ZULU - On Bluray ( UK ) (1 Viewer)

[Robert Crawford]

Originally Posted by FoxyMulder /t/275095/zulu-on-bluray-uk/150#post_3955078

He has a valid point though, the release is as poor as those two titles and i think come 2014 we might see a 50th anniversary release done right that proves it.

Of course he has a point which I made note of earlier today, but that doesn't mean I have to like his bedside posting manner.

 

[OliverK]

It's sad to see the "oh well, it looks great to me" defeatist comments in this thread, especially from long time moderator Robert Crawford.

You will have to live with people liking Blu-Ray releases even if you despise them, I doubt that too many posters will say they like Zulu just to annoy you.

Wether or not the BD has a "pretty picture" is irrelevant. The bottom line is, does the film look the way it should? The answer is absolutely no.

Wrong, the pretty picture is very relevant for the people who like the way it looks. They might even prefer it to a Blu-Ray that is more faithful to its source but not as spectacular looking, that's just the way it is.

The bottom line is, does the film look the way it should? The answer is absolutely no.

Indeed it doesn't look the way it should and that's why I hope it will be redone soon.

 

[John Hermes]

You will have to live with people liking Blu-Ray releases even if you despise them, I doubt that too many posters will say they like Zulu just to annoy you.
Wrong, the pretty picture is very relevant for the people who like the way it looks. They might even prefer it to a Blu-Ray that is more faithful to its source but not as spectacular looking, that's just the way it is.
Indeed it doesn't look the way it should and that's why I hope it will be redone soon.

If they can improve Zulu with a new version...great. I'm all for that. Until then, on the present BD, the positives outweigh the negatives easily for me.

 

[Edwin-S]

See what I mean guys, just like clockwork. By the way, I made my parents sad too with disappointment so you're not alone in that regard.

Good one. I'm still waiting for a North American release, but that doesn't look like it is going to happen any time soon. I may have to get this one from overseas after all. It would be nice to have an optimal quality version of the film, but sometimes you have to be able to live with "acceptable" quality if you want to see the film. It's a choice between watching a movie with less than perfect picture quality or not watching it all. Not watching a good movie because the PQ isn't absolutely perfect doesn't seem like much of a solution to the quality problems that some of these discs have. The PQ on PATTON wasn't very good in replicating the look of film, but it still didn't detract from George C. Scott's performance or the quality of the story. The BD was still worth watching from that perspective alone.

 

[John Hermes]

Good one. I'm still waiting for a North American release, but that doesn't look like it is going to happen any time soon. I may have to get this one from overseas after all. It would be nice to have an optimal quality version of the film, but sometimes you have to be able to live with "acceptable" quality if you want to see the film. It's a choice between watching a movie with less than perfect picture quality or not watching it all. Not watching a good movie because the PQ isn't absolutely perfect doesn't seem like much of a solution to the quality problems that some of these discs have. The PQ on PATTON wasn't very good in replicating the look of film, but it still didn't detract from George C. Scott's performance or the quality of the story. The BD was still worth watching from that perspective alone.

Yes, you ought to get it and tell us what you think. We need some new blood in the discussion.

 

[JoHud]

Zulu definitely needs a blu-ray upgrade. While watchable, the poor use and over-application of DNR is very evident in this one much like it is in Predator. It takes quite a bit away from the cinematography even if it still manages to look impressive despite the overprocessing flaws.

 

[Robert Crawford]

Originally Posted by JoHud /t/275095/zulu-on-bluray-uk/180#post_3955346
Zulu definitely needs a blu-ray upgrade. While watchable, the poor use and over-application of DNR is very evident in this one much like it is in Predator. It takes quite a bit away from the cinematography even if it still manages to look impressive despite the overprocessing flaws.

Due to this most recent debate, I just got through viewing this disc in its entirety this morning. I think it's more than just watchable depending on the size of your screen. The over-application of DNR is duly noted so I understand and agree with those having a major problem with it not looking film-like. I really hope it gets revisited in the near future so that the rich location cinematography can be seen by all for its sure beauty.








