Warner's 2008 Blu-Ray lineup (1 Viewer)

[RonR]

The first time I saw this movie was in 2004, can't wait for the BR!

 

[GlennH]

Not true, i.e., the film elements were not "restored," as Robert Harris has elaborated on here in the past. It was a digital cleanup for SD resolution only. It does look good, but more work is required for a proper high-resolution release.*

EDIT: *Unless there was a later film restoration I'm not aware of, in which case I'll stand corrected.

 

[Adam Gregorich]

These are the titles that I am excited about. TNT showed the Wizard of Oz in HD this holiday season and it looked outstanding!

 

[Robert Crawford]

You're right, even Warner has acknowledged that North by Northwest needs further work before it's release on HDM.





Crawdaddy

 

[andrew markworthy]

Personal reaction only - I fully respect that other folks like some of the specific movies mentioned a lot, but frankly, it personally leaves me cold for the most part.

I don't think this is a list that overall has a great Wow! factor to it. And this is meant to be the highlights ...

 

[troy evans]

Here's a link that explains the restoration of North by Northwest you may find informative.http://www.thebigpicturedvd.com/bigreport11.shtml

 

[Robert Crawford]

Here is the question and answer from last year's chat with Warner about North by Northwest.

 

[troy evans]

Perhaps I misunderstood. I thought the question was, has the film been restored at all? The answer to which is yes it has. It was handled by Lowrey. 1080p it may not be.

 

[Robert Crawford]

 

[Brandon Conway]

If they already knew back then they were aiming for a 2009 release (which could be nearly two years from now in the Fall of '09) then I'm sure it's been scheduled appropriately for restoration.

 

[Brandon Conway]

Latest Bits info is up.

Only new title for BD officially announced - Clash of the Titans.

Highlights of the article, IMO...

1) All catalog special edition will get day-and-date Blu-ray release going forward.

2) Concerns over lack of lossless sound on previous Blu-ray releases are being addressed.

 

[Paul Arnette]

Good summary, Brandon, however I thought that this bit was important as well:


That and the Dirty Harry films will not be released on HD DVD.

 

[Brandon Conway]

Those titles coming to BD isn't really new info, just reconfirmation of previous statements. (Of course, that's good. As we know, plans change, and it's good to know they haven't.)

As for Dirty Harry - look like I guessed right about there being no HD-DVD versions. I guess that means a June release if they are to make Q2 without HD-DVD releases.

 

[Robert Crawford]

This is excellent news for classic film buffs.





Crawdaddy

 

[Brandon Conway]

On the flip side of that news about classic catalog special editions getting day-and-date BD releases, any classic catalog film that is not a special edition and doesn't get a concurrent BD release will likely never get one, at least in the next 5-7 years. So for titles like the upcoming Errol Flynn Western Collection, one can feel "safe" buying the DVD knowing that a BD version is not around the corner.

 

[troy evans]

Robert, Thank You for clarifing that for me. When I read the original question somehow I missed the word "full" in regards to the restoration. Please forgive if I came across like an ass. I thought I was fighting the good fight and all.

 

[RickER]

I will be all over Excalibur, and Forbidden Planet on Blu-ray. And that would be just the start! This will be good.

 

[Dave Moritz]

I see some good titles there and at least WB has given us some information so we know what's coming out.

Blu-ray.com - Updated Warner Release Slate for 2008 and Beyond
08Q1

• Bonnie and Clyde: Ultimate Collector's Edition

08Q2

• Dirty Harry: Ultimate Collector's Edition Box Set (Dirty Harry, Magnum Force, The Enforcer, Sudden Impact, Dead Pool, and Clint Eastwood: Out of the Shadows)

08Q3

• An American in Paris
• Batman Anthology
• Batman Begins: Limited Collector's Edition Box Set
• Gigi
• How the West was Won
• The Dark Night

08Q4

• A Christmas Story: Ultimate Collector's Edition
• Otis: Uncut

2008

• The Adventures of Robin Hood
• Casablanca
• Clash of the Titans
• Excalibur
• Forbidden Planet
• Heat
• Grand Prix
• The Matrix Trilogy
• Mutiny on the Bounty
• V for Vendetta

2009

• Ben-Hur
• Gone With the Wind
• North by Northwest
• The Wizard of Oz
• Woodstock

I will be all over Dirty Harry: Ultimate Collector's Edition Box Set, Batman Anthology, How the West was Won, Forbidden Planet, Heat, Ben-Hur, Gone With the Wind and The Wizard of Oz. And depending on finances and what audio track is used for The Matrix, I might even double dip on that title? Actually at that point it might be considered a tripple dip if you consider the dvd's I purchased.

 

[Rachael B]

It looks like Warner is gonna continue to be my fav studio to buy from. They release the vintage films I desire. Furthermore, it sort'a appears that Sony is tryin' to keep up with the jones'es, well, Warners and release some older stuff. I hope that's a trend anyway.

 

[Brandon Conway]

I find it hard to believe that The Dark Knight, which is being released in theaters in July, willbe out on video a mere two months later (Q3 only goes through the end of September).

The Digital Bits only said that Heat is getting a new transfer supervised by Michael Mann. I don't think that means that it is guaranteed a release this year.

Also, I don't know why they need to re-release A Christmas Story, but whatever.

I will be gladly buying the following:

Bonnie & Clyde
Dirty Harry (hopefully I can get just the first film by itself)
Batman (also hopefully by itself)
Batman Returns (ditto)
Batman Begins
The Adventures of Robin Hood
Casablanca
Forbidden Planet
Heat
The Matrix Trilogy
Ben-Hur
Gone with the Wind
North by Northwest
The Wizard of Oz