A Few Words About A few words about...™ The Bishop's Wife -- in Blu-ray (1 Viewer)

[Robert Harris]

Henry Koster's The Bishop's Wife (1947), is one of the quintessential Christmas films, but it's so much more than that. Based upon the novel by Robert Nathan, it involves heavenly intervention. If that sounds vaguely like another film, released precisely one year earlier, don't let it bother you.

Totally different, and in many ways, just as charming.

Image-wise, The Bishop's Wife is a bit of a mixed bag. Like The Best Years of Our Lives (1946), it was photographed by the great Gregg Toland. But here, the blacks tend to clot a bit, and the image has just the tiniest tendency toward softness. Might it have been shot that way? Possible.

The other possibility is that it's derived from a fine grain master, which might have been just a touch on the heavy side.

No matter.

The imagery is fine. Audio is likewise, fine, but could be cleaner.

The Bishop's Wife is a wonderful fantasy. I believe on Blu-ray it could have looked and sounded better, but I'm pleased to finally have it.

Image - 3

Audio - 3

I can heartily recommend this as a film, but the Blu-ray is a bit lacking.

RAH

 

[JohnMor]

I've pre-ordered it, but a wee bit sad that it's not a stronger image.

 

[Robert Crawford]

I've pre-ordered it, but a wee bit sad that it's not a stronger image.

Perhaps, it might look better to you on your HT setup.

 

[moviebuff75]

Excited to get this. The first time I watched it, I just found it "okay." It has grown to become one of my favorite Christmas films. Magic in every frame.

 

[JohnMor]

Perhaps, it might look better to you on your HT setup.

Oh, I'm sure I'll be more than happy with it. It just seems there has been a plethora of stellar catalogue releases lately. I had hopes that this would be one as well.

 

[Robert Harris]

Oh, I'm sure I'll be more than happy with it. It just seems there has been a plethora of stellar catalogue releases lately. I had hopes that this would be one as well.

I'll take bets that no one will see the problem. Blacks in dark shots are just pulled down a bit by the film element.Otherwise, it's a nice disc.RAH

 

[davidmatychuk]

It's a shame that they couldn't find room for the really wonderful trailer.

 

[AshJW]

I love this film.
When I talk about it with my father, we both refer always to the same scene (the empty glas than full again).
David Niven gives a fine perfomance.

 

[Everett S.]

Great classic film. Will be getting this.

 

[Lromero1396]

I'll take bets that no one will see the problem. Blacks in dark shots are just pulled down a bit by the film element.Otherwise, it's a nice disc.RAH

It's very nice to see more vintage classics coming from Warner, considering how they seem to have fallen a bit behind Fox in terms of vintage catalog output quantity.Couldn't Warner have used the original negative to produce a superior image? Perhaps they wished to repurpose a DVD-era master, or the OCN is lost.

 

[Robert Harris]

It's very nice to see more vintage classics coming from Warner, considering how they seem to have fallen a bit behind Fox in terms of vintage catalog output quantity.Couldn't Warner have used the original negative to produce a superior image? Perhaps they wished to repurpose a DVD-era master, or the OCN is lost.

This is a Goldwyn title. It is not owned by WB. Not certain if the OCN even exists.

RAH

 

[Lromero1396]

This is a Goldwyn title. It is not owned by WB. Not certain if the OCN even exists.

RAH

Oh, right. My memory slipped.

 

[moviebuff75]

Uh-oh. There is a video glitch at 29:48 in which a scene from a different part of the film pops up. I hope they fix this and offer a replacement.

 

[Christian Preischl]

Sigh. Thanks for the heads-up, Eric. That's my preorder cancelled just in time. I've already had to call in for 2 replacements this week (Little Mermaid, with Disney being kind enough to ship the replacement discs to Germany, and Shout's Fist of Fury from the Bruce Lee Box Set, with Shout not sending the replacement disc to Germany), so I really can't be bothered.

 

[Mike Frezon]

Uh-oh. There is a video glitch at 29:48 in which a scene from a different part of the film pops up. I hope they fix this and offer a replacement.

Eric: How long of a glitch are we talking about? What exactly are you seeing?

 

[Lromero1396]

I seriously hope Warner issues a recall, this is so unlike them to have a product with issues like this on the market. Sadly, I have a slight feeling that they won't bother. Most studios these days don't.

 

[Dr Griffin]

Uh-oh. There is a video glitch at 29:48 in which a scene from a different part of the film pops up. I hope they fix this and offer a replacement.

Eric: How long of a glitch are we talking about? What exactly are you seeing?

Yes I would like to know how bad this is before I order. Describe how noticeable and the duration of the "glitch".

 

[Robert Crawford]

Eric: How long of a glitch are we talking about? What exactly are you seeing?

The glitch was noted in a BD review at another site.

 

[Mark Stenroos]

Thanks for the review and the comments.

i think I'll pass on this and stick with my DVD.

 

[McCrutchy]

I have contacted Warner about the mastering issue, and I have just heard back that they are aware of the issue and will be making corrected discs available. I will update this thread when I hear more.