Crawdaddy

 

[DP 70]

Also this needs a DTS MA track.

 

[Robert Crawford]

Originally Posted by DP 70 /t/275095/zulu-on-bluray-uk/180#post_3955389
Also this needs a DTS MA track.

Right, the audio is lacking from what it could be.

 

[OliverK]

Zulu seems to be quite a popular movie, so maybe there is hope that it will be done right in the future - it has been done for Gladiator, so why not Zulu next?

 

[DP 70]

Also if i remember a 70mm print in London was only shown at the Casino in early 1972, i have only known of a 35mm version after that i saw in the Ritz.

 

[Douglas R]

Also if i remember a 70mm print in London was only shown at the Casino in early 1972, i have only known of a 35mm version after that i saw in the Ritz.

I saw the film during its opening run at the Plaza, London. I remember being extremely irritated by the presentation because for a lengthy part of the film the right hand side of the screen was not in focus - the projectionist was obviously having trouble getting the whole picture in focus for some reason. Whatever individual opinions may be of the Blu-ray (and I love it) it's vastly better than the cinema presentation I saw.

 

[john a hunter]

Also if i remember a 70mm print in London was only shown at the Casino in early 1972, i have only known of a 35mm version after that i saw in the Ritz.

Yes . It ran for several months. Great looking print from memory but can't recall whether the sound was proper 6 track. I also saw it originally at the Plaza like Doug but when I saw it the projectionist was earning his salary and there were no problems I recall.

 

[DP 70]

My older brother was a projectionist at the Plaza, he showed lots of 70mm prints including a check screening of Airport 1975 which was rejected as it cropped the titles from the 2.35.1.
I saw a few 70mm prints there including Kellys Heroes in 1977, also my twin brother worked at the Columbia and screened a few 70mm prints including Wind and the Lion which came from the Dominion,
then went to ireland where it was trashed.
Also i just remembed on Cinema 100 day in 1995 they screened 70mm prints of My Fair Lady, The Sound Of Music,and Alien, in between i went to the Odeon Marble Arch to see Gettysburg.
The good old days...

 

[AdrianTurner]

The Plaza was quite a cinema - very steep circle, as I remember. I saw 70mm presentations there of Zulu, Becket and, I think, Otto Preminger's In Harm's Way.

 

[john a hunter]

The Plaza was quite a cinema - very steep circle, as I remember. I saw 70mm presentations there of Zulu, Becket and, I think, Otto Preminger's In Harm's Way.

 

[john a hunter]

The Plaza was quite a cinema - very steep circle, as I remember. I saw 70mm presentations there of Zulu, Becket and, I think, Otto Preminger's In Harm's Way.

I think Becket was their first 70mm .In Harm's Way was certainly 70.Didn't see it but remember the signage outside.
The original release of Zulu was 35mm.
Would have loved to have seen horizontal VV there with River Plate or Strategic Air Command.

 

[Garysb]

Here is a review on Amazon.co.Uk's site posted in September 2012 that says a scene was edited on blu ray. Is anyone familiar enough with the film to confirm this? Is "Zulu" my favourite film? It could well be. Five stars for the original film then, without question. Does the Blu-ray look good? Yes, although the colours are unnaturally vivid now, a bit like the post-"conservation" Sistine Chapel ceiling. Whether you like your redcoats positively glowing is a matter of taste (I'd prefer the picture toned down a little bit), but it is a handsome print and again worthy of five stars. Why then the one star review? Because this version of the film, like one of Surgeon Reynolds's unfortunate patients, has had the knife taken to it. In one of the most thrilling scenes Swiss Corporal Schiess, nursing a bandaged leg, leaves the relative safety of the hospital and launches on a solo rampage, bludgeoning Zulu warriors with his crutch and bayoneting them left, right and centre. Coming to Chard's rescue at the crucial moment, as John Barry's rousing music soars, Schiess's wild killing spree culminates in a quite extraordinary climax with his turning triumphantly to the camera, laughing deleriously at the slaughter with a hideous and terrifying glee. I don't remember anything quite like it in the whole of cinema but now the memory is all that is left because the Paramount censor has taken it upon himself to clean up not just the print but also its content. Now, as Schiess, facing away, begins to turn towards the camera, the scene suddenly breaks off to Chard, lying wounded on the ground, depriving the sequence of its disturbingly deranged conclusion. Why? Has Paramount taken fright at the prospect of a lawsuit brought by a sensitive Swiss soul, objecting to the portrayal of one of his countrymen as a goggle-eyed maniac, revelling in bloodshed? No idea, but the Paramount 90th anniversary "special edition" DVD of 2002 suffered the same cruel cut. Let Paramount issue an uncut version of the film on Blu-ray, complete and unabridged, and my one star will instantly become five, but until then does anyone know where an uncensored version of the film is available? http://www.amazon.co.uk/review/R2JIP30LMSMV42/ref=cm_cr_pr_viewpnt#R2JIP30LMSMV42

