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International THE ANDROMEDA STRAIN -4-17-14 [Germany] (1 Viewer)

dpippel

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Nice! One of my favorite SF films ever. I hope it's given its due and has removable subtitles.
 

Dick

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Two years after Universal domestic hinted at a Blu-ray here as part of its 100th Anniversay, we get a German edition instead. Better than nothing, for sure, and pretty cheap, considering it is also a steelbook release.
 

Persianimmortal

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Here's the link to this release on Amazon Germany for people who are interested (always nice to include something like this in the OP, hint hint):

http://www.amazon.de/Andromeda-Tödlicher-Staub-Steelbook-Blu-ray/dp/B00IB8S3M0/

An absolute classic like they just don't make them anymore: a slow and methodical drama, with a good attempt at depicting scientific realism and logic, and an ending that doesn't take the easy way out via divine intervention or cheap emotionalism.

I'm not too thrilled about this being a German release, nor do I want a steelbook, but I suppose we can't be too choosy at this point.
 

andySu

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Well if its duel 2.0 Mono I'm not buying it as its absent of the 70mm six-track mag so I'll have to make do with the DVD unless bluray can get serious and release proper version.
 

ROclockCK

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If the Beaver caps are to be believed, I wouldn't go as far as calling this release "a joke", but I do agree with Bruce that it appears to be significantly warmer and/or more faded than desirable. In 1971, Wise, Levin, and Kline chose a very 'antiseptic' look for this film, especially within the Wildfire complex...with cool greys, off-whites, and lots of brushed metal surfaces predominating until we get to the final level (see 1. below).

So whenever we did see pools or splashes of color in this picture, it was always very dramatic:

image14.jpg


But again, in wider shots of the complex, little colour...as close to monochrome as possible:

Andromeda+Strain+%2528Whitlock+shots%2529.jpg


With such a constrained palate, two colours really sizzled:

1.) the red on red on gray in the deepest level of the complex:

6404697_f520.jpg


2). green, which was reserved for the titular character, and was even punchier (more emerald) than this pic:

DVD+PlayerScreenSnapz014.jpg


With all the carefully worked out (and expensive) art direction on this picture, there would be a 'trippiness' benefit for Universal if they went back to the original negative and remastered with state-of-the-art tools and workflow.
 

Persianimmortal

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Some additional screencaps are available at Capsaholic.

The only caps among those from the Beaver and Capsaholic which have any real sense of a contrast in colors are these ones:







Unfortunately, none of the screencaps we've seen so far are scenes which really highlight what you're talking about Steve. From the caps provided the colors don't seem to pop like they should, and there is a slightly muddy brown appearance indicative of an older source, although the Beaver review does mention that he sees "bright, tight colors".

From the capsaholic DVD vs. Blu comparisons it seems pretty clear that the Blu has brighter colors and is also less brown than the DVD, but it also seems that no restoration work was done. And since we're here talking about a German release of the movie, it's unlikely that one will not be forthcoming since the studio doesn't even deem it worthy of a US release. So on balance I'm willing to accept the slightly muted colors and the brown tint, as overall the Blu seems to have a pleasant appearance despite this.
 

andySu

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Bluray captures no different to the region 2 DVD that I have played at least well over 150 times. Yes I'm a fan of the film and I'm not wasting money on the bluray more of the same MONO mix. I bet the 70mm six-track had lots of directional dialouge panning as that is what my gut instinct tells me with years of listening experience.

The text that appears across the screen on updates on the WildFire facility are all missing on the DVD. There is a Laserdisc letterbox that has all that intact and I think Region 1 DVD?

Even the extras are the same. I bet its just boasting of colours brightness for bluray. Might as well up scale the DVD and save money and wait until a real worthy version with 70mm six-track is found and assembled for better version,

10300809_10152430561035149_4675673380861088496_n.jpg


10314700_10152430561490149_963551113678171039_n.jpg


10341472_10152430561475149_5260602435081741070_n.jpg


1506412_10152430561525149_1371111187198715289_n.jpg


So I have a little overscan on CRT 28" the projector shows a bit more width.

Generally the film is toppy and I just apply some HF horn fade cut to and raise fade up on Sony SDDS processor.

1549441_10152430561570149_6446289722056917382_n.jpg
 

AshJW

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andySu said:
The text that appears across the screen on updates on the WildFire facility are all missing on the DVD. There is a Laserdisc letterbox that has all that intact and I think Region 1 DVD?
The Blu-ray has it back where it belong. That was confirmed by owners of the german BD.
 

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