- Joined
- Feb 8, 1999
- Messages
- 18,428
- Real Name
- Robert Harris
Let me be very honest about Paramount's new Blu-ray of Billy Wilder's brilliant Sunset Boulevard.
I was extremely concerned about quality.
The original negative, which, as I recall, was partially nitrate and partially safety, has gone missing -- or may have been junked along with the EMKA OCNs. Those productions now reside at Universal.
The last restoration effort, which was a very noble attempt by the studio, as well as by Lowry, was a stopgap situation, performed at lower rez. It enabled revival houses to have 35mm prints, and for the release of a decent looking DVD.
With very few elements to use as a base, I'm thrilled with what I'm seeing, as derived from a dupe negative.
I've seen prints struck from these dupes, and they're not a pretty picture, so a great deal of work went into the preparation of this release.
Blacks, shadow detail, grain structure, and overall resolution are all very pleasing.
One of the greatest films ever made, and at the pinnacle of noir, Sunset Boulevard at a $19 street price is a no-brainer.
For those who've never seen it, you're in for a huge treat.
With a huge catalog of extras.
Very Highly Recommended.
RAH
I was extremely concerned about quality.
The original negative, which, as I recall, was partially nitrate and partially safety, has gone missing -- or may have been junked along with the EMKA OCNs. Those productions now reside at Universal.
The last restoration effort, which was a very noble attempt by the studio, as well as by Lowry, was a stopgap situation, performed at lower rez. It enabled revival houses to have 35mm prints, and for the release of a decent looking DVD.
With very few elements to use as a base, I'm thrilled with what I'm seeing, as derived from a dupe negative.
I've seen prints struck from these dupes, and they're not a pretty picture, so a great deal of work went into the preparation of this release.
Blacks, shadow detail, grain structure, and overall resolution are all very pleasing.
One of the greatest films ever made, and at the pinnacle of noir, Sunset Boulevard at a $19 street price is a no-brainer.
For those who've never seen it, you're in for a huge treat.
With a huge catalog of extras.
Very Highly Recommended.
RAH