 

[Robert Crawford]

Originally Posted by Garysb
Here is a review on Amazon.co.Uk's site posted in September 2012 that says a scene was edited on blu ray. Is anyone familiar enough with the film to confirm this?
Is "Zulu" my favourite film? It could well be. Five stars for the original film then, without question. Does the Blu-ray look good? Yes, although the colours are unnaturally vivid now, a bit like the post-"conservation" Sistine Chapel ceiling. Whether you like your redcoats positively glowing is a matter of taste (I'd prefer the picture toned down a little bit), but it is a handsome print and again worthy of five stars. Why then the one star review? Because this version of the film, like one of Surgeon Reynolds's unfortunate patients, has had the knife taken to it. In one of the most thrilling scenes Swiss Corporal Schiess, nursing a bandaged leg, leaves the relative safety of the hospital and launches on a solo rampage, bludgeoning Zulu warriors with his crutch and bayoneting them left, right and centre. Coming to Chard's rescue at the crucial moment, as John Barry's rousing music soars, Schiess's wild killing spree culminates in a quite extraordinary climax with his turning triumphantly to the camera, laughing deleriously at the slaughter with a hideous and terrifying glee. I don't remember anything quite like it in the whole of cinema but now the memory is all that is left because the Paramount censor has taken it upon himself to clean up not just the print but also its content. Now, as Schiess, facing away, begins to turn towards the camera, the scene suddenly breaks off to Chard, lying wounded on the ground, depriving the sequence of its disturbingly deranged conclusion. Why? Has Paramount taken fright at the prospect of a lawsuit brought by a sensitive Swiss soul, objecting to the portrayal of one of his countrymen as a goggle-eyed maniac, revelling in bloodshed? No idea, but the Paramount 90th anniversary "special edition" DVD of 2002 suffered the same cruel cut. Let Paramount issue an uncut version of the film on Blu-ray, complete and unabridged, and my one star will instantly become five, but until then does anyone know where an uncensored version of the film is available?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/review/R2JIP30LMSMV42/ref=cm_cr_pr_viewpnt#R2JIP30LMSMV42

Are we sure that's how that scene played out? Over time, our memories sometimes get a little foggy when it comes to films, particularly ones that are almost 50 years old. I thought I remembered the scene as indicated by that person, but when I checked four different BD/DVD releases today, that scene was the same on all four discs in which you don't see his full face.
08/27/02 VCI Entertainment DVD Release
12/02/02 Paramount 90th Anniversary Region 2/4 DVD Release
05/20/03 MGM Region 1 DVD Release
11/03/08 Paramount Region A/B/C UK BD Release
Anybody else know anything more about this particular scene? Anybody have a LD or Video Tape of this film?
Crawdaddy

 

[haineshisway]

The scene is as it always has been. The mind and memory does play tricks over that many years, and obviously the scene has played the way it is on every home video format. You know, when a lot of us saw Psycho on its initial release, we'd all swear on a stack of bibles that in the shower sequence the knife repeatedly pierced the skin - nope, never did, but you couldn't tell us that back then because we KNEW it had. It's like all the people who will swear on a stack of Bibles that the "to be continued" card was always there at the end of Back to the future.