A Sneak Peek at The Blue Max (1 Viewer)

haineshisway · Jan 11, 2014

In a word - magnificent. The absolute best this film has ever looked, period. With color so accurate it made my little heart go pit-a-pat. I have no doubt that we'll have the usual "blue or teal push" nonsense and you can take it from li'l ol' me not to believe a word of it. The previous home video incarnations of this film were brown and awful, and that includes the German Blu-ray. This film is not brown and flat - but those who will compare the inevitable screen caps will say, well this one has a teal or blue push and they'll either just assume the completely wrong previous incarnations were correct or they'll certainly raise the specter of something being off in this new transfer. Nothing's off. The blues are glorious and perfect for a film of that era. PERFECT. And so are the lush greens and the true reds and the gray grays and every gradation of all those colors. PERFECT. Skin tones that are no longer flat brown but real. Mr. Peppard, who had blue eyes second only to Mr. Newman had gray eyes in previous transfers. Here they are as they should be - gorgeous BLUE eyes. It's breathtaking, the aerial photography looks amazing, and the score in 5.1 sound sounds fantastic - Jerry Goldsmith at his best. I still find the film slightly weird in its storytelling, but when something looks this good everything seems to work better. But for those who mistakenly found Desk Set too blue (it, too, was perfect), I'm sure the same will apply here and it will be just as mistaken.

Simply put, Fox has done an incredible job on this transfer and they need to hear that loud and clear with none of the usual teal/blue stuff getting in the way. After all, the film is called The BLUE Max. My eyes were so happy this evening I can't even tell you, although I just did

John Hermes · Jan 11, 2014

That's good news. I have the German BD and was disappointed in it. I don't really like buying it again, but probably will now.

Reed Grele · Jan 11, 2014

That's fantastic! Can't wait for this one!

bujaki · Jan 11, 2014

Did the German BD include the bedroom scene with George Peppard and Ms. Andress showing her breasts? Not covered by a towel as shown in the USA.
The bare breasts are not really needed to advance the plot, but they provided eye candy to a 16 year old boy when I saw it for the first time in Puerto Rico (we got international cuts there).

DP 70 · Jan 11, 2014

I have the German BD version but I will be getting the TT version, a great film with a fantastic score.

haineshisway · Jan 11, 2014

The German Blu will now double in use as a coaster.

Reed Grele · Jan 11, 2014

Any idea of the approximate date that this will be up for pre-order?

I would imagine that it will sell out quickly.

trajan · Jan 11, 2014

Reed Grele said:
Any idea of the approximate date that this will be up for pre-order?

I would imagine that it will sell out quickly.

JAN 22.

Dick · Jan 11, 2014

haineshisway said:
In a word - magnificent. The absolute best this film has ever looked, period. With color so accurate it made my little heart go pit-a-pat. I have no doubt that we'll have the usual "blue or teal push" nonsense and you can take it from li'l ol' me not to believe a word of it. The previous home video incarnations of this film were brown and awful, and that includes the German Blu-ray. This film is not brown and flat - but those who will compare the inevitable screen caps will say, well this one has a teal or blue push and they'll either just assume the completely wrong previous incarnations were correct or they'll certainly raise the specter of something being off in this new transfer. Nothing's off. The blues are glorious and perfect for a film of that era. PERFECT. And so are the lush greens and the true reds and the gray grays and every gradation of all those colors. PERFECT. Skin tones that are no longer flat brown but real. Mr. Peppard, who had blue eyes second only to Mr. Newman had gray eyes in previous transfers. Here they are as they should be - gorgeous BLUE eyes. It's breathtaking, the aerial photography looks amazing, and the score in 5.1 sound sounds fantastic - Jerry Goldsmith at his best. I still find the film slightly weird in its storytelling, but when something looks this good everything seems to work better. But for those who mistakenly found Desk Set too blue (it, too, was perfect), I'm sure the same will apply here and it will be just as mistaken.

Simply put, Fox has done an incredible job on this transfer and they need to hear that loud and clear with none of the usual teal/blue stuff getting in the way. After all, the film is called The BLUE Max. My eyes were so happy this evening I can't even tell you, although I just did

Now I want this. I sure wish Fox could come up with decent material for VON RYAN'S EXPRESS that would even approach the quality of this one.

Alan Tully · Jan 11, 2014

Reed Grele said:
Any idea of the approximate date that this will be up for pre-order?

I would imagine that it will sell out quickly.

Na, that's the trouble these days, it won't sell out quickly. I think it'll be around for a while.

ROclockCK · Jan 13, 2014

After 35 years of home video, it doesn't get much better than hearing that The Blue Max will finally look as good as I already knew it would sound*. This is definitely my 'A' title next month...just great news rolling in on every front. :thumbs-up-smiley:

* especially with 2 - count 'em - TWO isolated tracks: Goldsmith's complete score plus the alternate unused music. It might take me weeks to get around to the equally intriguing Redman/Kirgo/Burlingame commentary.

McCrutchy · Jan 22, 2014

Slightly surprised there is not more enthusiasm for this release.

Of all the TT releases available later today, this is he one I am most excited for, because everything has fallen into place. A new transfer, great audio treatment, an isolated score from one of the great film composers, a new audio commentary, and a topless Ursula Andress.

If only every TT release was like this one.

As for the transfer being blue, I doubt I'll notice when I'm wearing these babies:

Robin9 · Jan 22, 2014

trajan said:
JAN 22.

As of two minutes ago, not yet available from Screen Archives

Reed Grele · Jan 22, 2014

The last time I waited for a TT title to become available for pre-order, it wasn't put up until 3 or 4 pm eastern time.

Winston T. Boogie · Jan 22, 2014

I will be picking up Blue Max as well...and Thunderbolt and Lightfoot...but if you look at their homepage it says new titles go on sale at 4pm Eastern time.

ahollis · Jan 22, 2014

Robin9 said:
As of two minutes ago, not yet available from Screen Archives

The February titles start selling at 4 PM today. Usually not a second before.

Neil S. Bulk · Jan 22, 2014

McCrutchy said:
...an isolated score from one of the great film composers...

The isolated score on this is a real treat since so much of the music wasn't used in the final film. Now you'll be able to understand what Jerry Goldsmith had in mind for this movie.

Neil

Reed Grele · Jan 22, 2014

Just pre-ordered The BLUE MAX.

ahollis · Jan 22, 2014

Got mine along with a couple of other titles coming out at the same day. Nice.

lukejosephchung · Jan 22, 2014

Pre-ordered this along with the other titles that came online at Screen Archives today at 4pm EST...looking forward to seeing this movie properly done with a new HD transfer!!! :thumbs-up-smiley:

Home Theater

Entertainment & Streaming Content

Physical Media

Home Theater Equipment and Hardware

Other Diversions

Bargains and Classifieds

Home Theater Forum

Archives

A Sneak Peek at The Blue Max (1 Viewer)

Screenwriter

Screenwriter

Screenwriter

Screenwriter

Second Unit

Screenwriter

Similar threads

Users who are viewing this thread

Sign up for our newsletter

and receive essential news, curated deals, and much more

Similar Threads

Forum statistics