #24 of 175

Good news. I had pre-ordered the UK in metal box from Amazon UK and they shipped on Monday.

post #25 of 175

That's an exciting review. 

 

It, admittedly, has been a long time since I've viewed Psycho...but the high audio grades have certainly whetted my appetite.  I usually think of it having a soundtrack with an emphasis on the high-ends.  To read that they've revisited the original mono track and have breathed some new life into it sounds quite exciting. 

post #26 of 175

One thing I noticed for the first time and I've watched Psycho many times, are the eyes of the killer when the shower curtain is pulled open, just for a second. Maybe my old DVD was too dark or my tv settings were, but in HD the eyes were looking straight at me [shudder].

 

 

 

Warning: Spoiler! (Click to show)

One of my favourite movie shots ever is the very last shot of Norman's smiling face merging with mother's corpse before the car is pulled out of the swamp. Absolutely brilliant and not all prints had that shot, according to the commentary.

post #27 of 175

It is great to read that Universal got this transfer right. I can wait for the U.S. release, but will definitely be adding it to the collection. More Hitchcock on Blu-Ray!

post #28 of 175
Quote:
Originally Posted by Roger Mathus View Post

Good news. I had pre-ordered the UK in metal box from Amazon UK and they shipped on Monday.



I bought this release today and hope to have early next week from the UK.  Also, I have the US version on preorder that I will most likely give away as a Christmas gift.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Crawdaddy

post #29 of 175

Awesome. I'm waiting for the US release, but I'm glad it's presented so well.

post #30 of 175

Can't wait for this baby. I am so excited about this. A true masterpiece. 

New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Blu-ray

Gear mentioned in this thread: