A few words about...™ The Big Country -- in Blu-ray

Quote:

Originally Posted by TonyD 

Seems so odd to me that the studio releasing this would make a deal with a retailer for an exclusive and then the retailer doesn't even offer it at the store level.
 

Not sure what you mean about not offering it a store level.  I purchased my copy at the local Wal-Mart and noticed there were six copies of it at the time.  This was the day that it was released. 
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by TonyD 

Allan, there have been very few reports of it appearing in store, but if you go to the link at walmart.com and even ask in Store they will lookmin their own database and see the notation indicating it is not available instore. I can't buyit from walmart.com because my check card from a credit union doesn't work on wm.com

I take it you haven't been to a Walmart to look for it?

Crawdaddy

Went to a local WalMart store (Southlake TX) to buy it, was told it was not available in stores, only online.  I ordered it from WalMart online and it does look amazing.  I noticed a total of one scene with significant registration errors which lasted all of maybe 5 seconds.

This is a must have for any western fans out there, with good performances from all involved.

Vern

Quote:

Originally Posted by TonyD 

Robert I'm not sure why you are asking that. In my post you just quoted I mention this. I've been to half a dozen walmarts, around were I live that's about it without driving 100 miles.

Outside of you and Allan and someone over on dvdtalk I haven't heard of anyone who has bought it in store.

Because your post wasn't clear to me that you actually went into a store to look for it.

By the way, I preordered it from Walmart.com so I didn't buy it in a store nor have I been in a Walmart store recently.  I just asked a simple question because I was curious that's all.
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vern Dias 

Went to a local WalMart store (Southlake TX) to buy it, was told it was not available in stores, only online.  I ordered it from WalMart online and it does look amazing.  I noticed a total of one scene with significant registration errors which lasted all of maybe 5 seconds.

 

This is a must have for any western fans out there, with good performances from all involved.

 

Vern

That is strange, I don't have a big problem with these exclusive deals, but at least make it available in stores as well as online.
 

Do I like this arrangement at all?  No.  Did I just order one to be sent to the store for pickup, thereby saving shipping?  Yes.

Ever store in my area, save for one, had at least 2 copies in stock the morning it streeted. When I picked mine up later that day, I think I saw a total of 4 or 5 on the rack.

It says online only, but there is no way a retailer is going to pay for an exclusive and then limit the ability of people to buy it, when their B&M stores are their biggest distribution asset.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TonyD 

Hmm, I thought you mentioned you bought it in store in another topic, must have been someone else.
I'll probably check with my c.u. To see why my card doesn't work on walmarts site. When I try I get a "verified by visa" thing at the end that won't go through.

Maybe, you're thinking of Walter Kittel because in the same thread that Walter mentioned buying it in a store, I again stated I preorderd my disc.

I bought mine on release week, in store. They had 2 copies at the time. I do not know if they ever re-stocked after all the copies were gone. But, it was in store here.

I only put it on long enough to check it out. Long movie, and i have so many things i need to watch!

My Walmart put these out a week late (along with several other titles that were released on the same day), I just might go in and pick one up today.

Not sure whether Walmart exports to Europe, nor whether the blu is region free..

Thankfully the movie has also turned up on bluray in Germany - Amazon.de -  "Weites Land".

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert Harris 

I ordered on-line, as I did for Quigley, the entire cost coming in at under $12 shipped through the mail, and arriving four days later.

 

An easy bargain.

 

RAH

Yeah, I watched that one too and thought it looked very good as well.

RAH,

By the way, during the opening credit sequence for The Big Country with the stagecoach and specifically with the sepia shots involving the wheels from the stagecoach.  The BRD has it more black and white than the copper-like look from some previous viewings I've witnessed over the years.  Do you know which is the correct look for that sequence?
 

I'm old enough to have seen this film in theaters, and it was definitely copper. It made a big impression on my young eyes then -- "COOL!" thought I between bites of popcorn.

Both VHS releases has it right. The DVD made it black and white (which I have become a broken record about in several other posts). The Blu makes it sepia, which is better than b/w but not the sharp look the copper gave it.  It's a great transfer otherwise -- those vistas and colors really jump off the screen -- so I've decided not to let perfect be enemy of the excellent.

I had never seen 'The Big Country' prior to getting the Blu-ray.  I loved every minute of it and I'm pleased to have it in my collection.

Damn fine presentation on Blu-ray, particularly for a movie that is only 2 years younger than me.  

Mark

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert Harris 

Quote:

That Main Title sequence was created by the great Saul Bass.

 

Over half a century later, his work shines.

 

RAH

 

So I take it your happy with that sequence despite the lack of the copper color in it?

Crawdaddy
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert Harris 

How does it look on Walmart Blu-ray?

 

Generally, gorgeous.

I agree.  Overall the picture looks very good to me, but there seem to be several scenes where the background pulsates, almost as if its breathing.  This is particularly noticable beginning at about the 1:07:00 mark.  Is this something in the original film, or some kind of artifact of the Blu-ray?

---------------

Thanks to all the comments about this movie, I asked for this as a Father's Day gift.  Just finished the film and I can only say WOW.  This was a blind buy (gift) as I have never seen this movie.  I was amazed at the story.  I did not realize how fast three hours would fly by.

Thanks again to everyone who recommended this film.  What an enjoyable western.

Doug 

Just sat through this wonderful blu-ray last night.  I purchased it from the Walmart online store some weeks ago, but did see it at a Portland store last week.  Totally agree with all the positive comments.  It is a very complex and thoughtful tale with so much said in glances.  What a cast; Peck, Heston, Baker, Simmons, Ives and Conners!  The crispness of the vivid images puts you right into the story.  This is exactly why these wide-screen colorful epics should all eventually be available in blu-ray.  They were meant to be seen this way and are such a HUGE improvement over the standard DVD releases.  The recent MGM blu's have been really nice in my estimation (the Aussie release of "Taras Bulba" is truly gorgeous). This certainly makes me pine for "Solomon and Sheba", "Kings of the Sun", "Alexander the Great" and "Khartoum".  And, as a Wyler fan, I would love a blu of "Friendly Persuasion" from Warners someday, too.  But, can't complain, as it's been a great year so far for classic film lovers.  And, "The Egyptian" ships in a couple of weeks!

Robert,

That is a great question, but it goes well beyond that, for all the venom that is spewed about Walmart, the price is a driving force, not just the MGM/Fox titles, the recent Taxi Driver at $13, not exactly bare bones and that is the same price as Amazon. Some Like it Hot not quite bare bones was released at $10 there as well.

I personally think this is a good thing if it is a solid transfer, and gets great classic titles out to the public. As time has changes and buying habits along with it, I have complained as much as others sometimes that I won’t buy a title if the price is too high, I will wait for it to come down to what I think is fair value.

The odd part is thinking 5 ½ months from now, as the big box stores will heavily discount a lot of this years titles, starting black Friday, I can see these $10 titles going the $5-$6  early morning sale.

This is the world we live in, I missed out on laser, but I don’t want to remember how much I paid for my first videotape, back when there was a delay between rental and sale. 

Has MGG found the missing stereo prints for this film.

In the past thirty years I have been at TWO  private showings of collectors prints.

Both wer three channels, behind the screen with no surrounds.

Both were strictly mag stereo, NOT mag-optiacls with a wide ration of 2:55 to 1