Reference B&W Titles? (1 Viewer)

Arnie G · Nov 26, 2003

I'm really getting into older movies lately & wondered what B&W movies have great transfers. There are other reference video threads, but none I could find for B&W.

Kevin Porter · Nov 26, 2003

I'm no DVD video quality expert but I believe the following are regarded as great transfers.

Casablanca: SE
Citizen Kane
The Man Who Wasn't There

Out of the 3 I'd probably say The Man Who Wasn't There is the best transfer.

Vic Cordova · Nov 26, 2003

haha, the man who wasn't there doesn't technically qualify as an "old" movie, just a great b/w movie

JeremySt · Nov 26, 2003

Sunset Boulevard

Patrick McCart · Nov 26, 2003

8 1/2: Criterion
Arsenic and Old Lace
Casablanca: Special Edition
The Elephant Man (1980)
Citizen Kane (however, it's advised that you turn the brightness down a few notches)
Frankenstein (1931)
A Hard Day's Night: Collector's Edition
Harvey
Metropolis (Restored)
The Mummy (1932)
Notorious: Criterion
Phantom of the Opera: Ultimate Edition (1929 version)
Sunset Blvd.
Yankee Doodle Dandy
Treasure of the Sierra Madre
Young Frankenstein (only flaw is that it's 4:3 LB)

Adam_Reiter · Nov 26, 2003

I would say definately The Ox-Bow incident. Great picture! Look for my review of it.

Dick · Nov 26, 2003

HUD (2.35), just about to come out
LAST PICTURE SHOW (1.85), out
TOUCH OF EVIL (1.85), out
KISS ME DEADLY (1.66), out
THE INNOCENTS (2.35), not yet available
GREAT EXPECTATIONS (1.33), out
BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN (1.33), OOP

Marc Colella · Nov 26, 2003

Lenny (1974) has an incredible B&W transfer, and it's dirt cheap.

pitchman · Nov 27, 2003

I think The Day the Earth Stood Still is pretty darn stellar.

Andrew Bunk · Nov 27, 2003

How about Wings Of Desire? Although parts some parts are in color...

Larry Sutliff · Nov 27, 2003

MGM's release of the obscure 1933 Karloff classic THE GHOUL is one of the finest b&w transfers I've ever seen. Also, the new Basil Rathbone SHERLOCK HOLMES DVD's are top notch.

Craig Beam · Nov 27, 2003

Wait, did somebody say BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN was a great looking transfer? I've gotta disagree (as did several folks when the DVD was released). I'm really hoping Universal does some work on it when it resurfaces...

Larry Sutliff · Nov 27, 2003

Wait, did somebody say BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN was a great looking transfer? I've gotta disagree (as did several folks when the DVD was released).

I agree, Craig. The BRIDE transfer is pretty grainy for about half of the film(up until the time that the Monster first encounters the hermit), and the whole thing is cropped at the top. The laserdisc was actually a bit better. But the extras on the disc are very nice.

Click to expand...

Jeremy Allin · Nov 27, 2003

Now, Voyager was quite impressive.

John Hodson · Nov 27, 2003

Off hand and to add to other suggestions;

The Bad & The Beautiful
Mildred Pierce
Now Voyager
Dark Passage (or any of the new Bogarts)
Billy Liar
Sullivan's Travels
The Prince & The Pauper
Objective - Burma!
How Green Was My Valley (and pretty much any of the Fox Studio Classics)

...and loads more that I can't think of right now, but can I recommend pretty much any of the films given the thumbs up in Barrie Maxwell's excellent columns over at the bits.

---
So many films, so little time...

Joseph Goodman · Nov 27, 2003

THE HIDDEN FORTRESS (1958)

RED BEARD (1965)

BLACK SUNDAY (1960?) (The Mario Bava horror movie, not the one with the terrorists)

Wade K · Nov 27, 2003

Criterion's The Passion of Joan of Arc blew me away.

Johnny Angell · Nov 27, 2003

'To Kill a Mockingbird' is in great condition.

Herb Kane · Nov 27, 2003

My Four favorites are:

Casablanca SE
The Bad & The Beautiful
Sunset Boulevard
Now, Voyager

Dick · Nov 27, 2003

Craig: You are correct that the BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN DVD is not great. I guess I was thinking theatrical, and of the incredible lighting used during the climactic "birthing" sequence, which would qualify as some of the finest B&W cinematography of the early years. We do need a new transfer.

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Reference B&W Titles? (1 Viewer)

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